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It was always Jeff and Mandy Kaplan’s dream to own a restaurant. Now they do, less than three miles from where they live.
Jeff and Mandy met 30 years ago when he was working as a chef in New York City, while Mandy worked at AOL in Utah. They have been together ever since, relocating to Florence and gaining experience through various service-industry gigs. Mandy worked as a corporate trainer at Bonefish Grill, while Jeff served as an executive chef for over 20 years.
In 2021, the Kaplans decided to go all in on their shared dream by acquiring a local sports bar listed for sale. For the Kaplans, the opportunity was the culmination of decades spent working toward that dream.
Today, that vision manifests itself as 859 Taproom, a popular sports bar and restaurant located at 8720 Bankers Street in Florence. The restaurant has become a fan favorite among Florence residents and Northern Kentuckians alike, becoming a go-to spot for special occasions such as birthdays, family dinners, or sporting events like Bengals’ games or Kentucky basketball games.
“We’re almost 50 years old, and chasing our dream, and decided what better time than now, so we bought a restaurant to chase our dream,” Jeff said.
As Northern Kentucky residents, they built on the local branding because they believed it was a core part of the restaurant’s identity.
“We moved here about 10 years ago, and we’ve lived in many places, there’s something about here that instantly we knew this is our home,” Mandy said. “This is where we meant to be.”
Much of their food menu is sourced from local businesses and wholesalers, giving customers the opportunity to sample from Northern Kentucky-based producers. Some of the menu’s most prominent examples include Whobrey Farms and Neely Family Distillery in the Sparta area.
In a unique agreement, the wagyu beef that appears on 859 Taproom’s menu actually comes from cattle fed with spent grain from the Neely Family Distillery.
“When we put this together, it blossomed before we even had the restaurant,” Jeff said. “Once the restaurant came to be, what better fit? We’re a family-owned restaurant. We’re going to a family-owned distillery and a family-owned local farm, and it’s just such a great fit.”
The restaurant’s most popular menu item may be its namesake 859 Burger, topped with bacon, cheese, a bourbon glaze, and crispy onion straws, served with curly fries.
The shrimp tacos are another standout, featuring freshly breaded shrimp tossed in a spicy cream sauce and topped with fresh vegetables.
“I think that’s where his (Jeff’s) fine dining background comes in, because it’s elevating those kinds of food,” Mandy said.
While 859 Taproom has been in business for several years, it was founded in 2018 by another entrepreneur under a different name. Entrepreneur Josh Bolin founded The Brass Tap in 2018. The Brass Tap Beer Bar is a Florida-based craft beer and sports bar with more than 50 locations nationwide.
Bolin, a former Kona Ice franchisee and a food-industry veteran, initially wanted to enter the restaurant business as an owner. However, after a financial backer recommended joining a franchise group, Bolin decided to open his restaurant under the Brass Tap Beer Bar brand.
After a year of operating under the ‘Brass Tap’ branding, Bolin decided it was time to go independent. As an independent operator, Bolin said the move would give him more input into the food and drink menu. Ultimately, he wanted more operational control. This led Bolin to change the restaurant’s name to 859 Taproom – a nod to Bolin’s Northern Kentucky roots.
Perhaps the most prominent feature of 859 Taproom’s menu is its extensive craft beer selection, which Jeff regards as among the largest in Greater Cincinnati. It offers beers from major national craft breweries and smaller, niche ones. Customers will find local favorites like Rhinegeist and Braxton Brewing, along with brands such as Founders from Detroit, Michigan, and Schlafly in St. Louis. The taproom serves flights, allowing patrons to sample both local and national beers.
On the bourbon side, 859 Taproom has a bourbon wall featuring over 150 different options. The restaurant participates in the Select Six, a local group of independent businesses that collaboratively selects private bourbon barrels. These exclusive picks are available both by the pour and for bottle purchases, attracting bourbon enthusiasts from across the region.
“We really couldn’t ask for more,” Jeff said. “This is home for us, and it will never change.”
