One thing The Twisted Tail knows is a good pour of whiskey — and they are celebrating accordingly.
The Southern-inspired restaurant and live music venue in Headhouse Square is raising a glass to Bourbon Heritage Month with the return of its 12th Annual Whiskey Bonanza. Set for next month (Thursday, Sept. 24), the event has earned a reputation as one of Philadelphia’s largest whiskey tastings, with more than 120 pours, creative cocktails, live music, and plenty of Lowcountry fare.
For guests looking to make the most of the evening, VIP Hour ($85) begins at 6 p.m. and comes with early access and an exclusive selection of rare and limited whiskeys that won’t be available during general admission. VIP ticket holders will also have additional time to meet and mingle with distillery representatives, and nab first access to The Twisted Tail’s whole suckling pig roast, hors d’oeuvres, a cigar, and a commemorative engraved Glencairn glass.
General admission ($70) then runs from 7 to 9:30 p.m., with tastings happening throughout the venue’s two floors. In addition to sampling the spirits, guests can also sip on different whiskey cocktails prepared by some local mixologists and vote for their favorite sip in the annual Whiskey Bonanza Cocktail Competition. From 8 to 10 p.m., Deke’s BBQ food truck will also be outside serving pay-as-you-go barbecue.
"Whiskey Bonanza has become one of Philly's most sought-after whiskey festivals, celebrating whiskeys from the USA and around the world,” says George Reilly, owner of The Twisted Tail. "We pair the tasting experience with live music, a food truck, a cocktail competition, a cigar lounge, and more. It's a can't-miss event for whiskey lovers."
As a release notes, the evening also celebrates Pennsylvania’s deep connection to American whiskey. Long before the state became known for its modern craft distilleries, Pennsylvania was one of the country’s earliest whiskey-producing regions, with settlers transforming surplus rye into whiskey and helping establish the tradition of American rye.
That history remains part of The Twisted Tail’s Bourbon Heritage Month programming, which includes weekly Friday happy hours highlighting different distilleries as well as the restaurant’s free Bourbon Club. The best part? Members who work their way through the 70-plus-bottle whiskey list earn a permanent 20% discount.
Tickets are available at whiskeybonanza.com, by phone at 215-558-2471, or in person at The Twisted Tail (509 S 2nd St.). For more information on the restaurant, visit thetwistedtail.com
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