Hot dogs, oysters and tropical drinks: What to know a new bar opening in Butchertown

If you like pi?a coladas and getting caught between the choice to order hot dogs or oysters, there’s a new bar on the way for you.

Inspired by nautical and tropical themes, this Butchertown spot hopes to offer an escape-type vibe. Called YachtSea, a play on the name of the dice-rolling game, the 1,300-square-foot bar at 111 N. Wenzel St. is on track to open by summer.

The concept comes from a pair of owners, including JC Denison, the co-owner of The Merryweather in Germantown, and Leslee Macpherson, who previously served as the director of operations at Holly Hill in Lexington.

As they shared ideas for a new bar, they bonded over a desire to mix things up in Louisville.

“We fell in love with having that highbrow and lowbrow combination,” Denison told the Courier Journal.

That combo can be found on the menu, which will feature oysters on the half shell, “elegantly topped” hot dogs and other bar snacks, according to Denison.

To test out items, YachtSea has hosted several pop-ups at The Merryweather. Some hot dogs, made with beef and served on a potato bun, are topped with ingredients such as papaya, french onions or homemade beer cheese.

Looking beyond YachtSea’s food menu, its owners have set a “main focus on boat drinks,” Denison said.

“To me, it kind of encompasses a category of cocktails that is sort of frowned upon or people stick up their noses at,” he said. “These are the type of drinks you enjoy on vacation or on a boat, but they aren’t typically considered much or executed that well.”

Denison hopes to turn the tide for fun beverages, such as a pina colada, tequila sunrise or rum punch.

“Our goal is to make them actually good,” he said.

With wooden walls, tropical colors and nautical decor, YachtSea aims to be a cozy, neighborhood bar in Butchertown.

“It’s not necessarily going to feel like you’re on a boat,” Dension said. “But adjacent to that.”

Rolling with the place’s name, you might also expect to see some dice games and decor around.

“There’s an infinite possibility of ridiculous things we could do with that,” Denison said.

As details come together, Denison said he hopes YachtSea is a unique addition to the Louisville bar options.

“I definitely wouldn’t want to do anything that's already been done,” he said. “I feel like there’s a void to be filled, then let’s try to fill it.”

Reach food reporter Amanda Hancock at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: New bar serving hot dogs and oysters opening in Butchertown