Pride Plates Food Tour: Kentucky’s Queer History in Louisville
Difficulty
easy
Duration
3–4 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires moderate walking and standing.
Overview
Discover Louisville’s queer history through delicious Kentucky dishes and bourbon cocktails on Pride Plates Food Tour. Enjoy a vibrant mix of culture, history, and nightlife along Bardstown Road.
Pride Plates: A Taste of Kentucky’s Queer History Food Tour
3 Hours • 21+ • Food & Queer History
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About This Adventure
Join us for a vibrant exploration of Louisville's queer history as you savor delicious Kentucky dishes and bourbon cocktails along Bardstown Road. Discover inspiring stories of trailblazing figures, from drag queens to activists, while enjoying the lively atmosphere of the city's gay epicenter. End your journey at two iconic gay bars!
Come out with us and explore the queer stories of Louisville’s past.
Duration
3 Hours
About
Come out with us and explore the queer stories of Louisville’s past and present as you eat and drink your way down Bardstown Road, Louisville’s gay epicenter!
As you stroll through the lush avenues of historic Cherokee Triangle, you’ll taste classic Kentucky bites such as fried chicken, spoonbread, and shrimp & grits paired with a selection of bourbon cocktails. Along the way, you’ll uncover the diverse history of Kentucky’s Queer folx, from a Black Prohibition-era drag queen to the poets, authors, and activists that paved the way for Kentucky’s Queer community.
Your tour will end in front of two of Louisville’s best gay bars - the perfect place to continue your evening!
What's Included##
- 5 Delicious dishes representing Louisville & Kentucky
- 5 Refreshing bourbon cocktails
- The stories of Kentucky's queer history and its home-grown artists, authors, and activists told by an expert local guide
- Audio headset (to help you hear your guide)
What's Not Included##
- Transportation
- Guide gratuity
Important: During our tour, as on all of our tours, we have a no-tolerance policy for homophobia, transphobia, and racism. If anyone on our tour is making our guides or guests uncomfortable, we will ask them to leave and they will not receive a refund. Please enter into this space with a respectful and open mind, an eagerness to learn, and a willingness engage with difficult and sometimes challenging ideas.
Adventure Tips
Wear Comfortable Shoes
Expect to walk several blocks along Bardstown Road, so comfortable footwear is essential.
Bring a Valid ID
This tour includes visits to bars where you’ll need to show proof of legal drinking age.
Notify Dietary Restrictions in Advance
Let the company know beforehand if you have allergies or dietary preferences for the best experience.
Stay Hydrated
Enjoy bourbon cocktails responsibly and drink water between tastings to stay refreshed.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Urban birds like cardinals and mourning doves
- Squirrels common in Louisville parks
History
Bardstown Road has long been a central hub for Louisville’s LGBTQ+ community, known for activism and cultural expression dating back to the 1970s.
Conservation
Local businesses actively promote sustainability through waste reduction and sourcing ingredients from Kentucky farms with organic practices.
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Adventure Hotspots in Louisville
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Comfortable Walking Shoes
Provides support for several hours of walking along city streets.
Light Jacket or Layered Clothing
Keeps you comfortable during cool spring evenings.
spring specific
Reusable Water Bottle
Helps you stay hydrated when enjoying bourbon tastings in warm weather.
summer specific
Camera or Smartphone
Capture vibrant street scenes and memorable moments throughout the tour.