Last year, CityBeat’s Best of Cincinnati issue turned 20. That’s two decades of recognizing the best people, places, organizations and things happening in our treasured river town — as voted on by readers and pontificated upon by our intrepid team of Cincy-loving staffers.

While turning 20 was a big deal, turning 21 is more fun: It means we’re finally old enough to drink at another alt-leaning local mainstay, The Comet, Northside’s Rock & Roll burrito bar (featured here) — which just so happens to also be commemorating two decades this year.

Plenty has changed since we launched this project back in 1996, but much has stayed the same. Local creatives are still pushing against our lessening yet ever-present conservative cultural backdrop. Art and cultural institutions, restaurants and retail options continue to make Cincinnati a true gem among its peer cities. And our neighborhoods are changing in dynamic, if often complicated, ways. 

One thing that hasn’t changed is the format of this humble collection of Cincinnati highlights: a combination of reader picks and staff favorites. Our high-tech readers’ poll is more engaging than ever (mobile access > mail-in ballots), and the hip city we’ve become has made writing up hundreds of staff-chosen picks easier than ever. 

As we unveil the winners of this year’s readers’ poll and offer up our takes on the best of the past year, we’ll also reflect on the aforementioned Northside bar The Comet, whose staying power can be traced at least in part to the fact that it has barely changed over the years. We also look back on a busy year for acclaimed chef Jean-Robert de Cavel, who has been here since the early 1990s and just opened three eateries in 2016. And we point your attention to the quaint town of Rabbit Hash, established in 1847, whose century-old General Store has been remade after a crippling fire — into exactly what it was before. 

Becoming a sage adult, we’ve seen the ebbs and flows of the city and rallied behind its people, history, businesses and causes. In this year’s 164-page Best of Cincinnati issue — our biggest yet — we hope you enjoy reflecting on both where Cincinnati has been and where it is going. 

— DANNY CROSS AND MAIJA ZUMMO, PROJECT EDITORS

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Last year, CityBeat’s Best of Cincinnati issue turned 20. That’s two decades of recognizing the best people, places, organizations and things happening in our treasured river town — as voted on by readers and pontificated upon by our intrepid team of Cincy-loving staffers.

While turning 20 was a big deal, turning 21 is more fun: It means we’re finally old enough to drink at another alt-leaning local mainstay, The Comet, Northside’s Rock & Roll burrito bar (featured here) — which just so happens to also be commemorating two decades this year.

Plenty has changed since we launched this project back in 1996, but much has stayed the same. Local creatives are still pushing against our lessening yet ever-present conservative cultural backdrop. Art and cultural institutions, restaurants and retail options continue to make Cincinnati a true gem among its peer cities. And our neighborhoods are changing in dynamic, if often complicated, ways. 

One thing that hasn’t changed is the format of this humble collection of Cincinnati highlights: a combination of reader picks and staff favorites. Our high-tech readers’ poll is more engaging than ever (mobile access > mail-in ballots), and the hip city we’ve become has made writing up hundreds of staff-chosen picks easier than ever. 

As we unveil the winners of this year’s readers’ poll and offer up our takes on the best of the past year, we’ll also reflect on the aforementioned Northside bar The Comet, whose staying power can be traced at least in part to the fact that it has barely changed over the years. We also look back on a busy year for acclaimed chef Jean-Robert de Cavel, who has been here since the early 1990s and just opened three eateries in 2016. And we point your attention to the quaint town of Rabbit Hash, established in 1847, whose century-old General Store has been remade after a crippling fire — into exactly what it was before. 

Becoming a sage adult, we’ve seen the ebbs and flows of the city and rallied behind its people, history, businesses and causes. In this year’s 164-page Best of Cincinnati issue — our biggest yet — we hope you enjoy reflecting on both where Cincinnati has been and where it is going. 

— DANNY CROSS AND MAIJA ZUMMO, PROJECT EDITORS

Wednesday, March 29

6 p.m.-9 p.m.

The Phoenix

Tickets on sale now: goo.gl/KA5P5x

Join CityBeat for our annual Best of Cincinnati© Celebration on March 29, sponsored by Old 502 Winery & Event Enterprises and BowTie Cause. Enjoy entertainment and get your fill from more than 30 of your favorite area food and drink vendors.

The night will also bring back the BowTie Cause's special-edition Best of Cincinnati bow tie, a design based on our city's awesome flag, with proceeds benefiting the BowTie Cause: bowtiecause.com.

This year's swag bags will be filled with items from all of our participating vendors and sponsors, with special Golden Ticket prizes that will be randomly dispersed. Golden Ticket prizes include tickets to Forecastle, Bonnaroo, Riverbend, Cirque du Soleil, the Aronoff and more! 

Event is 21+.

Food & Drink Samples From: 

Coffee Emporium

Izzy’s

The BonBonerie

Eli's BBQ

Keystone Bar & Grill

Holtman's Donut Shop

Pompilios

Taste of Belgium

nada

Dewey's Pizza

Terry's Turf Club

FUSIAN

Graeter's Ice Cream

Mazunte

Flipdaddy's Burgers & Beers

A Tavola Pizza

Camp Washington Chili

Queen City Radio

The Pub Rookwood

The Presidents Room

& more! 

Welcome to the 21st-annual Best of Cincinnati® reader's choice poll! Your votes will determine the area's best restaurants, bars, arts organizations, retail stores, services, parks, media personalities, sports teams, politicians, causes and urban experiences.

Click here to vote in any or all of six major sections: Eats, Shops & Services, Arts & Culture, Nightlife, Sports and City Life.

Voting is currently live and runs through midnight Wednesday, Feb. 1.