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Two Northern Kentucky Establishments Join The B-Line

Jerry's Jug House and Greyhound Tavern bring the total number of The B-Line establishments to 27.

Sep 27, 2024 at 5:01 pm

Jerry’s Jug House | 414 E. Seventh St., Newport Photo: Hailey Bollinger

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To honor the end of Nation Bourbon Heritage Month, The B-Line, a group of bourbon-centric distilleries, bars and restaurants that offer a self-guided bourbon experience in Northern Kentucky, is adding two new stops.

Newport bar Jerry’s Jug House and Ft. Mitchell restaurant Greyhound Tavern have officially joined The B-Line’s roster. Their addition brings the total number of The B-Line establishments to 27, with spots throughout Covington, Newport, Independence, Sparta, Augusta and Maysville.

“Kentucky bourbon brings more than 2 million visitors a year to the Commonwealth and generates a huge economic impact for our region,” meetNKY President and CEO Julie Kirkpatrick said in a press release. “The B-Line is the northern entry point to bourbon country and serves as an excellent way for anyone to enjoy our bourbon culture and heritage by offering not only seven official Kentucky Bourbon Trail distilleries to visit, but also several bourbon-focused bars and restaurants.”

Stuart MacKenzie, the owner of Jerry’s Jug House, says the best part about being a business owner is serving the community and its visitors, and being added to The B-Line will help introduce his bar to thousands of new visitors in the area each year.

“Jerry’s has been a part of the Newport community for more than 93 years,” MacKenzie said in the release. “When we purchased Jerry’s, our goal was to stay authentic to its Jug House roots, while adapting to modern trends so we could be part of this community another 93 years.”

President of Greyhound Tavern Tyler Behrens says, being located in Kentucky, bourbon is a large part of Greyhound Tavern's dining experience and being added to The B-Line will give them a chance to give thousands of new guests a taste of Southern hospitality.

click to enlarge

Photo: facebook.com/greyhoundtavern

Greyhound Tavern | 2500 Dixie Highway, Ft. Mitchell

“At Greyhound Tavern, we believe home is where your heart is and our hearts are in great food and fine dining,” said Behrens in the release.

New stops have to meet seven strict criteria in order to join The B-Line, including fostering a culture around bourbon, stocking certain kinds of bourbon, restaurants having at least 50 labels of bourbon and bars at least 100 with a preference for Kentucky bourbon and weekly bourbon-infused food and drink specials. Bars must also offer specialty flights and host bourbon-related events.You can learn more about The B-Line here.

Jerry’s Jug House, 414 E. Seventh St. Newport. More info: jerrysjughouse.com.

Greyhound Tavern, 2500 Dixie Highway, Ft. Mitchell. More info: greyhoundtavern.com.

Slideshow

These are Some of the Oldest Bars in Greater Cincinnati

Arnold’s Bar and Grill210 Eighth St., DowntownOpen since 1861, Arnold’s is the oldest continuously running tavern in town, complete with dark wood walls, vintage memorabilia and a big ol’ bathtub in the dining room rumored to have been used to make gin during Prohibition. A Cincinnati classic, it serves up a nice range of lunch and dinner options — pasta, sandwiches and burgers, plus vegan and gluten-free options — at bargain prices. Enjoy a local draft in the outdoor beer garden and almost daily live music. It was also named one of the best bars in America by Esquire magazine.

The Lounge at 193135 W. Fifth St., DowntownWhile The 1931 just opened this past winter in the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, replacing Orchids at Palm Court, the space it’s in has been around since the year of its namesake. The art-deco marvel that is the restaurant and lounge features Brazilian rosewood, soaring painted ceilings and vintage Rookwood pottery. Relax in the lounge and imbibe from the award-winning wine list or enjoy a well-crafted cocktail. Happy Hour is from 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and on Fridays and Saturdays, you can unwind with some live light jazz.

O’Malley’s in the Alley25 W. Ogden Place, DowntownOpened in 1892, O’Malley’s in the Alley bills itself as the second-oldest bar in Cincinnati. The pub offers a straightforward imbibing experience, drink specials and homemade dishes that have stood the test of time, like its beer-battered fish sandwich, fish and chips or wings. You’ll find the entrance in a shady alleyway along Ogden Place, not too far of a walk from Great American Ball Park, making it a must-stop spot before or after a game.

Bay Horse Cafe625 Main St., DowntownAfter closing in 2022, the Bay Horse Cafe reopened this spring under new ownership and with a new concept — time travel. Which is apt, considering the bar can trace its roots back to 1817 when it first opened on Longworth Street under a different name, which is lost to history. Over the years, the Bay Horse Cafe changed locations, including to Fifth Street in the late 1800s where, according to legend, it gained the name we now know it as when a bay horse broke free of its post and trotted into the bar. It’s been in the same building on Main Street since 1962 and today is known for its Hudepohl specials and time-travel-themed cocktails.

Lakeside Inn2019 Tytus Ave., MiddletownThe Lakeside Inn in Middletown is currently best known for starring in the new film The Bikeriders. If you take a closer look, you can see the remnants of the movie set still on the walls at the bar. Owner Brian Mack, who bought the bar in 2021 but didn’t open it until recently due to filming, was given a signed original movie poster, as well as the original layout plans for the bars' shelving. You can see notes from the cast and set crew thanking the bar for "letting them blow it up." This is in reference to the scene in the film where a motorcycle club sets the bar on fire. (Mack said the only thing they actually set on fire was the bar's awning and that the film paid for the replacement.) But before the bar was hosting the famous, it was hosting the infamous. In the ‘30s, the bar was a regular spot for Clyde Barrow, of Bonnie and Clyde notoriety.

Jerry’s Jug House414 E. Seventh St., NewportJerry's Jug House started as a garage with ties to bootlegging during Prohibition but went legal in the ‘30s as a "jug house." In 2019, its owners revitalized the joint while staying true to its roots. The former back gambling room — er, we mean, “office,” is now a lounge that serves draft beer, cocktails and natural wines. But, of course, you can still find cheap beers and good bourbon there as well.

Arlin’s307 Ludlow Ave., CliftonArlin’s may have changed names and hands quite a few times since its inception, but it’s been Clifton Gaslight District’s premier neighborhood pub since the 1890s. Here you can enjoy a beer on the big back patio and beer garden and listen to live music. The no-frills atmosphere includes a pool room, plus 20 taps, sports on the TVs and a jukebox. And while it’s best known as a bar, Arlin’s also has a food menu with a variety of burgers, sandwiches and even some Tex-Mex fare.

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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...