As travellers increasingly seek out the people behind the place, Cincy shines a light on its key craftmakers and local voices that showcase the region's vibrant heritage. From micro-breweries, distilleries, market traders and innovative chefs to contemporary and heritage artists, Cincy's rich bourbon, brewing, trading, culinary and artist culture is brought to life through both legacy and contemporary visions.

Maija Zummo, Senior Manager, International & Domestic Communications at Visit Cincy, said: “As a frontier settlement founded on the banks of the Ohio River, Cincy has long been a thriving hub of culture and commerce, shaped by the diverse community of European craftmakers and artisans who settled here. Today, that creative spirit continues to thrive, with a new generation of makers, designers, artists and entrepreneurs reimagining traditional skills, pushing creative boundaries and contributing to the vibrant cultural fabric that defines the Cincy Region. From handcrafted goods and independent studios to innovative workshops and creative experiences, visitors can discover a destination where craftsmanship, creativity and authenticity remain at the heart of everyday life.

Booming Bourbon:

Cincy's array of local distilleries and bourbon enthusiasts bring the region's rich history of bourbon heritage into the modern day, with immersive experiences and unrivalled expertise at the edge of bourbon country. From premiere vintage spirits and curated picks to contemporary blends, the spirit of bourbon comes alive in Cincy:

Brad Bonds, who helped pioneer a legal market for vintage spirits in Northern Kentucky, and co-founder of Covington's Revival Vintage Spirits and Bottle Shop offers one the largest selections of rare and vintage bourbons and spirits, alongside carefully curated, rotating tasting menus. Possessing an infinite knowledge of the vintage spirits that line the shelves, Brad leads visitors on a journey through time through vintage spirits.

Showcasing the entrepreneurial spirit of Cincy, childhood friends Carus Waggoner and Rich Couch conceived Second Sight Spirits as a contemporary distillery to awaken the senses. Drawing on their background in entertainment design, which took them to the heart of the Las Vegas Strip working on spectacular productions including Cirque du Soleil's LOVE and Viva Elvis, they hand-built a one-of-a-kind still inspired by Zoltar, the fortune-telling machine from the 1980s Tom Hanks film Big. The result is an immersive distillery experience unlike anything else in the region. From their interactive tasting room in the heart of Ludlow, Carus and Rich craft Oak Eye Kentucky Bourbon alongside a range of premium rums.

Wenzel Distillery's Griffin Ross and Bill Whitlow revive bourbon's heritage with Covington's first fully functioning bourbon distillery since prohibition. Inspired by the legacy of the Blending Hall's historic 1873 building - which once housed a non-distilling producer of whiskey - Wenzel Distillery offers hands-on experiences for visitors to craft their own unique whiskey blends, as well as sampling of some of the US's most revered bourbons, including  their own award-winning sherry-finished bourbon. 

The northernmost stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, New Riff Distillery blends tradition with contemporary approaches and a commitment to its own take on the Sour Mash Kentucky Regiment. Founded by Ken Lewis in 2014, his daughter Mollie Lewis now leads the independent, family-owned distillery that stands behind the classic American entrepreneurial spirit, bourbon's rye-rich history and whiskey heritage of Cincinnati, elevating quality to the highest levels with its bottling without chill filtration. With LGBTQ+ leadership at its helm, led by CEO Hannah Lowen, New Riff is celebrated for it's inclusive culture. 

The Original American Beer City:

Home to 36 breweries and hundreds of drinking establishments throughout the streets of Over-the-Rhine, by 1890 Cincinnati was the largest beer producing city in the country. Today, the legacy of historic lagering tunnels below city streets and the area's rich brewing heritage is brought back to life by over 80 microbreweries.

Having built a home brewery in his garage at just 16, Union's Evan Rouse transformed his love for brewing into an entrepreneurial obsession with the foundation of Braxton Brewing Company. Now, with the entire family onboard, Braxton channels that same garage‑born ingenuity into inventive craft beers, a taproom that doubles as a morning hub for local start‑ups, and a celebration of the Midwestern garage as a symbol of American innovation.

Founded by Bob Bonder and Bryant Goulding, Rhinegeist Brewery, literally translated to Ghost of Rhine, is a prime example of the microbreweries reviving the rich brewing history of Over-the-Rhine, the region's most prominent brewing neighbourhoods of the 1890's. Its seven‑story‑high ceilings and restored industrial architecture make it a defining force in the city.

Owned by David and Nancy Berger alongside Joe and Robin Mass, Northern Row is home to a historic taproom in the heart of Over-the-Rhine's brewing district. Producing clean, balanced lagers rooted in Cincinnati's rich brewing heritage, the team also crafts a range of grain-to-glass spirits, including rum, malt whiskey, gin, vodka and bourbon. On FC Cincinnati matchdays, the brewery becomes a hub of activity as supporters gather ahead of the traditional march to the stadium, which typically begins around 90 minutes before kick-off, creating an electric atmosphere that captures the passion and community spirit of the Cincy Region, including their own fan beer, dubbed “The Supporter”. 

The legacy of Findlay Market:

Ohio's oldest public market and one of Cincinnati's most cherished institutions, Findlay Market is a thriving hub of locally-sourced, artisanal and specialty foods led by legacy producers and emerging entrepreneurs.

Founded by German native, Ernie Eckerlin, Eckerlin Meats has been a Findlay Market stalwart since its inception in 1852. Fifth-generation butcher Josh Lillis, continues the family legacy as the store continues to produce long-standing customer favourites, including Goetta, a speciality sausage of pork, beef, oatmeal, onion and spices, which is still created using the over 100-year-old family recipe.

Alumni of Findlay Kitchen, the market's incubator programme for food entrepreneurs, Kevin Foston presents Makers Bakers Co, an artisan bakery blending handcrafted products with flavour and craftsmanship.

Founded by Dean Zaidan following his emigration from Lebanon in the 1970s, and now run by his daughters, Dean's Mediterranean Imports is one of Cincinnati's finest gourmet markets. The store offers an array of Mediterranean pantry staples, including olive oils from 15 different regions; fresh hummus and baba ganoush; cheeses and cookbooks, and boasts a 24 square foot wall of spices.

Showcasing Cincy's diverse culinary scene, Alex Nager's and Bridget Gunsiorowski's Harmony Plant Fare brings a vegan take on the traditional NYC Deli with its array of sauces, sandwiches and salads, all in a city once obsessed with meat and proudly known as Pork‑opolis!

Culinary: 

Shaped by its European population and booming river-trade, Cincy's diverse and impressive culinary scene stretches back to its roots, dubbed Porkopolis with pork, chili and goetta at its core. Today, dining establishments both old and new continue to deliver some of Cincy's most loved dishes, as well as present innovative new dining experiences from independent chefs and restaurants.

First opened in 1940 by Greek immigrants Steve Andon and Fred Zambus and now open 24 hours a day, 6 days a week, Camp Washington Chili has been proudly serving one of the region's most loved dishes for over 85 years. Having begun working at the restaurant in 1951, Jonny Johnson, Andon's nephew, this family run and owned business continues to build the restaurant as one of the premier chili parlours in Cincinnati, a fiercely protected family formula. Today, his daughter Maria Papakirk continues that legacy, serving chili to customers old and new.

Delivering a contemporary twist on old world gastronomy, James Beard 2026 Finalist Chef Sarah Dworak, another alumni of the Findlay markets' incubator programme, who has a cult following locally, presents Eastern European cuisine at Sudova. Featuring her own curated dishes, as well as those pulled from her own grandmother's recipes, Sudova's menu blends traditional with contemporary flavours in a style often coined 'punk grandma'.

Inspired by his upbringing in New Orleans, James Beard 2026 Finalist Chef Jeff Harris brings Southern comfort food to Over-the-Rhine at his award-winning restaurant Nolia. Delivering understated elegance, sumptuous dishes of seasonal fare, including pork belly with passionfruit glaze; vegan tamales; and crab claws in smoked cilantro buttermilk, all exquisitely prepared in the open kitchen, providing dinners with a glimpse of Chef Jeff's innovative approach to Bayou cuisine.

A Northern Kentucky James Beard finalist, David Willocks' The Baker's Table, awarded USA Today's outstanding accolade of best new restaurant in America, presents a fine dining farm-to-table experience in the heart of Newport. Focusing on driving positive change, The Baker's Table six-course tasting menu focuses on local, seasonal produce, ethical procurement and is inspired by David's passion for timeless traditions and real ingredients.

He is the butcher. She is the baker. Together, they are Brian and Caitlin Young, the husband-and-wife team behind Young Buck Deli, one of the Cincy Region's most talked-about food spots. Founded after the pair met while competing on Top Chef, the deli has earned a devoted following for its chef-driven sandwiches, house-made breads, handmade meats and playful take on the classic American deli. Celebrated for roast beef sandwiches inspired by Brian's Boston roots, alongside creative specials, fresh focaccia and scratch-made pastries, Young Buck combines culinary talent with genuine hospitality, creating the kind of neighbourhood gathering place that visitors remember long after the last bite.

Artistic visions:

By the 1800s, Cincinnati had become one of the Midwest's most important centres for art and design, playing a pivotal role in American art history. The city founded the Art Academy of Cincinnati in 1869 and opened the Cincinnati Art Museum in 1886, the first purpose‑built museum of its kind west of the Allegheny Mountains. Today, Cincinnati continues to host a thriving arts scene, with over 100 murals in 36 neighbourhoods created by ArtWorks, the legacy of one of America's most foremost artists, and contemporaries leading the way.

Considered one of America's most important painters of the 19th century and once Cincinnati's most celebrated artist, Frank Duveneck (1848-1919) was pivotal in shaping the region's artistic legacy. Duceneck actively helped shape the Cincinnati Art Museum's collection, donating both his own works and those of peers from his own collection. Over 270 of Duveneck's works still form the museum's esteemed collection, which includes paintings from Monet, Manet, Van Gogh and Constable. Admission to the Cincinnati Art Museum is free.

A pillar of Cincy's contemporary art scene, multi-disciplinary artist Gee Horton explores portraiture, memory and the emotional inheritance of Black life through drawing, collage, photography, film and installation art. Currently on display at the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati, Gee's Chapter 4: In Another Lifetime, the latest chapter in an ever-evolving body of work - weaves a dreamlike account of the consequences of intergenerational trauma, cultural legacy, and the rupture of colonial inheritance.

About the Cincy Region: 

The Cincy Region unites the German heritage and urban energy of Cincinnati, Ohio with the Southern charm and cool quirkiness of Northern Kentucky. This easily accessible, two-for-one destination offers distinctive cuisine, vibrant street art, historic landmarks, and a celebrated bourbon and beer scene — ideal for a city break or the start of an American adventure. A regional tourism alliance of two destination marketing organizations, the Cincy Region works to drive travel, economic impact, and quality of life across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky through tourism marketing and destination development.

Cincy Region steps into the spotlight as an unexpected iconic city from its Porkopolis meat‑packing history and 60% German heritage to its role as the birthplace of pro baseball. Not only a gateway to bourbon country, it was also the original Sin City long before Vegas stole the headlines. Beneath its streets lie 19th‑century beer tunnels now home to cocktail bars like Ghost Baby, while above ground the region serves up everything from Macedonian‑born Cincy chilli to riverboat nostalgia and powerful stories of freedom at the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. It's a place where culture and creativity, bourbon legends, gangsters, and big‑hearted Midwestern weirdness collides with fresh creative energy. Cincy stands out as one of America's coolest unexpected destinations for 2026 and beyond.

For further information on Cincy, visit www.visitcincy.com 

For press enquiries, contact: 

Jo White: jo@click-pr.co.uk +44 7989814340 

Cass Helstrip: cass@click-pr.co.uk +44 7968255464 

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