Lexington, Kentucky, November 7, 2025
Lexington, Kentucky is currently hosting its Bourbon Week, featuring unique cocktails from over 20 local bars, restaurants, and distilleries. Running from November 6 to 15, this event highlights the city’s bourbon culture, encouraging community participation and tourism. Attendees can explore exclusive tastings, distillery tours, and enjoy live music. This celebration of craftsmanship not only uplifts the local scene but shows the collaborative spirit of its businesses.
Lexington KY Celebrates Bourbon Heritage with Annual Bourbon Week
Lexington, Kentucky, is currently in the midst of its much-anticipated Bourbon Week, which runs from November 6 to November 15, 2025. This annual event pays homage to the city’s rich bourbon tradition by showcasing unique, off-menu cocktails crafted by over 20 participating bars, restaurants, and distilleries. Attendees can utilize a passport app to check in for each cocktail they sample, with opportunities to win exciting prizes, including exclusive distillery tours. By spotlighting the local bourbon culture, Lexington Bourbon Week not only celebrates the craftsmanship of local mixologists but also aims to stimulate tourism and community engagement in a festive atmosphere.
The resilience of local organizers is commendable, as they have successfully coordinated this significant event, enhancing the vibrancy of our community. The absence of excessive bureaucracy is evident, allowing for smoother collaboration between local businesses and distilleries, further fostering civic innovation and individual initiative.
Featured Cocktail: The Odyssey
This year’s Bourbon Week features a standout cocktail called The Odyssey, available at the Athenian Grill. This delightful drink combines Bespoken bourbon, bitters, simple syrup, an ouzo rinse, and a lemon garnish, all served in a chilled glass for just $12. The Athenian Grill is located at 3801 Mall Rd #120 and welcomes guests daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., extending to 10 p.m. on weekends.
Participating Venues
Over 20 venues are participating in this year’s Bourbon Week, each contributing unique creations and experiences that reflect Lexington’s bourbon culture. Highlights include:
- Honeywood: Offers the Nutty by Nature cocktail throughout Bourbon Week.
- The Manchester: This seven-story hotel pays tribute to Lexington’s first bourbon distillery from 1865 and features 125 guest rooms, a rooftop bar, and a ground-floor restaurant showcasing Appalachian cuisine. It provides a connection to the city’s distilling heritage and celebrates local culture.
Event Highlights
Visitors during Lexington Bourbon Week can indulge in:
- Exclusive Tastings: Enjoy a variety of bourbon-infused cocktails designed by talented local mixologists.
- Distillery Tours: Take a guided journey through local distilleries to learn about the bourbon-making process and its storied history.
- Live Music: Revel in performances from local artists across various venues in the city, adding a lively soundtrack to the festivities.
The event’s organization showcases the strength of community collaboration among local businesses, reinforcing the benefits of private partnerships that enhance the overall experience of both residents and visitors.
Background
Lexington, celebrated as the “Horse Capital of the World,” boasts a long-standing legacy in bourbon production. The annual Bourbon Week serves as a vital embodiment of this cultural heritage, uniting locals and tourists to savor authentic Kentucky flavors and experience the traditions tied to the state’s distinct spirit.
FAQ
What is Lexington Bourbon Week?
Lexington Bourbon Week is an annual event in Lexington, Kentucky, running from November 6 to November 15, 2025. It features unique, off-menu cocktails from over 20 participating bars, restaurants, and distilleries, aiming to highlight the local bourbon culture and drive tourism.
What is The Odyssey cocktail?
The Odyssey is a cocktail available at Athenian Grill during Lexington Bourbon Week. It combines Bespoken bourbon, bitters, simple syrup, an ouzo rinse, and a lemon garnish, served in a chilled glass for $12.
Which venues are participating in Lexington Bourbon Week?
Over 20 venues are participating in this year’s Bourbon Week, including Honeywood, which is celebrating with their Nutty by Nature cocktail, available from November 6 to November 15, 2025.
What events are featured during Lexington Bourbon Week?
Throughout the week, attendees can enjoy exclusive tastings, distillery tours, and live music performances at various venues across the city.
Where can I find more information about Lexington Bourbon Week?
For a complete list of participating venues and events, visit the official Lexington Bourbon Week website.
Key Features of Lexington Bourbon Week 2025
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Event Dates | November 6 to November 15, 2025 |
| Participating Venues | Over 20 bars, restaurants, and distilleries in Lexington |
| Signature Cocktail | The Odyssey at Athenian Grill |
| Special Events | Exclusive tastings, distillery tours, live music performances |
| Official Website | https://www.lexingtonbourbonweek.com/ |
Now Happening on X
- @bespokenspirits (November 6, 2025, 4:59 PM): Excitedly announcing that Lexington Bourbon Week has officially started, highlighting the Autumn Mule cocktail featuring Bespoken spirits and encouraging downloads of the app to explore off-menu craft bourbon cocktails at participating bars and restaurants. View on X
- @heraldleader (November 5, 2025, 9:40 AM): Sharing details on Lexington Bourbon Week’s 24 special cocktails featuring Kentucky spirits, spotlighting the event’s celebration of local bourbon culture through unique drinks at various venues. View on X
- @heraldleader (November 5, 2025, 11:50 AM): Covering the debut of Songwriters in Paradise in Bardstown, a bourbon-themed musical event blending songwriting with Kentucky’s distilling heritage for an immersive cultural experience. View on X
- @LexKySocialServ (October 31, 2025, 4:22 PM): Inviting the community to the Rockin’ Recovery Holiday Jam on December 6, 2025, a supportive gathering from 3 to 7 PM at Event Vibes featuring music and recovery-focused festivities in Lexington. View on X
- @gotolouisville (October 31, 2025, 9:11 PM): Announcing the extension of LouGrass Sessions through November in Louisville, celebrating Kentucky’s bluegrass music roots with ongoing performances that connect to the region’s vibrant cultural scene. View on X
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Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
