Whiskey Row

Whiskey Row is a historic district in Louisville spanning West Main Street with buildings showcasing Renaissance Revival and Chicago School architectural styles. The facades display ornate cast-iron storefronts that stretch across multiple properties, with many of these structures dating back to the 1800s still standing today.

During the 1800s, this district served as the central hub for bourbon storage, with warehouses holding thousands of barrels that shaped Louisville's importance as a global whiskey center. The buildings standing today reflect the era when this area was one of the most vital production and trading points for the spirit.

The name reflects its roots as the heart of whiskey production, and visitors can still feel this legacy through the preserved buildings and working distilleries scattered throughout. Today, locals and tourists gather in the restaurants and shops to experience what was once the pulse of Kentucky's bourbon trade.

The area is easily walkable, with numerous restaurants and shops to explore, along with a working distillery that draws visitors. Comfortable shoes are recommended as you stroll through to take in the individual building facades and storefront details at a leisurely pace.

A severe fire in 2015 caused significant damage to three buildings at 111-115 West Main Street, requiring extensive reconstruction work to restore them. Despite this setback, the original appearance was carefully recreated, showing how communities work to maintain their historic character.