There’s something incredibly powerful about blending storytelling with food—two of the oldest ways we connect with one another. In Louisville, Kentucky, that idea comes to life through Pride Plates: Kentucky’s Queer History Food Tour, crafted by our friends at Louisville Food Tours.
This three-hour walking tour winds through the historic Highlands neighborhood, one of the city’s most beloved and vibrant enclaves—and its undisputed gayborhood. As you stroll past the charming homes of Cherokee Triangle and down bustling Bardstown Road, you’ll stop to sample some of Kentucky’s most iconic bites: golden-fried chicken, pillowy spoonbread, and the decadent, can’t-miss Louisville Hot Brown. But food is just the beginning.
What sets this tour apart from their other epic offerings is its deep dive into Kentucky’s LGBTQ+ history—a narrative too often overlooked in mainstream travel experiences. Along the way, guests learn about queer Kentuckians who shaped the region—from a Black Prohibition-era drag queen to trailblazing poets, activists, and authors. It’s a celebration of resilience, creativity, and community, all anchored in place and flavor.
“This tour was a labor of deep love and connection,” says Richie Goff, Director of Marketing for Louisville Food Tours and a contributing writer for EveryQueer. “We knew it was important to not just tell queer stories, but to ensure they were told by queer people, and with historical accuracy. That meant consulting archives, partnering with local organizations like Queer Kentucky, and compensating LGBTQ+ creatives fairly for their work.”
In fact, Pride Plates was written and is guided by members of the queer community and stops at queer-owned businesses whenever local geography allows. The experience was developed in partnership with Queer Kentucky as part of their inaugural Bourbon & Belonging week, a larger initiative spotlighting LGBTQ+ culture and bourbon heritage.
Guests can expect five delicious food and drink stops over a 1.5-mile walk—plus plenty of opportunities to connect with Louisville’s queer history in ways that feel intimate, joyful, and affirming. Cocktail pairings are included at each stop, but mocktails are also available—a thoughtful inclusion for non-drinkers, which we always appreciate.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor to Louisville or a Kentuckian looking to reconnect with your roots, Pride Plates offers a meaningful, delicious way to experience the city’s queer past and present. And the best part? The tour ends just steps away from some of Louisville’s most-loved gay bars, so your night doesn’t have to end when the tour does.
Come hungry, leave inspired.
Learn more or book a tour at louisvillefoodtours.com. Also, use the code EVERYQUEER10 for 10% off your booking.
