Kentucky, September 27, 2025
News Summary
Kentucky’s Queer Bourbon Week will return with the theme ‘Bourbon & Belonging’ from October 3-5 in cities like Lexington, Louisville, Paducah, and Northern Kentucky. Celebrating LGBTQ+ communities alongside bourbon culture, the event features distillery tours, drag performances, and culinary experiences. All proceeds will support LGBTQ+ advocacy and community programs in the state. This year promises an exciting lineup of activities and highlights across participating locations, aiming to enhance community connections and visibility for queer narratives.
Kentucky’s Queer Bourbon Week: Bourbon & Belonging Returns for a Second Year Oct. 3-5
Kentucky’s Queer Bourbon Week, themed “Bourbon & Belonging,” is set to take place from October 3-5, 2025, in multiple locations, including Lexington, Louisville, Paducah, and Northern Kentucky. This annual event celebrates the intersection of bourbon and LGBTQ+ communities and is organized by Queer Kentucky, which is the only dedicated LGBTQ news publication in the state. This unique festival is notable as the only LGBTQ+ inclusive bourbon week in the country.
The celebration aims to foster connection, storytelling, and a vibrant community spirit through bourbon. Organizers noted that last year’s successful event highlighted the strong desire for such gatherings. This year’s lineup features an exciting schedule, including distillery tours, drag performances, silent discos, and distinct culinary experiences specific to the different Kentucky locations.
Event Highlights
Lexington Activities
- Craft night and coffee date night at Lussi Brown Coffee Bar.
- Tour and tasting events at RD1 Distillery and the Distillery District.
- A special poetry reading by former Kentucky Poet Laureate Silas House.
Louisville Activities
- Pride Plates Food Tour that explores traditional Kentucky dishes intertwined with queer stories.
- A silent disco named “Neat Beats” at the Evan Williams Bourbon Experience.
- Old Forester’s Rooftop Party featuring a combination of food, music, and bourbon.
- Le Moo Drag Brunch hosted by a RuPaul’s Drag Race alum.
Northern Kentucky Activities
- Bourbon & Smoke event, highlighting bourbon alongside smoked meats.
- Bourbon blending class led by drag legend Molly Mormen at Wenzel Distilling.
- Exclusive distillery tour at New Riff Distilling.
Paducah Activities
- “Wild Ponies & Bourbon Tasting” event combining live music, storytelling, and bourbon tasting.
All proceeds from Kentucky’s Queer Bourbon Week will benefit Queer Kentucky, supporting LGBTQ+ advocacy, storytelling, and community programs throughout the state. Interested participants can view the complete schedule and purchase event tickets on the official event website.
Background Context
Kentucky’s Queer Bourbon Week was initiated to create a space for celebrating LGBTQ+ identities within the rich bourbon culture of Kentucky. The event is designed to highlight the incredible stories and contributions of queer individuals in the community while promoting inclusivity within the traditionally conservative bourbon industry. The inaugural event last year was met with enthusiasm, indicating a clear appetite for events that blend social interaction with cultural experiences. The return of this celebration aims to strengthen connections, provide visibility for queer narratives, and enhance community engagement among diverse groups.
FAQ
What is Kentucky’s Queer Bourbon Week?
Kentucky’s Queer Bourbon Week, titled “Bourbon & Belonging,” is an annual event celebrating the intersection of bourbon culture and LGBTQ+ communities. This year, it will take place from October 3-5, 2025.
Where will the event take place?
Events will be held in Lexington, Louisville, Paducah, and Northern Kentucky.
What types of activities are planned for the event?
Activities include exclusive distillery tours, drag performances, silent discos, food and bourbon pairings, and unique culinary experiences across various venues.
Who benefits from the proceeds of the event?
All proceeds from the event will go to Queer Kentucky, supporting LGBTQ+ storytelling, advocacy, and community programs throughout the state.
Key Features Chart
| City | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Lexington | Craft night, distillery tours, poetry reading. |
| Louisville | Pride Plates Food Tour, silent disco, rooftop party, drag brunch. |
| Northern Kentucky | Bourbon & Smoke, blending class, distillery tour. |
| Paducah | Wild Ponies & Bourbon tasting event. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- NKY Tribune
- Wikipedia: Bourbon
- Kentucky.com
- Google Search: Kentucky Queer Bourbon Week
- Spectrum News 1
- Encyclopedia Britannica: LGBTQ
- Travel Agent Central
- Google News: Bourbon and Belonging Festival
- Queer Kentucky
- Google Scholar: Bourbon Culture
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.
