The Palms
A Lexington Staple
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The Palms has been a Lexington tradition since 1975. Originally, the Palms opened as an ice cream shop called the Palms Parlor. However, in 1984 the Palms began its transition into a restaurant and bar. Wade Leslie owned the Palms from 1986 to 2006, when he sold the restaurant and bar to Cindy Campbell. Mr. Leslie was essential in the shaping of the Palms, having tweaked its menu and expanded its capacity. Ruffians were no stranger to Leslie and the Palms. He recounts having seen VMI cadets getting thrown through windows and getting locked in the backyard. Donni Walker, the manager of Palms from 1989 up through 1994, used to carry a green bat to keep rowdy bar-goers in line. Nevertheless, “Donni does admit she would never use it to harm anyone.”
The Palms has been a favorite of both cadets and W&L students since its opening, and is especially popular for students’ 21st birthdays. Marshall Boswell, a W&L student, stated, “A pitcher or two at the Palms can be as much a Washington and Lee tradition as the Honor System and post-Fancy Dress hangover.”
