Editor’s note: Our columnist Sara “The Bar Belle” Havens remembers John Dant, owner of The Back Door, who died on October 19. Today’s cover photo credit is from one of Rick Redding’s “The Rusty Satellite Show” episodes a few years back, and the obituary at Highlands Funeral Home is here.
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It’s a tough blow to the Louisville nightlife scene as it mourns one of its legends: John Dant, longtime owner of the Highlands mainstay The Back Door. Word spread of his untimely passing on Thursday, and Back Door regulars like me are still stunned and trying to process the unexpected news.
Dant owned the beloved dive bar for nearly all of its 38 years in business, first purchasing the bar when he was just 26 years old. He created a no-nonsense environment where staff and patrons were treated like family and everyone was welcome to sit back, unwind and let the day’s disasters disappear as you sipped on a few longnecks and devoured some delicious chicken wings.
I interviewed Dant in 2015 for a piece (in the now-defunct Insider Louisville) on the Back Door’s 30th anniversary party, and he was quick to shift the spotlight to his loyal employees:
“The success, I believe, goes to the staff,” he said. “Not very often do you get this many employees to work for 20-plus years as professionals and be honest as a newborn child. I also believe the customer works hard, and they deserve to pay a decent price for what they order. As you know, we have some of the best prices and maybe the strongest drinks.”
The Back Door remains an ideal place for affordable drinks often made with a heavy hand, and the pub grub is top-notch and available late into the night. Many people come to play pool, but the real comradery can be found at the bar as the regulars and bartenders socialize like family. There’s no doubt Dant, who came from a family of nine, had a hand in creating such a warm environment for everyone who walks through the door.
Dant championed for many causes in town and gave back to the community when he could, but the cause most near and dear to his heart was animal rescue and working to end animal cruelty. He often partnered with The Arrow Fund to help raise funds for their mission to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome animal victims of abuse.
If you were a Facebook friend of Dant’s, you’d often see his two main passions on full display: his family (wife Alice and son Taylor) and his dogs (Ryelee and his beloved Kohl, who passed in 2021).
The Louisville nightlife community has lost a true legend way too soon. It’s unclear what will happen with The Back Door, but for now, it’s business as usual. It’s definitely not going to be the same without John there, but I, for one, will continue to stop in to keep Dant’s legacy going strong.
During the 2015 interview, Dant said he had no plans to retire anytime soon because he truly enjoyed doing what he loved: “If I survive 30 more years, I hope to be at the same place. If I can keep the customer happy and my employees happy, I am doing a good job.”
