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Louisville Guide

Things to Do in NuLu

A local's guide to Louisville's East Market District — bourbon, food, and independent shops, all within a few walkable blocks.

Walking NuLu? We're at 717 E Market. Book a Louisville distillery tour straight from the barrel, or walk in for a flight.

Pick a Date — From $50 All Experiences

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NuLu — short for “New Louisville” — is the East Market District just east of downtown Louisville: a walkable strip of craft distilleries, independent restaurants, bourbon bars, art galleries, and locally owned boutiques, mostly along East Market Street.

If you only have one afternoon in Louisville and you want bourbon, good food, and something more interesting than a chain on every corner, spend it in NuLu. The East Market District packs bourbon distilleries in Louisville, craft cocktail bars, chef-driven restaurants, and locally owned boutiques into a handful of blocks — and it's all walkable. Here's how we'd spend the day, starting (of course) at the rickhouse.

Bourbon & distilleries

NuLu is one of the densest stretches of craft bourbon in the country. Start with a flight, then wander.

Louisville Rickhouse

Distillery & Tasting Room · 717 E. Market St

Our government-bonded rickhouse — barrel-strength flights straight from the cask, single barrel picks, and walk-in tastings. The right place to start a NuLu bourbon day.

Seven Cocktails + Bourbon

Cocktail & Bourbon Bar · 815 E. Market St

An upscale, newer NuLu spot with a deep bourbon list, thoughtful flights, and craft cocktails — a block east of the rickhouse.

The Last Refuge

Bar & Lounge · 600 E. Market St

A whiskey-forward bar and lounge set inside a restored church, with soaring bourbon walls and a serious cocktail program.

Angel's Envy

Distillery · 500 E. Main St

One of Louisville's best-known distilleries, famous for its port-barrel-finished bourbon, a short walk toward Main Street.

Rabbit Hole

Distillery · Heart of NuLu

A striking modern distillery in the middle of the district — architecture worth the visit on its own.

NuLu restaurants & bars

The best NuLu restaurants are all within four blocks of the rickhouse on East Market Street. Ratings are Google, October 2026; most dinner rooms open at 5pm and the good ones take reservations.

La Bodeguita de Mima

Cuban · 725 E Market St · $$

The NuLu institution, right next door to the rickhouse. Mojitos, ropa vieja, live Latin music most nights and a line out the door on weekends — book ahead or go early. 4.8★ on nearly 5,000 reviews.

MeeshMeesh Mediterranean

Mediterranean · 636 E Market St · $$$

Chef-driven mezze and wood-fired lamb a block west. One of the highest-rated kitchens in Louisville (4.8★) and the best pre-tasting lunch on the street. Closed Mon–Tue.

bar Vetti

Italian · 727 E Market St · $$

Handmade pasta and a long marble bar directly across from us. Dinner-only; the cacio e pepe is the move after a barrel-strength flight.

Mayan Cafe

Yucatán Mexican · 813 E Market St · $$

Farm-to-table Yucatecan cooking — cochinita pibil, tok-sel lima beans — from a NuLu original. 4.7★. Dinner nightly.

Guaca Mole

Modern Mexican · 900 E Market St · $$

Tableside guacamole, serious margaritas and a patio. Easiest big-group table on the strip (4.6★, 2,500+ reviews).

Lou Lou on Market

Cajun / Southern · 812 E Market St · $$

Shrimp and grits, crab cakes, a long bourbon list and a late kitchen. Open for lunch when most of NuLu isn't.

CURED

Charcuterie & wine · 637 E Main St · $$$

One block south on Main: house-cured meats, cheese boards and natural wine. The right spot for a slow second stop. Dinner only.

Decade

Cocktails & small plates · 1076 E Washington St · $$

A short walk east into Butchertown — 4.8★ cocktail bar with a proper dinner menu. Where locals go after NuLu.

The Exchange NuLu

American · 730 E Market St · $$

The newest room on the block — burgers, wings, a good Old Fashioned and brunch Wed–Sun.

Galaxie

Bar & live music · 732 E Market St · $

Cheap, loud, open late (till midnight most nights). Pool tables and a patio; the unofficial NuLu after-party.

The Last Refuge

Bar · 600 E Market St · $$

Bob Dylan's Heaven's Door whiskey poured inside a restored 1870s church. More bar than distillery, but the building alone is worth the walk.

Chica's Cantina

Mexican · 1015 E Main St · $

Neighborhood tacos and margaritas on the quieter east end — 4.7★, no wait.

Plan it: tasting at the rickhouse at 4 or 5, dinner on Market at 7. Walk-in flights are poured at our bar if you're between reservations.

Shop NuLu's boutiques

Independent fashion, curated vintage, and gift shops worth browsing between pours.

Really Good Vintage

Vintage Clothing · 805 E. Market St

A tightly curated vintage shop — the name fits. A NuLu can't-miss for collectors and anyone after a one-of-a-kind piece.

Saint Thaddeus Vintage

Vintage Clothing · 803 E. Market St

Fashion-forward vintage, beautifully curated, with one of the best selections in the city.

Six Sisters Boutique

Women's Fashion · 804 E. Market St

A NuLu flagship boutique — colorful fashion, accessories, and Derby hats and fascinators.

Jones & Daughters

Apparel, Home & Gifts · 806 E. Market St

Beautifully curated clothing, jewelry, home decor, and gifts — a go-to for something special.

Le Lieu

Boutique & Home · 213 S. Shelby St

Woman-owned, with inclusive sizing, a French sensibility, and unique clothing and home goods around the corner.

Hazel and Hunt

Apparel & Gifts · 826 E. Main St

Apparel, gifts, and Louisville- and bourbon-themed finds — a great stop for souvenirs that aren't tacky.

Make the rickhouse your first stop

Start your NuLu day with a barrel-strength flight or a single barrel pick — then explore the neighborhood from our front door at 717 E. Market.

See Experiences Our Louisville Distillery

Planning a bigger day out? Browse our guide to the best distillery tours in Louisville, see where to go for a bourbon tasting in Louisville, put together a private group outing, or — if there's a match on — see what to do before a Louisville City FC game.

What are the best restaurants in NuLu?

La Bodeguita de Mima (Cuban), MeeshMeesh (Mediterranean), bar Vetti (Italian), Mayan Cafe (Yucatán Mexican) and Guaca Mole are the most consistently rated restaurants in NuLu, all on East Market Street within a few blocks of Louisville Rickhouse. CURED and Decade are a short walk for a second stop.

What is NuLu in Louisville?

NuLu — short for “New Louisville” — is the East Market District just east of downtown Louisville. It's a walkable neighborhood known for distilleries, independent restaurants, bourbon bars, art galleries, and locally owned boutiques, mostly along East Market Street.

Where is NuLu located?

NuLu sits immediately east of downtown Louisville, centered on East Market Street between roughly Floyd and Shelby/Campbell streets. It's a short drive or rideshare from downtown hotels and Whiskey Row.

What is there to do in NuLu?

Tour and taste at distilleries like Louisville Rickhouse and Angel's Envy, eat at spots like La Bodeguita de Mima and Lou Lou, grab cocktails at bourbon bars like Seven and The Last Refuge, and shop independent boutiques and vintage stores along East Market Street.

Is NuLu walkable?

Very. Most of NuLu's distilleries, restaurants, bars, and shops are clustered within a few blocks of East Market Street, so you can easily spend an afternoon and evening on foot.

What is NuLu known for?

Bourbon, food, and independent retail. It's one of Louisville's most concentrated stretches of craft distilleries, chef-driven restaurants, and locally owned boutiques and galleries.

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Bourbon & distilleries

NuLu restaurants & bars

Shop NuLu's boutiques

Make the rickhouse your first stop

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