The votes are in, the people have spoken. And for the most part, you the readers did a bang-up job choosing the citys best, from dining and nightlife to arts, entertainment, shopping, services, media and more.
But just like The Academy inexplicably saw fit to award Titanic the Oscar for Best Picture, there are a few Readers Choice winners that left us baffled. (Though we suppose everyone needs a little DiCaprio every now and again.) That being said, we were happy to sift through all 30,000 of your votes and especially appreciated some of the utterly absurd responses, like Best Place to Take Your Dog: The Price is Right to get that bitch spayed; Best Adult/Erotic Store: Metro Council chambers; Best Meteorologist: The guy who looks like Count Dracula; Best House of Worship: House of Pancakes. And to the voter who listed U of L basketball player Gorgui Dieng in well over half the categories, thanks for that we love Gorgui, too!
Speaking of things we love, the LEO staff couldnt resist providing a slightly more eccentric list of Writers Picks, including Best Stop for Boiled Peanuts, Best Place to Hear a Joe Pesci Impersonation, and Best Place to Clean Your Plate and Your Ass.
And with that, the award goes to
Sarah Kelley, Editor
Arts And EntertainmentBest Art Fair
1. St. James Court Art Show
2. The Unfair
3. Cherokee Triangle Art Fair
Best Art Gallery?
1. 21c Museum Hotel
2. Galerie Hertz
3. B. Deemer Gallery
Best Bowling Alley?
1. Ten Pin Lanes
2. Vernon Lanes
3. Kingpin Lanes
Best Charitable Event?
1. St. Joseph Orphans Picnic
2. Actors Theatre Lobster Feast
3. WHAS Crusade for Children
Best Church Picnic?
1. St. Joseph Orphans Picnic
2. St. Agnes Carnival
3. Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Best Cover Band?
1. The Louisville Crashers
2. The Merry Pranksters
3. Thumper and the Plaid Rabbits
Best Film Festival?
1. Flyover Film Fest
2. LGBT Film Fest
3. Louisville International Festival of Film
Best Live Music Venue?
1. Louisville Palace
2. Iroquois Amphitheater
3. KFC Yum! Center
Best Live Theater?
1. Actors Theatre
2. Alley Theater
3. The Bards Town
Best Local Author
1. Sena Jeter Naslund
2. Barry Bernson
3. Heather Adkins
Best Local Comedian?
1. Patrick Passafiume
2. Todd Merriman
3. Tom Mabe
Best Movie Theater?
1. Baxter Avenue Theatres
2. Cinemark Tinseltown
3. Rave Motion Pictures Stonybrook
Best Museum?
1. Speed Art Museum
2. Frazier History Museum
3. Louisville Science Center
Best Music Festival?
1. Forecastle
2. Abbey Road on the River
3. Louisville Blues and Barbecue Festival
Best Performing Arts Group?
1. Actors Theatre
2. Theatre 502
3. Louisville Ballet
Best Public Mural?
1. Weird, Independent & Proud at Wine Market
2. Hunter S. Thompson at Monkey Wrench
3. Artist and Craftsman on East Kentucky
Best Public Sculpture?
1. David at 21c
2. Abraham Lincoln at Waterfront Park
3. Barney Bright Clock at Theater Square
Best Theater Production?
1. Dracula at Actors Theatre
2. Broadsword by Theatre 502
3. Bourbon Baroque by Squallis Puppeteers
Best Theater Troupe?
1. Theatre 502
2. The Alley Theater
3. Le Petomane
Best Visual Artist
1. Jeaneen Barnhart
2. Daniel Pfalzgraf
3. Justin Kamerer/Angry Blue
Best Annual Festival
1. Kentucky Derby Festival
2. St. James Court Art Show
3. St. Joseph Orphans Picnic
Best Local Hip-Hop Artist
1. The Villebillies
2. Todd Proc Proctor
3. Jalin Roze
Best Local Original Band
1. My Morning Jacket
2. Houndmouth
3. The Villebillies
Best Local Solo Artist
1. Ben Sollee
2. Butch Rice
3. Brigid Kaelin
Best Park
1. E.P. Tom Sawyer
2. Waterfront Park
3. Iroquois Park
Goods And Services
Best Adult/Erotic Store?
1. Cirillas
2. Adam and Eve
3. The Love Boutique
Best Antique Store?
1. Goss Avenue Antiques and Interiors
2. Joe Ley Antiques
3. Crazy Daisy
Best Attorney?
1. David Lambertus
2. Stacy Hoehle
3. Rachelle Howell
Best Auto Dealer?
1. Sam Swope Auto Group
2. Bachman Auto Group
3. Neil Huffman Automotive Group
Best Barbershop
1. Loop Barber Shop
2. Market Street Barbers
3. The Place to Go Hair Styling
Best Bicycle Shop?
1. Bike Couriers Bike Shop
2. On Your Left Cycles
3. Schellers Fitness and Cycling
Best Clothing Boutique?
1. Acorn Apparel
2. Blink Boutique
3. Clodhoppers
Best Comic Book Shop?
1. Great Escape
2. Book and Music Exchange
3. Role of the Die
Best Consignment Store?
1. Margarets Consignment and Collectibles
2. Sassy Fox
3. Judys Finest Consignments
Best Contractor?
1. Landmark Construction
2. Ellery Esposito Construction
3. Brasch-Barry General Contractors
Best Child Care
1. St. Joseph Child Development Center
2. Bright Horizons
3. Highland Community Ministries
Best Dentist?
1. Mortenson Family Dental
2. Dr. Charles Barrett
3. Dr. Robert Fuchs
Best Dry Cleaner?
1. Holiday Cleaners, Laundry and Alterations
2. Nu Yale
3. Highland Cleaners
Best Local Farmer
1. Foxhollow Farm
2. David Bennett
3. Ivor Chodkowski
Best Farmers Market?
1. Bardstown Road/Deer Park
2. St. Matthews
3. Douglas Loop
Best Florist?
1. Nanz and Kraft
2. Schulzs Florist
3. Colonial Design
Best Golf Course?
1. Valhalla Golf Club
2. Audobon Country Club
3. Cherokee Golf Course
Best Gym?
1. YMCA
2. Baptist East Milestone Fitness
3. Urban Active
Best Hair Salon?
1. Z Salon and Spa
2. Schapers Salon
3. Blades
Best Hospital?
1. Baptist East
2. Kosair Childrens
3. University of Louisville
Best House of Worship?
1. Unity Church of Louisville
2. Sojourn Community Church
3. St. Francis of Assisi
Best Instrument Shop?
1. Doo Wop Shop
2. J and J Music
3. Moms Music
Best Insurance Company
1. State Farm
2. Allstate
3. Kentucky Farm Bureau
Best Jewelry Store?
1. Shane Co.
2. Dallas Jewelers
3. Seng Jewelers
Best Liquor Store?
1. Old Town Wine and Spirits
2. Party Mart (Prospect)
3. Schrecks Baxter Liquors
Best Local Bank?
1. Republic Bank
2. L&N Federal Credit Union
3. Stock Yards Bank
Best Local Bookstore?
1. Carmichaels
2. A Readers Corner
3. Destinations
Best Grocery
1. ValuMarket
2. Pauls Fruit Market
3. Rainbow Blossom
Best Hobby Shop
1. Artist and Craftsmen Supply
2. Preston Arts Center
3. Something 2 Do
Best Local Pet Grooming?
1. Connies Groom Room
2. Hai Max Pet Salon
3. Almost Home Boarding and Training
Best Local Record Store?
1. Astro Black Records
2. Underground Sounds
3. Book and Music Exchange
Best Local Shoe Store?
1. Swags Sport Shoes
2. Fleet Feet
3. Pix Shoes of Louisville
Best Luxury Hotel?
1. Seelbach Hotel
2. 21c Museum Hotel
3. Brown Hotel
Best Massage?
1. Anne Hagman Hendrix (Louisville Athletic Club, Westport Road)
2. Z Salon and Spa
3. Serenity Spa
Best Mechanic?
1. St. Matthews Imports
2. McCormick Motor Sports
3. Heustis Service Center
Best Pediatrician?
1. East Louisville Pediatrics
2. Childrens Health Pediatrics
3. Dr. James Hinkebein
Best Place to have an Event/Party?
1. 21c
2. The Olmstead
3. Mellwood Arts and Entertainment Center
Best Place to Adopt a Pet?
1. Humane Society
2. Louisville Metro Animal Services
3. Shamrock Pet Foundation
Best Place to Buy a Unique Gift?
1. WHY Louisville
2. Lexis Trading Post
3. The Dandy Lion
Best Place to Buy Vinyl?
1. Astro Black Records
2. Underground Sounds
3. The Flea Off Market
Best Place to Take Kids in the Summer
1. Louisville Zoo
2. Slugger Field
3. Waterfront Park
Best Place to Take Kids When Its Raining?
1. Louisville Science Center
2. Louisville Free Public Library
3. Movies
Best Plastic Surgeon?
1. Dr. Alexander Digenis
2. Dr. M. Bradley Calobrace
3. Dr. T. Gerald ODaniel
Best Playground?
1. Parklands Creekside Playground and Sprayground
2. Waterfront Park
3. Willow Park
Best Plumber?
1. B.C. Plumbing
2. Eds Plumbing
3. Maeser Plumbing
Best Primary Care Doctor
1. Dr. Stephen Roszell/Dr. Rachel Busse (Norton Highlands Family Medicine)
2. Deer Park Family Doctors
3. Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds
Best Public Restroom?
1. 21c/Proof on Main
2. Von Maur
3. Nach Bar
Best Real Estate Company?
1. Re/Max
2. Semonin Realtors
3. Keller Williams Realty
Best Roofer?
1. Jason Stanford/Allied Roofing
2. Ray Nolan Roofing Co.
3. Abrams Roofing and Sheetmetal
Best Screen Printer?
1. Madpixel Art and Design
2. WHY Louisville Press
3. Monkey Drive Screenprinting
Best Spa?
1. Z Salon and Spa
2. Josephs Salon and Spa
3. Serenity Spa
Best Sporting Goods Store
1. Dicks Sporting Goods
2. Quest Outdoors
3. Shively Sporting Goods
Best Tattoo Parlor?
1. Tattoo Charlies
2. Five Star Tattoo
3. Imperial Tattoos
Best Tobacco Store?
1. J. Shepherd Cigars
2. Coxs Smokers Outlet
3. Kremers Smoke Shoppe
Best Veterinarian?
1. East Louisville Animal Hospital
2. Fairleigh Pet Center
3. Chenoweth Animal Hospital
Best Video Store?
1. Wild and Woolly
2. Book and Music Exchange
3. Family Video
Best Vintage Clothing Store?
1. The Nitty Gritty
2. The Pink Door
3. Hey Tiger
Best Yoga Class
1. Heat Yoga and Wellness
2. Baptist East Milestone Fitness
3. Shine
Dining
Best All-You-Can-Eat Deal?
1. Hometown Pizza
2. Wicks Pizza on Wednesdays (select stores)
3. Shalimar
Best Bakery?
1. Plehns Bakery
2. Heitzman Bakery
3. Nords Bakery
Best BBQ?
1. Frankfort Avenue Beer Depot
2. Marks Feed Store
3. Jucys Smokehouse BBQ
Best Beer List?
1. Sergios World of Beers
2. Tony Boombozz
3. New Albanian/Rich Os
Best Breakfast/Brunch?
1. Lynns Paradise Café
2. North End Café
3. The Village Anchor
Best Burger?
1. Homerun Burger
2. WW Cousins
3. Checks Café
Best Cajun/Creole Restaurant?
1. J. Gumbos
2. Joes OK Bayou
3. Selenas Willow Lake Tavern
Best Chef?
1. Edward Lee at 610 Magnolia
2. Geoffrey Heyde at The Village Anchor
3. John Varanese at Varanese
Best Chinese Restaurant?
1. Oriental House
2. Café Mimosa
3. Double Dragon
Best Coffee Shop?
1. Heine Brothers
2. Quills Coffee
3. Sunergos
Best Deli?
1. Stevens and Stevens
2. Lotsa Pasta
3. Franks Meat and Produce
Best Delivery?
1. Wicks Pizza
2. Danny Macs Pizza
3. Papalinos
Best Dessert?
1. Ghyslain
2. Homemade Ice Cream and Pie Kitchen
3. The Village Anchor
Best Fine Dining?
1. Corbetts
2. Jack Frys
3. Ruths Chris
Best Fish Sandwich?
1. Moby Dick
2. Mike Linnigs
3. Pass Time Fish House
Best Food Truck
1. Bar B Lou
2. Lil Cheezers
3. Grind
Best French Fries?
1. Home Run Burgers
2. The Village Anchor
3. Hammerheads
Best Happy Hour?
1. 60 West
2. Dragon Kings Daughter
3. Napa River Grill
Best Hot Brown
1. The Brown Hotel
2. Lynns Paradise Café
3. The Village Anchor
Best Hot Dog
1. Lonnies Taste of Chicago
2. Louisville Slugger Field
3. Dairy Kastle
Best Ice Cream / Frozen Yogurt?
1. Graeters
2. Comfy Cow
3. Homemade Ice Cream and Pie Kitchen
Best Indian Restaurant?
1. Dakshin
2. Kashmir
3. Shalimar
Best Italian Restaurant?
1. Le Gallo Rosso
2. Come Back Inn
3. DiFabios Casapela
Best Japanese Restaurant?
1. Oishii Sushi
2. Hiko-A-Mon
3. Sapporo
Best Late-Night Bite?
1. Spinellis
2. Ramsis Café on the World
3. Dragon Kings Daughter
Best Latin Restaurant
1. Havana Rumba
2. Mojito
3. Seviche
Best Mexican Restaurant?
1. El Nopal
2. El Torasco
3. Guaca Mole
Best Middle Eastern Restaurant?
1. Safier
2. Shiraz
3. Zaytun Mediterranean Grill
Best New Restaurant?
1. Guaca Mole
2. La Coop
3. St. Charles Exchange
Best Outdoor Dining?
1. The Village Anchor
2. OSheas
3. Captains Quarters
Best Pizza?
1. Wicks
2. Impellizzeris
3. Papalinos
Best Place for a Cheap Date?
1. Checks Café
2. Puccinis
3. White Castle
Best Place for a Romantic Dinner?
1. Seviche
2. The Village Anchor
3. Pats Steak House
Best Pub Grub?
1. OSheas
2. Flanagans
3. The Holy Grale
Best Quick Lunch?
1. Safier Mediterranean Deli
2. Bunz Burgerz
3. Baby Ds Bagel and Deli
Best Restaurant (Louisville)?
1. The Village Anchor
2. Ramsis Café on the World
3. Corbetts An American Place
Best Restaurant (Southern Indiana)?
1. New Albanian Bank Street Brewhouse
2. Sams Food and Spirits
3. Buckhead Mountain Grill
Best Restaurant on the River?
1. Captains Quarters
2. Cunninghams Creekside
3. Rockys
Best Ribs?
1. Frankfort Avenue Beer Depot
2. Bootleg BBQ
3. Doc Crows
Best Seafood Restaurant?
1. Mike Linnigs
2. Zs Oyster Bar
3. The Fish House
Best Steakhouse?
1. Ruths Chris
2. Pats Steak House
3. Eddie Merlots
Best Sushi?
1. Oishii Sushi
2. Sapporo Japanese Grill
3. Sake Blue
Best Takeout?
1. Café Mimosa
2. Yangkee Noodle
3. Double Dragon
Best Thai Restaurant?
1. Simply Thai
2. Mais Thai
3. Thai Smile
Best Vegetarian Food?
1. Roots/Heart and Soy
2. Zen Garden
3. Ramsis Café on the World
Best Vietnamese Restaurant?
1. Vietnam Kitchen
2. Nam Nam Café
3. Annie Café
Best Waitstaff?
1. Corbetts An American Place
2. Café Lou Lou
3. Bluegrass Brewing Co.
Best Wine List?
1. Brix Wine Bar
2. The Village Anchor
3. River Bend Winery
Best Wings
1. Buffalo Wild Wings
2. Against the Grain
3. The Back Door
Nightlife
Best Bar Bathroom?
1. 21c
2. Phoenix Hill Tavern
3. Flanagans Ale House
Best Bar to People Watch?
1. Jim Porters
2. OSheas
3. Checks Café
Best Bartender?
1. Bethany at Bistro 301
2. Joe at Against the Grain
3. Brandon at Nach Bar
Best Bloody Mary?
1. Outlook Inn
2. Bank Street Brewhouse
3. Against the Grain
Best Bourbon List
1. Bourbons Bistro
2. Makers Mark Lounge
3. Seelbach Bar
Best Club DJ?
1. DJ B-Rite
2. DJ Glitter Titz
3. DJ Syimone
Best Comedy Club?
1. The Improv
2. Comedy Caravan
3. Grouchos Bar and Karaoke
Best Country/Western Bar?
1. The Silver Dollar
2. PBR Louisville
3. Jim Porters
Best Dive Bar?
1. Nach Bar
2. Highlands Tap Room
3. The Back Door
Best Gay Bar?
1. The Connection
2. Purrswaytions
3. Big Bar
Best Gentlemens Club?
1. P.T.s
2. Rustic Frog
3. The Godfather
Best Karaoke Bar?
1. Akikos
2. Highlands Tap Room
3. Grouchos Bar and Karaoke
Best Local Beer
1. Bluegrass Brewing Co.
2. Cumberland Brews
3. New Albanian Brewing Co.
Best Margarita?
1. Havana Rumba
2. Ramiros Cantina
3. Mojito
Best Martini?
1. 60 West
2. Martinis
3. August Moon
Best Mixed Drink?
1. St. Charles Exchange
2. Seviche
3. Havana Rumba
Best Neighborhood Bar/Pub?
1. OSheas Irish Pub
2. Checks Cafe
3. Shenanigans
Best New Bar/Club?
1. Baxters 942
2. Big Bar
3. The Silver Dollar
Best Original Cocktail?
1. Bacon Dirty Harry at The Blind Pig
2. FVK Swizzle at St. Charles Exchange
3. Al Greens Cadillac at Against the Grain
Best Place to Dance?
1. Zanzabar
2. The Connection
3. Magnolia Bar and Grill
Best Place to Hear Jazz?
1. Seelbach Bar
2. Nach Bar
3. Varanese
Best Place to Shoot Pool?
1. Diamond Pub and Billiards
2. Bank Shot Billiards
3. Dark Star Tavern
Best Singles Bar?
1. OSheas
2. Jim Porters
3. Phoenix Hill Tavern
Best Smoking Area?
1. Phoenix Hill Tavern
2. Barret Bar
3. Zanzabar
Best Sports Bar?
1. Spectators Sports Bar
2. Buffalo Wild Wings
3. Bluegrass Brewing Co.
Best Trivia Night?
1. Magnolia Bar and Grill
2. Wicks Pizza
3. Buffalo Wild Wings
Best U of L Bar?
1. The Granville Inn
2. Bluegrass Brewing Co.
3. Zanzabar
Best UK Bar?
1. Kerns Corner
2. Brownies The Shed
3. Gerstles Place
Best Wine Bar
1. Napa River Grill
2. 60 West
3. River Bend Winery
Media
Best Local Arts Writer?
1. Jo Anne Triplett
2. Peter Berkowitz
3. Erin Keane
Best Local Blog?
1. The Card Chronicle
2. WDRB Weather Blog
3. Watchdog Earth
Best Local Columnist?
1. Sara Havens
2. Rick Bozich
3. Joe Gerth
Best Local Feature Writer?
1. Anne Marshall
2. Michael Jones
3. Mike Rutherford
Best Local Media Celebrity You Love to Hate?
1. Terry Meiners
2. Lachlan McLean
3. Angie Fenton
Best Local Music Writer?
1. Jeffrey Lee Puckett
2. Sean Bailey
3. Peter Berkowitz
Best Local News Writer?
1. Dan Klepal
2. Anne Marshall
3. Phillip M. Bailey
Best Local Publication?
1. LEO Weekly
2. The Courier-Journal
3. NFocus
Best Local Radio Personality?
1. Rocky and Troy (WLUE)
2. Kelly K (WDJX)
3. Terry Meiners (84 WHAS)
Best Local Radio Station?
1. 91.9 WFPK
2. 89.3 WFPL
3. 104.3 WLUE
Best Local TV Meteorologist?
1. Marc Weinberg
2. Jude Redfield
3. Brian Goode
Best Local TV News Anchor?
1. Vicki Dortch
2. Candyce Clifft
3. Dawne Gee
Best Local TV Station?
1. WAVE 3
2. WLKY 32
3. WDRB 41
Best Local Website?
1. LouisvilleHardcore.com
2. WDRB.com
3. WAVE3.com
Best Place to Pick Up LEO Weekly?
1. Heine Brothers
2. ValuMarket
3. Library
Best Reason to Read LEO Weekly?
1. Local news coverage
2. Staffpicks
3. The Bar Belle
Best Scandal of the Year?
1. Ousted Councilwoman Judy Green
2. Ex-Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer
3. Kentucky State Fair Board
Best TV Disaster Graphics?
1. WAVE 3
2. WHAS 11
3. WDRB 41
Best TV Morning Show
1. WDRB Fox in the Morning
2. WAVE 3 Sunrise
3. WHAS Good Morning Kentuckiana
Other Stuff
Best Attorney Gimmick?
1. The Heavy Hitter
2. Son in Jail? Call Waddell
3. 1-800-ASK-GARY
Best Business to Have as a Facebook Friend?
1. Heine Brothers
2. Joe Davolas
3. Mamas Hip
Best Category We Forgot?
1. Best Caterer
2. Best Hardware Store
3. Best Local Actor
Best Community Role Model?
1. Beth Hafling Save Hogans Fountain Pavilion
2. Sean Bailey Louisville MUSICulture
3. Dan McMahon Owner of Danny Macs Pizza in Germantown-Schnitzelburg
Best Excuse to Leave Town for a Day?
1. Heat and humidity
2. Derby
3. Pollution
Best Local Celebrity?
1. Muhammad Ali
2. Jim James
3. Candyce Clifft
Best Local Landmark?
1. Louisville Slugger Bat
2. Hogans Fountain Pavilion
3. Conrad Caldwell House
Best Local Politician?
1. U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth
2. Mayor Greg Fischer
3. Councilman Tom Owen
Best Month to be in Town?
1. April
2. October
3. May
Best Neighborhood?
1. Highlands
2. Germantown
3. St. Matthews
Best Nonprofit?
1. Fairness Campaign
2. Bellewood Home for Children
3. Ferdinands Ball/Old Friends Equine
Best Person to Have Their Face on a Building?
1. U of L basketball player Gorgui Dieng
2. Muhammad Ali
3. Hunter S. Thompson
Best Place to Make a Public Spectacle of Yourself?
1. Churchill Downs/Kentucky Derby
2. Highlands/Bardstown Road
3. Fourth Street Live
Best Place to Ride Your Bike?
1. Cherokee Park
2. The Louisville Loop
3. Not on the road
Best Place to See Christmas Decor?
1. Bright Lights of Brooklawn
2. Old Louisville Holiday Home Tour
3. Mega Caverns Lights Under Louisville
Best Place to Take Your Dog?
1. Cherokee Park/Cochran Hill Dog Run
2. E.P. Tom Sawyer Dog Park
3. Barkstown Road
Best Place You Wish Had Never Gone Out of Business?
1. ear X-tacy
2. L&N Wine Bistro
3. Azaleas
Best Politician You Love to Hate?
1. Sen. Mitch McConnell
2. President Barack Obama
3. Sen. Rand Paul
Best Question for John Yarmuth?
1. When are you going to run for Senate?
2. Have I told you lately that I love you?
3. Did you really read the entire Affordable Care Act?
Best Question for Mitch McConnell?
1. When are you going to retire?
2. How can we get rid of Obamacare?
3. Why are you a sad turtle?
Best Reason to Get in the Ohio River?
1. Boat on fire
2. Being chased by bees/police/zombies
3. Ironman Triathalon
Best Thing Thats Changed Here In The Last Year?
1. Downtown/East Market Street revitalization
2. Mayor Greg Fischer
3. More food trucks
Best Thing To Do With Your Used LEO Weekly?
1. Recycle it
2. Arts and crafts
3. Wrap presents
Best UK Basketball Player
1. Anthony Davis
2. DeMarcus Cousins
3. John Wall
Best U of L Basketball Player
1. Peyton Siva
2. Gorgui Dieng
3. Kyle Kuric