LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Dec. 5 is the 90th anniversary of the 1933 repeal of Prohibition, and Bourbons Bistro is having a Repeal Day Celebration.
Randy Blevins from Bourbons Bistro and Old Forester Brand Ambassador Ian Sulkowski joined WDRB Mornings on Thursday for a preview.
The celebration at 2255 Frankfort Ave. is free to attend, but reservations are required for the "Taste Through History" portion of the event, since seating is limited. Call 502-894-8838 or CLICK HERE and choose "Experiences" to get signed up.
It's fitting that Old Forester is part of the celebration because it was the first bottled bourbon, and the only bourbon continuously sold by the same company existence before, during and after Prohibition.
"This is the first time that we've been able to celebrate Repeal Day since before the pandemic," Blevins said. "It's just a great time to get together and have some great cocktails. We're going to be having free appetizers and we just found out it's the 90th anniversary. Repeal Day happened in 1933. So, at 3 o'clock, we're going to roll the barrel and have a little parade from The Wine Rack down to Bourbons Bistro.
FILE -- this undated image shows people rolling a bourbon barrel in Louisville, Ky. during a celebration of the anniversary 1933 Repeal of Prohibition. (WDRB/archive)
"At 4 o'clock, Ian's going to take us through 'A Taste of History.' ... Then, at 5:30, Old Forester is going to do a bar takeover. So we'll have some free appetizers, and people can come and sample some of the Old Forester. We're going to have three cocktails, including the Old Fashioned. And then we're going to have a Speak Easy Surprise happening around 7 o'clock."
The U.S. government enacted Prohibition in 1920 to protect people from "drunkenness." It was very unpopular and was repealed by the 21st amendment in 1933.
Blevins said it's important to celebrate the Repeal because it should never happen again.
"What I've learned over the years from working with Bourbons Bistro is that the bourbon community is just this amazing community," Blevins said. "And when we get together, it's just this really great feeling of fellowship and exploration of the cocktails of the different expressions of bourbons. And it's this whole culture that we have uniquely as Americans, and especially in Kentucky."
People are welcome to join the celebration anytime.
Here's a complete list of scheduled activities:
3-4 p.m.: Barrel roll and public celebration parade from The Wine Rack (2632 Frankfort Avenue) to Bourbons Bistro. Free to attend.
4-5:30 p.m.: Taste Through History in the Rick Room featuring Old Forester Brand Ambassador Ian Sulkowski as he walks patrons through the rich heritage of the distillery with a guided sensory immersion into the brand's classic bourbon expressions. Learn the history, personalities, and craft that have guided Old Forester's 150+ year $30 per person. Reservations required.
5:30-9 p.m.: Old Forester Bar Takeover featuring four expressions of Old Forester’s Whiskey Row series and complimentary appetizers from Bourbons Bistro.
7-9 p.m.: Silent Disco Speakeasy to wrap up the evening in style in The Rick Room. Free to attend.
Attire from the 1920s is optional, but encouraged. People are welcome to join the celebration anytime between 3-9 p.m.
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