While most folks are headed to Greater Cincinnati's annual Western & Southern Open tennis event for the action-packed entertainment element, there's enough local foodie features to make it a worthwhile trip to just to chow down.
The tournament returned to Cincinnati on Aug. 14 and continues through Aug. 22. And this year, the event is host to 13 local food vendors in addition to the facility's on-site concessions stands, offering everything from barbecue and burgers to tacos, fried cod sandwiches, ice cream and coneys.
Vendors include Bru Brothers Coffee, Chick n' Dippin, Eli's BBQ, Flip Side, Fusian, Graeter's, Kala Greek Grill, LaRosa's Pizza, Mazunte, Philly Pretzel Factory, Prime, Skyline Chili and Street City Pub (click links to see event menus).
After identifying your food plan for the event, wash it all down with a drink from Western & Southern Open's eight themed bar spots, including the Northside Distilling Co. Bar (official bourbon of the tournament), Rhinegeist Brew Balcony, Svedka Bar, BLOX Spiked Ice Bar, Kim Crawford Wine Garden, Moet Champagne Bar, White Claw Bar and Michelob Ultra Legends Bar.
In addition to food and drinks and sports, a ticket to the event will also grant you some musical entertainment, available on two different stages: The Motorola Razr Stage and the Kim Crawford Wine Garden Stage. Acts range from Folk and Country to Jazz, Rock and more.
Guests can also pop into the tournament's Retail Plaza to shop from accessories and sportswear to official W&S Open gear.
Last year, as a result of the pandemic, this prized tennis tournament — the oldest to be played in its city of origin — left Cincinnati and instead took place at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. No spectators were permitted.
The first ball to hit the court in the Western & Southern Open (originally the Cincinnati Masters) was in 1899, when the matches were held at the current-day site of Xavier University. It has been held outside of the city four other times — in 1914 and 1917, it was held in Indianapolis, and in 1919 and 1920, the tournament was held in Fort Wayne.
According to Western & Southern, the Open creates about $69 million in economic impact for the city.
For more information or tickets, visit wsopen.com.
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