Some people will do almost anything for a good cup of coffee or a bourbon cocktail – and that includes pedaling up and down Frankfort’s hills on a 13-person contraption that’s a cross between a bicycle and a trolley car.
The Bourbon Blazer Bike has been a fixture on the capital’s streets since April of this year and has proven to be a popular mode of transportation (and refreshments) for groups ranging from family reunions to bachelor and bachelorette parties.
Bourbon Blazer Bike owners Andrew and Silvie McDonald, along with manager Samantha Singleton, have come up with two tours – one designed for java lovers and the other a traditional pub crawl-style tour for pedalers of legal drinking age.
The History/Coffee Shop Tour is available Monday through Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and is priced at $19.99.
The tour combines stops at local coffee houses (Andy’s Artisan Bread, Engine House Coffee and Kentucky Coffee Tree) with the opportunity to pedal past sights such as the old and new Capitol Buildings, Liberty Hall, and Rebecca Ruth Candy.
Insider tip: try a pecan custard Danish or cranberry orange scone paired with a Honey Bee or Lavender Honey Latte at Andy’s Artisan Bakery.
Should you be more interested in beverages of an adult nature, Bourbon Blazer Bikes also offers two pub crawl tours Thursday through Saturday at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., priced at $27.99.
There are 12 bars and restaurants from which to select (participants are asked to choose three stops) from Howser’s Tavern, Cooperage, The Brick Alley, Dicey Riley’s, Mortimer Bibb’s, Kentucky Gentlemen Cigars & Cap City Cigar Lounge, Stainless Brewing, Goodwood Brewing, Sig Luscher Brewery, Capital Cellars, The Brown Barrel Restaurant and The House of Commons Bourbon Library.
Insiders’ tip: Stop in at the HOC and sample the city’s official cocktail, The Frankfort.
Cost of the pub/cocktail tour is $27.99, and requires a photo ID. Both the coffee and cocktail tours are two hours in duration and can be personalized to fit any group.
However, Bourbon Blazer Bikes offers more than pedal power and a beverage bonanza. As of September 2023, guests can stay in one of the three Air B&B units at Blanton’s Landing, headquarters for the business.
The beautiful stone building has quite the history, as Col. Albert B. Blanton, a legend in the bourbon industry, once lived here.
When you’re not pedaling, the McDonalds and Singleton have come up with some innovative ways for you to appreciate bourbon – from painting and yoga classes (accompanied by bourbon, of course) to cocktail classes.
Additionally, the adjacent garden overlooking the Kentucky River is the perfect spot to relax, enjoy the river breeze and sip your favorite bourbon while listening to live music.
Asked why he chose Frankfort rather than larger cities such as Louisville or Lexington to set up his business, Andrew McDonald responded that along with its history, it was Frankfort’s size that appealed to him.
“I liked the layout of Frankfort and its incredible history,” he says. “However, I also liked that it’s small enough to navigate easily, but large enough to have some interesting stops.” The next time you see the Bourbon Blazer Bike making the rounds of the Capital City, return the friendly waves of the pedalers and salute Frankfort’s newest tourist attraction.