FIRST LOOK: Take a peek inside Number 15, a new entertainment venue on Whiskey Row

The new Whiskey Row social hall, Number 15, is nearing completion of the renovations at historic 121 West Main St. and will open to the public. The Courier Journal popped in during the final weeks of construction to get an idea of what this unique entertainment venue will offer when doors this spring.

During a hard hat tour of the historic building, Spencer Fronk, CEO of Numbers Holding Company, the parent organization of Number 15, showed our crew how the venue is laid out and explained the unique entertainment experience that will be waiting for guests.

"When you and your friends come here, you could end up having totally different experiences," he said. "You may choose to listen to your favorite band while your friend hangs out at the bar enjoying a drink from their favorite Kentucky distillery and your other friends could be upstairs on the patio overlooking Main Street having a New Orleans-type experience."

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When entering the venue, guests will receive a wristband, which becomes your payment process throughout the facility.

"When you are done for the night, you simply walk out," Fronk said. "We take care of closing out your tab and the gratuity."

Number 15 has taken "great care" to preserve the historic integrity of the building while introducing modern touches that reflect the culture of Kentucky.

"Kentucky bourbon, Kentucky breweries, Kentucky music, Kentucky nightlife all wrapped up into a unique consumer experience," Fronk said of the space. "The history of the building plays an important role in our offerings, which continues to push both the vibrancy of Louisville and the expectations of our guests."

Here's what else to know about Louisville's newest entertainment venue:

What will Number 15 look like when it is completed?

The new five-story social hall will include a lower-level sports bar called Last Place, a main floor stage, a balcony bar, an event rental space, and a penthouse suite.

The main bar opens to an expansive two-story entertainment space set beside a monolithic arched window. The venue plans to offer free live music each night on the main stage.

The third floor will feature the balcony bar, which will overlook both the main stage below and provide a rare second story outdoor patio along Main Street.

The fourth floor of the complex will serve as an event space, available for rentals, including wedding receptions, holiday parties, business gatherings and more.

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The fifth floor will include a two-bedroom, one-bath penthouse suite that can accommodate six people.

The Last Place, located in the basement will be a sports bar offering a late-night kitchen.

Set to showcase Kentucky spirits, food and music in the former whiskey warehouse, Number 15 intends to "pay homage to the founding fathers of Kentucky spirits, while also providing a space to uniquely showcase those following in their footsteps," Fronk said.

What is the story behind the Number 15 name?

The name of the venue, Number 15, is a reference to Kentucky being the 15th state to join the union in 1792.

Developed by The Numbers Holding Co. LLC based in Colorado, Number 15 is the second concept for the company. The first is a $15 million venue called Number 38 in the River North Art District opened in Denver, Colorado, in October 2020.

In 2021, the Colorado-based bar and entertainment company announced it had purchased the six-story W.L. Weller building on Whiskey Row for $3.65 million in downtown Louisville. The company received a $4.2 million loan through the city's Energy Project Assessment District program to build Number 15.

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The EPAD program helps private banks loan money to businesses, who then pay it back over a decade or two through their property taxes, all in an effort to help them cover the initial construction costs and promote more energy-efficient decisions when it comes to electrical, heating, and plumbing systems, among others.

What is the history behind the Number 15 building?

The structure at 121 W. Main St. has existed for more than a century. According to a National Register of Historic Places nomination form from 1979, the building "was probably built after the 1893 fire (at an adjacent structure) or at the time of (George) Weller's purchase of the property (in 1900)."

"The structure is one of the most unique designs in an intact block of Victorian warehouses," the form said. "Louisville's Main Street is one of the richest collections of cast-iron and masonry structures in the United States. Very few of the structures employ Beaux-Arts motifs and no other rises totally in red sandstone above the first floor cast-iron piers."

When will Number 15 open for business?

The target opening for the five-story venue is spring 2023 for the main floor and the balcony bar. The event space and penthouse are scheduled to open in the summer and early fall months.

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Would you like to work at Number 15?

Fronk told the Courier Journal the venue is currently taking applications for employment at the soon-to-be-opened social hall. If you are interested in applying, visit nmbr15.com/jobs.

Reach features reporter Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Take a tour of soon to open Number 15 social hall on Whiskey Row