Try Bourbon for Breakfast or a Sure Bet on a Long Shot.
The success of the Urban Bourbon Trail has led the Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau to expand the program to 20 establishments for the four year-old tourism experience. Newly designed passports have been delivered to each stop just in time for the program’s 4th Anniversary on May 30.
The new stops have some interesting new ways to try Kentucky’s signature
spirit. Dish on Market is offering a tribute to a former president who liked
whiskey with the first meal of the day. Derby Café at the Kentucky Derby
Museum is betting adventure seekers won’t be able to resist their long shot
named after the 1913 Derby Winner who beat the 91-1 odds. Other new stops
include some Louisville dining scene classic heavy hitters like Avalon,
Bristol Bar & Grille – Downtown, Limestone and Village Anchor and new ones
like Doc Crow’s Southern Smokehouse & Raw Bar.
Avalon
1314 Bardstown Rd.
502.454.5336
www.avalonfresh.com
This local favorite features casual dining in a bistro lounge atmosphere, a
lengthy wine list and nightly food and drink specials. Voted best outdoor
dining by readers of Louisville Magazine, Avalon’s patio is complimented by
its full-service outdoor bourbon bar. And when the weather isn’t right for
outdoor dining and drinking, visit the indoor bar where you can get
half-price drinks all night, every night.
Bristol Bar & Grille – Downtown
614 West Main Street
502.582.1995
www.bristolbarandgrille.com
In addition to explanations about the differences between single barrel and
small batch bourbons, the extensive bourbon list is divided by those
categories, and lists the proofs and age statement of each bourbon. Winner
of more “Best of Louisville” awards than any other local restaurant.
Derby Cafe: at the Kentucky Derby Museum
704 Central Avenue
502.634.0858
www.derbycafe.com
Open for lunch five days a week, the Derby Café is the only place in the
world you can see the Derby and drink its famous drink – the Mint Julep –
every day! For a one-of-a-kind experience, order the Donerail: The Longest
Shot. Served in a gorgeous souvenir hand-blown-glass shot glass, the drink
pays homage to the 1913 Derby Winner who was the biggest long shot victory
in the history of the Derby. With odds at 91-1, a $2 ticket paid out
$184.90, which is what this unique cocktail will set you back. Soups,
salads, sandwiches, southern sides and a Bubbling Over Hot Brown are all on
the menu as well. Make sure to read your placemat to find out fun
bourbon-and Derby-related facts.
Dish on Market
434 West Market Street
502.315.0669
www.dishonmarket.com
Open seven days a week for all three meals, Dish on Market is a value-based
neighborhood bar offering everything from Truman’s Breakfast (the President
liked a shot of bourbon with his daily egg) to the #1 burger in the city (as
voted by LEO readers choice awards). Built in 1904 as the first motion
picture theatre in the city, it eventually became a coffee saloon (code for
bar).
Doc Crow’s Southern Smokehouse & Raw Bar
127 West Main Street
502.587.1626
www.doccrows.com
Doc Crow’s name is a nod to the Scottish-born physician responsible during
the mid-19th century for scientific advances that gave greater spirit
consistency in the American whiskey industry. Most notable was his
refinement of the “sour mash” process. Serving straightforward, Southern
cuisine, Doc Crow’s location on Whiskey Row puts it in the heart of
downtown’s thriving new arena district.
Limestone
10001 Forest Green Boulevard
502.426.7477
www.limestonerestaurant.com
Limestone (the rock) is responsible for the calcium rich spring water that
not only makes for strong bones in growing Kentucky’s Thoroughbred horses
but also fortifies the development of fine sour mash Bourbon whiskies. In
homage to the rock’s importance to bourbon, Limestone Restaurant was named.
You’ll find little touches of bourbon from the bourbon cane sugar that’s
served with your espresso to the bourbon barrel stave that your salmon is
served on.
Village Anchor
11507 Park Road
502.708.1850
www.villageanchor.com
The Village Anchor is an eclectic and fashionable European “bistropub” that
seats 260 in both the restaurant and its lower-level sister pub, The Sea
Hag. The four-star-rated restaurant and its bars resemble an open-air beach
house accented with industrial fans and heaters to offer year-round alfresco
dining on its three patios and iron-clad lanai. Housed in the former train
station located along the railroad tracks in Anchorage.
Open to all residents and visitors age 21 and older, the Urban Bourbon Trail
Passport program allows individuals to collect unique stamps from six of the
participating stops and be rewarded with a special gift that can be claimed
at the Louisville Visitors Center (301 S. Fourth St.).
There are two ways to collect stamps – pick up a Pass¬port at the Visitors
Center or download the app (iPhone or Android) – both are free. No matter
which method is chosen, the participant earns the rank of official Bourbon
Country Citizen and is awarded a special Urban Bourbon Trailblazer t-shirt
and official Citizen of Bourbon Country certificate.
Trailblazers are encouraged to take their time enjoying Bourbon responsibly.
The pace is entirely up to the participant as there is no time frame for
completing the Passport.
Several local companies including Mint Julep Tours,
www.mintjuleptours.com/Book-A-Tour.html, and The Thirsty Pedelar,
www.thethirstypedaler.com/index.php/2012-04-06-08-51-52, offer safe
sightseeing opportunities along the trail in addition to local taxi cab
companies, CityScoot and the free downtown TARC trolley system.
Within the newly expanded 102-page Passport, each location is identified on
a map with its address, hours of operation, a short description and a
suggested cocktail, along with space for notes. The booklet also includes
instructions on how to use the Passport, and pointers on how to taste
bourbon like an expert. Passport holders receive 10% off their favorite
bottle of bourbon and Just Add Bourbon Merchandise at Liquor Barn and
Westport Whiskey & Wine. There is also a map and guide to the Kentucky
distilleries that offer public tours.
Passports can be picked up at any of the stops on the Urban Bourbon Trail,
Mint Julep Tours’ store in retail row at the Galt House or at the Louisville
Visitors Center, located at 301 S. Fourth St., where Bourbon Country
merchandise is available for purchase including the popular “Just Add
Bourbon” line. For more information about planning a vacation to
Louisville?The Gateway to Bourbon Country and the Urban Bourbon Trail visit
www.BourbonCountry.com.
The new stops join eight other bars and restaurants that are committed to
the culture and heritage of bourbon: The Bar at BLU in the Louisville
Marriott Downtown, Baxter Station Bar & Grill, Bourbons Bistro, The Brown
Hotel Lobby Bar, Jockey Silks Bourbon Bar & Lounge in the Galt House,
Maker’s Mark Bourbon House & Lounge, The Old Seelbach Bar and Proof on Main.
