The BLINK art and light festival is descending on downtown Cincinnati, Over-the-Rhine and Covington this weekend, offering more than 100 glowing experiences.
And while there will be tons of illuminated sculptures, animated murals, projection-mapped architecture and live music to check out, attendees will also have a chance to explore the city – from Findlay Market to Covington – on foot. BLINKgoers will be able to stop at small businesses, bars and restaurants along the way for refreshment and goodies.
Many are offering BLINK-only specials, whether that's themed food and drink, grab-and-go items or product discounts. The OTR Chamber has provided a list, and we've added a few finds of our own.
Food & Drink
Aladdin's Eatery + Lounge — $5 Neon Lights cocktail. 1203 Main St., @aladdinseaterylounge.Alcove by MadTree — Alcove by MadTree is offering a special menu of to-go food, plus popping up with Sway by MadTree drinks at Smale Park and a draft beer truck near Ziegler Park. 1410 Vine St., @madtreealcove.
Al's Delicious Popcorn — BLINK-colored vanilla-butternut popcorn. 1202 Main St., @alsdeliciouspopcorn.
The Arepa Place — Two empanadas and salsa for $8. Findlay Market, @arepaplace.
Dunlap Cafe — Serving food and drink specials, with a bonus new BLINK mural and light installation on the building. 1926 Dunlap St., @dunlapcafe.
Fillo Greek Bake Shop — Serving sandwiches to go. 1505 Race St., @fillogreekbakeshop.
Flavors of the Isle — 10% off BLINK Punch (white rum, gin, vodka and orange and pineapple juices). 1807 Elm St., @flavorsoftheisle.
Herban Vegans — Serving BLINK sliders. 1809 Elm St., @herbanvegans.
HomeMakers Bar — "Kind of a Big Dill" custom pickle-themed arcade installation will be up at the bar. 39 E. 13th St., @homemakersbar.
Low Spark – BLINK-themed cocktail menu. 15 W. 14th St., @lowsparkotr.
The Lackman — Serving glowing drinks, while supplies last. 1237 Vine St., @thelackman.
Mama Made It — BLINK cotton candy and caramel apples. Findlay Market, findlaymarket.org.
Rhinegeist — Hosting a taproom "glowup" all BLINK long with activations, installations, games and the release of Night Glow fruited sour ale. 1910 Elm St., rhinegeist.com.
The Rhined — Serving charcuterie cups to-go. 1737 Elm St., @therhined.
Rosedale OTR – Hosting LED cornhole and Giant Jenga. 208 E. 12th St., @rosedaleotr.
Soul Secrets — Catfish sandwich and fries or a hot chicken sandwich and fries to-go. 1434 Vine St., @soulsecrets.llc.Tablespoon Cooking Co. — A special menu of to-go food and drink from 6-10 p.m. (or sell-out), including a Light Bright cookie, fall-themed fest foods and a warm apple chai bourbon cocktail. 1731 Elm St., @tablespooncookingco.
Taste of Belgium — Offering a themed drink called The Wink, plus fresh waffles and drinks to go (The Banks is a DORA district). 16 W. Freedom Way, 1135 Vine St., 1801 Race St., @tasteofbelgium.
Churchill's Fine Teas — Tea mocktails inspired by BLINK. 122 W. Elder St., @churchillsteas.
The Skeleton Root Winery — Deals on Skeleton Root wines, flights and local beer. 38 W. McMicken Ave., @skeletonroot.
Shopping
BLINK Limelight Shop — Snag BLINK-themed merch and swag at this pop-up. Open noon-8 p.m. nightly. 1511 Vine St., blinklimelight.com.Joy and Matt's Books — Up to 30% off books, plus $15 Paper Mill Classics. 1515 Vine St., @joyandmatts.
Junebug Jewelry Designs — Say "BLINK" during checkout for 15% off. 1327 Vine St., @junebugjewelrydesigns.
Ida Candles — 10% off "Cincinnati gear." 1810 Elm St., @idacandles.
Noir Hair Cafe — Serving walking tacos and specialty drinks while you shop for vegan haircare, plus offering first-time client discounts. 1712 Elm St., @noir.hair.cafe.
OTR Premium Cigars — A special BLINK grab-and-go pack of cigars. 1722 Elm St., @otrpremiumcigars.
Tipsy Terrarium — Offering glow-in-the-dark cups. 110 W. 15th St., @tipsyterrariumcincy.
Experiences
Action Tank — "Volkslicht" or "The People's Light" installation debuts this weekend. 123 E. McMicken St., @actiontankUSA.Findlay Market Night Market — Findlay is an official BLINK zone and is a hosting events all of BLINK, including a a nightly outdoor night market, live music and a silent disco on Saturday. 1801 Race St., @findlaymarket.
Friends of Music Hall — Providing live music from the 1927 Mighty Wurlitzer Organ, plus a light show 7-10 p.m. nightly. 1241 Elm St., @friendsofmusichall.
Knox Joseph Distillery/OTR StillHouse — Hosting a BLINK-themed after party "After Glow" on Saturday with a light show and live performances. Tickets required ($15). 2017 Branch St., otrstillhouse.com.
Launch Party — Offering Euphoria-inspired eye looks "with blacklight reactive makeup, glitter, rhinestones, pearls and more," per Instagram. Appointments required. Sign up in advance online. 4-7 p.m. Oct. 15. 114 E. 13th St., @shoplaunchparty.
Oasis Face Bar — Get 15%-off 30 minute facials, plus 10% off products. Make appointment in advance. 1345 Walnut St., oasisfacebar.com.
OTR Funplex — Upgrade to glow-in-the-dark paint and disco lights with Splatter Room reservations. 1112 Race St., @otrfunplex.
Not Your Average “Paint and Sip” Class — A UV/blacklight-reactive painting experience with two drinks included. RSVP online. 1310 Pendleton St., notyouraveragepaintandsipclass.net.
Pedal Wagon — Offering a special BLINK tour, with LED lights you can wear, plus the garage is hosting a grill-out on Friday and Saturday with LED toys. Register for cruises online. 1100 Sycamore St., pedalwagon.com.
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