Access Louisville is a weekly podcast from Louisville Business First. Follow us on popular podcast services to never miss an episode.

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The day is finally here: Top Golf is open. 

After years of anticipation, the national golf concept is taking bay reservations now. But it was “softly” open last week, accepting walkups. Our reporter Eleanor Tolbert got to tour the facility before the crowds.

Tolbert explains that she has visited Top Golf locations in Nashville and Cincinnati, but Louisville’s differentiates itself. It seems larger, she told us, with three stories and encompassing 67,000 square feet, with 102 bays, three full-service bars, dining areas, private event space and more

But Louisville’s location has something else that sets it apart from the others. It’s one of just two Top Golf locations to feature a different menu from the others, along with Las Vegas. Our unique menu? Bourbon, of course.

The bourbon bar includes nine different bourbon brands and specialty cocktails.

Beyond Top Golf’s bourbon offerings, we also discuss new places to try bourbon across the city, including a new spot from Heaven Hill in the Yum Center and Bardstown Bourbon Co. opening a new spot on Main Street this summer.

Forecastle is “taking a break” in 2023, so what will it look like when it comes back?

The Forecastle Festival, one of Louisville’s crown jewels, has been a staple of the city for 20 years. Organizers cancelled the festival last week, saying “there are some things that we want to work on and improve for the future, so we’re going to take some time to strategize and determine the best path forward for the festival."

We brainstorm what a future of the festival might look like. Will it go back to its indie rock roots or lean into the EDM/Gen Z crowd? 

Access Louisville is a weekly podcast from Louisville Business First. It’s co-hosted by David A. Mann and Laurel Deppen. 

It's available on popular podcast services including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, which are linked above. You can also listen to the player above.