story and photos
by Tom Yates
The Jefferson Street dining corridor has welcomed a new option to its expanding dining and bar scene with the opening of Nick Ryan’s Saloon. Housed inside a beautiful 2 story veranda-fronted building (restaurant downstairs, rentals upstairs), Nick Ryan’s Saloon offers contemporary southern/American food along with a full bar.
The original Nick Ryan’s Saloon was opened at 120 North Mill Street in 1905. Nicholas Ryan was the son of prominent Lexington saloon man, John Ryan, who had run saloons in town since the early 1880s. Nick and brother J. Edward Ryan worked with their father and, after his death helped run the family saloon and billiard room on South Limestone next door to the “original Levas’s restaurant” (CentrePointe Block).
Ace Wine +Market coverstory March 2008 |
Offering an ambitious/casual menu in a beautiful downtown setting, Nick Ryan’s Saloon joins additional Ace culinary neighbors, Wine + Market (Ace coverstory March 27, 2008); the Grey Goose; Stella’s; and Cuppa Tea in an expanding dining corridor.
The restaurant opens Monday, November 15 for dinner, and plans to be open for lunch by Thanksgiving Friday.