The side of the building opens up into an outdoor patio that serves as live music venue when temperatures allow. A permanent beer ledge that runs through the middle of the porch and the small confines means the music is going to be loud but it’s going to be an interactive experience, the right kind of combination for what is mostly a neighborhood stop. A small gazebo across the parking lot looks as if it may, or may not be, part of the Smyrna Inn complex, a vacation porch of sorts away from the main stage. Motorcycle-dedicated parking can be found along a small shed on the property.
Inside, the confines are snug. The drinking area is split into two levels, the upper level open to the floor below, creating a very communal vibe despite the elevation difference in the seating. The main room includes Smyrna Inn’s main bar, a short curved variety with the questionable quirk of mirrors that run along one side, allowing you to see yourself drink beer as you’re drinking it, sometimes a good thing, sometimes not. A small window in the front wall opens up to the patio, giving the bartender access to supply drinks directly to those assembled outside. And on this reviewer’s visit, the drinks were in steady demand, supported by some of the most affordable pricing found in Louisville dive bars.
A surprising amount of seating is made available for such a small footprint, stool seating at the bar matched by high tops along the first and second levels. Though its status as a permanent feature is unclear, during my visit a roller hot dog machine was set up just inside the front door with a full complement of condiments and buns, another example of the communal nature of the neighborhood dive bar. The second floor in this main space includes additional seating as mentioned as well as a pair of gaming machines for those so inclined.