Bardstown Road in the Highlands is lined with restaurants, bars, boutiques, and galleries. | Photo courtesy Louisville Tourism
Business has been busy on Bardstown Road lately.
Turns out, the traffic lights aren’t the only thing changing along one of Louisville’s most popular corridors — one couple hung one up in their backyard, by the way.
Closing time
Pivot Brewing This Lexington-based brewery called it quits this summer, including their Deer Park tap room — more on tap for this space later.
Bakersfield The taco + margarita chain dipped its last chip in the former Hopcat + Wiggle Room space, next to the Highlands tap room. It opened in August 2023 and spent $1 million upgrading the space.
Against the Grain Public House Pour one out for this local brewery’s tap room, which shut down last month after five years in business — you can still catch a beer downtown at Louisville Slugger Field, though.
New kids on the block
Atomic This dance-club opened in July showcasing DJs in a former laundromat. Bonus: Construction is ongoing on a short-term rental space at the rear of the property.
The Hub Atomic isn’t the only new tune on the block. This Frankfort Avenue restaurant, which turns into a nightclub, is set to move into the former Somewhere + Nowhere space, next door to Atomic.
Patisserie Francaise Located in the former UPS Store in the Tyler Park neighborhood, this shop offering french style pastries, cakes, and baked goods — aka patisserie, gateaux, and boulangerie — opened in June. Stop in Tuesday through Sunday, 7:45 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Wheated It’s a slice of New York — literally — in Derby City.This New York-based pizza spot offers Brooklyn-style sourdough crust pizzas and cocktails in the former Home Skate Shop space. Pop in for a pie Wednesday through Sunday. Pro tip: Get there early before the pizzas sell out.
Monnik Brewing project When one keg kicks, another is ready to be tapped. With Pivot Brewing moving out, the owners of Schnitzelburg’s Monnik Brewing Co. are planning to move in with a yet-to-be-named project. Further details are TBD.
Maker Workshop Series: Laser Cut Puzzle | Thursday, Sept. 19 | 6-7:30 p.m. | South Central Branch Library | Free | Register in advance to learn how to design a custom puzzle using a laser cutter in this class for teens + adults.
Official Bourbon & Beyond After-Party | Thursday, Sept. 19-Saturday, Sept. 21 | 10 p.m.-2 a.m. | Crowne Plaza Louisville | $25 | Hear local DJ K-Dogg spin tunes at this post-festival party located adjacent to the festival grounds.
Friday, Sept. 20
Family Fun Night | Friday, Sept. 20 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | The Presley Post | Free | Bring the kids for games, karaoke, and arts + crafts.
Corn Island Storytelling Burgoo Bash | Friday, Sept. 20 | 6-9 p.m. | Oldham County History Center, La Grange | $75 | Enjoy homemade burgoo, pie, and cornbread as you hear from storytellers Andy Offut Irwin and Jasmin Cordens.
Pickin’ in Paristown | Friday, Sept. 20 | 6-9 p.m. | Paristown | Free | Dance a jig to the Restless Leg String Band at this outdoor concert.
Saturday, Sept. 21
Park DuValle Fest | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 12-4 p.m. | Park DuValle Festival | Free | This festival includes food vendors, bounce houses, live entertainment, and information booths from local organizations.
Racing Louisville vs. NC Courage | Saturday, Sept. 21 | 7 p.m. | Lynn Family Stadium | $19+ | Get to the game early to pick up some complimentary Racing swag.*
Sunday, Sept. 22
University of Louisville Women’s Volleyball vs Nebraska | Sunday, Sept. 22 | 12:30 p.m. | KFC YUM! Center | $5+ | See the Cards take on the Cornhuskers in a top-five matchup — it’s the first regular season college volleyball match to be broadcast on network TV.
Saturday, Sept. 28
Harvest Fest | Saturday, Sept. 28-Sunday, Sept. 29 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg | $0+ | Celebrate all things fall at this family-friendly event featuring farm animals, kids’ crafts, pumpkin painting, and hayrides, plus food trucks, live music, and more.*
We’re swooning over these stunning homes. | Photos courtesy of Building Industry of Greater Louisville; GIF by LOUtoday
Calling all home design enthusiasts: There’s only one weekend left to see the latest home design + trends at Homearama 2024.
This year, Louisvillians can explore 17 new luxury custom-built + model homes located throughout the region.
Pro tip: Purchase tickets online for $12 or pay $15 (cash only) at the door. Children 12 and under are free with a paying adult. Active and retired military enter free with an ID at the door.
The Muhammad Ali Center will be closed until further notice after a fire in the parking structure Wednesday morning damaged the HVAC system. If you’d like to help them avoid a KO and get off the mat, you can donate here.
Closed
A downtown cocktail bar has poured its last drink. Bar Expo, located across Main Street from Whiskey Row, has closed after five years in business. Known for inventive cocktails like it’s signature Acid Cat, a bartender from Bar Expo won “The Louisville” cocktail contest, creating the city’s official drink.
Eat
Turns out, this bird can still fly. Highlands vegan restaurant Cosmic Bird will remain in business, after announcing plans to close earlier this month. Serving “fauxltry,” a chicken-like vegan option, Cosmic Bird is open five days per week.
Plan Ahead
The 50th Annual Taste of Louisville fundraiser is in less than a month. Sample dishes from more than 75 local chefs and sip over 25 specialty drinks at this annual 21+ event on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 6-9 p.m. at the Mellwood Art Center. Tickets start at $75 each.
Louisvillian
Local news anchor Sterling Riggs is leaving WDRB after 13 years. In a social media post, Riggs said he plans to remain in Louisville to pursue “some exciting new business opportunities.” Riggs last broadcast on “WDRB Mornings” will air on Friday, Sept. 27. Is he your favorite local media personality?
Civic
Applications are open for the Louisville Metro Office of Women’s 2025 Ambassador Training Program. Open to women and gender diverse individuals, the six-month training program helps participants hone their leadership skills. The free program provides meals and off-site child care to participants. Apply by November 15.
Sports
Louisville football is a 10-point favorite against Georgia Tech in the Cards’ ACC opener this weekend. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Louisville Cardinals with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Nike just dropped the all-new Pegasus 41. Engineered for runners who demand more, this shoe offers unparalleled comfort + responsiveness on the road. Shop it and unlock speed.*
This outfit is perfect for this time of year. | Photo by German American Club
When it rains it pours.
Last weekend’s Germantown Oktoberfest and Steins on Main events were postponed to mid-October due to weather — click the link below for the full details on both — so we thought we’d remind you about other Oktoberfest celebrations in the meantime, worthy of raising a glass.
It might feel less Kentucky Derby and more like the Deutches Derby at Churchill Downs for this Saturday night’s races. See horse racing with some German flare under the lights at the track.
Why you should go:
Polka dancing
Yodeling contest
Performance from the German-American Club choir
Biergarten featuring sips from Gravely Brewing Co. and West Sixth Brewing
Pretzels and bratwurst added to the concessions menu
Bourbon and Beyond kicks off today at the Highland Festival Grounds.
Between B+B, Louder Than Life, and Gazebo Festival, Louisville really is becoming a destination for music fans. Good thing we have so many places around town where you can see live performances.
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