Female Entrepreneur Signs Lease for Court Street Space

Bar Concept with Community-First Focus to Open Next Year

CINCINNATI (December 5, 2024) – Former corporate employee and female entrepreneur Tracy Liu recently signed a lease for the 873-square-foot space at 44 E Court Street. Located in Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC)’s Court Street Condos project, Liu plans to open Afterlife Bar next year.

After a decade-long corporate career, Liu left to pursue her lifelong dream of opening a neighborhood bar – one that brings all types of people together to connect on a deeper level. The bar will offer interactive events designed to spark conversation and inspire meaningful connections, hidden games and rewards that will be up to the patrons to discover.

“In the corporate world, I never felt like I could be my true self,” Liu shared. “We all wear professional masks at work, but outside of those walls, we all have our ‘afterlife.’ I wanted to create a space where everyone can feel free to be who they truly are. Attending music festivals has always given me a sense of freedom, playfulness, and curiosity, and my vision for Afterlife is to offer that same feeling to everyone who walks through its doors.”

Liu’s vision is also inspired by a hidden speakeasy from her childhood home, cherished for its warm and intimate atmosphere – a vibe she plans to reimagine for Cincinnati.

“I was looking for a small, rectangular space for Afterlife, and I fell in love with the history of the buildings on Court Street,” Liu said. “The architecture is stunning, there’s plenty of parking, and Court Street Plaza hosts incredible festivals and events that draw people in. It felt like the perfect location.”

Afterlife will focus on a creative cocktail menu, featuring specialty drinks with occasional Asian-inspired infusions. To reflect the bar’s playful characteristic, the bar’s entrance is currently marked with the phrase “Nothing to See Here” alongside a QR code, which gives people a sneak peek into what’s to come.

“Court Street Plaza hosts a wide variety of food and beverage options offering multiple cuisines, and Afterlife will be a fantastic addition to the area,” said Lindzie Gunnels, Director of Commercial Leasing at 3CDC. “It’s a privilege to support Tracy on this entrepreneurial journey, and we’re excited to see her dream become a reality!”

Afterlife will join an eclectic lineup of food and beverage operators on Court Street Plaza, many of which have opened in the past year, including Court Street Kitchen, Pata Roja, Daruma, and Almost V’Gan. The area is also home to longer-running businesses, such as Avril Bleh, Mid-City Restaurant, Onolicious, and Pilar. With this partnership, 3CDC has now fully leased all commercial space in the organization’s Court Street Condos project.

Liu is working with Commercial Construction Group on the buildout of the space and INDIO to bring her design vision to life. She plans to celebrate the grand opening of Afterlife in Summer 2025. Details will be shared as they become available.

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