Carson’s at Andover opens: First look at new location of popular Lexington restaurant

Janet Patton
·2 min read

In our Inside Look stories, Herald-Leader journalists take you inside places around Lexington and Kentucky that you maybe haven't seen before. Read more. Story idea? hlcityregion@herald-leader.com.

The new Carson’s at Andover opens June 21 and the Herald-Leader got a sneak peek inside the restaurant on Lexington’s east side near the growing Hamburg retail area.

It’s the second Carson’s location, following the one that opened downtown on Main Street in 2016. This one is in the former Andover Golf Club clubhouse, and has some unique features.

Sign up for our LexGo Eat & Drink newsletters


The latest on food, dining and bourbon delivered right to your inbox for free. See what's happening in the world of bourbon, including buying, tasting tips and more on Tuesday. Stick around for the biggest restaurant news in Central Kentucky on Thursday. Sign up here.

It has one of the longest bars in Lexington, stretching along a whole wall facing the former golf course, now greenspace.

Carson’s new location offers one of the longest bars in Lexington with 26 sets at 3450 Todds Road, in Andover, near the Hamburg area.
Carson’s new location offers one of the longest bars in Lexington with 26 sets at 3450 Todds Road, in Andover, near the Hamburg area.
Carson’s new location offers one of the longest bars in Lexington with 26 sets over looking the former golf course in Andover at 3450 Todds Road. The popular restaurant has a downtown locations as well.
Carson’s new location offers one of the longest bars in Lexington with 26 sets over looking the former golf course in Andover at 3450 Todds Road. The popular restaurant has a downtown locations as well.

Carson’s at Andover also has a private climate-controlled patio room, as well as outdoor seating.

Seating on an enclosed terrace is available at Carson’s new location at 3450 Todds Road in Lexington, Ky.
Seating on an enclosed terrace is available at Carson’s new location at 3450 Todds Road in Lexington, Ky.
The terrace room at Carson’s at Andover is climate controlled for year-round dining.
The terrace room at Carson’s at Andover is climate controlled for year-round dining.

There’s also a separate private dining room that can be booked for small groups.

The Esquire Room is a private room available at Carson’s.
The Esquire Room is a private room available at Carson’s.

The space also includes a new event venue, The Hudson, that can accommodate parties large and small.

Carson’s new location offers a venue space, The Hudson, at 3450 Todds Road in Lexington, Ky.
Carson’s new location offers a venue space, The Hudson, at 3450 Todds Road in Lexington, Ky.
The event venue space, The Hudson, can be divided into smaller sections and can accommodate anywhere from 35 to 140 people, and includes a private patio.
The event venue space, The Hudson, can be divided into smaller sections and can accommodate anywhere from 35 to 140 people, and includes a private patio.

The venue space, The Hudson, can be divided into smaller sections and can accommodate anywhere from 35 to 140 people, and includes a private patio.

While the restaurant, which has been highly-anticipated for a while now with foodies, is now taking reservations, the event venue won’t be open until later this fall. And both are already booking up fast.

The new restaurant will seat 255, plus room for 75 in the private patio room. More outdoor seating also is available.
The new restaurant will seat 255, plus room for 75 in the private patio room. More outdoor seating also is available.
The dining room offers custom murals highlighting Kentucky bourbon distilleries and chandeliers at Carson’s new location at 3450 Todds Road in Lexington, Ky., on Friday, June 21, 2024.
The dining room offers custom murals highlighting Kentucky bourbon distilleries and chandeliers at Carson’s new location at 3450 Todds Road in Lexington, Ky., on Friday, June 21, 2024.

The new restaurant will seat 255, plus room for 75 in the private patio room. More outdoor seating also is available.

Carson’s new location at 3450 Todds Road in Lexington, Ky., opened Friday, June 21, 2024. Reservations can be made online at OpenTable.com
Carson’s new location at 3450 Todds Road in Lexington, Ky., opened Friday, June 21, 2024. Reservations can be made online at OpenTable.com
A chandelier, one of 25, hangs in The Hudson, a venue space, at Carson’s new location at 3450 Todds Road in Lexington, Ky., on Friday, June 21, 2024.
A chandelier, one of 25, hangs in The Hudson, a venue space, at Carson’s new location at 3450 Todds Road in Lexington, Ky., on Friday, June 21, 2024.

And it’s all served from the new million-dollar kitchen, which is really two kitchens, one for the restaurant and one for the venue space.

The food and cocktail menu will be the same as the popular downtown location, with a variety of top-flight bourbons and wines available as well.

Carson’s Food & Drink is opening a second location in the former Andover Golf Club clubhouse at 3450 Todds Rd. In Lexington, Ky.
Carson’s Food & Drink is opening a second location in the former Andover Golf Club clubhouse at 3450 Todds Rd. In Lexington, Ky.

Carson’s at Andover

Where: 3450 Todds Rd.

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Reservations: Online at OpenTable.com

Online: carsonsfoodanddrink.com, Facebook.com/CarsonsLexington

Goodbye, gumbo: Lexington bar, restaurant closing after 7 years. What’s next?

New Shamrock opening in Brannon Crossing: 31 TVs, 32 beer taps & live music on weekends

New Southland bakery’s cookies don’t just go with milk, they help moms make it, too

New Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, sandwich restaurant coming to Lexington