Schnitzelburg is a small neighborhood sandwiched between Germantown and Merriwether-Fort Hill. Despite covering less than a half-square mile, it is home to some of Louisville's most iconic institutions, including a sport found nowhere else on earth.

Restaurants and bars are scattered among trademark shotgun houses, plus a park, community garden, and performance venue.

Need to know

You can have it all in Schnitzelburg, all within walking distance. It feels like a small town but still has easy access to main thoroughfares like Goss Avenue, Shelby Street, and Eastern Parkway.

Schnitzelburg's residents take a lot of pride in their neighborhood, and the Schnitzelburg Area Community Council is one of the oldest neighborhood associations in Louisville.

The early days

The boundaries of modern-day Schnitzelburg have their roots in a mule drawn cart route that circulated Shelby Street, Burnett Avenue, Texas Avenue, and Goss Avenue. The same route was used by the Schnitzelburg trolley loop, which began operation in 1891. The land that would become Schnitzelburg was sold at low prices in the 1850s, which allowed new German immigrants to afford space for gardens and dairy farms.

Industry came to rural Schnitzelburg in 1888 with the Louisville Textile Cotton Mill, and the population exploded once Beargrass Creek was diverted into its current concrete channel.

Can't miss

Running low on time? A trip to Schnitzelburg isn't complete without a walk down George Hauck Way, the stretch of Hoertz Avenue between Goss Avenue and Ash Street. It's the site of the annual World Championship Dainty Contest, and the lines on the street are present year-round. Plus, you can grab a bite to eat or a drink at the historic Hauck's Corner.

Hauck's Corner is open late daily in Germantown. | Photo by Micheala Frances Reeves

Entertainment

The Dainty is a Schnitzelburg tradition. Each year on the last Monday in July, hundreds gather to compete for the coveted title of World Dainty Champion, which comes with a trophy — and eternal glory. The exact origins of the game are unknown, but all signs point to it being a street game brought to Louisville by German immigrants in the 1800s. The modern Dainty contest was created by George Hauck in 1970.

The rules of Dainty are simple — participants use a long stick to pop a small piece of wood (that's the Dainty) into the air before hitting it as far down the street as they can. That's where the lines along George Hauck Way come in handy. The world record distance is 153 feet, set by David Bramblette in 2020.

Watercolor print by Bri of the World Champion Dainty Festival played every year in Germantown. | Provided by Bri Bowers

Eat + drink

There is no shortage of good, hearty food to be found in Schnitzelburg, and there's always a drink to go with it.

Hauck’s Corner: What started as Hauck's Handy Store in 1912 is now an iconic eatery on Goss Avenue. Hauck's Corner is easy to spot with its bright neon sign. The Hauck family sold the business in 2018, but it has since been renovated with preservation in mind. Today, it retains its nostalgic charm and boasts an outdoor space + the Dainty Museum.
Monnik: Another Schnitzelburg staple housed in a building with a history, Monnik opened in 2015 in a space that used to be Heitzman's Bakery. The brewery offers bar fare, burgers, salads + beers on tap and house cocktails.
Merryweather: The Merryweather is a true neighborhood bar. There's an all-seasons outdoor patio with a fire pit, pinball machines, and it frequently hosts food trucks and pop-ups.
Bean: It's not all alcohol in Schnitzelburg. Bean is the neighborhood's coffee shop, featuring locally roasted beans, seasonal drinks, and baked goods.
Dairy Del: One of Louisville's two ice cream giants, Dairy Del is technically on the wrong side of Shelby to be part of Schnitzelburg, but no visit to the neighborhood would be complete without a hot dog or cone. Pro tip: It now accepts credit cards.

Outside of Dairy Del | Photo by @dairydel

What's new

Hop Atomica is Schnitzelburg's latest addition. The brewery, restaurant, and distillery opened at 1318 McHenry St. in early March. Woodfired pizza, house-made cocktails + mocktails, and an array of eight beers are all on the menu.

Arts + culture

The Art Sanctuary: This imposing building at 1433 S. Shelby Street hosts performances of all kinds, plus a gallery space and artist studios. Experimental, independent music + art have a home in Schnitzelburg just as much as breweries and pubs.
Emerson Park: Schnitzelburg's largest green space is named for the Emerson School that once stood in the same location. The almost two-acre park on Sylvia Street plays host to summer shows by Kentucky Shakespeare, as well as the Emerson Park Community Garden.
Schnitzelburg Walk: Vintage vendors, food trucks, and local artists converge on Schnitzelburg each spring and fall for this low-key local festival.

The Emerson Park Community Garden is sponsored by the University of Kentucky Agricultural Extension office. | Photo by LOUtoday

Where to live

If you’re sold on Schnitzelburg + looking to buy a home in the area, here are some options currently on the market:

852 Fetter Ave. | 1 BD, 1 BA | $234,900 | This historic home was built by the same family who owned it for over a century.
1128 Mulberry St. | 2 BD, 2 BA | $290,000 | A recently updated duplex with a fenced back yard and a 2.5 car garage.
1460 Brick Aly. | 2 BD, 1 BA | $250,000 | Built in 1904, this newly renovated home has the added bonus of being commercially zoned.