Clifton Heights - Louisville, KY Area Guide

City planners wanted to develop the area known as Clifton Heights in the 1890s with the name Summit Park because of its high location. Development did not occur until after World War I, however, when automobiles made accessing the hilly area easier.

The Clifton Center, a non-profit arts and culture venue in the area, hosts concerts, dance performances and events such as the Derby City Film Festival. Other cultural institutions in the neighborhood include the American Printing House for the Blind and the Kavier Forge and Gallery, an old forge that continues to highlight the art of metalworking.

Brownsboro Road, on the southern edge of Clifton Heights, houses several local restaurants for residents of the neighborhood to enjoy. Andalous Restaurant, a Mediterranean and Moroccan eatery, attracts locals with its authentic tagines, falafel and shwarma sandwiches. If you're in a hurry, try La Peche Gourmet-To-Go, a local establishment where Chef Scott Darnell and owner Kathy Carry personally prepare all of the delicious options for you to take home and eat. For busy families wanting an easy home-cooked meal, La Peche is the place to go. Clifton, a community adjacent to Clifton Heights, houses a healthy bar scene for locals looking for nightlife options. Beer lovers flock to Sergio's World Beers for the relaxed atmosphere and vast beer selection on draft and in bottles. Because Sergio's has a special license, they can sell to-go beer, so find your favorites to bring home. Make sure to stop by the ATM, though; Sergio's accepts cash only. Another local favorite for a night out is The Silver Dollar which was named as one of the 10 best whiskey bars in the nation by GQ in 2013. This bar and restaurant on Crescent Hill honors the genre of country music known as the "Bakersfield Sound" by giving locals the feeling of visiting an old juke joint while they sip their bourbon, whiskey and beer. For a more varied nightlife experience, locals head further east to 4th Street Live, the 350,000-square-foot entertainment complex located on 4th Street in downtown Louisville. For a fun evening, play some ping-pong, bocce ball, darts or billiards at the game-centric Tavern on Fourth. If you have more energy, go dancing at The Marquee Bar or head to Howl at the Moon for a rowdy night of dueling piano music.

Easy access to Interstate 71 and Interstate 64 give Clifton Heights residents an easy commute to most areas of Louisville. Many residents choose to travel around the city via car, but the Transit Authority of River City operates bus number 15 in the Clifton Heights neighborhood. While cabs won't be found idling in Clifton Heights, residents can call a taxi for a pick-up or drop-off, or contact an Uber driver for a ride. Due to the residential character of the neighborhood, ample public parking exists on Clifton Heights streets, and it's safe to walk and bike in these low-traffic areas despite the minimal bike lanes in the area.

Louisville Champions Park, free for public use from dawn to dusk daily, attracts exercise-centric locals with its biking trails, cyclocross course, cross country track and multi-purpose sports fields. In addition to giving families a great outdoor destination for sports and exercise, Louisville Champions Park is also the site of the annual Louder Than Life festival, a multi-day live music event featuring national and local rock bands alongside bourbon and food vendors.

Another park in the neighborhood, Bingham Park, gives families with children and pets a space for picnics and BBQs, in addition to a basketball court for pick-up games and a playground for younger children. On hot summer days, locals visit Bingham to enjoy the "sprayscape" or water fountain playground, a great substitute for children if you can't make it to a swimming pool.

The cost of living in Clifton Heights undercuts both national and city averages, at 4 percent lower than Louisville and 14 percent lower than the nation. Gas prices, on the other hand, sit around 4 percent higher than national averages. It costs $1.75 to reach downtown on the bus. The average rent for a one-bedroom residence sits at $670, and a beer at a local pub costs $3.

Although a few shops call Clifton Heights home, residents travel to other parts of the city like the Avenue or Bardstown Road for a larger selection of unique shops. Shops in the neighborhood include Mellwood Antiques and Interiors and GypsyChic. On Frankfort Avenue in Clifton, thrifters enjoy visiting vintage and consignment stores such as 2023 Antiques, Elizabeth's Timeless Attire and Evolve Consignments. Nearby Historic Frankfort Avenue features a great selection of independent boutiques.

Clifton Heights residents don't have to travel far for groceries as the local Kroger sits at the southern edge of the neighborhood on Brownsboro Road. For specialty items, locals head over to Reynolds Grocery Co. in Clifton. The owners of Reynolds maintain strong relationships with local farmers to ensure they always have the best produce, meats and dairy items for their customers. While no farmers markets are held in the Clifton Heights neighborhood, locals visit some of the popular markets in the area like the Southwest Farmers Market and the New Albany Farmers Market.