2025 Chicago Summer Whiskey Tasting Festival (August 23)

Calling all whiskey lovers… Are you ready to take your taste buds on a flavor adventure?

By Tequila + Whiskey Tastings Hosted by Social Scene

Date and time

Saturday, August 23 · 2:30 - 6pm CDT

Location

Downtown Chicago

Downtown Chicago Chicago, IL 60654 United States

Refund Policy

Refunds up to 30 days before event

About this event

  • Event lasts 3 hours 30 minutes

Watch Video For Savings 👀 ! 👇

Calling all whiskey lovers and connoisseurs... Take your taste buds on a flavor adventure at The Summer Whiskey Tasting Festival taking place Saturday, August 23, 2025! Our only summer whiskey event and last of 2025!
***Max Attendance For This Event Is 299 People, Buy Early Before We Sell Out***


Our Tempted By A Good Time Offer:

🕰️ Whiskey your way through 1-3.5 hours – A smooth journey of tasting fun you’ll savor sip by sip!

🥃 Take a shot at 20+ whiskies – Sample craft, small-batch, and world-class varieties that'll make your taste buds do a jig!

🧠 Get “whiskey wise” with the pros – Learn straight from the barrel with whiskey ambassadors sharing their liquid gold knowledge.

💵 Pour over food & drink specials – Tasty bites and sips at prices worth raising a glass to!

🎶 Jam with our “on the rocks” DJ – Dance to beats as smooth as your favorite dram.

💃 Whiskey brings people together – Meet, greet, and share a dram with fellow whiskey fans.

🎟️ Win big with future event tickets – We’re giving away thousands in tickets for more sip-worthy adventures!

🥳 A barrel of fun on a Saturday – Your weekend plans just got distilled into pure whiskey enjoyment!

☮️ Raise a glass for a cause – Extra tasting cups support Bear Necessities, with 100% of proceeds going to pediatric cancer research.


Bonus Temptations For Better Times:

🥃 Whiskey-Guaranteed Event Policy: Life can throw a curveball, but no need to be sour mash! If you miss the event, we’ll pour you a credit good for up to 1 year to join us for a future whiskey wonderland.

🤝 Top-Shelf Text Support Throughout the Event: Your whiskey wristband has our contact info, so don’t hesitate to text us with any questions! We'll help you navigate the event faster than you can say “neat” so you can focus on raising your glass and having a barrel of fun! You’ve got a whiskey guide right in your pocket!

💰 Over $100 in Distinctive After-Event Perks: We’ve teamed up with our favorite lifestyle partners to offer you hundreds of dollars worth of “After Event Perks.” We’ll send you an email after the event detailing all the incredible offers, so you can keep enjoying the spirit long after the last sip.


VIP Tickets w/Additional Perks (VIP Tickets Only):

🥃 Sample top shelf whiskey bottles valued at $80+

🥘 VIP small bites food buffet

🎁 Additional tasting cups to enjoy more whiskey

👸🏻 Early access, avoid lines and more time with brand ambassadors


Check In Location: TBA

Now the real question is… which brand and variety will give you the mouth feels and leave your taste buds asking for more?

🎟️Ticket Options (Access the event at the time on your ticket type below.*)



2:30PM VIP Ticket Check In

  • 3.5 hours of tasting (first to enter, no lines, limited attendance)
  • 25 tasting cups- .25 oz pour per cup
  • Sample top shelf whiskey bottles valued at $80+
  • Buffet style bites from 2:30-4:00PM



3:00PM VIP Ticket Check In

  • 3 hours of tasting (first to enter, no lines, limited attendance)
  • 25 tasting cups- .25 oz pour per cup
  • Sample top shelf whiskey bottles valued at $80+
  • Buffet style bites from 3:00-4:00PM



4:00PM General Ticket Check In

  • 2 hours of tasting (first to enter, no lines, limited attendance)
  • 15 tasting cups- .25 oz pour per cup



4:30PM General Ticket Check In

  • 1.5 hours of tasting (first to enter, no lines, limited attendance)
  • 15 tasting cups- .25 oz pour per cup



5:00PM Sample Ticket Check In

  • 1 hour of tasting
  • 7 tasting cups- .25 oz pour per cup

Interested in showcasing your whiskey brand or business at the event? Go to tickets and register your booth today!


Partnering Brands- (This List May Change Due to Availability)

** = Top Shelf Whiskey Bottles For VIP Ticket Holders Only


List of brands -

  • Alexander James Whiskey
    Alexander James Straight Bourbon Whiskey
    Alexander James Rye Whiskey


  • BLACK BAND Distillery
    BLACK BAND Peoria Bourbon
    BLACK BAND Single Barrel Straight Rye
    BLACK BAND Cask Strength Whiskey
    BLACK BAND Bourbon
    BLACK BAND Rye
    BLACK BAND Straight Wheat Whiskey
    BLACK BAND Coffee Liqueur

  • Blaum Brothers Distillery Company
    Varieties TBA

  • Castle & Key
    Castle & Key Small Batch Bourbon
    Castle & Key Restoration Rye

  • Driftless Glen Distillery
    Bourbon De Naranja**
    Small Batch Bourbon
    Single Barrel Bourbon
    Small Batch Rye
    Brandy

  • Kanosuke Distillery
    Limited Edition 2023**
    Component Samples**
    Kanosuke Single Malt
    Hioki Pot Still
    Double Distillery

  • Milestone Brands
    Dirty Monkey Banana Peanut Butter Whiskey
    American Born Apple Pie Whiskey

  • Mississippi River Distilling Company
    Cody Road Bourbon
    Cody Road Rye
    Cody Road Honey
    Cody Road Peach

  • Quincy Street Distillery
    North American Steamship Rye 9yo Bottled-in-Bond Single Malt Rye Whiskey**
    Laughton Bros. 7yo Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon Whiskey**
    Laughton Bros. 4yo Bottled-in-Bond
    Bourbon Spring
    Golden Prairie Single Malt Whiskey
    Salt Creek Straight Corn Whiskey

  • Thornton Distilling Co.
    Dead Drop Bourbon
    Dead Drop Old Fashioned
    Dead Drop Absinthe Blanche
    Dead Drop Gin

  • Woodinville Whiskey Co.
    Woodinville Toasted Applewood Stave Finish MSRP
    Woodinville Port Finish Bourbon
    Woodinville 100% Rye
    Woodinville Straight Bourbon


    Featured Brands:


    Gardenista Cocktails
    Varieties TBA


    PRP Wine
    Varieties TBA


    Renewal by Andersen: Stop by and say hello to Renewal by Andersen at our tasting events, where you can learn about their exclusive energy-efficient windows and signature installation service!


Frequently asked questions

What is our Event Guarantee?

All of our events we stand by, if you did not have a positive experience or are unable to attend, we will provide a credit to a future event for a whole year. Community - connecting people, building relationships and creating memories is what we are all about and making sure they are all good ones!

How to best give an event ticket as a gift?

The best thing to do to keep this a surprise is to add your email and put the ticket in their name. This way they will not be notified of the purchase. Please forward the final email update from us to their email (1 day before the event) so they will know how to best enjoy the event.

Is there any chance at a refund? "24 Hour Policy"

If you purchase a ticket by mistake for any reason in the first 24 hours, we will refund your order, until 1 week of the event. If after 24 hours or within 1 week of the event, we will provide a credit to any of our events for up to 1 year (email connect@besocialscene.com).

I saw a cheaper price the other day, will you price match?

Unfortunately, Social Scene does not price match. Prices might go up or down when different promotions are offered. We encourage you to purchase your ticket early for the best rates or follow us on social media @besocialscene (Facebook, Instagram) for the best prices.

What do I need to check in?

Please be prepared to show your Government ID (21+ Only) + Eventbrite ticket with QR code on a mobile device or your printed ticket.

Do you provide transportation?

We do not provide transportation. Please use public transportation, Uber/Lyft/Shared Car Ride or DD to attend the event safely. We do offer a DD ticket. Just email us! Connect@besocialscene.com.

What if I am unable to attend?

Unfortunately, there are no refunds, but we do allow tickets to be transferred to a friend and cover you for 1 year with our "event guarantee". Simply login to your Eventbrite account, select transfer and edit the attendee info.

What if my voucher code from another website will not work?

If you have a voucher code, please type it into the discount code section above the ticket types and click apply, then select the ticket type and quantity you would like to order. Please contact connect@besocialscene.com if you get a message that your code is invalid.

Are designated drivers able to access the event?

Yes the venue will be open to the public, capacity permitting, there should not be an issue for a designated driver to attend the event with you. Please email connect@besocialscene.com and we will set you up with a DD ticket.

Do you have dietary restrictions?

Please message us as soon as possible so we can discuss with the venue available options. Connect@besocialscene.com.

Do you need special accommodations or ADA access?

Please message us as soon as possible so we can discuss with the venue available options. Connect@besocialscene.com.

Have any additional questions, media or brand partnerships interests, or want to say hello?

We are available to support any questions you may have at the following: Facebook - #BeSocialScene Instagram - @BeSocialScene Email - connect@besocialscene.com

Need to transfer a ticket?

Please just send your friend your PDF ticket with QR Code and make sure they have a 21+ government ID. Simple as that!

Issues on event day?

Please text (SMS) 3129310817 and we will support any questions you have in a quick and supportive manner so you can get back to the good times!

What do I need to check in?

Please be prepared to show your Government ID (21+ Only) + Eventbrite ticket with QR code on a mobile device or your printed ticket.

Have any additional questions, media or brand partnerships interests,or want to say hello?

We are available to support any questions you may have at the following: Facebook - #BeSocialScene Instagram - @BeSocialScene Email - connect@besocialscene.com

Organized by

Our "why" is our community. Connecting people, building relationships and creating memories. Since 2010 we have produced over 500 events across 12 US cities hosting over 500,000 attendees. We are passionate about hosting a great event. If you spend your afternoon or evening with Social Scene, we want it to be an amazing time! Connect@besocialscene.com or text 3129310817 with any questions or feedback.