14 Cincinnati Restaurants and Bars That Have Closed This Year

Boombox Buns Over-the-Rhine’s source for homemade Chinese-style steamed buns, Boombox Buns, closed in February. Owner Nathan Friday announced in a social media post that the shop would close Feb. 19. Friday says he and his fiancée, Katie, have been working together on Boombox Buns for four and a half years. “The process of taking an idea from something on paper to a pop up, a pop up to signing a lease and hiring employees, to navigating a pandemic has been a wild ride,” he wrote. It continued, “It’s hard to express the emotions of letting go of something that has been such a dominating force in your life.” Photo: facebook.com/boomboxbuns

OTR Chili April 13 was the last day of operation for a popular Over-the-Rhine Cincinnati chili spot. OTR Chili announced on Instagram that they officially closed their doors. Owner Jim Cornwell wrote in the post that when they set out to start OTR Chili, they wanted to create “the best Cincinnati chili possible” by using locally-sourced ingredients and working directly with Cincinnati-area farmers. He says they also focused on creating the smallest environmental footprint as possible with their food. But fans of OTR Chili shouldn’t give up hope. “We do not believe that this is the end of the dream though,” Cornwall wrote in the Instagram post, stating that his restaurant may pop up somewhere else in the city, maybe with a new name and some new faces. “We hope to see all of you again in the near future.” Photo: provided by OTR Chili

Holtman’s Donut Shop Over-the-Rhine Iconic Cincinnati donut shop Holtman’s Donut Shop announced on Facebook that they would be closing their Over-the-Rhine location in July. The family-owned donut shop has been around since the 1960s and operated its Vine Street location for nine years. “This decision has been the most difficult decision we have ever had to make. Thank you for your support, your love for our passion, and your company,” read the post. No specific reason was given for the closure. Photo: facebook.com/Holtmansdonuts

Below Zero Lounge Iconic Cincinnati LGBTQ bar Below Zero Lounge announced in March that it would be closing its doors after 15 years of serving the Queen City. Owners Nigel Cotterill and his partner Juan-Carlos Diaz announced on Facebook that they have decided not to renew the lease for Below Zero to “take on a new life adventure.” They said their time will be focused on their other bar, Tillie’s Lounge in Northside. But the space quickly took on a new life as Bloom OTR which opened in June just in time for pride month. Photo: facebook.com/BelowZeroLounge

e|19 Lounge Bar & Discothèque Over-the-Rhine’s e|19 Lounge Bar & Discothèque announced its permanent closure in July. e|19 was opened in the summer of 2020 by Richard Cooke, the organizer of Cincinnati’s LGBTQ+ Tea Dance series, right across from Rhinegiest. The announcement was made in an Instagram post that gave no specific reason for the closure. The post thanked its employees and said, “It is our priority to work with our employees to help them navigate this difficult situation and find alternative employment.” But there is a bit of a silver lining for fans of e|19, as the post also said they are talking with potential investors and buyers about reopening “with a potential different entertainment offering.” Photo: instagram.com/e19bar

Empanadas Aqui Food Truck The owners of Empanadas Aqui announced in a Facebook post on May 11 that the Taste of Cincinnati festival would be their food truck’s final day of operation. The brick-and-mortar spot in Mason closed in January and co-owner Brett Johnson said that since then, he has made a career change and the food truck became his second job. He also wrote that the truck’s head chef and manager recently stepped down to care for family members. Photo: facebook.com/empanadasaqui

The Mercer OTR Per a note hung in the restaurant’s window, the Mercer OTR quietly closed its doors this February. The sign announcing the restaurant’s closure read, “It’s been a pleasure serving you, OTR. Cheers.” The restaurant, which was on the ground floor of the Mercer Commons apartment complex, had been in operation since 2014. In June it was announced that Crown Republic Restaurant Group (CRRG) has signed a lease for the space. No details on menu, concept or opening dates are available, but CRG said the new concept will “remain consistent with CRG’s commitment to quality and hospitality.” Photo: Michael Asher

The Grand Finale The Grand Finale restaurant in Glendale announced in January on Facebook that they would be permanently closing. Known for its delicious desserts, among other fare, the Cincinnati staple has been operating for 46 years. “It is with a heavy heart that I announce, Grand Finale Restaurant has permanently closed,” owner Virginia Chambers wrote in the post. Chambers did not provide a reason for the restaurant’s closure. She says they are grateful for all the support they have received, ending the note with: “Through our generational friendship, you are family and we will miss you!” Photo: facebook.com/GrandFinaleRestaurant

Half Day Cafe Wyoming Location Half Day Cafe closed its Wyoming location after 16 years in May. The cafe’s owners made the announcement in a video shared on Facebook, stating that they are unable to staff the location “we just can’t hire staff to work; we’ve tried.” Half Day serves up breakfast and lunch seven days a week with items like goetta hash and shrimp and grits that patrons will still be able to enjoy at their Mason location, which they say is fully staffed. Photo: facebook.com/HalfDayCafeCincy

Partake in Some Friendly Competition at Arcade Legacy: Bar Edition Free to play as long as you buy something to eat or drink Arcade Legacy: Bar Edition is a gamer’s paradise, whether you’re into vintage arcade and pinball machines or Sega Genesis. And even if you aren’t, the glowing screens and gentle ping of the machines is a perfect backdrop for a playful date night — especially if you and your beau go head to head in a digital battle to the death. In addition to games, the bar serves craft beer, cocktails, nachos and crazy hot dog creations (even vegetarian ones). 3929 Spring Grove Ave., Northside. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Empanadas Aqui Right before the start of the pandemic in 2020, Venezuelan food truck Empanadas Aqui opened its highly anticipated brick-and-mortar restaurant in downtown Mason. And in Janiurary, the restaurant announced it would be closing its doors. “We have made the difficult decision to close the doors of the restaurant. Our last day will be Saturday, January 29th,” read a Facebook post from Empanadas Aqui. “Unfortunately, COVID has had a dramatic impact on our business. We have run several scenarios to see what options we have but the effects of COVID have outlasted small business assistance and hard work. Recovery is not in sight.” They say they had been open for 15 days before COVID shutdowns began in March of 2020. Photo: facebook.com/EmpanadasAqui

The Takeaway Over-the-Rhine deli, grocery and sandwich shop closed its doors on May 27. The Takeaway announced the closure of the 1324 Main Street location on Facebook. Although the closure is sad, it seems like something new is coming Cincinnatians way “We’re closing down to reimagine and start dreaming again of what this little corner of Main Street can be,” read the post. Photo: facebook.com/takeawayonmain

The Rookwood Pottery Food & Beverage Company Mount Adams restaurant The Rookwood Pottery Food & Beverage Company announced that it had permanently closed in early July. The traditional American spot, located in a historic building that once hosted kilns for Rookwood Pottery, closed less than a year after opening. In a July 1 Facebook post announcing the closure, they left a short succinct message stating that they were closing due to “a variety of factors.” Photo: facebook.com/therookwoodpotteryfood&beverage

Uncle Mo’s Cafe Uncle Mo’s Cafe, a Greek restaurant that served up gyros and shawarma downtown, closed its doors for good in July. A sign taped to the front of the restaurant said that the cafe has closed due to the building being sold and the rent tripling. “We thank you for all the years of support and will truly miss you!” read the note signed by Uncle Mo and Aunt Carrie. Photo: CityBeat Staff