Fall and winter are chock-full of the arts in Louisville. A ballet here, an orchestra performance there, Dracula and A Christmas Carol at Actors Theatre, concerts at the Louisville Palace … the list goes on and on!
Where can you go before a performance to enjoy a nice meal and still get to the show on time? Here’s a list of restaurants that can nourish your body before you head out to nourish your creative soul. They know you are in a hurry, and they are ready to feed you and get you on your way. Plus these places are all near or in downtown, minimizing your commute.
RESTAURANTS WITH PRETHEATER MENUS
Vincenzo’s
Vincenzo’s has a great pretheater menu offered Monday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Options on this prix fixe menu include appetizer or salad, entrée and dessert.
Milkwood
Milkwood logically has a pretheater menu, as it is located in the basement of Actors Theatre. A $30 prix fixe per person, the menu changes with the run of every show. Usually comprised of offerings from the regular menu, each includes three courses.
The Oakroom
The Oakroom at The Seelbach Hilton not only has a pretheater dinner every night, but the menu changes nightly as well. The prix fixe menu is $39 a person, and diners must be seated before 6:30 p.m.
NO PRETHEATER MENU, BUT STILL GOOD EATS
All of these restaurants are in close proximity to venues, and all have dinner service starting at 5 p.m., allowing ample time to eat and get to your seat.
Proof on Main
Enjoy a great menu and fabulous cocktails at Proof on Main. While they don’t have a pretheater menu per se, they do offer small plates and tasting platters perfect for sharing with your date.
The Bristol Downtown
The Bristol is a convenient, consistent meal. And no visit is complete without the green chili wontons!
Doc Crow’s
Doc Crow’s has a great bar and a menu with something for everyone, especially the fresh seafood or barbecue lover.  Its location — across the street from the KFC Yum! Center— makes it the perfect destination before a concert or game.
Marketplace Restaurant @Theater Square
Whether you’re hungry for an entrée or just an appetizer, Marketplace can help. As Chef Dallas McGarity says, “We are pretty used to the theater crunch from the Brown Theater/Palace/Mercury Ballroom.”
The English Grill
The English Grill, located in the gorgeous Brown Hotel, features a fabulous culinary offering. For those crunched for time or looking for something more casual, grab some eats at the bar in the lobby.
Jeff Ruby’s
Enjoy a cocktail and a great steak at Jeff Ruby’s before the show. They open at 5 p.m.
St. Charles Exchange
They may not have a pretheater menu, but St. Charles Exchange does offer a great happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. with discounted drinks and appetizers.
Now you know where to eat so go find some shows and let the season begin!
