Whiskey Bonanza 2025: One night, 100+ pours, and a whole vibe
Headhouse Square’s temple of bourbon and blues turns the dial to 11 on Thursday, September 25, as Whiskey Bonanza 2025 takes over The Twisted Tail for its 11th annual blowout. The evening runs 7–10 p.m. with a VIP preview from 6–7 p.m., and the brief is simple: more than 100 whiskeys laid out across two floors, a crackling cocktail competition starring established Philly bartenders, a signature suckling pig roast, live New Orleans-style jazz and blues from Reverend Chris, and—because this is The Tail—an ingeniously revamped, highly aerated Airstream cigar lounge parked curbside for the smoke-and-sipper set.
Owner and Master Craftsman George Reilly frames it as a once-a-year house holiday: a Bourbon Heritage Month toast in the birthplace of America, done with grit, warmth, and unapologetic hospitality.
Your game plan is easy. Book VIP if you want the early edge: rare and hard-to-find pours that won’t appear later, first crack at the pig roast, and real face time with distillery reps while the room is still hushed. Roll in for general admission at seven and you’ll still surf a tidal line of American, Irish, Scotch, and world whiskey tables, then cast a ballot in the Whiskey Bonanza 2025 cocktail showdown as Philly’s heavy hitters build original recipes around the night’s bottles.
Throughout, Deke’s BBQ pulls in out front 6–10 p.m. with slow-cooked, pay-as-you-go fuel between tastings—think smoky brisket bites and rib tips to reset your palate before the next flight. The room’s soundtrack stays analog and lively, the glassware never far from a refill, and the whole thing moves like a neighborhood block party with better ice and far better barrels.
Whiskey Bonanza 2025: Tickets, menus, and month-long perks
Pricing for Whiskey Bonanza 2025 is refreshingly sane: $65 general admission, $85 VIP, and a $40 Designated Driver option for those coming for the food, music, and scene minus the pours. Snag tickets at whiskeybonanza.com, by phone (215-558-2471), or in person at The Twisted Tail. What your ticket buys is breadth—100+ samples to explore at your pace—and texture: the pig roast is pure Southern flourish, Reverend Chris keeps the vibe loose and unpretentious, and that Airstream cigar lounge is a wink to the classic pairing without clouding the room.
The party doesn’t end at last call. To anchor Bourbon Heritage Month, The Twisted Tail stacks free Friday happy hours every week in September (4:30–6:30 p.m.). Expect complimentary tastes, limited cocktails, distillery insights, and the occasional swag drop—first-come, first-served, pay-as-you-go for anything beyond the pours.
Meanwhile, the Tail’s Bourbon Club remains one of Philly’s best free memberships for serious (and seriously curious) drinkers: grab your card, chip away at a curated list of 70+ bourbons, ryes, whiskeys, and scotches, and if you finish two ounces of each, you’re immortalized as a Finisher with a permanent 20% whiskey discount and your own engraved glass waiting behind the bar.
September brings member-only sweeteners, too—cross off any bourbon with a one-ounce pour (September 1–7), $2 off small-batch whiskeys (September 8–14), customize a flight and cross off all three (September 15–21), and $2 off any Kentucky Straight Bourbon (September 22–30). It’s a month-long master class disguised as happy hour.
Whiskey Bonanza 2025 is The Twisted Tail at its best: a big-hearted tasting built by people who actually drink what they pour, framed by live music, barbecue smoke, and the kind of South-on-South Street charm that keeps us coming back. Show up curious, leave converted—and maybe with a new favorite bottle (or three).
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