Aayat Ali

Aayat Ali

City Editor

Aayat is an editor based in Lexington, Kentucky. She has spent the last several years working alongside entrepreneurs, small businesses, and startups to share their stories with readers around the world. When she’s not writing, you can find her sifting through vinyl at one of Lexington’s local record stores.

A barista hands a coffee cup to a customer through a drive-thru.
Food
Where to get your coffee to-go in Lexington
Need some caffeine on-the-go? Try out one of these six drive-thru coffee spots around town.
July 25, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
A sculpture of the CRAVE logo which features the letter C with teeth.
Food
Are you ready to Crave more?
Sample some of Lexington’s best food, drinks, and music.
July 24, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
A basket of chicken wings next to a small cup of ranch and a few stalks of celery. A glass that reads "Burl Brew" is sitting to the left of the food and is filled with beer.
Food
Breweries and bites in Lexington
We’ve rounded up our favorite homemade drinks that also serve bites that are sure to please the palate.
July 23, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
The corner of a street featuring an old building surrounded by a truck and fenced off.
Real Estate
Be the Broker: What do you want to see go in at North Upper Street?
The corner of West Short and North Upper Streets is getting a much-needed renovation.
July 19, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
Two plates with fries, dipping sauces, fried green tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella slices
Food
2024 Lexington Restaurant Week Preview
Get ready to dig into delicious meal deals from area restaurants.
July 17, 2024
 · 
Molly Thompson
A roof covered in solar panels.
City
Lexington is getting Solarized
The city is encouraging homeowners and property owners to take the next step in renewable and sustainable energy sources by applying for Solarize Lexington.
July 15, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
An aerial drone photo of a neighborhood, a highway, a lake, and the sunset behind clouds
Development
Decode the code: Residential zones
With the incoming Urban Service Boundary public hearing, we want to break down some basics of city codes that cover residential developments.
July 11, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
People sitting on a lawn and on yoga mats, stretching their arms up in a yoga pose.
Fitness
Community yoga options around Lexington
Sometimes, it helps to find your flow outside of the yoga studio.
July 11, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
Three people celebrating surrounded by confetti.
Startups
Coworking spaces in Lexington
If you’re the type of remote worker that likes to get out of the house and be around other people, here are some coworking spaces to check out around Lexington.
July 9, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
A man and woman sit on rocking chairs together.
Culture
What Harry Dean Stanton means to Lexington
Learn about the legacy of the “Paris, Texas” actor and how he’s impacted Lexington.
July 9, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
A shot of downtown Lexington looking down Main Street
Travel and Outdoors
Cities most like Lexington — according to AI
We asked ChatGPT which travel destinations are most similar to Horse Capital of the World. See what the artificial intelligence program said.
July 5, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
A burger with two smash patties, topped with lettuce, onion, pepper jack spread, on a bun.
Food
Bun in a million: Lexington Burger Week 2024 returns
Where’s the beef? It’s on the menu at 35+ different restaurants during Lexington Burger Week.
July 3, 2024
 · 
Molly Thompson
The outside of a coffee shop covered in art.
Culture
Eat + drink your way through National Parks & Recreation Month
Treat yo’self with these exclusive releases in collaboration with local businesses.
July 2, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
Two people embracing with fireworks in the background.
Culture
Where to watch fireworks and celebrate the Fourth of July
Check out these seven must-do Fourth of July events taking place in Lexington.
July 2, 2024
 · 
Emily Shea-Owen
The outside of an empty restaurant.
Food
Your next international voyage: West Short Street
Say hello to downtown’s newest eatery: 3TEN.
July 2, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
A man and woman standing in front of a row of pinball machines
Culture
3 barcades in Lexington
Grab your player two and check out where you can grab a drink + beat the Ms. Pac-Man high score.
June 25, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
A large pirate ship featuring tentacles, star fish, and other water features.
Travel and Outdoors
Public pools to cool off in around Lexington
To make those hot days a little more bearable, we’ve rounded up some spots to beat the heat.
June 25, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
Fountains spraying water with Rupp Arena in the backdrop.
City
The city invites organizations to apply for the Stormwater Quality Incentive Grant Program
Organizations, businesses, schools, and nonprofits can apply to receive grant funding to build stormwater quality projects.
June 21, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
An exterior shot of Henry Clay High School
Education
Meet the new Henry Clay High School
Plans for a newly revamped Henry Clay High School anticipates to support 2,300 students.
June 19, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
Two people clinking glasses of bourbon together.
The history of National Bourbon Day
Grab a glass and some ice — this is a good story.
June 13, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
Henry Faulkner with one of his goats.
City
The life and legacy of LGBTQ+ icon Henry Faulkner
We sat down with photographer and gallery owner John Hockensmith to talk about the life of Lexingtonian artist Henry Faulkner.
June 11, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
a campus building
Education
KCTCS introduces new pathways to transfer
In recent months, our local higher education institutions have teamed up to make school transfers easier.
June 11, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
An aerial shot of downtown Lexington.
Lexington’s proposed budget for 2024-2025
Mayor Gorton has unveiled the proposal of Lexington’s 2024-2025 fiscal year budget.
June 10, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
An exterior shot of a white brick building with Big Blue Deli sign.
Food
Answered: Where would you film a Lexington episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives”?
Here’s where our readers think Guy Fieri should stop the next time he’s filming an episode in Lexington.
June 7, 2024
 · 
Molly Wilson
A man wearing a baseball hat watches fireworks
Culture
Father’s Day experiences around Lexington
Plan out the perfect Father’s Day for the father figure in your life, no matter how they prefer to celebrate.
June 7, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
Old court house in downtown lexington with big blue LEX sign out front
Tourism and Hospitality
Lexington tourism rakes in $1.6 billion for 2023
The Kentucky Department of Tourism recognized Lexington for a record-breaking year last year.
June 5, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
A panel of speakers on stage with a sign that says "SoulFeast Week."
Culture
Commemorating Juneteenth in Lexington
Celebrate and learn about the history of Juneteenth with events running from Friday, June 14 to Sunday, June 25.
June 5, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
A woman jumps in front of a tapestry featuring a rainbow and horse, with text that reads "Lexington, Kentucky #sharethelex"
Culture
Pride events around Lexington
From concerts + parades, Pride brings months of festivities to Lexington in 2024.
June 3, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
A photo of donuts in a box.
Food
How to celebrate National Donut Day in Lexington
Do-nut panic.
May 31, 2024
 · 
Aayat Ali
An aerial shot of downtown Lexington.
City
Lexington vs. Louisville: A sibling rivalry for the ages
In honor of Kentucky’s birthday, we wanted to dive into the Bluegrass state’s most decorated cities.
May 30, 2024
 · 
Aaron Mikel
Load More