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Gorilla Cinema's New '90s Pop-Up Bar is All That and a Bag of Chips

That 90's Bar will transport guests back to arguably one of the best decades of all time with theme nights and weekly dance parties.

Jan 19, 2024 at 2:24 pm

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We can hear the dial-up tone from here. Cincinnati’s Gorilla Cinema, the immersive experience masters behind Overlook Lodge, Tokyo Kitty and more, has built a time machine and is taking us all back to the ‘90s with its new pop-up bar in Over-the-Rhine.

That 90’s Bar will be located in the space behind Gorilla Cinema’s comic book store, Cosmic Gorilla, near Findlay Market. The group is promising it to be a flannel-clad spectacle that will transport you right back to the days of Crystal Pepsi, Beanie Baby mania, mixtapes and TRL.

“That 90’s Bar isn't just a bar. It's a cultural black hole, pulling you into a vortex of nostalgia that's so thick you can almost smell the Cool Water Cologne,” Gorilla Cinema said in a press release. “It's time to dance like it's 1999 and rediscover the magic that made the '90s the decade where nothing would ever be the same.”

That 90’s Bar plans to offer theme nights, weekly dance parties and even Saturday morning cartoons, all set to a fly soundtrack. The pop-up will be open Wednesday through Monday starting Jan. 26. Kids will be welcome until 8 p.m., and then it’s 21 and over for late nights.

The pop-up will host a grand opening on Friday, Jan. 26 starting at 6 p.m. That 90’s Bar runs through April.

That 90’s Bar, 1834 Race St., Over-the-Rhine. More info: facebook.com/that90sbar.

Slideshow

Themed Bars and Restaurants in Greater Cincinnati Everyone Needs to Try

Ghost Baby1314 Republic St., Over-the-RhineThis subterranean nightclub/music venue is located several stories below Vine Street in a 170-year-old lagering tunnel formerly used by Champion Brewing (beer was aged and cooled in lagering tunnels before the advent of refrigeration). The historic, dimly-lit space, which has been vacant since the 1850s, features soaring ceilings with stone archways and decor that is adorned with "crushed velvet and unpredictability," according to the bar. Guests can expect an immersive experience with art, design, cocktails and live music.

Overlook Lodge6083 Montgomery Road, Pleasant RidgeLuckily this Overlook is much more fun than the hotel and isn’t haunted…that we know of. The Overlook Lodge is a rustic, neighborhood bar based on The Shining that features a seasonal cocktail menu along with a list of domestic, imported and craft beers; rotating taps; and wine you can order from the non-ghostly bartender. You can listen to live music here on Friday and Saturday nights to keep Jack from becoming a dull boy, and hopefully you won’t spot any creepy twins at the end of a hallway.

Level One Bar + Arcade1331 Walnut St., Over-the-RhineTime to level up, Cincinnati. Level One Bar + Arcade features a lineup of pinball machines and old-school arcade games, some of which come from owner Paul Burkhart’s original collection that he’s been curating for 25 years. You’ll find over 50 games, a dozen pinball machines, multiplayer games and two skeeball lanes, plus a rotating list of rare titles. At the bar, there are two dozen local beers on tap along with themed cocktails – including drinks named after Pong and Frogger. Food isn’t served at Level One, but Burkhart encourages guests to order takeout from local restaurants and vendors.

Bircus Brewing322 Elm St., LudlowLudlow, Kentucky's nonexistent craft beer scene sent in the clowns, leading to the launch of Bircus Brewing Co., a branch of an original concept from Ghent, Belgium. Pronounce it like 'beer-cuss,' a hybrid of beer and circus, as the brew shares the limelight with carnival performances at the taproom. Performers can do everything from breathing fire to flying on the trapeze.

Schoolhouse Restaurant8031 Glendale Milford Road, Camp DennisonBuilt in the 1860s, this former Hamilton County schoolhouse was bought and saved from demolition by Donald and Phyllis Miller, who turned it into the Schoolhouse Restaurant. Keeping the schoolhouse theme, the restaurant features windows, yellow oak floors and blackboards, on which the menu is written, from the late 1800s. The menu features American comfort food like fried chicken, mashed potatoes, smoked ham, country-fried steak and homemade meatloaf.

Sundry and Vice18 W 13th St., Over-the-RhineThis apothecary-themed cocktail bar has drinks that lend more textures, colors and flavors than a classic list of libations in a warm, vintage-vibes atmosphere. The list of “tinctures, tonics and remedies” includes the Magical Mystery (rye whiskey, strawberry, amaro, lemon, egg white and bitters), the Night Cure (bourbon, honey, lemon and grapefruit oil) and Penicillin (blended scotch, honey, ginger and lemon), among a menu of other crafty cocktails, beer and wine.

Tiki Tiki Bang Bang965 E. McMillan St., Walnut HillsTake a trip to the tropics at this hidden gem in the heart of Walnut Hills. Tiki Tiki Bang Bang is the only bar in Cincinnati that will take you on an island exploration without leaving the Ohio River Valley via the Discovery Rum Club. Ask your bartender about it to buy the super secret book ($25 with a special flight of rum to get you started), choose your faction (are you Team Prof. McCaw or Team Capt. Dory?) and get to sipping on some rum. If exploring isn’t your game, you can kick back with one of Tiki Tiki Bang Bang’s punch bowls or island-themed cocktails.

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About The Author

Katherine Barrier

Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she oversees the digital and social media strategies, edits web and print content and writes for the dining and arts...