The last few years have undoubtedly been a rough ride for many of Greater Cincinnati’s restaurants and bars. Even in 2025, rising food and rent costs, labor shortages, reverberating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation (not to mention the Big Mac Bridge fire) continue to create obstacles establishments have to face to keep the doors open and kitchens serving. And with a slew of abrupt restaurant and bar closures in just the first half of 2025, it’s clear that this harsh environment is still very much an issue. While Greater Cincinnati has also welcomed quite a few new restaurants and bars so far this year, we’re going to miss these spots that have closed so far in 2025.

Somm Wine Bar East Price Hill wine bar and restaurant Somm closed permanently in March after nearly nine years in business. Somm opened along Price Avenue in May 2016 with an expansive selection of wines and a contemporary upscale, yet approachable menu. The wine bar, owned by Cafeo Hospitality, which owns other Greater Cincinnati restaurants and bars like Jefferson Social, Incline Public House and Press on Monmouth, didn’t provide a specific reason for closing, but the closure came off as abrupt to some, as the restaurant shared its new spring menu just days before the announcement. Photo: facebook.com/sommewinebar
Cactus Pear A staple for Southwestern fare and much-loved margaritas in Clifton closed its doors permanently after over three decades in business this January. Located just a few blocks from the University of Cincinnati, Cactus Pear had been fueling students and community members alike with its menu of fajitas, tacos and Mexican specialties for over 30 years. It was also consistently voted in the top 10 in CityBeat’s Best of Cincinnati Readers Poll for Best Margaritas. The owner did not provide a specific reason for the closing. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Opal Rooftop Covington’s upscale restaurant Opal Rooftop closed this January after just 15 months in business. Opal Rooftop opened in the Republic Bank building on Madison Avenue in October 2023 and quickly became a popular dining destination, even being voted as the Best New Restaurant in CityBeat’s Best of Cincinnati Readers Poll in 2024. The restaurant offered a chef-driven, casual fine-dining experience centered around its open-fire cooktop Grillworks Grill, the only one of its kind within a two-hour radius of Greater Cincinnati. Owners Bill and Morgan Whitlow said operating Opal had too many insurmountable obstacles. The Whitlows also closed two of their other concepts, Rich’s Proper Food and Drink and Hangry Omar’s at Covington Yard, in late 2024. Photo: facebook.com/OpalRooftop
BrewDog Cincinnati Scotland-based brewery BrewDog closed its Cincinnati taproom in Pendleton this June, writing on social media, “It’s been an absolute honor to serve this city. Over the years, we’ve shared beers, stories, laughter, and unforgettable moments, and we’re incredibly grateful for every one of them. Thank you to our amazing team members, loyal guests, and local partners who brought energy, passion, and good vibes into our taproom every single day.” A reason for the closure was not provided, but the team said that fans can still find their favorite BrewDog beers at local retailers, bars and restaurants throughout the region. Photo: Adam Doty
The Orbit Room The Orbit Room, a neighborhood bar in Over-the-Rhine, closed suddenly at the end of May, following a third break-in. “Our front window has taken more hits than an old jukebox. Thankfully, the window company was kind enough to offer us the ‘frequent flyer’ discount,” bar owner Dan Bavis shared on social media. Bavis added that while they were saying goodbye for now, it isn’t the end and patrons should keep an eye on the horizon for something new orbiting into view. Photo: The Orbit Room Facebook
The Elusive Cow Bellevue cafe The Elusive Cow, best known for its elevated burgers and sandwiches made with locally sourced, organic ingredients, shuttered in May. The restaurant says the industry hasn’t been the same since the COVID-19 pandemic. Add in issues with inflation and the higher cost of goods and imports, plus the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge being closed for 100 days following a fire last November, and it created too many insurmountable obstacles. Photo: facebook.com/TheElusiveCow
Voodoo Brew Pub (Downtown Cincinnati) Pennsylvania-based brew pub Voodoo Brewing’s downtown Cincinnati franchise closed in May after being open for for less than two years. Owner Chris Sands made the announcement via a sign posted at the taproom, reading, in part, “Thank you Cincinnati. As the owner of Voodoo Cincinnati, we really tried to make it work. Unfortunately the mojo was not on our side as we came close to rounding out two years in business.” Sands added that downtown Cincinnati’s business dynamics and lower foot traffic in Quarter 4 of last year and Quarter 1 of the year dug Voodoo into a hole they couldn’t get out of. The Voodoo Brew Pub in West Chester, owned by another franchisee, remains open. Photo: facebook.com/VoodooCincy
Woodburn Brewing Woodburn Brewing closed abruptly in April after owners March First Brands announced the opening of its Cincinnati Distilling Bottle Shop at Cincinnati Premium Outlets in Monroe. The brand says, as part of this shift, it was moving Woodburn’s management team to support the launch and temporarily closing the brewery. March First added the brewery’s future was undetermined; however, in June, March First listed Woodburn’s brewery, taproom and branding for sale. Photo: Provided by March First Brewing
Razzo Pendleton pizzeria Razzo, best known for its Roman-inspired pizzas and selection of natural wines, shuttered at the beginning of March after just a year and a half in business. In a social media post, owners Christy Wulfson and Michael Guilfoil admitted owning a restaurant was more work than they were able to give at the time, writing, “We don’t need to tell you how hard it is to own a restaurant right now — you already know. We’ve all watched together as week after week another beloved establishment closes its doors. This industry is not for the faint of heart. The restaurant owners who are going to succeed in the world today are those who give it their all. The ones who roll up their sleeves, put on their aprons, and show up every single day for their customers and staff. We know these people. We are fortunate to work with many in our role as designers, and they impress us to no end. We are not them.” Photo: Provided by Razzo
Amador Cuban, Revolution Rotisserie and Bridgeview Food Hall In January, Pesola Hospitality Group announced the closure of two of its concepts and abandoned a third that was set to open that month. The group shared on social media that it would be closing its Newport on the Levee restaurant, Amador Cuban, as well as the Bridgeview Food Hall at the Levee. And in December, Pesola also announced it would be closing its Pleasant Ridge chicken restaurant, Revolution Rotisserie, to rebrand it to a fried chicken and drinks concept called Duke’s, but in January said that would no longer be happening. Photo: facebook.com/CityofNewportKY
Laszlo’s Iron Skillet After 52 years serving Hungarian fare from brick-and-mortar restaurants, Laszlo’s Iron Skillet’s owners officially closed their Ohio Pike location in early March after the end of their lease, saying they wanted to step away from the daily operations a restaurant requires. But, they added, it’s not a “goodbye;” it’s a “see you later,” as the team prepares to transform the restaurant into a food truck, where it will continue to serve up some of its most popular dishes. Photo: facebook.com/laszlosironskilletrestaurant
China Gourmet Popular Hyde Park restaurant China Gourmet closed its doors on Dec. 31, 2024, after over 47 years in business. The owners didn’t provide a reason for the closure, but wrote on social media, “Please stop in for your final experience and goodbyes and give us the chance to share our heartfelt gratitude for all your love, support, friendship and the many, many great memories. Our CG family is very strong and will be missed. On behalf of our CG crew, we thank you for the lifetime of memories.” Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Brickery The first LEGO-inspired cafe in Greater Cincinnati — and the United States — closed its doors after just 15 months in business this March. The Brickery Cafe & Play opened at Newport on the Levee at the end of 2023. The concept combined dining, shopping and entertainment in an immersive space that allowed kids and adults to build and play with LEGOs. Owner Daniel Johnson cited the Big Mac Bridge closure as the main reason behind the decision to close his cafe. Photo: facebook.com/thebrickerycafe
Americano Americano, a downtown Cincinnati burger joint, permanently closed sometime this winter after almost 10 years in business. Americano opened on Race Street near Fountain Square in late 2015, where it offered a menu of burgers, fries, beers and other American-style comfort fare. It’s not clear when exactly the restaurant closed or why. As of Feb. 4, the restaurant was listed as permanently closed on Google, its social media and website had disappeared and it was no longer listed in 3CDC’s online commercial space directory. Owner Angel Batista also shuttered his Latin American restaurant Maize in Over-the-Rhine this past November. Photo: Tony Frank
Diane’s Longtime West Side restaurant Diane’s closed abruptly this February, hosting its last service on Feb. 9 before announcing on social media that they would close indefinitely. The mom-and-pop restaurant was best known for its welcoming atmosphere, affordable prices and home-cooking-style meals. The East family, who owned the restaurant, didn’t share a specific reason for the closure, but added, “We did the best we could!” Photo: Google Maps
Kitchen 1883 Kitchen 1883, an American fare concept from supermarket chain Kroger, closed two of its three locations this year. The restaurants in Union and Anderson Township shuttered in April, leaving the one located inside Kroger’s On the Rhine store on Court Street open. Kitchen 1883’s catering services are also still operating. “This decision is not easy, as Kitchen 1883 has been more than just a place to eat — it has been a place of laughter, memories, and friends and shared meals with friends and family since 2017,” the restaurant shared in a statement on social media. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Zapata Cantina Covington Mexican restaurant Zapata Cantina closed at the end of April. Father and son duo Gary and Alex Rodriguez, who also own the local chain El Rancho Grande, opened Zapata Cantina at 801 Madison Ave. in the fall of 2020. The restaurant was best known for its modern take on Mexican cuisine, with small plates, street-style fare like tacos and a beverage program that swapped bourbon for tequila and mezcal in traditional bourbon cocktails. The Rodriguezes did not offer a reason for the closure. Photo: Provided by Zapata Cantina
Fulton Yards Coffeehouse and Spirits (Factory 52) Fulton Yards Coffeehouse and Spirits closed its second location at Norwood’s Factory 52 development at the end of April in order to divert resources and funds to its flagship location in the East End. Owners Greg and Katie Dorr and Gregg and Linda Berry said they wanted to continue their mission of creating “the living room of the East End,” — a welcoming third space for guests to enjoy coffee, tea and pastries in the morning and craft cocktails, wine, bourbon and local and international beers in the evening. Photo: facebook.com/Fulton Yards Coffeehouse and Spirits
Level One Bar + Arcade After just two years in business, Level One Bar + Arcade permanently closed its doors in early February. The barcade opened in the former 16 Bit space in February 2023 and offered a selection of retro video games, pinball machines and skeeball, along with local beers on tap and themed cocktails. A reason for the closure was not given, but its Columbus location remains open. Photo: Provided by 3CDC
Placebo May 2025 was a rough month for both restaurants and bars in Cincinnati as Madisonville cocktail bar Placebo also announced its closure. Placebo, formerly located on the Medpace campus across from the Element Eatery food hall, opened in May 2022 with an Art Deco and Roaring ’20s theme and offered a variety of artisanal cocktails crafted using traditions ranging back to Prohibition. The bar did not offer a reason for the closure. Photo: Google Maps

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...