Bachelorette Party in Louisville: Where to Eat, Play, Party and Stay!
Planning a bachelorette party in Louisville, Kentucky? Great choice!
Louisville has a unique blend of classic Southern charm, cool urban vibes, and more than a dozen bourbon distilleries. This city promises an epic bachelorette getaway that you’ll be talking about until your grandkids are getting hitched.
From the city’s thriving food and nightlife scene (did we mention bars are open until 4 am???) to arts, culture, and a truly enviable food scene, you’ll have plenty to choose from when planning your Louisville bachelorette weekend!
Check out a few of these other posts:
- The 63 Best Things to Do in Louisville, Kentucky (by a local)
- The 11 Best Distilleries in Louisville, Kentucky (With a Map!)
- 13 Famous Louisville (& Kentucky) Foods You Have to Try
Best Activities for a Bachelorette Party in Louisville
When it comes to the best things to do in Louisville, the options are nearly endless. But, alas, choices had to made so we narrowed it down to these activities, perfect for the bachelorette party of your dreams.
We have kept most of the activities limited to NuLu, Highlands, and downtown. This will give you the most options in the smallest amount of space – perfect for bar hopping and doing all the activities!
Food & Drink-Related Activities For A Bachelorette Party in Louisville
Here are some of the best food-related activities you can do during a Bachelorette Party in Louisville! And don’t worry, we have a whole separate list of where to eat in Louisville and where to party in Louisville below as well:
- Louisville Food Tours: With 5 different tours to choose from, Louisville Food Tours is without question one of the best things to do on your bachelorette adventure. For a scary good time, check out the Phantoms Of Prohibition: Ghosts, Cocktails, & Bites Tour where you’ll get to check out the city’s coolest bars and speakeasies on Whiskey Row and beyond, while learning some pretty neat facts about the truth behind prohibition, while, of course, drinking! Bourbon aficionados will want to check out the Beyond The Barrel: Bourbon Food Tour, and you can also book an afternoon food and history tour through Nulu or The Highlands. The best part is it’s easy to book a private bachelorette tour which comes with a white derby fascinator + bridal sash or a set of whiskey stones/glass/coaster (if they’re not that kind of bride) and a free drink for the bride to be!
- Liquor Lab: Head to one of the newest additions to Nulu Marketplace to learn a little bit about mixology. Boy, does learning taste good here. Their 2-hour classes include 3 handmade cocktails, food from local restaurants and they even send you home with a few recipes. Also check out the candle making class at the nearby Maddox & Rose to make a candle with a scent that will remind you of your bachelorette party!
- Urban Bourbon Trail Distilleries: Any trip to Louisville should include a stop at any of the city’s best distilleries! The easiest way to experience this is a trip to Whiskey Row, an under-a-mile stretch of downtown that’s still packed with bourbon bars, distilleries, and speakeasies like Old Forester, Angel’s Envy, Rabbit Hole and so many more. Each distillery offers its own unique bourbons to taste, as well as distillery tours starting from as low as $12. The average price for a bourbon distillery tour is around $25 – check each website for current pricing.
- Copper & Kings: There’s more than just bourbon distilleries in Louisville! The Butchertown-based Copper & Kings Distillery produces brandy, absinthe, gin, and a variety of liqueurs, all made from American-grown grapes and apples. The one-hour Copper & Kings Experience will show you how their spirits are made with a tasting experience where you will sample American Brandy, Gin, Absinthe & Liqueurs. Or, try the Barrel-to-Bottle Experience where you’ll sample the full lineup of cask-strength, limited release spirits. Following the tasting, you can fill your own selection straight from the barrel for a souvenir bottle to take home with you! After your tour, check out their amazing Rooftop Bar & Restaurant for a bangin’ burger and fabulous cocktail!
- The Thirsty Pedaler: Like to do your drinking on the go? This 16 passenger party bike will take you and your party around the city and stop at 2-3 bars will music pumps and you have a great time! It comes with a driver (for safety) and the bike itself is BYOB, so you can choose your liquor adventure! It’s a great way to see the city on a warm night and you can rent it privately just for your bachelorette party!
Best Daytime Activities for a Bachelorette Party in Louisville
Is your group an active bunch and want to spend a little time in the sun and exploring some of the city? Here are some of the best daytime activities for a Bachelorette Party in Louisville!
- Churchill Downs: Every May, Louisville’s famous racetrack is home to the Kentucky Derby, the biggest horseracing event in the world! Luckily races are happening often during the summer months, so when in town, you’ve got the perfect excuse to dress up like an old school Southern Belle and spend an afternoon betting on the ponies and drinking mint juleps. If you need a little primer on how exactly to bet, head over to our betting guide and we’ll show you the way.
- Picnic with Lou Piquenique: Ever wanted to plan a picnic, but like, a really fancy one? Lou Piquenique has you covered! This company will set up a picnic for you and your bridesmaids that looks straight out of a catalog – fancy blankets and pillows, candles, and of course, a beautiful charcuterie spread! They have so many options to customize your picnic, so check them out!
- Endless Summer Paddle Company: If you and the girlies are water babies, Endless Summer Paddle is the perfect way to see the city from the view of a paddleboard on the Ohio River. We’re talking about a sensuous breeze running through your hair and the city glimmering in the sunlight while you sail gently on top of the water. And don’t worry, you’ll be safe with an excellent instructor, and the Ohio River actually only flows at a half mile an hour during the summer, pretty much turning it into a large lake.
- Go to the pool at the Myriad Hotel or Omni Hotel: Both the Myriad Hotel in the Original Highlands and the Omni Hotel downtown have rooftop pools that you can get day passes for! Spend the afternoon in the sun, splash around a little bit, and have a drink. It’s definitely one of the most relaxing bridal activities!
- Belle of Louisville Riverboats: You’ll really be the belle of Louisville on the historic steamboat that still traverses the waters of the Ohio: the Belle of Louisville! Take a lunch or dinner cruise, or just hop on board and pretend it’s the early 1900s and you’ve got a shipment of bourbon to send down the river!
- Ziplining an the Mega Cavern: Is the bride to be all about the adrenaline rush? Well I have 2 words for you: Underground. Zipline. That’s right. Zip through a freaking enormous limestone cavern underneath the city of Louisville. And, if you’re wondering, there is nothing else like this in the entire world. How rad is that?! Plus, while you’re down under, there are tons of other ridiculously nonsensical and super cool activities you can do too, like an underground aerial ropes course or even an underground bike tour. So. Freaking. Cool.
- Speed Art Museum: Located in the beautiful Old Louisville neighborhood, the Speed Art Museum is the oldest, largest, and foremost museum of art in Kentucky. Called one of “The World’s Most Beautiful New Museums” by Travel & Leisure Magazine (the building is rad, seriously… you should visit just for the selfie) it features rotating exhibitions on a diverse array of ancient, classical, and modern art. They also do after hours parties every third Friday!
Best Nightlife for a Bachelorette Party in Louisville
The highlight of any bachelorette party is going out and having maybe a little too much fun. These are some of the best places for drink, dancing, and more!
- Fourth Street Live!: Food, dining, and drinks galore await at Fourth Street Live! From the dueling piano bar Howl at the Moon to the Louisville Comedy Club, you could spend an entire evening here. One of the most bachelorette-friendly bars is PBR, a cowboy-themed bar, where you’re sure to be plied with plenty of free shots. Fourth Street Live also has plenty of live concerts on the weekend so be sure to check out their upcoming events.
- The Champagnery: Sometimes you need a pinky-out kind of evening, you know? The Champagnery, Louisville’s first and only bar dedicated to sparkling wines and champagne is definitely the place to do that. Order champagne by the glass or the bottle, by the flight, or with spirits from around the globe and small bite pairings to highlight the bubbly. The bar also offers a refreshing cocktail list using sparkling wines and bubbles in some unique twists on traditional cocktails, an impressive “still” (no bubbles) wine list, beer featuring some local brews, and small bites like chocolate-covered strawberries, Champagnery Frites, and charcuterie.
- Whiskey Row: Whiskey Row in downtown houses several of the best bars on the Urban Bourbon trail – and some of the best food in Louisville, too! Start an evening of bar hopping at Doc Crow’s Southern Smokehouse & Raw Bar, which serves up delicious food alongside a plethora of bourbon. Try anything from the smoker, the mint julep lemonade, and for dessert order the Wilbur sundae with brown butter praline ice cream, candied bacon and cinnamon pork rinds. Then, hit up Number 15, one of the newest bars, a multi-story complex with live music almost every night of the week.
- Hell or High Water: Now as much as I would love to report that this mysteriously beautiful cocktail lounge, Hell or High Water, is a hidden secret shielded only for those worthy enough to be in-the-know, the truth is the cats out of the bag on this one. Reservations are required, and you’re gonna want to make a reservation as far in advance as you can, because this swanky bar fills up quickly. At first it may seem that this moody speakeasy cocktail bar is a little too hoity toity for you. But just take a closer look and you’ll spot the rather cheeky wallpaper pattern, and realize maybe they don’t take themselves too seriously after all.
- Play Dance Bar: If you’re looking for a place to celebrate a birthday or go clubbing with your friends, Play Dance Bar is the place to be. When you walk in you’re going to feel like you’re in a clean, classy club, with white floors, neon lights, and white walls decorated with portraits of their resident performers. Play is known for being a drag bar and you can find some of your favorite RuPaul’s Drag Race queens performing there during special events. They have a state-of-the-art stage and is home to some of the best drag productions in the city. They have two shows on Wednesday-Sunday at 9pm and 11pm, and an additional show at 1am on Friday and Saturday.
- Vernon Lanes: This authentically vintage, 8-lane bowling alley is the oldest in Louisville, and according to Leo Weekly, one of the oldest in America, which is not hard to believe when you sit on the bright orange and beige striped benches to bowl down the real wooden lanes. Now, the new owners did refurbish the lanes a few short years ago, so unfortunately any gutter balls will be all on you – no lane-tilting excuses here. They’ve got music, drinks, and plenty of late-night food, and sometimes you’ll even find a dance party on the lower level.
- Night out in NuLu: A night out in NuLu is one of the easiest ways to enjoy partying in the city! NuLu itself is tiny, really only encompassing a few blocks, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in bars and nightlife. Check out Galaxie for dancing and margaritas, Norae Bar for public and private karaoke booths, Hotel Genevieve rooftop bar for sweeping views of the city (and amazing cocktails), and the Local Seltzery NuLu if you like your alcohol carbonated. Wander around NuLu Marketplace for beer, food, and a speakeasy called Gertie’s Whiskey Bar. Check out our entire guide to NuLu!
- Naked Male Butlers: Do you need to spice up your bachelorette party a bit? Naked Male Butlers are hireable for your party to mix cocktails, serve drinks, and play party games – just a little more sexily! These hunky guys will take care of your party while you don’t have to lift a finger!
Local Travel Tip: The best way to taste the best food in Louisville is on a food and history walking tour with Louisville Food Tours! Explore the story of Louisville and Kentucky while tasting culinary classics like bourbon balls, biscuits, fried chicken, and - of course - bourbon! You can book a tour with Louisville Food Tours and use the code LGL10 for 10% off your booking..
Places to Eat for a Bachelorette Party in Louisville
When planning a bachelorette, you can be sure that lively Louisville brunches complete with bottomless mimosas and epic drag shows are in your future. The city’s dining scene is pretty incredible. While you could find just about anything your heart desires, here are the absolute best places to eat in Louisville!
- Le Moo: By night, it’s one of Louisville’s most luxurious steakhouses. But on Sundays, things get a little less fancy-fine-dining and a little more mimosas-and-ridiculousness with Le Moo’s iconic drag brunches! Enjoy delicious buffet-style food while a rotating cast of fabulous Queens keeps you laughing. Just be sure to make reservations well in advance, and bring cash to tip the performers!
- bar Vetti – bar Vetti offers homemade modern Italian takes, like the orecchiette pasta, which is made with Jake’s sausage – the best sausage in Kentucky – which Is made out of a gas station outside in Bardstown and its f*cking delicious. Also they always have a seasonal salad and its always the best salad I’ve ever had, so don’t skip your greens!
- Lou Lou on Market: This local spot can be found in Nulu, and it’s got a private room upstairs that can be booked for free! Cajun food, pizza, pasta: you name it, they’ve got it. Don’t forget to stop by for jazz and live music in the speakeasy, Stave, if you’re around on Thursday or Friday night.
- Proof on Main: Proof on Main, the unique restaurant in Louisville’s famous 21C Museum Hotel, is every bit as quirky as its hotel home. Redecorated regularly with its own series of installations, the restaurant is a museum in its own right. Oh, and the food is magnificent. For brunch, you’ll want to order the French Toast Casserole made with apple butter, whipped cream, and fresh hazelnuts, or a Cast Iron Dutch Pancake with blackberry maple preserves, cultured butter, and cocoa nibs.
- Louvino: Louvino in the Highlands has a huge wine selection, as you surmised from their name, and shareable plates like the brussel sprout salad with warm Brussels sprouts, cilantro lime vinaigrette, pickled cherry peppers, and roasted corn. They’re truly the best brussel sprout I’ve had in town! For an entree try the Short Rib Filled Pfannakuken (pancake) or the Faroe Island Salmon. You can also rent the party room especially for your bridal party!
- Biscuit Belly: Is there anything that says Southern Brunch like a delicious, fluffy buttermilk biscuit?! No. There is not. We have yet to dislike a single thing we’ve tried, but our favorite the Mama’s Boy pairs buttermilk chicken with roasted jalapenos, pimento cheese, crunchy pickles, and a fried green tomato. Though this is a quick-service restaurant, it gets packed on the weekends, so arrive early! (If you want to avoid that wait, book a Louisville Food & History Walking Tour Of NuLu and you’ll be in and fed without a problem!)
Best Spas for a Bachelorette Party in Louisville
Bachelorette parties aren’t all drinking and dancing– unless, of course, you want them to be! But for anyone looking for a little R&R, we know just the spots where you can kick back and enjoy a day of luxurious pampering.
- Mokara Spa at Omni: Combine a day of sunbathing at the Omni’s rooftop pool with a visit to Mokara Sap, offering everything from rejuvenating facials and therapeutic massages to nail services and detoxifying body treatments.
- Pelo West at The Galt House: Head to the 17th floor of the historic Galt House Hotel and you’ll find a 3,000 square feet woman-owned spa bathed in shades of green, black, and gold. Equipped with four treatment rooms, they offer hair services, mani, pedi, and massage.
- Blissful Relaxation Float Louisville: For a unique spa experience, try this sensory deprivation float, said to help achieve the deepest state of relaxation possible. They also offer Swedish Deep Tissue Massage and dried salt therapy.
- Highland Nails: If you need to get your nails filled, or done, during your party this is one of the top places to do it. Located in the Highlands, it is close to all your bachelorette activities!
Places to Stay for a Bachelorette Party in Louisville
The best Louisville bachelorette weekend starts with the best place to stay. While the city’s many neighborhoods have plenty to offer, we highly recommend booking a spot in Nulu or The Highlands.
In NuLu, you’ll be walking distance from the city’s best restaurants and boutiques while The Highlands offers slightly more local culture and affordability. Either way, these great spots will put you in the center of all the action.
- Hotel Genevieve: Fancy a bit of mid-century modern aesthetic? Nulu’s Hotel Genevieve is the hottest new boutique hotel in town, and it’s easy to see why. With a French restaurant downstairs, a monochromatic coffee shop and market, rooftop bar, and a secret speakeasy, you could honestly get just about everything you need from one spot.
- Myriad Hotel: Did you know that Louisville produced almost 90% of the world’s disco balls during the disco era? So say the creators of Myriad Hotel, a stylish, somewhat retro, and somehow still unpretentious boutique in The Highlands. They’ve got a fun lobby bar that masquerades as a coffee shop by day, one of the best pool areas in the city, and a restaurant run by a James Beard-nominated chef. Plus, there’s a large family-style suite and another room with the world’s comfiest bunk beds. Either would be perfect for you bachelorette getaway!
- Bungalou: Prefer your own space? No problem. Check out The Bungalou, a private residence in The Highlands that sleeps up to 14. Tucked behind one of Louisville’s best bourbon bars, NEAT, on Bardstown Rd, you’ll also have access to a 3,000 square foot private gameyard. Plus, you can mix and match your selection of suites– or book the entire property– and stay within your budget.
- 21C Museum Hotel: If art is your thing, 21C is the spot for you! This hotel on Main Street completely unique rooms like Asleep in the Cyclone which is as much a colorful art installation as it is a fully functional room. You’ll also be able to dine at Proof on Main which is just as fun and playful as it is delicious! Not to mention, there are multiple galleries full of interactive art displays, and you can explore them all with a drink in hand.
- Highlands House: This Four Bedroom House is perfect for groups as it has 4 bedrooms and accommodates up to 12 people. It’s nestled in the very nice Cherokee Triangle area near some of the best Highlands nightlife. You’ll be able to eat, and drink, and walk to all kinds of things from this location– or stay home and enjoy the large deck and grill. The choice is yours!
Sample Bachelorette Party Itinerary For Louisville
Here’s an example Bachelorette Party Itinerary For Louisville. Of course, you can mix and match with any of the ideas above!
Friday
- Lunch at Doc Crow’s Southern Smokehouse & Raw Bar.
- Do a Distillery Tour on Whiskey Row at Old Forester, Angel’s Envy, Rabbit Hole, etc!
- Take an evening tour like the Phantoms Of Prohibition: Ghosts, Cocktails, & Bites Tour or the Beyond The Barrel: Bourbon Food Tour.
- Go out drinking and dancing at Play Dance Bar or Fourth Street Live!
Saturday
- Brunch at Biscuit Belly or Lou Lou on Market (if you do the NuLu tour below, be aware you’ll stop at Biscuit Belly!)
- Morning SUP at Endless Summer Paddle Company or spa treatment at Mokara Spa at Omni.
- Take an afternoon food tour like the Louisville Food & History Walking Tour Of NuLu or the Highlands Heritage Tastes & Tales Tour.
- Take a break / get dolled up for a night out!
- Get dinner and drinks at bar Vetti, Proof on Main, or Lou Lou on Market. If you’re still full, get just drinks at Hell or High Water or The Champagnery.
- Go out in NuLu or the Highlands that night or do a Thirsty Pedaler tour.
Sunday
- Drag brunch at Le Moo or chill picnic lunch.
- Pack up to leave!
Louisville Bachelorette Party Essentials
For the world’s best bachelorette party you’re going to need some essentials, like dresses, hats, gifts, and all things Louisville themed! Here are some ideas to get you started:
Wearable stuff for the Bride to be:
- This Pearl Bride Crown will be the centerpiece of the celebrations! It’s super cute and stylish and will definitely draw some attention!
- This customizable Bride Sweatshirt is customizable and cute! Besides having “bride” across the front, you can get his and her initials on the sleeve! A very thoughtful gift indeed.
- These Customizable Bride Sunglasses are super cute, covered in pearls! You can get up to 12 letters on these babies, and it’ll let everyone know who the bride is! You can also get a pack of sunglasses for your whole crew.
- Need a Bridal Veil? This is the ultimate gift for the bride that wants to be out and about and everyone to know it, especially since it reads “bride to be” on the back!
- This Bride Pool Coverup comes in different colors, is customizable, and can be a fun look for the entire crew as you hang by the pool!
- This Bachelorette Party Game is the perfect way to get the night started with 99 funny questions! Get the whole crew laughing as you drink and spend an awesome night together.
Derby Hats for the track or around town:
- If you’re in a pinch or just want to be extra creative, get out your hot glue gun and make your own! Start with a wide-brimmed sun hat that you can find at any store, like this from Amazon. And then follow a tutorial like this! Remember, you will always earn extra points (in the form of strangers complimenting you) for creativity. The sky is the limit, truly, and you’ll have fun pretending you’re in a design challenge on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
- For more unique options, you can always find a one-of-a-kind design on Etsy. There’s plenty to inspire your outfit, like these stunning butterfly fascinators.
- If your budget allows, there are lots of local places in Louisville to get Derby hats while supporting local artists and craftspeople! Start by looking into the Featured Milliners picked each year by Churchill Downs, such as Formé Millinery.
Dresses for a night out:
- This wrap maxi dress is what we’re talkin’ about. This dress has a delicate floral print, movement, and it feels fancy enough to wear to dinner but also out.
- This 1950s retro vintage cocktail dress is a loving nod to the past. I’m in love with the bold ochre color (though there are plenty of color and pattern choices!), the darling cap sleeve, and heart-shaped neckline. It’s a retro dream.
- The baby doll dress is one of my favorite trends of the last year because it’s so cute and feminine. This dress is no exception, and it comes embellished with pearls. Since it’s relatively simple, it’d be pretty easy to make or buy a hat to match.
- Something about a long pleated skirt like this breathes elegance to me. The colors are refined and the irregular hem of the skirt gives it some whimsy. Definitely a good base for a classy night out!
- This flowy yet fitted dress and is easy to picture on a bachelorette crew and comes in 10+ patterns and colors. It definitely serves “1930s glamour” and I could easily see Jean Harlow or some other star of old Hollywood rocking this out!
- Show off your shape with this elegant bodycon dress that comes in 10 different colors. With a sleek fit and daring ruffle you can show some body-ody-ody on your bachelorette weekend and be the belle of the ball!
Louisville-Themed Bachelorette Party Accessories:
- Don some winning, white thoroughbred earrings donning the iconic garland of roses! White not your thing? Check out these super adorable pink horse earrings instead. These will give you some Louisville elegance!
- Don’t have your ears pierced? Try these beautifully beaded pink horse gem earrings that will certainly make you think pink!
- If you love the colors and pageantry of the jockey’s jerseys, check out these yellow and orange jockey jersey earrings that say “KY” on them. Now that’s on brand!
- For a simple rose motif, check out these earrings and matching necklace to match. You’ll basically be a rose garland!
- This classy clutch with a golden horse on the front is available in black and white to add a pop of elegance to your look, especially if you match the woodsy print on the inside. Perfect for the woman with style!
- These are roses you won’t have to run for. This silky soft fabric rose clutch will keep your valuables safe and it’s small enough to carry around all night.
- If you want to be in the money when it comes to placing bets at the racetrack, check out this crystallized stack of cash clutch. You can bet on being super stylish!
What did you think of our Bachelorette Party in Louisville Guide? What questions can we answer? Drop us a comment below!
Before you go, be sure to check out these other posts:
- The 63 Best Things to Do in Louisville, Kentucky (by a local)
- The 11 Best Distilleries in Louisville, Kentucky (With a Map!)
- 13 Famous Louisville (& Kentucky) Foods You Have to Try
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