Where to take out of town guests - HELP

I am desperately seeking a place to take out of town guests that isn't the same old thing. I wanted to take them to Bobby J's, but that is closed. Then I thought about the Jazz Factory but evidently that is closed as well. We are talking late 30s to early 40s so we aren't interested in 4th St live type places. Would like a nice dinner and some jazz music or entertainment of that sort. I have been to Cafe' Metro previously and there was a singer but I understand that isn't the norm. Surely there is some place in Louisville that fits the bill. Oh this will be Black Friday, day after Thanksgiving. Thanks! Jen

We love Artemisia and they have Jazz on Friday's and Saturday's. Their patio/courtyard is enclosed in the winter and heated, plus there are fireplaces- I find it to be a great "something different" atmosphere, and we've always had excellent food there for dinner.

Deb

Thanks Deb, that was quick!! You have saved my life. My brothers are pretty picky and we are from Livonia MI. There is quite an eclectic scene so I have to compete with that.

Varanese is great and they have live music. Although you might want to check with them to find out if that is nightly or just certain nights.

Jen,

Proof would be another excellent place for " not the same old scene", but they don't have music that I'm aware of. They do however have modern/eclectic art throughout and a small, free art gallery attached at 21C. About as eclectic as you get in Louisville in an upscale way... If you haven't been, it's a kick and eye-opening, and the food is superb.

Deb

Thanks all for the suggestions!

Bobby J and M. Roy play and sing at Valare a couple of nights a week and I love Buck's.

My three, if you want live music, would be Artemesia, Jack Fry's, and Varanese.

Varanese is great and they have live music. Although you might want to check with them to find out if that is nightly or just certain nights.

The jazz is nightly...

I tell everyone not to miss the Muhammad Ali Center.

Ali is known worldwide, and grew up here in Louisville. The Center is interactive, and features the many aspects of his life, including his childhood and early years in Louisville. Besides being heavyweight champion of the world three times, he stood up for his beliefs during the Vietnam war by refusing to fight (kill) even though it meant being stripped of his title and sentenced to jail. There are areas dealing with the racism he grew up with, and the charity work he is still doing. And of course, quite a bit of boxing material (you can go in a boxing ring, hit heavy bags, speed bags, shadow box, etc).

Jarfi's even has a cafe there now.

I feel it is not to be missed. Everyone goes to Churchill Downs and the Slugger Museum, but if you're on the other side of the world, people know about Ali, not baseball bats or horsies.

Cheers

-Nimbus

Varanese is great

Nimbus is spot on regarding the Ali Center.

I was living in Las Vegas when I came home for the holidays in 2005. Visiting the then brand new Ali Center was the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back as far as my homesickness was concerned. I moved back home the following summer. The Ali Center is a local treasure and everyone from Louisville should not only see it but encourage tourists to see it.

I don't know if they still do, but when Jeff Ruby's first opened they had nightly entertainment. Has anyone been there lately to confirm that they still do? One thing I do know is that Ruby's sure isn't the same old thing.