Arts & Entertainment

Louisville has one of the best theater scenes in the country.

PERFORMING ARTS:
 
Actors Theatre of Louisville
316 W Main Street | (502) 536-8944
actorstheatre.org
An established non-profit performing arts theater in downtown Louisville, Actors Theatre engages its audience with theatre that reflects the wonder and complexity of our time.
 
Brown Theatre
315 West Broadway | (502) 584-7777
kentuckyperformingarts.org
Hearkening back to the glory days of Louisville's theater district, the Brown Theatre is a lavish, lovingly restored showplace. State-of-the-art technology combines with Old World splendor to create a performance space as beautiful to look at as it is comfortable to sit in.
 
Bunbury Theatre
604 South Third Street #301 | (502) 585-5306   
bunburytheatre.org
Since 1986, they have provided live performances within the historic 1920s-era Henry Clay Building. The Bunbury Theatre is on a mission to develop thought-provoking and engaging productions that bring to focus issues of identity and social interest.
 
CenterStage at the Jewish Community Center
3600 Dutchman’s Lane | (502) 238-2709
jewishlouisville.org
This community theater delivers quality performances and musicals with a passion to “open minds, one act at a time.”
 
Derby Dinner Playhouse
525 Marriott Drive, Clarksville, IN | (812) 288-8281
derbydinner.com
Just over the bridge from downtown Louisville is one of the oldest and largest continually operating professional dinner theatres in the country. Each dinner theatre production comes alive with the magic of lights, costumes, a live orchestra, and a stage full of professional performers. 
 
Little Colonel Playhouse
302 Mt Mercy Drive # 8020, Pewee Valley | (502) 241-9906
littlecolonel.net
Founded more than 60 years ago, Little Colonel Playhouse presents plays of an educational and entertaining value in a quaint, country playhouse.
 
Old Forester’s Paristown Hall
724 Brent Street | (502) 584-7777
kentuckyperformingarts.org/venues/paristown-hall
A performing arts venue with the energy of a nightclub, Old Forester’s Paristown Hall presents today’s hottest indie rock bands, tomorrow’s rising pop stars, contemporary performances by the Louisville Orchestra, and events that celebrate Louisville’s diverse international music community.
 
The Bard’s Town Theatre
1801 Bardstown Road, 2nd Floor | (502) 749-5275
thebardstowntheatre.org
With live theatre productions, comedy shows, and improv performances, this theatre puts particular emphasis on producing new works by Kentucky playwrights.
 
The Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts
501 West Main Street | (502) 584-7777
kentuckyperformingarts.org
Since 1983, KCPA has served as the home for Louisville’s nationally-renowned arts scene, and the primary performance space for our resident companies. These include the Louisville Ballet, Louisville Orchestra, StageOne Family Theatre and PNC Bank Broadway in Louisville – as well as productions by local community theatres.
 
WhoDunnit Murder Mystery Theater
8127 La Grange Road | (502) 649-1829
whodunnitky.com
WhoDunnit is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation for the performing arts dedicated to the principle that a well-crafted mystery is a beautiful thing. 
 
 
MUSEUMS & FINE ARTS:
 
21c Museum Hotel
700 W Main Street | (502) 217-6300
21cmuseumhotels.com
For more than a decade, 21c has been engaging visitors and locals alike with some of the world’s best contemporary art. 
 
Frazier History Museum
829 W Main Street | (502) 753-5663
fraziermuseum.org
This history museum documents stories using artifacts, exhibitions, and guided tours led by a talented staff of educators.
 
Kentucky Derby Museum
704 Central Avenue | (502) 637-1111
derbymuseum.org
Visitors can enjoy two floors of interactive exhibits, a 30-minute guided historic walking tour at Churchill Downs Racetrack, and get their heart racing watching the Museum’s signature 18-minute movie, “The Greatest Race” on a 360°, 4K high-resolution screen.  
 
Kentucky Science Center & Theater
727 West Main Street | (502) 561-6100
kysciencecenter.org
Already recognized as a leader in inquiry-based learning, the Center is advancing a statewide science literacy campaign to encourage people of all ages to explore science in everyday life.
 
KMAC Contemporary Art Museum
715 W Main Street | (502) 589-0102
kmacmuseum.org
KMAC exists to spark curiosity, inspire meaningful connections, and foster a deep sense of inclusion, belonging, and purpose.
 
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
800 W Main Street | (877) 775-8443
sluggermuseum.com
Celebrating the role of baseball, this factory tour and hands-on experience takes place where the famous Louisville Slugger bats are made. It is a unique experience for the whole family.
 
Muhammad Ali Center
144 N 6th Street | (502) 584-9254
alicenter.org
This multicultural center and award-winning museum is dedicated to the life and legacy of Muhammad Ali. Come test your abilities by shadowboxing with the legend himself!
 
Roots 101 African American Museum
124 North First Street | (502) 384-1940
roots-101.org
A healing place for visitors to see themselves in history, explore the African-American story, and grow a greater understanding of the achievements, cultural contributions, and experiences of African Americans.
 
Speed Art Museum & Cinema
2035 South Third Street, Louisville | (502) 634-2700
speedmuseum.org
Whether you’re an art aficionado or don’t know a Dali from a Degas, you can find fresh inspiration and meaning at the Speed. The Speed Cinema is a local gem, offering gorgeous movies not available anywhere else in the state.
 
 
MUSIC:
 
Fourth Street Live!
411 South Fourth Street | (502) 584-7170
4thstlive.com
An open-air live music venue, surrounded by restaurants and nightlife in the heart of downtown Louisville. Visitors from all over Kentucky flock to its larger-than-life events and bars.
 
Headliners Music Hall
1386 Lexington Road | (502) 584-8088
headlinerslouisville.com
A premier live music, concerts, and events venue that brings tons of popular artists to our city.
 
Iroquois Amphitheatre
1080 Amphitheater Road | (502) 368-5865
iroquoisamphitheater.com
Large outdoor performance hall presenting live bands and movies, plus a small experimental theater.
 
KFC Yum! Center
1 Arena Plaza | (502) 690-9000
kfcyumcenter.com
Huge indoor arena hosting concerts, University of Louisville basketball games and events like the Kosair Circus and Monster Truck Rally.
 
Louisville Palace Theatre
625 South Fourth Street | (502) 583-4555
louisvilleky.gov/events/venues/louisville-palace
This premier music venue exhibits ornate gold ornamentation and a curved, vaulted ceiling with 139 sculptures of the faces of historical figures.
 
Stevie Ray’s Blues Bar
230 East Main Street, Louisville | (502) 582-9945
stevieraysbluesbar.com
Locally owned and operated, this is the best blues music you’ll find in Louisville.
 
The Mercury Ballroom
611 South Fourth Street | (502) 583-4555
facebook.com/mercuryballroom
Splashy, contemporary live music venue in a historical setting.
 
Zanzabar
2100 S Preston Street | (502) 635-9227
zanzabarlouisville.com
This sociable, mid-sized concert hall brings a slew of indie rock, country, metal and bluegrass bands to its stage. Local DJs are often found here, spinning beats for late-night patrons dancing in the glow of laser lights.
 
 
MOVIE THEATERS:
 
AMC Stonybrook 20 Movie Theater
2745 S Hurstbourne Pkwy | (502) 272-4471
 
Xscape Movie Theatre
12450 Sycamore Station Place | (502) 709-6000
 
Baxter Avenue Theaters
1250 Bardstown Road | (502) 459-2288
Baxter Theater often shows cool indie movies that are not widely accessible.
 
 
 
 
 
LOCAL TIP: Jordan L.: “Actor’s Theatre is right next to the Kentucky Center, This nationally-renowned theatre is definitley worth a visit.”

FUN FACT: At one time, 90 percent of the world’s disco balls were produced in Louisville.
 
FUN FACT: In 1908, The Louisville Free Public Library, Western Colored Branch was the first public library that allowed African-Americans as patrons.

FUN FACT: Louisville native Tod Browning is best known for his 1930's film Dracula.