Probably your mother's Nulu nightcap

For the evening’s final drink stop, our city that has taken on the identity of late night dives and high priced bourbon bars. Louisville wouldn’t be what it is today without the beloved Silver Dollar, Taj, and Hell or High Water, but if you’re looking for a little change of pace from the norm, Bourbon City still has a few spots that are a bit more of a wind down than wound up.

Nouvelle Bar & Bottle is that change of pace we’ve all craved when hitting the bars sounds less appealing than just hitting the sack. Nulu itself gives us a romantic, walkable, almost European feeling that only a couple places in the city can provide. Nouvelle Bar & Bottle takes that warm fuzzy feeling of East Market Street and amplifies it. The upscale wine bar is quietly tucked away just off busy Market Street with minimal signage and a small side patio. Where Nouvelle delivers its surprise is the extension of that small side patio that somehow stretches far back into a garden of greenery that no one ever knew was, or could, be there. Within that beautiful outdoor space, created by Nouvelle owners Scott and Lauren Justice, are seating areas scattered throughout that will remind you of grandma’s backyard garden. Heavy, black iron tables and chairs are picturesque-ly sitting and waiting for the next unforgettable Insta-story.

After the oos and ahhs have concluded, the real fun starts with what Nouvelle stakes its name on. In a world of Two Buck Chuck and Tre Bay (Kroger’s $3 Bay Bridge), Nouvelle wants us to drink better wine. The selection of wines is vast and the menu accounts for that with detailed explanations and three size choices for your pour. For our last visit, we opted for a few different small pours of dry reds whose names we won’t bore you with, but rest assured, they were all fantastic. If wine (or bourbon) is your thing, the staff is only as knowledgable as you request they be, so fear not the stuffy wine bar vibe - that’s not here. Nouvelle has just recently revamped their beverage program along with their indoor space and is offering rotating options for bar snacks as well.

Nouvelle has brought us a little taste of Wine Country to Bourbon Country. We highly recommend for pre-dinner, late nights, and happy hours. There’s nothing else like it in Louisville. Salud!

Rotating charcuterie and fruit pairings available at Nouvelle