LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Downtown bars and restaurants are cashing in on tourism profits right now as Derby spectators continue to celebrate this weekend.
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Businesses downtown and in NuLu are gearing up for the potentially big crowd of visitors flooding into their area for one last drink or a bite to eat as Derby 150 has wrapped up.
On Saturday afternoon, visitors were keeping a close eye on the races. All while chefs and bartenders prepared for a busy night.
"This is the calm before the perfect storm," head chef at West Sixth NuLu Kelly Hawkins said.
Business was quiet while tourists are at Churchill Downs, but Hawkins said it's a different story after the races.
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"It's really thriving," Hawkins said. "We're having a good crowd. I know when I leave at night, it'll be 10 or 11 o'clock at night and the streets are really busy."
All week he's been meeting different people from various places.
"I saw a lot of Michigan, Wisconsin, a couple of California people," Hawkins said. "I even had a couple of people from the United Kingdom."
On the streets of NuLu, one group of women were trying to avoid Derby day congestion.
"We wanted to scope out downtown," Georgia resident Gina Kite said. "We felt like it would be less crowded and we're looking for souvenirs."
Over at the Troll Pub Under the Bridge, Indianapolis resident Rachal Lowe was enjoying the quiet after attending the Kentucky Oaks.
"We did a little bit of bourbon sampling, some nicer bourbons," Lowe said. "And then we told our friends about the troll hole here so we had to come visit of course."
The pub even got into the spirit by putting together a Derby special dish and making sure they have a smooth night.
"We're just making sure we're staffed and we have all the food that we need," assistant general manager Brandy Burson said. "We're stocked up on burgers and fries. We got the bartenders and drinks coming. Honestly we're probably expecting a push around nine o'clock."
On Friday night, the pub had over 250 reservations and most sales were made at the bar.
"We don't see a lot from Derby," Burson said. "Sometimes we get some stragglers coming in but it's not much different from a typical work weekend. Usually it's short and sweet. People might come through, swing in, get a drink and a bite to eat and then they head on out."
Even if visitors don't stay long, these bars want to make sure they enjoy their time in Louisville.
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