07.29.2024

Today’s Forecast

85º | 51% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:38 a.m. | Sunset 8:49 p.m.

In the presence of greatness

The Manchester listed on TIME Magazine’s “World’s Greatest Places”

The Manchester's lobby with green velvet chairs, blue velvet and floral couches, a navy tiled bar, and arch-like ceilings.

The rounded arches throughout the property are inspired by bourbon barrels. | Photo by LEXtoday

We know Lexington is special, but now the whole world is about to know. TIME magazine released its list of “The World’s Greatest Places of 2024" and one local spot was featured — The Manchester.

We have covered the building of the boutique hotel from its announcement in 2021 to its current happenings + weekly activities. Now, we want to take a deep dive into what makes this show-stopping Distillery District spot so special.

How it was selected

The list was created through an application process, as well as nominations from its international network of contributors + correspondents. Recipients are broken down into two sections — places to stay + places to visit.

The Manchester is one of 100 international locations selected for the list, which includes places like: a chocolate shop in India, a diving experience in New Zealand, and the Four Seasons Koh Samui in Thailand.

A bar with 1960s palm beach vibes with pink and green accents + paint and patterned couches — The homage to equine culture can be seen throughout the entire hotel, continuing at Lost Palm with its 1960s South Florida vibes. | Photo by LEXtoday

Why we love it

If the delectable dishes + creative cocktails at on-site eateries Granddam and Lost Palm aren’t enough to draw you in, the ambiance alone should be.

“When you walk into the lobby, you feel the design is authentic — that someone with a real connection to this place is behind it,” said hotelier Nik Feldman in an interview with Hospitality Design.

Feldman, business partner Hank Morris, and New York-based designer Jenny Bukovec are the minds behind the hotel, who describe the exterior as “Rickhouse Revival,” referring to commonly seen bourbon storage structures.

Inside the lobby bar and lounge, you’re greeted with earth tones reminiscent of our rich landscape + rolling hills. The decor blends local vintage furnishings + custom pieces from Morocco. The arches featured downstairs are continued throughout the interior + exterior of the rooftop bar, Lost Palm.

“We wanted the charm that comes from things that are timeworn and handmade,” Bukovec said in an interview with Hospitality Design. “Nothing is too precious; it’s all meant to be comfortable and inviting.”

Events

Monday, July 29

Dine Out for Charity | Monday, July 29 | 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. | Sedona Taphouse, 3600 Palomar Centre Dr., Lexington | Price of purchase | Stop by for half-price steak, chicken, or salmon, and $1 from each purchase will support Bluegrass Council of the Blind.
Camp Gold - Intro to Wheel Throwing | Monday, July 29 | 1-4 p.m. | The Living Arts & Science Center, 362 N. Martin Luther King Blvd., Lexington | $175-$200 | This week-long course will give students ages 50+ the opportunity to learn all the tips and tricks for working with clay on a potter’s wheel.

Tuesday, July 30

Just Dandy Paint and Sip | Tuesday, July 30 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Pinot’s Palette Fayette Mall, 3851 Mall Rd., Ste. 110, Lexington | $35 | Tap into your creative side by painting your own cotton candy sunset + dandelion scene — BYO snacks and drinks are available for purchase.

Wednesday, July 31

Read Between the Vines | Wednesday, July 31 | 6-8 p.m. | Ghost Fox Winery, 2385 Chrisman Mill Rd., Nicholasville | Free | Cozy up for some midweek me-time with local wine, snacks, silent reading, and a social hour.

Thursday, Aug. 1

Art on the Town at Thursday Night Live | Thursday, Aug. 1 | 5-8 p.m. | Fifth Third Pavilion, 251 W. Main St., Lexington | Free, price of purchase | Shop from local artists and authors for paintings, drawings, jewelry, books, sculptures, and more during this weekly outdoor concert series.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Finance

How UK Federal Credit Union can help set your student up for success

student checking_uk federal credit union.jpg

Whether you’re new to UK or returning after the summer, the UKFCU Mobile App can help you manage your money your way. | Photo courtesy of UK Federal Credit Union

Getting your child ready for college means choosing a meal plan, buying dorm decor, and setting up their finances.

Need help on the financial front? UK Federal Credit Union offers a checking account specifically for students + the UKFCU Mobile App makes it easy to bank from anywhere. Bonus: UKFCU has an on-campus location in the Student Center, a near-campus location (603 South Bdwy.) + three on-campus ATMs.

Learn how to open an account below — and check that task off your to-do list.^†

Get started

†Federally insured by NCUA and Equal Housing Lender.

News Notes

Number

$10,000. That’s the highest price for a 2024-2025 UK men’s basketball season ticket. New prices for the upcoming season reflect the first increase since 2019. Renewals are due Thursday, Aug. 29, but perks are added if renewed by Thursday, Aug. 8. (Lexington Herald-Leader)

Sports

This Wednesday, July 31 at 1 p.m., head to West Sixth Brewing for a Team USA Olympic Watch Party with the Lexington Sporting Club organization. Here, you can watch the USWNT vs. AUS match with members of the Super League team and stick around for the reveal of their away kit.

Olympics

Congratulations to fencer Lee Kiefer who won gold in the women’s individual foil competition on Sunday. The Lexingtonian + UK med student defeated fellow Team USA teammate Lauren Scruggs in a historic all American match-up. Kiefer is a four-time Olympian, and this is her second gold medal. (Lexington Herald-Leader)

Lexingtonian

While we’ve told you about some of the athletes from LEX in Paris for the 2024 Olympics, today we’re talking coaches. Lexington’s Hallye Griffin is at Château de Versailles leading the US Equestrian team as the Chef de Mission, aka the head coach and manager.

Drink

Calling all cold coffee lovers — the Cold Brew Festival is returning to downtown Saturday, Aug. 24 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Running in conjunction with the Lexington Farmers Market, visitors can purchase tokens for cold brew flights, buy specialty drinks, and vote for people’s choice award winners.

Shop

Want to support local for less? Meet ShopUp, the free, AI-powered shopping sidekick that scours deals + discounts from thousands of brands (including your fave local shops, restaurants, and groceries) and sends them right to your phone. Never miss a golden shopportunity again: Download Apple or Android.*

Featured Deal

Ready, set, shop — and save big. Today’s the last day to score discounts of up to 80% off on thousands of items like outdoor furniture, grills + more during Wayfair’s Black Friday in July sale. Psst... look out for flash deals + enjoy free shipping sitewide.*

Kids

Gearing up for the school year? Shop Nike’s Back to School Sale for sneakers, athletic wear, and backpacks. Save an extra 25% with promo code SPORT25.*

Civic

Celebrate good times, come on

City of Lexington announces grant winners for 250th birthday celebration

The former Lexington courthouse with a 250 birthday banner

Get ready for a lot of Lexington-focused celebrations next year. | Photo by Amy Wallot

It’s almost our birthday, and we’ll cry if we want to. But the only tears shed last week would have been happy ones as Mayor Linda Gorton announced the recipients of 250Lex Cultural Grants.

The 250LEX committee said they received 88 applications requesting up to $1.3+ million. A total of $300,000 will be shared amongst 18 organizations to create meaningful, tourism-focused programming to celebrate 250 years of Lexington. The recipients will be tasked with hosting events that engage + educate residents and visitors about Lexington’s businesses, community, and culture.

Here are the winners, in alphabetical order —

A Sense of Place
Allegro Dance Project
Black Yarn
Bluegrass Youth Ballet
Carnegie Center
Casa de le Cultura
Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra
Christine Kuhn
Faulkner-Morgan Archive
Greenroom Exchange
Jeff Hoagland
Keeneland Library Foundation
Kentucky Humanities
Lexington Children’s Theatre
M’Power Rhythm
Marafiki Center
Mary Todd Lincoln House
OperaLex

Asked

Did you participate in Drink Up Week?

A. Yes, I loved the deals.
B. No, I wasn’t into it.
C. What’s Drink Up Week?

Pour your heart out

The Buy

The Buy 7.29.24 (Affiliate)

A portable projector — a must-have for streaming your next movie night by the pool in high definition 4K quality.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Molly

From the editor

I sampled some delicious food at CRAVE this weekend, but as a girl with a sweet tooth, Sav’s hot banana ice cream always takes the cake.

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