Sip Wine And Mingle With Ghosts In One Of Kentucky's Oldest, Most Haunted Bars
By Andrea Limke|Published August 21, 2019
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Andrea Limke
Author
A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.
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Ghost stories are common throughout Kentucky, especially within its historic buildings and properties. Every town has its share of haunted places and our state’s largest city is no exception. Louisville has many historic buildings and one of the most recognizable is The Seelbach Hotel. Started in 1903, this hotel and its bar and restaurant space within are the source of many ghost stories in Kentucky, as well as legendary tales of past guests. Sip wine, perhaps mingle with a ghost, and learn about one of Kentucky’s oldest and most haunted bars, restaurants, and hotels.
The majestic Seelbach Hotel in Louisville has been a popular destination and also the source of many tales since it first opened in 1905.
Thousands of people gathered here when it opened, because they had to see this masterpiece for themselves. And over the past century, many more have passed through its doors to get a glimpse of this Kentucky landmark.
The hotel was outfitted with only the finest of everything and was really the first of its kind in the area.
It was so popular, in fact, that the owners started an expansion in the first year it was open. When that renovation finished up in 1907, it included the Rathskeller, pictured below.
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The Rathskeller is the only space of its kind in the world, as it is made of historic and rare Rookwood Pottery tiles.
A popular event space and bar now, it was once a dining area and bar that attracted guests of the hotel and locals. With such an incredible history, it's no surprise that spirits would choose to hang out long after they were meant to move on.
The most famous story to come from this space involves Al Capone, himself. He would visit the hotel and play a game of cards in an alcove of the Oak Room (where you can still dine today). He'd sip on drinks from the bar, play cards, and had a mirror from Chicago placed on the wall across from his seat, so he could always watch his back. Stories like this are what make this history of the hotel so fascinating.
As a historic property with hotel rooms, bars, restaurants, and other spaces, it all has that feeling that the past just cannot let go.
There are a few specific ghost stories that originated in the hotel, and the most famous is that of the Lady in Blue.
The story goes that in the 1930s, this woman was at the hotel to meet her husband (perhaps for a drink at the bar?), but he was killed in a car accident while he was on his way.
A short time later, this woman was found dead at the bottom of the elevator shaft of the hotel. It is not clear whether it was another tragic accident or if she committed suicide, but many claim she still roams the hotel. There have been reports of spotting a woman in blue with long dark hair, maybe still waiting for her husband to arrive.
There have been other stories of ghostly sightings in a mirror, in a guest room, hearing footsteps, and other chilling accounts. And given the history of the hotel, these stories are bound to continue for years to come.
The hotel is home to some of the oldest bars and restaurants in the area, and they come with so many interesting tales. From ghosts to gangsters, this grand hotel in Kentucky is worth a visit for the history, the over-the-top grandeur, and to mark it off a bucket list of haunted places in the Bluegrass.
The Seelbach Hilton, as it’s now called, has such a fascinating history, including many ghost stories in Kentucky. And it’s not just the haunted tales of this hotel, bar, and restaurant that are intriguing. Many famous – and infamous – folks have visited the hotel, as it’s always had the same grand appeal that it continues today, as one of the oldest and most haunted destinations in Kentucky. Have you spent the night at The Seelbach? Did you know about these ghost stories in Kentucky and the fascinating history of the hotel? Let us know in the comments!
For more information on the history of the hotel, visit its website here.
Address: 500 S 4th Street, Louisville, KY 40202
And if you’re up for seeing more of the most haunted places in Kentucky, check out this spooky road trip here.
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