Downtown Cincinnati Restaurant Metropole Welcomes New Executive Chef

Metropole, a contemporary, New-American-style restaurant located in the 21c Museum Hotel in downtown Cincinnati, has appointed a new executive chef, a Cincinnati native with Michelin-Starred experience. Kam Losonsky’s culinary journey has taken him from the Queen City to the bustling kitchen scene he found himself in while earning a business degree at Kent State University…

by Katherine Barrier

Kentucky Senate Avoids Vote on Abortion Exceptions

With about five hours left in the 2024 legislative session, a Louisville Democrat tried to force a Senate vote on a stalled bill that would have added exceptions for rape and incest to Kentucky’s strict abortion ban.  Senate Floor Leader Damon Thayer called the move “a political stunt on the last day of the legislative…

by Sarah Ladd, Kentucky Lantern

Hollister Launches Inaugural ‘Feel Good Fest’ Music Program

Hollister Co., a division of Abercrombie & Fitch Co., the company behind beloved Millennial brands Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch, is launching a brand new music program. The New Albany-based brands, which saw immense success in the ’90s and 2000s, became known for their exclusivity and beauty ideals based on being white and thin. Despite…

by Ashley Moor

Health Officials: No, Disney on Ice Show Didn’t Give Everyone the Measles

While runny-nosed kids are known for spreading a myriad of mystery illnesses, health officials have confirmed that measles was not one of them following a potential exposure at Heritage Bank Center in March. The Cincinnati Health Department (CHD) previously warned of a potential measles outbreak after the department was notified of a measles exposure at…

by Madeline Fening

LaRosa’s Offers Tax Day Relief with Discount on Deluxe Pizzas

LaRosa’s is offering some Tax Day relief to Greater Cincinnati with a discount on all of its Deluxe Pizzas from now through June. The limited-time deal comes as an extension of LaRosa’s 70th anniversary celebration. “On one of the most ‘taxing’ days of the year (and beyond), families can chill out and dine in, pick…

by Katherine Barrier

A Self-Service Wine Bar is Coming to Downtown Cincinnati

Construction on a self-service wine bar opening in downtown Cincinnati later this year is underway. Orlando “Lando” Chapman Sr., rounder of RilEntertainment and best known for his Old School Happy Hour event, signed a lease for a 3,580-square-foot space at 3CDC’s 4th & Race development where he’ll open the bar, called Something to Wine About.…

by Katherine Barrier

Review: Alex Garland’s ‘Civil War’ Shows us a Violent, Fractured America

Reflecting the division in the country whose internecine conflict it vividly depicts, Alex Garland’s Civil War splits unevenly in two, alternating brutally effective and disturbing sequences of violence with caesuras of conversation and uneasy respite. The former, with their amped-up urgency and ratcheting suspense, display an impressive filmmaking mastery, but the latter strive for a…

by Cliff Froehlich

Guest Commentary: Ohio’s True State of the State

You wouldn’t know it from Gov. Mike DeWine’s State of the State Wednesday, but Ohioans are currently suffering under a state government captured by corruption and yoked to extremist lawmakers racked with dysfunction and intent on little more than imposing radical ideology from the safety of unconstitutionally gerrymandered districts. Sweetheart Republican special interests often get…

by David Dewitt, Ohio Capital Journal

Federal Grant Seeks to Reconnect Hamilton County Communities Divided by Lockland Split

The First Suburbs Consortium of Southwest Ohio (FSC-SWO) and the Hamilton County Transportation Improvement District (TID) have secured a significant boost in their efforts to tackle transportation barriers within the region. According to a press release from the county, a $300,000 Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation will provide funding…

by Madeline Fening

Rokita Launches PFAS Lawsuit Aimed at Companies Around Indiana Using Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’

A new lawsuit announced by Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita on Wednesday targets nearly two dozen companies operating in the state that manufacture and sell products containing dangerous “forever chemicals.” The legal challenge, filed in Shelby County Superior Court, alleges that the 22 companies have — for “many years,” in some cases — manufactured a…

by Casey Smith, Indiana Capital Chronicle

Best Venue Comeback Thanks to a Major Motion Picture

The Lakeside Inn is an old Middletown establishment that was a popular bar and restaurant before it closed over eight years ago. The local hub’s storied past includes gambling, gangsters, family gatherings and even a connection to the infamous criminal duo Bonnie and Clyde. The Lakeside Inn took on a new life when Hollywood producers…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Collection of Vintage LGBTQ+ Zines

In an unassuming room inside the eCenter at 1308 Race St. in Over-the-Rhine is a truly unique treasure trove of historical LGBTQ+ ephemera. Inside of file cabinets and laid delicately on shelves are historical books, zines, personal letters, clothing and other items from the LGBTQ+ community in Ohio. The Ohio Lesbian Archives is one of…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Candy Store

Schneider’s Sweet Shop Aglamesis Bro’s Doscher’s Candy Co. Jungle Jim’s International Market Supreme Nut & Candy Esther Price Fawn Candy Sweet Tooth Candies Winans Chocolates + Coffees Minges Candy

by CityBeat Staff

Best Unexpected History Tour

Cincinnati’s rich German heritage and resultant beer culture are popular talking points when discussing the city’s history. But not so commonly discussed is our region’s more illicit past. If you didn’t know Newport, Ky. was the original “Sin City” — and even if you did — you need to take a Newport Gangster Tour. From…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Silent Haircut

Yep. You can select a silent haircut when you book your appointment at Ivy. You can call or use their website to book your hair appointment at this small but lush salon nestled in the heart of Northside. While they offer all the usual salon services from coloring, waxing and styling, it’s the option for…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Pizza for a Crisp Fall Day

Move over, pumpkin spice lattes, there’s a new autumnal queen in Cincinnati. The Smashing Pumpkin pizza from Dewey’s was a seasonal pie that featured a house-made whipped pumpkin ricotta base and was topped with mozzarella, crumbled Italian sausage, roasted shallots and toasted pumpkin seeds. The memory of the sweet-salty flavor combo is enough to make…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Half-Priced Sushi

Every single day, you can enjoy half-priced sushi at Dancing Roll, a once-tiny restaurant in West Chester that recently moved a couple doors down from its original location, expanding to a size fitting its quality and popularity. The dining room is frequently crowded, with tables overflowing with bowls of miso soup and plates of delicious…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Big Cat Comeback

News broke in March that Cincinnati Animal CARE (CAC), the nonprofit that operates Hamilton County’s dog warden, received a call about a “leopard” stuck in a tree in Oakley. Turns out, after an encounter with Cincinnati Police, an illegal serval escaped from an apartment and ran up a tree. Crews retrieved the “grumpy” 35-pound cat,…

by CityBeat Staff

Best New Bar

Second Story Level One Bar + Arcade Binski’s Bar Killer Queen TIE: The Flock AND The Red Leprechaun Juniper’s The Rooftop at 21C Alive & Well The Well Merchants Club

by CityBeat Staff

Best Sports Bar

The Holy Grail MVP Sports Bar & Grille Queen City Exchange Knockback Nat’s Anderson Township Pub Second Place rhinehaus Lucius Q Oakley Pub & Grill Higher Gravity

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bourbon Selection (Bar)

Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar Queen City Exchange Smoke Justis Wiseguy Lounge Longfellow’s Other Room Hoppin’ Vines Revival Vintage Bottle Shop Nicholson’s Pub Jefferson Social Dew Drop Inn

by CityBeat Staff

Best Circus on Main

OTR’s prized gem, Liberty’s Bar and Bottle on Main Street, boasts more than just loud laughs, bold break-ups and steamy make-ups. Casted are some of the most marvelous and consistent tastemakers in the neighborhood. Known for her hearty laugh and gorgeous freckles, ring mistress Adri rolls out her rotating cocktail collection which includes her self-made…

by CityBeat Staff

Best New Bar that Feels Like it’s Been Here Forever

Binski’s Bar opened in Camp Washington in 2023 and became an instant classic. It normally takes a bar years to build enough street cred to be considered a “neighborhood bar,” but Binski’s has been embraced with both arms by the West Side, and for good reason. Vintage beer signage galore gives Binski’s the vibe of…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Food-Based Cocktails at a Bourbon Bar

The mixologists at Knowledge Bar in Covington sometimes make food-based cocktails. Last fall, mixologist Kelsey St. Clair devised one with squash puree, and Dana Hagedorn created one with a scoop of sorbet in it. Besides the meal-in-itself cocktails, their drinks are creative, and they come with a complimentary olive and crackers tray and fun conversations.…

by CityBeat Staff

Best New Book About a 19th-Century Cincinnati Gonzo Journalist Who Moved to Japan and Helped Introduce its Ghost-Story Tradition to the World

Local author Steve Kemme’s The Outsider: The Life and Work of Lafcadio Hearn, the Man Who Introduced Voodoo, Creole Cooking and Japanese Ghosts to the World, methodically and mesmerizingly tells the amazing story of how Hearn’s gift for writing took him from the Greek island where he was born to Ireland, Cincinnati, New Orleans, Martinique…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Hidden Tile Mural in Doerr Alley

In a section of Doerr Alley off Court Street downtown, amongst the nondescript backs of brick buildings, is a small wall with an abstract-looking arrangement of colorful tile pieces that adds a sense of place and character to even a random corner of the city. It turns out to be the back of the 112-year-old…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Chinese

Oriental Wok KungFood Chu’s AmerAsia First Wok Uncle Yip’s Shanghai on Elm Blue Gibbon Chinese Restaurant Casual Chinese China Gourmet Fortune Noodle House The Pacific Kitchen

by CityBeat Staff

Best Creamy Whip/Soft Serve

Putz’s Creamy Whip Silver Grove Dari Bar Zip Dip Mt. Washington Creamy Whip & Bakery Dairy Queen The Cone Loveland Dairy Whip Whipty-Do! Bellevue AmeriStop Norwood Delite Creamy Whip

by CityBeat Staff

Best New Burger Place With a Trial-and-Error Menu

Dropped into one of the many historical buildings in Northside is this tiny new diner that, from the outside, looks altogether inconspicuous. Inside, though, is the promise of a fun atmosphere and good food that won’t break the bank. The Park Diner doesn’t offer anything kitschy or obsessively themed. The dining area is brightly painted…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Watering Hole for a Vegan-Friendly Bite

For herbivores seeking a delicious, affordable bite for soaking up the ABVs on a night out (that isn’t pizza), hop on over to Larry’s All-American Cafe. Part of Covington’s Mainstrasse Village, the corner dive bar offers an array of house hot dogs on its mainstay menu, which brings us to the “San Francisco:” a veggie…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Local Market to Get Local Bread and New Orleans-Inspired Dessert

Dee Felice Market in Mainstrasse is a hidden gem. The small grocery store makes its own breads, chicken salad, bagels, desserts and hummus. They also sell a lot of affordable local produce. Their New Orleans-inspired housemade Boule de Neige dessert (chocolate and cream inside a “snowball”) pays homage to the owners’ old next-door restaurant, Dee…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place to Rip and Sip

Sports trading cards have made a comeback in recent years and Hit Seekers Sports Cards in Fort Mitchell has taken ripping packs to a new level. Try one of their many beers on tap while chasing the elusive Downtown-style Donruss Optic cards. hitseekerscardbreaks.com.

by CityBeat Staff

Best Produce Grocery to Buy a Watermelon Radish for the First Time

It’s hard enough to even find those delicious watermelon radishes with their beautifully pink interiors at a grocery store, much less figure out how you’re supposed to eat what is inside the thick, irregularly shaped and slippery-to-grip outer root/shell. But Pipkin’s Market in Blue Ash not only can tell you, but when one CityBeat writer…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Cutting Edge — and Educational — Pop/Rock Concert of 2023

Corinne Bailey Rae took quite a chance coming to Cincinnati on the occasion of the release of her adventurously experimental album, Black Rainbows (this isn’t a city where she has a huge following). Inspired by her visits to the Chicago archives of African-American artist and activist Theaster Gates, her album takes a variety of musical…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Collab Between a Drag Queen and Local Orchestra

For those who braved the rain for the Pride Month Brady Block Party, you were lucky enough to witness one of the most special collabs Cincinnati has put together: Thorgy Thor with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. An NYC-based drag performance artist (who you may know from RuPaul’s Drag Race) and accomplished violinist, Thorgy Thor combined…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Full-Time Oldies Station on Air

Some of the most timeless music ever made is always on the air in Cincinnati. At any time, day or night you can tune your radio to 1480 AM or 99.5/107.9 FM and back in time to WDJO to hear anything from early rock and roll and doo wop to ‘60s soul and ‘70s pop.…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Cincinnati Pop-Up Based on a Taylor Swift Song

In preparation for Taylor Swift’s two shows at Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati was transformed into Swiftinnati, complete with immersive themed events and even the temporary renaming of streets (Taylor Avenue in Bellevue became Taylor Swift Avenue). In honor of Swift’s visit, Cobblestone OTR became “Cornelia Street,” a nod to a song of the same name from…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place for Kids to Blow Off Steam for Free in the Winter

When the weather turns cold, wet and altogether awful, it’s easy to feel trapped inside with your kiddo. There just aren’t enough indoor play options for kids in the post-COVID era. But tucked into the upper corner of Liberty Center’s indoor mall area is not only a whole library, but also an actual kid-friendly play…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place to Take a Visitor

Findlay Market Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Jungle Jim’s International Market Over-the-Rhine Cincinnati Reds Game Smale Riverfront Park The Banks Cincinnati Museum Center The Friends of the Public Library Warehouse Cincinnati Art Museum

by CityBeat Staff

Best Close Shave at the Opera

Cincinnati Opera’s deftly witty production of The Barber of Seville was as much fun as the Marx Brothers’ cinematic romp. Rodion Pogossov’s rowdy Figaro made his entrance from the rear of the auditorium, stopping to tousle his young daughter’s hair and kiss his wife on the way to the stage. But tenor Alasdair Kent’s ease…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Inside Look at the Mental Health of Athletes and Celebrities

The Mental Game podcast launched in November 2022 after host and former WLWT reporter Brandon Saho took control of his own mental health. The wellness podcast hosts celebrity guests from Sam Hubbard to Terry Crews. Saho interviews guests about their own mental health while he continues to share his fight with depression and sobriety. Celebrities…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Play (Professional)

Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Broadway in Cincinnati Kinky Boots, The Carnegie The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati

by CityBeat Staff

Best Representation of a Bearcat

Former Bearcats Travis and Jason Kelce have been in the NFL for a hot minute now and have already made names for themselves, but when younger brother Trav began dating one of the world’s most popular singers, their fame shot through the roof. Travis and Jason have wildly different personalities and both are likable. But…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Wings

Knockback Nat’s Wild Mike’s Wings and Rings Oak Tavern Knuk-N-Futz Northside Yacht Club Nine Giant Smoke Justis Lucius Q Dead Low Brewing

by CityBeat Staff

Best Ribs

Montgomery Inn Eli’s BBQ Walt’s Hitching Post Pig Candy BBQ Lucius Q Bee’s BBQ City Barbeque Just Q’in Pickles & Bones Beards & Bellies BBQ

by CityBeat Staff

Best Unlikely Family-Friendly Food Spot

As I’m sure most of y’all are highly aware, I have just been introduced to a very wonderful dining experience that has a long legacy rooted in its style and flair: Hooters. When searching for a last-minute place to dine with a larger group of friends, it can be quite the task locating a place…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Tony Soprano-Approved Sandwich

Tony Soprano of HBO hit show The Sopranos is always talking about that gabagool — what is gabagool? You might better know it as capicola ham. For one of the best sandwiches featuring Soprano’s favorite Italian cold cut, Young Buck Deli offers The New Deal, a meaty delight featuring fluffy focaccia bread piled high with…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Book Shopping and Dinner Series

Crown Republic Group’s Five on Vine launched the dinner series Plates & Pages to blend three core luxuries: literature, fine dining and good wine. The series features a prix fixe menu from chef Patrick Bowling with wine pairings and a curated selection of books, from contemporary classics to vintage cookbooks and rare editions from Household…

by CityBeat Staff

Best New Gourmet Pizza Spot in Covington

Last summer, Dewey’s opened a location in Covington, next door to Braxton. It’s been a welcome addition to the neighborhood despite being across the street from yet another pizza place, Bircus. It’s a larger spot than Bircus, and they offer interesting pizzas like Porky Fig (fig and prosciutto). Their house salad — tossed with pine…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Coffee Shop That is Equal Parts Bakery

Achieving the best third-wave cup of ‘spro is now the minimum expected of Cincinnati’s many coffee shops. House-made pastries that taste straight out of France are becoming commonplace, and no one does it better than Two Seven Two in Clifton. From the minds of Brown Bear Bakery, it’s hard to tell if Two Seven Two…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Event Venue That Would Make Jay Gatsby Jealous

As if owning a restaurant empire wasn’t enough, local restaurateur Jeff Ruby opened an event venue, The Lempicka by Jeff Ruby, in the summer of 2023. Ruby’s very first event venue, located in the former Jeff Ruby Steakhouse on Walnut Street downtown, is an art deco lover’s dream, complete with stunning black and white tiles,…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Ramen in a Cool Atmosphere

Even if its food options weren’t appetizing, Quan Hapa would still be a place to enjoy going, based on vibes alone. The table settings, plants, lighting and servers are all simply cool to be around. The experience is even better given that its food is actually great, particularly its ramen, which is the focal point…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Comedically-Timed Court Date Scheduling

This court date had to be selected with the explicit intent to be funny. Rapper Afroman, known for his 2000 hit “Because I Got High,” appeared in court on April 20 (yes, 4/20) to defend himself against seven Adams County deputies who allege he’s ruined their reputations. Afroman, given name Joseph Edgar Foreman, is being…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Local Musician Residencies

Residencies aren’t all together new in town; The Comet has done it for years, but there has been a rise, of sorts, in artists and bands making weekly appearances at venues around town. Places like MOTR Pub and The Loon give them a chance to perform regularly and often, and also curate a month of…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Hotly-Anticipated First Full-Length Effort from a Local Musician

Despite the fact that Cincinnati musician Mol Sullivan has been making music for two decades, she only just released her first full-length effort, Goose, in January of 2024. The wait was worth it. Throughout its 11 songs, the album invites listeners on an intimate sonic journey inside Sullivan’s world, from getting sober to dealing with…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bar for a Saucy Wednesday Night

Wednesdays are for pasta and music at Over-the-Rhine bar Lost & Found’s Spaghetti Nights. Designed to feed both your body and soul, Spaghetti Nights feature plenty of wine and pasta set to a soundtrack spun by local DJs. While it originally started as a way just to bring in more guests on a typically slow…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Tempeh Burger Slider

On its own, tempeh, a plant-based protein made with soybeans, doesn’t exactly make the list of mouth-watering dinner options. However, the tempeh slider at Hangry Omar’s in Covington Yard makes the plant-based patty so delectable that you won’t need to close your eyes and imagine that you’re sinking your teeth into a real hamburger just…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Chicken

The Eagle Galactic Fried Chicken Silver Spring House Ron’s Roost Restaurant & Bar Revolution Rotisserie Libby’s Southern Comfort The Hitching Post CityBird Greyhound Tavern Joella’s Hot Chicken

by CityBeat Staff

Best Hiking Trail

Cincinnati Nature Center Miami Whitewater Forest Mt. Airy Forest Sharon Woods Ault Park Loveland Bike Trail Devou Park Backcountry Trails Winton Woods Bender Mountain Nature Preserve East Fork State Park

by CityBeat Staff

Best Operatic Heartbreak

The Knock by Aleksandra Vrebalov (libretto by Deborah Brevoort) is an hour-long emotional countdown as three women await news of their husbands stationed in Fallujah, and one gets the bad news. Cincinnati Opera presented the stage premiere in June with a superb production directed by Alison Moritz and riveting performances from its ensemble cast. This…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Hotel Restaurant

Coppin’s Restaurant & Bar at Hotel Covington Metropole at 21C Museum Hotel The National Exemplar at Best Western Premier Mariemont Inn

by CityBeat Staff

Best Mexican

Mazunte Agave & Rye OLLA Taqueria El Rancho Grande Tortilleria Garcia Cancun Mexican Restaurant La Mexicana Restaurante El Jinete Taqueria Mercado Crown Cantina

by CityBeat Staff

Best Sushi Spot You’ve Never Heard Of

Neko Sushi is a hidden little izakaya off Hyde Park Square serving Japanese and Korean dishes in feline-themed surroundings (“neko” is the Japanese word for cat). Extremely affordable without any of the “half-price sushi” gimmicks, rolls range from simple hosomaki and classics like spicy tuna to unique options including a Veggie Delight with seaweed salad…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Express Facial Bar

Jenny Simon FACE has been offering boutique skincare services since 2011. Simon and her team’s appointment books have been on an upward trajectory since then, with an initial expansion in 2016 before moving into a larger streetfront space in Oakley in 2022. This new location has allowed them to expand their medspa and skincare services…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Huggable ENT

Not all doctors leave a lasting impression. White lab coats often make it impossible to tell anything about a doctor aside from surface stuff. Maybe that’s the way it should be? But, when you’re about to have your skull drilled into before a 14-hour surgery, coming face-to-face with a guy who is somehow both serious…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Egg Salad Sandwich Inside a Bookstore

Last year, Lil’s Bagels moved to the Roebling Point Books and Coffee in Dayton, Ky., and rebranded as Lil’s Kitchen. Though the bagels are no longer on the menu, Lil’s signature egg salad sandwich — the recipe is secret — remains on the menu. The salty housemade pickled green tomato adds to the sandwich’s greatness.…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bang-For-Your-Buck Tacos on the West Side

Cincinnati is actually brimming with authentic Mexican food, you just have to know where to look. Taqueria Doña Maria has been hiding in plain sight in West Price Hill since it opened in late 2021. With a simple counter and a few booths, the spot at Glenway and Beech Avenue churns out fresh, authentic pupusas,…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Success-Before-Our-Eyes Moment

Everyone’s been rooting on Pata Roja from the jump. Pata Roja Taqueria got its start in 2019 as a food truck that could typically be found behind Bar Saeso in Pendleton. From there it grew in popularity, becoming known for its authentic street tacos and Mexican dishes. With this success, owner Derrick Braziel decided to…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Reclaiming of Reproductive Rights

When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the court made abortion rights a states’ issue, and Ohio spoke. The first predominantly Republican state to decide on abortion care access, Ohio passed Issue 1 with more than 56% of the vote, a crushing defeat for Republicans who railed against the measures with the…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Reason This Year Why Northside Is Such a Great Neighborhood

Every year seems to bring another sterling example of how, in Northside, people really try to support their local businesses and cultural institutions. This year’s one centers on The Loon Wine Bar on Hamilton Ave., a lovely and friendly small establishment that also has some invigorating live musical entertainment. Forced to close in February due…

by CityBeat Staff

Best ‘Inspired’ Local Music Festival

In November 2023, Inhailer Radio brought back the Inspired Music Festival at Woodward Theater, the first time since 2019. The two-day fest showcased an array of 16 local and local-ish bands from all kinds of genres, including Moonbeau and Multimagic. Bands played covers, but also their original songs. The fest fills a void in the…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bar Series with Cocktails and Cincinnati History Lessons

In 2024, Cincinnati’s most storied bartender, Molly Wellmann, teamed up with Cincinnati’s most storied bar, Arnold’s Bar and Grill, for Tuesdays With Molly, a weekly series of drinks and history lessons. Each Tuesday at Arnold’s, Wellmann features a different cocktail and shares how it ties into Cincinnati’s history, proving everything truly is related to the…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Party-by-the-Ocean Vibes

Cincinnati might be landlocked, but the open-air beach bar floating on the Four Seasons Marina along the Ohio River on the east side of town, Pirate’s Cove Tropical Bar & Grill, is equipped with a partial sand floor and palm trees that make it feel a lot more like a beach party somewhere along the…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Random Theater Showing

The Esquire Theatre is known for its great neon marquee, color tile façade and reputation for showing things out of the ordinary, notably its long-running The Rocky Horror Picture Show midnight showings and film series like Deep Dive. But last year The Simpsons writing partners and the creators of the little known early 2000s cult…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Breakfast

Sleepy Bee Cafe First Watch Sugar n’ Spice The Echo Original Pancake House Taste of Belgium HangOverEasy Maplewood Kitchen and Bar Blue Jay Diner Yuca

by CityBeat Staff

Best Media Maven of the Year

Last year CityBeat’s Madeline Fening put us all onto health and wellness starlet, Kristel Rubio, with her pullulating podcast and platform What the F*t! which focuses on discussions centered around holistic and progressive wellness with features on today’s news contributed by our own Fening. This year, Rubio is back sharing something sensational and packed with…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Overall Pizza (Non-Chain)

Taglio Strong’s Brick Oven Pizzeria Adriatico’s Two Cities Pizza Co. Krimmer’s Italianette Pizza Fireside Pizza Catch-a-Fire Pizza Cork N Crust Saint Francis Apizza Trotta’s Pizza & Drive Thru

by CityBeat Staff

Best Sexy Pizza Spot

Follow the red glow to Pendleton and soak in the neon as you sip on one of the best espresso martinis you’ll ever have, all while devouring some of the most delicious pizza, pasta and more that your taste buds have had the pleasure of making contact with at newly-opened Razzo. razzo.pizza.

by CityBeat Staff

Best Brunch on the Other Side

Shout out to Honey Uninhibited on the other side of the river in Covington for coming in hot and presenting its very strong offerings to those that are already familiar. Uninhibited has finely crafted a brunch experience that is highly elevated in flavor with its variety of Southern staples available on the menu, all while…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Sweat Session in a Welcoming Environment

Especially for those new to the world of boutique fitness, walking into a new fitness studio can be incredibly intimidating. Unlike a gym or your living room, the community aspect of a boutique fitness studio is strong. This likely accounts for that feeling of isolation that you get when you walk into a boutique fitness…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Hidden Gem for Vintage Decor

Nestled in the heart of Covington’s Latonia neighborhood, Curated offers all things old from home decor to collectibles to furniture pieces — mostly from the mid-century era. More than your average vintage store or antique mall, this NKY gem may be smaller in size, but it packs a punch with every square inch with thoughtfully…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Movie Theater Inside a Supermarket

Before picking up your groceries at Jungle Jim’s, head over to its hidden gem: RJ Cinema Distillery & Taproom, a cinebistro located inside Cincinnati’s favorite international supermarket. The theater offers an entertaining experience fulfilling moviegoers, food fans and drink lovers alike. Enjoy current feature films in the comfortable theater, while dining on one of the…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Chicken Finger Sauce Selection

Sometimes ordering chicken fingers as a full-grown adult can feel a little infantile, but not at The Pony. Their house-made fingies are complimented by an impressive (and spicy) list of sauces that will make you want to order big and sample wide. Their Cajun honey mustard and Tom Tucker Hot Sauce sauces are a flavorful…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Elevated Grilled Cheese

In what looks like a charming suburban house sits the Wildflower Cafe, an eclectic farm-to-table restaurant nestled in downtown Mason. The inviting establishment is bright and cheery, mirroring its yellow exterior and interior. The menu is known to consist of simple dishes, on an elevated scale, with rotating ingredients depending on what is fresh that…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Grape Ice Cream

Alongside signature, year-round selections like Vietnamese Coffee and Salted Caramel, Dojo Gelato has seasonal flavors that are on rotation. Grape is one of those periodic presentations, and it is an absolute a must have. A unique and unusual flavor, Grape is an example of the boundary pushing work that ice cream aficionados in Cincinnati, and…

by CityBeat Staff

Best ‘Big’ Bar with a Tiny Beer

College Hill is quickly becoming one of Cincinnati’s “it” dining and drinking destinations, with the addition of restaurants like Kiki, El Camino Baking Co. and Sleepy Bee Café nestled among neighborhood anchors like Chung Ching, Marty’s Hops & Vines and Bacalls Café. Another trip-worthy option that opened last year (well, New Year’s Eve 2022) is…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Shadow Puppet Show in a Music Video

In December, Cincinnati noise-rock band Fruit LoOops released the music video for “Traffic,” a song off their 2023 album, You’re Somebody’s World. In the video, a car and its passengers navigate the chaos of — you guessed it — traffic. Artist Abby Palen created the shadow puppets by hand and shot the music video, which…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Anniversary Commemoration

The May Festival celebrated its 150th anniversary with “25 For 25,” a brilliant tribute to the Festival’s history of commissioning new works that saw 25 commissions written by young female, non-binary or gender non-conforming composers, all alumni of Luna Composition Lab. Each piece was written for a specific choral group and the conductors worked closely…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Dining Hall Cocktail Menu

Broad enough to go with a wide array of international cuisines, yet refined enough to stand out, According to Hoyle is a stunning bar with a strong cocktail menu. Located smack dab in the middle of the Gatherall, a new food hall at the Factory 52 mixed-use community in Norwood, According to Hoyle is the…

by CityBeat Staff

Best “Sea of Humidity” Goth Concert

In early September, Smashing Pumpkins played Riverbend during a hot and humid night. Lead singer Billy Corgan joked the temp felt like a “sea of humidity.” It probably didn’t help that the majority of the crowd — including Corgan himself — wore black. The balmy night was worth it to hear the hits, a few…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Indian

Ambar India Restaurant Jot India Baba India Restaurant Dusmesh Indian Restaurant & Bar Delhi Palace Indian Cuisine Krishna Indian Restaurant & Carryout Mayas Indian Restaurant Shaan Indian Cuisine Amol India Adeep India

by CityBeat Staff

Best Take on Aliens from a Local Sports Legend

Looking back on this far-out prediction from Joey Votto is bittersweet. For one, aliens did not give the Reds the help they needed in the 2023 season, and two, we miss him already. In February, Major League Baseball’s Instagram account urged users, “Drop your boldest NL Central prediction” and tagged players from the division’s teams…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Sushi

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant Cloud 9 Sushi Wabi Sabi E+O Kitchen Green Papaya Izen’s Drunken Bento Kanji OTR Teak OTR Wild Ginger Asiana Thai & Sushi

by CityBeat Staff

Best Donuts-to-Deli Dining Destination

The hold Chicago Italian beef sandwiches have had on the cultural culinary zeitgeist since the dawn of The Bear cannot be overstated. Neither can our excitement for the brick-and-mortar evolution of the Young Buck Deli pop-up. Coming soon to the former Holtman’s Donut space in Over-the-Rhine, this venture from Top Chef season 16 alumni and…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Facial Acupuncture

If you want to combat the signs of aging, but aren’t ready to make the jump into toxins, fillers or surgery, Cincinnati Acupuncture Clinic offers a holistic alternative. Inesa Zelepuhin, who was a neurologist in Belarus before moving to the U.S. and focusing on alternative medicine, specializes in facial acupuncture to help reduce fine lines…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Restaurant for an Intimate Wedding Dinner

For couples wanting to carve out some alone time on their wedding day — and forgo the tradition of feeding an entire guest list — sneak away for the most intimate dinner at Sotto. Nestled below sister-restaurant Boca downtown, this underground Italian spot is the more rustic of the two, exuding romance from the secretive…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Fusion of Korean and American Food

Decibel Korean Fried Chicken’s corn dog is a fusion of Korean and American cuisine in the most satisfying way. It’ll make you feel like you’re at both a Fourth of July festival and a food stall in Seoul. The all-beef hot dog is covered in Decibel’s signature batter before being rolled in diced potatoes and…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place to Host Your Company Party and Get Coworkers Out of Their Shell

After a long year of circling back, expanding bandwidth and other things people say in corporate America, your staff deserves a holiday party they’ll actually enjoy. Enter the Newport Aquarium. The massive home to thousands of aquatic creatures is easily configured with self-serve buffets and bar stations so guests can meander the exhibits while they…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Gluten-Free Bakery

The no-gluten recipes have come a long way, and Cherbourg Cyprus Bakery in Over-the-Rhine may just be leading the pack. While many bakeries have just a few gluten-friendly options, Cherbourg prides itself on offering a wide array of donuts, bars, cakes, stratas, cookies and quiches that are all minimally processed and free from dyes, nuts…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Annual Event That Allows You to Eat Your Weight in Chocolate

In January, those with sweet tooths and craving some chocolate-y goodness descend on Oxford’s College Avenue by the thousands for the annual Chocolate Meltdown. The event features a day of fun activities like games and inflatables and, of course, plenty of chocolate to indulge in. The main event is the Chocolate Tasting Extravaganza, where visitors…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Good Deeds on Thanksgiving and Christmas

For the past several years, Good Plates Eatery in Clifton Heights has been brightening the holidays for many by handing out free Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to anyone interested — no questions asked. Good Plates owner Andrew Schlanser said the whole thing started in 2020 during the pandemic. He and his wife, Jamie, always wanted…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bar for N/A Cocktails

Everyone deserves a well-crafted beverage to sip on during a night out, particularly those staying sober. For those not partaking in alcohol yet seeking the full immersive cocktail experience, Second Story is your place. Perched above Flying Axes in Covington, this art-infused cocktail bar oozes with speakeasy ambiance, featuring a menu that delights any creative…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Acknowledgement for the Sins of City Leaders Past

In June, city leaders made a rare proclamation condemning the actions of past politicians who systematically displaced tens of thousands of Black Cincinnatians. Standing alongside council members and other city leaders, Mayor Aftab Pureval issued a public apology for the destructive consequences of the 1948 “Master Plan” that saw the dismantling of the historically Black…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Brewery and Bakery Collaboration

One of the most beloved breweries and most beloved bakeries in town working together on a special brew? Yes, please. Covington’s Braxton Brewing Co.’s Opera Cream Stout was inspired by The BonBonerie’s iconic Opera Cream Torte. The beer features chocolate and caramel malts and is finished with The BonBonerie’s opera cream coffee, roasted by Seven…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Free Attraction

BLINK Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library Findlay Market Cincinnati Art Museum Smale Riverfront Park Jungle Jim’s International Market Tunes & Blooms at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Wednesdays in the Woods at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center TIE: Washington Park AND Contemporary Arts Center FotoFocus

by CityBeat Staff

Best Instagram Account Dedicated to the Art and Architecture of Cincinnati

It’s not often that social media rises above private envy and public intrigue, but the Instagram account Cincinnati Revealed is that rare exception. It’s a great way to engage with Cincinnati’s rich cultural and architectural history. Whether you already consider yourself an armchair expert or are learning about it for the first time, there is…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Digital Gallery

The people’s champ! There is no better feeling than a neighborly salute to your hot fit when you go out into the world. If you aren’t familiar now, SHAME! It is time for you to take a look through the digital gallery of Frank D. Young via the notorious Instagram platform: @MelaninAndHalide. Focused on highlighting…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Italian

Sotto Pepp & Dolores Pompilios Giovanni’s Family Italian Restaurant Nicola’s Mama’s on Main Scotti’s Italian Restaurant Ferrari’s Little Italy Primavista Via Vite

by CityBeat Staff

Best Tacos

Agave & Rye Mazunte Condado Tacos OLLA Taqueria Gutierrez Bakersfield Tortilleria Garcia La Mexicana Restaurant Gomez Salsa Texas Joe Tex-Mex Taqueria Mercado

by CityBeat Staff

Best Vegetarian

Aladdin’s Eatery Tuba Baking Co. Melt Revival Harmony Plant Fare Café Alma Good Plates Eatery Loving Hut Rooted Juicery + Kitchen W Bar + Bistro Condado Tacos

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bad Decision to Make Before Getting on a Plane

We know Cincinnati chili can be hard on the gut, but it’s so damn good and so hard to resist — especially if you’re a born-and-raised Cincinnatian. Not to mention that it’s also a comfort food for anxiety-riddled situations, like flying. Last fall, CVG finally added a Skyline to its Concourse B for locals and…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Addition to Collective Espresso

At the end of 2023, Collective Espresso opened a new location in OTR, half a block from its original location, near Woodward Theater. The new location has more seating so people can hang out and enjoy seasonal drinks and year-round drinks like espresso and lemonade. The more Collectives this town has, the better. collectiveespresso.com.

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place to Get a Cup of Coffee Past Midnight

This café keeps its doors open much later than a typical one. In fact, Highland Coffee House’s doors don’t open until 5 p.m., making it a perfect destination to study, read or chat over coffee or alcoholic beverages into the wee hours of the morning. Occupying a Corryville street corner, the establishment exudes a timelessness…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Shout-Out to Cincinnati by a Living Musical Legend

Bob Dylan in concert can be stoic as a rock. Other than singing, he has little to say to his audience until he introduces the band at the end. But for the sold-out crowd at The Andrew J Brady Music Center last October, he was in a lively, chatty mood and even performed a song…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Blend-Your-Own Bachelor Party

Wenzel Whiskey in Covington offers a unique bourbon experience. Here, instead of just imbibing, you can get hands-on and blend your own bottle of the spirit. In a process called “rectifying,” guests get samples of four barrel-strength bourbons sourced from distillers across the U.S. (the distilleries are never revealed, just the state of origin), which…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Festive Parking Garage

It’s not too often that you see a parking garage do anything to spruce things up, let alone show Christmas spirit, but the downtown 7th street Olympic Garage not only decorates the mid-century garage, but does it in style with a group of Christmas character blow molds and giant wreaths hanging over the entrance and…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Time-Warp Night Out

Madison Bowl, on the northeast side of town, is satisfyingly untouched by time. Everything about it is timeless, just like a bowling alley should be (developers of other commercial spaces take note). The sign out front, the lived in natural character and everything else about the building are what new commercial spaces only wish they…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Cheap Beer Bypass at a Music Festival

Every July, Covington puts on Paradise Music Festival for two days outside Braxton Brewing. Admission is free. Sponsor Braxton sells their beers at the breweries and at tents, but $7-$12 for a beer is expensive. However, concertgoers can get cheap booze at Olde Towne Tavern and take it outside to watch the bands. A $3…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Cupcakes

The BonBonerie Abby Girl Sweets The Cheesecakery Gigi’s Cupcakes 3 Sweet Girls Cakery North College Hill Bakery Wyoming Pastry Shop Happy Chicks Bakery Cakes & Pastries by George SugarSnap! Truck

by CityBeat Staff

Best Film Festival Comeback

In September 2023, Cindependent Film Festival returned to OTR after a four-year hiatus. The fest screened movies from all over the world, held a live screenplay reading and demonstrated the power of local filmmaking. It was greatly missed and is still greatly needed. The next fest will take place in September 2024, so be there.…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Coffee Shop (Local)

Coffee Emporium Mom ‘n ‘em Coffee Unataza Coffee Deeper Roots Roebling Books & Coffee Kitty Brew Cat Café Proud Hound Coffee Carabello Coffee Urbana Cafe Sidewinder Coffee

by CityBeat Staff

Best Brewpub

Nine Giant Brewpub & Fermentorium Woodburn Brewery Wandering Monsters Brewing Company MadTree Brewing Fifty West Brewing Company Cartridge Brewing HighGrain Brewing Co. Dead Low Brewing Moerlein Lager House Third Eye Brewing

by CityBeat Staff

Best Japanese

Ichiban Japanese Restaurant Kiki College Hill Miyako Sushi & Steakhouse Cafe Mochiko Kyoto Japanese Cuisine Soho Japanese Bistro Matsuya Japanese Restaurant Ando Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar Quan Hapa Nagomi Japanese Restaurant

by CityBeat Staff

Best Donuts

Holtman’s Donuts Moonrise Doughnuts Starlight Doughnut Lab Busken Bakery Marcella’s Doughnuts & Bakery Peace, Love, and Little Donuts North College Hill Bakery Graeter’s Ice Cream Emerson’s Bakery Hurts Donut Co.

by CityBeat Staff

Best Outdoor/Patio Dining

Incline Public House Cabana on the River Little Miami Brewing Co. Fifty West Burger Bar Arnold’s Bar & Grill The Monkey Bar & Grille Northside Yacht Club Tuba Baking Co. Pig Candy BBQ Dead Low Brewing

by CityBeat Staff

Best Oysters

Knotty Pine on the Bayou Swampwater Grill Jeff Ruby’s Sen by Kiki Rich’s Proper Food & Drink W Bar + Bistro Atwood Oyster House Losanti Pelican’s Reef Somm Wine Bar

by CityBeat Staff

Best Woodfired Rooftop Restaurant

Perched on the seventh floor of Covington’s Republic Bank building, Opal Rooftop Restaurant & Bar is quite literally one of Northern Kentucky’s elevated gems. With a 360-degree panorama view of downtown Cincinnati and nearby NKY, it would be worth a visit for the view alone. But the menu is just as interesting. The restaurant boasts…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Women-Focused Wellness Group

Finding a therapist, counselor or advocate that meets your specific needs can be a Google crapshoot. Luckily, Galia Collaborative has made the process simple by bringing a curated group of professionals focused on women’s mental health and well-being under one roof. Their all-women practice of psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, social workers and dieticians can help support…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bookstore That is More Than a Bookstore

Though Household Books is tucked away in an unassuming building on Gilbert Ave., its owner, Bobby, has extended his reach far outside the confines of the store’s space. Not only does Household Books have a great selection of used books, records and clothing at very affordable prices, there is always something new and exciting taking…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Fun Nitro Coffee at a West End Coffee Shop

Kings Arms Coffee Co. in the West End uses what’s called a NitroPress to make their nitro coffee. Instead of kegging nitro like a lot of shops do, they take cold brew and put it into a gun-like contraption and make the nitro fresh. It’s much foamier than kegged nitro and shows how nitro should…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Online Auction Site for Feeling Fancy

If a website could offer you sparkling water and a place to hang your coat while you shop, it would be Everything But the House (EBTH). Unlike eBay or BidFTA, EBTH is an aesthetic experience through and through. Yes, there are thousands of items, but no junk; every piece that’s listed has been expertly acquired…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Facial for Facial Virgins

Even if your skincare routine is impeccable, it’s never too late to take that glow to the next level. Though Lunar Beauty Bar in Over-the-Rhine offers many different facials based on a patron’s preference, virgins to facials would be wise to pick their customized facial. For an hour, an esthetician will thoroughly examine your skin…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Local Taproom

Little Miami Brewing Company MadTree Brewing Urban Artifact Rhinegeist Brewery Fretboard Brewing Company Braxton Brewing Company Dead Low Brewing Esoteric Brewing Co. Sonder Brewing March First Brewing

by CityBeat Staff

Best Transformation of a City for a Major Pop Star

Whether in Paycor Stadium or screaming from The Banks, Taylor Swift Fans, or “Swifties,” showed up in full force for the first night of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert in June. The Banks was transformed into “Swiftinnati” for a concert Tay-Gate, complete with friendship bracelet stations and custom Swift-inspired cocktails. Fans dressed in an endless…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Warm and Swanky Jazz Bar Downtown

Things seem kind of charmingly preserved in many parts of the city, especially in this part of downtown with its classic buildings and the long-running Koch Sporting Goods next door. Step into the warm storefront on 4th Street under the long awning into the Härth Room. The band is positioned at the front of the…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Concert Honoring Local Music Legends

As part of its summer concert series, “The Brady Block Parties,” the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra hosted a celebration of King Records in the community where the record label was founded, Evanston. Led by Cincinnati Pops conductor John Morris Russell, they played tributes to artists who recorded at King Records, including Bonnie Lou (“Seven Lonely Days”);…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Gallery Exhibit

Art and Social Justice: An Interactive Experience, 21C Museum Hotel Gallery Yes, But Is It Art?, Studio Kroner Wish You Were Here, Kennedy Heights Arts Center

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bagels

Marx Bagels The Bagelry Bruegger’s Bagels OTR Bagel Bar Everything Bagels Servatii Pastry Shop & Deli Skip’s Bagel Deli Big Apple Bagels Livia Jo’s Bagels Bagel & Deli Shop (Oxford)

by CityBeat Staff

Best Korean

Riverside Korean Restaurant BIBIBOP Red Sesame Izen’s Drunken Bento Decibel Korean Fried Chicken Kanji OTR Stone Bowl Korean Korea House Restaurant Dolsot Bistro Kim’s Korean

by CityBeat Staff

Best Mediterranean Mushroom

Chef Jordan Anthony-Brown’s long-awaited Aperture restaurant finally opened its doors at the tail end of 2023 to some great foodie fanfare. Located in the historic Paramount Building in Walnut Hills, the vibe is art deco-meets-Copenhagen while the menu of shareable dishes draws inspiration from the Mediterranean and Levant. Ingredients like ras el hanout, tahini and…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Veggie Burger

Tickle Pickle Krueger’s Tavern Nine Giant Goose & Elder Coppin’s at Hotel Covington Nation Kitchen & Bar Taste of Belgium TIE: Arthur’s and Dead Low Brewing W Bar + Bistro Maplewood Kitchen and Bar

by CityBeat Staff

Best Hidden Oasis on the West Side That You Need to Keep Up With

Jasmine Nobue’s finely-tuned vision for her JunkYard compound is finely executed with a focus on community engagement, social awareness and overall celebration of individual and collective excellence. You truly never know what to expect from the strong cast of creators and healers that contribute to The JunkYard’s mission of bringing us all together and celebrating…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Hidden Gem Place to Get a Michelada in Covington

Taqueria San Miguel in Covington might look nondescript, but come inside for the most authentic Mexican food in the neighborhood. They play Mexican music, and the staff is always in a festive mood. You can dine in or carry out food and beer, but if you stay, make sure to order the Michelada. It comes…

by CityBeat Staff

Best New Hub for Downtown Cincinnati Restaurants

Across the street from Fountain Square, 3CDC’s mixed-use building The Foundry (formerly the Fountain Place building), has quickly become *the* spot for both current and new restaurants. Jeff Ruby moved his titular steakhouse to the building in 2022, becoming one of its first tenants. Now, The Foundry is welcoming several other concepts in 2024: Thunderdome…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Beloved Bus Line

While many are forward-focused on the advancement of public transit in the city, most forget to put respect on one of Metro’s most cherished lines on the road: the 17. Shout out to a tried-and-true hero which, while sometimes off schedule, pulls us through from the south to the north of Cincinnati come rain, sleet,…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Old Fashioned in the City

If you’re a connoisseur of classic cocktails, look no further. Jeff Ruby’s might just have the best Old Fashioned in the city. Their Smokin’ Maple Old Fashioned is the perfect fall and winter drink. (But really, a great Old Fashioned transcends seasonality.) Its cherry-scented smoke and subtle maple undertones may even trick you into thinking…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Close Encounter in Covington

The 859 area code has transformed into Area 51 with the arrival of “Clive,” a 30-foot-tall fiberglass alien who now calls Covington’s Midtown Parking Garage home. The not-so-little green man protrudes from the second and third floors of the parking structure, wielding a giant magnifying glass to examine any humanoids passing by below… especially those…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Reason to Remember CSO Proof

Gabriel Kahane is one of the most underrated all-around performers. A profound, witty lyricist, brilliant pianist and composer, Kahane’s year-long digital hiatus (including a phone) inspired “The Right To Be Forgotten,” co-commissioned by the CSO, the LA Philharmonic and the Oregon Symphony. It had its Cincinnati performance as part of the CSO Proof series in…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bar That Has Skee-Ball and Allows Smoking

The Licking River Café in Covington’s Austinburg neighborhood is a chill and friendly spot to drink cheap booze, play pool and, well, smoke cigarettes. We’re not sure how it’s legal to smoke there, but people are allowed to do it. Besides pool, they also have darts, a Skee-ball machine, a cigarette machine (of course) and…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bar Bathroom

Life is hard, but the bathrooms at Northside Yacht Club make like suck a little less. In fact, these bathrooms might qualify as Cincinnati’s tiniest discothèques. You wouldn’t know it at first walking into the women’s room, but smack the large red EMERGENCY button located to the right of the sink and instantly the lights…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Podcast and Book about 97X

Damian Dotterweich and Dave Tellman hosted an entire podcast (“Rumblings on the Big Bush”) on the history of defunct and beloved local radio station 97X. Every episode involved an interview with either a local musician, a former staffer or a local knowledgeable person about the music scene. Last year, Robin James published a book on…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Brunch

Sleepy Bee Café First Watch Taste of Belgium Maplewood Kitchen and Bar HangOverEasy National Exemplar Greyhound Tavern Yuca Coppin’s at Hotel Covington Cedar

by CityBeat Staff

Best Macaroni & Cheese

The Eagle Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse Eli’s BBQ Tavern on the Bend Pig Candy BBQ Keystone’s Mac Shack Lucius Q MamaBear’s Mac Ivory House Pickles & Bones Barbecue and Catering

by CityBeat Staff

Best New Store

Household Books The Brickery Cafe & Play Succulent Senorita Greenhouse Shop on the Green Nusa Boutique The Market at be. The Hidden Chapter Bookstore Beardo’s Curiosities Slow Ride Vintage BuyLow Joe’s Overstock Outlet

by CityBeat Staff

Best Takeout

Dewey’s Pizza City Barbeque Gomez Salsa Eli’s BBQ Pig Candy BBQ Pho Lang Thang Mazunte Lucius Q Currito Good Plates Eatery

by CityBeat Staff

Best Neighbor in OTR

I’m sure you’ve seen the myriad of style and fashion flashing in the windows of Moreau Sewing on Main Street. Beyond the sewing talents that Ian Moreau shares with our community through tailoring, construction courses and commissions, he is truly one of the most consistently nice neighbors you could imagine. With a simple wave, he…

by CityBeat Staff

Best French (or Mostly French) Restaurant in OTR

One of Cincinnati’s newest restaurants, Colette, is located in Over-the-Rhine on the corner of Race and W. 14th St., and specializes in what Chef Danny Combs calls “mostly French” cuisine. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and eager to explain their menu and suggest what they consider the best dishes. The ambiance is warm, inviting and…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Fine Line Tattoo

If you’ve been toying with the idea of getting a tattoo for awhile, head to Queen Ink Studio for a quality, fine line tattoo. In the last several years, fine line tattoos have become more popular, using thinner needles for more delicate pieces as part of a more minimalist or patchwork style. But, it can…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Goat Cheese You Can Find at (Most) Kroger Stores

Rather than grabbing for the same ol’ brie wheel for your weekly happy hour, show your peers you know what’s up and grab Murray’s Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog. Sold at any Kroger with a Murray’s section, this baby stands firmly on her own and satisfies all the senses. Built like a layer cake, you’ll get…

by CityBeat Staff

Best OTR Vintage Spot

The style influence propelled by OTR’s fromthesidewalk. style squad is immeasurable. A self-recognized creative hub of streetwear and culture, fromthesidewalk. offers collections of highly coveted sneakers, remarkable vintage clothing and consignment opportunities. In such a quick time, we have witnessed a fully torqued blast off of top-tier sidewalk steppers and finely sources (sometimes reworked) vintage…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Coffee Shop Revamp

After 17 years under its last owner and decades on the corner of Hamilton and North Bend, College Hill Coffee announced their owner’s retirement in mid-2023. With their departure came the immediate announcement of their acquisition by La Terza. After a name change and months of rehabbing, Luminary by La Terza opened its doors on…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Backlash to the Loss of a Historical Site

Music & Event Management Inc. (MEMI) really thought Cincinnati was going to jump for joy when they announced in 2023 that Coney Island and its iconic Sunlite Pool would be demolished and replaced with, wait for it, another music venue. The sun set on Coney Island in December after nearly 138 years of memories made,…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Reason to Buy a Wine Based on the Label

What started as a mission to create a cherry champagne has transformed into the cheeky and innovative local sparkling fruit wine and pét-nat purveyor FRUITBLOOD. Launched in 2021 by Josh Elliott, former head brewer at Urban Artifact, and partner Becca Miller, a designer, this isn’t the syrupy sweet stuff. Tapping into his experience brewing fruit…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Concert Venue

Riverbend Music Center The Andrew J Brady Music Center Bogart’s Southgate House Revival Ludlow Garage Memorial Hall Northside Yacht Club Woodward Theater PNC Pavilion Madison Live!

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bourbon Collab with an NBA Player

A new Kentucky bourbon hit the shelves in 2023, thanks to a partnership between a Northern Kentucky distillery and an NBA legend. Four-time NBA champion and two-time MVP Stephen Curry launched his own spirit, Gentleman’s Cut Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, a joint venture between Curry’s SC30 Inc., Napa Valley’s Amuse Bouche Winery and Boone County…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Last Kiss Goodbye from KISS

Legendary larger than life rock band KISS made their final Cincinnati appearance in October. The Cincinnati date was the first of the final run of the band’s End of The Road Tour, and the band were in high spirits for the sendoff and final meeting with the fans who helped put them on stage 50…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bar that Serves Old-School Cottage Cheese

Thanks to TikTok, cottage cheese has seen a resurgence in the past year. However, Longfellow has had cottage cheese on its menu long before it was trendy to do so. For $3, cottage lovers get a plate of housemade cottage cheese sprinkled with pepper, which is the best way to eat cottage cheese. longfellowbar.com.

by CityBeat Staff

Best Instagram Account

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (@cincinnatizoo) Longbottom Bird Ranch (@longbottombirdranch) Friends of the Public Library (@cincylibraryfriends)

by CityBeat Staff

Best Weekly Art House Movie Screenings

Every week, Woodward Theater screens art house movies at its venue. Sometimes the movies are more mainstream and widely known. Other times they’re more obscure, such as films you can’t find on streaming yet. They also screen local-made films. The programming fills the niche that the sadly departed MicroCinema left behind. woodwardtheater.com.

by CityBeat Staff

Best Urban Hiking on the East Side

First established in 1959, the Buckeye Trail allows hikers an incredibly unique opportunity to see around 1,400 miles of Ohio — every corner of the state and in between — on foot. The trail, which connects parks, bike trails and other natural and urban landmarks together, includes an offshoot that winds its way through eastern…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Big Bread News

Over-the-Rhine’s Allez Bakery has outgrown its home, which is good news for us because it means they’re expanding into a new café storefront, directly across from the original location. Since owners Thomas McKenna and Patrick Hague first introduced Allez in 2017, the popular bakery and lunch spot has been name-checked twice by Food & Wine…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Waterfront Dining

Montgomery Inn Boathouse Cabana on the River Buckhead Mountain Grill Moerlein Lager House Chart House The Monkey Bar & Grille Amador Enson Harbor Pirates Cove Tropical Bar & Grill MRBL

by CityBeat Staff

Best Selection of Collectible Comics

Since 1987 Queen City Comics and Card Company has served as Cincinnati’s premier establishment for comic readers and collectors. With a wall of valuable key issue comics like The Amazing Spider-Man 121 (the death of Gwen Stacy) and glass cases filled with rare toys and collectables like original Star Wars action figures, this Cincinnati institution…

by CityBeat Staff

Best National Award-Winning Gelato

Chef Maria Liliana Biondo knows gelato. With a gelato chef father, she’s been involved in the business since she was a little girl and now owns uGOgelato at Findlay Market. While each sweet, frozen treat she crafts can charm your tastebuds, her signature flavor, Mandorland, is a real winner — literally. In September, the flavor…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Hot Sauce Vending Machine

Things have gotten hot at CVG since the addition of its first-ever hot sauce vending machine. Located in Concourse A near Blaze Pizza, the machine is part of a partnership between the airport and local hot sauce company Dude, Seriously LLC. It features the brand’s handcrafted, award-winning hot sauce as well as top brands from…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place to Discover Vintage Children’s Books

No matter what sort of book you’re looking for, chances are that the Ohio Book Store in downtown Cincinnati has it. After all, the popular used bookstore boasts five floors of unique literary finds, meaning that you’re bound to find the book version of your soulmate in some unassuming corner of the store. Even those…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Dirty Name for a Chicken Restaurant

Pardon us, but lick your what?! Chicken? Oh, phew. Lick My Chicken’s name is certainly attention-grabbing, but only to bring more attention to their delicious menu. From EPIC Brands, the creators of Agave & Rye, Lick My Chicken is a new ghost kitchen, meaning it only fulfills online orders for pickup or delivery. The menu…

by CityBeat Staff

Best LGBTQ Bar

Good Judy’s The Birdcage Bloom OTR Rosie’s Tavern Tillie’s Lounge Crazy Fox Saloon The Establishment Bar 901 Chameleon Old Street Saloon

by CityBeat Staff

Best Local Winery

Revel OTR Urban Winery Vinoklet Winery & Restaurant The Skeleton Root Valley Vineyards Elk Creek Vineyards Indian Spring Winery StoneBrook Winery FRUITBLOOD Harmony Hill Vineyards & Estate Winery Burnet Ridge Winery

by CityBeat Staff

Best Weed-Positive Moment for Ohio Politics

While it’s mind boggling that it took this long, Ohioans have finally voted to legalize recreational marijuana in the state. Issue 2 passed with more than 56% of the vote, showing we’re ready to be treated as adults who unwind in peace. While lawmakers are still fighting over implementation details, like THC levels, home growth…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Reason to Boogie Down in Devou Park

There were plenty of reasons to throw on a pair of bell bottoms and boogie down in the Queen City throughout 2023. One of the more novel approaches to this boogie fever was Kentucky Symphony Orchestra’s “Boogie Nights” series. Set against the stunning backdrop of Devou Park, the orchestra played celebrated groovy tunes from disco…

by CityBeat Staff

Best City View in Mount Adams

Mt. Adams is known for its San Francisco-like hills, high vantage point over the city and its bars and restaurants, but one local establishment combines all of those. The City View Tavern is a fun little bar with good burgers and a hidden away, local feel, but the best part is its namesake view. The…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Way to Hear and See Free Concerts, Like Taylor Swift

When Tay Tay came to town in July, the town went nuts. If you couldn’t get tickets, at least you could kind of hear her if you stood on the Roebling Bridge or at Covington Landing. The concert wasn’t broadcast on the Jumbotron, but you could hear anthem’s like “You Belong With Me” drift over…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Brewery to Start a Real-Life Quest

In fantasy literature, all the best quests begin in a tavern. It’s where villagers gather ‘round tables with mead in hand, trading tales, or where a weary traveler stops for a drink and meal only to have their plans upturned by a wizened, old man with a task only they can do. These taverns are…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Museum Exhibition of Work by Self-Taught Artists

“Self-taught” artists once were called “outsiders” in the art world, reflecting the romantic but not-always-true image of them as touched or even disturbed people who used art to build a special world for themselves. The variety of work in the Cincinnati Art Museum’s show, Creating Connections: Self-Taught Artists in the Rosenthal Collection, showed there’s far…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Museum

Cincinnati Museum Center Cincinnati Art Museum American Sign Museum National Underground Railroad Freedom Center Taft Museum of Art Contemporary Arts Center Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center Heritage Village Museum Behringer-Crawford Museum

by CityBeat Staff

Best Local Mailman With Grillz

Sean Fogelson a.k.a. That One Mailman of TikTok fame has amassed two million followers, and it’s not just because of his fly accessories. The grill only adds to Fogelson’s comedic online persona, which sees him as a USPS mail carrier in Price Hill and an overall hilarious Cincinnati resident. The local celebrity sports a variety…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Backup Quarterback

When Joe Burrow threw that dud on the sidelines of the Baltimore Ravens’ game, a collective groan was released from Bengals fans. The prized and handsomely paid QB was injured and out for the rest of the season. The Bengals were screwed. Or were they? With Jake Browning taking over at the helm, the team…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bengals Tailgate to Get Free Skyline

Few things represent the gestalt of Cincinnati better than Skyline, but mix Skyline with our city’s beloved NFL team and you might have a hard time getting Cincinnatians to go home. Bengal Jim’s “Before the Roar” Tailgate does just that. Before home games, a passel of eager fans converge on the edge of Smale Riverfront…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Furniture Store

IKEA Furniture Fair Nadeau – Furniture With a Soul Habitat for Humanity ReStore Arhaus Furniture Crate & Barrel High St. Bargains and Buyouts Home Emporium Algin Furniture

by CityBeat Staff

Best Overall Bakery (Sweets)

The BonBonerie Servatii Pastry Shop & Deli Brown Bear Bakery Cafe Mochiko North College Hill Bakery Wyoming Pastry Shop The Cheesecakery North South Baking Company Happy Chicks Bakery Makers Bakers Company

by CityBeat Staff

Best Raw Bar

TIE: Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse and Sen by Kiki Jeff Ruby’s Carlo & Johnny Jeff Ruby’s The Precinct

by CityBeat Staff

Best Blend of Bourbon and Banana

Makers Bakers’ banana pudding defies convention. Served in a humble plastic carryout tub, it resembles more of bread pudding than a typical Jell-O creation. Instead of Nilla Wafers, founders Kevin Foston and Tara Patterson imbue their fluffy banana dessert with chunks of yellow cake, whipped cream and bursts of fresh banana. Elevate your experience with…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Vintage Shop for Menswear

Hometown Vintage in Covington has made finding covetable and unique vintage easy, thanks to the scouring power of the three vintage aficionados who run the shop: Griffin Mouty, Ray Vietti and Kyle Wolff . The vibe is very much sporty streetwear and workwear from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s: well-worn Carhartt, super-soft graphic tees, team…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Chef Taking Foodies on International Culinary Adventures

Cincinnati chef Jose Salazar is taking foodies on culinary and cultural adventures through Peru and Mexico this year with travel company Modern Adventure. During these trips, travelers will get to visit colorful markets, indulge in authentic street food and dishes with local ingredients, talk to renowned chefs and take cooking classes. Travelers also get to…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Cincinnati-Jordan Sneaker Collab

Cincinnati’s fashion scene gets bigger and better every year. Corporate is a sneaker and clothing boutique that has been serving Cincinnati (Hyde Park), Dayton and Indianapolis for 15 years. In September, the Corporate Jordan Air Ships dropped and included design nods to Cincinnati, including the city’s iconic skyline. The teal shoes were a symbol of…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Dinner-and-a-Movie Destination

After closing its doors in 2022, the Kenwood Theatre reopened last year in the former City Base Cinemas location at The Kenwood Collection (aka above the Whole Foods across from the Kenwood Towne Centre). Although it’s operated by the same organization that oversees the Esquire and Mariemont theaters, Kenwood focuses on first-run films and blockbusters…

by CityBeat Staff

Best French Absinthe Coming Out of a Northern Kentucky Distillery

Neeley Family Distillery is the product of 10 generations of moonshiners, with the 11th being the first to legally start distilling in 2015. A true family business, lead distiller Royce — who started distilling in his dorm room — still uses his great-grandpa’s moonshine recipe from 1913 and a yeast strain the family has been…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bar to Have the TouchTunes Music All to Yourself

Picture this: It’s the end of a long week. You finally make it to your neighborhood bar, order your alcoholic beverage of choice and open the TouchTunes app to add some ambiance to your first few hours of freedom from your 9-5. Your heart sinks to your ass when you realize that someone has played…

by CityBeat Staff

Best DJ to Gas the Girls Up

Dear DJ BOYWIFE, YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE A NATURAL WOMAN! This is not a political debate — although the infamous DJ BoyWife would eat you up in the ring when it comes to defending gender identity, freedom of expression and the importance of uplifting voices of trans people of color. What I am here…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Convention to Get Your Game On

Every year, fans of board games, role-playing games, cards and more come out to AdamCon, the Tri-State’s largest board game convention. AdamCon features over 1,000 games in its library, along with a variety of events, including the GI Joe RPG and a Monster’s Glare card tournament at its most recent convention, to board game demos…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Burritos

Gomez Salsa Mazunte Agave and Rye Chipotle The Comet Tortilleria Garcia Cancun Mexican Restaurants El Rancho Grande La Mexicana Restaurante Taqueria Mercado

by CityBeat Staff

Best Food Festival or Event

Taste of Cincinnati Oktoberfest Goettafest Asian Food Fest Cincinnati Food Truck Association Festival Panegyri Germania Society Oktoberfest Cincinnati Burger Week Bockfest Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Week

by CityBeat Staff

Best Mediterranean/Greek

Aladdin’s Eatery Sebastian’s Greek Restaurant Phoenician Taverna Abigail Street Andy’s Mediterranean Grille Greek to Me LEYLA Mediterranean Cafe Mediterranean Chicago Gyros & Dogs The Big Greek Cafe

by CityBeat Staff

Best Overall Bakery (Breads)

Blue Oven Bakery Sixteen Bricks Servatii Pastry Shop & Deli Allez Bakery North College Hill Bakery Wyoming Pastry Shop North South Baking Company The Baker’s Table El Camino Baking Co. Breadsmith

by CityBeat Staff

Best Overall Restaurant

Sotto Jeff Ruby’s The Precinct Ivory House Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse Pepp & Dolores Tuba Baking Co. Boca Agave & Rye Mita’s Incline Public House

by CityBeat Staff

Best Vietnamese

Pho Lang Thang Wild Ginger DOPE! Asian Street Fare Saigon Noodle Bar Pho Kimmy Saigon Subs and Rolls Pho Viet Song Long iPho Vietnamese Cuisine Pho96

by CityBeat Staff

Best Damned Chocolate

Graeter’s may eternally wear the ice cream crown but no one else’s candy comes close to Aglamesis Bro’s chocolates, especially the dark chocolate nonpareils. Thick dollops of luscious dark chocolate topped with tiny candy balls are truly beyond compare. There’s also a milk chocolate version but I stay on the dark side. I took a…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Fresh Bread Basket

Even if you don’t indulge in the bread baskets offered at most Italian restaurants, the bread basket at Nicola’s in Over-the-Rhine will completely rock your world, even if carbs aren’t your thing (but like, how can you not love carbs?) Served as an appetizer, Nicola’s bread basket contains a collection of bread made fresh that…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Oxtail Appreciation by Guy Fieri

Mayor of Flavortown Guy Fieri stopped in Finneytown with his Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives not too long ago to try the delicious Caribbean soul food cooked up by Jason Howard of Big Jays Place. What seemed to stand out the most to Fieri was Howard’s oxtail, to which he immediately said, “If…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place to Witness a Proposal

With its lavish high ceilings and gorgeously ornate French art deco architecture, The Netherlands Hotel is plenty charming as it is. Imagine then how that charm is amplified when witnessing the discreet dip and twirl of a dancing couple that ends in a quickly proffered ring. Of course, the whole thing is as staged and…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Mexican Fast Food Addition to West Chester

Last April, Taco John’s finally opened a location in Cincinnati. Now Cincinnatians can get signature Potato Olés, which are flat, crunchy and circular potato bites. You can even get the Olés inside a burrito and as a breakfast scrambler. In terms of fast food options in the ‘burbs, their food is much better than Taco…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Colombian Food to Pair With Coffee

Coffia Coffee in OTR serves coffee drinks from a Colombian roaster, but they also serve Colombian food like pan con tomate y queso manchego. Their café bombon drink is a Spanish specialty layered with espresso, condensed milk and milk froth. Visit the business to learn about Colombian food and try new coffee drinks. instagram.com/coffiacoffeeshop.

by CityBeat Staff

Best Restaurant That Reflects the Diversity of College Hill

Best restaurant that reflects the diversity of College Hill After several successful years in Walnut Hills, Just Q’in announced in early Fall that they’d open a new location in College Hill’s business district, moving into the old Mashroots spot. Filling the neighborhood’s air with the oh-so-delicious smell of smoked meats, Just Q’in has brought food…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Margarita

Mi Cozumel Agave & Rye Bakersfield Condado Tacos El Rancho Grande Mazunte Cancun Mexican Restaurant Frida 602 Nada El Coyote

by CityBeat Staff

Best Lavish Time Warp Wine Bar

Just around the corner from the timelessness and charm of Hyde Park Square is Unwind Wine Bar in the center of Hyde Park. The outdoor courtyard that you enter through has the feel of a coastal city, but the inside is a dimly lit, mood-inducing bar and lounge with a central fireplace. Something about it…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bloody Mary

Northside Yacht Club HangOverEasy Wodka Bar Dead Low Brewing Crazy Fox Saloon The Eagle Nation Kitchen & Bar Maplewood Kitchen and Bar Taste of Belgium Lucius Q

by CityBeat Staff

Best Productive Neighborhood Committee

College Hill residents saw a need in their community — traffic and pedestrian safety — and they banded together to fill it. After multiple bad accidents, lives lost and close calls, a few concerned neighbors took matters into their own hands to initiate studies and partner with groups like Vision Zero Cincinnati, to request and…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Dance Club

MixWells Alice Tokyo Kitty Bloom OTR The Birdcage Lost & Found Mr. Pitiful’s OTR Good Judy’s Main Event Cincinnati Energy Nightclub

by CityBeat Staff

Best Boozy Comeback

A full-mouth kiss is in order for Rhinegeist Brewery. In December, the Over-the-Rhine iconic brewery announced they were bringing back the original recipe for its cult-favorite rosé fruited ale, Bubbles. To the chagrin of many, Rhinegeist adjusted the Bubbles recipe in 2022 to make the ale fit in with its RGBevs line. But the people…

by CityBeat Staff

Best New Irish Pub with an Actual Bar from Ireland

Red Leprechaun Irish Pub opened at The Banks last October with a menu partly created by celebrity chef Brian Duffy and an aesthetic so authentic to the Irish pub experience you may think you’re actually in the Emerald Isle. But the centerpiece of the pub is the vintage bar, complete with stained glass and imported…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Cincinnatian

Fiona the Hippo Joe Burrow Colleen the Goose Megan Mitchell Bob Herzog Rose Lavelle Emilio Estevez Molly Wellmann Pete Rose Anthony Munoz

by CityBeat Staff

Welcome to the Best of Cincinnati® 2024

Every day, we all go about our business in Greater Cincinnati. We work. We eat. We shop. We party. We unwind. But as we mark things from our neverending to-do lists, how often do we stop to think about how lucky we are to have so much of what we need within a short walk,…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Ceramicist Highlighting Native Wildlife

Gracing craft markets in Cincinnati and the Midwest at large, ceramicist and illustrator Linnea Campbell combines her talents to communicate an important message on behalf of those that can’t speak: our native wildlife. Through her one-of-a-kind functional wares, Campbell adds realistic, delicately detailed designs of the often overlooked and underappreciated creatures surrounding us, shedding light…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Chili (Non-Chain)

Camp Washington Chili Pleasant Ridge Chili Price Hill Chili Zip’s Cafe Empress Chili Bard’s Burgers & Chili Pig Candy BBQ Melt Revival The Chili Hut Lucius Q

by CityBeat Staff

Best Barbecue

Eli’s BBQ Lucius Q City Barbeque Pig Candy BBQ Montgomery Inn Bee’s Barbecue Just Q’in Sweets & Meats BBQ Smoke Justis Beards & Bellies Barbeque

by CityBeat Staff

Best New Restaurant

Opal Rooftop Restaurant & Bar Colette Gilligan’s on the Green Shake Shack Five on Vine Amador Atwood Oyster House VV The Italian Experience Al-Posto Italian Ristorante Parkside

by CityBeat Staff

Best OBGYN

TriHealth Women’s Services Planned Parenthood The Christ Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology

by CityBeat Staff

Best Fun Spot for a Kid’s Birthday Party

Tucked into a strip mall on the west side, you’ll find one of the best spots in Cincinnati for an indoor kid’s birthday party. Happy Hangout is available to visit throughout the week, even if you aren’t celebrating a birthday. With a “mini village” full of kid-sized pretend play, an indoor playground and even a…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Marina Restaurant

Overlooking the lazy, gray Ohio River, Cabana on the River is a great summer destination for drinks and dinner. It’s an ideal spot to relish a summer sunset, listen to local music or even join in a game of beach volleyball. The staff is very friendly and ready to answer any questions regarding their menu,…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Dog Acupuncture

If you have an older dog, you’re likely looking for any solution to help them combat the discomfort of aging and arthritis. In addition to providing anti-inflammatory medications and supplements, some vets have become specialized in acupuncture. The idea is that the needles stimulate the central nervous system to promote healing and activate natural pain…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Anthony Bourdain-Inspired Hangover Meal

Anthony Bourdain once imparted the perfect hangover remedy: “Aspirin, cold Coca-Cola, smoke a joint, eat some spicy Sichuan food.” After the aspirin and other drugs, honor Bourdain’s legacy and DoorDash anything and everything from Sichuan Chili in Evendale. Sichuan Chili offers a fully-stocked menu of both Sichuan classics like Kung Pao Chicken and Bo-Bo Fish,…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Underrated Skyline Chili Item

When most Cincinnatians go to Skyline Chili, they don’t even need to look at the menu. However, one of the greatest hidden gems not on the menu is the Greek Pasta Bowl. Skyline’s chili is, of course, its major, fan-favorite secret recipe, but its Greek dressing is also one of its staples, with the restaurant…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Return of a Stolen Relic

In a saga fit for an Italian soap opera, the Capitoline Wolf Statue, a stolen gem from Cincinnati’s Eden Park, made a triumphant return in 2023 — or rather, its replica has. After the original disappeared under mysterious circumstances in June 2022, officials held a grand unveiling of the replacement in November, complete with the…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Celebration of Life for an American Icon From Cincinnati

Jerry Springer, the provocative daytime talk show legend and former mayor of Cincinnati, died at 79 after a battle with pancreatic cancer at his Chicago home in April. Before Springer was “Jerry! Jerry!” he spent a decade in Cincinnati politics, serving on city council and as the city’s 56th mayor in 1977. He then spent…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Hidden-Gem Over-the-Rhine Jazz Bar

There’s a lot of music going on around the Over-the-Rhine block next to Washington Park, where Cincinnati Music Hall and Memorial Hall sit just next door to the small hotel/restaurant/bar/jazz club, the Symphony Hotel & Restaurant. Symphony Hotel hosts regular jazz bands to get lost in while you enjoy your cocktail or drink of choice.…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Celtic/British Pub

Molly Malone’s O’Malley’s in the Alley The Pub – Rookwood Nicholson’s Pub Hap’s Irish Pub The Crow’s Nest R.P. McMurphy’s Irish Pub Murphy’s Pub Crowley’s Highland House Cafe The Red Leprechaun

by CityBeat Staff

Best Appearance from a Punk Legend

Patti Smith and her band delivered a powerful performance in the open fall air next to the Ohio River for The National’s Homecoming Festival in September. The performance, like Smith herself, was nuanced and dynamic, at times heartbreakingly sincere and transcendent, at other times humble and hilarious. There are few that can tap into the…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Boozy Slushies at a Gay Bar/Art Store

Creative House of Art and Design (or CHAD, named after the owner) is an art store in Mainstrasse that sells a lot of gay-themed art, like stickers and Pride flags, but in the back they have a small bar and patio. During the summer, they offer very strong boozy slushies. Sip on one while shopping…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Representation of Indigenous Art

Clearly Indigenous, an exhibit featuring glassworks created by Native American and Pacific-Rim artists, offers a stunning display of Indigenous art. Themes both personal and political freely engage with traditional native myths and motifs, such as bears, eagles, whales and other animals sacred to Indigenous cultures. One particularly moving piece places the victims of Wounded Knee…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Artwork on Bar Coasters

Longfellow has the informal feeling of a hangout with records playing on a turntable by the bar while, at the same time, feeling like a destination with interesting takes on classic drinks, one of the best curated beer selections in town and bar bites with a gourmet touch. Part of what makes it all work…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Upcycling of Merch from a Cincinnati Brewery

Old Rhinegeist apparel got a second life thanks to the team at vintage clothing store Jet Black Vintage and interns from the University of Cincinnati’s DAAP college. The team held a showcase at Rhinegeist in January featuring 60 pieces of wearable art that were highly unique, handsewn, sustainably sourced and created with intention. jetblackvintage.com.

by CityBeat Staff

Best Paved Path for Long Runs

While trail runs (especially in the Mt. Airy Forest) can be an exciting break from those laps around your neighborhood, the roots, steep hills and the other unpredictable signs of nature can turn a simple run into a miles-long hike/run. If you’re looking to keep things simple on your long runs, the Loveland Bike Trail,…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Steakhouse

Jeff Ruby’s The Precinct Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse Jeff Ruby’s Carlo & Johnny Walt’s Hitching Post Losanti Son of a Butcher Ivory House The Lonely Pine Steakhouse Maury’s Tiny Cove MRBL

by CityBeat Staff

Best Hot Sauce to Add to Anything and Everything

Looking to add a little spice, a little sauce and a little zest to your meal? Farmer Nate’s Hot Sauces, owned and operated out of Covington, Ky., are the perfect addition to wings, burritos, tacos, popcorn, pizza — heck, maybe even ice cream! farmernatessauce.com.

by CityBeat Staff

Best Restaurant That Makes You Wanna Shout Yee-Haw!

If you’re looking for Texas in Greater Cincinnati, you can find it at Cowboy Sally’s in Liberty Township. The restaurant describes its style as “a Texas saloon gone wild,” with a modern rustic interior and glowing neon signs. The menu is centered on authentic Texas-style barbecue, cooked low and slow to infuse it with a…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Cafe to Get a Pandan Latte

An aromatic plant native to South and Southeast Asia, pandan offers a unique flavor profile that makes for a delicious ingredient in sweets — but have you tried it in your coffee? Available as a house-made syrup at Haven Cafe, the quality-first coffee shop, which is currently temporarily closed during relocation, features its pandan latte…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Shop to Get Sushi and Japanese Candy in One Place

Cincinnati got its first Japanese convenience store, called a konbini, when Kiki College Hill chef Hideki Harada opened Daruma in the Court Street Plaza downtown this February. The store carries a variety of authentic Japanese household staples like sauces and condiments, as well as candy and snacks. It also has grab-and-go meals, like sushi, onigiri…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bookstore to be Swept Away to a Fantasy World

Walking into Ft. Thomas’ newest bookstore, The Hidden Chapter is like walking into the personal library of a mysterious wizard in a folktale. The shop oozes dark academia and wonderment, with an eclectic collection of shelves stuffed to the brim with all kinds of new and used books — from science fiction and thrillers to…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Deep Tissue Massage to Ease That Back Pain

There are few things more disruptive than muscle pain. While a nice massage can be great relief in the moment, a deep tissue massage, or the practice of using slow, deep strokes to target the more inner layers of the muscle and connective tissue, can provide more long-lasting relief for your sore muscles. The Real…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Happy Hour (Drinks)

Queen City Exchange Northside Yacht Club Somerset The Righteous Room Queen City Radio Dead Low Brewing Longfellow Juniper’s Higher Gravity Igby’s

by CityBeat Staff

Best Booze-Filled Ben Franklin

Back in the 1970s and ’80s, nobody wanted to drink bourbon, so distillers like Jim Beam, Ezra Brooks and McCormick turned to marketing the bottle instead of the booze inside. Enter the golden age of entirely insane novelty decanters in the shape of everything from Great Danes and the Statue of Liberty to Model Ts…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place to Show Off Your Niche Local Music Knowledge

Unless you get claustrophobic in large crowds (if you do, it might be best to skip this one), an afternoon spent at the Northside Record Fair can be incredibly fun for vinyl collectors. Every few months, hundreds of vinyl collectors and music lovers set up shop at 4222 Hamilton Ave. to buy and sell “records,…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Reason to Don Your Sad Dad T-Shirt

For the first time since its inaugural edition in 2018, the Homecoming Festival returned to Cincinnati in 2023. The festival, which was created by The National, an indie “sad dad” band originally hailing from Cincinnati, featured performances from a roster of local and national artists, including Patti Smith, The Walkmen, Pavement, Snail Mail and more.…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Chef (w/ Restaurant Affiliation)

Jose Salazar (Salazar, Mita’s, Goose & Elder, Daylily) Jacob Wood (Sotto) Dylan Jones (Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse) Mary Paff (Ivory House) Hideki Herrera (KiKi College Hill, Sen by Kiki) Christian Gill Drew Rath (Tuba Baking Co.) Alfio (Alfio’s Buon Cibo) Cristian Pietoso (Via Vite, Forno, Nicola’s) TIE: Paul Barraca (The Governor) AND Jeffrey Harris (Nolia Kitchen)

by CityBeat Staff

Best Zoo Birth Story

Every new addition to the Cincinnati Zoo inspires awe, but there’s a particular birth this past year that hit us heavier than the rest. After a devastating loss for the zoo’s two-toed sloths Lightning and Moe in 2021, the rainbow pup that is Juno the sloth was born last summer (in June, of course). The…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Museum Exhibit

Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds with Musée Picasso-Paris, Cincinnati Art Museum Girlhood (It’s complicated), Cincinnati Museum Center Clearly Indigenous: Native Visions Reimagined in Glass, Cincinnati Art Museum

by CityBeat Staff

Best Food Truck

Red Sesame Tacos Locos Sweets & Meats BBQ Texas Joe Tex-Mex Marty’s Waffles Jorge’s Taco Truck The Faded Cow Pata Roja Taqueria Cackleberry Twisted Greek

by CityBeat Staff

Best Goodbye to a Cincinnati Sports Legend

Joey Votto’s time with the Reds is over. Cincy’s favorite Canadian had a rough season as he recovered from an injury. He was gone more than he was there, missing most of the 2023 home games. He returned in time to end the season and then move on. While not everyone realized his last game…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Thai

Thai Express Teak OTR Green Papaya Wild Ginger Siam Orchid Lemongrass Bangkok Bistro Asiana Thai & Sushi Thai Namtip Mai Thai

by CityBeat Staff

Best Spirited Coffee Shop

One could call Second Sight Spirits in Ludlow, Ky. “unconventional” for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the artisan distillery’s interior. Founders Rick Couch, a mechanical engineer, and Carus Waggoner, an industrial designer, applied skills learned from working on Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas to transform the space into…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Fast-Food Joint Debut in Greater Cincinnati

Cincinnatians were shooketh at the announcement we were finally (FINALLY) getting a Shake Shack. All our dreams came true in December when Shake Shack opened its first Greater Cincinnati location in Liberty Township. Shake Shack is best known for its hand-spun milkshakes, as well as elevated American classics like their made-to-order burgers, crispy chicken, crinkle-cut…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Vegan Thanksgiving Meal Collaboration

Mad Cheese is a vegan cheese shop that opened in Madisonville in 2023. They jumped into one of their first holidays in business with an array of vegan-friendly Thanksgiving options and teamed up with two other local businesses to get the job done. While Mad Cheese whipped up offerings like its pea protein-based “turkey” roast…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Thrift Store Randomness by the Pound

If you’re a junk collector, digger, collector or just in need of cheap stuff, the St. Vincent De Paul Outlet Store on Chickering Ave. near Northside is a kind of hidden gem. Bins line the large open warehouse space filled with junk of all sorts. Books, clothes and shoes are separated in their own bins…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Egg Cream Coffee Soda at a Bodega

Last year, Jose Salazar and Deeper Roots teamed up to open Daylily, a bodega/deli/coffee shop in Columbia Tusculum. The bodega — which is more like a small gourmet grocery store — is a nice touch alongside a full menu of deli sandwiches. But the reason to come here is the egg cream coffee soda. It’s…

by CityBeat Staff

Best View of the Cincinnati Skyline

While enjoying the array of wonderful drinks available on their menu, the draw of the Beeline is its spectacular view of the Cincinnati skyline. Whether it’s a chilly day and you can only view through the windows, or you get to sit at their outdoor section, you will get an incredible view of the Queen…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Local Brewery

Rhinegeist Brewery Little Miami Brewing Company Urban Artifact MadTree Brewing Fretboard Brewing Co. Streetside Brewery Darkness Brewing TIE: Braxton Brewing Company AND Fifty West Brewing Company Dead Low Brewing Fabled Brew Works

by CityBeat Staff

Best Rooftop Bar

Rhinegeist Brewery Braxton Brewing Co. City View Tavern The Blind Pig The Rooftop at 21c Bishop’s Quarter Pins Mechanical Co. Top of the Park at The Phelps AC Upper Deck The View at Shires’ Garden

by CityBeat Staff

Best Local Musician Who Doubles as a Hypnotist

Richard Ringer, a musician previously in local band Injecting Strangers, released his first solo album, Crown of Worms, in May 2023. While record release shows are fairly commonplace, Ringer set out to make the release show for his album entirely unique — by hypnotizing concertgoers. That’s right, when Ringer is not making music, he is…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Goodyear Blimp Landing at Lunken Field

On a sunny, blue sky fall day last September, the famous Goodyear Blimp landed at the historic Lunken Field. Onlookers who happened by on the nearby bike trail or driving by (like myself) stopped and looked on, taking pictures like a celebrity sighting, of sorts. Lunken Airport is a legend in its own right. Charles…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Dairy-Free Espresso Martini

For those who may be lactose-intolerant but still want to enjoy a delicious cocktail? Head over to Sundry and Vice for their classic espresso martini, made with oat milk instead of the typical dairy-based cream. You wouldn’t know that this one was an alternative, though, as its creamy and rich flavor is evident upon the…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Witchy Bar Experience

Gorilla Cinema Presents brought the double, double, toil and trouble to its witches- and wizards-themed Pennifold’s Pub during the last Halloween season with the “Dark Magic” pop-up bar. Spooky revelers entered the space to find an abyss of the arcane in every corner thanks to a series of fun (but still eerie) events and tasty…

by CityBeat Staff

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