Lexington Bourbon Week: New event features 21 bars, 42 cocktails and boozy cupcakes

Janet Patton
·9 min read

Lexington, a new foodie-adjacent event is coming to town: Lexington Bourbon Week.

The inaugural 10-day celebration of the best of Bluegrass drinking and dining will be Nov. 9-18. It’s a brand-new event from Smiley Pete, the people who organize Lexington Burger Week, CRAVE and more.

“We are thrilled to kick off the inaugural Lexington Bourbon Week with a stellar lineup of over 20 local restaurants and bars,” says Amy Eddie, director of events at Smiley Pete Publishing, in a news release. “We invite everyone to join us for an unforgettable week of bourbon-inspired cocktails, showcasing the innovation that makes Lexington a hub for bourbon enthusiasts.”

Local restaurants and bars will serve two bourbon cocktails: Most will do their take on the classic Old Fashioned made with Heaven Hill’s Elijah Craig, and a signature specialty cocktail using a bourbon from Heaven Hill, Four Roses or Bluegrass Distillers.

Unlike many of Smiley Pete’s dining events, Lexington Bourbon Week will not have one set price for each drink: prices will vary, ranging from $8-$20, with sets of 12 boozy mini cupcakes for $25 at Inebriated Baker.

Lexington Bourbon Week debuts in November with more than 20 participating bars and restaurants in and around Lexington.
Lexington Bourbon Week debuts in November with more than 20 participating bars and restaurants in and around Lexington.

Participating bars include some of the best watering holes in Lexington: 33 Staves, Belle’s Cocktail House, Bourbon on Rye, Campus Pub, Coles 735 Main, Eppings on Eastside, Georgie’s Social House, Goodfella’s, Goodwood, Inebriated Baker, J Renders, Jake’s Cigar Bar, Lockbox, The Kentucky Castle, Granddam at The Manchester, Merrick Inn, OBC Kitchen, Rackhouse Tavern, The Sage Rabbit, Thirsty Fox, Trifecta - Glass - Art - Lounge and Whiskey Bear.

You can track your bar crawl on the Lexington Bourbon Week app and “check in” with every cocktail you try for a chance to win distillery tours at Four Roses in Lawrenceburg and Heaven Hill in Bardstown.

Lexington Bourbon Week bars, cocktail menus

Lexington Bourbon Week will feature unique versions of the classic Old Fashioned, plus other signature bourbon drinks at participating bars and restaurants. The dates for the new event are Nov. 9-18.
Lexington Bourbon Week will feature unique versions of the classic Old Fashioned, plus other signature bourbon drinks at participating bars and restaurants. The dates for the new event are Nov. 9-18.

33 Staves

4714 Rowan, open Sunday through Thursday 4-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 4-11 p.m.

Old Fashioned: Traditional Elijah Craig Old Fashioned, $13. Signature bourbon drink: Four Leaf Clover made with Four Roses Yellow label, lemon juice, allspice dram, house-made raspberry syrup, egg whites and mint leaf, $12.

Belle’s Cocktail House

156 Market St., open Thursday through Saturday 6 p.m.-2 a.m.

Old Fashioned: Elijah Craig, simple syrup, orange bitters, Angostura bitters, $12. Signature bourbon drink: Strawberry Infused Boulevardier made with Four Roses, strawberry-infused Aperol and Cocchi sweet vermouth, $15.

Bourbon on Rye

115 W. Main St., open Wednesday through Saturday 4 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.

Old Fashioned: Made with Heaven Hill 7 year, homemade vanilla syrup, house-made aromatic bitters and cherry extract, $19. Signature bourbon drink: Something Sweet But Not Too Sweet made with Four Roses, Meletti Amaro, Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur and lemon juice, $15.

Campus Pub

393 Waller Ave. Unit 18, open daily 11 a.m.-2:30 a.m.

Old Fashioned: Buzzer Beater made with housemade honey lemon syrup, spiced chili bitters, fresh blueberries, $9. Signature bourbon drink: Slam Dunk made with Bluegrass Distillers Bourbon, strawberry puree, lime juice, simple syrup, $9.

Coles 735 Main

735 E. Main St., open Tuesday through Thursday 4-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 4-10 p.m

Old Fashioned: Coles 735 Barrel Aged Old Fashioned made with Elijah Craig Barrel Proof Bourbon, house citrus coal bitters, brulee orange twist, $14. Signature bourbon drink: Pomegranate Smash made with Four Roses, turbinado syrup, PAMA liqueur, fresh basil, mint, $12.

Eppings on Eastside

264 Walton Ave., open Tuesday through Thursday 4-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 4-10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday Brunch 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday dinner 4-9 p.m.

Old Fashioned: Autumn Old Fashioned made with Elijah Craig, apple cinnamon demerara, bitters, orange peel, cherry, $14. Signature bourbon drink: Buzz and Bourbon, a take on the Bee’s Knees, made with Four Roses, lemon juice, house ginger honey syrup, lemon wheel garnish, $12.

Georgie’s Social House

161 N. Limestone St., open Wednesday 4 p.m.-1 a.m., Thursday and Friday 4 p.m.- 2 a.m., Saturday 2 p.m.-2 a.m., Sunday 2 p.m.- midnight.

Old Fashioned: The Georgetown made with Elijah Craig, Rivulet pecan liqueur, maple syrup, orange bitters, $14. Signature bourbon drink: The Prentice, named after actor George Prentice, made with Four Roses, Rivulet pecan liqueur, fresh pear syrup, cinnamon, lemon, $14.

Goodfella’s Pizzeria

1228 Manchester St., open Sunday through Wednesday 11 a.m.- 10 p.m., Thursday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-1 a.m.

Old Fashioned: Elijah Craig Small Batch, demerara gomme syrup, dash of tobacco bitters, dash of Trinity bitters, $10. Signature bourbon drink: Banana-hattan made with banana-infused Bluegrass Distillers High-Rye Bourbon, Amaro Averna, sweet vermouth, $16.

Goodwood Lexington

200 Lexington Green Circle Ste. 110, open Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Old Fashioned: Big Apple Fashion made with Elijah Craig, apple spice syrup, demerara syrup, Angostura bitters, Luxardo cherry, $11. Signature bourbon drink: Blackberry Smash made with Bluegrass Wheated Bourbon, blackberry syrup, soda water, muddled limes, $12.

For Lexington Bourbon Week, participating bars and restaurants will offer a unique Old Fashioned and a signature bourbon drink such as the Blackberry Smash available at Goodwood Lexington.
For Lexington Bourbon Week, participating bars and restaurants will offer a unique Old Fashioned and a signature bourbon drink such as the Blackberry Smash available at Goodwood Lexington.

Inebriated Baker

Fayette Mall, 3401 Nicholasville Road Ste D-413, open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday noon-6 p.m.

Old Fashioned: Old Fashioned Cupcake, 12 mini cupcakes, $25. Signature bourbon drink: 12 mini cupcakes either Spiced Autumn Bourbon Ball, Spiced Bourbon Pumpkin Pie Martini, Spiced Bourbon Caramel Apple Pie Martini, Spiced Bourbon Pumpkin Pie Martini, $25.

J. Renders

3191 Beaumont Centre Circle, open Sunday through Wednesday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Thursday and Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Old Fashioned: Spiced Apple Old Fashioned made with Elijah Craig, apple simple syrup, spiced apple bitters, cinnamon bitters, brulee apple, $13. Signature bourbon drink: Renders Rattlesnake made with Elijah Craig, absinthe, lemon juice, simple syrup, mission fig-fennel bitters, lemon squeeze, $13.

The Kentucky Castle

230 Pisgah Pike in Versailles, open Sunday through Thursday 5-8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5-9 p.m.

Old Fashioned: Elijah Craig Blackberry Sage Old Fashioned made with Elijah Craig Small Batch, blackberry sage syrup, lemon bitters, blackberry garnish, $20. Signature bourbon drink: Orange Toasted Thyme made with Elijah Craig Toasted, blood orange syrup, blood orange juice, demerara simple syrup, black walnut bitters, charred thyme stem, dried blood orange, $20.

The Manchester Granddam Lounge

941 Manchester St., open Sunday through Wednesday 4-11 p.m., Thursday through Saturday 4 p.m.-midnight.

Old Fashioned: Elijah Craig Old Fashioned made with rich miso simple syrup, Akashi plum liqueur, smoky chipotle and cacao bitters, plum caviar, $17. Signature bourbon drink: The Jerez made with The Manchester’s Toasted Oak barrel pick, Alvear Oloroso sherry, savory bitters, Spanish vermouth, blue cheese stuffed olives, $17.

Some of the signature drinks on the menu for the inaugural Lexington Bourbon Week will be made with Bluegrass Distillers bourbons, such as The Manchester Granddam’s cocktail: The Jerez, made with The Manchester’s Toasted Oak barrel pick, Alvear Oloroso sherry, savory bitters, Spanish vermouth, blue cheese stuffed olives.
Some of the signature drinks on the menu for the inaugural Lexington Bourbon Week will be made with Bluegrass Distillers bourbons, such as The Manchester Granddam’s cocktail: The Jerez, made with The Manchester’s Toasted Oak barrel pick, Alvear Oloroso sherry, savory bitters, Spanish vermouth, blue cheese stuffed olives.

Jake’s Cigar Bar

100 Langley Dr. in Nicholasville, open Sunday through Thursday noon-1 a.m., Friday and Saturday noon-2 a.m.

Old Fashioned: Elijah Craig Smoked Old Fashioned made with smoked leather and tobacco bitters, Luxardo cherry, roasted orange peel, $12. Signature bourbon drink: Sinful Peace made with Bluegrass Distillers Bourbon, grilled plum reduction, blood orange, house-made walnut chocolate bitters, raspberry preserve, $10.

Lockbox

21c Museum Hotel at 167 W. Main St., open Monday through Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.

Old Fashioned: Outdated Style, made with date-infused Elijah Craig Small Batch, turmeric falernum, cardamom bitters, Kentucky Straight Ice, $16. Signature bourbon drink: War Horse made with Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon, peach liquor, lemon, cranberry, grenadine, dash rhubarb bitters, $12.

Merrick Inn

1074 Merrick Dr., open Monday through Saturday 4-11 p.m.

Old Fashioned: Cinnamon Maple Elijah Craig Old Fashioned made with demerara simple syrup, Angostura bitters, Merrick’s Elijah Craig Bourbon, cinnamon stick, orange twist, $13. Signature bourbon drink: Apple Cider Hot Toddy made with Apple cider, Four Roses, pure maple syrup, lemon, $12.

OBC Kitchen

3373 Tates Creek Rd., open Monday through Thursday 3-10 p.m., Friday 3-11 p.m, Saturday 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-9 p.m.

Old Fashioned: Elijah Craig Old Fashioned made with Elijah Craig Small Batch, Campari, raspberry syrup, orange bitters, rhubarb bitters, orange peel, $14. Signature bourbon drink: Four Roses Paper Plane made with Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon, Italian orange & vanilla aperitivo, fresh-squeezed lemon, Italian bittersweet aperitivo, lemon peel, $14.

Lexington Bourbon Week will be Nov. 9-18. Restaurants such as OBC Kitchen will offer cocktails including this Four Roses Paper Plane.
Lexington Bourbon Week will be Nov. 9-18. Restaurants such as OBC Kitchen will offer cocktails including this Four Roses Paper Plane.

Rackhouse Tavern/Campbell House

1375 S. Broadway, open Monday through Friday 4-10 p.m., Saturday 4-11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. & 4-11 p.m.

Old Fashioned: Toasty Roasty made with Elijah Craig Rye, Amaro Averna, Luxardo, amaretto, demerara with flamed orange peel and bouquet of house fried nuts, $14. Signature bourbon drink: ABC Cocktail made with Four Roses, Amaro Averna, simple syrup, cold brew coffee, egg white, garnished with lemon peel flag, $14.

The Sage Rabbit

438 S. Ashland Ave., Wednesday through Sunday 5-9 p.m.

Old Fashioned: The Bitter Old Sage, classic Elijah Craig Old Fashioned with burnt orange and sage, $12. Signature bourbon drink: Cocoa Bunny warm Bluegrass Distillers Bourbon drink with notes of chocolate, cinnamon and chili topped with housemade marshmallow, $14.

Thirsty Fox/Zim’s

Old Courthouse at 215 W. Main St. Thirsty Fox open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Zim’s open Monday through Friday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Old Fashioned: Made with Elijah Craig Private Selection for Thirsty Fox Bourbon Club, demerara, Honeywood bitters, orange, $18. Signature bourbon drink: Spiced Cranberry Sour made with Bluegrass Distillers Toasted Oak, cranberry, citrus, baking spice, egg white, $8.

Trifecta: Glass — Art — Lounge

243 Walton Ave., open Wednesday through Saturday 6 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

Old Fashioned: Honey Bee Old Fashioned made with Elijah Craig, honey syrup, Peychaud’s bitters garnished with dehydrated orange and Luxardo cherry, smoked with applewood chips, $14. Signature bourbon drink: Clove & Cider made with Eagle Rare, clove simple syrup, lemon juice, Amaro Montenegro, apple cider, $16.

Whiskey Bear

3195 Beaumont Centre Circle, open Monday through Thursday 4-10 p.m., Friday 4-11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

Old Fashioned: Elijah Craig Small Batch, house-made demerara syrup, Angostura bitters, two orange peels, $13. Signature bourbon drink: The Prickly Rose made with Four Roses Small Batch, prickly pear syrup, fresh squeezed lemon juice, $13.