BONDED SPIRIT WEEK 2026:
THE COMPLETE GUIDE

MARCH 3-5:
THE NEW RIFF
C-O-V CRAWL

Tuesday, March 3rd - "C" for Central Business District

4:00pm — The festival opens with a Ceremonial Barrel Tap at Wenzel Whiskey. The Cov Cath Chamber Choir sings "My Old Kentucky Home" with banjo accompaniment. Tradition meets celebration.
5:00-7:00pm — The "Happy Hour & History" guided stroll down Madison Avenue delivers the real story about Covington's bourbon roots and why "Bottled in Bond" actually matters.
6:00-9:00pm — The New Riff Cov Crawl begins. Live bluegrass acts and the official Bonded Spirit cocktail at nine locations:

• Braxton Brewing — Missy Werner Band

• Knowledge Bar — 8 Daze Sober

• Libby’s — Jonny Estep

• Olde Towne Tavern — Billy Joe

• Revival — Porch Goose

• Second Story — Noah Wolford

• The Globe — Branden Martin

• The Hannaford — Trevor Esterkamp

• The Well — Jonathan Cox

Hitting all nine? Ambitious. 
Worth trying? Absolutely.

Wednesday, March 4th - "O" for On the River (Roebling Point)

The riverfront's turn.

5:00-7:00pm — Happy Hour & History continues. Sip the featured Bonded Spirit cocktail while neighborhood displays bring Covington's bourbon heritage to life.

6:00-9:00pm — Seven riverside venues, each hosting live bluegrass:

• By Golly’s — Billy Cantrall

• Covington Yard — Matt Phelps Duo

• Molly Malone’s — Dry Ridge Band

• Smoke Justis — Whiskey Bent Valley Boys

• The Gruff — Jonathan Cox

• The Works Pizza Co. — Chris Cusentino Duo

Cold Garage beer. Warm bourbon. The best skyline view in the world.

Thursday, March 5th - "V" for Village of Mainstrasse

Mainstrasse knows how to throw a party, as you’ll see on Thursday.

5:00-7:00pm — Happy Hour & History in the village.

6:00-9:00pm — Live bluegrass at TEN Mainstrasse locations:

• Cock & Bull — Billy Cantrall

• Crafts & Vines — Taylor Henry

• Gypsy’s — Branden Martin

• Juniper’s — Jonny Estep Duo

• Doubt It — Matt Phelps Duo

• OKBB — No band

• The Standard — 8 Daze Sober

• Up Over — Trevor Esterkamp

• Village Pub — Noah Wolford

• Wise Guys — Jonathan Cox

One of the region's most beloved neighborhoods at its finest.

The Bonded Spirit Bluegrass Festival kicks off its weekend in style with the B-Line Community Concert, and it's exactly the kind of night that reminds you why live music exists. Starting at 4 PM at the Republic Bank Rickhaus (302 Court Street, right outside Smoke Justis), four outstanding bluegrass acts take the stage back-to-back into the evening.

THE LINEUP

4:00 PM - Slippery Creek

5:30 PM - Jonny Estep & Lonesome Blend

7:00 PM - Union Town Bluegrass

8:30 PM - Tidalwave Road

HOW TO GET TICKETS

The best part? It's FREE, but you need a ticket to get in!

How to Get Your Free Tickets:

Option 1: Buy a ticket to Saturday's show and you're automatically in for Friday.

Option 2: The following list of bars and restaurants along The B-Line will be giving away a LIMITED AMOUNT of free tickets! Just stop by any listed B-Line spot and grab your tickets from the bartender/staff. Limited to 2 tickets per person.

Beehive Tavern
Caproni’s on the River
Greyhound Tavern
Jerry’s Jug House
Knowledge Bar & Social Room
Libby’s Southern Comfort
Lisse Steakhouse
Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar
Pompilio’s
Prohibition Bourbon Bar
Purple Poulet
Revival Vintage Bottle Shop
The Globe
Three Spirits Tavern
Tousey House Restaurant
Wiseguy Lounge (Mainstrasse)

The Bonded Spirit Bluegrass Festival hits full throttle Saturday night with its Main Event at the Republic Bank Rickhaus. This is the centerpiece of the weekend — a ticketed, 21+ show featuring nationally recognized bluegrass talent on one stage, one night. If Friday sets the tone, Saturday is where it peaks.

THE LINEUP

5:00 PM - Bourbon Revival

6:45 PM - Dan Tyminski Band

8:30 PM - The SteelDrivers

HOW TO GET TICKETS

Tickets can be purchased on our ticketing platform, Curtain Call, by clicking the button below.