Louisville’s Original Highlands neighborhood is bordered by East Broadway on the north, Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue on the east, Rufer Avenue on the south, and Barret Avenue on the west. Nestled in the middle of the Cherokee Triangle, Tyler Park, Germantown, Paristown Pointe, and Phoenix Hill, the historic area is home to several unique restaurants, shops, and lodging options. Here’s your ultimate guide to the Original Highlands!
EAT + DRINK
From a one-of-a-kind bar that welcomes furry friends to a dinner destination that serves snacks poolside, the Highlands boasts a wealth of food and beverage options.
- Awry Brewing: The beers are flowing, and the kitchen is cooking at Awry. Grab a pint or two with an order of wings to enjoy inside or under an umbrella on the patio.
- Baxters 942: A bar by day, this Baxter Avenue spot transforms into a nightclub after the sun goes down. Expect to find DJ tunes or live country and rock bands, as well as a menu that boasts Southern comfort foods to go along with the endless drink choices.
- El Nopal: This Mexican restaurant boasts numerous locations throughout Kentucky and Indiana. When in the Original Highlands, pop by the Baxter Avenue spot for a quick bite and a margarita.
- Epiphany: This craft cocktail bar and spirits house serves drinks and snacks seven days a week. Try one-of-a-kind specialty cocktails, or go for a classic. There are also several beer, wine, and non-alcoholic options.
- Flanagan’s Ale House: This casual neighborhood spot offers indoor and outdoor seating and serves craft beers, pizza, and burgers. It is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
- Insomnia Cookies: As its name would suggest, Insomnia serves cookies (and ice cream!), sometimes until 3 a.m. Satisfy your late-night sweet tooth with a sugary treat from this national cookie chain.
- Las Margaritas: This Mexican restaurant’s newest location is in the space formerly occupied by Taco Luchador. Stop by the bright, Instagrammable space for everything from tacos and quesadillas to soups, salads, and nachos.
- Moka & Co.: Serving specialty Yemeni coffee, Moka & Co. strives to take guests on sensory expeditions guided by rich, aromatic spices. Try the signature Mufawar, crafted from Yemeni coffee, blended with creamy evaporated milk, and infused with aromatic cardamom.
- O’Shea’s: An Irish pub with an extensive draft and drink list and a full food menu, O’Shea’s is one of a handful of spots in the area open until 2 a.m. Try the Guinness Beer Cheese, served with a locally sourced Klaus pretzel loaf and housemade mustard.
- Paseo: The Myriad Hotel’s on-site restaurant, Paseo, serves dinner dishes inspired by the flavor profiles of Spain, Italy, and Morocco. Try the popular paella; with both land and sea options available, there’s something for everyone.
- PG&J’s Dog Park Bar: Derby City’s first dog park bar offers day passes and monthly memberships for furry friends, but their human companions are welcome anytime. Choose from a selection of 16 rotating taps as well as both alcoholic and spirit-free canned options.
- Switchboard: A European coffee bar in the morning, Switchboard transforms into a cocktail bar with moody vibes after the sun goes down. Order spritzes, aperitifs, rosés, and beyond after dinner and before a night on the town.
- Wiltshire Bakery & Cafe: Wiltshire offers an extensive selection of pastries, desserts, artisan bread, breakfast, lunch, and gourmet take-home meals. Stop by for your morning coffee and pastry, or pick up a few supplies for dinner.
SHOP
Though there isn’t a huge shopping scene in the Original Highlands area, the offerings are all truly one of a kind.
- Better Days Records East: As its name would suggest, this brick-and-mortar shop offers a variety of records, as well as tapes, CDs, T-shirts, posters, games, movies, and more. Discover both new and vintage picks for your music collection.
- Halloween Life & Louisville Shop of Horrors: Halloween lovers will appreciate this horror and oddities shop, which offers apparel, costumes, accessories, and other fun goodies all year long. Find spooky inspiration for October 31st — or any other day — Friday through Sunday.
- Omega Mirror Products: Home of Louisville’s disco balls, Omega manufactures mirrors and disco balls. Though they don’t sell directly to consumers, they can point customers toward nearby distributors.
- Retro Ville: A variety of vintage apparel items are waiting to be discovered at Retro Ville. Customers can follow the store on Instagram to find the latest picks.
STAY + PLAY
Whether you’re looking for a temporary change to your nails and hair or some permanent body art, there’s a place for you in the Original Highlands.
- Highland Nails: Manicures, pedicures, and waxing services are available at this Baxter Avenue Center nail salon. Appointments are accepted, and they’re closed on Mondays.
- Liquid Glamour: Known for intricate and funky nail designs, Liquid Glamour is another nail option in the area. Appointments are accepted, and the salon is open Tuesday through Friday.
- The Myriad Hotel: Set in the former Omega Disco Ball Factory space, the Myriad Hotel boasts 65 rooms and suites, as well as Myriad Swim Club, the hotel pool, and an adjacent bar. Two eateries are also on the premises: Switchboard, a coffee bar by morning and cocktail lounge by night, and Paseo, a metropolitan-style restaurant.
- Tattoo Colosseum: The artists here offer black-and-gray, color, realism, traditional, cover-up tattoos, and more. Submit a message via the website if you’re looking to get inked.
- Triumph Tattoo: Featuring three artists, Triumph offers a variety of tattoo styles — and piercings, too. Appointments are recommended.
- Remix Hair Salon: Services at Remix include cuts, coloring, styling, extensions, and braids. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred.
Happy exploring!
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About the Author
Lennie Omalza