OUR DETROIT
BOURBON FESTIVAL
Detroit Bourbon & Blues Festival is an immersive tasting and live music event with American-made whiskey, music performances, and more.
On Sunday, August 25, 2024, Detroit’s historic Eastern Market Shed 5 will be transformed into a lively venue in which guests are invited to sip, savor, and enjoy live blues music.
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Our immersive Tasting Experience invites guests to sample a variety of bourbons and whiskeys curated by our bourbon-loving staff. Two General Admission 2-hour ticketed sessions will be available throughout the day.
VIP guests are invited to join us for Bloozy Brunch and early Tasting Experience access. After the tastings have completed, VIP guests are welcome to join General Admission guests at the party with live blues music, food trucks, and vendors.
As Detroit neighbors, bourbon enthusiasts, and music lovers ourselves– we invite you to join us & celebrate with a glass half full.
In collaboration with Eastern Market’s Sunday Market series, this landmark location offers the perfect site to highlight the rich history of bourbon, blues, and Detroit's impact on these iconic American crafts.
All are welcome to the hospitable grounds of Blues Street. From 12PM - 6:30PM, Shed 5’s outdoor lot will be open to the public with a vibrant gathering of food trucks, craft vendors, refreshing beverages, and old & new friends.
THE
BOURBON
This immersive Tasting Experience invites all guests to sample a variety of carefully curated bourbons and whiskeys. VIP & General Admission event ticket purchases include 10 sampling tickets (additional sampling tickets available for purchase). VIP guests are invited to Bloozy Brunch and early Tasting Experience access. Peek at our lineup of local and craft distilleries & get ready to celebrate with a glass half full.
WHISKEY ROYALTY
BECOME WHISKEY ROYALTY & SUPPORT OUR CHARITABLE PARTNER, TURNING POINT.
Step 1: Sign up using the link on this page
Step 2: Create a fundrasing page
Step 3: Make a donatation to Turning Point
Step 4: Share your page & help us fundraise for Turning Point together
Step 5: Reach miletstones to help increase your odds
Prizes include:
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Whiskey Royalty Sash & Crown
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4 x VIP Bloozy Brunch Tasting Experience tickets
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Detroit Bourbon & Blues Festival Swag
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$50 Gift card for tap-ins
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Luxury ride (to & from Detroit Bourbon & Blues)
winners will be announced on August 19th
OUR CHARITABLE PARTNER
"Turning Point empowers survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking through comprehensive services and resources while advocating for community action to end oppression and violence. Our vision is a just and equitable society, free of domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking."
OUR STORY
The best ideas aren’t created in a boardroom or over emails. Our family dreamed up hosting a bourbon tasting and live music festival over drinks at one of our favorite distilleries. We wanted to blend the rich history of brown spirits and blues music with the lively nature of the Detroit community.
Detroit Bourbon & Blues Festival is a bourbon tasting and live music event hosted by Special Events Management– a family-run business established in 1988. We are committed to the prosperity of the masterful distilleries in our own backyard and strive to be a reflection of Michigan hospitality.
FAQ
Who should I contact regarding press inquiries? All inquiries can be addressed to drinks@detroitbourbonandblues.com
How many whiskeys will I be able to sample? There are over 75 different whiskeys to choose from. The GA Tasting Experience (/hyperlink here/) package includes 10 tasting tickets. The VIP Bloozy Brunch (/hyperlink here/) package includes 15 tasting tickets. Each whiskey tasting will cost 1 ticket. Additional tickets will be available for purchase. Please note, to ensure the safety of event goers and residents, additional tickets will be sold to attendees at the discretion of our staff.
Is parking available? Yes, free street parking is available on the side street adjacent to the market. There are also free parking lots at the following intersections: Riopelle St & Wilkins St Russell St & Wilkins St Riopelle St & Division St Russell St & Winder St
Will additional sample tickets be available for purchase? Yes, we will have staff on-site that will be able to sell additional tasting tickets, once you finish the tickets from your tasting package. Please note, to ensure the safety of event goers and residents, additional tickets will be sold to attendees at the discretion of our staff.
What is the difference between whiskey & bourbon? All bourbons are whiskeys, but not all whiskeys are bourbons. Bourbon is a category of whiskey. To label a whiskey bourbon it must meet certain federal requirements, one of which requires that bourbon be made in the US (not just Kentucky).
Can I taste the same whiskey more than once? Yes, you can taste the same whiskey more than once. Each tasting will cost a ticket. If there is a line at the table, you may be asked to go to the end of the line for a second tasting. We appreciate your cooperation.
Is Detroit Bourbon & Blues a free event? Yes, our Blues Street area is open to the public. Feel free to grab a drink, enjoy live music, shop at craft vendors, and order up a delicious meal from a food truck. For those interested in our Tasting Experience, tickets start $50 for a 2-hour tasting. For more details visit our Ticket section.
What are the tasting hours? There are 2 GA Tasting Experience Sessions, each 2 hours long. The first session is from 1 PM - 3 PM, the second is from 4 PM - 6 PM. The VIP Tasting Experience & Bloozy Brunch will start at 12 PM and will end at 3 PM. All guests are welcome to stay and enjoy live Blues music and the rest of your Blues Street Festival area.
Are children allowed at the event? Yes, families with children are welcome to join in the festivities at our Blues Street Festival area and the greater Eastern Market footprint. However, the Tasting Experience is for ticketed guests that are 21+.
Are pets allowed? “Dogs and other animals are not allowed in sheds, covered structures, or in proximity to any vendor stalls with the exception of registered service animals. Service animals must be trained in work or a task that mitigates their handler’s disability. Dogs and other animals are welcomed many places throughout the Eastern Market district, just not inside the market itself.” - Eastern Market
Where do I enter for the Tasting Experience? The entrance for the tasting experience will be at the west door of Shed 5, near the intersection of Russell St. & Alfred St. Signage will be visible to help guide you to the correct location.
Will there be other types of drinks other than whiskey? Yes, Eastern Market Brewing will be providing the beer for our beer tent. Seltzer, canned cocktails and other drinks will be available as well.
VENUE & PARKING
We are proud to host Detroit Bourbon & Blues Festival at historic Eastern Market. Metered street parking is free on Sundays. Parking lots are located at Russell & Watson, Russell & Market, Riopelle & Wilkins, Riopelle & Adelaide.
CELEBRATE RESPONSIBLY
