September is Bourbon heritage month, what with the annual Bourbon Festival coming up in Bardstown Sept. 12-18. The consortium of restaurants and bars who belong to the Urban Bourbon Trail (which has been on ongoing feature in Food&Dining magazine) is marking the occasion with a series of events, as well as the expansion of the UBT to 36, with the recent addition of 8UP Elevated Drinkery & Eatery, above the Hilton Garden Inn at 301 W. Chestnut St.
The Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau, which originated the Urban Bourbon Trail concept, and several participating UBT members are offering monthlong specials and events. A few of those have already been happening, such as 8UP’s kick-off party last week. Upcoming events include a Sept. 20 talk by Bourbon author Bernie Lubbers at Sidebar from 6-8 p.m., an event that includes a tasting of Heaven Hill Bourbon flights. Sidebar is located at 129 N. Second St.
On Sept. 22, Silver Dollar, 1761 Frankfort Ave., will offer a “historical” Bourbon flight tasting, led by Bourbon historian Michael Veach.
Bourbon Raw at Fourth Street Live has discounted flights each week, including a Friday Flight Fest for $5.
And Down One Bourbon Bar, 321 W. Main St., offers bourbon-inspired specials including Manhattan Mondays, Try Rye Tuesdays, Throwback Thursdays and Friday Flight Nights.