I’d heard about The Swan Dive for quite sometime of course but it’s just enough off my normal routes that I’d never gone to check it out. Then a couple weeks ago my friend Rob, who is a vegan, (Hi Rob!) ate there and raved about it. Then someone on Facebook mentioned going to The Chicago Diner and I was reminded of how much I really do like fake meat products when they’re done well. That was enough to get me in the mind to go to The Swan Dive to give their all vegetarian menu a try. Yes I said all vegetarian menu, isn’t it stupid that it’s taken me this long to go try it? Oh and don’t get B started, she was downright hostile that I’d never taken her there. Moving on.

The Swan Dive’s all vegetarian menu is right up my alley. It’s essentially bar food (chicken wings, jalepeno wontons, fries, barbecue) with meat left out and when necessary meat substitutes added instead. The menu is completely up B’s alley since she doesn’t eat meat at all and she also loves good beer. I don’t drink beer so the beer selection was lost on me (The Swan Dive, much to my disappointment doesn’t serve liquor, only beer), B was pleased with the Cumberland Brews Red Ale she had. At least I think that’s what she had. It was definitely a Cumberland Brews beer and she definitely enjoyed it.

We had the Not Wings for an appetizer. These tasty little battered seitan bites were outstanding and had enough heat that the ranch dressing they were served with was a definite necessity for me. So good. For the main course I had the barbecue sandwich with fries and B had the French Dip with vegan macaroni and cheese. We each had part of the winning combo: great fries and the French Dip was fantastic. The barbecue sandwich wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t as good as the French Dip. The French Dip’s flavor, texture and bread choice were perfect. And then the au jus which was clearly not real au jus was delicious. It was a little bit of vegetarian magic. So next time we go back I’m going to get the French Dip or maybe the Philly Cheese Steak.

The Swan Dive is only open for dinner, they open at 5PM and go into the wee hours for those with far later bedtimes than mine. Seriously there was a sign that said happy hour is 11PM-1AM, prime sleeping hours. You should know that The Swan Dive doesn’t allow minors, ever. It’s for grownups. The owner told us they do delivery, by bicycle, all around Germantown and into some parts of the Highlands. You lucky Germantown people! Tasty vegetarian bar food delivered to your door? You are some lucky folks.

I’m not really sure what to say about atmosphere. I fear it’s going to come out wrong no matter how I say it. So let me preface this by saying “I love The Swan Dive and B and I will go there frequently.” With that out of the way I’ll say that the word “dive” in the name isn’t misplaced. It’s a tiny little space that you have to walk down from street level to get into. It’s a little dark, maybe a little dank but I mean that in the best possible way.

That’s why all these photos are so dark, dude there’s very little light in there. In summation: It’s your friendly little neighborhood hole in the wall dive bar that has a great beer selection and really excellent vegetarian food. Get thee there for some Not Wings posthaste.

P.S. B wanted me to tell you that she loves The Swan Dive for being a dive bar that uses cloth napkins. Environmental awareness for the win!

The Swan Dive
921 Swan Street
Louisville, KY