Looking for things to do in Louisville this week or weekend? Andrew Crum has four places four you to explore in the 502.
Hey everyone! State of Louisville contributor Andrew Crum here with another entry in my blog series where each week we’ll explore the unique restaurants, bars, shops, and other landmarks that shape the great 502. Each series entry, we’ll focus on new spots around the Ville that have our intrigue.
As I dive into this week’s finds, let us know some areas of town, landmarks, shops, restaurants, bars, venues, etc. we need to stop by next in the comments below!
Stop #1 – Different Strokes Golf Center
Alright I’m going to shoot it with ya straight: my golf game is absolutely horrendous. Sure, I can putt-putt with the best of them (RIP Renaissance Fun Park), but as someone that has many friends who spend a ridiculous amount of time playing and watching golf, I have never had that itch to really dive in and see how much better I can get. That being said, the more I stop by Different Strokes on River Road, the stronger the belief I have that this mindset can change.
The first time I stumbled my way into Different Strokes, I walked in with $30 worth of clubs bought at Goodwill and a dream. That dream was to be able to make consistent contact with the ball off the tee, as I had routinely committed whiff after whiff in my prior golf outings. With that plan in mind, I knew I had to truly stock up on the amount of golf balls at my disposal to decrease the odds of complete failure. Was 100 too many with it being my first time swinging a golf club in two years in 85-degree weather? Who’s to say, but at Different Strokes, I was given a plethora of options whether it be 25, 50, 75, or 100 golf balls at a time.
Anticipating my future frustration, I glanced at the drink menu at the entrance which had a list of refreshing and affordable options, whether that’s a single drink or bucket. Once I had gotten my bearings, I made my way to the range as dozens of others swung away beside me. One of the many great features of Different Strokes is the amount of space they have to work with, allowing for golfers of all ages and skills to spend as much time as they need to hone in on their games. This space and time were surely needed by me, as I spent the first 30-ish swings either losing a tee or hitting the ball slightly off the tee just far enough to where it was too far out of my reach to quietly retrieve the ball and try again.
But then, in a turn of events, my luck began to change. Not drastically of course, but I finally found a groove in making consistent contact. With this slight sliver of hope, my addictive personality led to me being locked in for about 2 hours. I knew that although my driving game hadn’t dramatically changed, there was a newfound interest in improvement. As I walked out, I noticed the state-of-the-art Toptracer Bays at Different Strokes, which are covered and include technology that allows you to track your shots and play a variety of well-known courses. I knew I had to come back to try it for myself, and it was definitely worth the trip back.
Since my first time there, I have leveled up to trying to work on shots outside of my driver, whether that be in the Toptracer bays or out on the range. Whether you’re like me trying to improve your game, a seasoned golfer, or just someone wanting to enjoy a drink and swing a club, Different Strokes is the place where anyone can have a fantastic time.
Stop #2 – 3rd Turn Brewing
Over the last few weeks of finding new spots around the city of Louisville, I have found myself hovering around the same few neighborhoods. With this installment, I knew I wanted to get a bit out of my usual comfort zone to discover some new sights that might be slightly off the beaten path. 3rd Turn Brewing in Jeffersontown provided the perfect destination for this change.
While I have popped in for a beer or two over the years with some friends who have lived in the area, whether that be during the Jeffersontown Beer Fest or a last-minute late-night drink option, this was my first time settling in and really enjoying the ambiance. 3rd Turn is located within a repurposed church built in 1878, and as someone who loves the architecture of an old church (see The Last Refuge), this made for an incredibly enjoyable and cozy experience before any drinks were ordered.
However, with this unique spot located in the historic Gaslight Square, there is more than meets the eye at first glance. As you walk through the building past the main bar, you have the option to grab a drink and step onto the incredibly spacey back deck, with options to sit on the top floor or walk on down to the lower-level patio that extends all the way back to the entrance. Quite possibly my favorite aspect of this spot (and one I would love more spots like it to follow suit with) is the inclusion of cornhole boards near the front patio area. I love a bar that can make you feel like you’re having a cold one at home with your friends, and these kinds of additions really add to the charm.
As for the beer itself, 3rd Turn has an awesome collection that has some spectacular names, including their Sir Psycho Sexy Double Haze Porter, their Space Grass IPA, and the seasonal “BBL Drizzy” consisting of blackberry, blueberry, and lemon sour ale.
While I haven’t been able to pop by their Oldham Gardens location in Crestwood, which looks like a fantastic space for drinks, live music, and even pottery classes, I will be making it a priority to find my way there sometime this summer.
Stop #3: Louie’s Hot Chicken & Barbeque
If there’s one thing to know about me, it’s that I’m a frequent enjoyer of a great chicken tender. Is it because of my limited food pallet? Once again, who’s to say, but my goal this week was to try and find a new spot I hadn’t yet heard of before that could further be added to my collection of favorite chicken restaurants. Luckily, I am happy to say the Louie’s is a spot I can add to that list with ease.
Located on Poplar Level Road as soon as you get off the highway, Louie’s has a small interior that isn’t too eye popping as you make your way inside but features a nice display of park benches outside of the building for patrons to hang out as they enjoy their meal. I was feeling a hot chicken craving at the time, so I went with the tenders and fries at the medium spice level. While I typically am spice-averse, the medium level was luckily fairly tame, and I plan on elevating to the hot level next time (don’t know if I’ll make the trek to the extra hot or extra extra hot levels).
The amount of time it took to get my food was quick and easy, and I was able to post up on one of the benches outside. I am happy to report that this really is one of the best local hot chicken spots I have encountered so far. One thing to know about this chicken is that it is incredibly filling, which was also in part to the extra loading of fries that I had. The fries are similar in taste to Arby’s curly fries, which is something you will not see me complain about. While I was unable to try the BBQ at Louie’s, I have heard nothing but good things and am excited to head back soon to see how it holds up to other local BBQ.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my first experience at Louie’s and can’t wait to return this summer.
Stop #4 – The Neon Flea
Right off the bat, I have to say that this is an old picture in the shop’s original location, although the Neon Flea’s new location definitely keeps the same charm as its original. Located on Goss Avenue in Germantown, this shop has a great homey vibe as soon as you enter the door. I was greeted as I walked in and was asked if I was looking for anything in particular, but honestly, I did not have much of a clue of what I was looking for as I entered.
The Neon Flea has an eclectic collection of clothing for men and women, in addition to everything under the sun. I was able to stumble upon a collection of books, cheap, well-kept records (was able to add to my collection for just $6!), hats, boots, and even a collection of 90’s-era trading cards. What was most impressive about this place was the sheer number of items that were contained in a fairly small building, as you can really stumble upon anything depending on where you are in the store.
One of my favorite parts of the shop was the extensive display of belt-buckles near the counter, which had buckles of all colors and sizes, including a number of Harley-Davidson edition buckles. If I’m ever looking to make a bit bolder fashion statement, I know where my first stop will be to make that happen.
Neon Flea’s location is another plus, as you can make an afternoon out of stopping by the Neon Flea and hitting up establishments nearby including The Post, The Pearl of Germantown, Four Pegs, and more! This will definitely be an area of town that will show up more often as I continue my journey through Louisville this summer.
