6AM City In-house

A smooth pour of history đŸ„ƒ

The History of Louisville’s Old Fashioned
The side of a brick building with a mural that reads "Whiskey got me in to trouble."
Trouble Bar is kicking off Elijah Craig Old Fashioned Week with a party on Sat., Oct. 15. | Photo by LOUtoday
What started out as a medicinal tonic is now one of the most popular drinks in the world — and Elijah Craig will be honoring the signature cocktail during its Old Fashioned Week, which starts today.

The bourbon company will donate $5 to the Southern Smoke Foundation, which supports people working in the food and beverage industry, for every post on social media of the drink posted with the hashtag #OldFashionedWeek + you can win a home bar kit as part of the action.

What’s in it
While its classiness may seem to denote complexity, an Old Fashioned is simply four ingredients: whiskey, sugar, water, and bitters.

A little history
As Derby City’s signature cocktail, naturally the 502 lays claim to the birth of the Old Fashioned + its creation is attributed Col. James E. Pepper of the Pendennis Club. It’s said he invented the drink here before taking it to the Waldorf Estoria in the 1880s.

The recipe is also related to Jerry Thomas, America’s father of mixology and author of the first surviving 1830s bartenders guide, “How to Mix Drinks.” In the guide, Jerry listed an Old Fashioned “Holland Gin Cocktail” whose ingredients are basically the same as a modern Old Fashioned, except instead of whiskey, he used gin.

In the 1880s, the Chicago Tribune called it “the old-fashioned cocktail” because many requested a whiskey cocktail made “the old-fashioned way.” And a star was born.

Now that you know the history, raise a glass at one of these local bars.

đŸ„ƒ Trouble Bar, 1149 S. Shelby St. | Hit this kick-off party on Sat., Oct. 15 with a build-your-own menu + the “Conor’s Usual” Old Fashioned with demerara syrup and bitters.

đŸ„ƒ Gertie’s Whiskey Bar - NuLu, 821 E. Market St. | This take on the Old Fashioned features bourbon that’s been infused with brown-butter + finished with a dash of pecan syrup.

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Today
  • Monster Mash 2022 | Fri., Oct. 14 | 7-11 p.m. | Waterfront Botanical Gardens, 1435 Frankfort Ave., Louisville | $30.00 | This Halloween costume ball comes complete with a fortune tellers, DJ, light apps, a cash bar + silent auction benefiting The Arrow Fund.
  • Va Va Veil of Darkness with Va Va Vixens | Fri., Oct. 14 - Sat., Oct. 15 | 7-11 p.m. | Art Sanctuary , 1433 S. Shelby St., Louisville | $35.00 | Come in costume for a mix of neo-classic burlesque, comedy + ethereal aerial acrobatics.
Saturday
  • Canines, Cocktails & Karaoke for a Cure! | Sat., Oct. 15 | 6-10 p.m. | Club K 9 Dog Park & Bar, 9316 Taylorsville Road, Louisville | Free | Sing your favorite karaoke jam + participate in a raffle with multiple prize packages benefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
  • Oktoberfest 2022 | Sat., Oct. 15 | 3-7 p.m. | Mellwood Art Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave., Louisville | $40.00 - $60.00 | Sample craft beer and wine + enjoy snacks and a live traditional Munich-style polka band — proceeds will benefit Crusade for Children.
  • Paristown Flea | Sat., Oct. 15 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Paristown , 721 Brent St. , Louisville | Free | Shop a variety of vintage vendors at the last outdoor flea of the season + food trucks and a pop-up bar.
Wednesday
  • Bourbon Tasting at the Peterson Dumesnil House | Wed., Oct. 19 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Peterson Dumesnil House, 301 S. Peterson Avenue, Louisville | $75.00 | Sample bourbons with Jason Brauner of Bourbon’s Bistro + enjoy appetizers, music, and door prizes.
Thursday
  • The Airborne Toxic Event | Thu., Oct. 20 | 8 p.m. | Headliners Music Hall, 1386 Lexington Rd, Louisville | $23+ | Hear this rock band perform with support from In The Valley Below.

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.
100+ MORE EVENTS
6AM City In-house

Weather
  • 70Âș | Sunny | 0% chance of rain
Open
  • HoneyBear Farms opened its new coffee shop, Honey Depot and Coffee House, in Jtown last week in Gaslight Square — as it’s part of the local farm’s plan to open five coffee shops in the area. Owner Joel Gonia said he wants the shop to be a community staple + patrons can add their own honey recipes to the shop’s Buzz Book. 🍯 (The Courier-Journal)
  • The tarp has come down out front and Dragon King’s Daughter is officially open in the former Cafe Mimosa space at 1543 Bardstown Rd. The local restaurant offers sushi, tacos, bibimbap + quesadillas. We hope the heated seat bidet made it to the new location. 🍣
Eat
  • On Tues., Oct. 25, North of Bourbon will host a four-course dinner with Four Roses Master Distiller Brent Elliott. Guests will enjoy spinach croquettes, cornbread samosas, stewed redfish + vanilla custard with a Four Roses expression to match. Dinner is $150 per person — book your table.
Seasonal
  • Kids get in free at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory’s seventh annual Home Run Halloween event on Sat., Oct. 22 using promo code “BOO2022.” In addition to trick-or-treating in the museum + receiving a special-edition mini bat, the world’s largest vampire stake will also be on display — which towers at 8 ft tall. 🎃
Theater
  • CenterStage will show six performances of “Falsettos,” at the Trager Family JCC at 3600 Dutchmans Ln. starting on Thurs., Oct. 27. The Tony-nominated production was one of the first musicals to put gay men + lesbian women as central characters when it opened on Broadway in 1992. Tickets are $25.
Number
  • 525,000. That’s how many people attended the Kentucky State Fair in August, including us. It was the fair’s first year back in full force since 2019 and more than 31,000 entries were made in exhibition categories from livestock to Future Farmers of America. All 120 Kentucky counties were represented this year as well. 🏆 (WDRB)
Community
  • Brightside Inc.’s official community-wide cleanup is on Sat., Oct. 22 and you’re invited to register your group to help keep Derby City clean and green. If you live in the California or Park Hill neighborhoods, Councilman Jecorey Arthur + President David James will host a community cleanup one week earlier on Sat., Oct. 15.
  • Still trying to fill your October calendar? Check out this list of must-do activities in LOU this month. đŸ—“ïž *
Tech
  • The University of Louisville is helping students get experience working with startups as part of its new UofL Engage Program. Students in the program will be paired with one of 12 startups in a variety of industries + earn market-rate wages. (WDRB)
Edu
  • JCPS’ Showcase of Schools returns to the Kentucky International Convention Center on Sat., Oct. 15, where parents can meet with principals and representatives from each of the district’s 160+ schools. The showcase will run from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. đŸ« (WAVE)
Giveaway
  • ICYMI, we recently launched the second 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 — enter here. ✈ *
Travel
  • Couples getaway idea: Get lost in the history, restaurants, and famous oak tree-lined streets of Savannah, GA. This cottage nestled right by Washington Square boasts Southern-style furnishings including glittering chandeliers and has a five star rating.*
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It’s time to celebrate

Celebrate DĂ­a de los Muertos in Derby City
LOUtoday_Noche
Noche is located inside a renovated cathedral at 1838 Bardstown Rd. | Photo by Johanna Hribal of Frames + Letters Photography
Noche Mexican BBQ is celebrating its fourth anniversary and DĂ­a de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) through this Friday, Nov. 3.

This Mexican holiday traces its origins back 3,000 years to pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. It’s believed that on this day (typically Nov. 1-2) the separation between the physical and spiritual worlds dissolves. The dead reawaken as honored guests in their families’ celebrations — which often include feasts, parades, dancing, altar making, and leaving offerings called ofrendas.

Here are a few ways to celebrate the tradition with Noche this week:
  • All week: $10 Herradura margs and Tres Generaciones palomas + free face painting beginning at 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday: Mariachi De Kentucky, 7-10 p.m.
  • Thursday: Acorde Latin Trio dance, 7 p.m.
  • Friday: Louisville Salsa Underground, 10 p.m.
Pro tip: Be sure to make a reservation if you’re staying for dinner.
THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by City Editor Sarah.

Editor’s pick: Any “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” fans out there? It seems like just yesterday I was a child reading book No. 1 in my bunk bed, but apparently, the seventeenth book in the series is coming out on Tues., Oct. 25 — and Author Jeff Kinney is coming to Louisville.

He’ll be at Memorial Auditorium at 970 S. 4th St. on Thurs., Oct. 27 with Löded Diper, the fictitious band that the new book revolves around. The evening will include a rock show + a photo op with the Löded Diper van. And yes, I’m thinking about going.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Taste these five delectable curries here.
Connect with us.

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


Sales: Mandey Lee | Advertise with us.


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