Take a Tour of an Abandoned Country Club in Kentucky

Yesterday, my co-worker Bobby and I drove past an old dance club that closed long before the pandemic and still hasn’t found a new tenant. It used to be a vibrant spot filled with life and laughter, but now it’s just a shell, empty except for some old cords, trash, and a fading sign out front.

Bobby asked why I thought no one had opened a new business there. I figured there could be several reasons—maybe the rent is too high, the building isn’t up to code, or perhaps no one in the community is ready to take on another club. The size and location might also make it less appealing for businesses that need to upgrade their spaces.

There are so many abandoned businesses that sit vacant for years. Some are more interesting to peek into than others, especially when the previous tenants have left behind a lot of items. Once, we looked at a property that had an old stable, once a successful boarding barn and lesson center. The previous owners left behind calendars, trunks full of equipment, and paperwork. I didn’t go through everything, but what was left on the desk felt like a blueprint for reopening. The current owners have since revitalized the barn.

Recently, I came across a Facebook post in the "I Grew Up in Kentucky" group about a couple of guys who explored an abandoned country club in Kentucky, and I found it really intriguing!

John Kyle Valencourt posted:  This is the abandoned Glenmary Country Club in Louisville, Kentucky. It has been closed since 2015, however, they recently renovated the restaurant which has since been reopened! The country club had multiple amenities, including a restaurant, a golf course, a swimming pool, and a clubhouse for its guest to enjoy!

It looks like the property sold recently and the restaurant has reopened. Hopefully, the new owners will bring it back to its full glory.

WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter this property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing on private property.

Get our free mobile app

How did you get in?

We literally parked and walked down the steps that led right to what was left of the abandoned country club. This was one of the coolest places I have personally explored. I have not been to an abandoned location quite like that nor have I actually seen something like that online.

I even found a video that they made on their excursion where you can see even more of the property. The description of the video shed some more info on the property:

Welcome to the Glenmary Country Club in Louisville, Kentucky! This is a relatively unknown urban location that we were fortunate to find while on one of our recent trips through Kentucky. We learned that the first round of golf was played on Memorial Day in 1953 along with the formal opening of the country club itself taking place on November 14, 1953. The country club had multiple amenities, including a restaurant, a golf course, a swimming pool, and a clubhouse for its guest to enjoy! The club closed for good in 2015 due to financial reasons.

Some of the comments on the video were interesting too.

Very cool but I can't say I'd have the nerve to go exploring abandoned places like this - I'm good just being a keyboard warrior on this one. And again, be warned that you should also be like me and just enjoy vicariously unless you get permission from the owners. :)