NWSL Championship Weekend 2021 | A Guide

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[UPDATED MONDAY NOVEMBER 17TH]

Hey y’all. NWSL Championship weekend is a time to celebrate the league and come together as fans. With this in mind, we have come up with a guide of some of the cool areas for the evening before, the day of, and the morning after where our crew of friends will be kicking it during the festivities. The guide will be updated until the NWSL Championship on November 20th so keep checking in until next Friday. Use the table of contents below to navigate:

Weather Report

Its going to be overcast and kinda cold this weekend. This is coat weather at night, especially if walking is being considered. For evening events factor the temperature into every plan.

LOUISVILLE

Downtown Louisville

Downtown Louisville will be the host of NWSL Championship weekend and its where we recommend you book a hotel if you dont have a car or dont want to do a lot of driving around the city. Downtown Louisville has a little bit of something for everyone with museums, retail shopping, and nightlife spots throughout the area. Its also where the stadium is located.

Friday November, 19th

There is a growing list of things to do for everyone getting there Friday night. There will be official events held by teams and the league plus informal events hosted by supporters groups. Most will be in the stadium or greater downtown area.

Events

For everyone getting to town the night before, there will be various events and gatherings happening around the city. Here are some of the events that we know about and we’ll try to post them in order that they are happening to keep you booked and busy:

  • Racing Louisville | Butchertown Block Party, 1201 Story Ave | 5pm – 9pm – Meet and Greet with some of your favorite stars like Jessica McDonald

  • Lavender Legion | TEN20 Craft Brewery | TBA

The Jersey Exchange

Have a gently used jersey that you don’t wear anymore but is still dope? Bring it to Baxter Avenue on Friday and swap it with another NWSL supporter. We will be coordinating swaps and taking pictures throughout the night of anyone who wants to participate so bring a jersey (or a few) and share a story and a drink with another NWSL supporter. Sign up for our WhatsApp group to participate or if you want live updates where we are as we bar hop up and down Baxter Avenue.

Baxter Avenue

We will be spending part of the night on Baxter Avenue. Baxter Avenue is the home to a mixture of restaurants, bars, and clubs, with a little something for everyone. We will also being doing a Jersey Exchange as we bar hop.

Food Only

Need a quick bite before starting the night? Looking for something that’s not bar food? Here are a list of food only (or primarily food) spots on Baxter Avenue where you can fill up the tank before having a night out on the town.

  • Taco Luchador – Tacos, tortas & sides served in a colorful, quaint Mexican counter serve with sidewalk tables.
  • Bunz Burgers – Build-your-own-burgers & cheesy bacon fries served in a cozy burger joint with sidewalk tables.
  • Wicks Pizza Parlor – Chain with a low-key sports-bar vibe, serving up thick-crust pies with plentiful toppings.
  • The Falafel House – Classic Mediterranean plates served in simple, compact quarters with sidewalk seating.
  • Jack Fry’s – History-laden, circa-1933 eatery with high-end Southern fare & cocktails in an old-world setting.
  • GOGi 1055 Korean BBQ
  • Chipotle Mexican Grill – Fast-food chain offering Mexican fare, including design-your-own burritos, tacos & bowls.
  • Dragon Kings Daughter – Asian-influenced tacos & quesadillas, creative sushi offerings & happy-hour deals in casual digs.
  • La Bamba Mexican Restaurant – Counter-serve chain offering burritos, tortas & other Mexican eats in colorful environs.
  • Heart and Soy/Roots – Modern, casual eatery serving vegetarian & vegan Asian-fusion dishes, plus a wide selection of teas.

Food and Drinks

Ready to start the night? Here are the spots on Baxter Avenue where you can grab and bite to eat and a drink (or a few).

  • DiOrio’s Pizza & Pub – Lively spot with TV-equipped bar serving familiar fare such as pizza, calzones & pasta.
  • Molly Malone’s Irish Pub – Traditional Irish pub grub & cold pints are offered at this comfy watering hole with TVs & music.
  • O’Shea’s Irish Pub – Mellow Irish saloon with an outdoor patio, featuring microbrews, cocktails, burgers & live music.
  • Nirvana – Cocktails, craft brews & late-night eats offered in a roomy, exposed-brick setup with live music.
  • Highlands Tap Room – Informal brewpub offering elevated comfort food & drinks, plus live music, karaoke & trivia nights.

Drinks and Dancing

Here are the spots on Baxter Avenue that are primarily drinking or dancing spots. These are probably the best after going somewhere in the Food or Food and Drinks section.

  • Chill Bar Highlands – Relaxed gay bar featuring DJs & a patio, plus trivia nights, show tunes sing-alongs & other events.
  • Nowhere Bar Louisville – Upbeat nightclub specializing in electronic dance music, with lots of TVs, pool tables & a patio.
  • Big Bar – Festive gay haunt with quirky decor offering drink specials & theme nights in a modern, cozy locale.

Saturday November 20th

The big day. This time its for all the marbles. By the afternoon one team will be lifting an NWSL Championship and one team will be out here with the boo boo face. Some of you will be up bright and early full of energy and ready to cheer your hearts out. Some of you will be waking up late and rushing to the stadium after spending all night getting full of something else.

Pre Game Tailgate

However you feel when you wake up on game day, the morning tailgate is the place for you to get your ducks in a row. The Pre-Game tailgate will be at the Gold Lot of Lynn Family Stadium. Below are the tailgates that we know will be happening at the Gold Lot:

  • Lou City Tailgators

The Lou City Tailgators will be out at 6am to kick off the party. They will have a potluck breakfast at 8a-9a, and will have beer and bourbon for refreshments.

  • Spirit Squadron x Rose Room Collective x 202 Unique

  • Chicago Local 134 x Black Fires x Red Line SG

NWSL Championship game 2021

The NWSL Championship game will be at Lynn Family Stadium, home of Racing Louisville FC. The stadium is about a mile or so from most hotels and most of the bars and restaurants featured in this article will be in the surrounding area. Please be aware of the rules and regulations of the stadium before you enter.

Post Game Afternoon/Evening

The East Market Street District is close to the stadium is close to the stadium and has a collection of restaurants and bars for those looking to keep the post game party going or to gear up for later in the evening.

Food

Need a quick bite before starting the night? Looking for something quick before a powernap? Here are a list of food only (or primarily food) spots in the East Market Street District where you can fill up the tank before catching a nap or having a night out on the town.

  • Pho Ba Luu – Bustling restaurant serving Vietnamese fare like pho & banh mi in cool, industrial digs.
  • Naive Kitchen + Bar – Chic-airy veggie-focused cafe serving smoothies alongside hearty salads & fresh-pressed cocktails.
  • Feast BBQ – BBQ plates, sandwiches & tacos served with Southern-leaning sides, desserts & cocktails.
  • Royals Hot Chicken – Nashville style hot chicken, Southern sides & boozy milkshakes at this easygoing counter serve.
  • The Seafood Lady

Drinks

Keeping the party going? Check out these bars, pubs, and distilleries in the East Market Street District that can help you turn up midday.

  • Copper & Kings Rooftop Bar & Restaurant
  • TEN20 Craft Brewery
  • West Sixth NuLu
  • Garage Bar – Hip bar/eatery in a former garage for brick-oven pies & Southern chow, with a huge patio.
  • Goodwood Brewing and Spirits – This intimate, laid-back joint serves microbrews on tap & offers a yoga class twice a month.
  • International Tap House, Louisville – Beer hall with a massive selection of draft & bottled brews in a spacious, industrial-chic setting.
  • Rabbit Hole Distillery – Craft bourbon maker offering guided tours & tastings in a contemporary, industrial-chic facility.
  • High Horse

Sunday November 21st

For most of us this is the end of the road. The NWSL season was full of twists and turns (both on and off the field) but we made it. Grab that last official bite of the 2021 NWSL season at one of these places.

  • Sway – Modern, wood-accented hotel restaurant specializing in seasonal, locally sourced Southern cuisine.
  • Wild Eggs – Restaurant chain serving breakfast, sandwiches, salads & soups in a warm, contemporary setting.
  • Toast On Market – Bustling cafe offering American classics with a twist for breakfast & lunch, plus free WiFi.
  • Pregame Coffee
  • Butchertown Grocery Bakery
  • Quills Coffee
  • Biscuit Belly – Nulu – Unfussy restaurant serving biscuit sandwiches & breakfast classics, plus coffee, floats & cocktails.
  • Hi-Five Doughnuts – Small local shop offering custom donuts with unique glazes & toppings, including fried chicken.

For more articles on the NWSL, click here.

NWSL Championship game 2021

In the Stands