March 29th – April 4th
Welcome back to The Louisville Plug.
This week Derby season officially kicks off. We've got bourbon tastings at the Frazier, a free all day block party on the west side, and a hidden gem Latin American spot with a renovated patio you need to see.
Most importantly: We've got two Insider Perks this week, a Derby staple at an unbeatable price and an exclusive discount to explore the city like never before.
Inside this issue:
🌺 The Local Rec: A long standing Louisville hidden gem
⚜️ What's Happening in Lou: BourbonVille, the KDF Block Party, and the Triple Crown of Running finale.
💸 Insider Perks: $7 Pegasus Pins and 10% off Louisville Food Tours this week.
🌺 The Local Rec
A Louisville local’s food rec, every week.
This week’s rec comes from:
Taste & Tour Louisville @ tasteandtourlouisville
Taste & Tour Louisville has a brilliant catalog of Louisville’s hidden gems and local favorites. If you love the Local Rec and check in every week for a new one then I can’t recommend following her enough. She has over 100+ posts with nearly each one detailing a new local spot with what to get, how much it was, and her honest review. Please go check her out and give her a follow!
Their Rec: Mayan Cafe
Why they love it:
“Get the papadzules. They also make one of the best piña coladas.”
“It’s a long-standing hidden gem in Louisville for Latin American food, and they recently renovated their back patio. It’s the cutest little dining space.”
Be sure to follow Taste & Tour Louisville on Instagram and let her know if you grab some papadzules this week! Of course I will be making my way to Mayan Cafe ASAP with this weather and try out the new patio seating area.
⚜️ What’s Happening in Lou?
3 events worth your time each week.
🗓️ April 2nd from 6:30pm - 9:30pm (VIP early access @ 5:30pm)
📍 Frazier History Museum
💸 $75 GA / $125 VIP — 21+ only
Derby season is officially here, and BourbonVille is the kickoff you don't want to sleep on. This is one of the official Kentucky Derby Festival events, held inside the Frazier History Museum on Whiskey Row, and it delivers tastings from Kentucky's top distilleries, bourbon inspired cuisine, and the chance to meet Master Distillers and brand ambassadors in person.
General admission gets you signature drinks, a commemorative glass, and a BourbonVille event pin. Spring for the VIP ticket and you're in an hour early with an exclusive tasting experience on top of it. Sponsored by Republic Bank and Four Roses Bourbon, this one sells out fast. If bourbon is your love language, this is your Thursday night.
You can find ticket information → HERE
🗓️ April 4th from 12pm - 8pm
📍 Norton Healthcare Sports & Learning Center
💸 FREE (parking also free)
Now in its 5th year as an official Kentucky Derby Festival event, the KDF Block Party has earned its spot as one of the most genuinely feel good days on Louisville's calendar. Eight hours of free entertainment on the west side featuring 35+ live musicians, DJs, dancers, poets, spoken word, and comedy plus local food trucks and a shopping marketplace.
The MELANnaire Marketplace brings together 50+ vendors spotlighting Black entrepreneurs alongside a Community Village of minority owned nonprofits. It's free, it's all day, and parking won't cost you a dime. Bring the family and make a full afternoon of it.
You can find more information → HERE
🗓️ April 4th | Morning start
📍 Finish line at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium
💸 ~$45+ registration
The grand finale of Louisville's beloved Triple Crown of Running series lands this Saturday, and it's worth showing up for even if you're just there to cheer. Runners who completed all three races: The Whiskey Row 5K, The Derby City 10K, and this 10 Mile closer earn the coveted Triple Crown medal when they cross the finish line on the 50-yard line at L&N Stadium. If that's you, congratulations in advance. If you're just getting into the series, this is a great one to add to the race calendar for next year. Either way, stick around for the post race party, TEN20 Craft Brewery is pouring a free beer for every finisher 21+, and the energy at that stadium finish line is something else.
You can find registration information → HERE
💸 Insider Perks
Exclusive weekly deals only available for Louisville Plug readers.
The 2026 Pegasus Pin — Louisville's $7 All Access Pass
The 2026 Pegasus Pin is available now online at PegasusPins.com for just $7. Buy it there, and you save $3 because the price jumps to $10 at event entrances.
Here's why we love it:
Every Tuesday through May 5, wear your pin to Main Event Louisville for special deals all night including a free 30-minute Fun Card for the arcade and a free kid's meal with purchase of an entrée of $11.99 or more.
Free admission to the Ringling Circus Hype Crew at Kroger's Fest-a-Ville (April 23–25), plus access to dozens of other Derby Festival pin-admission events throughout the season.
Each pin envelope also includes partner coupons from Kroger, Meijer, Publix, Main Event, Kentucky State Fair, Kern's Kitchen Derby-Pie, VisionFirst, and Topgolf plus a chance to win a $20,000 cash Gold Pin Grand Prize.
Still going: 10% OFF Louisville Food Tours with our code!
The Deal: As a Louisville Plug reader, you've got an exclusive 10% off any tour booking. Perfect for a date night that actually has something to talk about, a fresh way to show visiting friends what this city is really made of, or an excuse to explore a neighborhood you've been meaning to get to.
Your Code: LOUISVILLEPLUG10
How to use: Head to Louisvillefoodtours.com, pick your tour, and drop the code at checkout.
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Have a fantastic week!
— The Louisville Plug