by Holly Freeland
holly@louisville.com

The Bardstown Road area of Louisville is one of the most unique parts of the city.  With bars and restaurants, shops and galleries, anyone can find something of interest along its corridors.  It prides itself on keeping “chains” out and keeping the local scene at the forefront with its individualized attitude.  But, the Bardstown Road you visit today has been a long time in the making and one that is full of vision and hope.

The vision for this area began shaping up in the early 90’s.  According to Tom Owen, Council District 8 Representative, “In 1990, a design overlay district was created, setting traditional standards for any major renovation or new construction.  The city stimulated private redevelopment of storefronts with facade improvements”.  In the aftermath of those moves by the city, in 1993, Michael and Meredith Wickliffe opened what would be a main staple for the area, and 4-time Best Of Louisville award winner: Wick’s Pizza.

In the mid 1990’s, the city spent almost a third of a million dollars in redesign and streetscape improvements according to Owen.  Since then, the local business owners and city representatives have made it a priority to work together by adding trash receptacles and doing litter cleanups along the street’s festive landscape.  What once was a run-down forgotten part of town would begin its journey into the popular destination it is now.

The Mid City Mall, located in the heart of this area, was a catalyst for further change with renovations there and at Baxter Avenue Theater.  While a Valu Market now is located where a Winn Dixie once was, neighboring Comedy Caravan has been in this district for more than two decades. 

Already a long-time occupant of the area, O’Shea’s appeals to people of all ages as it boasts a four-tiered fountain, multiple bars and courtyards.  It all began in their main bar room over 45 years ago and after several renovations over the past 8 years, has become a local favorite.  In 1997, Molly Malone’s, also an Irish-themed establishment, opened up on the east side of Bardstown Road.  They would also do a renovation in early 2007 that included an outdoor covered deck and bar.

Newer occupants to Bardstown Road include Flanagan’s, Nio’s, J Gumbo’s and a much-needed sports bar, Buffalo Wild Wings.  You will find these among the old mainstays of Cahoots, The Outlook, Jack Fry’s & Ditto’s along this much-celebrated part of town. 

This popular vicinity has also seen drastic improvements from a retail & residential stance.  A new Walgreens and Starbucks opened in 2001, and the popular condominium development, Lancashire Place, located next to Molly Malone’s, opened its first units in 2000, and has both an eatery (J Gumbo’s) and a clothing store, Pitaya, in its first floor.

Mr. Owen says “Baxter-Bardstown Road is a destination because it is lively, pedestrian friendly, traditional in form and surrounded by functioning neighborhoods. The dream is to have more shops open during the evenings and have both young and old ambling down the corridor out for an evening stroll”. With the help of city representatives, neighborhoods and business associations all working together, the Bardstown Road/Baxter Avenue area of town now is one of the most popular parts of the city.

If you’re looking for a Chili’s or a Tower Records, you won’t find it here.   Instead, try The Bristol Bar & Grill for dinner and Ear Ecstacy for a CD. 

Our Recommendations:

• A good game of pool: Cahoots or The Outlook


• Pizza: You Won’t Forget: Wick’s or Bearno’s


• Irish Pubs: Flanagan’s or Molly Malone’s


• Sit Downers: Ditto’s, Lilly’s or Jack Fry’s


• Sports: Buffalo Wild Wings, Monkey Wrench


• Something a little different: Ramsi’s, J Gumbo, Palermo


• Can’t Miss: O Shea’s


• Coffee: Heine Brothers, Starbucks

Or, better yet, have someone drop you off and discover your own favorite places and spaces, old and new!