It's wedding season! Here are 5 fun spots to host rehearsal dinners in Downtown Louisville

Maggie Menderski, Louisville Courier Journal
Updated ·4 min read

Whether you're looking for a chill evening of pizza and pasta, a trendy distillery backdrop or a more elegant rooftop affair, downtown Louisville has no shortage of spots to host your rehearsal dinner.

The rehearsal dinner often takes a backseat to a wedding, but this intimate gathering usually sets the tone for the whole weekend to come. Ahead of the whirlwind of saying “I do,” the rehearsal dinner serves as a fun few hours for the bride and groom to spend some quality time with the bridal party and occasionally family and out-of-town guests.

Typically this gathering is a less formal, but no less meaningful affair.

With wedding season in mind, we took a look at a few intimate venues at a variety of price points in downtown Louisville. Make no mistake, with a plethora of hotels and restaurants in our Central Business District, there is no shortage of options for hosting a downtown affair. Plus, if you've got out-of-town guests staying in Louisville in the days leading up to your big moment, many of these venues are within walking distance of some of Derby City's best hotels.

Take a look at these five fun, very different spots to consider hosting the final dinner before you say tie the knot.

Evan Williams Bourbon Experience, Speakeasy

The Speakeasy event space at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience.
The Speakeasy event space at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience.

528 W. Main St.

Capacity: 60 for dinner

Room rental fee: Starts at $1,950 for a two-hour event.

Catering: The Speakeasy uses outside catering and asks that renters work with a list of preferred caterers.

Things to know: The Speakeasy room feels like stepping back into the 1920s. Since the room is part of a distillery, the venue invites guests to add on bourbon tasting and tours for an additional fee.

Hotel Distil, Outdoor Event Terrace

The Outdoor Event Terrace at Hotel Distil in downtown Louisville.
The Outdoor Event Terrace at Hotel Distil in downtown Louisville.

101 W. Main St.

Capacity: 150 guests

Room rental fee: No fee, but there is a food and beverage minimum. That price varies by event, but it starts at $2,000.

Catering: All catering is provided by Hotel Distil, and the venue can “curate to the guests’ vision.” Price points vary but typically start at about $48 per person, according to its website.

Things to know: The terrace is an all-season venue with an industrial aesthetic and sweeping views of Whiskey Alley and the Ohio River. The space is covered with heating and cooling capabilities. There is also a private bar and lounge seating.

The Frazier History Museum

The Spirit of Kentucky at the Frazier History Museum is one of several spaces at museum that can be rented for a rehearsal dinner.
The Spirit of Kentucky at the Frazier History Museum is one of several spaces at museum that can be rented for a rehearsal dinner.

829 W. Main St.

Capacity: Up to 300

Room rental fee: $1,200 - $3,500

Catering: Offsite, but the Frazier asks that you pick from an approved list of caterers.

Things to know: The Frazier has several rentable spaces at a variety of sizes and price points that have been used for rehearsal dinners in the past, including its outdoor Gateway Garden, Great Hall, the Second Floor Classroom, Order of the Writ, Speakeasy, Loft and the outdoor Rooftop Garden. If you’d like to jazz up your experience, there are several add-ons available that can set your rehearsal dinner apart, including gallery access, a scavenger hunt activity, bourbon barrel décor, gift shop access and a bourbon tasting for your guests.

Parlour Downtown Louisville

Parlour in Downtown Louisville has a fun, private room with its own stage that can be used for rehearsal dinners.
Parlour in Downtown Louisville has a fun, private room with its own stage that can be used for rehearsal dinners.

133 W. Liberty St

Capacity: 50 -100 guests

Room rental fee: There isn’t a fee to rent the room, but using the space requires a food and beverage minimum of $1,000 Monday-Thursday and $1,500 Friday-Sunday.

Catering: Parlour handles all of its own catering, and there are a variety of options such as pizza, salads, pasta and breadsticks, which range from $9.80 - $11.60 per person. There are also many add-ons to choose from, including smoked wings and pepperoni bombs. Multiple bar packages are also available.

Things to know: This room has its own stage, four cable televisions, internet access and a large projector screen. Live entertainment is available upon request. The garage door walls can be opened. Parlour also has a collection of games including shuffleboard, A-hole, ring swing and Connect Four.

Patrick O’Shea’s Downtown Louisville, The Penthouse

The Penthouse at Patrick O'Shea's in Downtown Louisville is often used as a rehearsal dinner spot. The space also includes access to a rooftop patio.
The Penthouse at Patrick O'Shea's in Downtown Louisville is often used as a rehearsal dinner spot. The space also includes access to a rooftop patio.

123 W. Main St.

Capacity: 100 guests for a seated dinner, and up to 200 guests for a cocktail-style event

Room rental fee: $1,200+

Catering: O’Shea’s caters its events. Buffet style is $42 person and plated meals are priced at $50.

Things to know: The room rental fee includes all tables, chairs, linens, set up and break down and 4 hours of active event time. Renters are allowed two hours of setup and breakdown time for décor. The Penthouse is an open and airy room that mixes industrial and elegant styles. Guests will also have access to the venue’s outdoor rooftop lounge. O’Shea’s Downtown Louisville also has two other rentable spaces onsite.

Reached reporter Maggie Menderski at mmenderski@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 5 great wedding rehearsal dinner spots in downtown Louisville