Louisville's Urban Bourbon Trail

Coupled with Louisville golf by Fat Guy

www.justaddbourbon.com/planavisit/urbantrail.aspx

Urban Bourbon Trail

Louisville Kentucky has been home to many distillers since Evan Williams marketed his first whiskey in the city in 1780. Until the 1920’s, a portion of Main Street was known as “Whiskey Row” when as many as 50 distilleries were active.

You can sample your favorite bourbons at some of the world’s best bourbon bars. Morning, noon or night, bourbon can be found in its natural environment…the Louisville bars and restaurants serving up America’s only native spirit in drinks and innovative dishes from mint julep pancakes to bourbon barrel smoked salmon.

The establishments on the Urban Bourbon Trail vary from historic hotel properties that once served Kentucky Whiskey to the likes of Al Capone and F. Scott Fitzgerald to cosmopolitan “scenes” where urban trend-setters are making retro drinks such as the Old-Fashioned and Manhattan in vogue again. Five are in downtown hotels, four have been internationally recognized and six are serving up bourbon-inspired dining. All offer bourbon flights, special bourbon cocktails including the official drink of the Kentucky Derby – the mint julep, and all have at least 50 different bourbon labels on the bar with trained staff that can explain the nuances and tasting notes in the varied offerings from Jim Beam Black to Woodford Reserve Sonoma-Cutrer Finish.

Urban Bourbon Trail Bars

The Bar at BLU
280 W. Jefferson St.
502-627-5045
www.blugrille.com
For a modern Louisville experience, step into a fresh new space of contemporary design at Blu. Sample 50 Bourbons, Bourbon-infused appetizers and Bourbon flights in the heart of the city at the Downtown Marriott.

Baxter Station
1201 Payne Street
502-584-1635
www.baxterstation.com
An 1892 tavern, minutes from downtown near Distillery Commons. Once a neighborhood watering hole, now a comfortable, casual bistro. Bar includes a fine selection, including Pappy VanWinkle Family Reserve 15, 20 and 23-year-old. The menu represents a melting pot of international and regional American cuisine.

Bourbons Bistro
2255 Frankfort Ave.
502-894-8838
www.bourbonsbistro.com
Located just two miles from downtown Louisville on Historic Frankfort Avenue, Bourbons Bistro is the bourbon lover’s bar with a selection of 130 Bourbons as well as monthly Bourbon dinners. Named by Whisky Magazine as the “2006 American Icon of Whiskey” for restaurants and bars.

The Brown Hotel Bar
335W. Broadway
502-324-1389
www.brownhotel.com
Enjoy an Old-Fashioned cocktail in the lavish lobby bar of the Brown Hotel that Southern Living Magazine describes as “straight from a 1930’s movie set”. At this treasured 1923 landmark, the famous “Hot Brown” was created to satisfy the cravings of the late-night dance crowd. Sample one for yourself.

Jockey Silks Bourbon Bar
140 N. 4th St.
502-589-5200
www.galthouse.com
Cozy up to a fire and the old world décor of wood, leather and horse-racing memorabilia in one of city’s oldest Bourbon bars. Located in the Galt House Hotel & Suites, Jockey Silks features 165 varieties of Bourbon – always generously poured.

Maker’s Mark Bourbon House & Lounge
446 S. 4th St.
502-568-9009
www.makerslounge.com
Located in the city’s vibrant Fourth Street Live! entertainment complex. The nearly 60 ft. long wood-topped bar features an entire wall of backlit Maker’s Mark bottles and a spectacular “wall of fire”. While it bears the Maker’s Mark name, Bourbons from all of Kentucky’s distilleries are available.

The Old Seelbach Bar
500 S. 4th St.
502-585-3200
www.seelbachhilton.com
Located in the hotel that served as F. Scott Fitzgerald’s inspiration for The Great Gatsby, The Old Seelbach Bar, has been restored to its authentic, early 1900’s décor. The expansive Bourbon bar has been described as “one of the finest stretches of mahogany in the country” by Gary Regan, author of The Book of Bourbon.

Proof On Main
700W.Main St.
502-217-6360
www.proofonmain.com
Housed in five historic buildings, Proof on Main is part of the celebrated 21cMuseum Hotel. Proof’s large spirits collection is highlighted by an impressive selection of 50 of Kentucky’s finest Bourbons. Named one of the “Best New Restaurants of 2006” by Esquire Magazine.

Z’s Fusion
115 S. 4th St.
502-855-8000
www.zsfusion.com
Eclectic and elegant, Z's Fusion specializes in Euro-Asian Fusion cuisine using the freshest local ingredients available. The bar stocks over 50 Bourbons, and several appetizers, entrees and a dessert feature the magic ingredient. For a truly unique Bourbon experience, try the Cherry Pipe Tobacco-infused Maker's Mark with vapor accompaniment.

Urban Bourbon Trail Passport

Where to get the Passport:  Visitors Center – 4th and Jefferson, 502.379.6109, or at each of the 9 Urban Bourbon Trail restaurants/bars

Where To Play:  In Louisville, play Quail Chase GC.  Per www.golfkentuckylinks.com, "3 nines, sand and water, quite a few elevation changes, cut out of mature woods, received raves from noted golf mags, we particularly like the East 9."  T&L Golf says, "The 27-hole Quail Chase facility was designed by David Pfaff and is one of the best public-access courses in Kentucky--which might explain why it's often crowded with locals. Stretched out over gently sloping terrain, it weaves through thickets of Scotch pine, maple, oak and dogwood trees, with McNeely Lake as a backdrop. Ask any of those locals and they'll tell you that the East Course is the best of the loops."