Mulligan's restaurant and event space now open at the former Glenmary Country Club

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A new restaurant and event space is now open inside the former home of the Glenmary Country Club.

Mulligan's features a diverse food and drink menu as well as sand volleyball, cornhole, pickleball and a brand new patio outside.

"We've got so much history," owner Chris Thieneman said. "Eight years ago, they wanted to tear this building down."

In 2021, Thieneman purchased 45 acres of the country club for $625,00 from Par Golf LLC, including the area near Bardstown Road and Interstate 265 where the clubhouse is located.

For years, some Glenmary residents — 850 families live in the area — pushed back against the plan, causing any construction to be delayed.

"I wanted to save it," Thieneman said. "It's incredible. Why they wanted to tear it down, I don't know."

Co-owned by Ernesto Rivera of I Love Tacos, Mulligan's will serve both American and Mexican staples, including a Sunday brunch.

"You don't have one restaurant that can bring you everything in one place," Rivera said. "As well as gaming, as well as bourbon, as well as tequila we can provide anything to anybody who wants to try something different."

The original bar in the clubhouse was moved from the center of the building up against the right side and now features a garage bar that will be opened during warmer days. Several televisions surround the space to offer guests views of various sporting events from both inside the restaurant and the patio space.

Next to the restaurant is a covered porch and event space with original 19th-century hardwood floors. And outside, beach volleyball, bocce ball, cornhole and pickleball courts were added to offer more space for events.

Mulligan's is also planning to open a speakeasy bar in the basement of the clubhouse and construct an amphitheater on the property.

"If you want to bring the kids, play outside, have a drink, have a nice cocktail, have a margarita, have a bourbon while the kids play around out there, I think there's nothing like this anywhere," Rivera said.

Mulligan's is technically a private club given its zoning permit and location within the Glenmary neighborhood. However, it is open to all members of the public.

A small membership fee will go toward food and drinks at the club. Mulligan's is still working on pricing. Membership is free for 30 days.

"I got a lot of people signing up, and Ernesto will keep them with his food," Thieneman said.

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