The repair location of the SUV-induced hole in the wall can be seen in the mixed brick colors to the left of the front door that break up the otherwise faded yellow brick exterior. Opaque glass cubes, as old school as any other building feature, make up the majority of the surprisingly prolific windows that let in an uncharacteristically large amount of light by dive bar standards. Where breaks in the window cubes exist for traditional glass, those spots are largely occupied by neon beer signs and a handful of posted community flyers.
Inside, there are no bells and whistles when it comes to layout, an L-shaped bar in the center of an L-shaped space befitting the corner location. An electric dart board can be found in this front room positioned next to the wall of merchandise available including shirts, hats and zip-up sweatshirts. Aside from a few stools at the bar, this arm of the “L” feels a bit sparse compared to its more densely packed partner across the bar. Here, a series of built-in booths run against the longer side of the Louisville dive bar, narrowing the space a bit with enough room for another line of stools at the bar.
The unquestioned king of Mag Bar’s décor can be found along this stretch of bar, a framed picture of FDR perched above the bar back with a pair of mannequin legs complete with fishnets extending from its base. The usual dive bar selection of old liquor bottles and assorted stickers can be found nearby, a small collection of carved birds perched along the same ledge. Small local art pieces dot this area and the dive bar at large, little bursts of paintings mingling among the beer signs and liquor bottles.