We'll Miss These Greater Cincinnati Bars and Restaurants That Closed in 2021

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Please

1405 Clay St., Over-the-Rhine
Chef and owner of Please, Ryan Santos, announced the restaurant's closure on social media in August, saying, "There are a lot of reasons for this decision, many of them pandemic related (and too many to get into detail). During our downtime, and with a lease renewal approaching, the reflection on and reality of the physical and mental health toll of the restaurant on myself just wasn’t sustainable for another 5 years." He also thanked his guests, employees and investors for "making this weird little idea such a success and special place for so many."

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Court Street Lobster Bar

28 W. Court St., Downtown
Court Street Lobster Bar closed in October. The owners announced the news on Facebook. They said it was a difficult decision, but “ultimately, we had to take a realistic look at the current climate of the restaurant industry and determined that our business model was no longer viable.” They said part of the decision was due to an increase in seafood prices because of supply chain issues and shipping costs. The New England-style lobster shack had been around since 2017, offering “fresh sustainable seafood, high-quality libations and top-notch service.“

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Washington Platform

1000 Elm St., Downtown
In December, owner and chef Jon Diebold announced the closure in a Facebook post stating that it “is time for a new chapter.” The downtown staple was ​​established in 1875 (and re-established in 1986). They served up New Orleans-styled grub and drink to the Queen City for decades, well known for their oysters.

Revolution Rotisserie

1106 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
Revolution Rotisserie has permanently closed its eatery in Over-the-Rhine, but they are planning to open a new dessert concept called Milkman in the space. "Despite weathering countless storms, it is with a heavy heart that we have decided the best course of action is to permanently close our OTR location at this time," the restaurant wrote on Facebook. "We are so grateful for the memories we’ve made together over the past 6 years. It’s been an incredible ride and we have learned so many lessons along the way." Their Pleasant Ridge location remains open.

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Senate

1212 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
Senate in Over-the-Rhine closed its doors in October. The gourmet hot dog gastropub announced the news on Facebook, writing, “In 2009 we set out to create a great neighborhood restaurant with nothing more than a little hope and a lot of ambition. Over the last 12 years, we’ve been able to do some really amazing things because of this restaurant, it’s created opportunities for us that we never thought were possible.” They will be expanding their sister restaurant and next-door neighbor Abigail Street into the space. Senate’s Blue Ash location remains open.

Banana Leaf Modern Thai

101 E. Main St., Mason
Downtown Mason's Banana Leaf Modern Thai had been a community staple for more than a decade. The eatery closed in January. "Thank you, thank you, thank you for your years of support and loyalty. We've come to know many of your families and consider you friends. We are proud to have been a part of the Mason community for 11 years!" a Facebook post about the closure read.

CRZY MONK

26 E Court St., Downtown
Downtown eatery CRZY MONK, from the team behind Lalo and the now-closed Hop Ping Hog, closed in June. The restaurant, known for healthy Asian fare, was originally located on Main Street but was forced to find a new home when their landlord asked them to leave at the height of the pandemic. The eatery moved to East Court Street in January, but shortly after their move, construction began for the recently-opened pedestrian-friendly Court Street Plaza, forcing them to close indefinitely. The group opened a burger and frappe-centric spot called Bebo's Burgers & Frappes in the former Hop Ping Hog's space.

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Commonwealth Bistro

621 Main St., Covington
A MainStrasse Village labor of love, Commonwealth Bistro permanently closed its doors at the start of the year. The restaurant, owned by Chris and Tess Burns, was a project about a half-a-decade in the making when it opened in the fall of 2016. "We are devastated to share that Commonwealth’s days have come to an end. Due to circumstances beyond our control, we have to close," a Facebook post about the closure read. "We would like to thank each and every one of you for the support you have given to Commonwealth Bistro. It has been an absolute pleasure serving you over the years. We are incredibly grateful for our entire community. May 2021 be a year of healing and health." Commonwealth's popular rooftop bar Yonder also closed as a result.

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Postmark

3410 Telford St., Clifton
Clifton Gaslight's sophisticated fine dining eatery Postmark closed in June. The restaurant, helmed by chef Brad Bernstein of Red Feather Kitchen, opened in 2017, closed briefly in 2019 and reopened after a few months with a focus on private events and dinner series. After the pandemic hit in March of 2020, the restaurant temporarily closed and reopened in the late summer as a bottle shop and then eventually began offering carry-out and dine-in service. The team behind the restaurant announced via Facebook they made the decision to close Postmark to focus on reopening Dutch's Larder in July.

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O Pie O

1527 Madison Road, East Walnut Hills
O Pie O closed its East Walnut Hills restaurant in August, but a new concept by the same team is slated to open in its place. O Pie O announced its plans via a Facebook post. "It's been a year and half of changes all around with challenges that couldn't have been overcome without you, our loyal customers. O Pie O will continue offering our sweet and savory pies at our location in OTR, where we will soon expand our operating days and hours," a portion of the post read. The East Walnut Hills O Pie O location opened its doors in early 2015 after running a rather successful pop-up at Findlay Market. The team opened a second location in Over-the-Rhine in the summer of 2020.

Pies & Pints

56 W. Freedom Way, Downtown
Popular craft pizza restaurant chain Pies & Pints announced the closure of its location at The Banks in January. The pizzeria was greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and suffered a significant loss of business. "Pies & Pints was well received and we had our best year in 2019, increasing sales by almost 10%. We were looking forward to another great year in 2020 with positive sales until COVID hit," Pies & Pints’ president and chief executive officer Rob Lindeman told FOX 19.

Green Dog Cafe

3009 O'Bryon St., O’Bryonville
After Green Dog closed its Columbia Tusculum location in 2018 after 10 years, chef and owner Mary Swortwood announced on Facebook that the health-conscious, fast-casual eatery was returning and taking over the former Blackbird Eatery space in O’Bryonville. Greendog reopened in February of 2020, right before COVID hit. And the pandemic quashed the resurrection of the business. "Going into our last dinner with a closing tonight at 8:00 p.m. due to the COVID economy," wrote the restaurant in a Facebook post on Feb. 6, 2021.

Rose&Mary Bakery

39 W. Pike St., Covington
A locally loved Northern Kentucky pastry shop announced its closure via a heartfelt post on social media in May. The popular farmers market pop-up Rose&Mary Bakery opened its first brick-and-mortar shop in December 2020, and quickly became a foodie fave throughout the region. "We have felt so much love from this community, from all of those who have continued to support us through the thick & the thin, from market to storefront, throughout the pandemic, week in & week out. Honestly, we never expected to have such an impact on others with the work that we do & we hope that you all know just how much pride that we take away from this experience as a whole," read the post. "It’s been such an incredible journey & we are so grateful that you all have been kind enough to hold space for us throughout it all. Our connections with you are precisely what made this experience so worthwhile — so thank you, from the bottom of our hearts."

Keystone Bar & Grill

39 W. Pike St., Covington.
Mac-and-cheese-slinging local restaurant chain Keystone Bar & Grill announced the closure of their Erie Avenue eatery in July, after a decade of serving the community. This particular location closed in December of 2019 and later reopened at the height of the pandemic to serve carry-out and delivery when the neighborhood needed it most. "From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your patronage and support," the Facebook post about the closure read. "While it is the end of an era for our Hyde Park location, Keystone Clifton and Covington look forward to serving you the same hospitality, comfort food, and craft beverages that you’ve all enjoyed and loved for the last 10 years."

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Yat Ka Mein

2974 Madison Road, Oakley
Yat Ka Mein, an Asian fusion-style noodle house boasting many popular Chinese dishes, permanently closed its doors in June after 16 years. Owner Clarence Chan retired after more than 50 years in the restaurant business. "We want to make a point to say that this is not a result of mandated closings or restrictions over the last 15 months. With your support, we have been able to stay afloat, continue providing for our families, and come to this decision on our own. We thank you very much and appreciate your continued patronage over the years," a Facebook post read.

The Sandbar

4609 Kellogg Ave., East End
The Sandbar permanently closed in March after 16 years of operation, the owners announced via Facebook. “From the volleyball tournaments to the weekend bands to the frozen margs and the koozies near and far, we can’t thank you enough for your many years of loyal patronage,” the post read. The Sandbar, operated by 4EG restaurant company, was a craft beer bar and restaurant that had seven volleyball courts.

16-Bit Bar+Arcade

1331 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine
Over-the-Rhine arcade bar 16-Bit Bar+Arcade joined forces with Main Street's Pins Mechanical Company this spring. The two bars are under the management of Columbus-based Rise Brands, which also has locations in Nashville, Charlotte, Indianapolis and other regions.16-Bit made the announcement via a Facebook post on April 6, stating that after six years at its Walnut Street location, "the time has come to bring the family together under one rooftop patio."

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Jean-Robert's Table

713 Vine St., Downtown
Chef Jean-Robert de Cavel closed his flagship downtown restaurant, Jean-Robert's Table, at the very end of 2020. However, the closure of the decade-old favorite wasn't affiliated with COVID or its impact on the dining industry, according to de Cavel. The building was sold and will be demolished and redeveloped. de Cavel said he hopes to find a new location for the restaurant.