While Kentucky has long been renowned for its prowess at horse racing and roots music, the state’s most renowned industry just might be distillation. For well over a century, the Bluegrass State has excelled at the art of whiskey production, with roughly 2.7 million barrels of bourbon produced in 2022—and this October, the commonwealth is celebrating Kentucky’s whiskey scene with the first official Bourbon & Belonging.

Organized at the behest of non-profit organization Queer Kentucky, this event seeks to highlight the intersection of the Bluegrass State’s LGBTQ+ community and the surrounding bourbon scene, with a wealth of exciting events in store from October 2nd to 6th. While the week is packed full of informational sessions and workshops that highlight the art of distillation and mixology—Bourbon 101 lessons, distillery tours and cocktail classes, to name a few—guests can also look forward to exploring the state’s dining and performing arts scene with drag brunches and multi-course dinners.

While Kentucky’s largest municipality—the riverside city of Louisville—is hosting its fair share of events, it’s far from the only destination that’s joining in on the fun this October. There are eight sponsor destinations involved in Bourbon & Belonging, with sites ranging from Frankfort—a city that’s served as the commonwealth’s capital since 1792—to Bardstown, a historic settlement that’s known for hosting the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival each September. For Frankfort visitors, downtown venue Mortimer Bibb’s Public House is kicking off the festivities with a drag show complete with specialty cocktails on the night of the 2nd, while hardcore Bardstown bourbon aficionados should be sure to sign up for October 5th’s VIP Tasting Experience, a prestigious event that offers an opportunity to sample nine bourbons sourced from some of Kentucky’s most lauded distilleries.

Meanwhile, Louisville is offering a particularly wide range of activities for guests to enjoy all throughout the week. For visitors wishing to support LGBTQ+-owned businesses, be sure to swing by The Myriad Hotel—a polished property that operates in a former disco ball factory—for a combined drag brunch and pool party to close out the week, while Le Moo Steakhouse has been a top spot for their drag brunches for years on end, with a lively performance scheduled for October 5th. For more lowkey events, visiting gastronomes should be sure to embark on October 3rd’s Pride Plates food tour for a deep dive on Louisville’s queer history paired with decadent soul food and cocktails, or make their way to the Frazier Kentucky History Museum for some added information about Kentucky’s lasting legacy of LGBTQ+ residents. And of course, some of the hottest gay bars in Louisville’s Highlands district—Big Bar and Chill Bar, to be precise—are certain to draw huge crowds all throughout the week as well.

While Kentucky may not be the first state that springs to mind when it comes to LGBTQ+ tourism, Bourbon & Belonging shines a spotlight on the rich queer culture that’s woven into the fabric of the Bluegrass State, providing an opportunity for both lifelong locals and newcomers to share a dram together. With the inaugural festival just a few months away, now is the perfect time to start crafting your perfect October itinerary, with no shortage of dazzling bars, restaurants and—of course—distilleries all coming together to form one truly unforgettable week.