Ronda Breeden, who has owned one of Cincinnati's most well-known and beloved bars — Arnold's Bar and Grill — since 1999, will be retiring at the end of this year. She's giving up ownership of the famous downtown watering hole/restaurant, but don't worry — she's keeping it in the family.
In a press release it was announced that on Jan. 1, Breeden (who has worked at the bar/restaurant since 1985) will be transferring ownership of Arnold's to her son (and current Arnold's general manager) Chris Breeden and his wife Bethany Breeden.
"Under her watch Arnold’s has grown into a nationally respected Cincinnati institution and has won a bevy of prestigious national awards," the press release says, "including Men's Journal Magazine '50 Best Bars in America' in 2001, Esquire Magazine 'Best Bars in America' in 2013, Thrillist’s 'Most Iconic Bar in Ohio' in 2015 and 'The 150 Best Bars in America' from The Daily Meal in 2019.
"It is with great pride that Ronda will be passing Arnold's along to her son Chris who has been General Manager at Arnold's for the last 10 years."
There will be a retirement party for Ronda (at, of course, Arnold's) on Sunday, Jan. 5 from 3-8 p.m. The Cincinnati Dancing Pigs will be performing and, the press release states, "past musicians who have played at Arnold's are invited to bring their instruments to jam."
"Jim Tarbell will be in the house to play Taps on the mouth harp," the statement ends. "So there is that."
