One of Cincinnati’s most notable names in the beverage scene is opening her own bar and restaurant.
Katie Reeder, the former wine director at Oakley Wines, is partnering with Chef Justin Koontz to take over the former Kiki space in College Hill at 5932 Hamilton Ave. The new spot will be dubbed “A Bar Called PUP.”
“We wanted to create a place that feels approachable, but never ordinary,” Reeder said in a statement. “Wine and food have an incredible ability to bring people together. PUP is about creating those moments in a space that feels welcoming, creative and authentic.”
Reeder has plenty of experience in the service industry — especially with wine — at local institutions like Oakley Wines, The Rhined, and Boca Restaurant Group. Koontz, meanwhile, has risen to culinary fame thanks to his work as a chef in New Orleans at restaurants like the MICHELIN-recognized Cochon and the James Beard-winning Jewel of the South.
“Food should make people want to gather around the table,” Koontz said. “We’re interested in taking great ingredients, treating them with respect, and creating food that is exciting without making it feel complicated. PUP gives us the opportunity to have fun with that.”
The two are working with the College Hill Community Urban Redevelopment Corp. (CHCURC) to revitalize the space. The new bar is just one part of the organization’s mission to turn College Hill into a vibrant, walkable business district and give residents new reasons to gather, dine, shop and spend time in the neighborhood.
“We believe College Hill is exactly the kind of community where a concept like PUP can thrive,” Reeder said. “There is a real sense of energy here, and we want PUP to contribute to that energy while becoming a place that feels like it belongs to the neighborhood.”
Additional details regarding the bar’s opening, location, hours, menu and events will be announced in the coming weeks. Keep an eye on CityBeat for more details.
