Phoenix Hill and Greater Louisville Guidebook
Food scene
One of our many local breweries. They have a large outdoor patio and Bandido Taqueria.
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Falls City Brewing Company - Taproom and Beer Garden
901 E Liberty StOne of our many local breweries. They have a large outdoor patio and Bandido Taqueria.
A cute locals diner like Cafe in a developing area called Paristown Point. Go here for Americana breakfast, lunch, or brunch.
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The Café
731 Brent StA cute locals diner like Cafe in a developing area called Paristown Point. Go here for Americana breakfast, lunch, or brunch.
Broadway Nutrition
716 East BroadwayNewer little smoothie and juice bar.
Great local brewery with a big indoor space that includes pinball, arcade, and board games. They don’t have food but you can bring your own in. (there is also a spot Mac's where you can order pizza, salads and small bites right when you walk in)
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Mile Wide Beer Co.
636 Barret AveGreat local brewery with a big indoor space that includes pinball, arcade, and board games. They don’t have food but you can bring your own in. (there is also a spot Mac's where you can order pizza, salads and small bites right when you walk in)
really delicious duck tacos. Beer on tap. It is a tiny place and gets crowded quickly. Parking is hard around there so walking can be best case.
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Hammerheads
921 Swan Streally delicious duck tacos. Beer on tap. It is a tiny place and gets crowded quickly. Parking is hard around there so walking can be best case.
Delicious little spot for fancy baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, amazing lunch, and coffee.
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Wiltshire Pantry Bakery and Cafe
901 Barret AveDelicious little spot for fancy baked goods, breakfast sandwiches, amazing lunch, and coffee.
Only open for dinner Thursday thru Sunday. Good local food, limited and changing menu. Full bar.
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Wiltshire on Market
636 E Market StOnly open for dinner Thursday thru Sunday. Good local food, limited and changing menu. Full bar.
Been around for a while and opened when there weren’t a ton of restaurants using local food. Proof is located in the 21c hotel which is a free to the public modern art museum that is open 24hrs a day. It is really fun to walk around the hotel and see the art. Great place for a drink and then dinner somewhere else or start with drinks and stay for dinner.
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Proof On Main
702 W Main StBeen around for a while and opened when there weren’t a ton of restaurants using local food. Proof is located in the 21c hotel which is a free to the public modern art museum that is open 24hrs a day. It is really fun to walk around the hotel and see the art. Great place for a drink and then dinner somewhere else or start with drinks and stay for dinner.
Yucatan cuisine that is really good fresh and local. I always love eating here. Recommend the ceviche!! If it’s the weekend, I recommend a reservation.
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Mayan Cafe
813 E Market StYucatan cuisine that is really good fresh and local. I always love eating here. Recommend the ceviche!! If it’s the weekend, I recommend a reservation.
I almost always bring out of towners here. Grab a drink before dinner in the basement bar and then have some really delicious dinner. Good outdoor seating if the weather is good and great indoor seating if it’s not. Love this place. They also have a really great basement bar if you just want to grab a glass of wine and some bar snacks. There might be jazz in the bar downstairs that is worth checking out and a newly opened book, record and wine store on the second floor called B-Sides.
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Decca Restaurant
812 E Market StI almost always bring out of towners here. Grab a drink before dinner in the basement bar and then have some really delicious dinner. Good outdoor seating if the weather is good and great indoor seating if it’s not. Love this place. They also have a really great basement bar if you just want to grab a glass of wine and some bar snacks. There might be jazz in the bar downstairs that is worth checking out and a newly opened book, record and wine store on the second floor called B-Sides.
Really great Italian cuisine and pizza. They run a great happy hour Mon-Thur. Head there early to grab a seat at the bar.
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bar Vetti
727 East Market StreetReally great Italian cuisine and pizza. They run a great happy hour Mon-Thur. Head there early to grab a seat at the bar.
hey are known for their bread. Most good restaurants use their bread instead of make their own because this bread is so good. They have great sandwiches and they have a poached egg pizza which makes for the most amazing breakfast. It is big enough for two and delicious. The bacon and pork products are from hogs that they raise and process themselves.
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Blue Dog Bakery & Cafe
2868 Frankfort Avehey are known for their bread. Most good restaurants use their bread instead of make their own because this bread is so good. They have great sandwiches and they have a poached egg pizza which makes for the most amazing breakfast. It is big enough for two and delicious. The bacon and pork products are from hogs that they raise and process themselves.
Sister restaurant of Blue Dog located on the same street. They have a butcher shop and deli attached to a restaurant with a revolving menu. The patio is a lovely place to share plates and sip a cocktail.
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Red Hog Restaurant & Butcher Shop
2622 Frankfort AveSister restaurant of Blue Dog located on the same street. They have a butcher shop and deli attached to a restaurant with a revolving menu. The patio is a lovely place to share plates and sip a cocktail.
Really incredible breakfast and a top notch coffee game. Also attached to another local’s favorite, The Holy Grale. Recommend the porchetta sandwich or tofu bahn mi, but really anything is delicious.
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Gralehaus
1001 Baxter AveReally incredible breakfast and a top notch coffee game. Also attached to another local’s favorite, The Holy Grale. Recommend the porchetta sandwich or tofu bahn mi, but really anything is delicious.
Lee's Korean Restaurant
1941 Bishop LnThey have a good hot stone bibimbop too and delicious kimchees.
Their menu is HUGE. They have north and south Indian food. (which is unique for Louisville). Their mysore malsala dosa is delicious. I also love their samosa chaat (this is a located a little out of the way, like a 15 minute drive).
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Dakshin
4742 Bardstown RdTheir menu is HUGE. They have north and south Indian food. (which is unique for Louisville). Their mysore malsala dosa is delicious. I also love their samosa chaat (this is a located a little out of the way, like a 15 minute drive).
There is a bakery and restaurant. They have middle eastern food and I love their baba ganoush without tahini. They make the pita bread fresh each day.
Alwatan Restaurant
3707 Klondike LnThere is a bakery and restaurant. They have middle eastern food and I love their baba ganoush without tahini. They make the pita bread fresh each day.
Taco Luchador
938 Baxter AveGood tacos and close on Bardstown Road.
Really HUGE sushi rolls. Generous portions and solid results. Lexington, KY actually has the better Japanese restaurants because of Toyota being located close by. If I want good Japanese then I would go to Hiko-A-Mon in Westport Village (not the downtown location) or Dragon King’s Daughter in New Albany, IN right across the bridge (not the Louisville location).
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Oishii Sushi
2810 Taylorsville RdReally HUGE sushi rolls. Generous portions and solid results. Lexington, KY actually has the better Japanese restaurants because of Toyota being located close by. If I want good Japanese then I would go to Hiko-A-Mon in Westport Village (not the downtown location) or Dragon King’s Daughter in New Albany, IN right across the bridge (not the Louisville location).
This is on Bardstown Road and close. They are totally vegetarian and they make tofu. (before them, the closest place to get made tofu was Chicago). Heart and Soy is take out/ informal eat-in. Roots is a little formal dining. The owner is Vietnamese and they have a mix of Asian food. This is a solid quick choice.
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Roots
1216 Bardstown RdThis is on Bardstown Road and close. They are totally vegetarian and they make tofu. (before them, the closest place to get made tofu was Chicago). Heart and Soy is take out/ informal eat-in. Roots is a little formal dining. The owner is Vietnamese and they have a mix of Asian food. This is a solid quick choice.
Inexpensive and strong drinks (known to many as “the back door pour”). Tends to be a delightfully mixed crowd They ALWAYS check IDs so don’t forget yours. The house special is usually a well and a mixer for around $3. I also love their cheese fries and wings.
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The Back Door
1250 Bardstown RdInexpensive and strong drinks (known to many as “the back door pour”). Tends to be a delightfully mixed crowd They ALWAYS check IDs so don’t forget yours. The house special is usually a well and a mixer for around $3. I also love their cheese fries and wings.
A younger scene with great live music, good beer list, interesting snacks and you can play video games!
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Kaiju
1004 E Oak StA younger scene with great live music, good beer list, interesting snacks and you can play video games!
They always have live music and I love playing pinball there. Really nice people, good beers and full dinner service. Good place to go before a show at the New Vintage.
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Zanzabar
2100 S Preston StThey always have live music and I love playing pinball there. Really nice people, good beers and full dinner service. Good place to go before a show at the New Vintage.
REALLY delicious pho and generally just very good food. Could walk from the studio and then stop at ShopBar after for a drink or walk on to Nitty Gritty for some vintage clothes.
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eatz Vietnamese Restaurant
2244 Barret AveREALLY delicious pho and generally just very good food. Could walk from the studio and then stop at ShopBar after for a drink or walk on to Nitty Gritty for some vintage clothes.
Sightseeing
This volleyball bar that you might not have even noticed when you drove past is actually a great spot to get a bucket of beer, settle in on the top deck and watch the sunset. It’s an easy 11 minute walk from the apartment and could be paired with a visit to Gravely (which is just another couple minutes further to walk). There is just something amazing, weird and good about a a beach volleyball vibe when you’re away from home.
Baxter Jacks Volleyball Club
427 Baxter AveThis volleyball bar that you might not have even noticed when you drove past is actually a great spot to get a bucket of beer, settle in on the top deck and watch the sunset. It’s an easy 11 minute walk from the apartment and could be paired with a visit to Gravely (which is just another couple minutes further to walk). There is just something amazing, weird and good about a a beach volleyball vibe when you’re away from home.
MidCity Mall was Louisville's first mall! When I was growing up we called it SkidCity Mall, but it's not bad. There is a movie theater, the Back Door bar and a thrift store in the basement that sometimes has some fancy stuff if you want to pick through. Truly might not be good to make a special trip, but if you go by just notice it.
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Mid City Mall
1250 Bardstown RdMidCity Mall was Louisville's first mall! When I was growing up we called it SkidCity Mall, but it's not bad. There is a movie theater, the Back Door bar and a thrift store in the basement that sometimes has some fancy stuff if you want to pick through. Truly might not be good to make a special trip, but if you go by just notice it.
Cherokee Park is the closest, but we have a lot of Olmsted designed parks. They are all beautiful and nice to enjoy. You can also go to the waterfront and walk across the Big Four Pedestrian Bridge and hang out at Waterfront Park.
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Cherokee Park
745 Cochran Hill RdCherokee Park is the closest, but we have a lot of Olmsted designed parks. They are all beautiful and nice to enjoy. You can also go to the waterfront and walk across the Big Four Pedestrian Bridge and hang out at Waterfront Park.
You can walk the Big Four bridge across the Ohio River and grab a bite to eat on the other side in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
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Big Four Pedestrian Bridge
Big Four Pedestrian BridgeYou can walk the Big Four bridge across the Ohio River and grab a bite to eat on the other side in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Great to just walk around. In the summer WFPL, our public radio station, hosts Waterfront Wednesday, a free concert series. Check to see if it's happening.
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Waterfront Park
129 River RdGreat to just walk around. In the summer WFPL, our public radio station, hosts Waterfront Wednesday, a free concert series. Check to see if it's happening.
I haven’t been, but it is said to be VERY haunted. They give tours, ghost- hunting and step up their game in the Fall.
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Waverly Hills Sanatorium
4400 Paralee DrI haven’t been, but it is said to be VERY haunted. They give tours, ghost- hunting and step up their game in the Fall.
35+ miles of trails. Popular trails include Mitchell Hill Lake Trail, Coral Ridge Loop and Purple Heart Trail. Hiking, biking and even horse riding.
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Jefferson Memorial Forest
11311 Mitchell Hill Road35+ miles of trails. Popular trails include Mitchell Hill Lake Trail, Coral Ridge Loop and Purple Heart Trail. Hiking, biking and even horse riding.
Iroquois Park is the perfect place to hike while enjoying nice weather. The Park features forested hillsides, amazing views, and a tulip poplar tree that may just be the largest you'll find in Louisville's parks system. If you're looking for a cool spot to check out after hiking, Iroquois park also contains a huge open-air amphitheater that fits over 2,000 people.
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Iroquois Amphitheater
1080 Amphitheater RdIroquois Park is the perfect place to hike while enjoying nice weather. The Park features forested hillsides, amazing views, and a tulip poplar tree that may just be the largest you'll find in Louisville's parks system. If you're looking for a cool spot to check out after hiking, Iroquois park also contains a huge open-air amphitheater that fits over 2,000 people.
Bernheim has 40+ miles of trails for hikers, and trails take hikers through different valleys, ridges, hollows, and more. The trails vary in difficulty, so there's sure to be something for everyone! Before you go, it's worth checking to see if they are open for non-member access.
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Bernheim Arboretum und Forschung
2075 Clermont RdBernheim has 40+ miles of trails for hikers, and trails take hikers through different valleys, ridges, hollows, and more. The trails vary in difficulty, so there's sure to be something for everyone! Before you go, it's worth checking to see if they are open for non-member access.
The Parklands of Floyds Fork feature 4,000 acres of parkland that are filled with endless views and a huge variety of trails. It includes trails like the Strand Trailhead, Louisville Loop, and Humana Grand Allee (considered by some to be the "Best Walk in Louisville"). No matter what outdoor adventure you're looking for, the Parklands of Floyds Fork has got you covered.
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The Parklands of Floyds Fork
Blue Heron RoadThe Parklands of Floyds Fork feature 4,000 acres of parkland that are filled with endless views and a huge variety of trails. It includes trails like the Strand Trailhead, Louisville Loop, and Humana Grand Allee (considered by some to be the "Best Walk in Louisville"). No matter what outdoor adventure you're looking for, the Parklands of Floyds Fork has got you covered.
Great museum and free on Sundays. They also have the Speed Cinema that is worth checking out. Their film programming is really interesting.
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Das Speed Art Museum
2035 S 3rd StGreat museum and free on Sundays. They also have the Speed Cinema that is worth checking out. Their film programming is really interesting.
Bars
Nowhere Bar, Big Bar and Chill Bar- These are gay/neighborhood bars on Bardstown Road. Nowhere (which I wish they called Now Here) has the best dancing, but it doesn’t start until late (bars stay open until 4am). Big bar is tiny but in the process of expanding. I also like it. There is a lot of walking between the three bars. I think Nowhere doesn’t charge a cover until midnight.
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Nowhere Bar Louisville
1133 Bardstown RdNowhere Bar, Big Bar and Chill Bar- These are gay/neighborhood bars on Bardstown Road. Nowhere (which I wish they called Now Here) has the best dancing, but it doesn’t start until late (bars stay open until 4am). Big bar is tiny but in the process of expanding. I also like it. There is a lot of walking between the three bars. I think Nowhere doesn’t charge a cover until midnight.
A great host to the larger drag show productions. Play has a good dance room, but it’s a concrete floor (which can make dancing really painful the next morning). If you want a much smaller production you can do across the bridge to Indiana to a bar called Pride Bar and they have low production (but sometimes amazing) shows.
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Play Louisville
1101 East Washington StreetA great host to the larger drag show productions. Play has a good dance room, but it’s a concrete floor (which can make dancing really painful the next morning). If you want a much smaller production you can do across the bridge to Indiana to a bar called Pride Bar and they have low production (but sometimes amazing) shows.
Great indoor and outdoor drinks. Often a food truck parked outside. Fun place for a drink.
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ShopBar
950 Barret AveGreat indoor and outdoor drinks. Often a food truck parked outside. Fun place for a drink.
Grocery
This is a chain out of Cincinnati. They have a pretty good selection and are very close. They also have fuel that they price pretty competitively (I think).
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Kroger
1265 Goss AveThis is a chain out of Cincinnati. They have a pretty good selection and are very close. They also have fuel that they price pretty competitively (I think).
This is a local chain on Bardstown Road in MidCity mall. They are really good, have a good organic selection and local products. I like to support this business as much as I can. They also have to go sushi and the sushi chef there is Japanese. Affordable and good for a quick take-away.
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Valu Market Mid City Mall
1250 Bardstown RdThis is a local chain on Bardstown Road in MidCity mall. They are really good, have a good organic selection and local products. I like to support this business as much as I can. They also have to go sushi and the sushi chef there is Japanese. Affordable and good for a quick take-away.
Louisville’s local organic grocery chain/alternative to Whole Foods. They have multiple locations.
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Rainbow Blossom
3738 Lexington RdLouisville’s local organic grocery chain/alternative to Whole Foods. They have multiple locations.
Antiques/ Shopping Deals
A little further away, it is definitely the least expensive, but a lot of small sized things. Every place will have old Derby glasses if you think you might want one of those to commemorate your time in Louisville.
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Tickled Pink Memorabilia Mall
3269 Taylor BlvdA little further away, it is definitely the least expensive, but a lot of small sized things. Every place will have old Derby glasses if you think you might want one of those to commemorate your time in Louisville.
This is a HUGE antique mall if you like browsing around. Louisville is still in the affordable zone for vintage items. Hopefully we will stay that way for a while longer.
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Mellwood Antiques And Interiors
1860 Mellwood AveThis is a HUGE antique mall if you like browsing around. Louisville is still in the affordable zone for vintage items. Hopefully we will stay that way for a while longer.
I would check their instagram to see if there is something there you like. It doesn't keep regular hours, but they respond VERY quickly if you DM them. I have gotten a lot of things by seeing it on instagram, paying him with Venmo and then sending him a DM that I have bought an item. Then I will coordinate a pick up and invariably find something else I want to buy while I am picking up. He has great prices, but a lot of the stuff is a little larger so you probably needed to have driven to get it home.
Green Collar Studio
3137 Preston HighwayI would check their instagram to see if there is something there you like. It doesn't keep regular hours, but they respond VERY quickly if you DM them. I have gotten a lot of things by seeing it on instagram, paying him with Venmo and then sending him a DM that I have bought an item. Then I will coordinate a pick up and invariably find something else I want to buy while I am picking up. He has great prices, but a lot of the stuff is a little larger so you probably needed to have driven to get it home.
There are several interesting boutiques with used clothes, handmade things and retail things. They are on Bardstown Road and called: Hey Tiger, Acorn and Dot Fox. They are all locally owned and good.
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Acorn Apparel
1602 Bardstown RdThere are several interesting boutiques with used clothes, handmade things and retail things. They are on Bardstown Road and called: Hey Tiger, Acorn and Dot Fox. They are all locally owned and good.
Vintage clothes and items. fun to look around for sure! Need a costume? This place is very helpful for that.
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The Nitty Gritty
996 Barret AveVintage clothes and items. fun to look around for sure! Need a costume? This place is very helpful for that.
Watch Sports
Louisville loves our college teams. More mixed fan bars are located in what I refer to as “Daytona Beach” which is Baxter Ave where Wick’s pizza/ Molly Malone’s is. There is a BIG bar culture there and guaranteed displays of public intoxication each weekend night.
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Wick's Pizza Parlor
975 Baxter AveLouisville loves our college teams. More mixed fan bars are located in what I refer to as “Daytona Beach” which is Baxter Ave where Wick’s pizza/ Molly Malone’s is. There is a BIG bar culture there and guaranteed displays of public intoxication each weekend night.
I like their fish and chips. They have an upstairs outdoor deck where I have watched important soccer games. That is a fun time and feels more COVID safe because it's outdoors , but also covered, but when we were there they didn't put up the side flaps so there was still good air flow.
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Molly Malone's Irish Pub
933 Baxter AveI like their fish and chips. They have an upstairs outdoor deck where I have watched important soccer games. That is a fun time and feels more COVID safe because it's outdoors , but also covered, but when we were there they didn't put up the side flaps so there was still good air flow.