Three Spirits Tavern In The News
Northern Kentucky’s ‘B Line’ celebrates region’s unique bourbon heritage
If you or a loved one suffer from phasmophobia — the persistent fear of ghosts — then Three Spirits Tavern in Bellevue may not be your first choice.
But, if you’re feeling brave, Three Spirits co-founder Charlie Zimmerman can mix up an Old Fashioned to help ease your nerves. Before you know it, you and the ghosts that live in the building will be enjoying a drink together.
Founded in 2018 by Zimmerman and Leslie Blair, Three Spirits Tavern was named for the three outstanding spirits: bourbon, wine and beer, according to their website. Additionally, the owners believe the building to be haunted.
“Our goal is for you to get the bourbon on your palate, get you used to it so that you can then experience it in its native form,” Zimmerman said.
Bellevue Named One of Kentucky’s Most Charming Small Towns by Southern Living
Just minutes away from the bustling Newport on the Levee entertainment complex, Bellevue blends city convenience with the yesteryear charm of historic Kentucky river towns. Fairfield Avenue, its tree-lined main thoroughfare, has been the beating heart of this close-knit community since the 1800s. Independently owned small businesses take up residence here in the colorful Italianate buildings and unique storefronts.
Named for its beautiful view of the Ohio River and Cincinnati skyline, Bellevue has a lively downtown that hosts numerous street festivals and community events: farmers markets, art shows, parades, concerts, and more. Visitors find everything from a retro ice cream parlor, antique shops, and boutiques to hip brunch spots, a microbrewery, and a taproom. The B-Line, northern Kentucky’s self-guided bourbon trail, brings bourbon aficionados to Three Spirits Tavern, an adorable gathering space with a perfectly crafted Old Fashioned.
Three Spirits Tavern bartender crowned winner of inaugural Northern Kentucky Cocktail Classic
Bartender Ray Perryman of Three Spirits Tavern in Bellevue took home some hardware from the inaugural Northern Kentucky Cocktail Classic.
His cocktail, the ‘Harvest Season,’ featured Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon, pear and apple juice, a touch of lemon juice, ginger liqueurs, house-made spiced simple syrup, sweet ginger bitters and a smoked rosemary garnish.
Perryman received a cash prize of $500 and a special bourbon barrel trophy and a mixology set from Barfly presented to him at a special party at Three Spirits to signify the achievement.
Bellevue Entertainment District Expands Days and Hours
In August, the Bellevue City Council passed a significant expansion of operation hours for its popular entertainment district, known as the B.E.D. The district will now operate seven days a week, and hours are expanded to run from 9 a.m. to midnight.
In November 2019, the city created the “Bellevue Entertainment District,” or B.E.D., a designation from the state that would allow the creation of an entertainment area designed to allow patrons to purchase an adult beverage and carry it with them from establishment to establishment as long as it is in a specially marked cup.
Cocktail Competition this Weekend
This weekend -- three spirits tavern and the b-line are hosting the first ever northern kentucky cocktail classic! And bourbon enthusiasts from across the region are invited to indulge in the competition... Joining us now -- from three spirits tavern -- are Charlie Zimmeman and Alex VanWinkle.
River City Living: Three Spirits in Bellevue May Also Reference Ghosts
The name of the Fairfield Avenue watering hole is a reference to three alcoholic spirits (beer, wine, and bourbon), as well as to the owners' three-person family.
But now it also references what the family says is former residents of the building, who are heard and seen, even though they have been dead for decades.
The building has been converted into a tavern on the first floor and an apartment on the second floor. The apartment has been used as a short-term residence for the owners, as well as a guest suite for visiting family. It will soon be an Airbnb rental.
Beyond The Curb: Season 2, Episode 6: “Spirited” apartment in Bellevue, KY
Owners Charlie Zimmerman and Leslie Blair named their tavern “Three Spirits” to reference their three-person family, as well as the three spirits (beer, wine and bourbon) that they feature on the menu. The name took on a whole other meaning when they began to hear and see the former residents of the house…who had been dead for decades.
The beautiful building has been converted into a tavern on the first floor and an apartment on the second floor. The apartment has been used as a short-term residence for the owners, as well as a guest suite for visiting family. It will soon be an Airbnb rental.
Four NKY locations added to The B-Line to Celebrate National Bourbon Day
In conjunction with National Bourbon Day and the recovery of travel to the tristate post-pandemic, The B-Line has announced the addition of four new stops to the impressive collection of establishments comprising Northern Kentucky’s bourbon experience.
"Beyond the five senses, history is a huge part of the Kentucky bourbon experience," said Julie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO at meetNKY/Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Bellevue Zoning Ordinance Regulates and Supports Outdoor Dining
The Bellevue city council has approved a Campbell County Planning and Zoning recommendation to amend its zoning ordinance to allow outdoor dining and to set flexible rules for the process. At their June 9 and 15 meetings, council hammered out the details with the caveat that city regulations could be tweaked or changed as things unfold.
The decision was a culmination of several months of discussion throughout the community on the issue, both public and private, in-person and online.
Dog Friendly Places in Cincinnati
Laura Rue, a 365Cincinnati reader, recently asked, “Have you all ever done a list of restaurants or businesses in Cincinnati that allow dogs (other than the obvious like pet stores)? If not, would you consider doing one? Now that Spring is upon us the pup and I are in the mood for adventures!”
We asked our Facebook “fans” if they had any suggestions of places you could go with “man’s best friend” and here’s the list they suggested. I think it’s safe to say that your pup should be on a leash at each of these locations.
Bellevue Gets in the Spirit with Newest Tavern
Over the summer Bellevue quietly welcomed Three Spirits Tavern to Fairfield Avenue. While a grand opening is in the works for this fall, the pub and eatery is already a popular spot “on the Avenue.”
Leslie Blair and Charles Zimmerman, with their daughter, form the three spirits behind the tavern located at 209 Fairfield Ave. The couple, who are both realtors and own Towne and Country Realty House in Edgewood, did not start out to open a new business.
A 'Big Lebowski'-Themed Pub Crawl is Taking Over Bellevue in March
Northern Kentucky's Bellevue neighborhood is kicking off their monthly First Friday celebration with a Big Lebowski-themed pub crawl on March 6.
Don your bathrobe, shorts and sandals with a White Russian in hand and strut the streets of the Bellevue Entertainment District during the aptly named "The Day of the Dude Pub Crawl."
The party starts at 5 p.m. at Three Spirits Tavern, then travels over to Darkness Brewing where they will have a special release for the occasion. The crawl continues through various shops and bars like the Elusive Cow and Danyelle's Bellevue Tavern before ending at the oh-so-chic Fairfield Market.
Three Spirits Tavern Is Pet Friendly
Three Spirits Tavern, located in Bellevue, KY, is a casual dog friendly eatery where Fido is welcome to join you at an outdoor table in the yard or sidewalk cafe seating areas. This fun neighborhood bar serves food 'til closing like gourmet flatbreads, warm crocks and dips, soft pretzels, Mediterranean board and more! Over 100+ bourbons, specialty cocktails, Happy Hours and "Yappy" Hours. Bellevue Entertainment District (BED) has Open Container cups for sip & shop along the Avenue!
Sipping Bourbon On The B-Line Patios
Three Spirits Tavern, also newly added to The B-Line, is located in Bellevue, Ky., a ten-minute drive from downtown Cincy. They have a huge patio that feels like a beautiful yard at someone’s home. Someone with an astonishing bourbon collection! Please note, as of this writing they’re working on some additions to the patio–check ahead for availability.
Don't miss this spirited tavern in Bellevue
We were looking for something with a nice patio to enjoy before the weather turns cold and gloomy for a few months and I'm glad we chose to visit Three Spirits Tavern in Bellevue. Neither of us had ever been there before and it was a treat!
First, their cocktail menu is so unique! This is the beginning of the Funken Old Fashioned--named after Nicholas Funken, the original owner of the home that is now Three Spirits Tavern. He was a coal broker, so the Old Fashioned named after him features a "lump of coal" ice cube--black cocoa gives it a dark color and the cocoa melts into the Old Fashioned and gives it a unique flavor!
Bellevue's Entertainment District Is the Latest Reason to Love the Neighborhood
Introducing the Bellevue Entertainment District (BED)! The BED allows people to walk between different Bellevue establishments with an alcoholic drink using a special cup. Hamilton and Milford also have similar outdoor drinking zones. Las Vegas and New Orleans are examples of bigger cities that permit drink-carrying in public, and the BED follows suit by offering a boost to foot traffic and business in Bellevue, too. The following spots are ones you'll find within the district.