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A bright purple, orange, blue + green mural depicts various landmarks in the Butchertown neighborhood.

Butchertown is one of Louisville’s oldest neighborhoods. | Photo by LOUtoday

When you head to Butchertown, you’re visiting one of Louisville’s most historic + thriving communities. Just east of downtown, the neighborhood has grown since our city’s early days, so we wanted to check in on its cultural renaissiance. If you haven’t explored in a while, it might be time to rediscover why so many people — maybe even you — love to call it home.

The Early Days

As you might have guessed, Butchertown is named after the butchers that dominated the area in the 19th century. Bordering the Ohio River, the neighborhood was more than ideal for the trade because of four features:

Butchering was banned in the city center
First pick of livestock arriving along the Shelby Turnpike
Beargrass Creek provided convenient disposal of waste
Eager buyers awaited fresh meat throughout the city

In 1827, the neighborhood was annexed and by 1869 one of the most famous Butchertown landmarks was complete. The Bourbon Stockyards on Story Avenue — which began as a hotel for farmers called Bourbon House — increased traffic into the area thanks to its close proximity to the Louisville, Cincinnati, and Lexington railway.

The burgeoning meat business allowed other industries to flourish, too — like cooperages, Louisville’s largest woolen mill, breweries, tanneries + candle and soap makers — making the neighborhood a thriving industrial area.

Eat + drink

From award-winning chicken to fried bologna sandwiches, Butchertown’s many eateries are a reflection of its eccentric vibes.

Image shows — Pizza Lupo was voted best pizza crust in Derby City

Often on a wait without a reservation, Chik’n & Mi is known for its Asian fried chicken and ramen — available for dinner and brunch.
If you’re looking for a place with a little more grit, Big Al’s Beertitaville is your stop for fried bologna sandwiches and buckets of beer + it has a large outdoor patio. It’s where the locals go to watch the big game.
Pizza Lupo was voted the best pizza crust in town for its Neapolitan-style sourdough-based pies.
Feeling tropical? South Seas specializes in classic tiki drinks, Hawaiian-style brunch served daily + tortas and tacos.

Entertainment

There’s no shortage of things to do in this historic neighborhood. In fact, many of the must-dos highlight the area’s heritage.

All eight original wooden bowling lanes are still operating at Vernon Lanes + check its events schedule for live music on the weekends.
Butchertown wasn’t just home to butchers, Thomas Edison once resided here, too — book a tour at the Thomas Edison House.
The city’s first brandy distillery, Copper & Kings, is located in the heart of the neighborhood — and it offers daily tours + has a rooftop bar and restaurant with must-see views of the city.

SHOP, EXPLORE + MORE

QUESTION

Share this guide with three out of town friends who want to visit Louisville.

EVENTS

Click here to have your event featured.

Today

An Evening of Victorian “Autumnal” Cocktails | Fri., Sept. 23 - Sat., Sept. 24 | 6:30-8:45 p.m. | The Conrad-Caldwell House Museum, 1402 St. James Ct. | $60+ | Sip three classic Victorian cocktails + eat appetizers and desserts as you walk through Old Lou’s premier Gilded Age mansion. 🍸
Anger is a Gift: A Rage Against The Machine Tribute | Fri., Sept. 23 | 9 p.m. | The Whirling Tiger, 1335 Story Ave. | $10+ | Catch this tribute to the famous 1990s rock band with local musicians.
Louisville City vs. Memphis 901 | Fri., Sept. 23 | 8 p.m. | Lynn Family Stadium | $22+ | ⚽

Saturday

Caufields Witching Hours | Sat., Sept. 24 | 7-10 p.m. | Caufield’s Novelty, 1006 W. Main St. | Free | Get a spooky sneak peek at what this long-standing local novelty shop has to offer this Halloween season. 🧙‍♀️
Greek Fast N’ Go Drive Thru | Sat., Sept. 24 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 930 Ormsby Ln. | Price of purchase | Pick up gyros, Greek fries + baklava at this drive-thru event. 🥙
National Jug Band Jubilee | Sat., Sept. 24 | 12-9 p.m. | Brown-Forman Amphitheater | Free | Hear eight jug bands from across the nation.
NuLu Fest 2022 | Sat., Sept. 24 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | East Market Street | Free | Shop vendors, hear live music + dig into food trucks and local beer during this annual street festival in the NuLu district.

Sunday

Atrium’s Second Birthday | Sun., Sept. 25 | 11 a.m.-11 p.m. | Atrium Brewing, 1154 Logan St. | Free to attend | Celebrate two years strong with this Shelby Park brewery + the first 75 people get a special treat from La Pana Bakery. 🎂

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*

100+ MORE EVENTS

tech

One robot with unlimited potential in Louisville? 🤖

Most robotic automation is complex and expensive, but Ally Robotics programming-free robots represent a step forward for affordable automation. | GIF provided by Ally Robotics

Did you know? Your next order at your favorite fast food restaurant could be cooked by an AI-powered robot.

That’s because Ally Robotics created a programming-free robot that learns by watching humans to solve the $300 billion fast food industry’s biggest problem: the labor shortage.

Now, they’re inviting Louisvillians to invest in the growing business as these bots expand to other industries (think: construction and agriculture).

Invest by Thurs., Sept. 29 to get a piece of the (automated) pie.*

INVEST

NEWS NOTES

Weather

72º | Partly cloudy | 4% chance of rain

Opening

Food truck Sarap Filipino Eatery is the final tenant moving into Paristown’s new Village Market. Sarap — which means delicious in Filipino — serves up traditional dishes like BBQ pork skewers + siopao (steamed buns). It will join Jeff’s Donuts, Taco Rito, and Bunz Bugerz in the food hall set to open later this month. (WDRB)
In more restaurant news, Habana Blues Tapas Restaurant — formerly located in New Albany, IN for 12 years — has moved to 6112 Preston Hwy. and held its grand opening on Tuesday. The authentic Cuban restaurant joins the Habana Blues Night Life club already open next door. 🥘

Civic

There are only 19 days left to register to vote in the 2022 General Election happening on Tues., Nov. 8. Check your voter registration or register to vote before 4 p.m. on Tues., Oct. 11. A new Louisville Metro Mayor is on the ballot. 🗳️

Award

For the third time since 2007, Louisville Parks and Recreation has been nationally accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies and the National Recreation and Park Association. Our parks had to demonstrate compliance with 154 standards + document all policies and procedures. Leslie Knope would be proud. 🏆

Number

14,000+. That’s how many people attended this year’s Bourbon & Beyond music festival. The record-breaking attendance is likely due to the addition of a fourth day by the fest. Want to join the crowd next year? The festival has already announced dates for 2023 + released passes for $10 down. (WDRB)

Arts

Through Fri., Oct. 7, the Moremen Gallery located at 710 W. Main St. (next to 21c Hotel and Museum) will welcome “Selected Works” from Kentucky-native Ben Wiseman. Ben’s colorful illustrations have appeared in The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, and Time magazines — to name a few. See his pop art-influenced works.

Seasonal

The annual Great Chili Cook-off is coming in hot. Since 1989, this culinary contest has brought together restaurants + individuals in this ultimate spicy stew challenge. This year’s contest is taking place on Sun., Oct. 9 from 12-6 p.m. in NuLu. If your beans are the best in the pot, enter here. 🌶️

Asked

Speaking of chili. It’s soup season. For some upcoming, bowl-warming content, we’d love to know your favorite soups around town. We’ll go first. The chili from Check’s Cafe is flawless every time. 🍲

Shop

Peach Soul Galleria, located in the newly opened vintage market Lesa Faire (636 W. Washington St.), is hosting a “fill a bag” event on Sat., Sept. 24 starting at 1 p.m. Shoppers can stuff a grocery sack full of clothes, shoes + more for $20.

Giveaway

ICYMI, we recently launched the first Fly Away Friday Giveaway, in partnership with Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF). LOUtoday readers have a chance to win two roundtrip airline tickets out of SDF to their choice of nonstop destination from a list provided by the airport. Enter here. ✈️ *

Community

Show your support for local journalism by joining the LOUtoday membership program. Membership has some awesome perks like exclusive birthday deals, discounts from our online shop, Six & Main and more. Plus, 100% of membership funds help support our local editors — that’s us, Sarah + Katie. Learn more + sign up. 💻

Wellness

There’s nothing worse than tossing and turning because you can’t fall asleep — especially when you have a big day coming up that you won’t be well-rested for. If you’re looking for a natural solution to help you fall asleep faster, sleep deeply + wake up refreshed, this supplement can help. Use code 6AM for 20% off.*

Shop

Time to feel the fall breeze + enjoy the autumn leaves with the Fall For Your City Sale happening now on Six & Main, LOUtoday’s online shop. Take 20% off the entire Fall For Your City Collection now through Sun., Sept. 25.

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Digital image has a purple background with white squares resembling a crossword puzzle with the words "crossed words."

Can you guess the answer to our local word game? | Image by LOUtoday

Alright Louisvillians, time to put on those thinking caps. We’re launching a local word game to see how well you know Derby City.

We’ll give you a hint + it’s up to you to guess the mystery word related to our city’s history, neighborhoods, restaurants, or businesses.

Once you think you know the answer, tap the link below to type in your answer and hit the arrow key to submit. We’ll share a story about the answer + the readers who got it right in an upcoming newsletter.

Hint: Two words, a circa-1792 Georgian mansion still operating today

PLAY CROSSED WORDS

THE WRAP

\|Kriech-Higdon Photography/Kriech-Higdon Photography	Today’s issue was written by Senior City Editor Katie. Editor’s pick: My mom’s favorite holiday is Halloween and she also loves to camp. So put two-and-two together, and you have annual Halloween camping — 20+ years strong. I’ll be taking my own family to Jellystone Park in Cave City for fang-tastic weekend and then we’ll head to Lake Rudolph in Santa Claus, IN for round two later this month. Get in on spooky camping at these 10 Halloween events at Kentucky State Parks. Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Dig into the history of the Louisville Gardens.
Read More

Connect with us.

Editorial: Sarah Shadburne, Katie Molck, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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