Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar

Very cool neighborhood bar to chill away from the more rowdy spots and still be near good restaurants. I had a Manhattan. Great bartender.

This is kind of a dive bourbon bar but definitely worth stopping in. Taylor the bartender was absolutely fantastic. They climbed a ladder to get a bottle that we wanted a pour of. We got a flight and the store pick of Russell’s was out of this world but unfortunately not for sale. The restroom was clean. Our only complaint was the bar and the menus were really sticky. Like so sticky that we washed our hands in the fountain outside when we left. However, definitely worth a visit if you’re a bourbon drinker because they have over 500 bottles.

Got a ton of whiskeys and bourbons. Library style. Bar tender was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and good with the recommendations.

Nice bartender and atmosphere. the old fashioned had so much ice it felt like 2 ounces of drink, and not much bourbon in the overly sweet concoction. The 'happy hour' sign outside was incorrect because they don't have happy hour on Friday.

Stopped in before the Reds game on a Friday afternoon, recommended by a friend. Immediately noticed one other patron, a lady knitting at the bar. Honestly, I felt we were interrupting the bartender. He did greet us, however the vibe was very awkward. We were complimenting the large variety on bourbons and we felt unwelcome. To be a Bourbon Bar, I expected more….. to not have the Large Ice ball/cube was an immediate turnoff. He offered no recommendations nor acted interested in customer service. I will not go again or recommend. There are much better options in Covington.

This was a cool little spot to visit. Tons and tons of bourbon options, mixed drinks, and knowledgeable bartenders. Place is pretty small though, if it's busy, you may find yourself standing and waiting for a table or bar space. I enjoyed the "Gold Rush" and they also had spiced bourbon cider drinks!

Their selection is incredible! Great place to try a different bourbon every time you stop by. They also make really good cocktails if you're not a straight bourbon drinker and the service is always excellent.

This small, friendly place has an outstanding selection of bourbons, and some you can buy and take home with you. The bar area seats about 15 with room for maybe another 10-15 standing. The bartenders were extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and polite. If there weren't regulars there, then they treated you like you were. Great spot for a quick beverage, or to sit and sip a while - good music, good atmosphere.

Doing the B-Line (Bourbon Line) passport. Found out this place a LONG time ago from a Yelp event/Molly (owns/owned Japp's)/pub crawl! Loved the apple pie moonshine they had. Also, got the September Reef (secret menu) drink....smells and tastes amazing! Coming back again to get the Apple Jackrabbit

WARNING: If you have kids with you, this is a bar only. Stay away. I walked in to check the place out with my son and was immediately told to leave. I really wish the power tripping A-hole bartender that was working would have been nicer. Especially in front of my kid. Don't assume people know the type of liquor license you have and that no one under 21 can enter. THERE WAS NO SIGN POSTED STATING THAT ON THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING. Unless I'm wrong I found out after the fact that in Kentucky if an establishment only has a bar license under which they serve alcohol they are only allowed to have people 21 and over on the premises at all times. To the owners of the Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar. Please let people know YOU DON'T SERVE FOOD THEREFORE MINORS ARE NOT ALLOWED. Your website and Facebook page mention nothing about this. Adding a sign that states per Kentucky Law No Minors allowed would have been a help. Moral of the story, although the OKBB claims to serve hundreds of bourbons they certainly came up empty in kindness.

So much bourbon. So, so much bourbon. Spin the wheel of bourbon and try a bourbon you've never tried. That said, if you're looking for not-bourbon, this isn't really your place. They have a nice patio out back.

The Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar, located in the heart of Mainstrasse in Covington, is a wonderful, welcoming place. It has got a warm and cozy interior and for warmer weather, a lovely patio out back. You can have your bourbon neat or in any of a number of tempting cocktails they have available. Recently, I have enjoyed the Kentucky mule and the Kentucky claw, which are both super refreshing in hot weather. The bar has also got an affiliation with a high-end tequila, so there are tequila-based options on offer as well. Best of all, dogs are welcome inside and out. Your pet will be sure to enjoy a nice treat, courtesy of the friendly staff, who will put a water bowl out for them and are likely to have a treat handy behind the bar.

Wowza! I was wife of the month for taking my bourbon lover husband here for his 41st birthday. He brought his own cigar but they do sell them. You can smoke on the patio which is a decent size. They have sooooo many bourbons. My husband ordered a flight and really liked the OKB house bourbon. They sell bottles as well. Don't worry ladies, they have a shelf of tequila to choose from, I'm not with the dark stuff. I enjoyed myself.

Fantastic bourbon selection and the bartenders have always recommended great choices. Patio is a great spot in the fall / spring.

While in search of our last round of whiskey, we stumbled upon this hidden spot. The staff here is exceptionally friendly, and their whiskey selection is fair wide. The Old Fashioned they served was simply great. The camaraderie among fellow patrons at the bar was a great experience. It's the kind of place where you can pop in, enjoy a couple of drinks, and leave with a smile. A truly great experience overall.

Just do it! If you are a bourbon connoisseur or even just curious, make this place a priority. The bartender, blonde girl who is awesome, is very knowledgeable. I'm sorry I don't remember her name, which is horrible because we spent several hours in there. She made great recommendations and great drinks. And, for a bonus, if you don't like bourbon, they do have other liquor and even a few beer choices. The atmosphere is just cool in this place.

Great ambience. And bartender was very knowledgeable about all the drinks. Definitely recommend.

Took a good friend of mine to this place because he is a bourbon fanatic. He walked in and his face lit up like a kids on Christmas morning. We made our trip there on a Sunday in the afternoon and it was dead. Good. That's the way we like it. We like to get to know the people behind the bar. Find out what they are all about. The owner happened to be behind the bar and I couldn't be happier. I'm just starting to get into bourbons and whiskey. Yes, there is a difference. Learn it. I did. He was super knowledgeable and guided us along our 5 hour journey in bourbon land. The pours they had ranged in price. There was so much there to take in. They even have their hand in creating bourbons themselves. Buy some merch. Support local. Leave with a smile.

Such a fun place with good bourbon! Taylor Renfroe makes the best old fashioned! Love stopping in here for a drink on our travels! If you love bourbon, this place is the best by far!

Brought my boyfriend here as a birthday surprise. He was like a kid in a candy store. Over 400 different kinds of bourbon. The bartenders were very knowledgeable and helped my him figure out a flight to try. He decided to try Eagle Rare, Colonel E.H. Taylor (small batch) & Wild Turkey 101 Rye. He was very impressed with the bar and wants to come back. On his way out the door he did buy a bottle of Buffalo Trace since we are unable to find it in Ohio. He was in bourbon heaven.

Great bourbon selection- fun flights- sell some bourbons at reasonable prices- bartenders are nice and friendly

I have always thought highly of OKBB and their beautiful cocktails. I have been there many times and love the atmosphere and bourbon selections. BUT my story turns out quite a bit different this time. I went to pick up a few friends who were drinking there at about 12:15 on a Saturday night after working a bartending shift myself. I thought I would grab a quick beer to hang out and wait while my friends finished their cocktails, but I could not get the bartender's attention even though he was right in front of me. After I eventually got his attention and asked for a beer, he told me it was way past last call because they were a 1 am bar and I should go across the street to a bar that served beer until 2. I looked at my watch and it was 12:23. I was stunned that not only would they not serve me, but that they were so dismissive, not looking my direction until I called out in a very mannerly way several times and asked for a quick drink. And then I was denied and told to go across the street. As someone in the service industry, I was shocked by this kind of treatment. I was coming to be DD after my own shift for my friends. I will most likely go elsewhere now where I am acknowledged as a customer and treated like a human.

We were excited to find this place since my husband loves bourbon. A little shocked when we opened the door to the early 1900's converted house to see how tiny. The bourbon selection covered the shelves and wall, some even had a nice coat of thick dust. Not sure if it was because they were not tasty or because they were too expensive. Either way my husband tried Kentucky Owl #11, so something new. I had the Old Fashion as usual, nothing noteworthy. The bartenders weren't very welcoming and didn't seem thrilled to be there. Not necessarily a place I'd visit again with so many others to try.

I stopped in here with my family for Father's Day. If you like bourbon, this place is a museum. The bar shelves are filled counter to ceiling with every bourbon available, everything from the cheapest Old Crow you could imagine to fancy Pappy Van Winkle. I heard the whiskey sours were amazing, so I talked to the bartender and settled on the pomegranate sour. Once it arrived, I was in love. The egg white had its typical smoothing effect on the whole drink. The bourbon was tastable in every sip but not overpowering. I cruised right through this drink and would have enjoyed a second if we had the time. I also give this bar high marks for an extremely chill vibe and good music. The noise and light levels were just right. Throughout our stay, they were playing solid 80s pop music like the Pet Shop Boys. I think it's really easy to get overwhelmed in a bar: loud music, bright lights, overdone cocktails. In this place, I felt like I could relax and be myself.

such a hidden gem of a place. the staff was so welcoming and friendly. the dim lit bar and intimate patio were cozy and offered a slow, relaxing vibe. we got the "Taylor" bourbon flight which was delicious and our bartender explained each pour to us, noting taste, year, and feel. not to mention they proudly have BLM and LGBTQIA+ signs in the window, which helps make members of those communities, like myself, immediately feel safe and welcomed.

Cool spot!! I'm not a bourbon drinker but the bartender whipped me up something sweet and yummy! My boyfriend has gotten pretty into bourbon the last few years so he loved this bar.

Great service, great bar, outdoor patio. We stopped in for a flight tasting and a cocktail. The bartender was perfectly friendly and helpful. There was a healthy crowd, nice mature clientele, nothing wild and crazy. Gem of a place.

So glad we stumbled upon this adorable establishment! They have an amazing bourbon selection and the best hot spiced cider I have ever had. As if the bar and bartender weren't great enough, they have a cute little patio out back as well.

This place is everything I love in a bar. It's small and intimate, encouraging conversation with the folks you came with or the likely interesting ones sitting next to you. Plus, I mean, so much bourbon. They have a bourbon cocktail to please anyone in your group, and a full bar offering just about anything else you could want...but why you would skip on the bourbon is beyond me. I waited a while to stop in, while this fantastic bar sat on my wishlist, and now that I've been it will be hard to stay away. The company and the cocktails were perfect.

Been wanting to try this spot and finally made it! An enormous selection of bourbons! The two cocktails I tried were both very good (hot cider and the old fashioned). Bar service was friendly. My only complaint is that the space is small and there is not much seating. I would not want to go on the weekend, as this place lends itself to sipping and chatting (where you'd want to sit and enjoy your drink).

Came in for the first time on our quest to do the "B Line" (Northern Kentucky bourbon craft tour). The bartender was super knowledgeable and gave good recommendations for us bourbon amateurs (we're used to scotch). Plus, he was very inviting and easy to talk to. Definitely come by for a wide selection of bourbon--from local distilleries to international finds.

Awesome spot. Some pours are a bit pricey comparatively but a great selection and the bartender was awesome. Would recommend every time.

OKBB did not disappoint! They have a huge selection of whiskey that rivals anyone in the area. This is an awesome, small bar in the heart of Mainstrasse. Lily was the very friendly bartender that was working when we visited. You can tell a lot of people inside come there often. I was pleasantly surprised by their reasonable prices. It is a bit dark in there, and the atmosphere is very relaxed. We will definitely be back.

Great bourbon bar in Covington. Highly recommend trying The Horse's Neck cocktail (bourbon, ginger beer, bitters, twist). Fair warning: the bar is small and can get pretty congested. You'll freeze every time the door opens during the winter months, but the good news is there's plenty of bourbon to keep you warm! They do have some pretty hard-to-find bourbons, including many I have never heard of, so this is the place for you if you are a bourbon connoisseur. Stagg Jr. is one of my all time favorite bourbons and while not super rare, can be difficult to find at times. OKBB of course came through. I will definitely keep OKBB at the top of the list for future visits to the area.

A couple sips this evening at Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar in Covington, KY! Distillery 291 and some Russle's Reserve 8 year from Wild Turkey The guys in #OKBB were awesome, very knowledgeable, high bourbon IQ. Would very much recommend!

Great bourbon selection. Great bar area. Great outdoor area with fire pits and heaters. One of my favorite places to stop at when I need to wet my whistle.

This place is small but so cute. The bar wall is lined with hundreds of different bourbons and there is q a large variety of bourbon cocktails. Came here with the in-laws because I told them I NEEDED to try pappy's. It's in a nice unassuming area in Covington, KY. Pretty crowded when we walked in, yet there was ample bar seating for my in-laws, hubby and me. First thing we got was the 30 dollar shot of 10 year Pappy's. Fantastic. Did not burn at all and had a nice, almost minty type of 'burn', very smooth going down. Then I got the hot spiced apple cider. It was soo warming and had so much hearty cinnamon and bourbon flavor. We got the female blonde bartender who was wearing flannel. Didnt catch her name but I know she was a solid bartender. I asked her if they regularly had pappy's at this bar and she said they did. The 23 year wasnt as common though. I almost got the thanksgiving flight that included the 10 year, 15 year and 23 year in 1 oz proportions. Definitely planning to come back when we visit the in-laws. Pricey, but it had great service, good atmosphere and a great variety of bourbons and bourbon cocktails.

Late review but just remembered to post something with this down time we all have right now. Glad I got to experience this bar when I was visiting the area. Luckily for me I have some bourbon to enjoy at home but my collection doesn't compare to this place. The young lady that served us was very knowledgeable and expanded our taste profiles with some new bourbons. If you are in the area this is a bar that you must visit. Cheers

I was so amazed by this little hole in the wall! The bartender said they had around 400 Bourbons, and he was very knowledgeable about recommending drinks for me, a novice bourbon drinker, and my guest, who is an experienced bourbon drinker. He made this experience memorable for the both of us. He was able to give us a history and background to bourbon and also discuss bourbon on a deeper level with my guest. I would return here just to learn more from the bartender. But also our drinks were very good, I got a mixed drink that he was experimenting with brown sugar simple syrup, it was very good and a good intro to bourbon. Hidden gem!

As bars go, this is a fantastic example of how to keep it funky and interesting regardless of your tastes, so long as u want cocktails

This is the best! On a visit to Cincinnati, I may have come here twice in the same week... The staff are knowledgeable and passionate about bourbon; they will tell you anything you want to know about bourbon and recommend their favs. If you're like me and are scared of Epicurean commitment, get a flight! It's a great way to sample a variety of whiskeys for a reasonable price. I had to come back for Thrifty Thursday! A huge offering of the bourbons (neat or in a cocktail) are only $5. It's a good way to get a fill of delicious bourbons. They have a few beers on tap including one or two that are (what else?) bourbon barrel aged. That's great, but we're here for the bourbon! Speaking of which, they don't have food, but our bartender encouraged us to bring our own. Considering the many great restaurants down Main Street, there's something for everyone. And if the weather's nice, go chill out back on the patio with your whiskey! Any fan of bourbon or other whiskeys MUST try this place; highly recommended.

What an unexpected treat Kentucky offered me. MainStrasse has an historic downtown feel with much to get into nearby. If you weren't a bourbon fan before, this place will convert you to one. They have a plethora of choices from personalized flights to cocktails and if you can't figure it out the staff has no problem assisting you into just the right fit. OKKB is intimate, relaxed and they even have a patio. I'm sure you'll run into some locals here whom have a story or two up there sleeves to keep you occupied as well. Personally, I indulge in flights. They have a range of prices, reasonable though. They will usually post 2 or three pre-made flight suggestions. I would advise arriving early due to its smaller capacity but don't let that deter you. During my visit, the bar wasn't busy but considering the gem it is, I can see this place filling up fast. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

The bar manager Taylor and his crew has built a stellar collection of bourbon with over 600 and now a very solid list of rum as well! Stop by on Monday nights and Taylor will knock your socks off with one of his Tiki Cocktail drinks that are as original as Taylor is himself!

Lilly was amazing. Felt like we were friends with the entire staff just by stopping in. Seriously went above and beyond to make sure we had a great experience. Make sure you go in ready for recommendations because they are the best! (Ps Lilly truly is the best. We will be coming back often)

This place gets 5 stars for selection, but I give it 3 stars for price so a solid 4. There are A LOT of exceptional bourbons and ryes in this bar and most of them Kentucky born. The prices are mostly greater than $10 and the only "deals" are on the special board though even those I would consider steakhouse prices. $11 for Eagle Rare for example. Unless you're drinking Mellow Corn... $3 every day . I did get to try some new stuff there though and that's saying something. I'll be back.

Wanted 75$ for Weller 12. When I told them I got it for 28$ next door they made fun of me. Won't be returning.

This place has a great selection of bourbons. the bartender said they had around 400 Bourbons. It has got a warm and cozy interior and for warmer weather, a lovely patio out back. You can have your bourbon neat or in any of a number of tempting cocktails they have available.

Sometimes I just need to sip on strong, medicinal, and tasty concoction that only OKBB can deliver. From the delightful cocktails to the intimidating selection of bourbon and whiskey, there's something for everyone here! Let's face it, when it comes to tasty cocktails, the leading lady in town is Molly Wellman and she certainly flexes her muscles through this establishment! The back patio is small, but has lots of seating and is even kept warm via fire in the cold months. You may leave smelling like a campfire, but I've spent many nights laughing with friends on the patio with a tasty drink in-hand. The bar itself is a bit narrow, but if you can snag a seat at the bar, you're golden. The staff is knowledgable and eager to make a recommendation, so it's definitely a great spot to expand your palette. If bourbon intimidates you, start with a cocktail (the manhattan is fantastic). If you're a pro, they probably will have something new for you to try. tl;dr: They have more than enough bourbon for you to: expand your palette, introduce yourself to bourbon, have delightful cocktails, get very intoxicated.

When I find gems like this bourbon bar I can't wait visit and share with friends. On a recent wedding trip to Cincinnati we reserved a cottage nearby in Mainstrasse and immediately headed over. We found a perfect spot on the patio behind the bar and I headed inside. The decor is simple and inviting. The bourbon wall is impressive. Over 400 (? Sure looked like at least that much) bourbons stocked. I always like to ask the bartender to suggest options when I visit bars that specialize in the drink (craft bars, bourbon bars etc). I told them what brands I enjoy and asked for a suggestion. They did not let us down offering a bourbon I've not tried before. The patio was a perfect and laid back area to sip on great bourbon and enjoy a cigar. I will be back!

Best boulevardier ever, and possibly THA best made drink I've ever had. I wanna come back right now I just had another boulevardier at a different bar. I loved the sexy vibe here.

Put this place on your must visit list. I have been here a few times now, and every visit has been enjoyable, and every time I get to try something new. The bar is small. I prefer not to stand wall to wall, so I like to visit on off times. Last night, we stopped in after an early dinner and enjoyed a drink. There was room at the bar, but by the time we left it was filling up. They offer flights of bourbon on Fridays, so I took the opportunity to sample a few that I don't have at home. My date had a spiced bourbon cider that she really enjoyed. This is one of those places that makes each drink by hand to order, so be prepared to sit back and enjoy the process. One of the things that makes this place different than many - a guest came in after we were seated and sat next to us at the bar. She said she didn't know exactly what she wanted but was in the mood for something like a gin gimlet. The bartender suggested a house specialty that he thought she would like. She agreed and when he served it up, she loved it. I really like a place where the staff is engaged enough to know what they are doing and how customers tastes work. This isn't the kind of place that I would hang out all the time, but there are obviously some regulars. It's special and comfortable at the same time.

We took an Uber across the river from Cincinnati to have some bourbon in Kentucky and struck gold here. A mind blowing selection for bourbons. Try a flight. We started there then moved to cocktails. Awesome bartender, and a very cozy little spot. Wish we had time to come back last week. Next time, OKBB. Thanks for a great night!

might be the biggest selection of whiskey and rye I've ever seen (and I am always on the lookout haha). really amazing selection with flights, featured distillers and knowledgable bartenders. no food, but a perfect place to stop pre- or post-dinner. really loved this place

Very cool spot in Covington. Kinda divey, kinda old school and a great variety of all levels of bourbon goodness! Bar tender was friendly and the music was just right to hold conversations without screaming on a Fri evening. We arrived at 4pm and it got busy around 5:30pm. It is quite impressive & I admired how well stocked/displayed the bar is with varietals of bourbon ranging in prices up to $220+ per 1.5oz pour. I initially indulged in a bourbon cocktail to kick-off my Friday Happy Hour. Then got to trying the Collaboration at around $15/pour as well as a 15yr old Pappy Winkle for $40/1.5oz. We were there with 2 bourbon connoisseurs and the evening evolved into a bourbon tasting experience. Cheers!

This bar is a dream for me. bourbon is by far my drink of choice in pretty much every scenario and I have the utmost respect for anything that Molly has a hand in. How it took me until just recently to finally get here is beyond me and I'm a bit disappointed in myself honestly. The space is a bit small inside, but the patio in the back offers a much bigger area to move around and spread out. My friends and I went on a Friday night and it was jam-packed! The inside has a rustic and cozy feel to it that I appreciate when I'm sipping bourbon. The selection is vast and the bartenders were very knowledgeable in the questions that I had for them. I was directed towards the Elmer T. Lee Single Barrel Commemorative Edition and it was fantastic for the price and the amount that they gave me. The patio had the same style of lighting as Neons and had a bit of a barn feel. They had a fire pit and a few picnic benches as well as some tables. It will be great to use the patio space this spring through fall. All-in-all, I will hopefully be adding this place to one of my regular spots, especially if I'm in Mainstrasse or NKY!

If you enjoy bourbon this is the place to go! Amazing selection and a very knowledgeable staff to craft your long-time favorite or help you explore something new!

Love this place! Cocktails are delicious and price points are great. They do a great job of rotating the specials and keeping the menus fresh. The selection will put your parents liquor cabinet to shame! Total hipster vibe... Beards, tattoo, and quirkiness, but it works. The space is limited on the inside, like 25 people feels super crowded, but in warmer weather they have access to a back patio which was recently converted to allow more seating. We went on a warm Saturday night in January, which sounds weird, but we had the fire pit and patio to ourselves. I think the improvements made to the outdoor space have really set this place apart for me and moved it to the top of my list of places I want to hang out at on a regular basis. As the name would lead you to believe... This place doesn't carry 100 craft beers on tap, so if that's your thing, this probably isn't for you, but they do have several options. My advice... Go early, don't be afraid to ask the bartenders questions before deciding on a drink, and listen to their recommendations.