Louisville NuLu: Walking Bourbon & Food Pairing Tour

Summary

NuLu’s bourbon secrets, chef tables and sunset cocktails

You’ll join locals in NuLu for an evening of rare bourbon tastings and creative food pairings at hard-to-book restaurants led by award-winning chefs. Walk between stops with your guide, hear stories you won’t get at distilleries, and end with rooftop cocktails as the sun sets over Louisville. Expect warmth, laughter, and flavors you’ll remember long after.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I thought I knew bourbon. But standing in front of what looked like a shrine — they call it the Church of Bourbon — with bottles glowing under low lights, I realized I’d barely scratched the surface. Our guide, Marcus (he grew up here and you can tell), started us off with a pour that smelled like caramel and old books. He cracked a joke about Kentucky weather being “bourbon aging in real time,” which made everyone laugh — maybe too loud for 4pm. The cheese plate helped soak things up, but honestly, I was already feeling a little warm inside.

The walk through NuLu was short but lively; you catch whiffs of barbecue and something sweet from one of the bakeries. We ducked into a bottle shop where Marcus pointed out some rare bourbons — apparently people fly in just to buy them. I tried to pronounce one label and Li, another guest, snorted into her drink. No judgment though; half the fun is getting it wrong. Next stop was this place run by a Michelin-starred chef (never thought I’d get a table there) where we had a cocktail that twisted the classic Louisville recipe into something smoky and weirdly floral. Not sure I could recreate it at home.

By the time we hit the James Beard spot for dinner, the sky was turning that washed-out blue you only get before sunset. They brought out these Manhattan-style cocktails with local bourbon-barrel aged soy sauce — yeah, didn’t expect that either — and some kind of spice blend that tingled on my tongue for ages after. The servers seemed genuinely happy to see us; maybe because we were all so obviously delighted by everything? Or maybe they just liked Marcus’ stories about old Louisville bar fights (he swears they’re true).

The tour ended on a rooftop as dusk settled over downtown Louisville. There was this moment when everyone went quiet, just watching the city lights flicker on while we sipped Mint Juleps reimagined as dessert — cold glass, minty creaminess, a hint of bourbon sharpness underneath. It’s funny how strangers can feel like friends after sharing food and stories for a few hours. Sometimes I still think about that view when I taste bourbon now — it hits different.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — NuLu bourbon and food walking tour

• Begin at Church of Bourbon collection
• Guided bourbon tasting and cheese plate
• Shop for rare and premium bottles
• Try Louisville cocktail by Michelin chef
• Dine at James Beard chef restaurant
• Enjoy Manhattan-style cocktail and pairing
• End with rooftop Mint Julep and dessert

Top questions

How long is the NuLu walking bourbon & food pairing tour?

The tour covers roughly 1 mile of walking through NuLu and lasts several hours including multiple tasting stops.

Is this tour suitable for vegetarians or gluten-free diets?

Yes, vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free options are available if notified at least 24 hours before the tour.

Are rare or premium bourbons included on this tour?

You can upgrade to add 4 rare and premium bourbon tastings; there’s also an opportunity to purchase rare bottles at a local shop.

Does the tour include dinner?

Yes, paired bites at five top NuLu restaurants make up a full dinner during your experience.

Is transportation included or do we meet at the start point?

No hotel pickup; you’ll meet at the starting location in NuLu. The route is walkable and wheelchair accessible.

What if it rains during my booking?

Tours run rain or shine unless weather becomes severe or unsafe; bring appropriate clothing just in case.

Can non-drinkers join this bourbon tour?

Yes, mocktail options are available for non-drinkers if you let them know in advance.

What’s included

Your evening includes guided bourbon tastings (with an option to upgrade for rare pours), paired bites across five acclaimed NuLu restaurants making up a complete dinner, craft cocktails at each stop including creative takes on classics like the Mint Julep, opportunities to purchase rare bottles at a bottle shop, all led by a local guide who shares unfiltered stories about Kentucky bourbon history as you walk together through Louisville’s most vibrant district.