CityBeat | Best Of 2024

Every day, CityBeat Best of Cincinnati 2024

we all go about our business in Greater Cincinnati. We work. We eat. We shop. We party. We unwind.

But as we mark things from our neverending to-do lists, how often do we stop to think about how lucky we are to have so much of what we need within a short walk, drive or transit ride? How often do we think about the culture, entertainment and business that Cincinnati has developed over the years? How often do we think about the parks and public spaces that add some serenity to our hustle? And how often do we think about the folks who make it all happen?

The Queen City is fortunate to have so many people contributing to the region’s vitality in different ways. At CityBeat, we try to highlight many of them in our regular digital and print coverage, but we love to go overboard in our annual Best of Cincinnati issue. In our 2024 edition, our writers are calling attention to the excellence they’ve discovered both in their personal lives and while covering our fair city. Yes, we’ve got our favorite burgers and nightclubs and city improvements, but there also are plenty of surprises in the pages ahead.

But Cincinnati is vast, and there’s more greatness here than our team will ever be able to count or experience. That’s why we rely on you, our readers, to point us toward Greater Cincy’s unsung heroes who have – in one way or another – become indispensable in your daily lives. Thanks to your votes earlier this year, you’ve helped choose tops in hundreds categories in the 2024 Best of Cincinnati issue.

So soak it all in, Cincinnati. This is the place we call home, and we’re all the better for it.

Over the Rhine. | Photo: Shutterstock

Reader Picks City Life

City Life

Staff Picks

Best close encounter in Covington

The 859 area code has transformed into Area 51 with the arrival of “Clive,” a 30-foot-tall fiberglass alien who now calls Covington’s Midtown Parking Garage home. The notso-little green man protrudes from the second and third floors of the parking structure, wielding a giant magnifying glass to examine any humanoids passing by below… especially those interested in taking a selfie (#clivethealien). Created by local artist Marc Phelps and funded by Covington’s Quality of Place grant program and meetNKY, the intergalactic installation adds a whimsical touch to the region’s already impressive collection of public art. instagram.com/clivethealien.

Best reason this year why Northside is such a great neighborhood

Every year seems to bring another sterling example of how, in Northside, people really try to support their local businesses and cultural institutions. This year’s one centers on The Loon Wine Bar on Hamilton Ave., a lovely and friendly small establishment that also has some invigorating live musical entertainment. Forced to close in February due to her landlord’s plans for the space, owner Melanie Quallen discovered that the new spot she found across the street would take longer than planned to be ready, meaning a loss of revenue for time closed. So she started a GoFundMe campaign to ask for help to cover financial

“Clive” the alien at a Covington parking garage | Photo: Aidan Mahoney

City Life

losses and expenses. As of late February, she has received $27,000 of her $30,000 goal, and the future is looking hopeful. welcometonorthside.com.

Best reclaiming of reproductive rights

When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the court made abortion rights a states’ issue, and Ohio spoke. The first predominantly Republican state to decide on abortion care access, Ohio passed Issue 1 with more than 56% of the vote, a crushing defeat for Republicans who railed against the measures with the full support of the state’s top election official. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose reportedly allowed several anti-abortion groups to assist in writing the ballot language for Issue 1, inserting misleading language such as “unborn child.” That didn’t stop Ohioans from making their priorities clear. Now, abortion access in the state remains untouched and is legal up until the point of viability, or about

22 weeks. The results of Issue 1 shines a purple light on the question: “Is Ohio a red or blue state anymore?”

Best productive neighborhood committee

College Hill residents saw a need in their community — traffic and pedestrian safety — and they banded together to fill it. After multiple bad accidents, lives lost and close calls, a few concerned neighbors took matters into their own hands to initiate studies and partner with groups like Vision Zero Cincinnati, to request and fund traffic calming measures. They regularly meet at troublesome entrances and intersections to hold signs, wave and work at making pedestrian safety a more visible concern for drivers in their neighborhood. They’re more than just keyboard warriors — they’re contributing members of their community. visionzerocincy.net.

Best place for kids to blow off steam for free in the winter

When the weather turns cold, wet and altogether awful, it’s easy to feel trapped inside with your kiddo. There just aren’t enough indoor play options for kids in the postCOVID era. But tucked into the upper corner of Liberty Center’s indoor mall area is not only a whole library, but also an actual kid-friendly play area, sponsored by Cincinnati Children’s. From air tubes to a giant, climbable pig and slide, the Discovery Center is a great place to let your kids burn some energy indoors and for free.

Best festive parking garage

It’s not too often that you see a parking garage do anything to spruce things up, let alone show Christmas spirit, but the downtown 7th street Olympic Garage not only decorates the mid-century garage, but does it in style with a group of Christmas character blow molds and giant

“Bans Off Our Bodies” abortion protest | Photo: Mary LeBus

wreaths hanging over the entrance and exit along with decorations inside, as well — pretty charming. The giant eye-catching red and white arrow “PARK” sign might also be one of the best of the old Cincinnati signs still flying over the city streets.

Best big cat comeback

News broke in March that Cincinnati Animal CARE (CAC), the nonprofit that operates Hamilton County’s dog warden, received a call about a “leopard” stuck in a tree in Oakley. Turns out, after an encounter with Cincinnati Police, an illegal serval escaped from an apartment and ran up a tree. Crews retrieved the “grumpy” 35-pound cat, named Amiry, bringing him back to CAC’s Northside shelter. A big cat expert confirmed Amiry was in fact a 100% purebred serval, adding he’d “rather deal with a tiger.” CAC’s tests found cocaine in Amiry’s system, giving him the viral “cocaine cat” nickname in light of Elizabeth Banks’ horror/comedy Cocaine Bear released early that year. Amiry was eventually transferred to the Cincinnati Zoo where he transitioned into a new role as a “cat ambassador.” While the journey was wild, Amiry is now thriving as a public figure among new drug-free friends.

Best beloved bus line

While many are forward-focused on the advancement of public transit in the city, most forget to put respect on one of Metro’s most cherished lines on the road: the 17. Shout out to a tried-and-true hero which, while sometimes off schedule, pulls us through from the south to the north of Cincinnati come rain, sleet, snow and especially shine. Operating during most holidays, the 17 still holds the respect of many of Cincinnati’s residents as a reliable way to move about Hamilton County and at a very appreciated price. go-metro.com.

Best Goodyear blimp landing at Lunken Field

On a sunny, blue sky fall day last September, the famous Goodyear Blimp landed at the historic Lunken Field. Onlookers who happened by on the nearby bike trail or driving by (like myself) stopped and looked on, taking pictures like a celebrity sighting, of sorts. Lunken Airport is a legend in its own right. Charles Lindbergh and his Spirit of St. Louis made a stop in 1927; Howard Hughes and Jean Harlow visited for the dedication; it’s where The Beatles landed on their first visit in 1964, and Air Force One has carried multiple presidents there over the years. The art deco airport is a sight itself; it’s one of the city’s essential buildings, and there is also always something to see in the, still, very active airfield. cincinnati-oh.gov/dote/lunken-airport.

Best view of the Cincinnati skyline

While enjoying the array of wonderful drinks available on their menu, the draw of the Beeline is its spectacular view of the Cincinnati skyline. Whether it’s a chilly day and you can only view through the windows, or you get to sit at

City Life

The “cocaine cat” was made famous when Hamilton County animal authorities pulled the scrappy 35-pound kitty from a tree in Oakley during the early hours on Jan. 28. | Photo: Provided by Ray Anderson

City Life

their outdoor section, you will get an incredible view of the Queen City, perfect for snapping a few photos or simply admiring the atmosphere. Beeline also has a long list of house cocktails to sip while you stare out at the city, such as the Hot Shot, which includes lavender-infused vodka, and The Derail, with jalapeño tequila, among others. Or, try one of their Jam Sessions, where you select your spirit (vodka, gin, rum, bourbon or tequila) and your jam (blueberry-lime, cherry-jalapeño, raspberry rosé, pineapple upside down or honey pear vanilla) which the bartenders will make into your own curated drink. beelineonthelevee.com.

Best city view in Mount Adams

Mt. Adams is known for its San Francisco-like hills, high vantage point over the city and its bars and restaurants, but one local establishment combines all of those. The City

View Tavern is a fun little bar with good burgers and a hidden away, local feel, but the best part is its namesake view. The picture window that looks out over the east side of the city might be one of best in town, and there’s also a deck to get even closer. Best seen at night looking out over the city lights. cityviewtavern.com.

Best good deeds on Thanksgiving and Christmas

For the past several years, Good Plates Eatery in Clifton Heights has been brightening the holidays for many by handing out free Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to anyone interested — no questions asked. Good Plates owner Andrew Schlanser said the whole thing started in 2020 during the pandemic. He and his wife, Jamie, always wanted to use their restaurant to do some good in the community, and they figured since people wouldn’t be able to visit loved ones for the holidays, didn’t want to cook or just needed a

meal, they could offer that kindness. It started with 20 or 30 meals then, and, in 2023, Schlanser said they were prepared to make at least 4,000 meals total. goodplateseatery.com.

Best backlash to the loss of a historical site

Music & Event Management Inc. (MEMI) really thought Cincinnati was going to jump for joy when they announced in 2023 that Coney Island and its iconic Sunlight Pool would be demolished and replaced with, wait for it, another music venue. The sun set on Coney Island in December after nearly 138 years of memories made, and critics of MEMI, a subsidiary of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, were quick with their honest takes online: “Please god no,” one Instagram user commented on CityBeat’s post about the news; “Stop taking things away from kids,” commented another. The wide internet discourse ballooned into 24,000 people (and counting) signing an

Cincinnati’s skyline from the rooftop of City View Tavern | Photo: Aidan Mahoney

City Life

online petition to turn Coney Island’s pool into a historical landmark. The Cincinnati Preservation Association is also taking a firm stance against filling in Sunlight Pool, the largest recirculating swimming pool in the world: “This is something that should be celebrated and preserved, not paved over.”

Best return of a stolen relic

In a saga fit for an Italian soap opera, the Capitoline Wolf Statue, a stolen gem from Cincinnati’s Eden Park, made a triumphant return in 2023 — or rather, its replica has. After the original disappeared under mysterious circumstances in June 2022, officials held a grand unveiling of the replacement in November, complete with the Cincinnati chapter of the Order Sons & Daughters of Italy in America. The stolen original, a gift from Benito Mussolini in 1929, had quite the journey — switched out for a larger replica in 1931, it stood in Eden Park until snatched by vandals in 2022. Despite the city council’s $50,000 reward offer, the police are still playing catch-up with the statuenappers. The unveiling of her replacement, complete with

Italian crooners and treats, turned the whole affair into a beautifully cheesy Italian-American spectacle, reminding everyone that Cincinnati has history, both stolen and recreated. cincinnatiparksfoundation.org/projects/ the-capitoline-wolf.

Best comedically timed court date scheduling

This court date had to be selected with the explicit intent to be funny. Rapper Afroman, known for his 2000 hit “Because I Got High,” appeared in court on April 20 (yes, 4/20) to defend himself against seven Adams County deputies who allege he’s ruined their reputations. Afroman, given name Joseph Edgar Foreman, is being sued by seven members of the Adams County Sheriff’s Office for publishing security footage of a raid on his home by the department from August 2022. The raid, which Afroman said caused extensive damage to his home, recovered only cash, a few joints, a vape and some hemp. Officials at the time said the raid was part of an “ongoing investigation” into possession of drugs, drug paraphernalia, money and

weapons associated with drug trafficking and kidnapping. No charges were ever filed against the artist, but the deputies involved in the raid are suing the rapper for using his own security footage of the raid on Instagram, on t-shirts and in music videos for a new album titled Lemon Pound Cake. The case (and the laughs at his court scheduling) is still ongoing.

Best transformation of a city for a major pop star

Whether in Paycor Stadium or screaming from The Banks, Taylor Swift Fans, or “Swifties,” showed up in full force for the first night of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert in June. The Banks was transformed into “Swiftinnati” for a concert Tay-Gate, complete with friendship bracelet stations and custom Swift-inspired cocktails. Fans dressed in an endless array of Taylor-made costumes; even the protesters were unwittingly on-theme (see the “You Need to Calm Down” music video). The fashion and passion were a reminder that girls fucking rule, and Taylor Swift’s relevance and impact have only just begun.

Taylor Swift fans at The Banks before her show at Paycor Stadium | Photo: Kevin Lush

City Life

Best celebration of life for an American icon from Cincinnati

Jerry Springer, the provocative, daytime talk show legend and former mayor of Cincinnati, died at 79 after a battle with pancreatic cancer at his Chicago home in April. Before Springer was “Jerry! Jerry!” he spent a decade in Cincinnati politics, serving on city council and as the city’s 56th mayor in 1977. He then spent another ten years as WLWT’s nightly news anchor where Springer earned several Emmys. Starting in 1991, The Jerry Springer Show debuted, quickly evolving into a shocking daytime display paternity test reveals, marriage confessions and in-studio brawls that blurred the lines between reality and scripted television. Before the show wrapped after 5,000 episodes in 2018, Springer returned to his roots as a political and cultural commentator with The Jerry Springer Podcast, which was recorded in Ludlow, Ky. Cincinnati remembered Springer in a celebration of life at Memorial Hall that was broadcast to pedestrians at Fountain Square. Attended

by local leaders, family and fans, guests were given t-shirts featuring his signature catchphrase: “Take care of yourself and each other.”

Best weed-positive moment for Ohio politics

While it’s mind boggling that it took this long, Ohioans have finally voted to legalize recreational marijuana in the state. Issue 2 passed with more than 56% of the vote, showing we’re ready to be treated as adults who unwind in peace. While lawmakers are still fighting over implementation details, like THC levels, home growth rules and more, 2023 was a major first step towards lifting the prohibition of something that should have never been illegal in the first place.

Best acknowledgement for the sins of city leaders past

In June, city leaders made a rare proclamation condemning the actions of past politicians who systematically displaced tens of thousands of Black Cincinnatians.

Standing alongside council members and other city leaders, Mayor Aftab Pureval issued a public apology for the destructive consequences of the 1948 “Master Plan” that saw the dismantling of the historically Black lower West End neighborhood to make way for the expansion of I-75 and the Queensgate industrial area. The apology acknowledged the racist actions and long-term damage inflicted on the predominantly Black community, where over 2,800 homes, businesses, churches and other buildings were leveled. Approximately 25,000 residents, mostly Black, were forcibly displaced, with promises of relocation assistance unfulfilled. The apology emphasized ongoing efforts to reinvest in the West End, including pedestrian safety measures, a $20 million federal grant for road improvements, a $7 million investment to address pollution in the Mill Creek corridor and support for local businesses. The city also plans to pursue a $50 million choice grant with the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority to revitalize housing on Linn Street and transform the historic Regal Theater into an African-American multicultural center.

Harper Meadows Playground in Winton Woods | Photo: Aidan Mahoney

Reader Picks Eats

Eats

3. Gordo’s Pub & Grill

Neighborhood Burger Spot (Downtown/OTR)

1. Arnold’s Bar & Grill

2. Nation Kitchen & Bar

3. Milkman

Neighborhood Burger Spot (East Side)

1. Zip’s Café

2. Fifty West Burger Bar

3. Arthur’s

Neighborhood Burger Spot (Northern Kentucky)

1. Bard’s Burgers & Chili

2. Herb & Thelma’s Tavern

3. Mad Mike’s Burgers

Neighborhood Burger Spot (West Side)

1. Incline Public House

2. Nation Kitchen & Bar (Westwood)

3. Chandler’s Burger Bistro

Neighborhood Coffee Shop (Burbs)

1. Wyoming Community Coffee

2. Kitty Brew Cat Café

3. Luckman Coffee

Neighborhood Coffee Shop (Central)

1. Mom ‘n ‘em Coffee

2. Proud Hound Coffee

3. Sidewinder

Neighborhood Coffee Shop (Downtown/OTR)

1. Coffee Emporium

2. Deeper Roots

3. Urbana Cafe

Neighborhood Coffee Shop (East Side)

1. Coffee Emporium (Hyde Park)

2. Mom ‘n ‘em Coffee and Wine (Madisonville)

3. Deeper Roots Coffee (Oakley)

Neighborhood Coffee Shop (Northern Kentucky)

1. Roebling Point Books & Coffee

2. Unataza Coffee

3. Carabello Coffee

Neighborhood Coffee Shop (West Side)

1. Biggby Coffee

2. BLOC Coffee Company

3. White Oak Coffee House

Neighborhood Pizza Joint (Burbs)

1. Dewey’s Pizza

2. A Tavola

3. Two Cities Pizza Co.

Neighborhood Pizza Joint (Central)

1. Adriatico’s

2. Dewey’s Pizza

3. Goodfellas Pizzeria

Neighborhood Pizza Joint (Downtown/OTR)

1. Goodfellas Pizzeria

2. Taglio

3. Mikey’s Late Night Slice

Neighborhood Pizza Joint (East Side)

1. Dewey’s Pizza

2. Taglio

3. Catch-a-Fire Pizza

Neighborhood

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1.

Neighborhood

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3.

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3.

New

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Staff Picks

Best “Die Mas” pop-up restaurant experience

Two nights of Taco Bell-inspired food, accompanied by boozy Baja Blasts, tarot card readings and a killer staff — all at one spot, Jerry’s Jug House in Newport. I think this pick speaks for itself. jerrysjughouse.com.

Best tempeh burger slider

On its own, tempeh, a plant-based protein made with soybeans, doesn’t exactly make the list of mouth-watering dinner options. However, the tempeh slider at Hangry Omar’s in Covington Yard makes the plant-based patty so delectable that you won’t need to close your eyes and imagine that you’re sinking your teeth into a real hamburger just to stomach it. In fact, the marinated local chickpea tempeh, topped with American cheese, Buffalo sauce, and bourbon tomatillo relish is so good that you don’t even

think about the fact that it’s a meatless sandwich topped with great-for-you veggies. hangryomars.com.

Best damned chocolate

Graeter’s may eternally wear the ice cream crown but no one else’s candy comes close to Aglamesis Bro’s chocolates, especially the dark chocolate nonpareils. Thick dollops of luscious dark chocolate topped with tiny candy balls are truly beyond compare. There’s also a milk chocolate version but I stay on the dark side. I took a box to a friend in Milan, Italy. After one bite, she declared, “Damn! We don’t have anything like this here.” Lucky for us, we do. aglamesis.com.

Best brunch on the other side

Shout out to Honey Uninhibited on the other side of the river in Covington for coming in hot and presenting its very strong offerings to those that are already familiar. Uninhibited

Jerry’s Jug House’s “Die Mas” pop-up. | Photo: Provided by Jerry’s Jug House

has finely crafted a brunch experience that is highly elevated in flavor with its variety of Southern staples available on the menu, all while catering to a broad audience with its cocktail menu, warm welcoming environment and immediate comfortability. If you haven’t branched out of your normal routine, I highly recommend you assemble your squad and see for yourself what the well-deserved hype for this Black-owned precious gem is all about. honeyuninhibited.com.

Best new burger place with a trial-and-error menu

Dropped into one of the many historical buildings in Northside is this tiny new diner that, from the outside, looks altogether inconspicuous. Inside, though, is the promise of a fun atmosphere and good food that won’t break the bank. The Park Diner doesn’t offer anything kitschy or obsessively themed. The dining area is brightly painted and simply decorated. And the kitchen area, on view for the world to see, is clean as can be. Their menu often shifts slightly, but always offers scrumptious food for just about anyone, including vegans or patrons with allergies. Their burgers, though, are truly their standout menu item — juicy, well-seasoned, and made-to-order. facebook.com/theparknorthside.

Best fresh bread basket

Even if you don’t indulge in the bread baskets offered at most Italian restaurants, the bread basket at Nicola’s in Over-the-Rhine will completely rock your world, even if carbs aren’t your thing (but like, how can you not love carbs?) Served as an appetizer, Nicola’s bread basket contains a collection of bread made fresh that day — enough for the entire table to enjoy. The thin, crispy breadsticks are just the cherry on top of this delectable appetizer. nicolasotr.com.

Best unlikely family-friendly food spot

As I’m sure most of y’all are highly aware, I have just been introduced to a very wonderful dining experience that has a long legacy rooted in its style and flair: Hooters. When searching for a last-minute place to dine with a larger group of friends, it can be quite the task locating a place that is willing and able to host with such short notice. This is not a spotlight for the highly particular and critical. This is specifically for those looking for family-friendly fun over fried pickles — that were served by the kindest woman ever. My last experience was reminiscent of Applebee’s

Eats

in 2007, and I will hold onto that light for as long as my memory will allow. They also have Hooters-branded vapes for sale at the bar at the Newport location…y’all are welcome! hooters.com.

Best blend of bourbon and banana

Makers Bakers’ banana pudding defies convention. Served in a humble plastic carryout tub, it resembles more of bread pudding than a typical Jell-O creation. Instead of Nilla Wafers, founders Kevin Foston and Tara Patterson imbue their fluffy banana dessert with chunks of yellow cake, whipped cream and bursts of fresh banana. Elevate your experience with a bourbon caramel drizzle, which gives the pudding a bananas Foster flair. Makers Bakers also offers seasonal variations like strawberry or the orange Who Dey Banana Pudding with chocolate cake crumbs. Although they serve other sweets from their counter outside Findlay Market’s Market House, the banana pudding gets top billing, with praise from publications as far away as London’s Daily Mirror. There’s typically a line on the weekends, but it’s worth the wait. makersbakersco.com.

The Park Diner | Photo: Emory Davis

Eats

Best coffee shop revamp

After 17 years under its last owner and decades on the corner of Hamilton and North Bend, College Hill Coffee announced their owner’s retirement in mid-2023. With their departure came the immediate announcement of their acquisition by La Terza. After a name change and months of rehabbing, Luminary by La Terza opened its doors on the very same corner. Offering a lighter, brighter inside, Luminary offers a new brand of coffee and tea but some of the same delicious treats neighbors already loved. Most importantly, it remains a reliable setting for neighbors to congregate. luminarybylaterza.com.

Best sushi spot you’ve never heard of

Neko Sushi is a hidden little izakaya off Hyde Park Square serving Japanese and Korean dishes in felinethemed surroundings (“neko” is the Japanese word for cat). Extremely affordable without any of the “half-price

sushi” gimmicks, rolls range from simple hosomaki and classics like spicy tuna to unique options including a Veggie Delight with seaweed salad and a White Dragon Roll with ranch. Beyond sushi, Neko serves entrees like dolsot bibimbap, chirashi bowls and sushi burritos. The Pancho sushi burrito is stuffed with tempura shrimp, masago, veggies and homemade salsa. Another homemade accoutrement not to miss: the spicy kimchi. nekosushihydepark.com.

Best slice of NYC in the suburbs

Trophy Pizza in Evendale channels the spirit of NYC walk-up pizza windows, delivering an unparalleled slice of the Big Apple in the Queen City. In addition to slices, pies come in two sizes: 20-inch round or rectangular “grandma” (a pan-baked, Sicilian-like pizza where the mozzarella goes on before the sauce). The standard cheese slice is large enough to be foldable, with a light, chewy

crust topped with tangy red sauce, parmesan, mozzarella and just the right amount of grease, baked on a 600-degree pizza stone. There are margherita, white, pepperoni and a couple of specialty pies on the menu (like the Loophole, with chicken, cheese, bacon, jalapeño, caramelized onions and ranch), but choose-your-own toppings range from homemade meatballs and capicola to pineapple, arugula and artichoke. Helmed by veterans of the Brooklyn and Cincinnati bar/restaurant scene, they must be doing something right because they’re opening a second location in Norwood’s Factory 52 development, just one year after the grand opening of their original. mytrophypizza.com.

Best donuts-to-deli dining destination

The hold Chicago Italian beef sandwiches have had on the cultural culinary zeitgeist since the dawn of The Bear cannot be overstated. Neither can our excitement for the brick-and-mortar evolution of the Young Buck Deli

Luminary by La Terza | Photo: Aidan Mahoney

pop-up. Coming soon to the former Holtman’s Donut space in Over-the-Rhine, this venture from Top Chef season 16 alumni and couple Brian and Caitlin Young, will be a butchery, deli and the pasta commissary kitchen for the Crown Restaurant Group. Brian is the butcher, Caitlin is the baker, and we will all reap the benefits with a menu of chefcrafted sandwiches, including hot Italian beef, cold cuts and a build-your-own option. The only thing cooler than the menu may be the logo: an American Traditional-esque rabbit by Zack Mueller aka @zapmeister of local Lonesome Town Tattoo. youngbuckdeli.com.

Best marina restaurant

Overlooking the lazy, gray Ohio River, Cabana on the River is a great summer destination for drinks and dinner. It’s an ideal spot to relish a summer sunset, listen to local music or even join in a game of beach volleyball. The staff is very friendly and ready to answer any questions regarding their menu, and a second bar allows you to order a few drinks while waiting for your table — it gets busy quickly. It’s also an accommodating spot for the whole family. The atmosphere is laid back and the food, while familiar, is done well. Think burgers, shrimp, wings and pretzel bites. The real draw though is whiling away your weekend evening as the sun slowly descends behind the distant hills and the moon shines brightly on the vast and winding river. cabanaontheriver.com.

Best big bread news

Over-the-Rhine’s Allez Bakery has outgrown its home, which is good news for us because it means they’re expanding into a new café storefront, directly across from the original location. Since owners Thomas McKenna and Patrick Hague first introduced Allez in 2017, the popular bakery and lunch spot has been name-checked twice by Food & Wine as one of the best in the nation, and if the lines out the door on meatball Fridays or sold-out sandwiches are any indication, we’re all hungry for more. Allez 2.0 will meet that need with a larger menu of prepared foods, sandwiches, soups, salads and coffee. Even more exciting? Evening service and a bar program are on the horizon. allezbakery.com.

Best spirited coffee shop

One could call Second Sight Spirits in Ludlow, Ky. “unconventional” for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the artisan distillery’s interior. Founders Rick Couch, a mechanical engineer, and Carus Waggoner, an industrial designer, applied skills learned from working on Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas to transform the space into a completely unique vaudevillian escape. Inside you’ll find velvet curtains and crystal balls, palmistry maps, a giant mechanical mustache ride and a pot-still that looks like a Zoltar machine. In another unconventional move for a distillery, they open at 9 a.m. on weekends, offering a craft coffee bar with intricate latte art and flavors like matcha and rose. Adding Second Sight’s booze, like Queen Mab hazelnut liqueur, to your espresso is always an option (a good one), but you can also just enjoy your cappuccino on the couches next to Fortuna, the fortune-telling

Eats

goldfish. secondsightspirits.com.

Best hot sauce to add to anything and everything

Looking to add a little spice, a little sauce and a little zest to your meal? Farmer Nate’s Hot Sauces, owned and operated out of Covington, Ky., are the perfect addition to wings, burritos, tacos, popcorn, pizza — heck, maybe even ice cream! farmernatessauce.com.

Best grape ice cream

Alongside signature, year-round selections like Vietnamese Coffee and Salted Caramel, Dojo Gelato has seasonal flavors that are on rotation. Grape is one of those periodic presentations, and it is an absolute a must have. A unique and unusual flavor, Grape is an example of the boundary pushing work that ice cream aficionados in Cincinnati, and all over the United States, have come to expect from Dojo. The best ingredients, the highest standards and the pursuit of perfection, is what Dojo is all about, and Grape is a prime example of these qualities, and of what this otherworldly establishment can do with gelato. Grape is on seasonal rotation, and you’ll have to follow Dojo Gelato on social media to find out when it’s available. It’s well worth the wait! dojogelato.com.

Best place to get a cup of coffee past midnight

This café keeps its doors open much later than a typical one. In fact, Highland Coffee House’s doors don’t open until 5 p.m., making it a perfect destination to study, read or chat over coffee or alcoholic beverages into the wee

hours of the morning. Occupying a Corryville street corner, the establishment exudes a timelessness and oneness that begs you to hunker down and stay a while. Scrawled drawings and notes cover the walls and an ambiance of faint chatter, soothing jazz and dim lighting console and relax. Have an assignment that needs to get done? You won’t be getting kicked out anytime soon. Getting a little sleepy? Head to the counter for another cup. facebook.com/officialhighlandcoffeehouse.

Best restaurant that reflects the diversity of College Hill

After several successful years in Walnut Hills, Just Q’in announced in early Fall that they’d open a new location in College Hill’s business district, moving into the old Mashroots spot. Filling the neighborhood’s air with the ohso-delicious smell of smoked meats, Just Q’in has brought food and culture to the business district that better represents the people within the community’s borders. Serving up juicy, smoky BBQ and heartfelt prayers to their new community, Just Q’in is a welcome addition that hopefully sticks around for a long, long time. justqin.com.

Best cafe to get a pandan latte

An aromatic plant native to South and Southeast Asia, pandan offers a unique flavor profile that makes for a delicious ingredient in sweets — but have you tried it in your coffee? Available as a house-made syrup at Haven Cafe, the quality-first coffee shop, which is currently temporarily closed during relocation, features its pandan latte yearround. Balanced perfectly with Counter Culture espresso and creamy local dairy or oat milk, this light green concoction (along with the most welcoming staff) will keep you

Cabana on the River | Photo: Hailey Bolllinger

Eats

coming back for more. havencafespa.com.

Best watering hole for a vegan-friendly bite

For herbivores seeking a delicious, affordable bite for soaking up the ABVs on a night out (that isn’t pizza), hop on over to Larry’s All-American Cafe. Part of Covington’s Mainstrasse Village, the corner dive bar offers an array of house hot dogs on its mainstay menu, which brings us to the “San Francisco:” a veggie dog loaded up with avocado, sport peppers, hummus, mustard and shaved carrots. And if that isn’t enough to fill you up, a side of crispy tater tots should do the trick. To enjoy a fairly priced, vegan-friendly bite in the daylight, Larry’s opens up at noon over the weekend.

instagram.com/larrys_all_american_cafe.

Best French (or mostly French) restaurant in OTR

One of Cincinnati’s newest restaurants, Colette, is located in Over-the-Rhine on the corner of Race and W. 14th St.,

and specializes in what Chef Danny Combs calls “mostly French” cuisine. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and eager to explain their menu and suggest what they consider the best dishes. The ambience is warm, inviting and suggestive of a rustic French kitchen. Moreover, with recipes influenced by such diverse food cultures as Montreal and Morocco, Colette maintains the same zest and verve as its namesake, the early 20th century French writer and proto-feminist, Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette. It’s a welcome addition to Cincinnati’s vibrant restaurant scene. coletteotr.com.

Best shop to get sushi and Japanese candy in one place

Cincinnati got its first Japanese convenience store, called a konbini, when Kiki College Hill chef Hideki Harada opened Daruma in the Court Street Plaza downtown this February. The store carries a variety of authentic Japanese household staples like sauces and condiments, as well as candy and snacks. It also has grab-and-go meals, like sushi, onigiri and rice balls, as well as sake, beer and a hot water

dispenser for making tea and instant cup noodles. instagram.com/darumacincy.

Best new gourmet pizza spot in Covington

Last summer, Dewey’s opened a location in Covington, next door to Braxton. It’s been a welcome addition to the neighborhood despite being across the street from yet another pizza place, Bircus. It’s a larger spot than Bircus, and they offer interesting pizzas like Porky Fig (fig and prosciutto). Their house salad — tossed with pine nuts, cranberries, and goat cheese — adds a healthier component, and their ranch is so good that you can drink it. (Please don’t drink it).

deweyspizza.com/location/covington.

Best fun nitro coffee at a West End coffee shop

Kings Arms Coffee Co. in the West End uses what’s called a NitroPress to make their nitro coffee. Instead of kegging nitro like a lot of shops do, they take cold brew and

Larry’s All-American Cafe | Photo: Aidan Mahoney

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put it into a gun-like contraption and make the nitro fresh. It’s much foamier than kegged nitro and shows how nitro should be — with as many bubbles as possible. They also offer pour overs and specialty drinks. kingsarmscoffee.com.

Best sexy pizza spot

Follow the red glow to Pendleton and soak in the neon as you sip on one of the best espresso martinis you’ll ever have, all while devouring some of the most delicious pizza, pasta and more that your taste buds have had the pleasure of making contact with at newly-opened Razzo razzo.pizza.

Best Mexican fast food addition to West Chester

Last April, Taco John’s finally opened a location in Cincinnati. Now Cincinnatians can get signature Potato

Olés, which are flat, crunchy and circular potato bites. You can even get the Olés inside a burrito and as a breakfast scrambler. In terms of fast food options in the ’burbs, their food is much better than Taco Bell. tacojohns.com.

Best addition to Collective Espresso

At the end of 2023, Collective Espresso opened a new location in OTR, half a block from its original location, near Woodward Theater. The new location has more seating so people can hang out and enjoy seasonal drinks and year-round drinks like espresso and lemonade. The more Collectives this town has, the better. collectiveespresso.com.

Best Colombian food to pair with coffee

Coffia Coffee in OTR serves coffee drinks from a

Colombian roaster, but they also serve Colombian food like pan con tomate y queso manchego. Their café bombon drink is a Spanish specialty layered with espresso, condensed milk and milk froth. Visit the business to learn about Colombian food and try new coffee drinks. instagram.com/coffiacoffeeshop.

Best local market to get local bread and New Orleansinspired dessert

Dee Felice Market in Mainstrasse is a hidden gem. The small grocery store makes its own breads, chicken salad, bagels, desserts and hummus. They also sell a lot of affordable local produce. Their New Orleans-inspired housemade Boule de Neige dessert (chocolate and cream inside a “snowball”) pays homage to the owners’ old next-door restaurant, Dee Felice. deefelicemarket.com.

Razzo | Photo: Provided by Razzo

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Best bad decision to make before getting on a plane

We know Cincinnati chili can be hard on the gut, but it’s so damn good and so hard to resist — especially if you’re a born-and-raised Cincinnatian. Not to mention that it’s also a comfort food for anxiety-riddled situations, like flying. Last fall, CVG finally added a Skyline to its Concourse B for locals and travelers alike to enjoy before jetting off, and not only can you now get a Skyline coney at CVG, you can also get Skyline breakfast. The CVG location is the only Skyline that serves breakfast-style coneys, chilitos, 3-4-and-5 ways and burritos. YMMV when it comes to being able to stomach Cincinnati chili for breakfast, on a crowded plane no less, but we think it’s worth the risk. skylinechili.com.

Best egg salad sandwich inside a bookstore

Last year, Lil’s Bagels moved to the Roebling Point Books and Coffee in Dayton, Ky., and rebranded as Lil’s Kitchen. Though the bagels are no longer on the menu, Lil’s signature egg salad sandwich — the recipe is secret — remains on the menu. The salty housemade pickled green

tomato adds to the sandwich’s greatness. While there, tour the bookstore, grab a cup of coffee and buy some books. facebook.com/lilsbagels

Best hidden gem place to get a Michelada in Covington

Taqueria San Miguel in Covington might look nondescript, but come inside for the most authentic Mexican food in the neighborhood. They play Mexican music, and the staff is always in a festive mood. You can dine in or carry out food and beer, but if you stay, make sure to order the Michelada. It comes in a big, frosty mug and costs only $6. Drink up.

Best elevated grilled cheese

In what looks like a charming suburban house sits the Wildflower Cafe, an eclectic farm-to-table restaurant nestled in downtown Mason. The inviting establishment is bright and cheery, mirroring its yellow exterior and interior. The menu is known to consist of simple dishes, on an elevated scale, with rotating ingredients depending on what is fresh that day. While the restaurant houses numerous delectable dishes, the crowning champion here is the simple grilled cheese. Wildflower manages to create

perfect depths of flavor in one of the most basic dishes known to man. Rich and flavorful blue and local Urban Stead cheese provide the foundation for the meal, alongside a tangy Kentucky raspberry jelly and candied Benton’s bacon for a texture variety, all sandwiched between two slices of rustic ciabatta bread. It is the perfect nostalgic meal, just with a little extra maturity. Enjoy the dish out in the cafe’s backyard seating, surrounded by gorgeous greenery and thriving herbs on a delightful summer afternoon. linktr.ee/WildflowerMason.

Best underrated Skyline Chili item

When most Cincinnatians go to Skyline Chili, they don’t even need to look at the menu. However, one of the greatest hidden gems not on the menu is the Greek Pasta Bowl. Skyline’s chili is, of course, its major, fan-favorite secret recipe, but its Greek dressing is also one of its staples, with the restaurant selling bottles of it for individual sale, alongside chili cans and hot sauce. On the physical menu, options for their Greek salad and wrap are present, but if you’re wanting the Greek flavor and craving a bit of a twist, request the Greek pasta bowl. With spaghetti as the base, the bowl is topped with all the regular Greek toppings (sans the lettuce): tomatoes, cucumbers, kalamata olives, pepperoncini peppers, feta cheese and the lightly tangy dressing. It’s a strangely satisfying combination, mimicking a pasta salad you may have as a side dish in the summer, but instead, as a full meal. skylinechili.com.

Best half-priced sushi

Every single day, you can enjoy half-priced sushi at Dancing Roll, a once-tiny restaurant in West Chester that recently moved a couple doors down from its original location, expanding to a size fitting its quality and popularity. The dining room is frequently crowded, with tables overflowing with bowls of miso soup and plates of delicious rolls that are made right at the counter. Sushi options include special rolls, regular rolls and nigiri/sashimi. Special rolls include the Bengal Roll (tempura shrimp, spicy crab, avocado, cucumber, eel sauce, spicy mayo and sesame seeds), the Hot Fish Roll (tuna, salmon, yellow tail, red snapper, garlic, scallions, hot sauce, hot pepper and chili oil) and the always-likable Sunday Morning Roll (a deep fried roll with salmon, cream cheese, eel sauce and spicy mayo.) Aside from the delicious half-priced sushi, Dancing Roll also offers a variety of Japanese and Korean dishes, including dolsot bibimbap, bulgogi, fried rice and noodle dishes. dancingrollsushi.com.

Best ramen in a cool atmosphere

Even if its food options weren’t appetizing, Quan Hapa would still be a place to enjoy going, based on vibes alone. The table settings, plants, lighting and servers are all simply cool to be around. The experience is even better given that its food is actually great, particularly its ramen, which is the focal point of the restaurant’s offerings. Its menu is rather simple, offering Japanese pancakes, small plates and a few noodle and rice dishes alongside its ramens and soups.

Skyline’s breakfast coney | Photo: Provided by Skyline Chili

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There are three pre-selected ramen options: vegetarian and regular tom yum and the speciality hapa ramen, which includes pork bone and tonkotsu broth, chashu pork belly, soft boiled egg, seasoned bamboo, fish cakes, green onion and noodles. If you’re feeling more of a DIY option, you can create your own ramen, with four simple steps. You choose your broth (pork, chicken or vegetable), your tare (tom yum, shoyu kombu, coconut curry, garlic butter miso or tonkotsu), your noodles (standard ramen or glass) and finally, your add-ins. Your add-ins include any protein, vegetables or seasoning oil to amp up the flavor in your bowl. Whichever you choose, the dish (and the ambience) are sure to satisfy. quanhapa.com.

Best annual event that allows you to eat your weight in chocolate

In January, those with sweet tooths and craving some chocolate-y goodness descend on Oxford’s College Avenue

by the thousands for the annual Chocolate Meltdown. The event features a day of fun activities like games and inflatables and, of course, plenty of chocolate to indulge in. The main event is the Chocolate Tasting Extravaganza, where visitors can immerse themselves in a tasty journey sampling creations from local businesses and chocolatiers. There’s also a bake-off with different categories for youths, amateurs and professionals. sites.miamioh.edu/chocolate-meltdown.

Best woodfired rooftop restaurant

Perched on the seventh floor of Covington’s Republic Bank building, Opal Rooftop Restaurant & Bar is quite literally one of Northern Kentucky’s elevated gems. With a 360-degree panorama view of downtown Cincinnati and nearby NKY, it would be worth a visit for the view alone. But the menu is just as interesting. The restaurant boasts an exclusive 88-inch, Grillworks Infierno grill — the only

open-fire cooktop of its kind within a two-hour radius of Cincinnati and one that had to be hoisted to the top of the building by crane. As one would expect, dishes focus on wood-fired grilling, from broccoli and halloumi to a burger to the standout Koji Dry Aged Duck Breast (a must-try even if fowl isn’t your favorite). Adding to the charm is the Republic Bank building itself, which is adorned with a vibrant mural courtesy of Brooklyn-based art group FAILE. opalrooftop.com.

Best new hub for Downtown Cincinnati restaurants

Across the street from Fountain Square, 3CDC’s mixeduse building The Foundry (formerly the Fountain Place building), has quickly become the spot for both current and new restaurants. Jeff Ruby moved his titular steakhouse to the building in 2022, becoming one of its first tenants. Now, The Foundry is welcoming several other concepts in 2024: Thunderdome Restaurant Group will open

Opal Rooftop Restaurant & Bar | Photo: provided by Opal Rooftop Restaurant & Bar

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The Davidson, an American brasserie with French and Italian influences; Crown Restaurant Group is opening a new restaurant featuring the group’s commitment to fromscratch food; and the hospitality group behind downtown sushi restaurant Baru is also gearing up for a new eatery at The Foundry. 3cdc.org/project/the-foundry.

Best dirty name for a chicken restaurant

Pardon us, but lick your what?! Chicken? Oh, phew. Lick My Chicken’s name is certainly attention-grabbing, but only to bring more attention to their delicious menu. From EPIC Brands, the creators of Agave & Rye, Lick My Chicken is a new ghost kitchen, meaning it only fulfills online orders for pickup or delivery. The menu features Americanstyle comfort eats with a heavy focus on — you guessed it — chicken. Menu items include classic entrees like chicken tenders and wings, as well as some “epic” dishes like the EPIC Chicken Sandwich and the Crispy Chicken Burrito (which is topped with mac and cheese and sweet and spicy bacon). lickmychicken.com.

Best community-minded bakery

Cora’s Cakery is a new bakery in Over-the-Rhine that’s

got everyone in mind. Launched by Shaucuana Knight, who previously worked for Hamilton County Jobs and Family Services (HCJFS), Cora’s Cakery accepts EBT benefits and is the only small bakery in OTR to do so. Knight says working at HCJFS made her realize the importance of accepting EBT benefits and she wanted everyone to be able to order from her, no matter their income level. Cora’s Cakery offers custom cakes and a variety of other confections, from cupcakes and cake pops to cookies and Knight’s signature banana pudding and cinnamon rolls on special days, as well as catering services and baking classes. corascakery.org.

Best hot sauce vending machine

Things have gotten hot at CVG since the addition of its firstever hot sauce vending machine. Located in Concourse A near Blaze Pizza, the machine is part of a partnership between the airport and local hot sauce company Dude, Seriously LLC. It features the brand’s handcrafted, award-winning hot sauce as well as top brands from around the country. The hot sauces are also varied, so they cater to different tastes and heat tolerances. And not only is it fun to watch a bottle of hot sauce make its way from the machine to your hand, the bottles also make great gifts if you’re heading out of town to visit loved ones.

dudeseriously.com.

Best restaurant that makes you wanna shout yee-haw!

If you’re looking for Texas in Greater Cincinnati, you can find it at Cowboy Sally’s in Liberty Township. The restaurant describes its style as “a Texas saloon gone wild,” with a modern rustic interior and glowing neon signs. The menu is centered on authentic Texas-style barbecue, cooked low and slow to infuse it with a rich, smoky flavor, says Cowboy Sally’s. Meat options include all the classics, from brisket and burnt ends to baby back ribs and pulled pork, as well as a couple not-your-usual-BBQ-suspects like crispy cheesy egg rolls and tofu “burnt ends.” In addition to the food, the restaurant also hosts karaoke nights so you can belt out your favorite country jams to complete the experience. cowboysallystexasbbq.com.

Best fast-food joint debut in Greater Cincinnati

Cincinnatians were shooketh at the announcement we were finally (FINALLY) getting a Shake Shack. All our dreams came true in December when Shake Shack opened its first Greater Cincinnati location in Liberty Township. Shake Shack is best known for its hand-spun milkshakes, as well as elevated American classics like their made-toorder burgers, crispy chicken, crinkle-cut fries and even a limited-time Korean style fried chicken sandwich and spicy Korean BBQ fries for those looking to try something new. They also offer a Veggie Shack, as well as non-dairy shake and frozen custard options. Its first customers at the Liberty location received custom Shake Shack swag and Shack-inspired flower arrangements from Liberty Township florist Running on Blooms. The chain also donated $1 for every sandwich sold that day to Reach Out Lakota, a local pantry that provides food and clothing to West Chester and Liberty Township families in need. shakeshack.com.

Best Tony Soprano-approved sandwich

Tony Soprano of HBO hit show The Sopranos is always talking about that gabagool — what is gabagool? You might better know it as capicola ham. For one of the best sandwiches featuring Soprano’s favorite Italian cold cut, Young Buck Deli offers The New Deal, a meaty delight featuring fluffy focaccia bread piled high with gabagool as well as mortadella, smoked pork loin ham, shredded lettuce, pickled red onion, fresh ricotta, extra virgin olive oil, red wine and oregano vinaigrette. youngbuckdeli.com.

Best oxtail appreciation by

Guy Fieri

Mayor of Flavortown Guy Fieri stopped in Finneytown with his Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives not too long ago to try the delicious Caribbean soul food cooked up by Jason Howard of Big Jays Place. What seemed to stand out the most to Fieri was Howard’s oxtail,

The Dude, Seriously vending machine at the CVG airport | Photo: Provided by CVG Airport

to which he immediately said, “If you don’t like oxtail, then come on down here to the oxtail conversion program.” Big Jays Place’s oxtail is tender, with a silky texture and rich flavor, but it sells out fast, so plan accordingly. Finneytown. bigjaysplace.com.

Best vegan Thanksgiving meal collaboration

Mad Cheese is a vegan cheese shop that opened in Madisonville in 2023. They jumped into one of their first holidays in business with an array of vegan-friendly Thanksgiving options and teamed up with two other local businesses to get the job done. While Mad Cheese whipped up offerings like its pea protein-based “turkey” roast with rice paper “skin” and gluten-free stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and more, Beyond Grain Bakery, which specializes in low-carb, vegan, dairyfree and gluten-free baked goods, crafted some delicious desserts, like a pumpkin-ginger pie, Snickers tart and the Date Tahini Swirl Banana Cake. To distribute all this vegan Thanksgiving goodness, Juniper Seed, a plant-based meal service, stepped in to help. madcheese.com, instagram.com/beyondgrainbakery & juniperseed.net.

Best restaurant to feel like mafia royalty

The atmosphere at Scotti’s Italian Restaurant in Over-the-Rhine is so authentic it’s like going to a dinner theater. The near-windowless haunt has old world energy dripping from the busy mosaic walls to each candlelit table. The apron-donned owner himself is often running around taking orders from the insanely long menu. Every conceivable variation of chicken, veal, shrimp and steak is listed with a pasta option and one their sauces. No, you’re not going to get a Sotto-level meal, but you’re also not going to find Scotti’s ambience anywhere outside of an old mafia movie. Order the eggplant parm, minestrone soup and a few glasses of cheap red wine and pretend you’re making back-room deals to protect the family. It’s business, baby. scottisitalianrestaurant.com.

Best book shopping and dinner series

Crown Republic Group’s Five on Vine launched the dinner series Plates & Pages to blend three core luxuries: literature, fine dining and good wine. The series features a prix fixe menu from chef Patrick Bowling with wine pairings and a curated selection of books, from contemporary classics to vintage cookbooks and rare editions from Household Books — perfect for when you want to enjoy a good meal while immersing yourself in a new favorite story. fiveonvine.com.

Best chef taking foodies on international culinary adventures

Cincinnati chef Jose Salazar is taking foodies on culinary and cultural adventures through Peru and Mexico this year with travel company Modern Adventure. During these

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trips, travelers will get to visit colorful markets, indulge in authentic street food and dishes with local ingredients, talk to renowned chefs and take cooking classes. Travelers also get to experience the cultural side of the countries, like visiting Casa Azul, the iconic blue home of artist Frida Kahlo, or taking in a Lucha Libre fight in Mexico or hiking to Machu Picchu in Peru. modernadventure.com.

Best nationally award-winning gelato

Chef Maria Liliana Biondo knows gelato. With a gelato chef father, she’s been involved in the business since she was a little girl and now owns uGOgelato at Findlay Market. While each sweet, frozen treat she crafts can charm your tastebuds, her signature flavor, Mandorland, is a real winner — literally. In September, the flavor placed third at a gelato competition semi-final in Los Angeles, which is part of the bigger Carpigiani Gelato Festival World Masters, and it will now move on to the North American Finals in 2025 in Italy. As for how it tastes, Mandorland features a base of natural almond, toasted almond and bitter almond, 70% Venezuelan chocolate, blood orange glaze, almond nougat and is finished with an orange zest spray. ugogelato.com.

Best restaurant for an intimate wedding dinner

For couples wanting to carve out some alone time on their wedding day — and forgo the tradition of feeding an entire guest list — sneak away for the most intimate dinner at Sotto. Nestled below sister-restaurant Boca downtown, this underground Italian spot is the more rustic of the two, exuding romance from the secretive entrance to the dimly

lit, austere interior to the sexy pasta menu. Just be sure to book your reservation far in advance! sottocincinnati.com.

Best pizza for a crisp fall day

Move over, pumpkin spice lattes, there’s a new autumnal queen in Cincinnati. The Smashing Pumpkin pizza from Dewey’s was a seasonal pie that featured a housemade whipped pumpkin ricotta base and was topped with mozzarella, crumbled Italian sausage, roasted shallots and toasted pumpkin seeds. The memory of the sweet-salty flavor combo is enough to make you wish for a 60-degreeblue-sky fall day, a warm slice in hand and a 50 West Doom Pedal within reach. It took Dewey’s a year to perfect the recipe, so we’re sure we’ll see it again once the leaves start changing. deweyspizza.com.

Best fusion of Korean and American food

Decibel Korean Fried Chicken’s corn dog is a fusion of Korean and American cuisine in the most satisfying way. It’ll make you feel like you’re at both a Fourth of July festival and a food stall in Seoul. The all-beef hot dog is covered in Decibel’s signature batter before being rolled in diced potatoes and then twice-fried. It’s then topped with the eatery’s “fly” sauce and gochujang BBQ and garnished with green onion and furikake. Enjoy it on its own or with a side of waffle fries or seaweed salad. decibelchicken.com.

Best coffee shop that is equal parts bakery

Achieving the best third-wave cup of ’spro is now the minimum expected of Cincinnati’s many coffee shops.

Sotto | Photo: Hailey Bollinger

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House-made pastries that taste straight out of France are becoming commonplace, and no one does it better than Two Seven Two in Clifton. From the minds of Brown Bear Bakery, it’s hard to tell if Two Seven Two is a coffee shop or a bakery first. Their espresso program churns out perfect lattes with not-too-sweet seasonal syrups in a cozy brick spot on Ludlow Avenue. Tall windows give lingering sippers a glimpse into the operation behind Two Seven Two’s downright breathtaking baked goods. Loaded savory focaccias, cacio e pepe croissants, cardamom morning buns – no day is exactly the same, but they never miss. instagram.com/two.seven.two.

Best Mediterranean mushroom

Chef Jordan Anthony-Brown’s long-awaited Aperture restaurant finally opened its doors at the tail end of 2023 to some great foodie fanfare. Located in the historic Paramount Building in Walnut Hills, the vibe is art

deco-meets-Copenhagen while the menu of shareable dishes draws inspiration from the Mediterranean and Levant. Ingredients like ras el hanout, tahini and harissa create complex flavor profiles in simple pastas, proteins and plenty of veggies, charred to perfection in a wood-fired grill. There isn’t a miss on the menu, but if you only try one thing, make it the oyster mushroom. It’s meaty, rich and earthy with a tang of tahini, brown butter and pesto, covered with a snowfall of finely grated manchego. There’s nothing else like it in the city — or maybe anywhere. theaperturecinci.com.

Best fancy-schmancy donut

If you even have room after scarfing down Sotto’s pomodoro and breaded pork loin, you must venture to order Sotto’s ricotta donuts for dessert. Equal parts New Orleans and county fair, these babies are doused in powdered sugar and oozing with creamy ricotta. While the dish is accompanied by chocolate and caramel dipping sauces, it’s the

third sweet pistachio sauce that sends your eyes rolling to the back of your head in disbelief. If elegant Eagleton from the Parks and Rec universe deigned to have a carnival, this would be their take on fair food. sottocincinnati.com.

Best chicken finger sauce selection

Sometimes ordering chicken fingers as a full grown adult can feel a little infantile, but not at The Pony. Their house-made fingies are complimented by an impressive (and spicy) list of sauces that will make you want to order big and sample wide. Their Cajun honey mustard and Tom Tucker Hot Sauce sauces are a flavorful mouth punch; you’ll want to order their thick-cut fries to stretch out the dipping experience. Wash it all down with a crushable draft and you’ve got yourself the perfect place to watch the game in finger-licking peace. instagram.com/theponyotr.

The Aperture | Photo: Aidan Mahoney

Best goat cheese you can find at (most) Kroger stores

Rather than grabbing for the same ol’ brie wheel for your weekly happy hour, show your peers you know what’s up and grab Murray’s Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog. Sold at any Kroger with a Murray’s section, this baby stands firmly on her own and satisfies all the senses. Built like a layer cake, you’ll get the creamy, the crumbly and the gooey all sandwiched against a striking thin layer of edible vegetable ash. The end result is a bright, tangy and floral goat cheese that isn’t too sour and looks beautiful on a decorated board. A semi-sweet gin cocktail is the perfect pair for the Humboldt Fog, or a sauv blanc from the wine section will do just fine. kroger.com & murrayscheese.com.

Best egg cream coffee soda at a bodega

Last year, Jose Salazar and Deeper Roots teamed up to open Daylily, a bodega/deli/coffee shop in Columbia Tusculum. The bodega — which is more like a small gourmet grocery store — is a nice touch alongside a full menu of deli sandwiches. But the reason to come here is the egg cream coffee soda. It’s made with chilled espresso, milk, chocolate syrup and seltzer water, and served in a milkshake glass. It’s a riff on NYC delis’ egg cream soda, but much better and more caffeinated. Plus, you can only get it there, not at Deeper Roots’ other locations. daylilydeli.com.

Best Anthony Bourdaininspired hangover meal

Anthony Bourdain once imparted the perfect hangover remedy: “Aspirin, cold Coca-Cola, smoke a joint, eat some spicy Sichuan food.” After the aspirin and other drugs, honor Bourdain’s legacy and DoorDash anything and everything from Sichuan Chili in Evendale. Sichuan Chili offers a fully-stocked menu of both Sichuan classics like Kung Pao Chicken and Bo-Bo Fish, as well as more modern dishes like their Ma’La Rabbit. Their Sichuan Pork Rib Dry Stir-Fry is a true cure-all when paired with a Coke and a your hangover trash TV show of choice.

Best bang-for-your-buck tacos on the West Side

Cincinnati is actually brimming with authentic Mexican food, you just have to know where to look. Taqueria Doña Maria has been hiding in plain sight in West Price Hill since it opened in late 2021. With a simple counter and a few booths, the spot at Glenway and Beech Avenue churns out fresh, authentic pupusas, birria tacos and empanadas. While the portions are huge all around, their classic carne asada tacos are a steal at $14 for four, and they’re absolutely packed with charred-yet-juicy steak.

Best gluten-free bakery

The no-gluten recipes have come a long way, and Cherbourg Cyprus Bakery in Over-the-Rhine may just be leading the pack. While many bakeries have just a few gluten-friendly options, Cherbourg prides itself on offering

a wide array of donuts, bars, cakes, stratas, cookies and quiches that are all minimally processed and free from dyes, nuts and, of course, gluten. While it’s impossible to pick just one star from the Cherbourg constellation, their perfectly sour and sweet double lemon bar shines brightest when paired with their semi-savory mini olive oil loaf. For those in need of a breakfast with more heft, their five-layered strata is packed with market veggies, herbs, chevre and mozzarella. Linger in their bright, open-concept kitchen for a European moment, or fill a box of goodies and be on your merry way with Cherbourg’s fresh-brewed coffee. besweetcherbourg.com/cincinnati.

Best birthday restaurant for those who love margaritas and attention

Face it, you still love it when a restaurant staff forms a line and claps their way through a memorized birthday jingle. For those who still feel like a special birthday kid at heart, you’ll want to check out one of Mi Cozumel’s three locations for the most extravagant margarita menu you’ve ever seen. Toys, sparklers, flowers, candy, IV bags, flags — I think I even saw a drink served in a Barbie convertible once — there are truly no rules when it comes to flash at Mi Cozumel. And don’t think the style is making up for a lack of substance — the huge cocktail range at Mi Cozumel is solid. Never watered down, never too sweet and always full of color, every margarita at Mi Cozumel is an event, birthday or not. micozumel.com.

Best success-before-our-eyes moment

Everyone’s been rooting on Pata Roja from the jump. Pata Roja Taqueria got its start in 2019 as a food truck that could typically be found behind Bar Saeso in Pendleton. From there it grew in popularity, becoming known for its authentic street tacos and Mexican dishes. With this success, owner Derrick Braziel decided to put down roots in downtown Cincinnati. In February, Braziel opened Pata Roja in its new brick-and-mortar spot in Court Street Plaza. Greeted by a vibrant green storefront and colorful tiles, guests are hit with the scent of the Pata Roja’s trompo, a meat rotisserie that’s front and center in the kitchen, so you know there’s authentic tacos al pastor on the menu. patarojatacos.com.

Best full-service Cuban restaurant to feel fancy at The Banks

The casual pre-game atmosphere of most restaurants at The Banks is perfect for those rooting on the Reds and Bengals, but sometimes you want a more stylish date-night energy. Enter Amador. The full-service Cuban restaurant is bursting with as much style as it is flavor. Amador features a jungle-esque vibe, with lush greenery and an outdoor patio that overlooks the Ohio River and Cincinnati skyline. Amador’s rum cocktails, Latin American beers and Cuban coffee are stand-outs on the Levee. On the menu, you’ll find traditional Cuban dishes like empanadas, croquetas and Cubano sandwiches, but with an Amador twist. And unlike other Cuban restaurants, their small plates are meant to be shared. It also has a bodega-style walk-up window, which they call “La Ventanita” (little window), where visitors can order something to-go from a limited menu. amadorcuban.com.

Daylily | Photo: Catie Viox

Picks Arts &

Museum Exhibit

1. Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds with Musée Picasso-Paris, Cincinnati Art Museum

2. Girlhood (It’s complicated), Cincinnati Museum Center

3. Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass, Cincinnati Art Museum

New Thing

Staff Picks

Best hidden tile mural in Doerr Alley

In a section of Doerr Alley off Court Street downtown, amongst the nondescript backs of brick buildings, is a small wall with an abstract-looking arrangement of colorful tile pieces that adds a sense of place and character to even a random corner of the city. It turns out to be the back of the 112-year-old Scotti’s Italian Restaurant that carries the tile work inside the dining room out. It’s always nice to find another small hidden charm tucked away as a reminder of the history and layers of time that Cincinnati is lucky enough to contain.

Best collection of vintage LGBTQ+ zines

In an unassuming room inside the eCenter at 1308 Race St. in Over-the-Rhine is a truly unique treasure trove of historical LGBTQ+ ephemera. Inside of file cabinets and laid delicately on shelves are historical books, zines, personal letters, clothing and other items from the LGBTQ+ community in Ohio. The Ohio Lesbian Archives is one of just a handful of such organizations across the country. Though the Ohio Lesbian Archives mostly showcases what life has been like for Ohio lesbians in the past century, it does also contain objects and memories from other members of the LGBTQ+ community as well. If you have a free hour or two,

Tile mural in Doerr Alley | Photo: Aidan Mahoney

Arts & Culture

perusing their extensive collection of lesbian and LGBTQ+ zines from the past 50 years (their archive is open to visitors) is an especially eye-opening and inspiring activity for lesbians and allies alike. ohiolesbianarchives.org.

Best local mailman with grillz

Sean Fogelson a.k.a. That One Mailman of TikTok fame has amassed two million followers, and it’s not just because of his fly accessories. The grill only adds to Fogelson’s comedic online persona, which sees him as a USPS mail carrier in Price Hill and an overall hilarious Cincinnati resident. The local celebrity sports a variety of grillz while he produces viral video after viral video. Fogelson’s social media fame launched a standup comedy career that sold out two Cincinnati appearances. instagram.com/that_1_mailman.

Best media maven of the year

Last year CityBeat’s Madeline Fening put us all onto health and wellness starlet, Kristel Rubio, with her pullulating

opodcast and platform What the F*t! which focuses on discussions centered around holistic and progressive wellness with features on today’s news contributed by our own Fening. This year, Rubio is back sharing something sensational and packed with the perfect balance of seriousness and silliness. Recently propagated and re-potted on Patreon, Rubio explores a more adventurous side of entertainment and engagement with her radiant romantic recounts and more intimate life experiences. Needless to say, you don’t want to miss the hot goss our media queen has to share on any front. instagram.com/whatthefitpodcast.

Best representation of Indigenous art

Clearly Indigenous, an exhibit featuring glassworks created by Native American and Pacific-Rim artists, offers a stunning display of Indigenous art. Themes both personal and political freely engage with traditional native myths and motifs, such as bears, eagles, whales and other animals sacred to Indigenous cultures. One particularly moving

piece places the victims of Wounded Knee (1890) in the foreground, vividly depicted in bright, colorful stained glass, while the soldiers, and perpetrators of the massacre, are far removed; they fade into the background, as gray and colorless as a bad dream. Clearly Indigenous serves as a vital reminder that Native Americans and their art are still powerfully with us. Indeed, they never left. cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

Best digital gallery

The people’s champ! There is no better feeling than a neighborly salute to your hot fit when you go out into the world. If you aren’t familiar now, SHAME! It is time for you to take a look through the digital gallery of Frank D. Young via the notorious Instagram platform: @MelaninAndHadide. Focused on highlighting both every day and special occasion Black beauty, M&H has showcased some of the brightest faces, looks, personalities and moments for us to cherish. We are incredibly inspired and awestruck by Frank’s ability to not only recount the hundreds of faces

Raven Skyriver’s Adrift, on display at Cincinnati Art Museum’s Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass exhibit | Photo: Provided by Cincinnati Art Museum

Arts & Culture

he’s captured by name, but simply organize and recognize the changes and growth our city’s downtown has experienced the last several years. Thank you, Frank, for showing love and always encouraging us to put that shit on because you never truly know when he’s around the corner and ready to broadcast your stylish essence with his hyperfocused lens. instagram.com/melaninandhalide.

Best museum display of an avant-garde method to change into your bathing suit in public

The Taft Museum’s presentation of a traveling exhibit on the history of women’s sporting outfits, Sporting Fashion: Outdoor Girls 1800 to 1960, displayed examples of all sorts of clothing and accessories for horseback riding, motorcycling, baseball — even piloting an airplane. But the strangest outfit was a cotton flannel “personal changing tent” (a kind of wearable, portable, changing room) held aloft by a steel hoop for use where there were no changing rooms and the ocean was beckoning. Once the woman had changed into a bathing suit, she unhooked the neck closure and her wearable tent fell to the ground. Today, it seems both modest and slightly naughty. taftmuseum.org.

Best

new book about

a

19th

century

Cincinnati gonzo journalist who moved to Japan and helped introduce its ghost-story tradition to the world

Local author Steve Kemme’s The Outsider: The Life and Work of Lafcadio Hearn, the Man Who Introduced Voodoo, Creole Cooking and Japanese Ghosts to the World, methodically and mesmerizingly tells the amazing story of how Hearn’s gift for writing took him from the Greek island where he was born to Ireland, Cincinnati, New Orleans, Martinique and Japan. The book has plenty of excerpts from Hearn’s work. And be prepared, some of Hearn’s extremely vivid coverage of Cincinnati crimes and tragedies makes Hunter S. Thompson’s contemporary gonzo reporting look timid in comparison.

Best eagerly awaited arrival of a new documentary with a local angle to a Cincinnati theater

It’s been almost two years since the late, great Cincinnati Comics/Comix artist, sign painter and music aficionado Justin Green passed away — and the accolades keep coming. First there was an immersive retrospective of his life and work in 2021 in Northside, and now there’s a documentary, Married to Comics, about him and his equally gifted and still active artist-illustrator wife, Carol Tyler. It premiered last September at American Film Institute’s Silver Theatre in Maryland, and netted a major

Changing tent at Taft Museum of Art’s Sporting Fashion exhibit | Photo: Provided by Taft Museum of Art

Arts & Culture

review/feature in the Washington Post as a result. Since then, buzz and media coverage have been building, and a second screening was held in Pittsburgh in December for the city’s Cultural Trust. Director John Kinhart says Cincinnati will be next, with Clifton’s Esquire Theatre earmarked to have two special event screenings in May. Stay tuned.

Best museum exhibition of work by self-taught artists

“Self-taught” artists once were called “outsiders” in the art world, reflecting the romantic but not-always-true image of them as touched or even disturbed people who used art to build a special world for themselves. The variety of work in the Cincinnati Art Museum’s show, Creating Connections: Self-Taught Artists in the Rosenthal Collection, showed there’s far more to self-taught artists than just that, but it also showed how shiveringly strange some of those “outsiders” could be. Like for instance, the late Henry Darger, a Chicago hospital custodian who privately worked at home of illustrations for his fantasy manuscript The Story of the Vivian Girls, in What Is Known as

the Realms of the Unreal, of the Glandeco-Angelinian War Storm, Caused by the Child Slave Rebellion. If you missed Darger and the others, never fear — Richard Rosenthal may donate a portion of the collection to the museum. cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

Best zoo birth story

Every new addition to the Cincinnati Zoo inspires awe, but there’s a particular birth this past year that hit us heavier than the rest. After a devastating loss for the zoo’s twotoed sloths Lightning and Moe in 2021, the rainbow pup that is Juno the sloth was born last summer (in June, of course). The family of three is reportedly happy and healthy, with Juno stealing hearts — and likes — on social media with every update. To see the bundle of joy IRL, you can usually catch Juno in the Animal Ambassador Center hanging with mom Lightning (while dad Moe explores solo in the Discovery Forest). cincinnatizoo.org.

Best close shave at the opera

Cincinnati Opera’s deftly witty production of The Barber

of Seville was as much fun as the Marx Brothers’ cinematic romp. Rodion Pogossov’s rowdy Figaro made his entrance from the rear of the auditorium, stopping to tousle his young daughter’s hair and kiss his wife on the way to the stage. But tenor Alasdair Kent’s ease with the score’s challenging coloratura stole the show. He sang the lovestruck Count Almaviva’s opening aria — which comes five minutes after the overture ends — with confidence, ardor and amazing control up and down those vocal runs. Bring him back! cincinnatiopera.org.

Best ceramicist highlighting native wildlife

Gracing craft markets in Cincinnati and the Midwest at large, ceramicist and illustrator Linnea Campbell combines her talents to communicate an important message on behalf of those that can’t speak: our native wildlife. Through her one-of-a-kind functional wares, Campbell adds realistic, delicately detailed designs of the often overlooked and underappreciated creatures surrounding us, shedding light on the unique role each plays in our

Juno the sloth | Photo: Provided by the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

ecosystem. With over 50 illustrations ranging from foxes and skunks to bats and lizards to bees and cicadas, each unique piece is a delight to see, hold and use — all while celebrating our interconnectedness in the process. linnea-campbell.com.

Best Instagram account dedicated to the art and architecture of Cincinnati

It’s not often that social media rises above private envy and public intrigue, but the Instagram account Cincinnati Revealed is that rare exception. It’s a great way to engage with Cincinnati’s rich cultural and architectural history. Whether you already consider yourself an armchair expert or are learning about it for the first time, there is always a new house or building with its own fascinating history to read up on and admire. In addition, daily multiple-choice quizzes on their Instagram stories will soon have you spotting the difference between, say, a Colonial Revival home and a Queen Anne. Cincinnati Revealed is a fun and educational tour through our unique and eclectic Midwestern city. instagram.com/cincinnati_revealed.

Best weekly art house movie screenings

Every week, Woodward Theater screens art house movies at its venue. Sometimes the movies are more mainstream and widely known. Other times they’re more obscure, such as films you can’t find on streaming yet. They also screen local-made films. The programming fills the niche that the sadly departed MicroCinema left behind. woodwardtheater.com.

Best inside look at the mental health of athletes and celebrities

The Mental Game Podcast launched in November 2022 after host and former WLWT reporter Brandon Saho took control of his own mental health. The wellness podcast hosts celebrity guests from Sam Hubbard to Terry Crews. Saho interviews guests about their own mental health while he continues to share his fight with depression and sobriety. Celebrities from athletes to musicians have joined Saho in an effort to normalize mental health struggles and to find ways to combat and understand individual issues. Recently, Saho visited 30 states in 30 days to raise awareness about mental health and to fight the stigma. mentalgamepodcast.com.

Best artwork on bar coasters

Longfellow has the informal feeling of a hangout with records playing on a turntable by the bar while, at the same time, feeling like a destination with interesting takes on classic drinks, one of the best curated beer selections in town and bar bites with a gourmet touch. Part of what makes it all work is what often makes things special, attention to detail and small touches. Longfellow adds a nice touch with changing paper coasters that feature stylized hand-drawn characters that enhance the feel. Also, they’re

Arts & Culture

always a nice little souvenir of the night. longfellowbar.com.

Best random theater showing

The Esquire Theatre is known for its great neon marquee, color tile façade and reputation for showing things out of the ordinary, notably its long-running The Rocky

Horror Picture Show midnight showings and film series like Deep Dive. But last year The Simpsons writing partners and the creators of the little known early 2000s cult favorite animated series, Mission Hill, visited for zza presentation of favorite episodes with a Q&A and meet and greet. The near-repertory theater status of Esquire was heightened, touching on another level of random but great, on par with their showing of Joe’s Apartment (1996) a few years back.

Host Brandon Saho speaking to Bengals head coach Zac Taylor on The Mental Game podcast | Photo: Courtesy of Brandon Saho

Arts & Culture

It’s great to take a closer look at non-first run blockbusters and classics and, also, feel like you’re stepping into a time machine movie experience. esquiretheatre.com.

Best film festival comeback

In September 2023, Cindependent Film Festival returned to OTR after a four-year hiatus. The fest screened movies from all over the world, held a live screenplay reading and demonstrated the power of local filmmaking. It was greatly missed and is still greatly needed. The next fest will take place in September 2024, so be there. cindependentfilmfest.org.

Best podcast and book about 97X

Damian Dotterweich and Dave Tellman hosted an entire podcast (“Rumblings on the Big Bush”) on the history of defunct and beloved local radio station 97X. Every episode involved an interview with either a local musician, a former staffer or a local knowledgeable person about the music scene. Last year, Robin James published a book on the history of the station called The Future of Rock and Roll: 97X and the Fight for True Independence. She and the guys held a Q&A at Mercantile Library to celebrate the release of the book and to inject some nostalgia into the local scene.

Best operatic heartbreak

The Knock by Aleksandra Vrebalov (libretto by Deborah Brevoort) is an hour-long emotional countdown as three women await news of their husbands stationed in Fallujah, and one gets the bad news. Cincinnati Opera presented the stage premiere in June with a superb production directed by Alison Moritz and riveting performances from its ensemble cast. This powerful work left audiences in tears, especially veterans who attended special performances. cincinnatiopera.org.

Best upcycling of merch from a Cincinnati brewery

Old Rhinegeist apparel got a second life thanks to the team at vintage clothing store Jet Black Vintage and interns from the University of Cincinnati’s DAAP college. The team held a showcase at Rhinegeist in January featuring 60 pieces of wearable art that were highly unique, handsewn, sustainably sourced and created with intention. jetblackvintage.com.

Best venue comeback thanks to a major motion picture

The Lakeside Inn is an old Middletown establishment that was a popular bar and restaurant before it

closed over eight years ago. The local hub’s storied past includes gambling, gangsters, family gatherings and even a connection to the infamous criminal duo Bonnie and Clyde. The Lakeside Inn took on a new life when Hollywood producers scoped it out for the filming of The Bikeriders , starring Austin Butler, Jodie Comer and Tom Hardy. Bikeriders producers liked The Lakeside Inn’s name so much, they ditched the fictional name for the movie and kept the original. Inn owner Brian Mack saved props and memorabilia from the filming and plans to use them for decor in the newly renovated space. The Bikeriders will be released in June 2024. focusfeatures.com/the-bikeriders.

Best convention to get your game on

Every year, fans of board games, role-playing games, cards and more come out to AdamCon , the Tri-State’s largest board game convention. AdamCon features over 1,000 games in its library, along with a variety of events, including the GI Joe RPG and a Monster’s Glare card tournament at its most recent convention, to board game demos and more. There’s also a big raffle with hundreds of prizes, and the proceeds go toward helping others, like those at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. theadamcon.com.

Mary Hollis Hundley as Joe Jenner in The Knock | Photo: Glimmerglass Festival

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Staff Picks

Best bookstore that is more than a bookstore

Though Household Books is tucked away in an unassuming building on Gilbert Ave., its owner, Bobby, has extended his reach far outside the confines of the store’s space. Not only does Household Books have a great selection of used books, records and clothing at very affordable prices, there is always something new and exciting taking place. Take for instance the carefully curated pairing of books and fine dining that serves to highlight classic literature and Cincinnati cuisine with “Plates & Pages.” Bobby also hosts open mic nights spotlighting local talent, an all-ages reading group devoted to Larry McMurtry’s classic Lonesome Dove and a recent performance of Little Women that featured a talented cast of CCM students. So whether you’re searching for a long-sought-after volume, a cherished record or vintage threads, you’ll likely stumble upon those and much more. householdbooks.org.

Best facial for facial virgins

Even if your skincare routine is impeccable, it’s never too late to take that glow to the next level. Though Lunar Beauty Bar in Over-the-Rhine offers many different facials based on a patron’s preference, virgins to facials would be wise to pick their customized facial. For an hour, an esthetician will thoroughly examine your skin to determine what sort of TLC it needs — perhaps some dermaplaning to help rejuvenate your skin, or maybe some extractions if you have particularly tricky breakouts. Knowing exactly what your skin needs at all times is impossible, so let the professionals worry about your glow for an hour every once in a while. lunarbeautyotr.com.

Best place to discover vintage children’s books

No matter what sort of book you’re looking for, chances are that the Ohio Book Store in downtown Cincinnati has it. After all, the popular used bookstore boasts five floors of unique literary finds, meaning that you’re bound to find

Inside Household Books with owner Bobby Minelli | Photo: Aidan Mahoney

Shops & Services

the book version of your soulmate in some unassuming corner of the store. Even those who have yet to learn how to read can benefit from the Ohio Book Store’s large collection of rare and used books. After entering the store, head all the way to the back of the store’s first floor to browse their impressive collection of vintage books (some even from the early 1900s) designed to be consumed by young children, or to be read aloud by parents to soothe their children to sleep. ohiobookstore.net.

Best selection of collectible comics

Since 1987 Queen City Comics and Card Company has served as Cincinnati’s premier establishment for comic

readers and collectors. With a wall of valuable key issue comics like The Amazing Spider-Man 121 (the death of Gwen Stacy) and glass cases filled with rare toys and collectables like original Star Wars action figures, this Cincinnati institution has something for anyone. Geoff Hoffman, owner of Queen City Comics, is always eager to help his patrons find just the right item. From rare comic back issues to illusive toys from the ’70s and ’80s, Hoffman will do his best to track them down for you. Queen City Comics gained worldwide attention when Jordan and Rob from the show Toy Hunter found one of the rarest, and most valuable, vintage Star Wars figures, a Rocket Firing Boba Fett, at the Pleasant Ridge location. (You can view this classic moment on YouTube.) Queen City Comics also carries the latest issues of comics and graphic novels, and is fully stocked in

new collectables and action figures. For readers and collectors, young and old, this epic store is well worth a visit! queencitycomics.com.

Best sweat session in a welcoming environment

Especially for those new to the world of boutique fitness, walking into a new fitness studio can be incredibly intimidating. Unlike a gym or your living room, the community aspect of a boutique fitness studio is strong. This likely accounts for that feeling of isolation that you get when you walk into a boutique fitness center — that feeling that everyone else has already bonded and knows what to expect in a particular workout class that is completely

Queen City Comics & Card Company | Photo: Maija Zummo

Shops & Services

foreign to you. Even if you’re in the best shape of your life, this isolation can be a major turnoff. However, at NYXX Cycle in Norwood, owner Nick Melnyk is so welcoming that you almost feel pressure to never leave the studio again. From the minute you clip into the exercise bike, Melnyk and the other riders cheer you on without making you feel embarrassed for all of the effort that you’re putting into your workout. It’s truly a welcoming experience for new and veteran indoor cyclists. nyxxcycle.com.

Best hidden oasis on the West Side that you need to keep up with

Jasmine Nobue’s finely-tuned vision for her JunkYard compound is finely executed with a focus on community engagement, social awareness and overall celebration of individual and collective excellence. You truly never know what to expect from the strong cast of creators and healers that contribute to The JunkYard’s mission of bringing us all together and celebrating the unique talents and interests we offer one another. From the spectacular culinary gems provided by Lost and Found’s Ronnie Huon and Stephan Bayne to the sultry sounds and hospitality of stage starlet Montez Jenkins, you are destined for a once-in-alifetime experience with some of the brightest stars shining across our city. As a luxury spa, B&B, fine dining restaurant, yoga retreat, festival venue and otherwise wonderful

place to relax and connect, be sure to keep an eye on the events promoted on their Instagram. instagram.com/community_junkyard.

Best neighbor in OTR

I’m sure you’ve seen the myriad of style and fashion flashing in the windows of Moreau Sewing on Main Street. Beyond the sewing talents that Ian Moreau shares with our community through tailoring, construction courses and commissions, he is truly one of the most consistently nice neighbors you could imagine. With a simple wave, he completely changes the trajectory of my day with the assurance that positivity can be a choice, and that I too can offer a neighbor a beacon of hope with simply a smile and wave. I would implore you to further check out the styles and services offered by Moreau Sewing at either his downtown or Northside locations. Beyond his kind spirit he is a talented tailor with over 35 years of experience. moreausewingunlimited.com.

Best unexpected history tour

Cincinnati’s rich German heritage and resultant beer culture are popular talking points when discussing the city’s history. But not so commonly discussed is our region’s more illicit past. If you didn’t know Newport, Ky. was the original “Sin City” — and even if you did — you need to take a Newport Gangster Tour. From Prohibition until the 1960s, murder and mayhem reigned

on Monmouth Street where bootlegging, brothels and organized crime gave rise to the casinos that helped launch Las Vegas. Led by a costumed guide, the tour traverses the historic underworld of Newport, uncovering true tales of mobsters, gamblers and ladies of the night. americanlegacytours.com.

Best express facial bar

Jenny Simon FACE has been offering boutique skincare services since 2011. Simon and her team’s appointment books have been on an upward trajectory since then, with an initial expansion in 2016 before moving into a larger streetfront space in Oakley in 2022. This new location has allowed them to expand their medspa and skincare services with the goal of delivering “accessibility, inclusivity and, most importantly, beautiful skin results.” Part of that mission resulted in Simon’s open-concept facial bar, offering 30-minute express facials at a portion of the price of a private room experience. Select from a dermaplaning, anti-aging, purifying, DiamondGlow or relaxing facial — all with medical-grade products — and get in, out and glowing in less time that it takes to get your oil changed. jennysimonface.com.

Best OTR vintage spot

The style influence propelled by OTR’s fromthesidewalk. style squad is immeasurable. A self-recognized creative hub of streetwear and culture, fromthesidewalk. offers collections of highly coveted sneakers, remarkable vintage clothing and consignment opportunities. In such a quick time, we have witnessed a fully torqued blast off of top-tier sidewalk steppers and finely sources (sometimes reworked) vintage pieces on the Cincinnati streets. The brand has soared with its playful yet sophisticated approach to sustainable dressing and is truly a universal brand with offerings that speak to any-and-all generational cohorts. The reign of Jet Black is unstoppable and this is a get-with-it or get-lost situation and baby I want to be front row as things continue to pop off and forward for the well deserved hands that bless this brand’s identity with their authentic concern for quality design and style presentation. Bravo! thesidewalkshop.com.

Best facial acupuncture

If you want to combat the signs of aging, but aren’t ready to make the jump into toxins, fillers or surgery, Cincinnati Acupuncture Clinic offers a holistic alternative. Inesa Zelepuhin, who was a neurologist in Belarus before moving to the U.S. and focusing on alternative medicine, specializes in facial acupuncture to help reduce fine lines and tone and rejuvenate the skin. Her Acupuncture Face Lift includes needlework and modalities like facial cupping, gua-sha, LED light, oxygen therapy and topical treatments. The needles are thin, basically painless, and you can see immediate results — although it’s best to go in for a series. Zelepuhin is incredibly knowledgeable about Western and Eastern medicine and getting to the root of the problem. And her skills aren’t just cosmetic; she treats everything from infertility and anxiety to musculoskeletal and neurological issues, circulation problems and immune disorders. cincinnatiacupuncture.clinic.

Outside Moreau Sewing with owner Ian Moreau | Photo: Aidan Mahoney

Shops & Services

Best produce grocery to buy a watermelon radish for the first time

It’s hard enough to even find those delicious watermelon radishes with their beautifully pink interiors at a grocery store, much less figure out how you’re supposed to eat what is inside the thick, irregularly shaped and slippery-togrip outer root/shell. But Pipkin’s Market in Blue Ash not only can tell you, but when one CityBeat writer asked an employee about it she took it into a backroom and sliced it into small pieces with a big knife for him. This is a place that loves making it easy for customers to try unusual fruits and vegetables for the first time. pipkinsmarket.com.

Best women-focused wellness group

Finding a therapist, counselor or advocate that meets your specific needs can be a Google crapshoot. Luckily, Galia Collaborative has made the process simple by bringing a curated group of professionals focused on women’s mental health and well-being under one roof. Their all-women practice of psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, social workers and dieticians can help support and guide women on their journey to address everything from anxiety and burnout to eating disorders, relationship and sexual issues, trauma and maternal mental health. The goal is to help get “women out of the trenches and into the spaces they want and deserve to occupy… (to) repurpose their power

in pursuit of their dreams.” It also doesn’t hurt that their offices are decorated like a dreamy Pinterest board. galiacollaborative.com.

Best vintage shop for menswear

Hometown Vintage in Covington has made finding covetable and unique vintage easy, thanks to the scouring power of the three vintage aficionados who run the shop: Griffin Mouty, Ray Vietti and Kyle Wolff . The vibe is very much sporty streetwear and workwear from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s: well-worn Carhartt, super-soft graphic tees, team logo sweatshirts and lots of Levi’s. The collection features many items that fall into a more traditional “menswear” category — no pin-up gear here — which is perfect for

The creative forces behind From the Sidewalk are (from left) owner Nick Nguyen and collaborators Mike Giddens and Nigel Agboh. | Photo: Katie Griffith

Shops & Services

Best dog acupuncture

Best event venue that would make Jay Gatsby jealous

As if owning a restaurant empire wasn’t enough, local restaurateur Jeff Ruby opened an event venue, The Lempicka by Jeff Ruby, in the summer of 2023. Ruby’s very first event venue, located in the former Jeff Ruby Steakhouse on Walnut Street downtown, is an art deco lover’s dream, complete with stunning black and white tiles, art deco paintings, ornate wood paneling and more. Apart from the fact that it’s truly a visually stunning venue, The Lempicka also offers a customizable, chef-driven menu with both plated and buffet options for breakfast, brunch, lunch, cocktail and dinner events. jeffruby.com/the-lempicka-event-center.

If you have an older dog, you’re likely looking for any solution to help them combat the discomfort of aging and arthritis. In addition to providing anti-inflammatory medications and supplements, some vets have become specialized in acupuncture. The idea is that the needles stimulate the central nervous system to promote healing and activate natural pain killers inside the body. It’s not a cure, but it’s an excellent modality to use in concert with more traditional treatments. Locally, Whiskers and Paws Animal Hospital is passionate about combining holistic care with their other services. Dr. Carrie Ellis will get on the ground with your pup during acupuncture treatment, placing the needles and explaining the process. For most animals, it’s a supremely relaxing experience and can have dramatic results (it was life-changing for my dog with a degenerative nerve condition). In general, Whiskers and Paws tries to make a trip to the vet as relaxing as possible

for an animal; they’re fear-free certified and have separate waiting areas for dogs and cats. whiskersandpawshospital.com.

Best fun spot for a kid’s birthday party

Tucked into a strip mall on the west side, you’ll find one of the best spots in Cincinnati for an indoor kid’s birthday party. Happy Hangout is available to visit throughout the week, even if you aren’t celebrating a birthday. With a “mini village” full of kid-sized pretend play, an indoor playground and even a wooden camper in and on which to climb, there is something fun to do for any and every kid. But, it’s the addition of party rooms and the ability to rent out the space after business hours that seals the deal on making Happy Hangouts oh-so-perfect. happyhangoutws.com.

anyone trying to tap into TikTok’s “Princess Diana Core” street style. instagram.com/hometowncov.

The Lempicka by Jeff Ruby | Photo: Provided by Jeff Ruby

Shops & Services

Best silent haircut

Yep. You can select a silent haircut when you book your appointment at Ivy. You can call or use their website to book your hair appointment at this small but lush salon nestled in the heart of Northside. While they offer all the usual salon services from coloring, waxing and styling, it’s the option for a silent haircut that truly sets them apart. On their website, you can even read a small blurb about each stylist to make sure you’re picking someone with a similar vibe to your own personal style. Once you discuss what you want, you’ll be left alone in contemplative bliss — no awkward convos over a hairdryer to leave you questioning your coolness. Sit, spiral into your thoughts and let one of the folx work their magic. P.S. Get the bangs if ya want. ivysalongallery.com.

Best huggable ENT

Not all doctors leave a lasting impression. White lab coats often make it impossible to tell anything about a doctor aside from surface stuff. Maybe that’s the way it should be? But, when you’re about to have your skull drilled into before a 14-hour surgery, coming face-to-face with a guy

who is somehow both serious but kind, professional, but still rocking a bowtie, is somehow reassuring. Dr. Steven Gordon is an otolaryngologist at UC and, sure, he can clean out your ears or treat that persistent strep throat, but he also specializes in hearing restoration and works with neurosurgeons to help them get through the ear and skull for brain surgeries. And, if you have to have your head drilled into, it ought to be by someone whose smile is so reassuring, you often hope you run into him in public simply so you can squish him in a hug and thank him for his hard work and calming presence.

Best hidden gem for vintage decor

Nestled in the heart of Covington’s Latonia neighborhood, Curated offers all things old from home decor to collectibles to furniture pieces — mostly from the mid-century era. More than your average vintage store or antique mall, this NKY gem may be smaller in size, but it packs a punch with every square inch with thoughtfully selected, fairly priced goods (that won’t make you miss spending hours rummaging). “Sharing the joy of the find,” Curated’s owner

Heather is just as welcoming as the space itself. facebook.com/curateddesigndecor.

Best talented duo of power couples

to turn

down HGTV not once, but twice, for their own show

Sisters Ami and Anjoli, and their husbands, are the owners and revitalizers of The Palomar in East Walnut Hills, a completely stunning church turned venue that only gets more beautiful with every visit. Breathtaking craftsmanship and meticulously preserved history is all around you. Legend has it that they’ve been approached by HGTV twice to have a renovation television show, and have turned them down both times. thepalomarcincinnati.com.

Best place to witness a proposal

With its lavish high ceilings and gorgeously ornate French art deco architecture, The Netherlands Hotel is plenty charming as it is. Imagine then how that charm is

The Palomar | Photo: Aidan Mahoney

The Palomar | Photo: Aidan Mahoney

Shops & Services

amplified when witnessing the discreet dip and twirl of a dancing couple that ends in a quickly proffered ring. Of course, the whole thing is as staged and choreographed as professional wrestling; videographers and family members soon gather around smiling and snapping away. The happy couple poses and bystanders applaud before settling back into their drinks and dinner. Still, none of it detracts from the spectacle and the fact that for a moment, beneath glittering lights, and as a jazz band played softly in the background, all eyes were trained on the bride-to-be as she breathlessly whispered, “Yes.” hilton.com/en/hotels/ cvgnphf-hilton-cincinnati-netherland-plaza.

Best dinner-and-a-movie destination

After closing its doors in 2022, the Kenwood Theatre reopened last year in the former City Base Cinemas location at The Kenwood Collection (aka above the Whole Foods across from the Kenwood Towne Centre). Although it’s operated by the same organization that oversees the Esquire and Mariemont theaters, Kenwood focuses on

first-run films and blockbusters instead of indie fare. It also absorbed City Base’s dine-in theater experience, a departure from the other cinemas in its portfolio. With call buttons on each heated recliner seat, guests can order from a full menu that now includes dishes like Montgomery Inn pulled pork, Silverglades chicken salad sandwiches and local beer. Although it’s not super easy to access (you have to go up outdoor escalators and past some vacant storefronts), the effort is worth it: there’s a full bar, free refills on popcorn and no loud teenagers. kenwoodtheatre.com.

Best thrift store randomness by the pound

If you’re a junk collector, digger, collector or just in need of cheap stuff, the St. Vincent De Paul Outlet Store on Chickering Ave. near Northside is a kind of hidden gem. Bins line the large open warehouse space filled with junk of all sorts. Books, clothes and shoes are separated in their own bins but everything else is just dumped in to dig through like a literal treasure hunt. The best part is: it’s not

priced individually but by the pound, making for some, occasional, ridiculously good deals. svdpcincinnati.org.

Best martial arts free trial so you can punch 14-year-olds in the face

Jorge Gurgel Martial Arts (JGMMA) is located in West Chester, but they also have locations in Beavercreek and Lebanon. Until 2024, they offered anyone a fiveday free trial to take as many classes as they like with no obligation to join. (They now offer a 30-day discount trial.) Students can take jiu jitsu, Muay Thai and boxing. Some classes are 12 and up, which means you might have to spar with a 12- or 14-year-old student. They will probably kick your ass. However, in a controlled environment, it’s not child abuse to punch them in the face. It’s not only a great workout, but it’s also a healthy way to get aggression out — without the Fight Club anarchy. jgmma.com.

Best movie theater inside a supermarket

Before picking up your groceries at Jungle Jim’s, head over to its hidden gem: RJ Cinema Distillery & Taproom, a cinebistro located inside Cincinnati’s favorite international supermarket. The theater offers an entertaining experience fulfilling moviegoers, food fans and drink lovers alike. Enjoy current feature films in the comfortable theater, while dining on one of the items on RJ’s menus. Their largest and main menu features a BBQ flair, thanks to their partnered business, RJ Four Mile Pig. This menu includes smoked brisket and wings, white cheddar mac and cheese, chicken tenders, pulled pork, burgers, tacos and shareables. They have a condensed menu for their busier movie nights, still including very favorable options. On Saturdays and Sundays, the cinema offers a brunch menu, which includes half breakfast options (including cream cheese crepes, egg sandwiches, mimosas and bloody mary’s) as well as lunch options from their standard BBQ menu. For more traditional movie snackers, there are also combos featuring popcorn, nachos, soft pretzels and candy. On the distillery & taproom side of things, the cinema includes craft cocktails like the Blackberry Sour, Lavender Basil Lemonade and Rum Punch as well as a variety of brews on their beer menu. rjcinema.com.

Best fine line tattoo

If you’ve been toying with the idea of getting a tattoo for awhile, head to Queen Ink Studio for a quality, fine line tattoo. In the last several years, fine line tattoos have become more popular, using thinner needles for more delicate pieces as part of a more minimalist or patchwork style. But, it can be hard to find tattoo artists that specialize in it. Luckily, Queen Ink specializes in fine line work, offering a range of talented artists to execute your personalized designs. Each of the artist’s work is original and has their own unique flair to it, from dainty, to colorful or more contrasted. From butterflies and floral arrangements to words and personalized imagery, Queen Ink offers simplistic and intricate fine line tattoos fit to your preference and

Kenwood Theatre | Photo: Aidan Mahoney

Shops & Services

aesthetic. queeninkstudio.com.

Best place to host your company party and get coworkers out of their shell

After a long year of circling back, expanding bandwidth and other things people say in corporate America, your staff deserves a holiday party they’ll actually enjoy.

Enter the Newport Aquarium. The massive home to thousands of aquatic creatures is easily configured with self-serve buffets and bar stations so guests can meander the exhibits while they eat, sip and stare at dazzling jellyfish, turtles and more. Team bonding is inevitable when Todd in accounting and Shannon in HR face their fears together at the stingray touch pool. Plus, expert event coordinators can set up a karaoke stage in front of a giant shark tank, giving your tipsy rendition of “Barracuda” or “Shark in the Water” a badass backup swimmer. newportaquarium.com.

Best online auction site for feeling fancy

If a website could offer you sparkling water and a place to hang your coat while you shop, it would be Everything But the House (EBTH). Unlike eBay or BidFTA, EBTH is an aesthetic experience through and through. Yes, there are thousands of items, but no junk; every piece that’s listed has been expertly acquired from estate sales and proprietors before going through a rigorous inhouse authentication process. The cleanly designed app allows you to sift through vintage Dior, stunning heirloom jewelry, bougie appliances and more. Rare coin and baseball card enthusiasts will also feel at home on EBTH, and there’s always a wild card item that will somehow have you asking yourself, “Do I need this 200-year-old horse-drawn hearse?” The online auction site is beloved nationwide, but serendipitously located in Blue Ash, meaning you can avoid hefty shipping fees and pick up your treasures like a carside to-go order from Applebees. ebth.com.

Best bowling alley to feel like you don’t know what an iPhone looks like

You can smell the ghosts of cigarettes past when you walk into Stone Lanes in Norwood, but in the best way possible. Staying true to its original hardware and overall vibe, Stone Lanes is a refuge for those who want to drink a Budweiser draft in their mom’s jeans from the }90s. The historical alley is the perfect backdrop for your instant camera, teetering on dive bar status. Come hungry, because Stone Lanes has some of the most surprisingly good pizza in the city. Your apathetic or competitive spirit are both welcome at their open bowl or new Sunday “Bad Bowlers” league. stonelanes.com.

Best bookstore to be swept away to a fantasy world

Walking into Ft. Thomas’ newest bookstore, The Hidden Chapter is like walking into the personal library

Newport Aquarium | Photo: Casey Roberts

Shops & Services

of a mysterious wizard in a folktale. The shop oozes dark academia and wonderment, with an eclectic collection of shelves stuffed to the brim with all kinds of new and used books — from science fiction and thrillers to contemporary romance and more — and fantasy-themed art on the walls and propped up on the shelves. The plush velvet couches beckon you to grab a book and sit and read awhile, while a variety of chandeliers and light fixtures provide delicious mood lighting. You can also head to its bar to grab a beer or wine while you browse. thehiddenchapter.com.

Best secondhand bookstore for those who want to be impressed by the deep knowledge of an owner

A CityBeat writer on his first visit to the wonderful Covington bookshop Conveyor Belt Books was wowed by co-owner Brandon Thomas DiSabatino’s deep stock of books reflecting a discerning but open-minded interest

and knowledge of alternative arts and culture. But DiSabatino doesn’t stop with merely carrying such books. When the customer bought a copy of the late San Francisco Beat-era poet Lew Welch’s collected poems, Ring of Bone, DiSabatino informed him that Welch was the stepfather of clean-cut rock star Huey Lewis! DiSabatino and wife Shelbi Schindler have been operating the store for two years and it has become a literary destination. instagram.com/conveyor_belt_books.

Best Cincinnati-Jordan sneaker collab

Cincinnati’s fashion scene gets bigger and better every year. Corporate is a sneaker and clothing boutique that has been serving Cincinnati (Hyde Park), Dayton and Indianapolis for 15 years. In September, the Corporate Jordan Air Ships dropped and included design nods to Cincinnati, including the city’s iconic skyline. The teal shoes were a symbol of founder Matt Tomamichel’s journey, a tribute to Cincinnati and a show of excellence in a rare collaboration opportunity with the Jordan brand. corporategotem.com.

Best deep tissue massage to ease that back pain

There are few things more disruptive than muscle pain. While a nice massage can be great relief in the moment, a deep tissue massage, or the practice of using slow, deep strokes to target the more inner layers of the muscle and connective tissue, can provide more long-lasting relief for your sore muscles. The Real Wellness Center in Columbia Tusculum offers this service in a truly comforting environment with trained massage therapists and plenty of calming ambiance. You’ll leave feeling more limber and zen. realwellnesscincy.com.

Best place to rip and sip

Sports trading cards have made a comeback in recent years and Hit Seekers Sports Cards in Fort Mitchell has taken ripping packs to a new level. Try one of their many beers on tap while chasing the elusive Downtown-style Donruss Optic cards. hitseekerscardbreaks.com.

Conveyor Belt Books | Photo: Aidan Mahoney

Music & Nightlife

Staff Picks

Best reason to buy a wine based on the label

What started as a mission to create a cherry champagne has transformed into the cheeky and innovative local sparkling fruit wine and pét-nat purveyor FRUITBLOOD

Launched in 2021 by Josh Elliott, former head brewer at Urban Artifact, and partner Becca Miller, a designer, this isn’t the syrupy sweet stuff. Tapping into his experience brewing fruit tarts, Elliot crafts sophisticated, low-intervention wines using grapes and other ingredients like blackberries, crab apples and sour cherries. The results are fizzy, dry and fresh — slightly kombucha-y — with names like “Love Bite,” “Feral Cat” and “Tasteful Nudes.” If the names

don’t lure you in, the labels will. Miller’s colorful, collagestyle designs feel like a neon-hued fever dream, like you’re opening a bottle of pink glitter. The dripping FRUITBLOOD font only adds to the vibe. The duo signed with Cavalier Distributing earlier this year, so look for bottles at Ohio wine shops — they’ll be easy to spot. fruitblood.com

Best bar to have the TouchTunes music all to yourself

Picture this: It’s the end of a long week. You finally make it to your neighborhood bar, order your alcoholic beverage of choice and open the TouchTunes app to add some

FRUITBLOOD makes for a visceral wine experience | Photo: FRUITBLOOD

Music & Nightlife

ambiance to your first few hours of freedom from your 9-5. Your heart sinks to your ass when you realize that someone has played four Linkin Park songs in a row. Okay, you’ll let it slide. But then, after an hour, you realize that your music selections still haven’t played over the bar’s speakers. Ugh. Luckily, at Cloverleaf Pub in Monfort Heights, you won’t need to endure hours of shitty music while you enjoy your night out on the town. At Cloverleaf, the options for musical curation via TouchTunes are endless (and the food is amazing, to boot). facebook.com/CloverleafPub.

Best way to hear and see free concerts, like Taylor Swift

When Tay Tay came to town in July, the town went nuts. If you couldn’t get tickets, at least you could kind of hear her if you stood on the Roebling Bridge or at Covington Landing. The concert wasn’t broadcast on the Jumbotron, but you could hear anthem’s like “You Belong with Me” drift over the water. The Cincinnati Music Fest was held in the summer, too, and you could see and hear the show from

the same locations. Don’t want to pay to hear The Brady Music Center’s outdoor shows? Instead, hang out at The Banks and listen. Why pay when you can sit outside and listen for free?

Best shadow puppet show in a music video

In December, Cincinnati noise-rock band Fruit LoOops released the music video for “Traffic,” a song off their 2023 album, You’re Somebody’s World. In the video, a car and its passengers navigate the chaos of — you guessed it — traffic. Artist Abby Palen created the shadow puppets by hand and shot the music video, which somehow makes shadow puppets incredibly cool and rock and roll. The intricate puppets create the perfect backdrop for a song that is simultaneously thrashing and soothing. There is no doubt that this is the coolest music video you’ve ever seen with shadow puppets. instagram.com/fruitnlooops.

Best Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra concert honoring local music legends

As part of its summer concert series, “The Brady Block Parties,” the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra hosted a celebration of King Records in the community where the record label was founded, Evanston. Led by Cincinnati Pops conductor John Morris Russell, they played tributes to artists who recorded at King Records, including Bonnie Lou (“Seven Lonely Days”); Mary Lou Williams (Zodiac Suite); The Jewels (“Opportunity”); and “Big Maybelle” Smith (“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”). The block party in Evanston served as an approachable way to teach those in attendance more about King Records’ musical legacy here in the Queen City. cincinnatisymphony.org.

Best reason to boogie down in Devou Park

There were plenty of reasons to throw on a pair of bell bottoms and boogie down in the Queen City throughout 2023. One of the more novel approaches to this boogie fever was Kentucky Symphony Orchestra’s “Boogie Nights” series. Set against the stunning backdrop of Devou Park, the orchestra played celebrated groovy tunes from disco giants like Donna Summer, ABBA, Kool & the Gang, The Bee Gees, The Village People, KC & the Sunshine Band and more. Fingers crossed that the KSO’s next summer series will be just as dance-inducing. kyso.org.

Best reason to don your sad dad t-shirt

For the first time since its inaugural edition in 2018, the Homecoming Festival returned to Cincinnati in 2023. The festival, which was created by The National, an indie “sad dad” band originally hailing from Cincinnati, featured performances from a roster of local and national artists, including Patti Smith, The Walkmen, Pavement, Snail Mail and more. Suffice it to say that such a special occasion and lineup resulted in a plethora of sad dads, or nearlymiddle-aged men laying on the grass, listening to hours of

Fans at Taygate ahead of Taylor Swift’s concert at Paycor Stadium | Photo: Kevin Lush

Music & Nightlife

Best booze-filled Ben Franklin

Back in the 1970s and ’80s, nobody wanted to drink bourbon, so distillers like Jim Beam, Ezra Brooks and McCormick turned to marketing the bottle instead of the booze inside. Enter the golden age of entirely insane novelty decanters in the shape of everything from Great Danes and the Statue of Liberty to Model Ts and circus wagons. In addition to specializing in rare and covetable “dusties” (aka bottles of vintage alcohol, primarily bourbon), Revival Vintage Spirits & Bottle Shop in Covington also has an incredible collection of these types of bottles, which are very covetable in their own right — and still filled with alcohol. Check out the display while you do a tasting at the bar or buy one to take home (most run between $150$200). A favorite is the 1970s McCormick series honoring

important Americans. Pop off Ben Franklin’s head and take a swig of 86-proof spirits. Other decanters commemorate the likes of Thomas Edison, Eleanor Roosevelt, Abe Lincoln, George Washington Carver and Elvis. revivalky.com.

Best local musician who doubles as a hypnotist

Richard Ringer, a musician previously in local band Injecting Strangers, released his first solo album, Crown of Worms, in May 2023. While record release shows are fairly commonplace, Ringer set out to make the release show for his album entirely unique — by hypnotizing concertgoers. That’s right, when Ringer is not making music, he is a professional hypnotist, helping patients overcome a variety of obstacles and issues through hypnotherapy. “I’m going to get a group of people in a trance state, and then once there I will do embedded commands,” Ringer told CityBeat

in an interview prior to the show. “I’ll give them certain triggers that will have them respond to signals. Then when the signals happen, they’ll consciously remember that and it will come out.” instagram.com/richard_ringer.

Best anniversary commemoration

The May Festival celebrated its 150th anniversary with “25 For 25,” a brilliant tribute to the Festival’s history of commissioning new works that saw 25 commissions written by young female, non-binary or gender non-conforming composers, all alumni of Luna Composition Lab. Each piece was written for a specific choral group and the conductors worked closely with their respective composers. The March concert showcased the composers’ remarkable skills in setting texts and creating challenging, exciting choral sounds. The energy was palpable and gave another

poignant music. americanmary.com/homecoming.

Revival Vintage Spirits & Bottle Shop | Photo: Brian Cross

reason to celebrate a city that sings. mayfestival.com

Best reason to remember CSO Proof

Gabriel Kahane is one of the most underrated all-around performers. A profound, witty lyricist, brilliant pianist and composer, Kahane’s year-long digital hiatus (including a phone) inspired “The Right to Be Forgotten,” co-commissioned by the CSO, the LA Philharmonic and the Oregon Symphony. It had its Cincinnati performance as part of the CSO Proof series in January. Kahane once again demonstrated his mastery of music and words in this caustic and cautionary cantata, performed with a chamber ensemble of CSO musicians. cincinnatisymphony.org.

Best DJ to gas the girls up

Dear DJ BoyWife, YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE A NATURAL WOMAN! This is not a political debate — although the infamous DJ BoyWife would eat you up in the ring when it comes to defending gender identity, freedom of expression and the importance of uplifting voices of trans people of color. What I am here to say is that DJ BoyWife is the DJ for the GWORLS! In this world where only love is enforced, anyone can be a girly. I have witnessed broad-shouldered straight men swinging their invisible hair to the perfectly timed Shania track that BoyWife slips into the stratosphere of fun. What Shane gives us is the opportunity to liberate ourselves from anything that isn’t on the dance floor. DJ BoyWife is life and as a city we must not only protect but uplift to the highest degree this amount of influence and affluence that the bright star brings to our society. I recommend you devour the @DJBOYWIFE Instagram for upcoming events (hot looks) and get ready for some high energy giggling and grooving as you tuck your cares away and sway to some of the sassiest, most delicious sonic media available for consumption. Pleated mini skirts are encouraged but not required! instagram.com/djboywife.

Best bar that serves old-school cottage cheese

Thanks to TikTok, cottage cheese has seen a resurgence in the past year. However, Longfellow has had cottage cheese on its menu long before it was trendy to do so. For $3, cottage lovers get a plate of housemade cottage cheese sprinkled with pepper, which is the best way to eat cottage cheese. longfellowbar.com.

Best circus on Main

OTR’s prized gem, Liberty’s Bar and Bottle on Main Street, boasts more than just loud laughs, bold breakups and steamy make-ups. Casted are some of the most marvelous and consistent tastemakers in the neighborhood. Known for her hearty laugh and gorgeous freckles, ring mistress Adri rolls out her rotating cocktail collection which includes her self-made ginger beer — a true delight for the mule marvellers and non-alcoholic crowd alike. We also have our greatest showman, Tommy, providing wit, charm and consistently captivating media selections on top of his heart which keeps the collective spirit alive. There is a sweet stud named Simon who keeps us cool and

Music & Nightlife

collected as well as up to date on the state of humanity with his local and global political concerns and initiatives. There’s a beautiful badass named Beef juggling $1 Miller High Lifes with a warm welcome on Wednesdays powered by her friendly fierceness. And then there’s an actual circus performing professional and elven princess, Gia, who will restore your spirits after a wild weekend with her reviving and ravishing Bloody Mary’s on Sunday. All this to say, Garth Lieb’s Liberty’s on Main is the best show in town! instagram.com/libertysbarandbottle.

Best cutting edge — and educational — pop/rock concert of 2023

Corinne Bailey Rae took quite a chance coming to Cincinnati on the occasion of the release of her adventurously experimental album, Black Rainbows (this isn’t a city where she has a huge following). Inspired by her visits to the Chicago archives of African-American artist and activist Theaster Gates, her album takes a variety of musical approaches to songs inspired by objects in Gates’ archives that tell stories about Black life and culture. But for Memorial Hall’s Longworth Anderson concert series, she patiently introduced the new material and then sang exquisitely while her band wailed away. The virtually soldout crowd, not previously aware of Black Rainbows, gave her a standing ovation. memorialhallotr.com.

Best shout-out to Cincinnati by a living musical legend

Bob Dylan in concert can be stoic as a rock. Other than singing, he has little to say to his audience until he introduces the band at the end. But for the sold-out crowd at The Andrew J Brady Music Center last October, he was in a

lively, chatty mood and even performed a song dedicated to the city: Dwight Yoakam’s “South of Cincinnati.” He did a pretty good job of it, too. Watch for Dylan’s Songs of Cincinnati album in 2024. bradymusiccenter.com.

Best new album by a singer who played the hallowed original Ludlow Garage

The blues, folk and rock singer Tracy Nelson, with her band Mother Earth, played Jim Tarbell’s original Ludlow Garage in Clifton — genuflect, please, at the very name — in 1969 and 1970, and she was also a highlight of the 50th anniversary celebration of his rock ballroom in 2019. But she’s hardly stuck in her past. In 2023, for her first album in some 10 years, Life Don’t Miss Nobody, she and her sharp, inspired band applied themselves to some exquisite blues ballads and up-tempo rockers. And she also wrote the simmering, bittersweet title song, an instant classic. The record netted a much deserved Grammy nomination. tracynelsonmusic.com.

Best bar for N/A cocktails

Everyone deserves a well-crafted beverage to sip on during a night out, particularly those staying sober. For those not partaking in alcohol yet seeking the full immersive cocktail experience, Second Story is your place. Perched above Flying Axes in Covington, this art-infused cocktail bar oozes with speakeasy ambiance, featuring a menu that delights any creative soul. From its clever names to its high-quality, innovative ingredients, this level of intention does not end with the bar’s N/A concoctions. Second Story’s current mocktail offerings include the “Clear Conscious,” a refreshing, zero-proof take on a gin and tonic, and for coffee lovers and sleepyheads alike, there’s “The

Longfellow | Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Music & Nightlife

Uprising,” which elevates cold brew with Pappy & Co syrup and decadent cold foam. And with a menu that rotates with the seasons, there’s always something new and exciting to try just around the corner for drinkers of all varieties. secondstory.bar.

Best ‘big’ bar with a tiny beer

College Hill is quickly becoming one of Cincinnati’s “it” dining and drinking destinations, with the addition of restaurants like Kiki, El Camino Baking Co. and Sleepy Bee Café nestled among neighborhood anchors like Chung Ching, Marty’s Hops & Vines and Bacalls Café. Another trip-worthy option that opened last year (well, New Year’s Eve 2022) is Big Chill, a cozy bar whose name can be taken two ways — both to describe the laid-back

atmosphere or the bar’s walk-up, seasonal soft serve window. Grab a drink from a friendly bartender to enjoy on the massive back patio. While the creative cocktails lean culinary, there’s plenty of beer and a short but extremely interesting wine list. Order their big hands combo: yellow liqueur (probably Licor 43) topped with cream and served in a mini, shot-sized glass stein (it looks like a teeny foamtopped pint) with a Little Kings beer back. It’s adorable and delicious and goes well with the pickle dip and chips from the snack menu. instagram.com/bigchillcincy.

Best blend-your-own bachelor party

Wenzel Whiskey in Covington offers a unique bourbon experience. Here, instead of just imbibing, you can get

hands-on and blend your own bottle of the spirit. In a process called “rectifying,” guests get samples of four barrel-strength bourbons sourced from distillers across the U.S. (the distilleries are never revealed, just the state of origin), which they can then combine in different ratios using a pipette and beaker. Like a boozy mad scientist, you can experiment until you create your perfect bourbon. Once you do, Wenzel will bottle it for you to take home, with a custom label. Visit during public blending times or book your own private event, perfect for bachelor (or bachelorette) parties, birthdays, company outings or any small gathering. This year, Wenzel will expand beyond rectifying to start making its own bourbon, becoming the first distillery to operate in Covington since Prohibition. wenzelwhiskey.com.

Second Story | Photo: Provided by Second Story

Music & Nightlife

Best French absinthe coming out of a Northern Kentucky distillery

Neeley Family Distillery is the product of 10 generations of moonshiners, with the 11th being the first to legally start distilling in 2015. A true family business, lead distiller Royce — who started distilling in his dorm room — still uses his great-grandpa’s moonshine recipe from 1913 and a yeast strain the family has been propagating for 150 years. Doing a tour and tasting here is a Hatfield-and-McCoysmeets-Justified experience (let’s just say, historically, there’s been a lot of murder in the moonshine business) complemented by some delicious spirits. If you’re lucky, you can snag a sample of their “Fear and Loathing in Kentucky” absinthe, in addition to award-winning ’shine and bourbon. Royce makes his Absinthe Verte on a mint green, pre-ban French absinthe still from the 1890s using an Old World Swiss-style recipe, infusing his family’s moonshine base with eight botanicals. Since then, it’s become recognized as some of the best in the world, becoming the first North American absinthe to win double gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2021) and has since been certified platinum by that governing body. Why go to the City of Lights for a taste of the green fairy when you can just go to Sparta, Ky.? neeleyfamilydistillery.com.

Best place to show off your niche local music knowledge

Unless you get claustrophobic in large crowds (if you do, it might be best to skip this one), an afternoon spent at the Northside Record Fair can be incredibly fun for vinyl collectors. Every few months, hundreds of vinyl collectors and music lovers set up shop at 4222 Hamilton Ave. to buy and sell “records, CDs, cassettes, 8-tracks, reel-to-reels, posters, concert DVDs, zines and other music memorabilia,” according to Northside Record Fair’s website. With all of the vinyl heavy hitters in Cincinnati — such as Shake It Records — gathered together, you can expect to engage in at least a few conversations about local music. If you’re looking for a place to discover a local act that found fame in the 1960s, or to discuss the influence of King Records on Cincinnati’s music scene with a random guy, the Northside Record Fair is essentially heaven. Even if niche local music isn’t your thing, vendors also typically sell an assortment of popular records. northsiderecordfair.com.

Best collab between a drag queen and local orchestra

For those who braved the rain for the Pride Month Brady Block Party, you were lucky enough to witness one of the most special collabs Cincinnati has put together: Thorgy Thor with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

An NYC-based drag performance artist (who you may know from RuPaul’s Drag Race) and accomplished violinist, Thorgy Thor combined her love for drag and classical music with CSO’s first-ever community Pride concert. Taking place at the ICON Festival Stage at Smale Park, Thorgy Thor strutted out in a hot pink blazer and her iconic larger-than-life wig, complete with an industrial-strength fan for hair-blowing-in-the-wind realness. The program spanned classical favorites with plenty of modern renditions blended in, from Beyonce’s “Crazy In Love” to Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way,” all proclaiming the reason for the season: love is love. cincinnatisymphony.org.

Best old fashioned in the city

If you’re a connoisseur of classic cocktails, look no further. Jeff Ruby’s might just have the best Old Fashioned in the city. Their Smokin’ Maple Old Fashioned is the perfect fall and winter drink. (But really, a great Old Fashioned transcends seasonality.) Its cherry-scented smoke and subtle maple undertones may even trick you into thinking you’re fireside at a ski resort in Vermont. The Precinct in Columbia Tusculum pairs particularly well with its dim, atmospheric lighting and mahogany interior. It feels like a setting Humphrey Bogart would approve of. Your only problem might be ordering just one. jeffruby.com.

Northside Record Fair | Photo: Provided by Northside Record Fair

Music & Nightlife

Best lavish time warp wine bar

Just around the corner from the timelessness and charm of Hyde Park Square is Unwind Wine Bar in the center of Hyde Park. The outdoor courtyard that you enter through has the feel of a coastal city, but the inside is a dimly lit, mood-inducing bar and lounge with a central fireplace. Something about it feels like you’re in a relaxed, posh bar in the ‘90s — not because it’s dated, in any way. The ‘90s house music and atmosphere lend themselves to a simpler time before cell phones, the internet and social media, a time when you stepped into places like this and that place, time and the people you were with were all that mattered, when we existed only at the place we were at. They have an extensive wine list, as you’d imagine, and do wine flights and, also, a great curated beer selection including some

of the finer European beers like La Chouffe and Chimay, a great cheese board filled with variety, as well as other light foods. unwindhydepark.com.

Best new Irish pub with an actual bar from Ireland

Red Leprechaun Irish Pub opened at The Banks last October with a menu partly created by celebrity chef Brian Duffy and an aesthetic so authentic to the Irish pub experience you may think you’re actually in the Emerald Isle. But the centerpiece of the pub is the vintage bar, complete with stained glass and imported directly from Malahide, Ireland. It was built in 1957 and stood for 62 years until 2019. It was then brought to Cincinnati where it was refinished before the pub’s grand opening. redleprechaun.com.

Best full-time oldies station on air

Some of the most timeless music ever made is always on the air in Cincinnati. At any time, day or night you can tune your radio to 1480 AM or 99.5/107.9 FM and back in time to WDJO to hear anything from early rock and roll and doo wop to ‘60s soul and ‘70s pop. The station’s DJs are live throughout the day, often taking requests, and they’re also — often — radio legends. Longtime DJ Jim LaBarbara recently made a return to the airwaves with his weekday morning 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. show telling stories from his encounters with the stars over the years and anecdotes about music. There’s also the Doo Wop Stop 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday nights with Cool Bobby B, Dial-a-Hit Saturday nights 7 p.m. to midnight with Dangerous Dan Allen and a ton more chances to hear music that changed the world. oldies1480.net.

Red Leprechaun Irish Pub | Photo: Aidan Mahoney

Music & Nightlife

Best local musician residencies

Residencies aren’t all together new in town; The Comet has done it for years, but there has been a rise, of sorts, in artists and bands making weekly appearances at venues around town. Places like MOTR Pub and The Loon give them a chance to perform regularly and often, and also curate a month of music, sometimes with a theme for each night and lineup to make each appearance an event. motrpub.com & theloonwinebar.com.

Best warm and swanky jazz bar downtown

Things seem kind of charmingly preserved in many parts of the city, especially in this part of downtown with its classic buildings and the long running Koch Sporting Goods next door. Step into the warm storefront on 4th Street under the long awning into the Härth Room. The band is positioned at the front of the long stylish room with a near room-length bar winding opposite booths and tables. There’s also a café in the back serving a variety of coffee drinks and teas for an alternative to alcohol while you listen and relax. theharthroom.com.

Best hidden-gem Over-the-Rhine jazz bar

There’s a lot of music going on around the Over-the-Rhine block next to Washington Park, where Cincinnati Music Hall and Memorial Hall sit just next door to the small hotel/restaurant/bar/jazz club, the Symphony Hotel & Restaurant. Symphony Hotel hosts regular jazz bands to get lost in while you enjoy your cocktail or drink of choice. Local legend Philip Paul, session drummer for King Records, made some of his last public performances here before he passed away in 2022. Paul once called jazz “exploratory music,” and the Symphony Hotel is a good place to explore it. symphonyhotel.com

Best party-by-the-ocean vibes

Cincinnati might be landlocked, but the open-air beach bar floating on the Four Seasons Marina along the Ohio River on the east side of town, Pirate’s Cove Tropical Bar & Grill, is equipped with a partial sand floor and palm trees that make it feel a lot more like a beach party somewhere along the coast. The live band plays under the main overhang by the sandy dance floor and dining area adjacent to the oversized tiki bar. The atmosphere is loose and good times are easy to come by. piratescovecincy.com.

Best Cincinnati pop-up based on a Taylor Swift song

In preparation for Taylor Swift’s two shows at Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati was transformed into Swiftinnati, complete with immersive themed events and even the temporary renaming of streets (Taylor Avenue in Bellevue became Taylor Swift Avenue). In honor of Swift’s visit, Cobblestone OTR became “Cornelia Street,” a nod to

a song of the same name from Swift’s Lover album. While surrounded by Lover-era decor, sipping specialty cocktails and throwing darts at John Mayer’s face, Swifties had a sweet place to make friendship bracelets before and after her summer shows.

Best time-warp night out

Madison Bowl, on the northeast side of town, is satisfyingly untouched by time. Everything about it is timeless, just like a bowling alley should be (developers of other commercial spaces take note). The sign out front, the lived in natural character and everything else about the building are what new commercial spaces only wish they could achieve. The bowling alley itself would be enough reason for a visit — with 32 lanes on either side of the huge space — but there is also an enclosed bar and lounge that feels like stepping back in time with warm wood paneling, burnt orange vinyl, mid century lighting fixtures and cheap drinks. Just behind the lounge, the wood paneling gives way to chrome and linoleum of the winding counter of the original diner still serving burgers and a full menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner meals.

facebook.com/MadisonBowl.

Best last kiss goodbye from KISS

Legendary larger than life rock band KISS made their final Cincinnati appearance in October. The Cincinnati date was the first of the final run of the band’s End of The Road Tour, and the band were in high spirits for the sendoff and final meeting with the fans who helped put them on stage 50 years ago, as Paul Stanley told CityBeat in talking about the tour and the band’s history ahead of the show. Everything that has always made KISS great was in full effect and amplified for the tour and both the fans — many in facepaint — and the band left smiling.

Best appearance from a punk legend

Patti Smith and her band delivered a powerful performance in the open fall air next to the Ohio River for The National’s Homecoming Festival in September. The performance, like Smith herself, was nuanced and dynamic, at times heartbreakingly sincere and transcendent, at other times humble and hilarious. There are few that can tap into the level of power of performance like Smith. When she says, “we have the power” over corporations, government

The John Mayer dartboard from the “Cornelia Street” pop-up at Cobblestone OTR. | Photo: Emory Davis

or war, she means it and the audience feels it, like a wakeup call to the truth. Backed by her band, which included her longtime collaborator Lenny Kaye — a legend in his own right — and her son Jackson Smith from her marriage with the late MC5 guitarist, Fred “Sonic” Smith, she proved just how good rock and roll can be — like anything is possible, just what great art can do. americanmary.com/homecoming.

Best food-based cocktails at a bourbon bar

The mixologists at Knowledge Bar in Covington sometimes make food-based cocktails. Last fall, mixologist Kelsey St. Clair devised one with squash puree, and Dana Hagedorn created one with a scoop of sorbet in it. Besides the meal-in-itself cocktails, their drinks are creative, and they come with a complimentary olive and crackers tray and fun conversations. hotelcovington.com/dining/ knowledge-bar-social-room.

Best “sea of humidity” goth concert

In early September, Smashing Pumpkins played Riverbend during a hot and humid night. Lead singer Billy Corgan joked the temp felt like a “sea of humidity.” It probably didn’t help that the majority of the crowd — including Corgan himself — wore black. The balmy night was worth it to hear the hits, a few deep cuts and see guitarist James Iha at his most formidable. Thirty years after Siamese Dream, the band still rocks the house. riverbend.org.

Best cheap beer bypass at a music festival

Every July, Covington puts on Paradise Music Festival for two days outside Braxton Brewing. Admission is free. Sponsor Braxton sells their beers at the breweries and at tents, but $7-$12 for a beer is expensive. However, concertgoers can get cheap booze at Olde Towne Tavern and take it outside to watch the bands. A $3 High Life is much better than a $10 craft beer. paradise-fest.com.

Best hotly anticipated first full-length effort from a local musician

Despite the fact that Cincinnati musician Mol Sullivan has been making music for two decades, she only just released her first full-length effort, Goose, in January of 2024. The wait was worth it. Throughout its 11 songs, the album invites listeners on an intimate sonic journey inside Sullivan’s world, from getting sober to dealing with heartbreak. Her record release show at Woodward Theater truly showcased her impact on the city as the venue filled nearly to capacity with dozens of fans, collaborators and mentors all listening eagerly to the culmination of a decade of songwriting for Sullivan. “I feel like because it’s a smaller city, everybody feels very visible, so it can feel very vulnerable and intimidating to be seen trying to succeed,” Sullivan

told CityBeat in an earlier interview. “But fuck it, I’m trying and I’m doing. I’m choosing to do things myself rather than waiting on maybe a label having interest.” molsullivan.com.

Best boozy slushies at a gay bar/art store

Creative House of Art and Design (or CHAD, named after the owner) is an art store in Mainstrasse that

sells a lot of gay-themed art, like stickers and Pride flags, but in the back they have a small bar and patio. During the summer, they offer very strong boozy slushies. Sip on one while shopping for penis coasters. creativehousead.com.

Best ‘inspired’ local music festival

In Nov. 2023, Inhailer Radio brought back the Inspired

Mol Sullivan | Photo: Brooke Shanesy

Music & Nightlife

Music Festival at Woodward Theater, the first time since 2019. The two-day fest showcased an array of 16 local and local-ish bands from all kinds of genres, including Moonbeau and Multimagic. Bands played covers, but also their original songs. The fest fills a void in the local music scene and is a reminder how strong the local scene truly is. inhailer.com.

Best bar that has skee-ball and allows smoking

The Licking River Café in Covington’s Austinburg neighborhood is a chill and friendly spot to drink cheap booze, play pool and, well, smoke cigarettes. We’re not sure how it’s legal to smoke there, but people are allowed to do it. Besides pool, they also have darts, a Skee-ball machine, a cigarette machine (of course) and plenty of TVs to watch sports and TV shows.

Best dairy-free espresso martini

For those who may be lactose-intolerant but still want to enjoy a delicious cocktail? Head over to Sundry and Vice for their classic espresso martini, made with oat milk instead of the typical dairy-based cream. You wouldn’t know that this one was an alternative, though, as its creamy and rich flavor is evident upon the first sip. Made with vodka, espresso liqueur, Mexican vanilla and the aforementioned oat milk, the drink is rich, smooth and decadent, matching the moody atmosphere of the bar. Whether you need a pick-me-up or just a dessert to end the night, this martini will leave you feeling classy (and not at all bloated.) sundryandvice.com.

Best bar series with cocktails and Cincinnati history lessons

In 2024, Cincinnati’s most storied bartender, Molly Wellmann, teamed up with Cincinnati’s most storied bar, Arnold’s Bar and Grill, for Tuesdays with Molly, a weekly series of drinks and history lessons. Each Tuesday at Arnold’s, Wellmann features a different cocktail and shares how it ties into Cincinnati’s history, proving everything truly is related to the Queen City one way or another. arnoldsbarandgrill.com.

Best witchy bar experience

Gorilla Cinema Presents brought the double, double, toil and trouble to its witches- and wizards-themed Pennifold’s Pub during the last Halloween season with the “Dark Magic” pop-up bar. Spooky revelers entered the space to find an abyss of the arcane in every corner thanks to a series of fun (but still eerie) events and tasty (but still cursed) cocktails and mocktails. gorillacinemapresents.com.

Best bar for a saucy

Wednesday night

Wednesdays are for pasta and music at Over-the-Rhine bar

Lost & Found’s Spaghetti Nights. Designed to feed both your body and soul, Spaghetti Nights feature plenty of wine and pasta set to a soundtrack spun by local DJs. While it originally started as a way just to bring in more guests on a typically slow night, Lost & Found’s owners Steven Clement and Camilo Otalora said it quickly became much more, with a focus on community and a festive ambiance that kept people coming back. As for the food, the spaghetti is made from scratch and paired with a house-made red sauce or bolognese. There are also vegetarian and glutenfree options, and you can choose spaghetti squash instead of pasta. lostandfoundotr.com.

Best brewery and bakery collaboration

One of the most beloved breweries and most beloved bakeries in town working together on a special brew? Yes, please. Covington’s Braxton Brewing Co.’s Opera Cream Stout was inspired by The BonBonerie’s iconic Opera Cream Torte. The beer features chocolate and caramel malts and is finished with The BonBonerie’s opera cream coffee, roasted by Seven Hills Coffee Roasters. With flavors of milk chocolate, sweet cream and vanilla, this indulgent milk stout is almost more dessert than beverage. What a sweet way to celebrate Cincinnati. braxtonbrewing.com & bonbonerie.com.

Best brewery to start a real-life quest

In fantasy literature, all the best quests begin in a tavern. It’s where villagers gather ‘round tables with mead in hand, trading tales, or where a weary traveler stops for a drink and meal only to have their plans upturned by a wizened, old man with a task only they can do. These taverns are at the heart of the setting and the story, because, as the founders of Fabled Brew Works in Erlanger understand, taverns — or, in its case, a brewery — are more than just drinking establishments. A small craft brewery and meadery, Fabled Brew Works opened its doors last June. The interior features rich fantasy-setting elements, with decor that makes you feel like you’re drinking in a sylvan glade or just outside a witch’s apothecary. As for the taplist, the brewery and meadery puts its focus on fruit-forward beers and things you don’t find a whole lot of in the region: bold stouts, meads and dessert-inspired varieties, with names straight from a storybook. fabledbrewworks.beer.

Best boozy comeback

A full mouth kiss is in order for Rhinegeist Brewery. In December, the Over-the-Rhine iconic brewery announced they were bringing back the original recipe for its cultfavorite rosé fruited ale, Bubbles. To the chagrin of many, Rhinegeist adjusted the Bubbles recipe in 2022 to make the ale fit in with its RGBevs line. But the people missed Bubbles’ signature wine-like heft and dry apple, peach and cranberry flavors. Rhinegeist got wise and gave Cincinnati the holiday gift she deserved, the return of the original Bubbles in all her blushy, bubbly glory. Thank you Rhinegeist! Now, let’s chat about Wowie. rhinegeist.com.

Best new bar that feels like it’s been here forever

Binski’s Bar opened in Camp Washington in 2023 and became an instant classic. It normally takes a bar years to build enough street cred to be considered a “neighborhood bar,” but Binski’s has been embraced with both arms by the West Side, and for good reason. Vintage beer signage galore gives Binski’s the vibe of your single uncle’s garage from when you were a kid. Their weekly meat raffle and bingo nights have developed a cult following, turning strangers into friends. Even the neighborhood stray cat can’t stay away, cementing himself as a Binksi’s unofficial mascot — nature is healing and she wants another shot of Malört. instagram.com/binskisbar.

Best dining hall cocktail menu

Broad enough to go with a wide array of international cuisines, yet refined enough to stand out, According to Hoyle is a stunning bar with a strong cocktail menu. Located smack dab in the middle of the Gatherall, a new food hall at the Factory 52 mixed-use community in Norwood, According to Hoyle is the true watering hole in the center of it all. Cocktails “Five of a Kind,” “52 Pickup” and “Fools Paradise” are just a few of the card game inspired drinks that stand firmly with some of the city’s best craft cocktails. thegatherall.com.

Best bar bathroom

Life is hard, but the bathrooms at Northside Yacht Club make like suck a little less. In fact, these bathrooms might qualify as Cincinnati’s tiniest discothèques. You wouldn’t know it at first walking into the women’s room, but smack the large red EMERGENCY button located to the right of the sink and instantly the lights lower, a party globe sends rainbow light spinning and one of God-only-knowshow-many-bangers start playing at club volume. As if the women’s room of any bar needed help forging community, there’s something purely fucking magical about dancing to ABBA with total strangers while you wait to pee. northsideyachtclub.com.

Best bourbon collab with an NBA player

A new Kentucky bourbon hit the shelves in 2023, thanks to a partnership between a Northern Kentucky distillery and an NBA legend. Four-time NBA champion and two-time MVP Stephen Curry launched his own spirit, Gentleman’s Cut Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a joint venture between Curry’s SC30 Inc., Napa Valley’s Amuse Bouche Winery and Boone County Distilling Co. in Florence. Gentleman’s Cut has been years in the making, a nod to the art of crafting a good spirit. The bourbon is distilled, aged and bottled in Boone County in 500-gallon copper pot stills, which gives Gentleman’s Cut a full-bodied palate and complex aromatic profile. Following that, it’s aged for five to seven years in charred new white oak barrels, providing tasting notes of cinnamon, seared caramel and sweet toasted chestnut. boonedistilling.com.

Sports & Recreation

3. Cabana on the River

Yoga Studio

1. Body Alive

2. Embra Studio (formerly Modo Yoga)

3. TIE: Hello Sunshine Yoga AND World Peace Yoga

Sports & Recreation

Staff Picks

Best urban hiking on the east side

First established in 1959, the Buckeye Trail allows hikers an incredibly unique opportunity to see around 1,400 miles of Ohio — every corner of the state and in between — on foot. The trail, which connects parks, bike trails and other natural and urban landmarks together, includes an offshoot that winds its way through eastern and northern Cincinnati and its suburbs. Though the trail technically begins in White Oak, some of the best urban hiking takes place in East Walnut Hills, Hyde Park, Madisonville and Mariemont, where an afternoon hike can be rewarded with a trip to a great restaurant or coffee shop. You can download a map of the trail on the FarOut app, and even track

your progress as you make your way across Greater Cincinnati and the state. buckeyetrail.org.

Best Bengals tailgate to get free Skyline

Few things represent the gestalt of Cincinnati better than Skyline, but mix Skyline with our city’s beloved NFL team and you might have a hard time getting Cincinnatians to go home. Bengal Jim’s “Before the Roar” Tailgate does just that. Before home games, a passel of eager fans converge on the edge of Smale Riverfront Park just outside of Paycor Stadium. Music, a Skyline food truck dishing out coneys, drinks and fellow fans — what more could one ask for to prepare for cheering on the

Joey Votto says goodbye to Cincinnati Reds fans during his last home game | Photo: Anders Saling

Sports & Recreation

Bengals

inside

The Jungle? Bengal Jim’s Tailgate is the longest running tailgate in the city, so they know what they’re doing. The food is free, but the organizers welcome a courtesy tip to support the party. facebook.com/ BengalJimsBeforeTheRoarTailgateExperience.

Best backup quarterback

When Joe Burrow threw that dud on the sidelines of the Baltimore Ravens’ game, a collective groan was released from Bengals fans. The prized and handsomely paid QB

was injured and out for the rest of the season. The Bengals were screwed. Or were they? With Jake Browning taking over at the helm, the team went on to take home four more Ws. Browning’s cool head on the field led to 12 touchdowns and 1,936 passing yards. He’s also a blast to watch in post-game interviews, and Bengals fans have enjoyed seeing his family celebrate big plays from Burrow’s box. While the Bengals didn’t last as long as they have in seasons past, they still did damn good for a team led by a backup QB.

Best paved path for long runs

While trail runs (especially in the Mt. Airy Forest) can be an exciting break from those laps around your neighborhood, the roots, steep hills and the other unpredictable signs of nature can turn a simple run into a miles-long hike/run. If you’re looking to keep things simple on your long runs, the Loveland Bike Trail, a 70-mile-long paved path weaving its way through Loveland, Milford, Miami Township, Newtown and Lebanon, is a great fit. For miles and miles (however long your feet will carry you), you can enjoy

Buckeye Trail trailhead at Eden Park | Photo: Aidan Mahoney

Sports & Recreation

Best representation of a Bearcat

Best goodbye to a Cincinnati sports legend

Joey Votto’s time with the Reds is over. Cincy’s favorite Canadian had a rough season as he recovered from an injury. He was gone more than he was there, missing most of the 2023 home games. He returned in time to end the season and then move on. While not everyone realized his last game was, indeed, his last game, his final wave to the stands left many Reds heads teary-eyed. After 17 seasons, 2,056 Reds games and 356 home runs, fans would have liked to see him officially retire with the Reds. Votto still bangs, just now for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Former Bearcats Travis and Jason Kelce have been in the NFL for a hot minute now and have already made names for themselves, but when younger brother Trav began dating one of the world’s most popular singers, their fame shot through the roof. Travis and Jason have wildly different personalities and both are likable. But when Jason pulled off his shirt, shotgunned beers and celebrated with fans at the Bills Stadium earlier this year, the family man seemed most like every other proud, party animal Bearcat.

Best take on aliens from a local sports legend

Looking back on this far-out prediction from Joey Votto is bittersweet. For one, aliens did not give the Reds the help

they needed in the 2023 season, and two, we miss him already. In February, Major League Baseball’s Instagram account urged users, “Drop your boldest NL Central prediction” and tagged players from the division’s teams to answer, including Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto. And yes, Votto’s thoughtful, reasonable, not-atall-batshit theory was as glorious as you’d hope: “Extra terrestrials arrive on earth, April 15th. The 12-2 Reds and the rest of the planet learn from, communicate with and befriend our alien friends,” Votto commented below the post. “This process takes 5 months. Play resumes in October. The Reds sweep the playoffs and are World Series champs.” This, sadly, did not happen. But, Votto did make a side note in that wonderfully weird Instagram comment, saying: “The aliens ask if I would like to accompany them on their ship back to their plant. I oblige. Never to be seen again.”

views of the Little Miami River and nature that frames the path beautifully during every season. lovelandbiketrail.com.

Jake Browning | Photo: Bengals Media Assets