Feb 15th – Feb 21st
Welcome to The Louisville Plug.
A short weekly list of where locals actually eat, what’s worth doing, and the deals worth knowing about. As always feel free to reply to this email or leave a comment with any suggestions or feedback. Have a great week!
🍽️The Local Rec
A Louisville local’s food rec, every week.
This week’s rec comes from:
Louisville Bites
Your go-to scroll for what to order next in the 502. Louisville Bites spotlights crave worthy dishes from local restaurants, pairing mouthwatering photos with the details you actually want: price, location, and exactly what to order. If you’re trying to decide where to eat tonight, or every night, follow Louisville Bites NOW!
Their Rec: Varanese
Why they love it:
"We love Varanese because it’s intimate, romantic, and has wonderful live music”
Her Go-To order:
“The Bourbon Barrel Smoked Pork Chop.”
“This dish is truly love at first bite. Varanese’s pork chop is phenomenal—perfectly cooked and topped with a smoky apple-bacon chutney that’s bursting with flavor. Trust me, you’ll be hooked after one bite.”
Bourbon Barrel Smoked Pork Chop - $28
Appreciate the rec, Louisville Bites 🙌 That pork chop looks unreal — easily one of the best I’ve seen in the city. Definitely adding it to my list this week… I’ll report back with the verdict!
Be sure to follow louisvillebites on Instagram and let them know if you try out Varanese this week.
⚜️ What’s Happening in Lou?
🗓️ Feb 21st from 12-4 pm
📍 Whiskey Thief NuLu
Kick off Bock Fest season with baby goat photo ops, cocktail specials, Bock Fest merch, and more! Plus, sign up for The NuLu 502 and skip the fees for the most iconic “micro marathon” around. The 502 feet of run/walk/strut glory will take place on Clay Street between Nanny Goat Strut & Billy Goat Strut right before Bock Fest starts on Saturday, March 28th!
🗓️ Feb 21st from 10am - 10pm
📍 Student Activities Center, Ballroom W215
The UofL campus community is invited to celebrate UofL's largest student-run philanthropic organization, raiseRED, at their annual dance marathon. With over 680 registered UofL students this year, they will celebrate their year round fundraising advocacy efforts at the dance marathon. This includes stories about our raiseRED families, fundraising, games, cause connected moments, friendly competitions, and more.
All money raised by raiseRED supports patient needs and programming at Norton Children's Cancer Institute and pediatric hematology and oncology research at UofL School of Medicine.
🗓️ Feb 17th from 5:30-7:30 pm
📍 Highland Community Ministries
Bring the spirit of Fat Tuesday to Louisville at this Mardi Gras inspired fundraiser benefiting Highlands Community Ministries. Indulge in tasty bites from Bardstown Road restaurants, enjoy cocktails, beer, wine, and live entertainment in a festive setting, all while supporting vital local programs like the food pantry and emergency financial assistance.
🗓️ Feb 20th @ 8pm
📍 Mercury Ballroom
The mythical, funky, internet-famous sax legend Saxsquatch is bringing Bigfoot energy to Louisville. Think live sax over EDM beats, unexpected mashups, and a crowd that’s fully committed to the vibe. It’s part dance party, part concert, part “did that really just happen?”
If you’re looking for something different from the usual night out, this is it. Grab your friends, lean into the chaos, and prepare to groove with the smoothest cryptid in the game.
💸 Local Specials & Deals
Free Clean Comedy Night @
Louisville Comedy Club
Comedians practice new material that you can hear with your Grandma without blushing! 100% Free Entry!
Free Tour de Lou Training Program @
Water Front Park
The PNC Kentucky Derby Festival Tour de Lou Training Program is a FREE 6-week program designed for bicyclists of all experience levels. The training program will feature weekly group bike rides led by the Louisville Bicycle Club.
Training tips and bike safety will also be provided. Be one of the first 250 to register for the Training Program and receive a FREE training shirt.
Know someone in Louisville still figuring out what to do?
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Have a fantastic week!
— Louisville Plug