Your Ultimate Guide to the Trendy ‘NULU’ Louisville Neighborhood

In the heart of downtown Louisville lays the trendy Nulu {New Louisville} neighborhood. Previously known as the East Market District, Nulu lays in a twenty-block square flanked by I-65 South and Chestnut Street on the far Eastside. NULU, AKA the East Market District, has so much to offer locals and out-of-towners alike!

After Louisville’s founding in 1778, the city had a booming growth around the early 1800s. With the invention of the steamboat, Louisville soon became Kentucky’s busiest city. The industrial development of the city was taking off and it became even more prosperous after the Civil War.

Market Street grew to become a center for commerce and even the scene of horse racing back in the early 1800s!! The East Market District has withstood the test of time and remained one of Louisville’s vitally important commerce districts.

Other than East Market District’s colorful history – why would you want to be in NULU? Beyond having adorable shops, art galleries, and great eateries -NULU Louisville is a prime spot after large events downtown.

NULU lays within one block of some of Louisville’s biggest attractions:

• One block the Louisville Slugger Field where the Louisville Bats Minor League Baseball team play
• 3 minutes from the Lynn Family Stadium where the Louisville City Football Club plays
• Bordered on its north side by the equally trendy Butchertown, Louisville neighborhood.

P.S. When you’re done reading about the NULU neighborhood – get our guide to 100+ Fun Things To Do in Louisville all year long!

What To Do In NULU

NULU is one of the only Louisville neighborhoods that a person can walk in a day {without getting sweaty!} Only covering 20 blocks, you would think you could experience everything there is to offer in a day. While you might be able to finish exploring NULU on a walking tour, this little section of our constantly changing city is jam-packed with fun.

As the artsy district of our bustling downtown, there is so much to do and see. From our famously known Angel’s Envy Distillery to more boutique companies, NULU exudes a modern Southern charm.

• The Rabbit Hole Distillery: Would any Louisville neighborhood be complete without a distillery of some kind? (The answer is NO! of course…) Known for our world famous bourbons, The Rabbit Hole Distillery of NULU is the newest distillery in Louisville! What we love about it: This distillery is also home to an impressive collection of artwork!! (We think it must be a Kentucky law somewhere that you have to have a bourbon distillery for every 10,000 people!!)
  Tours are available Tuesday – Saturday 10AM- 5PM
  Address: 711 E Jefferson St, Louisville, KY 40202
• The Craftery: Louisville’s first and only craft and bar studio!! Gone are the days of painting the same picture everyone else paints while you sip a glass of wine. At NULU’s ‘The Craftery’, you can chose what you want to create cradled in the comfort of a fully stocked bar. So what kinds of things can you craft? Bracelets, keychains, dog leash holders, bookmarks, and macame plant holders just to name a few!
  Address: 823 E. Market Street, Suite 102, Louisville, Kentucky

• Nanny Goat Books: Tucked away in this historical building along Nanny Goat Strut Alley lays one of Louisville’s most innovative business. A publishing house where you can also purchase a great off-the-beaten-path book! (This business has since closed but you can still walk this alley that a ton of incredible murals call home!)
  Address: 218 S Clay St, Louisville, KY 40202

Climb NULU

Last but not least on our list is Climb NULU. If you’re into feats of athleticism, this is the spot for you.

Did you know that Kentucky has the number 2 climbing destination in all of the USA? Red River Gorge is only a few hours from Louisville, so it makes sense that we would have a place for some of the nation’s best climbers to practice! The best part about Climb NULU is that newbies are welcome! Address:  1000 East Market Street, Louisville, KY, 40206

Art Galleries

Art galleries are another staple of this walkable trend-setting village. If you’re interested in seeing a little art while walking this area of Louisville, or after doing a little shopping, you have a few galleries to chose from.

• Garner Narrative: An interactive art studio that celebrates ‘messiness’ and story telling!
  Address: 642 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40202
• Zephyr Gallery: One of Louisville’s coolest art galleries, Zephyr takes to heart placing local art front and center in local Louisville businesses.
  Address: 610 East Market Street Louisville, Kentucky 40202 

If you’re into art, another thing you need to do while in NULU is check out the murals. No trendy art or market district in any city would be complete without the addition of a few incredible pieces of street art.

There are over 10 enormous murals in this part of the city alone!! Get our guide to over 100 Louisville murals here. Directions and exact addresses are all wrapped up in one guide!

NULU Marketplace

Something we have long thought Louisville truly needed amongst all of the other restaurants? A beer garden.

In swept NULU Marketplace and we’re so excited to share this awesome little market district with you all. Home to The Craftery we mentioned above, Buff City Soaps, and West Sixth NULU’s breezy beer garden, you could spend a whole day enjoying all that the Marketplace has to offer.

The Best NULU Restaurants

With a plethora of delectable gastropubs, coffee shops, and eateries – it’s hard to narrow food down in Louisville. It’s much easier to go neighborhood by neighborhood and explain all of the tasty places you need to try. Here are a few restaurants in NULU you can’t miss!!!

Breakfast & Coffee

If you don’t know this yet – everyone has a favorite coffee shop and breakfast spot. We Louisvillians though? We have two or three. There are just so many cute shops around town and great places to get breakfast, with NULU being no exception. Toast On Market has been a go-to breakfast staple for as long as either of us can remember in Louisville. Spicy chorizo gravy over housemade biscuits and delicious breakfast sandwiches have many a time called our name!

After you’ve had your breakfast and you’re ready to explore for the day – a cup of jo never hurt anybody. Here are a few of our favorite coffee shops in NULU:

• Please & Thank You – While they do have delicious coffee, one of P&TY’s other claims to fame is their delicious lavendar lemonade and scones!!!
  Address: 800 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206
• Quills – A coffee shop with a great organic tea selection.
  Address: 802 E Main St, Louisville, KY 40206
• Clever Moose Cafe – More than just a coffee shop, Clever Moose is part of a larger business for professionals who need a daily work space!! But the sweet buns and banh mi sandwiches made fresh daily don’t hurt either!
  Address: 204 S Hancock St, Louisville, KY 40202

If you’re not a big coffee persona and instead of looking for a little something un-caffeinated to start your day – our pick would be The Weekly Juicery! Shelbs works downtown and has many a time stopped to grab a green juice or an immunity-boosting juice that makes you feel like a million bucks!

Casual Local Joints

You may not know this but the South has a few staples that we’re pretty serious about. Good seafood, BBQ, and fried chicken. Before you go making jokes about Colonel Sanders and Kentucky Fried Chicken, grab a seat at any of our favorites in NULU!

• The Seafood Lady – Included on our guide to the best seafood restaurant in Louisville, TSL started out as a cafe in the west end. Now bloomed into an incredible seafood destination, The Seafood Lady was even on Food Network’s Diners, Drive Ins and Dive with Guy Fieri!
  Address: 601 E. Jefferson St. Louisville, KY, 40202
• Feast BBQ – This is another restaurant we’ve included in one of our Louisville foodie guides: The Best Healthy Restaurants in Louisville. Beyond mouth-watering barbecue – they also have one of the best salads in Louisville! There are a few locations open around town but NULU was their first location. If you’re heading to try it out – make sure you try one of their signature bourbon slushies too!!
  Address: 909 E Market St #100, Louisville, KY 40206

Now… if you’ve never heard of hot chicken.. think of it like fried chicken but kicked up a notch. Slathered in a spicy delicious hot sauce, Royals Hot Chicken serves their dishes with the best coleslaw we’ve ever had. That cool and creamy crunch against the juicy hot chicken is one of the best hot chicken dishes we’ve ever had!!

Dinner Date Restaurants

One of the best parts about this area is that it has a slew of upscale dinner restaurants with incredible service and food. Recently we tried La Bodequita de Mima and were blown away. We started with a refreshing round of mojitos and their signature Tostones Rellenos. When we tell you we were salivating for more – we mean it. Truly one of the best versions of this Cuban dish we’ve ever had with melt-in-your-mouth pork and cheese over housemade tostones.

La Bodeguita is also a perfect date night spot because of its multiple patios, live outdoor music, and Instagram-friendly ‘Azucar!’ wall. (If you’re into that sort of thing!)

• The Mayan Cafe – A farm to table approach to traditional Mayan cuisine.
  Address: 813 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206
• barVetti – A swanky Italian style pizza and pasta restaurant in the AC Hotel downtown. (You can walk into the restaurant from the street level!)
  Address: 727 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40202

• Wiltshire on Market – Not to be confused with their sister company Wiltshire Pantry or Wiltshire Bakery & Cafe, the Wiltshire on Market in NULU is a must try. At the love child of Chef Akeem Norris, experience an intimate dining setting with farm to table seasonally rotating dishes.
  Address: 636 E Market St., Louisville, KY 40202

Sweets

A special shout out to the desserts of this area because Sweet’s by Millie is here! This boutique bakery is who created our incredible wedding cake!

• Louisville Cream – Vegan ice-cream and regular ice cream!!
  Address: 632 E Market St, Suite 101, Louisville, KY 40202

• Macaron Bar – Gluten free macaroons! Need we really say more? This company started in our fellow big city Cincinatti and grew to become a staple big-Midwest-city franchise.
  Address: 707 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40202

Last but not least – we want to give special recognition to Muth’s Candies!! This unbelievable, classic hand-made candies shop has been in business for over 100 years!! Shelbs dad still gets their hand-made chocolate turtles for her mom every year on their anniversary, which is a genuine reflection of the story of Muths. Started by Rudy Muth after WWI, this candy shop has withstood the time of time and has been through many stages of change in the transient NULU neighborhood.

Breweries & Bars of NULU

How many breweries does Louisville have? Over 20 locally-owned brewers of all the delicious adult beverages. From micro-breweries to nationally recognized brands, Louisville is home to some incredible groups – a few of which make their home in NULU!

• Akasha Brewery: The brewery that allows dogs INSIDE!! Seriously – there were four dogs inside that we got to pet all while drinking delicious brews.
  Address: 909 E Market St #700, Louisville, KY 40206
• West Sixth Brewery: If you’re from out of town, you might have heard of this one! While the West Sixth NULU Marketplace location isn’t their flagship location, it’s still pretty amazing to get to enjoy while in Louisville’s first beer garden!
  Address: 817 E Market St Suite 101, Louisville, KY 40206
• Goodwood Brewing & Spirits: Goodwood is nationally recognized for their bourbon barrel brewed beers!
  Address: 636 E Main St, Louisville, KY 40202

Now for the bars. If you’re looking for something a little more sensual than your typical brewery hangout, NULU has the bars for you.

• Garage Bar: Featured on our guide to the Best Rooftop Bars & Outdoor Dining in Louisville, garage bar is our favorite bar in Louisville! Converted from an old mechanic garage – there is tons of seating if you have a big party and outdoor games!!
  Address: 700 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40202

• AC Lounge: Located in the AC Hotel by Marriot downtown, you can still visit this pretty bar without being a guest!
  Address: 727 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40202

• Nouvelle Bar & Bottle: A gorgeous wine bar with deep blue and gold accents, and a gorgeous outdoor patio!! perfect for a cozy date night or girls night. (The entire restaurant is Instagram worthy!!)
  Address: 214 S Clay St B, Louisville, KY 40202

• Taj Louisville: A dimly lit, speakeasy vibed bar in NULU. This place is a little more casual but tons of fun!!
  Address: 807 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206

Our Favorite Shops In NULU Louisville

If you’re looking to spend a lazy afternoon shopping in Louisville with the girls, Nulu is your destination. Everything is walkable and aesthetically pleasing… not to mention there are plenty of places to grab cocktails or a bite to eat. The NULU Marketplace has a few but shops are also sprinkled along East Market District’s Market Street.

• Hazel & Hunt: The place that smells like tobacco, southern charm and leather. Classy southern apparel, Harry Potter house stickers (but made to look like Derby horses), and bourbon t-shirts souveniers are all available at our favorite NULU shop!
  Address: 826 R, E Main St, Louisville, KY 40206
• Whites Mercantile: For all things Louisville, Southern and classy memorabilia, Whites Mercantile is your shop.
  Address: 806 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206

Mahonia is one of Shelb’s personal favorite shops in Louisville. With gorgeous coffee table books, dried flower arrangements available, and live plants all around – it’s sort of like a hippie homemakers heaven. Address: 822 E Market St, Louisville, KY 40206

A few other staple NULU shops you should 100% visit:

• Red Tree Nulu – The famous umbrella Instagram ceiling spot is home in this staple NULU shop!!
  Address: 701 East Market Street, Louisville, Kentucky, 40202
• Clayton & Crume – The leather shop of your dreams! Everything from personalized leather wrapped rocks glasses, monogram stamped leather wallets, leather coasters, passport covers, bags and so much more!
  Address: 216 S. Shelby St. Louisville KY 40202
• RoxyNell – truly a one of a kind shop in Louisville, NULU’s RoxyNell specializes in bespoke jeans. Customly made to fit you, these jeans will be your absolute favorite wardrobe staple.
  Address: 712 E Market Street, Louisville, KY 40202

Festivals In NULU

So beyond the merchant history in NULU, one of the major traditions in Lousiville are Bock Beer Festivals. Brought over by Louisville’s German ancestors, but dating even further back to the monks of 14th Century Germany, bock beer is a richly thick style of traditional lager beers. But beyond beer… there are goats!!!

• NULU Bock Fest : Nulu is home to two alleys named after goats. Nanny Goat Strut and Billy Goat Strut. Today, these intersecting alleys are home to Louisville’s bock beer fests! Trust us when we say, there is nothing more hilarious than grown men drinking bock beer in goat costumes!!
  When: Spring
  Cost: Free
• Nulu Fest – Nothing better than a traditional block party! Food, craft beer and bourbons all while listening to live music!
  When: Fall
  Cost: Free

How To Spend 24 Hours Exploring NULU

The best time to come and explore this part of Louisville would be either spring or fall around the festivals. That’s when the East Market District comes alive!

Start your trip by staying at one of our fabulous downtown Louisville hotels. If you stay at the AC Hotel by Marriot, you get access to the AC Lounge and you’re right in the heart of NULU. If the AC Hotel is booked, our picks would be The Grady Hotel, The Omni, or The Galt House on the Ohio River.

First thing in the morning we would grab breakfast at Toast on Market. After enjoying a leisurely breakfast, we would suggest getting a coffee and exploring the shops up and down Market Street.

Stop for lunch at Royals Hot Chicken, and then for dessert – go by Louisville Cream! Continue to Muths Candies and Whites Mercantile to pick up souvenirs for your trip. After you’ve gotten a few goodies to take home, head to one of the festivals (either Bock Fest in the spring or NULU Fest in the fall.)

After you’ve experienced the lively Southern hospitality of the festival, think about grabbing dinner. You’ll want to change and get ready for a full-on date night or girls’ night out! Our pick for an upscale dinner would be La Bodeguita de Mima and then drinks in the dimly lit speakeasy: The Taj.

We hope you enjoy your mini-getaway in NULU!!

Further Reading

Looking for a little more Kentucky fun? Find more guides to all things Kentucky on our blog! Here are a few to get you started:

• 50 Fun Things To Do in Lexington, Kentucky (Distilleries, Hiking and UK Basketball!!)
• How To Spend 48 Hours in Owensboro, Kentucky
• The Top 12 Prettiest Day Trips From Louisville (One for every month of the year!)

Need more colorful destinations throughout the USA? Get our guide to the Neon Museum of Las Vegas, the stunning red hills of Monument Valley, and Bell Mountain in Georgia!

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