Cincinnati Burger Week Celebrates 10 Years July 15-24

New LGBTQ+-Friendly Bourbon Week to Launch in Kentucky This Fall

Bourbon & Belonging will feature LGBTQ+-inclusive events across eight Kentucky cities, counties and regions.

Jun 11, 2024 at 11:00 am

Bourbon & Belonging is happening Oct. 2-6. Photo: Provided by Boxcar PR

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A new event aimed at showcasing Kentucky’s bourbon and hospitality culture to LGBTQ+ visitors will launch this fall.

Bourbon & Belonging, from LGBTQ+-run nonprofit Queer Kentucky, is happening Oct. 2-6. The inclusive, week-long event, inspired by Gay Wine Weekend in Sonoma and QueerBeer Fest in Washington D.C., features a variety of activities, tastings and gatherings that are designed to foster safety, belonging and community.

“As an organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ advocacy, we couldn't be more excited to be launching Bourbon & Belonging, the nation’s inaugural Queer Bourbon Week,” Missy Spears, executive director of Queer Kentucky, said in a press release. “It underscores the necessity of creating spaces of acceptance and celebration in regions where it's most needed.”

Events will take place across eight Kentucky cities, counties and regions, including Bardstown, Bullitt County, Frankfort, Lexington, Louisville, Northern Kentucky, Paducah and Winchester. Bourbon partners include Northern Kentucky’s New Riff Distilling, Second Sight Spirits and Wenzel Whiskey, among other Kentucky distilleries. Hotel Covington, 21c Museum Hotels and the Common Bond Hotel Collection are also partnering with the event to serve as host hotels.

“Bourbon & Belonging bridges our state's rich traditions with its vibrant future, emphasizing the unity and diversity that make Kentucky special,” Julie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of meetNKY, said in the release.

Bourbon & Belonging will also raise funds for Queer Kentucky and other Kentucky-based LGBTQ+ community service organizations. A schedule of events will be announced this summer.

To stay updated on the latest Bourbon & Belonging news, visit bourbonandbelonging.com.

Slideshow

15 LGBTQ+-Friendly Bars in Greater Cincinnati

Old Street Saloon13 Old St., MonroeSay it with us: Rural. Gay. Dive. Bar. Old Street has served (and served) the Monroe-area community for decades. There’s something magical about the ebb and flow of a glamorous dive bar. Dusty stage lights illuminate queens, kings and all kinds of performers. Some in the crowd match the occasion, faces beat to the gods, others appear to have just gotten off work at a local farm or factory. Whether your order is a bay breeze or a Bud Light, a lemon drop or a whiskey shot, there’s no wrong way to do Old Street. And just because Old Street is a tiny suburban-rural dive bar doesn’t mean the talent isn’t outstanding — the weekly Saturday night drag shows are always a 10/10, having attracted the best-of-the-best queens and kings from Dayton, Cincinnati and beyond for nearly 30 years.

The Flock927 Race St., DowntownA new, laidback LGBTQ+ ultra-lounge hatched in downtown Cincinnati last summer after Ignite Entertainment turned its former bar, The Birdcage, into The Flock. Owner Juan Imeroni said he wanted The Flock to marry the vibe of The Birdcage with the intimacy of a lounge. Plush seating, backlit tables, lounge spaces and a lowered ceiling along the bar were added along with aviary-themed decor and accents. This low-key hangout hosts smaller entertainment acts ranging from drag shows to burlesque.

Rosie’s Tavern643 Bakewell St., CovingtonFor more than a century, there’s been a bar with a pressed-tin ceiling and stained glass windows at W. Seventh and Bakewell streets in Covington’s Mainstrasse Village. For two decades, Rosie’s Tavern has been a dive bar that welcomes everyone, gay or straight — that intersection even has rainbow crosswalks. Inside, a dozen barstools face the fully stocked bar — six taps and shelves of liquor and spirits. No food (just chips and nuts), but friendly bartenders will point you to good dining nearby. The pool table is ready and waiting, and drinks are very affordable, especially on Mondays.

Tillie’s Lounge4042 Hamilton Ave., NorthsideTillie’s Lounge is the life of the party in Northside, offering delicious cocktails, a friendly atmosphere where all are welcome and a plush, luxurious Old-World-style that feels upscale without being stuffy. Every day at Tillie’s features a special theme, with Service Industry Night on Mondays, TuesGAYs with a special Showtunes and Stitch & Bitch Happy Hour, Bear Night on Wednesdays, DJs on Thursdays, karaoke on Fridays, DJ dance parties on Saturday and the laidback Sunday Fundays.

Home Base Tavern2401 Vine St., CUFWoman- and LGBTQ+-owned Home Base Tavern makes you feel at home when you step in. This dive bar has a familiar, cozy feel — a Cheers-esque vibe where everyone knows your name, but make the cast gay — with its pressed-tin ceiling tiles, rainbow decor and friendly bartenders. Tuesday nights are home to karaoke or stop in Wednesday nights for $2.50 domestics and free pool.

Bar 32701 Bakewell St., CovingtonCovington’s Bar 32 has all the fun and come-as-you-are-ness of your favorite dive bar mixed with a welcoming, inclusive vibe where a Kentucky “y’all” truly means ALL — it’s even got a rainbow-colored crosswalk just outside its doors. The cocktails are creative, strong and reasonably priced, and the pool table is calling your name.

Bloom OTR1120 Walnut St., Over-the-RhineInclusive nightclub Bloom OTR offers an ultra-friendly and happy-go-lucky space that allows you to blossom into your truest yourself. Emma Nurre, part owner and director of operations at Bloom, says the goal of the bar is to play off the history of the building, creating a safe space that also offers drinking, dancing and drag performances. In addition to the nightclub revelry, the bar also offers a weekly Sunday drag brunch.

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About The Author

Katherine Barrier

Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she oversees the digital and social media strategies, edits web and print content and writes for the dining and arts...