RestaurantsNightlife
Public Well
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Public Well

About Public Well

Public Well is a standout restaurant and nightlife destination in Nicholasville, KY, offering a welcoming experience that brings together great food, a lively atmosphere, and thoughtful hospitality.

Conveniently located at 104 S York St, it has earned an impressive 4.70 out of 5 rating from 113 reviews, reflecting the strong impression it leaves on guests who return for its quality, consistency, and inviting setting.

Whether you are stopping in for brunch, lunch, dinner, or dessert, Public Well creates the kind of dining experience that feels both relaxed and memorable, with table service, comfortable seating, and a style that balances casual comfort with a trendy, energetic edge.

What makes Public Well especially appealing is its wide range of offerings designed to fit many occasions and preferences. Guests can enjoy dine-in service, takeout, delivery, or outdoor seating, making it easy to choose the experience that works best.

The menu and drink selection are equally versatile, featuring comfort food, small plates, quick bites, coffee, beer, cocktails, alcohol, and late-night food, along with local specialties that give the restaurant a distinctive sense of place.

From solo diners looking for a satisfying meal to friends gathering over great cocktails and a strong beer selection, Public Well delivers a setting that is just as suited to a laid-back lunch as it is to an evening out.

Live music and a fast, attentive service style add even more appeal, helping create an atmosphere that is lively without feeling rushed.

Public Well is also built with accessibility and convenience in mind, making it a place where more guests can feel comfortable and welcome. Wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, seating, and restroom facilities help ensure an easy visit for everyone, while modern payment options including credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments add everyday convenience.

With a bar on site, restroom access, and a cozy, casual environment, it offers the kind of thoughtful details that make dining feel smooth and enjoyable from start to finish.

For guests seeking a dependable local favorite with strong ratings, flexible dining options, and a warm, social atmosphere, Public Well stands out as a trusted choice in Nicholasville. Call +1 859-887-0400 to plan your visit and experience it for yourself.

★★★★★ 4.70 rating (113 reviews)
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Independent Reviews
Public Well interior
Est. Local Favorite

A Taste of Tradition

Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.

Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.

  • Fresh Daily Specials
  • Private Dining Available
  • Catering Services
  • Takeout & Delivery

Guest Reviews

Hear from our valued guests

Samantha Earnest

Samantha Earnest

2 years ago

Great food and drinks. Everyone I interacted with was very nice. Will definitely be back.

Emma Wasyluk

Emma Wasyluk

2 years ago

Ok the food was pretty good—- the BLT was on a smashed hamburger bun, which was a surprisingly delicious way to serve it! My kentucky mule was tasty as well— had to get one while in KY! The lighting was a little harsh, a little bright, but other than that it was a great quick dinner spot for us.

Autumn B

Autumn B

9 months ago

The food was SO good. I have been dying to try the tacos and they exceeded all expectations. The chips, salsa, and queso were also very good. The ladies behind the bar were so nice and the owner was super friendly, too.

T.j. Kidwell

T.j. Kidwell

4 years ago

This place is my absolute favorite brunch in Nicholasville. Outdoor seating and indoor seating. The food is great and the service is awesome. Mimosas are always great too. This place is the best kept secret in town. Give them a try, you won’t be disappointed.

Sarah-James Sendor

Sarah-James Sendor

4 years ago

This is the best bar in Nicholasville! Great service, great atmosphere, and fantastic drinks. They’ve been open for 3 years and it’s the cleanest bar I’ve ever been in. You could eat off the floor of this place. Fresh ingredients! They have a brunch menu, which I haven’t tried yet, but I will be back this weekend! 😁

Joshua Ward

Joshua Ward

5 months ago

Came in on a quiet Thursday night in the cold stretch of winter. Great apps and burgers, delicious sweet tea, and fantastic service. Will be back for the patio in the summer.

Mike Terry

Mike Terry

4 years ago

What a great little place to hang out and relax! My daughter heard about this place and it is coincidentally just a few blocks away from her house. There is a full bar and a small but good menu. We ordered the Chips and Queso as a starter and My daughter ordered some Vegetable Nachos and I ordered the Meat Pizza. First of all the portions are enormous so for two people this was way too much food each of these was easily good for 2 people each meaning we bought enough food for 6 (pictured below). Prices are more than fair and again each was good for 2. The feel of the place is also very comforting with great service. This is a place I highly recommend and will definitely be back!

Paul Ross

Paul Ross

10 months ago

Fun atmosphere, great food, a little slow on the service. Live music was fun, food was surprisingly very high quality, didn’t expect that, I’d go back!

Hannah Michele

Hannah Michele

month ago

I REALLY like this place! It’s very fun, the food is really good, and the staff and owner are impossible to beat. They remember you and they’re always so nice to the kids that come through. Best nachos in town. Their nachos have ruined nachos for me because they HAVE to be from Public Well or else they just aren’t as good

MB L

MB L

2 months ago

​My husband and I rarely have a Sunday without back-to-back commitments, so when a day recently opened up, we decided to enjoy it to the fullest. After a quick "best brunch in Nicholasville" post in a local Facebook group, the response was a resounding: "Public Well!" ​Sometimes those groups get it wrong, but this time they were spot on! We arrived during church hours, so parking took a minute to figure out (the closest lot is for the neighboring church), but it was no big deal once we got our bearings. When we opened the door, it was elbow-to-elbow and fork-to-fork people! While the crowd was a little overwhelming in a small space, I did an internal happy dance because I knew we were going to be dining al fresco on the cute, comfy patio. Our server was incredible. When she learned we were "rookies," she walked us through every single item on the menu. We were torn on what to order, but because the prices were so affordable, we ended up getting about five or six different things just to sample. ​ You all. YOU ALL. Y U M! ​Chicken & Waffles: Top-notch. My husband asked me to please make the jalapeno honey at home because he liked it that much. ​Biscuits & Gravy: These could easily have been made by my Mom or my Grandmother. The quality of the bacon they serve is great: well done enough to have a crisp texture but not so done that it couldn't be cut with a fork or bent. It definitely was not the pre-made heat it up in the microwave stuff. ​Monte Cristo: The waffle was amazing! (If you have specific issues with deli meat texture like I do, you might give the meat a pass, but that waffle was worth it). ​The Poutine: I spied this at the next table and it looked wonderful—adding that to the "next time" list. ​The Mixology Lesson: Since I was in full-on "pretend food critic/woman of leisure" mode with a table full of dishes, I decided to go all out and order a Bloody Mary. I didn't realize it was a Bloody Mary Bar, and having never had one in my life, I quickly lear

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Public Well

Business Features

Highlights & Amenities

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair-accessible car park
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Wheelchair-accessible seating
  • Wheelchair-accessible toilet

Service options

  • Outdoor seating
  • Takeaway
  • Dine-in
  • Delivery

Highlights

  • Fast service
  • Great beer selection
  • Great cocktails
  • Live music
  • Serves local specialty

Popular for

  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Solo dining

Offerings

  • Alcohol
  • Beer
  • Cocktails
  • Coffee
  • Comfort food
  • Late-night food
  • Quick bite
  • Small plates
  • Spirits
  • Wine

Dining options

  • Brunch
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Dessert
  • Seating
  • Table service

Amenities

  • Bar on site
  • Restroom

Atmosphere

  • Casual
  • Cozy
  • Trendy

Crowd

  • Groups

Payments

  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments

Children

  • High chairs

Parking

  • Free parking lot
  • Free street parking

Visit Us

We look forward to welcoming you. Make a reservation or stop by - walk-ins welcome!

Location

104 S York St, Nicholasville, KY 40356, United States

Reservations

+1 859-887-0400

Hours

Closed · Wednesday 5 PM-12 AM
Monday Closed
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 5 PM-12 AM
Thursday 5 PM-12 AM
Friday 5 PM-12 AM
Saturday 5 PM-12 AM
Sunday 11 AM-2 PM
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