Sometimes they have a singer/guitarist who plays there. He’s very talented but a little too loud for my liking. The bar is pretty small with very high ceilings and the sound tends to bounce around the walls. If they turned the amps just a little lower it would be perfect, but I digress. Even though it’s way too loud I still go. The music is great and bars offering good live entertainment these days are few and far between.

The kitchen is amazing. I love the cheese fries, the portabella mushroom burger, the home fries and pretty much any appetizer they whip up. The kitchen crew is awesome – from meal prep to cooks. You can tell they really care and as a loyal patron I like that. The waitstaff – for the most part – is on point. On one occasion a new waitress was flirting with a bar patron the whole time we were there. She basically ignored us (and everyone else) and we couldn’t order drinks. That was pretty much our only less than favorable experience. Overall every time I’ve been there has been pretty good.

The best times, however, are when Judy and her husband are there. I don’t know his name but I know we’ve exchanged names a few times. Some gravitate more towards him and others more towards Judy. I like them both very much and without overlooking anyone else on staff, this couple and how they tend bar and treat customers, is why I love the New Castle Tavern. When I see them together I’m happy to be there. When they’re not there the service is usually not as good. It’s not as bad as that one waitress who totally ignored us when she tended bar but it’s definitely night and day from when Judy and her husband are there.

For the longest I thought this couple owned the bar, but come to find out they’re employees like everyone else. The owner has been in a few times when we’ve been there and nothing against him but he’s never approached us, let alone said hello. I know he’s seen me in there at least a half dozen times but I guess he doesn’t care. Maybe I’m overthinking it. The reality of the matter is that Judy and her hubs do such a fantastic job that pretty much everyone else pales in comparison in my eyes. They have natural people skills and they make sure everyone feels like they’re acknowledged. No one is ignored and everyone feels like they belong. You can’t train that. You either have it or you don’t. The couple has it; the owner doesn’t.

From what I’ve heard, the bartending couple that are the heart and soul of the New Castle Tavern have quit. Why? I have no clue. From what I’ve heard, the kitchen has closed since they quit. I can’t say I’m surprised

Judy ran that place – literally – and her absence will not go unnoticed. I don’t know what she was getting paid, I don’t know if she was ever offered a % or the chance to have any kind of stake in the business. If I was the owner I would do anything to have kept them. The fact is he needs them a lot more than they need him. That said, maybe he sees them only as hired hands, as being easily replaceable. Or maybe he treated them wonderfully and they moved on for other reasons. Who knows? There’s no reason to jump the gun and vilify the owner, but this couple wouldn’t have just quit. They loved the tavern and they loved being there.

They will not be easily replaceable; hopefully, the owner knows that. I guess only time will tell though. This couple put their blood, sweat, and tears into this bar. That’s not something new hires are likely to do.

This business was exceeding all expectations. They were very much on a roll. Let’s see what happens now. I wish the tavern nothing but the best, but the bartending/managing couple that won over everyone’s hearts throughout Henry County and beyond will most definitely be missed. The same goes for the kitchen staff. Once you take the soul of out a neighborhood bar, what do you really have left?

Like I said, you can get a cold Budweiser anywhere. Hell, you can drink your Bud at home if need be. People go to a bar because they feel at home. I travel 25 miles from Louisville because of the vibe. Without Judy & her husband that vibe is gone.

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