Garage Bar
The fireworks are free and the pizza’s outdoors, so your July 4th is basically planned already.
Garage Bar just reopened under new ownership in its old converted service station on East Market, patio and wood-fired brick oven intact, a few blocks from where the Waterfront fireworks go off at 10pm. Order a pizza, take a seat outside, and walk to the show when it’s time.
The best July 4th plan in Louisville is the one you don’t have to think about.
A pizza, built for sharing on the patio.
It reopened recently, so call ahead to confirm holiday hours. Get there before the pre-fireworks rush and you’ll skip the wait.
700 E Market St, Louisville · Website →
Louisville Burger Week — every burger $7–$8 (July 13–19)
For one week, 50-plus Louisville restaurants put a burger on the menu for $7–$8. Download the official app at louisvilleburgerweek.com before it starts, check in at four or more spots during the week, and you’re entered in the grand-prize drawing. It kicks off July 9 at Hop Atomica with a Wagyu burger. Our advice: skip the famous ones on night one and go to the neighborhood spot you keep meaning to try — at $7, a miss costs you nothing and a hit becomes your new regular.
Evan Williams on Whiskey Row
It’s bourbon’s home turf on its most patriotic weekend. The Evan Williams Bourbon Experience (528 W Main) runs tours through the holiday, and the bar’s open even if you skip the tour. Confirm the holiday hours before you go, then raise one downtown — about as Louisville as it gets.
Red, White & Brews
A patriotic weekend of craft beer, summer food, and live music for America’s 250th. Friday from 5pm, Saturday all day, Sunday afternoon. Details →
@ Hop Atomica
5–10pm
Waterfront Park Fourth of July (free)
A free party for America’s 250th — music and family activities from 5pm, fireworks over the Ohio at 10pm. Eat first at Garage Bar (above) and walk over. Details →
@ The Great Lawn
10am–10pm
Crescent Hill 4th of July Festival (free)
One of Louisville’s longest-running Fourth traditions: food vendors, music, and a full day of family activities. The daytime plan before the evening fireworks. Details →
@ Peterson Dumesnil House, 301 S Peterson Ave
Burger Week Kickoff
Wagyu burger and check-ins to start Burger Week. Free to show up. Details →
@ Hop Atomica
Pier 17 Cajun Seafood
Taking over the old Dutch’s Tavern / Mellow Mushroom building on Shelbyville Road — a more upscale Pier 17 than the Hurstbourne location. No opening date yet, but it’s one to watch.
- Goss Ave Deli isn’t gone for good — the Schnitzelburg spot closed earlier this summer, but the owners say they’ve signed a lease and are working to reopen. We’ll let you know when the doors are open again.
- Half-off second beers at Bombay Grill: the Indian spot on Hurstbourne (216 N Hurstbourne Pkwy) is running buy one domestic beer, get your second half off for a limited time — a good excuse for curry night. Go while it lasts.
- Bluegrass Brewing Co. is gone after 33 years. The downtown brewpub at 300 W Main closed for good this week. It was the last location of a Louisville beer name that started in St. Matthews back in 1993.
- A doughnut-hole eating championship on the Fourth: Jeff’s Donuts brings the National Donut Hole Eating Championship back to Paristown’s July 4th party, with live music and fireworks of its own. A solid pick if Waterfront isn’t your scene.