Places I like in Louisville

[cowdery]

I didn't want to hijack Dave in Canada's thread, but it got me thinking about places I like in Louisville, here presented for the benefit of anyone who might be passing through there around festival time, and because I felt like writing about it.

I lived in Louisville for nine years and have visited a lot since then. The Seelbach is a great place to stay and to visit, but I wouldn't consider it a hang out. More of a special occasion place. That said, it's a great hotel, with a great restaurant and a great bar, right in the middle of downtown. I was living in Louisville during the restoration, which initially was spearheaded by Roger Davis, the TV actor best known for his roles in "Alias Smith and Jones" and "Dark Shadows." He was a Louisville native.

Before the Seelbach was restored, the best hotel downtown was the Hyatt. Before that opened it was the Galt House, which is so bad it's good and the owner got credit for investing in downtown Louisville when no one else would. The Brown was restored about the same time as the Seelbach and is another classic gem. They aren't really close to each other, except the Hyatt and the Seelbach. The Galt House is on the river, while the Brown is at the southern edge of the business district, on Broadway. The Brown and the Galt House are the two ends of the downtown trolly system, which also serves the other two.

As for neighborhood bars, the Bristol was one of my hang-outs, the original in the Highlands as well as the branch in the performing arts center. I also always liked the Rudyard Kipling in Old Louisville. The Pendennis Club is private. I was never a member but went a few times as a guest. Very storied and historic. Great bar.

The best thing about Louisville for a bourbon drinker, though, is that virtually every bar has a bourbon selection that would make it a "bourbon bar" if it was anywhere else.

[CL]

I haven't been sampling bourbon in as many places in Louisville as you have had the chance to, Chuck. I haven't had a chance to try the Brown or Seelback (both were full when I tried to reserve in July), nor the downtown bars.

I did stay at the Galt House in July. Yes, it's bad, but I wouldn't call it so bad it's good (referring to the quality of the rooms). I hope the renovation will greatly improve it.

The Galt's lobby bar has a very poor bourbon selection. Woodford Reserve is the only premium and only selection away from the usual suspects (JD, JB, ET, WT). I only tried the lounge bar one afternoon because their bourbon bar, D Marie's, doesn't open until 5 pm. D Marie's is hidden on the top floor of the west tower and has a tacky nautical theme. But, they have a very large selection of bourbon and offer samplers (three 1/2 oz drinks for the price of one 1.5 oz drink) and they do set the bottles in front of you so you can look at the label. While it has all the top end stuff you would expect, it's selection is notable for its vast middle and bottom shelf variety. Worth a trip.

But, as you all probably know from my recent posts, my favorite place is Furlongs on Frankfort Avenue. Nearly every bourbon is top shelf. And the sizes of the pours are wonderful. The place is only 4 years old and very nice. Most people, though, come here to eat dinner. Most nights I was there during the week for dinner, the bar was nearly empty.

[kitzg]

I'll second your note that you hope the Galt House renovation really fixes it. I stayed at the GH probably 15 years ago and about a month ago I stopped there just to use the restroom. Absolutely nothing looks different except the move of the front desk into the East Wing during renovation. I don't even consider it quaint. Though, what do I know, I stay in remodeled Holiday Inns.

But I do agree that DMaries is a great place to sip bourbon and I actually would hope they don't change the appearance.

I hope to try Furlong's one of these days. Thanks for all you've written about it. I'm sorry I did not know about it before out trip to Lexington this summer.

[brendaj]

Chuck,

They're in the process of renovating the Galleria, and reopening 4th Street to traffic, so it's kinda messy downtown right now. But, I like Stevie Ray's Blues Bar on E. Main.

Bj

[bourbonv]

Chuck,

If you like history, Lewis and Clark in particular, a visitor to Louisville needs to check out the Filson on Main. It is an exhibit put together from artifacts and manuscripts from the Filson and loans from such sources as Bud Clark, a great, great, great grandson of William Clark. It is in the Brown-Forman office building at 7th and Main. This building was built by Bernheim for his distilling business and was recently remodeled by Brown-Forman. They did an excellent job and included an exhibit area on the ground floor that they have donated to the Filson till the end of 2004 for this Lewis and Clark exhibit. The Filson has more letters written by Clark while on the expedition than any other institution and my boss and curator of the exhibit has edited a book titled "Dear Brother" that includes these letters and others written to Jonathan Clark, William and Georges Rodgers' elder brother. There is a small fee to see the exhibit, but if you love frontier history the $4.00 is worth the price.

Mike Veach

[kitzg]

On my way home Saturday night I hope to stop at a liquor store. I can't recall which are have the best buys or might be close to I-65. If any of you down there read this and can advise before Friday evening I'd be thankful.

Greg

[bobbyc]

Liquor Barn at Fern Valley Road , about 2 miles from the interstate. You could drop off I65 at the Outer Loop, go west to Grade Lane, North is the only way you can go and look for Kuhls on the left. Proceed north on Grade Lane and take a Right on Fern Valley. LB is at Preston street, on the right.If the Jeffersons is what you are looking for, Turnpike in Shepherdsville has it, LB @FVR does not. You also could head north on Preston to Dupre liquors (WT12 Dickel special Reserve) near the Watterson and on north to Eastern Parkway to Liquor World. They probably will not have anything that isn't at LB except Jefferson's. West on Eastern PWY will get you back to I 65.

I just realised you need to go West on Eastern PWY Sorry about that!

[kitzg]

Thanks, Bobby! See you Saturday! -- Greg