Member News

Rochester, N.Y.—Hoochenanny Whiskey & Music Festival organizers Tommy Brunett and Sean McCarthy announced today the first 12 musical acts and more than 30 whiskey brands that will blend world-class live music and whiskey at the second annual event.

 

The three-day experience takes place from Friday, Aug. 8, to Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, in a new and expanded location on 14 beautiful acres at Camp Eastman in Irondequoit, New York. Live music will be presented on two outdoor stages, while numerous whiskey experiences, including samples, bottle shops, craft cocktails, a rarities bar and more, will be hosted in seven custom-built tent structures. Additional regional music acts will be announced later.

 

General admission and VIP one, two, and three-day passes go on sale Friday, March 28, with early bird pricing available through Saturday, May 31.

 

Festival grounds will be open Friday, August 8, from 2 to 10 p.m., Saturday, August 9, from noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday, August 10, from 2 to 10 p.m. Ample parking is available for $10 per car each day.

Music Lineup

The 2025 festival will feature an expanded music lineup with international, national, and regional artists performing across two stages, delivering a dynamic mix of Americana, rock, alternative, punk, outlaw country and rockabilly.

 

Friday, August 8: Charles Wesley Godwin, Old 97's, The English Beat

 

Saturday, August 9: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, The Record Company, Tommy Brunett's All-Star Cavalcade of Scoundrels, The Jack Knives, Vandoliers

 

Sunday, August 10: moe., Dark Star Orchestra, Galactic featuring Anjelika Jelly Joseph, Eggy

 

Regional music acts will be announced at a later date.

Whiskey Lineup

This year’s whiskey programming will be triple the size of the inaugural festival, showcasing more than 150 of the finest spirits from local, national and regional distilleries.

 

The World of Whiskey Tasting Experience will showcase more than 30 national and regional distillers areas inside an 8,700-square-foot structure tent. The tasting experience will offer interactive sampling stations, educational sessions, and opportunities to meet the distillers behind the brands, with samples ranging from classic bourbons to unique craft expressions.

 

The five unique Tasting Experience areas are:

 

·    Rickhouse Rendezvous is a prohibition-style rickhouse-meets-speakeasy presented by The New York State Distillers Guild, it will highlight distillers from across the Excelsior state along with interactive exhibits and educational displays.

·    American Whiskey Journey is a coast-to-coast experience showcasing whiskey-producing states and distilleries across the country. Patrons will be immersed in the rich culture and heritage of American’s signature spirit, and presented visions of what American whiskey is and can be in the future.

·    Rarities Bar offers Hoochenanny whiskey fans exclusive access to some truly rare sips - exclusive, limited-edition whiskeys, from local, regional and national distillers, including several exclusive to Hoochenanny.

·    Libations Lounge offers a selection of craft whiskey cocktails from veteran mixologists, allowing guests to experience pre-prohibition classics up to modern innovations. Patrons can mix their neat whiskey into a specialty cocktail, or explore a menu of non-whiskey spirits to craft the perfect drink.

·    Bourbon Broadcast is a fireside chat featuring a nationally recognized whiskey media personality along with a rotating lineup of industry experts and Hoochenanny master distillers, blenders and ambassadors.

 

Participating brands include:

·    Balcones Distilling

·    Black Button Distilling

·    Bubba's Secret Stills Whiskey

·    Den of Thieves

·    Great Jones

·    Iron Smoke Distillery

·    Michter's

·    Pinhook

·    Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey

·    Tin Cup Mountain Whiskey

·    Woodenville Whiskey Co.

 

19 additional whiskey brands will be added to the lineup and announced at a later date.

More Expanded Festival Experiences

 

The 2025 festival will offer a variety of immersive experiences, including:

 

·    Main Stage - Featuring performances by top international and national music groups.

·    Side Stage - Showcasing top international and national music groups, along with the best local and regional talent.

·    VIP Loft Double-Decker - This premium ticket option offers exclusive access to a two-story, 5,000-square-foot oasis with a bird’s-eye view of the festival stages or access to the VIP bridge for the best main stage experience. The experience includes sit-down dining, a full cash cocktail bar, plush seating with a cigar bar, and exclusive whiskey tastings. Climate-controlled luxury restrooms provide comfort while guests enjoy the ultimate festival experience.

·    Concert Pavilion - This 10,000-square-foot covered space offers views of the main and local stages, with ample seating and lounge areas. It can comfortably accommodate 1,000 patrons and features an 80-foot bar serving beer, wine, and seltzer. Festival and band merchandise will also be available to browse while enjoying live music in a relaxed atmosphere.

·    Stageview Cocktail Lounge - An exclusive bar with a prime view of the main stage, offering specialty drinks at a cash bar. Relax in a laid-back atmosphere under a 1,650-square-foot tent, where guests can enjoy craft cocktails served in real glasses. The space, available on a first-come, first-served basis, accommodates about 300 people.

·    Lager Land - A complimentary beer-tasting area showcasing approximately 15 local craft brews poured to perfection inside a 1,800-square-foot tent just steps from the action. Open from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday and Sunday and from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, the area provides an opportunity to sample local beers alongside the festival’s music and whiskey offerings.

·    Barrel Bistro - This collection of food vendors will offer unique culinary experiences. A variety of local vendors will provide food to complement the festival. Local vendors can visit the website for more information on how to apply.

·    Artisans Bazaar - This marketplace will feature unique creations of local artisans and handcrafted goods. Meet the makers and learn their stories. Applications for vendors will open soon.

Festival Ticket Information - Early-bird pricing (1-3 Day Passes)

good from March 28 to May 31

 

VIP Passes

One-day $150, Two-day $285, Three-day $400

Access the exclusive VIP Loft Double-Decker Tent, a two-story hospitality space with lounge seating, sit-down dining, a full-service cash bar, and premium food options available for purchase. VIP guests can enjoy private whiskey tastings not available in the World of Whiskey, plus indulgent extras like hand-rolled cigars. A raised bridge connects to a stage-side party deck with prime views of the headlining acts. Includes access to all other festival experiences.

 

General Admission Tasting

One-day $75, Two-day $130, Three-day $190

For whiskey aficionados, this pass grants access to the exclusive World of Whiskey Tasting, featuring five unique tasting sessions, plus the Lager Land Beer Tasting. In addition to the tastings, this pass includes access to standard festival offerings such as the Main and Local Stages, Artisans Bazaar, The Barrel Bistro Food Experience, and the Concert Pavilion Tent with beer, wine, and seltzer. Tasting Pass holders also gain exclusive access to the Stageview Cocktail Lounge.

 

General Admission

One-day $50, Two-day $85, Three-day $120

Access the Main and Side Stages, the Artisans Bazaar, and The Barrel Bistro Food Experience. Enjoy the Concert Pavilion Tent with a selection of beer, wine, and seltzers, along with unique experiences curated by the Hoochenanny creators. This pass is ideal for designated drivers, younger festival-goers, or those seeking a more laid-back experience with a drink or two at the cash bars.

 

To learn more and purchase passes, visit hoochenanny.com/passes