Foodies and bourbon enthusiasts seeking elevated dining experiences find their bourbon-infused bliss in Covington, Frankfort, and Bardstown. Many restaurants and bars in these bourbon-centric cities showcase unique takes on pairing bourbon with meals, specialize in bourbon-infused menus, and feature dishes that amplify bourbon flavors. Additionally, these three cities offer bourbon experiences that bourbon lovers aren’t likely to find anywhere else. SIGNATURE SPINS In Newport, the team at Purple Poulet Southern Bourbon Bistro , led by Chef Rick Zumwalde, loves a good splash or three of bourbon in dishes like fried chicken and waffles with maple bourbon syrup, “Swanky” Shrimp-n-Grits with bourbon-cream pan gravy, hickory-smoked beef brisket with bourbon-peach jus, a Casino-style market catch with bourbon-bacon-maple broth, and bourbon mashed sweet potatoes. Likewise, the team at Beehive Augusta Tavern shows its unbridled enthusiasm for Kentucky bourbon by incorporating it into multiple dishes: bourbon-braised short ribs, bourbon carbonara, bourbon-glazed bone-in pork chops, bourbon-glazed salmon, a bourbon bordelaise burger, and honey bourbon fried chicken. Even sides like the honey bourbon bacon brussels get a dousing. At the Kitchen & Bar at Bardstown Bourbon Company (BBCo.), Kentucky’s first distillery-based restaurant, Chef Stu Plush likes to bring out bourbon tasting notes through various dishes. For instance, the menu suggests BBCo. Origin Series Bottled-in-Bond or Prohibited Paradise for country ham carbonara and BBCo. Origin Series Rye Whiskey or Feel the Heat for its Southern fried chicken. At HOC (House of Commons): A Bourbon Library in Frankfort, Founder and Proprietor Dave Sandlin brings encyclopedic knowledge to the bourbons he stocks. Additionally, this bourbon barkeep knows how to spin a good yarn. “Everyone has a story to tell, and every bourbon has a story to tell,” said Sandlin. “Our storytelling is the framework around the more than 315 Kentucky whiskeys we have on the shelf, why we have them, why each is special, rare, or different.” Visitors to HOC won’t find food and bourbon pairings (although Sanders is happy to share restaurant recommendations); this bourbon bar is about pairing bourbon to people’s palettes. “People come in and tell us what they like, and we formulate a taste profile for them,” said Sanders.

Planning your first distillery visit or considering a journey along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®? Bourbon has a built-in mystique and culture that might give the bourbon-curious and aspiring aficionados pause in taking that first step into the world of America’s Only Native Spirit. BOURBON 101 The variety of distilleries and their unique experiences may seem daunting, and terms like “nosing” and “Kentucky chew” baffling, but part of the fun of bourbon is in the learning. Beginners can get their feet wet in Frankfort at Buffalo Trace Distillery , with an intro to the history and science of bourbon, and at Castle & Key with an interactive Cocktail Therapy class to elevate sensory awareness. The Old Pogue Experience on Northern Kentucky’s The B-Line ® in downtown Maysville offers a different perspective, combining the Bourbon History Galleries, which delve into the 1791 Whiskey Tax Act Rebellion and Prohibition, with an (optional) tasting of an original Kentucky bourbon—Old Pogue Master’s Select. In the Bourbon Capital of the World, Lux Row Distillers in Bardstown gives an insider’s view of the bourbon making process from start to finish on its Grain to Barrel Tour, followed by an educational, guided tasting experience. Here is a guide to some bourbon basics that will help you look more natural than novice when sitting down to a tasting and will soon have you pairing like a pro.

Not only is Northern Kentucky an Official Gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail® and home of The B-Line®, a self-guided bourbon tour comprising nearly 30 stops and stretching from Covington to Maysville, it is also home to a very active distillery scene. From the laid-back, dog-friendly atmosphere of Bellevue’s Three Spirits Tavern to the upscale, tailored air of Hotel Covington’s Knowledge Bar & Social Room located in North by Hotel Covington, the special-occasion vibe of Dutch-inspired Lisse Steakhuis in Mainstrasse with its impressive lineup of bourbons, and the historic-meets-modern ambiance of Newport’s Pensive Distilling Co ., Northern Kentucky has dozens of venues to tempt and tease first-time distillery visitors and bourbon connoisseurs alike. 

As home to a distinctive selection of bourbon bars and five distilleries, including Buffalo Trace —a National Historic Landmark and the oldest continuously operating distillery in Kentucky, which is also the world’s most award-winning distillery and the No. 1 tourist destination in Frankfort—Kentucky’s capital city revels in its bourbon heritage. But Frankfort also showcases Kentucky history and heritage through its museums, landmarks, outdoor attractions, and little-known treasures.

Bourbon distillery tours, bourbon-centric lodgings, bourbon-infused dining, bourbon-inspired drinks—there’s no mistaking you’re in Bardstown, the Bourbon Capital of the World. But the epicenter of all things bourbon also has fun things to see and do for the non-tipplers in the party, including a buzzy shopping scene, outstanding museums, and sensational outdoor theater. 

Imagine your perfect summer evening: The sound of live fiddles and banjos fills the air, a Kentucky sunset sets the mood and a glass of bourbon finds its way to your hand. In Northern Kentucky, the deep traditions of bourbon-making and the soulful melodies of bluegrass music come together to create experiences that feel like they’re made just for you. From lively festivals to intimate concerts at historic distilleries to local jams at a bourbon bar, there’s something magical waiting for every music lover and bourbon enthusiast. Here’s a taste of why summer in Northern Kentucky’s Covington and Newport area should be on your bucket list. Sipping bourbon to an NKY soundtrack One of the best things about Northern Kentucky is how effortlessly bourbon and music intertwine. From cozy bar stages to open-air concerts, you can feel the state’s rich culture in every note and sip. It’s a place where the rhythm of bluegrass and the smoothness of bourbon bring people together. Vibrant Madison Theater in Covington is a must for live music and boasts an impressive lineup of both local and national artists. The Southgate House Revival in Newport, a historic church-turned-music venue, delivers a mix of bluegrass, indie, and folk performances regularly and never disappoints! At MegaCorp Pavilion in Newport, music of all varieties rocks the rafters with pitch-perfect acoustics. And whether indoors or out, there’s not a bad seat in the house.

If you’re a bourbon lover—or just someone who appreciates a great story poured into a glass —Covington, Kentucky, is about to steal your heart. This gem of a city blends history, innovation, and good ol’ Southern charm into an unforgettable experience for anyone curious about Bourbon. Whether you’re rolling up your sleeves at a blending workshop or sipping on more modern spirits, Covington has something special waiting for you. Bold Innovation at Wenzel Whiskey If innovation is what gets you excited, Wenzel Whiskey is the place to be. Their award-winning spirits are bold, complex, and unforgettable—just like the stories behind them. They’re known for pushing boundaries with their rectifying or redistilling process and personalized blending experience. Visiting Wenzel feels like being part of bourbon’s next big chapter. And trust me, once you’ve tasted their creations or blended your own, you’ll see why they’re making waves far beyond Covington. Want to learn more about their philosophy and spirits? Visit Wenzel Whiskey for a deeper dive into their offerings and upcoming events.