LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Businesses along Whiskey Row in downtown Louisville are launching “Main Street Basketball Madness,” an effort to encourage people to come back to downtown.

The Bourbon District took a hit in 2020 from the pandemic. Businesses said it is going to take a team effort to help downtown businesses rebound.

"All of the local businesses really wanted to make a splash with reopening and making sure that everyone knows that downtown Louisville is ready to have some fun again,” said Adam Slyter, the general manager of Corner Restaurant and Bar.

Starting March 18, Main Street Basketball Madness will offer people food and drink specials at bars and restaurants between First and Second Streets. There will be free parking, and hotels will be offering discount packages.

There will be TVs available inside the venues for people to enjoy all the action. There are plans in the works to set up TVs and tables outside on the sidewalks for people to watch the games outside if they desire. Slyter said safety will be a focus.

“[We] upgraded all of our sanitation practices to make sure we are at hospital-grade sanitizers. The team wipes down tables after each use,” Slyter said.

The following businesses are participating in March Madness on Main Street:

• Repeal Oak-Fired Steakhouse
• Patrick O’Shea’s
• Whiskey Row Hotel Collection (Including Moxy Hotel, Hotel Distil, and Aloft Hotel)
• Doc Crow’s
• Bitters End
• Omni Hotel
• Corner Flavors of Kentucky
• Merle’s Whiskey Kitchen
• Bar Moxy
• Bearno’s Pizza by the Bridge
• MPI Printing

The specials begin March 18 at noon and will last through the end of the NCAA Men’s and Women’s basketball tournaments.