Get ready to immerse yourself in a harmonious blend of bourbon heritage and soulful sounds of Americana and Bluegrass at the second annual Bonded Spirit Music Festival! Set against the historic backdrop of Covington, Kentucky, this vibrant celebration is slated for Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
The main festival will be held outdoors in the Roebling Point entertainment district, with gates opening to general admission ticket holders at 4 p.m. The Rickhaus, a heated tent which holds the main stage, will take over Roebling Point outside of Smoke Justis, a festival partner. The stage will feature a lineup of three national acts performing from 5 – 11 p.m. New this year, the Bonded Spirit Music Trail will offer additional acts at various stops along The B-Line in Covington beginning at 1 p.m. Music along the Bonded Spirit Music Trail is FREE to the public. And your VIP ticket includes a 750ml take home BIB NEW RIFF keepsake!
A Tribute to Tradition
The festival pays homage to the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, a significant milestone in bourbon history championed by Covington native John G. Carlisle. This act ensured the quality and authenticity of bourbon, and the festival embodies this spirit by offering an authentic purely Kentucky experience.
Northern Kentucky: A Loaded BOURBON DESTINATION!
Northern Kentucky is a hot bed of Bourbon activity. Our “Best Bourbon Bars in America” list has 20 spots in NKY alone, in addition, 9 distilleries! The brown water flows through this area as mightily as the Ohio River it sits on. Smoke Justis, the main hub for this music festival, has over 500 Bourbons. Just a short walk away, Revival Vintage Bottle Shop, an absolute treasure trove of dusties and liquid history is a must visit. Wenzel Whiskey, another short walk away from this festival’s main hub, allows you (and your friends) to blend your own whiskey. And you can even stay at The Pickle Factory Boutique Hotel just above it! Check out the The B-Line for a full itinerary of what to check out and how to map out your own customized experience.
FESTIVEL TICKET INFORMATION
The John. G. Carlisle VIP Experience ($225):
- A voucher from the official Bonded Spirit Bottled-in-Bond (BIB) sponsor, New Riff Distilling, redeemable for a 750 ML commemorative bottle of BIB bourbon*
- Priority viewing of the main stage from the VIP area of the Roebling Rickhaus
- A VIP swag bag from The B-Line®
- Two drink tickets for Bonded Spirit hand-crafted, signature cocktails
- Early access beginning at 3 p.m.
- Access to a Smoke Justis smoked meats and sides buffet from 5-7 p.m.
- Early entry to the Smoke Justis Bourbon Lounge and the VIP area with limited first come, first served seating near the Roebling Rickhaus stage
- Meet and Greet with The Brothers Comatose and Lindsay Lou during early entry
- Two VIP-only bars and access to VIP restroom facilities
General Admission ($75): For $75/ticket, these tickets allow entry to the “Roebling Rickhaus” beginning at 4PM. Food, beer, and cocktails are not included but will be available for purchase. The tickets are for standing room only and attendees must be 21 or older.
Music Lineup
Prepare to be captivated by performances from:
- Nat Myers: A Northern Kentucky native and Korean-American blues poet, Nat infuses his music with stories of identity and belonging, delivering soulful melodies that resonate deeply. citeturn0search4
- Lindsay Lou: Celebrated for her dynamic fusion of bluegrass roots and progressive Americana, Lindsay’s heartfelt vocals and evocative lyrics have earned her accolades from NPR and Billboard. citeturn0search4
- The Brothers Comatose: This energetic five-piece string band brings a lively mix of bluegrass, country, and rock influences, ensuring an unforgettable, foot-stomping performance. citeturn0search4
FREE PERFORMANCES – BONDED SPIRIT MUSIC TRAIL (starting 1pm): New stops along the music trail include The Globe, Revival Vintage Bottle Shop, OKBB, Knowledge Bar & Social Room, and more.
About The B-Line®:
First introduced in early 2018, The B-Line® was created to help capture the millions of bourbon-curious people who travel along I-75 or fly into CVG Airport annually to visit Kentucky’s famed Bourbon Trail®. As of 2025, the line is comprised of 7 craft distilleries, 9 bourbon bars, and 10 bourbon-centric restaurants. For more information on The B-Line® visit thebline.com.
About Smoke Justis:
Located in the historic Citizens Telephone Building in Covington Kentucky, Smoke Justis is an urban sports bar named after an urban legend, Walter “Smoke” Justis. This unique blend of casual and lounge space has created a vibe for everyone. Designed as a place to bring people together, Smoke Justis features smoked meat, bourbon, and craft beer in a warm and inviting setting at the foot of the Roebling Bridge. Visitors and locals alike can be found cheering on their favorite team or just meeting with friends to enjoy America’s native spirit at this locally-owned tavern.
The post Hitting All The Right Notes: Covington’s “BONDED SPIRITS MUSIC FESTIVAL” Celebrates Bourbon & Bluegrass first appeared on The Bourbon Review.