The building at 301 E. High St. used to be known as High on Rose. The bar opened in 1975. It closed in July 2005.
NAI Isaac
You could own a piece of Lexington dining history: A longtime bar and restaurant, one of the city’s first Mexican restaurants as well as a music venue, is for sale.
The two-story building at 301 E. High St. that house High on Rose has been listed for $1.1 million.
According to the listing by NAI Isaac, it’s about 3,800 square feet of office space now, in the heart of downtown and near restaurants, hospitality, entertainment and residential areas on a highly visible corner.
The building at 301 E. High St. used to be known as High on Rose. The bar opened in 1975. It closed in July 2005. NAI Isaac
The location was formerly the High on Rose bar, founded in 1975 by Joe Stearns, with a distinct dive bar and hippie vibe, and was one of the first places in town to serve Mexican food, according to Herald-Leader archives. The barroom was also used for a scene in the 1978 movie “Steel.”
Joe Stearns, proprietor of the bar High on Rose in June 1981. High on Rose was a popular downtown watering hole situated at the corner of East High Street and Rose Street. Stearns opened the business in June 1975. Photo by Christy Porter | Staff Herald-Leader
In the late 1980s, it was known as the High on Rose Cantina-Hacienda Galvan, with the cantina downstairs and the restaurant upstairs.
In later years, it hosted live music and poetry slams. High on Rose closed in July 2005. It has now been renovated inside and turned into office space with polished hardwood floors and exposed brick walls.
The inside of 301 E. High St., once known as High on Rose. The building that housed the former bar and restaurant is for sale. NAI Isaac
This story was originally published October 14, 2026 at 6:44 AM.
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