When I was invited to visit Kentucky early last year, I was encouraged by the Y'all Means All campaign promoted by MeetNKY, the tourism bureau that promotes the region. And during the visit, it certainly felt welcoming and friendly to both me and my wife. We happily strolled the streets of Covington, recently recommended by Market Watch as a great place for LGBT people to retire, and felt completely at ease holding hands and laughing as we did.
Were we a little apprehensive about visiting the area as an obviously queer, interracial couple? Yes, to some extent. We have been to Kentucky before, specifically Louisville, and loved it. Small town is definitely a different ballpark, but we decided to go anyway.
But Kentucky has since passed SB 150, overriding the veto. As the BBC reported in 2023, the bill is what some Democrats have called “the most extreme anti-LGBTQ bill in America.” This would prohibit transgender students under the age of 18 from receiving gender-affirming medical care, as well as prohibiting them from freely using restrooms, locker rooms, and shower rooms that correspond to their gender identity. In addition to restricting discussion of sexual orientation and gender in schools, the bill means teachers may refuse to use the correct pronouns that match a young person's gender identity (and That's just a two-sentence version of the horror this bill would unleash on Kentucky.)
When I asked about the actual safety concerns for gay people considering visiting Northern Kentucky, Julie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of meetNKY, responded: Ta. From our southern tip along the Ohio River to eastern Kentucky's great outdoor spaces, thousands of miles of coastline, and every bourbon distillery in the commonwealth. ”
When pressed further, a spokesperson for the organization said Kirkpatrick was uncomfortable with “talking in-depth to just some of our visitors,” adding, “Northern Kentucky is a very welcoming community. “We accept all opinions,” he said. We take the safety of our visitors very seriously. We treat all of our guests equally and strive to ensure they always feel welcome and safely enjoy our beautiful region of the country. ”
“Southern Hospitality” is the down-to-earth reality that straight white southerners (and sometimes white queers!) are willing to extend to people who are not like them, including blacks, Jews, and Jews. Frequently deployed to cover up harm. Strange people, of course. Sure, there was nothing wrong with MeetNKY touting a campaign celebrating the area as a place for “Y'all Means All,” but they didn't want to delve into “just his one segment,” making it very realistic. I certainly thought it was ironic that the safety concerns were not addressed. It's about our visitors. ”
That being said, the state government and the tourism board do not represent the opinions or dispositions of the wonderful, kind and generous people who have given me and my wife their business with open arms. The South, like the rest of the country, may have its racist and homophobic pockets, but millions of queer and black people go about their daily lives avoiding them. It is also home to transgender, Jewish, and transgender people. The fear that surrounds them.
So with that in mind for context, here are some great things my wife and I did, ate, and had fun. If you end up in the area, rest assured that, at least at the time of our visit, these businesses didn't show an ounce of animosity. In fact, the opposite is true.
destination
Hotel Covington: Hotel Covington is located in the heart of Covington, allowing you to explore the area on foot. This former Chopin department store has been converted into a 114-room hotel that retains some of the vintage features of the old building. The spacious lobby with high ceilings and chandeliers features a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. We were greeted with kind words and a cheerful “Hello!”. These are just a few examples of the excellent customer service you can experience at Hotel Covington. The bed was also quite comfortable!
While you're strolling around, be sure to stop by Grainwell, a small woodworking home decor boutique owned by two sisters, and Handzy, a small shop with quirky and colorful accessories, decorations, and lovely, unique greeting cards. Nearby are the Kentucky Botanical Company CBD Store, which stocks a variety of His CBD, Delta 8 and 9 products, and the magical store Hierophany & Hedge, which sells a variety of candles, incense, crystals, talismans, wands, wands, and more. There is also. More. These shops are locally owned and located within walking distance of the hotel.
where to eat
Unatasa: Alejandra Flores hosts coffee origin trips to her native Honduras for members of her Northern Kentucky community. Her popular travels led to the creation of Unatasa, where Flores serves Honduran food and coffee that she sources herself from Honduran farmers. I'm unabashedly picky when it comes to coffee. I don't drink coffee every day, so when I do drink coffee, I like to choose something delicious, something really delicious.
Unatasa exceeds your expectations with carefully brewed high-quality coffee that retains all the deliciousness. There are plenty of coffee options to suit every taste, including a golden latte with turmeric syrup. (I came back for a second time because it was the only good coffee in the area!)
bouquet: Bouquet is known as “unrefined fine dining.” Chef and restaurant owner Stephen Williams uses fresh, local ingredients to inspire his ever-changing menu. Williams and his wife and co-owner Jessica fell in love while visiting local farms and picking produce, and married in Bouquet's private dining room. We enjoyed a beautiful citrus and vegetable salad and a comforting risotto topped with mushrooms, perfect for a freezing cold January night. Like many great restaurants, Bouquet offers a tasting menu, but unlike other restaurants, it doesn't come in a smaller format and allows you to choose your own food. At just $60 for four courses, it's great value for truly inspired cuisine.
Rich's Proper: If you want super fresh oysters, complex cocktails and mocktails, you need to stop by Rich's Proper. The restaurant is named after Historic Rich's Gruen Watches, a former resident of the location. The husband and wife team have a long history in the restaurant industry and a personal connection to oysters, which are now the centerpiece of the menu and are available in four different versions. For those who like raw oysters, the half-shell is traditionally served with horseradish and oyster shooters, served with jalapeño vodka and Bloody Mary mix. Additionally, Rich's offers grilled oysters with or without Spanish chorizo. It's open until 11pm on weekends, so stop by for dinner or as a late-night stop.
Mama's on Main: Mama's on Main is a beautiful, dimly lit restaurant with large windows, painted murals, and large, beautiful light fixtures. The large stained glass windows were salvaged from a local church that was destroyed by fire in 1980. The restaurant serves classic American Italian cuisine and is better than most. You can't go wrong with anything, but the decadent, pillowy ricotta gnocchi with herbal pesto and crispy prosciutto are truly amazing. If you love classics, try the perfectly crispy eggplant parmesan topped with melty mozzarella over saucy spaghetti.
bakery table: Baker's Table is committed to sustainable cooking, using every part of the animal in its dishes, baking its breads, and changing its menu weekly to include fresh, local ingredients. The restaurant is completely plastic-free from the kitchen to the bar to its takeout containers, taking its sustainable mission to the next level. Don't think for a second that this will make the restaurant boring or the food any less interesting. Quite the opposite. The atmosphere is perfect, with live jazz music on some nights and gentle chatter and laughter echoing through the dimly lit restaurant. Sourdough bread is can't believe it. Be sure to sample freshly baked breads at Baker's Table Bakery & Pizzeria, another venue across the street. We enjoyed a wonderful winter citrus salad. If you love classic comfort food, fancy macaroni and cheese is a grown-up version of a childhood favorite that's forever nostalgic. And be sure to have dessert too. The ricotta cheese donut was delicious! It's so fluffy and light, it's the perfect way to end a memorable meal.
bourbon
They say you have to drink lots of bourbon and check out all the distilleries when you visit Kentucky. Not being a big drinker myself, I held back, but as it turned out, I actually enjoyed most of my Northern Kentucky bourbon experiences.
new riff: Across the river from Cincinnati is a family-run distillery called New Riff. The distillery aims to “put a new riff on an old tradition.” Distilleries that have been established for generations tend to hide (or rather avoid altogether) their histories of racism, but New Riff, just 10 years old, is doing a different business.
I'm not much of a bourbon fan, but there was something special about touring the facility. Everyone at New Riff was a fountain of knowledge and clearly passionate about their craft. New Riff's director of operations, Hannah Loewen, is a queer woman entering politics. That may not seem like a big deal, but in bourbon, a man's game, it's a big deal.
Take their tour and learn how bourbon is made and what makes New Riff different. Before you go, be sure to stock up on the BBQ Spice Rub and Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup, which will satisfy even the most bourbon haters.
Revival Vintage Bottle Shop: Step back in history and stop by Revival, a vintage spirits shop owned by women and queers. The small store is filled with vintage spirits, from 100-year-old bourbon to tequila and everything in between. You don't need to buy a bottle to enjoy it here. Revival sells vintage bourbon, scotch, gin, tequila, rye and more by the shot, so everyone can sample and learn a little bit about the history of alcohol.
second sight spirits: This distillery has a most interesting story. The owners began their journey in Los Vegas, building sets for the show. But I'm not going to reveal the whole story. Taking a tour of Second Sight Spirits is a truly unique experience as you get to hear their history directly from the owners who tell their story in a great way. By the way, bourbon isn't the only thing you'll find at Second Sight Spirits. We bought some really nice Apple Pie Moonshine and other bottles and are slowly enjoying them to this day. If you only visit one distillery in Northern Kentucky, this is the one you should choose.
what will you do
501 Salon & Spa: Have you ever had a facial massage? At 501 Salon & Spa, we offer everything from massages to haircuts to facials, all in an inviting and inviting environment. My wife got a massage and I got a facial. I was a little nervous every time I had a facial because it hurt a little because of my skin and the extractions that usually take place. I told the esthetician that I just wanted to relax, and she gave me a facial massage. Yes, it sounded a little strange, but it was truly a magical experience. I wholeheartedly recommend it!
newport aquarium: I've been to 12 aquariums in the US, Canada, Europe, and Bermuda, and this one is my favorite. It's big! In addition to the regular aquarium, there are also fun activities like face painting and portrait painting. I certainly used face painting and couldn't think of any other option. It's worth a visit, but it gets pretty crowded on weekends, so it might be worth going during the week.
perfect day cat cafe: If you love cats, you'll love Purrfect Day Cat Cafe. I fell in love with a tiny little cat named Hank and almost took him home. If you fall in love too, you can adopt a cat and take it home the same day. Be sure to reserve your time slot in advance, as the cafe fills up quickly. It is worth noting that this is also a real cafe, where you can buy sweets, coffee and other drinks. Best of all, it's just a few blocks away from Hotel Covington, so you can walk there.
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