Exploring Louisville, Kentucky... Bourbon Tasting, Hot Browns, Drag Brunch and More!!!

Summer LGBTQ travel adventures in the Midwest!
Exploring LGBTQ Louisville

Richard and I arrived in Louisville after a nice, leisurely road trip from Indianapolis down through Bloomington and then the Hoosier National Forest.  Gorgeous drive!

We arrived in Louisville, where we checked in to the gorgeous 21c Louisville hotel, a melding of art museum and hotel.

What an art display at the @21cHotels @21cLouisville | @gotolouisville @Downtown_Lou #GayArt #GayLouisville @ILoveGayArt @ILoveGayResorts pic.twitter.com/25LMLrGxS8

— ILoveGay Kentucky 🏇 (@ILoveGayKY) July 22, 2018

After dinner, we headed to the Highlands area of Louisville, where we checked out two gay/gay-friendly bars, @NowhereLville and Chill Bar #GayBars #GayBar @ILoveGayBar #GayLouisville @gotolouisville @Downtown_Lou pic.twitter.com/STCsEXotMB

— ILoveGay Kentucky 🏇 (@ILoveGayKY) July 22, 2018

From there, we headed to the Highlands area of Louisville, known for their eclectic mix of restaurants, bars and Louisville nightlife.  We did a little research on some of the top restaurants in the city, and found Lilly's Bistro at the top of that list... and trust me when I tell you it was ALL THAT!

Had a great dinner last night @lillysbistro! Amazing food with good people from @gotolouisville, @Christa_Ritchie and @JordanSkora. Loving this town! @MattSkal @ILoveGayKY @ILoveLGBTTravel pic.twitter.com/9hgxyTei16

— Richard Brower (@richardbrower) July 21, 2018

The next morning we toured Main Street in downtown Louisville, and somehow found our way into Whiskey Row, where we enjoyed a tour and bourbon tasting at the Old Forester.

Exploring downtown Louisville today @gotolouisville @Downtown_Lou, including #WhiskeyRow. Staying right in the heart of the city at @21cLouisville @21cHotels, an incredible melding of art museum and hotel, with a superb bar and restaurant as well. #GayTravel @ILoveLGBTTravel pic.twitter.com/E3ZzBjXJli

— ILoveGay Kentucky 🏇 (@ILoveGayKY) July 21, 2018

When in Louisville, one has to definitely try a Bourbon Whiskey tasting on #WhiskeyRow... we decided on the @oldforester and got both an over-the-top tour and a tasting of 3 different Old Forrester whiskies. @ILoveGayBars @ILoveGayFoodies #GayLouisville pic.twitter.com/AZinY4Kuvl

— ILoveGay Kentucky 🏇 (@ILoveGayKY) July 21, 2018

Of course, our experience wasn't complete in Louisville without trying the famous Hot Brown, an amalgamation of Bearnaise sauce, Gruyere  cheese, turkey and a whole lot of secret sauce made famous at the Brown Hotel's English Grille restaurant on Broadway.

We enjoyed dinner at the English Grille inside the #BrownHotel @TheBrownHotel where I tried the famous #HotBrown, and yes, it was all it was cracked up to be! @ILoveGayFoodies (w/@richardbrower) @ILoveGayKY pic.twitter.com/tuj3OGuC4y

— Matt Skallerud 🔆 (@MattSkal) July 22, 2018

We wrapped up this weekend tour with an infamous Drag Brunch held at Le Moo by Daniel Cole, the brains behind the Midwest Hard Candy drag queen tours.  Le Moo really is quite the scene for brunch, whether you're there for a monthly drag show or simply in the mood for some great food with a true Kentucky ambiance.

Drag brunch at @LeMooLou - Sunday Fun Day, Kentucky-style! With @PennyTration @bdanielcole - hanging with us @JordanSkora @richardbrower | @gotolouisville #DragBrunch #DragQueens @ILoveGayDrag @ILoveGayKY pic.twitter.com/TlC0iUPAbZ

— Matt Skallerud 🔆 (@MattSkal) July 23, 2018

Drag brunch at @LeMooLou - Sunday Fun Day, Kentucky-style! With @PennyTration @bdanielcole - hanging with us @JordanSkora @richardbrower @mattskal | @gotolouisville #DragBrunch #DragQueens @ILoveGayKY pic.twitter.com/4wbOnDn3aG

— ILoveGay Drag 👠 (@ILoveGayDrag) July 23, 2018

Drag brunch at @LeMooLou - Sunday Fun Day, Kentucky-style! With @PennyTration @bdanielcole - hanging with us @JordanSkora @richardbrower @mattskal | @gotolouisville #DragBrunch #DragQueens @ILoveGayDrag pic.twitter.com/x5yVqhd61G

— ILoveGay Kentucky 🏇 (@ILoveGayKY) July 23, 2018

It was a wonderful weekend spent in Louisville... we can't wait to come back!

Matt Skallerud and Richard Brower enjoy eating well and traveling more! They met while they were both an active part of the IGLTA team, and are married and now live in New York City.  Richard's talents are finding incredible flight deals from JFK to points all over the world, as well as locating the best eateries along the way. Matt is part of Pink Banana Media, Pink Banana World and the #ILoveGay network, and enjoys merging his personal and professional worlds along the way on these trips.