Shelby Park & Smoketown

A historically Black neighborhood since the Civil War, named for the numerous smoke-producing kilns that once fired bricks in Smoketown and for the centerpiece 16-acre Shelby Park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the Smoketown and Shelby Park neighborhoods, located southeast of downtown, are diverse and vibrant art-filled communities.

EAT & DRINK

Restaurants, like Shirley Mae’s Cafe & Bar capture the essence of the Smoketown neighborhood. Shirley’s Mae’s serves up soul food classics like chicken fried pork chops, smoked pork ribs, cornbread dressing, turnip greens and an array of irresistible desserts. Likewise, Trouble Bar, located in Shelby Park, is a neighborhood bar, serving some of the best Bourbons in the city and featuring a photo wall of people known to make “good trouble.” At Toasty’s Tavern, you can buy the staff a round for only $15. Order some of their classic bar food, from cheeseburgers to Bánh mi dogs. Head to Perso for traditional Roman-style ’za and check out Atrium Brewing for craft beer on tap.

The newly opened, late-night Canary Club bills itself as “Louisville’s first and only natty wine bar,” the “natty” referencing “natural wines,” which you can enjoy with unexpected and delightful bar bite combos like caviar and potato chips. Next door is The Breeze, a coffee shop and retail space filled with wine, gourmet food and unique gifts.

Logan Street Market is home to 25+ independently owned businesses, where you can sample a world of flavors, including sweet and savory fillings at La Maison aux Crêpes, Jewish comfort food at Cold Smoke Bagels, Venezuelan at Full Arepa, soulful pizza at Twisted Piez, sushi at Daisuki, Asian favorites at Fresh Out The Box, and Asian treats, like Korean corn dogs, at Mochi Dog. V-Grits serves 100% vegan fare. Safai pours coffee at their bar while Wild Hops brews their own beer. There are fresh-pressed organic juices at Mint It. Just across the street, FOKO serves fresh Mexican and American Southern fusion for breakfast and lunch with cafecitos, fresh juices and matcha teas.

DISCOVER

Art, artists and artisans abound in these neighborhoods with public murals setting a colorful background for the neighborhoods’ galleries and artist studios. Art Sanctuary provides affordable gallery space to many local artists and is home to the VaVaVixens, a feminist burlesque performance group that regularly performs on the Art Sanctuary stage. Gallerie Hertz Art Gallery has been representing and showcasing regional, national and international artists for 28 years. The Idlewild Butterfly Farm puts nature’s art on exhibit with a collection of butterflies and live exotic insects from around the globe.

SHOP

Visit the internationally renowned Anchal Project, founded by Louisvillians and sisters Colleen and Maggie Clines, at their first and only storefront and studio, where you’ll find one-of-a-kind textiles that have been featured in museum stores like the Guggenheim and national retailers like Madewell and Athropologie.

Logan Street Market also offers unique shopping. There’s The Bluegrass Witch, Colonel De Gourmet Herbs & Spices, Flourish CBD, one-of-a-kind creations from local artists at The Kinder Artist, Kentucky themed gifts at Heart & Hooves.

PARISTOWN

Adjacent to Smoketown, start your day in nearby Paristown Point with breakfast at The Café, where comforting Southern-accented options will fill you up as you dine under a mix of antique chandeliers and sip coffee in artful mugs from neighboring Stoneware & Co. A short walk on Swan Street will take you to Fleur de Flea Vintage Urban Market, a 35,000 sq. ft. warehouse with 150+ vendors.

Paristown is also home to The Village Market, Louisville’s first collective food hall, where you’ll find Banditz Pizza, Bunz Burgerz, Jeff’s Donuts, Noche Mexican BBQ, and Sarap Filipino Eatery.

A growing art and entertainment district, Paristown is home to Old Forester’s Paristown Hall, a live performance venue booking national and regional acts. Next door is Christy’s Garden, an urban garden that hosts community events and is one of Paristown’s many nontraditional outdoor performance spaces.

Featured Attractions & Things to Do