Lexington’s hottest bar: Glassblowing, classes, drinks that belong in an art studio

Travis Adams took the long way to get to his current role as co-owner of Lexington’s coolest new drinking establishment. Adams, 31, was majoring in financial economics at Centre College in Danville, with a predictable path in high finance laid out before him.

But you know what they say about best laid plans ... and predictable paths.

As Adams explains, “It was my last semester at Centre, and I had finished all my required courses. On a whim, I decided to take an elective in glass with Stephen Powell.”

For those unfamiliar with Powell, the noted glass artist was on the faculty at Centre for 30 years prior to his death in 2019.

Travis picks up his narrative.

“I’d like to say the rest was history, but I can’t. I did go into finance with a firm in Nashville,” he says, almost apologetically.

His white-collar job didn’t last long – not even a year – as visions of blown glass kept dancing in his head. He turned over his portfolio to someone else and headed back to Danville to apprentice with Powell, telling him that he “would push a broom” to gain experience.

Broom pushing wasn’t in his future. With experience and Powell’s encouragement, he enrolled at Illinois State University where he received his Master of Fine Arts.

Watch, learn glassblowing at Trifecta

The fruit of his labor is on display at Trifecta Glass Art Lounge, the Walton Avenue gallery/studio/lounge he owns with his two partners, an Atlanta-based designer and a Danville veterinarian.

A small gallery occupies the right side of the building, formerly a forklift/machine shop. Interspersed with Adams’s own creations, some of which are priced as low as $60, are a few of Powell’s elaborately colored three-foot glass vessels, which sell for $30,000.

Straight ahead is the forge, and beyond that some seating for people immersed in watching Adams make his magic. And if you are feeling bold, there are classes where you can learn the art of glassblowing yourself. The price for classes range from $70-$300 including a couple’s glassblowing experience that’s been popular for dates. In the class you’ll get one collaborative glass piece and two craft cocktails from the lounge.

Trifecta lounge has speakeasy feel

It’s the lounge, located behind a seemingly ordinary looking mirror taking up one whole wall, that has lovers of craft cocktails abuzz.

Pushing on that mirror ever so slightly opens up to a scene that would make what was beyond Alice’s looking glass pale in comparison.

This is a different kind of wonderland – a dimly lit speakeasy decorated in shades of jewel green, ebony and rust. It might be a scene from a 1930s New Yorker Magazine cover.

A scattering of tables are occupied by people sipping cocktails and speaking in hushed tones as if they really do have to keep their presence here a secret. Their conversations play out against a background of soft music.

Across the room, at the bar with its elaborate mirror, a trio of mixologists make no attempt at being quiet as they vigorously jiggle cocktail shakers.

If my recent visit is any indication, the speakeasy is proving to be Lexington’s hottest hot spot.

Drinks at Trifecta Glass Art Lounge

For starters, the craft cocktail list is epic. How about a martini served in a bell pepper which gives it a mild peppery taste? You can have your cocktail along with your daily serving of veggies.

Or how about a Golden Spice? It may be liquid, but nosing it gives one a sniff of Indian curry, right down to the nutmeg sprinkle garnish.

Perhaps most unusual of all is the Glass House, cucumber-flavored vodka, garnished with celery bitters and a half broken eggshell to make it look like egg yolk.

“This one is a real fan favorite,” says Adams, adding that he wanted the artistry of the drinks to be its own studio.

That artistry changes every three months with both a new gallery show and a new cocktail menu. The next debuted April 20 when the gallery launched an equestrian-themed exhibition. The floral and fruity cocktails are “a nod to Keeneland’s spring meet,” says Adams.

If you’re not into floral or fruit or broken eggshells for that matter, Trifecta offers what they refer to as ‘smoked classics,’ from a Rusty Nail to a Negroni, as well as flights of Scotch, Gin, Rum and Sake.

House cocktails don’t disappoint either.

You can go traditional – a Bourbon Bloom, or be adventurous with something called Herp and his Derp, which combines Solera Rum, an entire egg and West Sixth Brewery’s cocoa Porter to come up with what is described as “the best flip this side of the grave.”

Trifecta bar: No TVs, no loud music

Adams may have found his muse, but his business acumen has also stood him in good stead.

“I wanted a business that would pay off and help support the studio,” he says. “There is a performative aspect to both blowing glass and mixing cocktails. They are a natural fit.”

Adams’s goal is to immerse people in the art of glass, whether collecting it or drinking from it.

“The bar space should reflect what we’re doing in the studio,” he says.

Adding that he wants a bar “that Frank Sinatra would come to,” Trifecta is all about offering an elevated experience.

There are no TVs showing the Cats in action. The only action patrons will see is a blob of glass being transformed into an object d’art.

Likewise, don’t expect ear-shattering music. Adams brings in jazz pianist Les Carroll and his band once a month. The rest of the time music is courtesy of a Bossa Nova group, consisting of the family of bar manager Rudy Eberhard.

Let’s recap: a chance to watch a glassblowing demonstration while sipping a killer cocktail and listening to jazz and bossa nova - how could Sinatra not have loved it?

Trifecta Glass Art Lounge

Where: 243 Walton Ave.

Gallery hours: Noon-6 p.m. Wed.-Sun.; Mon.-Tues. by appointment

Bar, lounge hours: 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Wed.-Sat.

Online: trifectadesignstudio.com