The B-Line was launched in 2018, bringing together local businesses to attract a piece of the bourbon tourism pie in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. There weren’t many options even in 2018 – the main offerings were the Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar, Newberry Brothers Prohibition Bar and Coffee Shop, plus Boone County Distilling, Old Pogue Distilling, and New Riff Distilling. The area did not have much to draw tourists other than the Newport Aquarium. According to local lore, Newport, Kentucky is America’s original “sin city,” so named before Las Vegas even existed. And Karl Raitz states in his 2020 book Making Bourbon that Covington alone had 19 distilleries in the 19th century. But after Prohibition, the area’s bourbon heritage dried up.
Today, the bourbon offering includes a number of additional distilleries: Neeley Family Distillery, Second Sight Spirits, and soon-to-open Wenzel Whiskey. Additional bars include Libbey’s Southern Comfort, The Tousey House Tavern, Smoke Justis, The Wiseguy Lounge, and Bouquet, among many others. Visit thebline.com to download a passport for the B-Line. Get stamps at two bars, two distilleries, and two restaurants and earn some B-Line swag to commemorate your trip!
RICH’S PROPER FOOD & DRINK
701 Madison Ave.
Covington, KY 41011
Open: 7 days a
