Cincinnati-Crafted Wine FRUITBLOOD Now Being Distributed Throughout Ohio

Starting April 4, FRUITBLOOD wine will be available in bars and retail shops across Ohio. The Cincinnati-based natural winery, best known for crafting innovative sparkling fruit wines and pét-nats, reached a statewide distribution agreement with Cavalier Distributing. FRUITBLOOD says, with Cavalier Distributing, they’ll have access to a comprehensive distribution network that allows them to reach…

by Katherine Barrier

TurboTax is Rarely Free, So Here’s How to File on Your Own

Intuit, the Silicon Valley software giant behind TurboTax, doesn’t provide the only way to file your taxes electronically, but it has captured the market share like no other. For over two decades, Intuit waged a campaign to prevent the federal government from making filing taxes simple and free for most taxpayers. The company spent millions…

by Kristen Doerer, ProPublica

Joey Votto Slams Homer in First At-Bat, So We All Can Calm Down Now

Folks worried about how Joey Votto is doing can take a sigh of relief. The Cincinnati Reds’ first baseman appeared with the team’s AAA affiliate the Louisville Bats over the weekend after Cincinnati had placed him on the 10-day injury list retroactive to March 27. Votto needed a little extra time to work on mechanics…

by Allison Babka

Immersive Gaming Experience Coming to Newport on the Levee

The “world’s original immersive entertainment platform” is opening a location in Newport this summer. Group gaming platform Immersive Gamebox has signed a lease at Newport on the Levee, Levee owner North American Properties announced. It’s expected to open in late summer in a 3,000-square-foot space across from The Lawn, next to Tom & Chee. Immersive…

by Katherine Barrier

Life-Saving Naloxone Approved for Over-the-Counter Use by FDA

A life-saving medication that rapidly reverses the effects of opioid overdoses will soon become available over the counter. The federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the nasal spray naloxone (brand name Narcan) for over-the-counter use on March 29. The FDA’s approval allows naloxone to be sold on store shelves anywhere, as well as online,…

by Madeline Fening

Best Paint Job on a Downtown Building

We all know it, but do we take the time to appreciate it? We’re talking about the Saxony apartment building at the corner of Ninth and Race streets in Downtown. The head-turning color palette is a gift to strolling pedestrians, especially in the fall. Against the sangria-colored brick are pops of tangerine, olive, lavender, mustard…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Joe Burrow-Themed Sushi Roll

Hot, spicy and full of surprises — it’s Joe Burrow (the sushi roll!). Kanji honors the Bengals’ fearless leader with this deep-fried roll packed with shrimp tempura, jalapeño, salmon, cream cheese, spicy crab and eel sauce. It’s the game-day food you didn’t know you needed, and it goes perfectly with a Rhinegeist Cheetah for the…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Restaurant for Being Serenaded by a Mariachi Band

East Price Hill’s Incline District grows hipper every year, but some things stay the same, like the birria tacos at Veracruz Mexican Grill on Price Avenue. If you’re lucky, you’ll be there when a mariachi band serenades tables one by one. Take in the lively music while you sip on a gigantic frozen margarita. facebook.com/veracruzmexicangrill.

by CityBeat Staff

Best Almond Croissant to Channel Your Parisian Alter Ego

French Rendezvous is a quaint French shop nestled in Madisonville that sells authentic French foods and merchandise, along with fresh-baked croissants, including butter, chocolate, raisin swirl, almond and chocolate almond. If you only try one, you must try their almond croissant, but make sure to stop by early as this rich and buttery flavor almost…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Cincinnatian

1. Joe Burrow 2. Fiona the hippo 3. Molly Wellmann 4. Rose Lavelle 5. Pete Rose 6. Bob Herzog 7. Anthony Muñoz 8. Thane Maynard 9. Megan Mitchell 10. Brian Garry

by CityBeat Staff

Best Student Program with Actual National Exposure

No, “exposure” doesn’t pay the rent, but working in partnership with a global sports network might. Students from the media production division at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music work outside the classroom to produce and direct television broadcasts for Bearcats sports that air live on ESPN+. It’s a unique opportunity — no other…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Local Taproom

MadTree Brewing Rhinegeist Urban Artifact Fretboard Brewing Company Little Miami Brewing Company March First Brewing and Distilling Dead Low Brewing Esoteric Brewing Braxton Brewing Company Nine Giant Brewpub and Fermentorium

by CityBeat Staff

Best Hot Pretzel to Eat Among Exotic Animals

You know how they say the best LaRosa’s Pizza is at Kings Island? Well, the best soft pretzel might be at the Cincinnati Zoo. It’s nothing fancy, but it is perfect. At the Hops beer garden right next to Roo Valley, visitors can buy a pint and a pretzel that’s just the right amount of…

by CityBeat Staff

Best European Tour in One Bite

Known for its innovative, artisan cannoli creations, Del Gardo’s isn’t afraid to take this humble Italian pastry and fuse it with flavors from other cultures. The shop calls its crème brûlée cannoli one of its favorites, and it’s easy to see — and taste — why. The rich custard and caramel flavors of France’s crème brûlée…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Journalist

1. Jessica Schmidt (FOX19) 2. Bob Herzog (WKRC) 3. Megan Mitchell (formerly at WLWT) 4. Tana Weingartner (WVXU) 5. John Matarese (WCPO) 6. Sharon Coolidge (Cincinnati Enquirer) 7. Lucy May (WVXU) 8. Tricia Macke (FOX19) 9. Nick Swartsell (WVXU) 10. Keith Pandolfi (Cincinnati Enquirer)

by CityBeat Staff

Best Sports Bar

The Holy Grail Second Place Knockback Nat’s MVP Sports Bar and Grille rinehaus Queen City Exchange Oakley Pub TIE Higher Gravity TIE Anderson Township Pub Lucius Q Hoppin’ Vines

by CityBeat Staff

Best Mad Dash by a Cincinnati Kid

Queen City native Sam Hubbard is an absolute beast. The Bengals defensive end has been fantastically reliable since being drafted in 2018, but his moves in the AFC Wild Card win over the Baltimore Ravens was one for the history books. Bengals linebackers Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson knocked the ball loose from Ravens quarterback…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Soul Food and Karaoke Combination

Soul is everywhere at Mz. Jade’s Soul Food in Middletown – the food, the music, even in the air. Mz. Jade’s new location on Central Avenue in Middletown’s historic downtown has given the business lots of room to play with for their seafood boils and weekly karaoke nights. The karaoke crowd isn’t just for your…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Unconventional ASMR Video Featuring Local Sounds

Forget rain sounds: Kings Island has an anxiety-busting ASMR video that’s sure to set you off to sleep (or at least make you want a funnel cake). The hour-long video features a large cranking gear pulling the cars on the Beast up its famous wooden hill. “The video that absolutely no one asked for, yet…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Rooftop Bar

Rhinegeist 21c Cocktail Terrace AC Upper Deck Bishop’s Quarter Braxton Brewing Company Top of the Park Pins Mechanical Company City View Tavern The View at Shires’ Garden The Blind Pig

by CityBeat Staff

Best Honors That Were Long Overdue

Patience is a proverbial virtue, but that doesn’t make it any easier to wait for something you know is right. Early in 2023, two former Cincinnati athletes finally were accepted into their respective professional halls of fame after years of anticipation. In January, former record-setting Bengals cornerback Ken Riley finally got the big validation he…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Manicure/Pedicure

Ambiance Nail Salon & Spa Spruce Nail Shop Deluxe Nails Salon & Spa Mitchell’s Salon & Day Spa Organic Glow Skincare and Spa Kassandra Berry Nail and Beauty Spa Salt + Light Salon and Spa MK Nails Creative Culture Nails & Makeup LLC TIE Prism Nail Lounge TIE Alba Salon & Spa

by CityBeat Staff

Best Brunch Potato to Cure a Hangover

Whether you’re organizing a fancy baby shower brunch or you’re clinging to life from your hangover, the tots at Coppin’s Restaurant & Bar at Hotel Covington are going to deliver. Shaved potato forms a perfect cube, golden and crusted with flaky salt. Dip the sacred square into Coppin’s housemade aioli and prepare for a crunch…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Coconut Cold Brew for the Summer

Real-deal coffee lovers don’t give up in the summer, they just switch to cold brew, but even purists need to switch it up sometimes. Enter Mom ‘n ’em Coffee & Wine’s coconut cold brew. The smooth-but-not-so-sweet coffee is light and tropical, pairing great with a splash of your favorite milk and a sunny spot on…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Player Combo

Sometimes being at an FC Cincinnati game is like watching a buddy movie in the best way. Attacking midfielder Luciano Acosta and forward Brandon Vazquez were included in Major League Soccer’s 2022 Best XI selections, marking the first time that FC Cincy players were celebrated among the top 11 players in the MLS. Acosta tallied…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Long-Overdue Sports Tribute

There’s a new spot where Cincinnati boxing fans can go to reminisce about one of the city’s greats. In October, officials unveiled a bronze statue of World Heavyweight Champion boxer Ezzard Charles in Ezzard Charles Park — renamed from Laurel Park — in the West End near TQL Stadium. Charles, who grew up in Cincinnati,…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Return to the Rink

Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cincinnati missed out on hard-hitting roller derby action for two and a half years, but the Cincinnati Rollergirls skated right back into our hearts last fall. Derby matches typically are scheduled in the spring, but the team’s members said they wanted to return as soon as possible with pre-season bouts.…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Combo Meal for Professional Athletes

If there’s one thing Chad Johnson said over the past year, it was “I’m lovin’ it.” The former Bengals wide receiver frequently gathered with football stars old and new during the team’s 2022-2023 season, posting his exploits on social media and eating his way through town. Sure, he continued his $1,000 tips for Cincinnati restaurant…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Italian Restaurant That Feels Like Going Home

Mama’s on Main is a pure delight for the tastebuds. Located along Main Street in Covington’s MainStrasse Village, you may have to place a reservation weeks (or months) ahead, but the food is well worth the wait. With pasta and entree selections like lemony aglio e olio, spaghetti and meatballs, eggplant (or chicken) parmesan, tagliarini…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Fan Chutzpah Ahead of Big Drama

Reds fans weren’t happy. Reds players weren’t happy. And many of the 2022 season’s woes ultimately could be traced back to team ownership and the front office. The Reds’ 2022 payroll was about $114 million, a downgrade (from $135 million in 2021 and $140 million in 2020) that clearly affected the season’s record and championship…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Sport to Grow Exponentially

Pickleball has been around since 1965, but it was the fastest-growing sport in 2022, according to a report from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. It’s a good time for Cincinnati to expand its footprint in the sport, then, as officials announced in the fall that the country’s second-biggest indoor pickleball facility will open in…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place to Buy Sneakers

JackRabbit/Fleet Feet Queen City Running Tri-State Running Company Corporate Sole by Style Buckeye Running Company City Gear Sole Revival UNheardof Goodwill

by CityBeat Staff

Best Wedding Venue (Outdoors)

WoodBottom Quail Farms Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Cincinnati Nature Center Lake Lyndsay French Park Pinecroft at Crosley Estate Drees Pavilion in Devou Park Cincinnati Art Museum Carriage House Farm The Inn at Oneonta

by CityBeat Staff

Best Local Cause

1. Planned Parenthood Southwest Ohio 2. Freestore Foodbank 3. The Friends of the Public Library 4. Matthew 25: Ministries 5. Cincinnati Public Radio 6. SPCA Cincinnati 7. ArtWorks 8. Cincinnati Animal CARE 9. Maslow’s Army 9. ArtsWave

by CityBeat Staff

Best Do-Gooder

1. Matthew 25: Ministries 2. The Friends of the Public Library 3. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden 4. La Soupe 5. Ohio Innocence Project 6. Cincinnati Nature Center 7. ArtWorks TIE 8. Andy Dalton TIE 9. ArtsWave 10. Brian Garry 11. Aubrey Rose Foundation

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bengal Who Used to Be an Actor

Long before he donned Bengal stripes, wide receiver Trenton Irwin was a child actor. He quit show business during his freshman year of high school after shooting a commercial landed him on the bench the following Friday. He played for Stanford University and then for the Dolphins as a walk-on free agent before eventually finding…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Outdoor/Outfitters Shop

REI Bass Pro Shops Cabela’s Roads Rivers and Trails The Benchmark Outdoor Outfitters Sierra Sportsman’s Warehouse Delamere & Hopkins Vance Outdoors Schack’s Yaks LLC

by CityBeat Staff

Best Po’ Boy North of Louisiana

BrewRiver Creole Kitchen has some flavor-packed sandwiches that can change your day. A New Orleans-style restaurant, the original location in Linwood has plenty of good options, but the Cochon Du-Lait Po’ Boy at the outpost Sonder Brewing in Mason is a powerhouse of flavor — filled with roasted pulled pork, creamy coleslaw, Creole mustard and…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Hangout for Carnivores and Herbivores to Meet for a Meal

Delwood is a Mt. Lookout staple dishing out delicious classics, like juicy cheeseburgers and crunchy fish and chips, but they also make one of the best — if not the best — veggie burgers in town. It’s fresh, thick and bursting with flavor — and it tastes absolutely delicious with a fried egg on top.…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Suburban House-Turned-Restaurant

Tucked away from the sea of chain restaurants in Liberty Township is a retrofitted farmhouse straight out of the Goldilocks and the Three Bears fairy tale. That is, if Goldilocks drank bloody marys with her duck-fat fries. Cozy’s Café & Pub’s elevated comfort food and intricate-yet-homey atmosphere is a combination that’s just right for those…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Hike Uphill to See the Ohio River Valley

When you’re looking for your hike to get some elevation gains, the Bender Mountain trail system in Delhi is one of the best in the Cincinnati area. The trail starts at the bottom of a ravine and climbs a quick yet steep 469 feet in elevation, according to AllTrails. The entire trail loop is around…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Peach Cobbler Endorsed by a Sitting U.S. President

It’s always a thrill when someone compliments your food; no matter if it comes from a friend, a food critic or a parent, it’s all validating. But the president of the United States of America? Well, that’s affirmation that even Mom can’t touch. Matt Cuff, owner of Just Q’in in Walnut Hills, received the highest…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Charcuterie Boards to Match the Party Vibe

Charcuterie boards are perfect for any occasion: Classy New Year’s Eve party? Charcuterie board. Monthly book club? Charcuterie board. But the folks at Birch + Bloom understand that charcuterie boards aren’t one-size-fits-all, which is why they’ll customize your board to your heart’s desire, with freshness and creativity as the main ingredients. When you order, you’ll…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Reds Player to Make the Most of Rehab Time

A player who has been around for a long time — who consistently produces (even during off years), who coaches and uplifts rookies, who keeps learning and who just generally sets a good example — is a pillar. Drafted by the team in 2002, Joey Votto is that player for the Reds. The man has…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Baseball Season Played in Vintage Uniforms

The Cincinnati Vintage Baseball Club plays baseball in the style of the pastoral game as it was when the Reds became the first professional baseball team in 1869 — before gloves even were used — with faithfully recreated uniforms and equipment. The club features two teams named after the local rivals of the era, the…

by CityBeat Staff

Best One-Stop Shop for Local Foodie Delicacies

Daylily Deli, an NYC-inspired bodega, is a welcome new addition to the Columbia Tusculum neighborhood, filled with locally made goodies and more inside. During one visit, enjoy a fresh cup of Deeper Roots coffee or grab a bag of coffee beans to make at home along with fresh bagels from the Bagelry, housemade sandwiches, alcoholic…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Local Activist

1. Mike Moroski 2. Triiibe 3. Al Gerhardstein 4. Mass Action for Black Liberation TIE 5. Cam Hardy TIE 6. Michelle Dillingham 7. Brian Garry 8. Missy Spears 9. Billie Mays 10. Josh Spring

by CityBeat Staff

Best Sweet Pick-Me-Up

It’s early afternoon and your morning caffeine boost has worn off. On top of that, you’re craving something kind of sweet but not too sweet. This is the situation in which Muse Café’s honey-lavender latte shines. A combination of honey and lavender syrup plus steamed milk, this slightly floral drink soothes your sweet tooth and…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Thrift Shop

Society of St. Vincent de Paul Valley Thrift Store Goodwill Peppermint Pig Thrift & Gift Snooty Fox Legacies Upscale Resale Building Value Just Her Size Consignment Five Sisters Consignments Discovery Shop

by CityBeat Staff

Best OBGYN

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best Summertime Nostalgic Eats

The Root Beer Stand, a Cincinnati classic, offers housemade root beer along with staples like foot-long hot dogs and burgers out of a small, mid-century modern roadside drive-in during the warmer months. Open since 1957, it’s a local tradition in Sharonville. Pull up under the zigzagging roof and hop into line at the outside ordering…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Breakfast Sandwich That Uses SPAM®

It’s a crime that Cackleberry is only open on the weekends, but we’ll let it slide, because their Lola breakfast sandwich is un-fucking-believable. SPAM® is crisped to salty perfection and nuzzled next to a soft tamagoyaki-style egg while spicy mayo and chives bring it home on a brioche bun. Cackleberry operates as a pop-up, so…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Pancit and Margarita Pairing

Pancit, a classic Filipino dish of stir-fried rice noodles mixed with meat and vegetables, may be a side dish at Christine’s Casual Dining in Western Hills, but it’s a culinary star in its own right. Mixed with chicken, beef, carrots, green beans and cabbage at Christine’s, it pairs wonderfully with the restaurant’s steamed rice and…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Serene Riverwalk

The Licking River Greenway in Covington is two miles of riverside strolling, part of the Licking River Greenway and Trails that aims to connect Covington, Taylor Mill, Wilder and Newport. The terrain is flat with sections of pavement, gravel and grass, and 17 murals decorate the path along the tranquil river, mostly painted on gate…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Local Indie Craft Market

The City Flea Art on Vine Pendleton Art Center Final Fridays Crafty Supermarket WestSide Market Essex ArtWalk The OFF Market Second Sunday on Main Ludlow Flea and Craft Fair Westwood Art Show

by CityBeat Staff

Best Margarita

Bakersfield Condado Tacos Mi Cozumel El Coyote Frida 602 Cactus Pear El Rancho Grande Cantina Agave Taqueria Mercado TIE Mazunte TIE Related Stories

by CityBeat Staff

Best Chocolate Chip Cookie for an Afternoon Pick-Me-Up

Not only does Em’s Sourdough Bread make bomb buns, bread and hot made-to-order sandwiches, but their chocolate chip cookie is reason enough to make a trip down to Findlay Market. It has the perfect ratio of chips and dough with a soft center, making this a fan favorite you don’t want to skip over. If…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Wine Shop

Jungle Jim’s International Market The Party Source Liquor Barn (Formerly DEP’s Fine Wine & Spirits) TIE 4. Marty’s Hops and Vines TIE

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bet for a New Year

What a year for “Charlie Hustle.” In August, former Cincinnati Reds manager and utility player extraordinaire Pete Rose was honored in Philadelphia for helping the Phillies win the 1980 World Series. But during media briefings at the game, Rose completely dismissed a female reporter’s questions about statutory rape allegations that have dogged him for decades,…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Unexpected Wrestling Throwback

For Bengals fans, this year’s AFC championship loss still stings. There were plenty of big moments in the game — including KC’s five sacks on Joe Burrow, the Bengals’ multiple penalties and some questionable officiating — but it was a post-game interview that sent all social media platforms aflame and pushed people to Google “What’s…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Historic Candy Shop

Nestled on Court Street between Downtown and Over-the-Rhine and housed within a single-story building with, appropriately, candy-striped awnings is the long-running candy shop Minges Candy. Opened in 1905, Peter Minges & Son Wholesale Candy and Confections — the name only adding to the charm — sells wholesale and individual candy classics spanning the decades. Inside…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Veal Meatball Appetizer

Pressing your fork down the middle of a Pepp & Dolores meatball is like cutting through an airy sponge cake. The impossibly tender meatball is softened to perfection by the veal-pork blend and the piping-hot red sauce. While the meatballs can be found on the Sunday Sauce entree, they’re best appreciated on their own in…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Words of the 2022 Baseball Season

“Play ball!” That was music to the ears of fans, players and management alike once MLB teams finally took the field on April 7 after a 99-day pause, delaying the start of the season by a week. The league had been in hibernation since team owners had forced a player lockout after a prior collective-bargaining…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Catch at a Reds Game

The Reds’ 2022 season admittedly wasn’t the greatest, but sometimes heroes appear right when you need them. During a home game on April 26, Jacob Kingsley caught a pop-up foul ball while holding his infant son Shepherd, who was strapped to Kingsley’s chest in a baby sling. The ball blooped backwards on the third-base side,…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Oscar-Worthy Moment on Synthetic Turf

Great actors don’t always receive gold statuettes. On Dec. 4, the Bengals beat eventual Super Bowl champs the Kansas City Chiefs 27-24 at Paycor Stadium. Quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase both were outstanding, but safety Jessie Bates may have had the most memorable, suspiciously timed play of the game. As Kansas City…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Pet Boarding/Daycare

Animal Care Centers of Cincinnati DogTown Red Dog Pet Resort & Spa PetSuites Puppywood Pet Resort Camp Bow Wow Animal Ark Pet Resort Allie’s Walkabout TIE Puppy Camp TIE The Pet Spot Doggie Paddles LLC

by CityBeat Staff

Best Coffee/Brownie Combo to Chase Away the Monday Blues

Mondays can be tough. Buckabee Brownie, which claims it’s Cincinnati’s only bakery specializing in brownies and blondies, knows this, which is why each Monday they offer a treat featuring two start-of-the-week necessities: coffee and chocolate. The Blue Ash shop’s delectable, fudgy brownie is swirled with white chocolate and then infused with coffee for an intense,…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Healthy Alternative to Chocolate Ice Cream

It’s easy to get swept up in the food, fun and history that is Findlay Market, but you’re missing out if you don’t stop by BanaSun Smoothie Bar for the most delicious smoothies and smoothie bowls made from fresh and real ingredients. If it’s your first time in, go for their cocoa bowl, which is…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Lavender Oat Milk Latte to Take Thrifting

While lavender is a seasonal flavor to some, Collective Espresso in Northside makes a perfect lavender oat milk latte year-round. Meaning even in December you can pick up the perfectly steamed, not-too-sweet drink on your way to the Northside St. Vincent de Paul to troll for funky finds. This is what leaving the house to…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Women-Only Tourism Company for an Adventure with Your Gal Pals

Boys, keep out! Explorer Chick has women-only tours all over the world, but they call Cincinnati their home. With trips ranging from backpacking in the Grand Canyon to glamping in Belize, the tours focus on exploring new places and getting your heart and blood pumping for adventure. The website makes it easy to book  —…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Wedding Photography Service

Steph Keller Photography Bird & Rose Photography Jessica Wiggins Photography Eleven:11 Photography Bambino International Hailey Bollinger Photography Megan Noll Photography Tonya Cook Photography Carly Sue Photography Adam and Keli Photography

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place for Scrappy Baseball

There’s plenty of good baseball to be had throughout Greater Cincinnati at every level (including that famous big-league team). But sometimes fans want a little bit of quirk with their batting lineups. Quirk abounds at Thomas More Stadium, where the Florence Y’alls play fiery baseball with a hunger that many MLB folks haven’t seen since…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Preservation of a Football Team’s Heart

The Bengals changed their minds about letting go of Cincinnati’s hometown hero, and the Queen City’s heart was all the better for it. In December, Bengals signed veteran punter Kevin Huber to its practice squad just two days after waiving him after his slow 2022 season start. Huber spent 14 seasons with the Bengals and…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Kayaking Spot That’s a Day Trip Masquerading as a Mini Vacation

Whitewater Canoe Rental in Cedar Grove, Indiana, is the ultimate kayaking, canoeing or rafting spot, with all the elements to make the trip feel vacation-y. Compared to closer options, Whitewater is in the country, so stops along the route are scenic and secluded. When the water is high and fast, it’s a challenging but approachable…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Local Winery

Revel OTR Urban Winery Vinkolet Winery and Restaurant The Skeleton Root Valley Vineyards Elk Creek Vineyards Indian Spring Winery Henke Winery StoneBrook Winery Harmony Hill Vineyards Burnet Ridge

by CityBeat Staff

Best Comfort Food to Fix a Terrible Monday

Delhi Palace Indian Cuisine has the emotional support you didn’t know you needed. The chicken tikka masala and garlic naan will put you right to sleep with its deliciousness — the perfect hearty dish to soften the blow of a new week. The lightly broiled chicken is cooked in savory tomato, onion and butter sauce,…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Pro Fans

Bengals fans have always been loyal — hell, they stuck with the team through years of horribly depressing seasons before coming soooooo close to a Super Bowl win in 2022. That loyalty is growing even more now, it turns out. On Sept. 29, the Bengals clobbered the Miami Dolphins 27-15 in front of 67,260 fans…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Tattoo Shop

Tattoo Designs by Dana Skincraft Piercing-Tattoo White Whale Tattoo The Decorated Body Flying Tiger Tattoo Got Ink? Studios Red Dragon Tattoo & Piercing Pretty In Ink Barber’s Electric Tattoo Crying Heart Tattoo

by CityBeat Staff

Best Taste of Nepal

Mo’ momos, please! A traditional delicacy in Nepal, momos are bite-sized dumplings. Bridges Nepali Cuisine started serving momos at their Northside restaurant on the weekends in 2017, but as the dish grew in popularity, they made them a permanent addition to the menu. Bridges Nepali’s momos can be steamed, pan-fried or come with jhol, a…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Wedding Reception Hall

Hotel Covington Bell Event Centre The Madison Event Center Drees Pavilion in Devou Park The View at Mount Adams Urban Artifact Lake Lyndsay Oscar Event Center The Summit Hotel Clovernook Country Club

by CityBeat Staff

Best Reminder of Your Trip to Hawaii

For a quintessential Hawaiian snack, a side of SPAM® musubi from Kealoha’s Kitchen in Latonia will give you a taste of the islands right here in the Tri-State. The dish features pieces of fried SPAM® sandwiched between two beds of rice and wrapped in nori, an edible seaweed typically used in Japanese cuisine. Add some…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Uniform Addition

Routine is good, but most people could use a little change every now and then — especially when it comes to style. The Bengals had a taste of that during the 2021 season with the “new stripes” uniforms, but the gear was missing an updated helmet. That finally arrived for the 2022 season, and the…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Overall Pizza (Non-Chain)

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best Chef (w/Restaurant Affiliation)

Jean-Robert de Cavel (Posthumous) Jose Salazar (Salazar, Mita’s, Goose & Elder, Daylily) Danny Combs (Sotto) Rob Scannell (Ivory House) Kayla Robison (Arnold’s Bar & Grill) Cristian Pietoso (Via Vite, Forno, Nicola’s) Dylan Jones (Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse) Alfio Gulisano (Alfio’s) Christian Gill (Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey) Paul Barraco (The Governor)

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bit of New Orleans in OTR

Chef Jeff Harris brings a taste of New Orleans to Over-the-Rhine with his restaurant Nolia, which recently garnered a James Beard nomination for the best new restaurant in the nation. Located in the space that formerly held another James Beard-recognized eatery, Please, Nolia’s shotgun-style, open kitchen puts out a seasonally changing menu that reflects Harris’…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Buckeye Assortment to Gift Your Favorite Person

A fixture on the Ohio Buckeye Candy Trail, Haute Chocolates in Montgomery has been crafting its signature buckeyes — a confection named after the famous Ohio nut — and bringing delight to gift-givers’ loved ones since 1979. While many places just use milk chocolate for the outer layer of the buckeye, Haute Chocolates enrobes their…

by CityBeat Staff

Best New Restaurant

Mama’s on Main W Bar + Bistro Milkman Nolia Alcove by MadTree Onolicious Hawaii Tuba Baking Co. Rodi Italian (Loveland) TIE Son of a Butcher Steakhouse TIE Rosie’s Italian In Between Tavern

by CityBeat Staff

Best Desserts (Retail)

Graeter’s Ice Cream The BonBonerie Servatii Pastry Shop & Deli The Cheesecakery Brown Bear Bakery Holtman’s Donuts Aglamesis Bro’s Jungle Jim’s International Market Wyoming Pastry Shop Busken Bakery

by CityBeat Staff

Best Breakfast

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place to Take a Visitor

1. Findlay Market 2. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden 3. Jungle Jim’s International Market 4. Over-the-Rhine 5. Smale Riverfront Park 6. The Banks 7. Cincinnati Reds game TIE 8. Cincinnati Museum Center TIE 9. Cincinnati Art Museum 10. Newport on the Levee 11. Friends of the Public Library Book Store at the Warehouse

by Cincinnati CityBeat

Best Hidden Gem

Mazunte Kiki College Hill Incline Public House Ivory House Nine Giant The Governor Galactic Fried Chicken Maury’s Tiny Cove Tuba Baking Co. Pig Candy BBQ

by CityBeat Staff

Best Fish & Chips

Alabama Fish Bar Nicholson’s The Pub Cock & Bull Public House Incline Public House Pelican’s Reef Off The Hook Fish & Chips Greyhound Tavern Dead Low Brewing HighGrain Brewing Co.

by CityBeat Staff

Best French Fries

Zip’s Cafe Taste of Belgium Northside Yacht Club The Poutine Machine Senate Nation Kitchen & Bar Gold Star Chili Bard’s Burgers & Chili Nine Giant Penn Station

by CityBeat Staff

Best Vegan Deli Sandwich

Findlay Market’s Harmony Plant Fare is a New York-style deli specifically for vegetarians, vegans and anyone looking for an excellent animal-free meal. The cold case is lined with housemade plant-based meats and melty vegan cheeses, as well as dips, soups and salads — eggless egg salad, a chickpea tu-no salad, Buffalo “chicken” dip. But the…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Food Truck

Red Sesame Korean BBQ Tacos Locos The Poutine Machine Sweets & Meats BBQ Texas Joe Tex-Mex Marty’s Waffles Empanadas Aqui Pata Roja Taqueria Stellar Street Eats Jorge’s Taco Truck

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bourbon Selection (Restaurant)

Goodfellas Pizzeria/Wiseguy Lounge The Littlefield Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse Smoke Justis Purple Poulet Agave & Rye Rich’s Proper Food & Drink Libby’s Southern Comfort Nicholson’s Pub Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar

by CityBeat Staff

Best Massive Middle Eastern Eats

Corryville’s Al-Madina Market & Grill is a hidden gem everyone should know about. The Lebanese grocer and grab-and-go eatery serves up a hot bar of lunch and dinner — ask for the shish tawook meal and you’ll walk away with a massive Styrofoam container stuffed with charbroiled cubes of marinated chicken, yellow rice, salad and…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Overall Bakery (Sweets)

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best Japanese

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best Homemade Horchata

Launched originally as a pop-up, Northern Kentucky’s Unataza Coffee has since expanded and is now in its second, larger and bright yellow brick-and-mortar shop in Dayton, Kentucky. Helmed by owner Alejandra Flores, a native of Honduras, the menu boasts a selection of single-origin Honduran coffees and Latin American bites. The drink menu spans expected coffeeshop…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bisque to Warm You Up on a Cold Day

A little bit of sweet and a lot of spicy, W Bar + Bistro’s red-pepper bisque will keep you warm during the long Cincinnati winters. Red bell peppers are blended into a thick soup with bits of green apple to add just a touch of sour to the peppers’ sweetness. But that’s not all —…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place to Take Your Date for Bolognese

If you’re looking for a classy but affordable place to take a date, Nicola’s in Over-the-Rhine has you covered. Every Monday is Bolognese night, which consists of a large portion of pasta — one serving is plenty for two people — as well as your choice of two house salads, and all for only $17.…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Italian

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best Goetta

Glier’s Goetta Eckerlin Meats Bill Finke & Sons Queen City Sausage Humbert Meats Pig Candy BBQ Avril-Bleh Meat Market & Deli Stehlin’s Meat Market Lehr’s Prime Market Gramma Debbie’s Kitchen (Findlay Market)

by CityBeat Staff

Best Barbecue

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best Birria Quesadillas with a Side of Fireworks

Do you eat birria quesadillas while sizzling tequila planes fly overhead, or are your dinners boring? El Asadero’s menu is drool-worthy — there’s something for everyone on each and every page, and it’s all packed with juicy, rich Mexican and Tex-Mex flavors. The best part, though, is the atmosphere. From the commotion created with every…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Overall Bakery (Breads)

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best Cake Shop

The BonBonerie Nothing Bundt Cakes Servatii Pastry Shop & Deli The Cheesecakery Brown Bear Bakery 3 Sweet Girls Cakery Happy Chicks Bakery North College Hill Bakery Busken Bakery Tres Belle Cakes

by CityBeat Staff

Best Mexican

Mazunte Agave & Rye Tortilleria Garcia El Rancho Grande La Mexicana Restaurant Cancun Taqueria Mercado Rio Grande Newport Olla El Jinete TIE 11. Frida 602 TIE

by CityBeat Staff

Best Local Chain

Skyline Chili Dewey’s Pizza LaRosa’s Family Pizzeria Mazunte Thunderdome Restaurant Group Agave & Rye Gold Star Chili Taste of Belgium Holtman’s Donuts Servatii Pastry Shop & Deli

by CityBeat Staff

Best Scenic Overlook

1. Eden Park TIE 2. Devou Park TIE 3. Ault Park 4. Mt. Echo Park 5. Smale Riverfront Park 6. Bellevue Park 7. Mt. Storm Park 8. Alms Park 9. Shawnee Lookout 10. Fairview Park 11. Mt. Adams

by CityBeat Staff

Best Vegan Berry Basil Donut

Vegan donuts may not bake to the same heft as their full-dairy cousins, but their flatness definitely doesn’t impede their flavor, especially at Happy Chicks Bakery. Each Saturday, Happy Chicks bakes their popular donuts with two different glazes. Flavors rotate each week at the Northside shop, but the Berry Basil is one you’ll want to…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Cupcakes

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best Indian

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best Gluten-Free Selections

Sleepy Bee Cafe Galactic Fried Chicken Pho Lang Thang Aladdin’s Eatery Melt Revival Pig Candy BBQ Mazunte Cherbourg Cyprus W Bar + Bistro TIE Dead Low Brewing TIE Good Plates Eatery

by CityBeat Staff

Best Coffee Shop (Local)

Coffee Emporium Mom ‘n ’em Coffee & Wine Deeper Roots Unataza Coffee Kitty Brew Cafe blaCk Coffee Lounge Urbana Cafe Carabello Coffee College Hill Coffee Co. Proud Hound Coffee

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bagels

Marx Bagels Bruegger’s Bagels The Bagelry OTR Bagel Bar Bagel and Deli Shop (Oxford) Servatii Pastry Shop & Deli Everything Bagels Cincinnati Skip’s BagelDeli Big Apple Bagels Lil’s Bagels

by CityBeat Staff

Best Starbucks That Gets Your Order Right Every Time

Local coffee shops are great, but are often lacking drive-thrus. And, despite their specific recipe cards and once-extensive training, your Starbucks order can taste differently from one location to the next. The Western Hills Starbucks seems to keep up with training and standards better than any other local stores. Plus, the baristas/partners are full of…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Cajun/Creole

Knotty Pine on the Bayou Swampwater Grill Allyn’s Cafe J. Gumbo’s Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen BrewRiver Creole Kitchen Dee Felice Cafe Nolia Rich’s Proper Food & Drink Bishop’s Quarter

by CityBeat Staff

Best Skyline Chili-Inspired Taco

Not like we need more reasons to be obsessed with Skyline Chili, but Jefferson Social’s Taconey is a unique way to get a fix. It’s also an inspiring recipe that captures the signature Skyline Chili flavor while somehow entering the ranks of an entirely different food group. The ratio of chili-to-taco flavor is unbeatable and…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Creamy Whip/Soft Serve

Putz’s Creamy Whip The Cone Mt. Washington Creamy Whip Zip Dip Dairy Queen Silver Grove Dari Bar Loveland Dairy Whip Ameristop Bellevue Whipty-Do! Cups N Cones

by CityBeat Staff

Best Ice Cream

Graeter’s Ice Cream Aglamesis Bro’s United Dairy Farmers Schneider’s Sweet Shop Hello Honey Dojo Gelato Gold Spoon Creamery Whipty-Do! Cowboy Cones La Grassa

by CityBeat Staff

Best Late-Night Eatery

Skyline Chili Goodfellas Pizzeria Anchor Grill Gomez Salsa Pleasant Ridge Chili Camp Washington Chili Dixie Chili and Deli Shanghai on Elm Mikey’s Late Night Slice Cloud 9 Sushi

by CityBeat Staff

Best Traditional Turkish

Truva Turkish Kitchen is an unexpected culinary experience. Located in a Kenwood strip mall, the restaurant’s unassuming exterior belies a beautiful interior, spacious and airy with industrial touches that will make you completely forget you’re in the suburbs. Its location — between storefronts of local chains Fusian and Currito — would lead one to believe…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bourbon-Infused Milkshake

Best known for serving a side of nostalgia with your hamburger and boozy milkshake, MIlkman in Over-the-Rhine has perfected its spin on the classic cookies & cream flavor. Their Cookies & Irish Cream milkshake is whipped up with vodka, Oreos and Buffalo Trace bourbon cream, which makes this drink rich with just the right amount…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Pub Food

Incline Public House Arnold’s Bar & Grill Northside Yacht Club Nine Giant Knockback Nat’s Oakley Pub & Grill Dead Low Brewing The Pony The Hi-Mark W Bar and Bistro

by CityBeat Staff

Best Mediterranean/Greek

Aladdin’s Eatery Sebastian’s Gyros Andy’s Mediterranean Grille Abigail Street LEYLA Mediterranean Greek to Me Phoenician Taverna Fillo Greek Bake Shop TIE Chicago Gyros & Dogs TIE Cafe Mediterranean Gyros on Main

by CityBeat Staff

Best Donuts

Holtman’s Donuts Moonrise Doughnuts Busken Bakery Starlight Doughnut Lab Peace Love & Little Donuts Marcella’s Doughnuts & Bakery Bonomini Bakery Graeter’s Ice Cream North College Hill Bakery Emerson’s Bakery

by CityBeat Staff

Best Chinese

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best Breakfast for Dessert

Is it a hearty breakfast or a sweet treat? Trick question — the Piggy Pancakes at Cincinnati brunch champion Sleepy Bee are both. A little bit of salty and a lot of sweet, Sleepy Bee adds bacon right into the batter and then tops off the pancakes with whipped cream and candied pecans. You can…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Oysters

PearlStar (closed in February 2023) Knotty Pine on the Bayou Swampwater Grill W Bar + Bistro Rich’s Proper Food & Drink Losanti Pelican’s Reef Sen by Kiki Somm Wine Bar Metropole

by CityBeat Staff

Best Overall Burgers (Non-Chain)

Zip’s Café Tickle Pickle Nation Kitchen & Bar Turf Club Quatman Cafe Bard’s Burgers & Chili Sammy’s Craft Burgers & Beers TIE Arthur’s TIE W Bar + Bistro Roney’s Delwood

by CityBeat Staff

Best Korean

Riverside Korean Restaurant BIBIBOP Asian Grill Decibel Korean Fried Chicken Kanji OTR Red Sesame BBQ Izen’s Drunken Bento Stone Bowl The Korea House Dolsot Bistro HARU

by CityBeat Staff

Best Restaurant Comeback

Lil’s Bagels surprised bagel lovers and loyal customers after it closed its Covington location permanently in December 2022 only to resurface as Lil’s Kitchen in January. Failed lease negotiations and high rent costs caused the closure of Lil’s Bagels, but owner Julia Keister was planning a comeback that no one foresaw. Lil’s Kitchen began operating…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Outdoor/Patio Dining

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best Chili (Non-Chain)

Camp Washington Chili Price Hill Chili Pleasant Ridge Chili Zip’s Cafe Empress Chili Pig Candy BBQ Chili Hut Melt Revival Bard’s Burgers & Chili Anderson Township Pub

by CityBeat Staff

Best Butcher Shop

Avril-Bleh Meat Market & Deli Eckerlin Meats Jungle Jim’s International Market Lehr’s Prime Market Wyoming Meat Market Humbert Meats Redden Fine Meats and Seafood Bridgetown Finer Meats LK at Findlay Market Bill Finke & Sons

by CityBeat Staff

Best Burritos

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best Dessert with a Kick

Sugar is great, but sometimes your sweet tooth craves something a little hotter. The solution? Dulce Pecado’s mangonada in Hamilton. It’s an authentic Mexican frozen treat that features blended mango swirled with chamoy and topped with chunks of fruit, more chamoy and a chili-lime seasoning. A tarugo, or tamarind candy stick, completes the sweet-yet-spicy dessert…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place to Drink Wine While Grilling Your Own Steak

Nestled near the edge of the West Side is an idyllic winery surrounded by rows of grapes and rolling hills. Vinoklet is the only working winery in Hamilton County and is home to 12 award-winning wines and the annual autumn Vinoklet Wine & Art Festival. On Fridays and Saturdays, the winery hosts its Grilled to…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Overall Restaurant

Sotto Jeff Ruby’s The Precinct Ivory House Pepp & Dolores Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse Agave & Rye Incline Public House Boca The Eagle Taste of Belgium

by CityBeat Staff

Best Chicken Sandwich

The Eagle Galactic Fried Chicken CityBird The Silver Spring House Revolution Rotisserie Ron’s Roost Nine Giant Delwood W Bar + Bistro Incline Public House

by CityBeat Staff

Best Macaroni & Cheese

Keystone Bar & Grill The Eagle Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse Eli’s BBQ Lucius Q Pig Candy BBQ Ivory House The Mac Shack Tavern on the Bend MamaBear’s Mac

by CityBeat Staff

Best Food Festival or Event

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best Big Salad

It’s really hard to find a good salad. A lot of restaurants are lazy and just toss some mixed greens at you with a sprinkling of cranberries and goat cheese, or a wedge of iceberg and bacon. Are these technically lettuce-based dishes? Yes. Are they exciting or fulfilling as a meal? No. But Goose &…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Radio Show

1. “Jeff & Jenn” (Q102) 2. “All Things Considered” (WVXU) 3. “Cincinnati Edition” (WVXU) 4. “Married with Microphones” (WGRR) 5. Bill Cunningham show (700WLW) 6. “Eddie & Rocky” (700WLW) 7. “The Big Dave Show” (B105) TIE 8. “JonJon & Friends” (KISS1071) TIE 9. “Around Cincinnati” (WVXU) 10. Kidd Chris with Allie Martin (WEBN) 11. “The…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Noodles

Pho Lang Thang Kiki College Hill KungFood AmerAsia DOPE! Asian Street Fare Fortune Noodle House Cafe Mochiko Tuba Baking Co. Lulu’s Rice & Noodles Zundo Ramen and Donburi Saigon Noodle Bar

by CityBeat Staff

Best Chicken

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best Hot Dog/Sausage

Senate The Root Beer Stand Eli’s BBQ Wunderbar! Quite Frankly Mr. Gene’s Dog House Tuba Baking Co. Lucius Q Chicago Gyro & Dogs Costco

by CityBeat Staff

Best Hiking Trail

1. Cincinnati Nature Center 2. Mt. Airy Forest 3. Loveland Bike Trail 4. Ault Park 5. Miami Whitewater Forest 6. Sharon Woods 7. Winton Woods 8. Devou Park backcountry trails 9. East Fork State Park 10. Bender Mountain Nature Preserve

by CityBeat Staff

Best Brunch

Sleepy Bee Cafe First Watch Taste of Belgium Maplewood Kitchen and Bar Hangover Easy Ivory House Yuca Cedar TIE National Exemplar TIE Greyhound Tavern Nation Kitchen & Bar

by CityBeat Staff

Best Retail Fitting Room for Feeling Like Gisele Bündchen

The Most Beautiful Thing in the World Is … is the name of the boutique on Vine Street, and it has a fitting room that puts you into the top-model headspace. Soaring white sheets of canvas encircle you while an ultra-stylish associate curates an armful of looks from international designers. A pair of heels sit…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Peaceful Park to Watch Planes Take Off

Alms Park, located near Columbia Tusculum, has plenty of ground to wander and includes a view of the Ohio River, a lifelike statue of composer Stephen Foster and a large playground and picnic area for families — all anchored by an old Italian Renaissance-style stone pavilion. However, the best part might be the large scenic…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Handspun Alpaca Yarn to Elevate Your Next Knitting Project

Those who love knitting or crocheting with yarn made of natural fibers know there are a few benefits to choosing alpaca yarn over wool. Alpaca fleece tends to be warmer. It’s also lighter, stronger and more resilient than wool  — plus it’s a more environmentally sustainable option, especially when you buy locally from Sunburst Valley…

by CityBeat Staff

Best News for Sensitive Noses

The Callery pear tree has beautiful white flowers, but it also harbors compounds that are derivatives of ammonia, which produces the familiar scent of, well, semen. And if your block has dozens of these things, you know that the air smells like a never-ending orgy. Aside from causing the post-coital aroma that blankets the city…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Barber Shop

Bellevue Barbershop Bishops Clifton Barbers Erik Binford Hugh’s Barber Shop Martin’s Barber Shop Mariemont Barber Shop G. Salzano’s Barber Shop OTR Gil’s Barber Shop Heid’s Barber Shop

by CityBeat Staff

Best Happy Hour (Drinks)

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best Sports Ranking That Means Absolutely Nothing

There’s data to “prove” everything these days. Some of it — like COVID-19 studies or water safety reports — is useful. Other bits … er, not so much. But, boy, it’s sure nice to know that Cincinnati has hot athletes, isn’t it? The Queen City proved that it was full of lookers when a popular…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Way to Channel Your Low-Budget Inner Martha Stewart

Located in Pleasant Ridge, the adorable little shop Scrap It Up is a cross between a recycling center, a thrift shop and a craft store. Since it opened in 2017, the volunteer nonprofit under the umbrella of the Kennedy Heights Arts Center has served as every crafter’s dream (and every hoarder’s saving grace), selling gently…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Cincinnati City Council Applicant

When Greg Landsman was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in the fall, he selected fellow Cincinnati City Council member Reggie Harris to appoint the person who would take his council seat. Always dutiful, Harris sifted through dozens of applicants and sought advice from other council members. There were plenty of great candidates, but…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Sigh of Relief for Motorists

A new Brent Spence Bridge finally is on the way. In early 2022, Governors Mike DeWine and Andy Beshear announced that they would apply jointly for funds to update the deteriorating, traffic-laden bridge that spans their respective states of Ohio and Kentucky. Since then, the $3.6 billion project has expanded to include a toll-free, double-decker…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Municipal Affirmations of LGBTQ+ Folks

Under a now year-old administration and largely refreshed city council, Cincinnati took steps to become more affirming to its LGBTQ+ residents throughout 2022. The city raised the transgender pride flag at City Hall for the first time in Cincinnati’s history in recognition of Transgender Day of Visibility, representing people who identify as women and men…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Waterfall Hike

There’s no need to drive far if you want to hike to a waterfall in Ohio. Great Parks’ Sharon Woods in Sharonville is home to several along its Gorge Trail. This moderate-level, out-and-back trail stretches about 0.7 miles one way, with hikers setting out at Sharon Lake. Follow the creek to spot several small waterfalls…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Reappearance for the Sake of Public Health

As one of the world’s biggest public health crises, COVID-19 has both killed millions of people since early 2020 and exposed government shortcomings when dealing with major medical emergencies. In the United States, the Biden administration pushed through a program in partnership with the U.S. Postal Service that would deliver free COVID-19 home test kits…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place to Have Your Pet Pampered Better than Yourself

Pets are family, and taking care of them is a form of self-care for owners, too. Mr. Nigel’s Salon Care for Pet Hair really rolls out the red carpet for its four-legged clients. Mr. Nigel’s pairs your pet with a stylist, who takes care of him or her for the whole visit. Some of the…

by CityBeat Staff

Best New Weapon Against Overdoses

Bartenders have a lot more to offer than just drinks and life advice. Scattered through town are bar staff who are becoming trained in lifesaving measures in response to a wave of drug overdoses. Cincinnati’s Coalition for Community Safety has been training bar staff on how to spot someone who is overdosing, how to deploy…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Record Set, Broken and Set Again by a Roller Coaster

Last May, the Beast at Kings Island broke its own record for being the world’s longest wooden roller coaster. Previously, the Beast’s track measured 7,359 feet long, but it expanded to 7,361 feet during maintenance and renovations before the start of the season. “When you look at roller coaster records, they’re being beat all the…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Sale for Stocking Up on Houseplants

A home full of plants keeps the blues away. Plant purveyor Fern has helped Cincinnatians keep their thumbs green since opening in 2013. And its flagship location’s bi-annual sale –– one in spring and the other in autumn –– in College Hill is the perfect place to stock up on plants, buy that fiddle-leaf beauty…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place to Paint and Stain Your Cabinets on the Cheap

Aside from feeling like a total badass who hangs out in warehouses, wandering the treasure trove that is Cincinnati ReUse Center can also serve as the ultimate DIY inspiration. The Cincinnati ReUse Center sells an impressive assortment of new and used building materials, like kitchen and bathroom cabinets, sinks, appliances and furnaces. Whatever you need,…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Shopping Center for Wandering Aimlessly All Afternoon

Sometimes you need to pre-game at individual national stores before hitting the cacophony of a mall, and Kenwood is just the place to do it. The TJ Maxx-Marshalls-HomeGoods-Michaels combination on Kenwood Road are the best beacons to the bang-for-your-buck shopping strips that dot the entire area. Who doesn’t love thumbing through the giant rug rack…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Free Ride Service in the City

The taxi service GEST Carts, which has a franchise location in Cincinnati, offers free rides in decked-out, party-style golf carts within a 2-mile radius throughout the city — even across the river to Covington or Newport. You can call them up or use an app to get a ride in a stretch golf cart that…

by CityBeat Staff

Best New Bookstore for Japanese Comics

Whether you’re a fan of Japanese comics or just of great-looking, super cool bookstores, College Hill’s Manga Manga will be a treat. Beautifully designed and furnished by owner C. Jacqueline Wood, with comfortable seating and lighting, it’s a place to see and be seen. It also hosts book clubs and will buy used manga. mangacincinnati.com.

by CityBeat Staff

Best LGBTQ Bar

Good Judy’s The Birdcage Tillie’s Lounge Crazy Fox Saloon Rosie’s Tavern Bloom OTR Old Street Saloon Chameleon Bar Bar 901 10. Home Base Tavern

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place to Find a ‘Joe Shiesty’ Shirt

Cincy Shirts has long been a place for residents of the Nasty ’Nati to find duds to represent their loyalty to their hometown. But as the “Bungles” started playing more like the Bengals again, Cincy Shirts — with its stores in Hyde Park and Fort Mitchell in addition to an online shop — also became…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Fresh Seafood Store

Jungle Jim’s International Market Lobsta Bakes of Maine Luken’s Poultry, Fish & Seafood K&J Seafood Co. Costco TIE Sen by Kiki TIE The Fresh Market Humbert Meats Seafood Station Redden Fine Meats & Seafood Whole Foods Market

by CityBeat Staff

Best Furniture Store

IKEA Furniture Fair Bargains and Buyouts Arhaus Nadeau – Furniture With a Soul Algin Office Furniture Crate & Barrel HighStreet Habitat for Humanity ReStore Cincinnati Open Box Outlet TIE 11. Home Emporium TIE

by CityBeat Staff

Best Use of Political Power to Decrease Their Political Power

Rarely do you hear of a politician actively campaigning to reduce their power, but Cincinnati mayor Aftab Pureval again flexed on the city in his own unique way. In November, voters overwhelmingly approved an amendment to Cincinnati’s charter amendment to remove the mayor’s pocket veto, which was a loophole that allowed the mayor to basically…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place to Name Your Price on Pre-Loved Furniture

Packed to the gills with gorgeous, quality furniture, Recycle Cincinnati is every thrifter’s and vintage furniture lover’s dream. Recycle Cincinnati sells a variety of pre-owned furnishings, from appliances, TVs and decor to antique furniture and one-of-a-kind items, like a Wurlitzer piano or 1970s pinball machine. You can browse their Facebook pictures, then call and plan…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Way to Fight Climate Change and Combat Waste

Chances are, there’s something laying in or around your home that you can’t figure out how to get rid of: batteries, that old flip phone, crutches, lightbulbs, car seats, ink cartridges. We all use them until we don’t. Then what? The Cincinnati Recycling & Reuse Hub will accept all of these items (some for free,…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Hair Salon

Bishops Haircuts 501 Salon & Spa Strands of Glory Wild Honey Salon Melissa Hargis Hair High Five Salon Parlour Alba Salon & Spa Salt + Light Salon and Spa Le Salon

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place for an Impromptu High School Reunion

The night before Thanksgiving is notorious for running into old high school pals and frenemies, for better or for worse. But instead of dealing with the inevitable encounters at a crowded bar, consider heading to Heritage Bank Center for a Cincinnati Cyclones game. With all the hockey action to bond over (“Hit ’em!”) and plenty…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Celtic/British Pub

Molly Malone’s O’Malley’s in the Alley Hap’s Irish Pub The Pub (Rookwood Commons) Nicholson’s The Crow’s Nest Murphy’s Pub R.P. McMurphy’s Thatched Roof Pub (Irish Heritage Center) Cloverleaf Pub

by CityBeat Staff

Best Way to Get the Hell Out of Here

Cincinnati is great — really! — but sometimes you’ve just got to leave so you can miss home. Our trusty airport gave us a more direct way to fling ourselves across the Atlantic when CVG announced British Airways’ new service to London. Starting in June 2023, we’ll be able to avoid cumbersome layovers and head…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Imaginary Witch Hunt

In late 2022, Rep. Jennifer Gross from West Chester, who previously had a lot of weird takes on COVID-19 and magnets, shifted her focus to casting “witchcraft” out of the Ohio Statehouse. During a December chamber session, Gross introduced Curtis Hill, an associate pastor at LifeChurch, who proceeded to rally House members against the “dark…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Season-Over-Season Team Improvement

Cincinnati’s pro soccer team had a banner 2022 season, including its first-ever MLS Cup postseason berth, a postseason win against a higher seed and a club record for consecutive scoring games. FC Cincinnati went 12-9 with 13 draws in the regular season, clinching its spot in the playoffs with a win over D.C. United during…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Life-Changing Support for an Opponent

On Jan. 2, Paycor Stadium was uncharacteristically, chillingly silent. That was the moment Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest after a routine play during the first quarter of a game with the Bengals, just seconds after colliding with Cincinnati wide receiver Tee Higgins. Hamlin collapsed to the ground and underwent nine minutes…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Book Specialist

Emily Webster of Roebling Point Books & Coffee in Covington and Newport, Kentucky, is the kindest, most knowledgeable and helpful book specialist. While the inventory at the shops is heavily informed by the community, the staff also has a big impact on what goes on the shelves. There’s always a special section on the mantle…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Effort to Unionize a Massive Workplace

It takes a lot of courage to unionize your workplace, especially when you work for a mega-corporation like Amazon. Many employees at the Amazon Air Hub in Hebron, Kentucky, launched an effort to unionize in November — the first air hub in the country to openly start union efforts. The employees are calling for a…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Eyebrow-Shaping Experience

Despite Gen Z’s attempt to bring back the over-plucked, 1990s thin-brow aesthetic, healthy, thick brows will always be in style. And the estheticians at 501 Salon & Spa are experts in beautifying your eyebrow hair. Being dyed, waxed, plucked and chemically fluffed is not always a super pleasant experience — especially the plucking and waxing…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Hard-Fought Victory for a Congressional District

Former Cincinnati City Council member Greg Landsman was elected to become a representative of Ohio’s 1st Congressional District in November after a hard-fought battle against Republican incumbent Steve Chabot. Though he has only been serving in the U.S. House of Representatives since January, to many, Landsman is already a big improvement over his right-wing Republican…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Reason to Get a Manicure

It’s the distinct scent that makes you confront the girl in line at Kroger with, “Did you just go to Spruce?” The massively popular nail salon near Findlay Market is known for its outlandish nail art, but the shop’s cuticle oil and hand lotion also has die-hard fans. The combination is downright angelic — notes…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Hair Removal Service

WAX Cincinnati Mandell-Brown Plastic Surgery Center European Wax Center Woodhouse Day Spa Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa Milan Laser Hair Removal Black Rabbit Salon Salt + Light Salon and Spa South Beach Wax Kassandra Berry Nail and Beauty Spa

by CityBeat Staff

Best Reminder of Sports Magic

On Aug. 11, a nice game of baseball was all that mattered. MLB’s Field of Dreams game — which pays homage to the 1989 Kevin Costner film of the same name — between the Reds and the Cubs brought out plenty of magical moments in Dyersville, Iowa, that made players and fans alike marvel about…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place to Bargain Hunt for Used Paperbacks

The Friends of the Public Library  — a nonprofit arm of Cincinnati Public Library  — has used paperbacks galore for just $1 at the organization’s used bookstore and warehouse. The selection, especially when you’re on the hunt for mass-market paperbacks, is outstanding and covers every fiction genre. Whether you’re looking for a few of those…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Facebook Group to Take on the Formula Shortage

The Cincinnati Moms & Friends Facebook group is a watering hole for thousands of parents just trying to figure it out. From sharing spare newborn clothes to finding your next best nanny, the group has been helping moms since 2017, but the community proved itself as a vital utility in 2022 during the infant formula…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Mysterious Donation to a Local Food Pantry

The game was afoot after someone donated an authentic Oscar statuette to Be Concerned, a food pantry and thrift store in Covington. Thinking it simply was some kind of gift-store trinket, workers sat the Academy Award on a shelf at the shop until they investigated it a bit more. It turns out, the Oscar in…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Store for Magical and Mysterious Goods

Looking for a place to take witchy out-of-towners or spend a magical afternoon? Take a chance on Hierophany & Hedge in Covington. You can’t miss its Pike Street storefront, which has an anachronistic, 19th-century London feel. Its display windows beckon with magical ephemera, books, stuffed animals and other unique finds. The interior feels much the…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bourbon Selection (Bar)

Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar The Belle and the Bear Wiseguy Lounge Smoke Justis Longfellow’s Other Room Nicholson’s Jefferson Social Revival Vintage Spirits Queen City Exchange Hoppin’ Vines

by CityBeat Staff

Best Newcomer Hairstylist

Industry Salons, located in the heart of Newport, Kentucky, is the newest and best one-stop shop for all things hair. As the Southeast Hairstyling Awards 2022 Best Newcomer Award Winner, Industry Salons’ Tori Brumer specializes in everything from effortless color to bridal and editorial work, changing the hair game by using only the best vegan,…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Vet for Dogs and Cats

Yes, obviously veterinarians are animal doctors who cater to house pets like dogs and cats, but Whiskers and Paws Animal Hospital in Kenwood takes that concept a step further: It has literally built out its office to feature two separate waiting rooms — one for felines and one for canines. This is a physical manifestation…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Repurposed Historic Firehouse

As if Nation Kitchen & Bar needed any help getting us to slam burgers and bloody marys, the architecture of Nation’s Westwood location is a destination in its own right. Solid cement bricks shine from floor to soaring ceiling in this historic firehouse-turned-restaurant. Built in 1907, Engine Co. #33 was built with limestone trim and…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Push to Reclaim Women’s Reproductive Rights

In November, Kentucky joined the ranks of states like Kansas to reject a ballot measure that would have spelled out harsher limitations in the fight for abortion access. Kentucky’s Amendment 2 would have introduced language into the state’s constitution saying that nothing in the document secured or protected abortion rights. While abortion remains illegal in…

by CityBeat Staff

Best CD/Record Store (Non-Chain)

Everybody’s Records Shake It Records Torn Light Records Friends of the Public Library Warehouse Phil’s Music and Memories Plaid Room Records Black Plastic Records Jet Age Records MetaModern Music Morrow Audio

by CityBeat Staff

Best Drug Bust

This was worthy of an eggplant emoji. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized huge, illegal loads of pills used to treat erectile dysfunction that were coming through the Port of Cincinnati in January. Feds sucked up more than 32,500 Viagra, Cialis and Levitra pills along with 1,050 packets of jellies containing “miracle honey,” which…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Illumination for a Cause

If you’re driving toward Downtown from the West Side — perhaps coming down from Price Hill and continuing on the Sixth Street Viaduct — or if you’re simply passing by the city core on I-75, you’ve surely seen the illuminated panels spelling out C-I-N-C-I-N-N-A-T-I on the west façade of the Duke Energy Convention Center. A…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Hot Spot for Hypebeasts

Covington’s Sole by Style is a sneakerhead’s paradise. The streetwear boutique is stacked with floor-to-ceiling shelves showcasing the best and rarest shoes. Find sought-after styles like Travis Scott x Air Jordan Black Phantoms, a New Balance collaboration with JJJJound, a pair of Cactus Plant Flea Market Nike Dunks decked out in Swarovski crystals and a…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bloody Mary

Northside Yacht Club The Belle and the Bear Hangover Easy The Eagle Crazy Fox Saloon Taste of Belgium Dead Low Brewing Maplewood Kitchen and Bar Lucius Q Nation Kitchen and Bar

by CityBeat Staff

Best Dance Club

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best College Football Whiplash

Luke Fickell surprised a lot of Cincinnatians when he announced in November that he was taking the head football coach position at the University of Wisconsin, pretty much effective immediately. Over six years, Fickell had become the University of Cincinnati’s winningest coach. Naturally, the rumors about who might coach the Bearcats began, and among a…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Tree-Lined Street

Though it’s a short stretch, a stroll around the quaint neighborhood of Licking Riverside is worth leaving the house. No matter the season, Garrard Street between Sixth and Seventh streets in Covington is a sight to behold. Trees tower the street, sprawling their long branches to meet high above like a natural, vaulted ceiling of…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bookstore to Find a One-of-a-Kind Used Book

While there are plenty of great used bookstores in Cincinnati, Duttenhofer’s Books stands out as a particularly special one. An unassuming storefront on West McMillan Street in Clifton, Duttenhofer’s has a wide selection of used books at very affordable prices. The bookstore has an excellent selection of poetry, art, local history, philosophy and plenty more…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Indie Makeup Boutique

If you want to explore beyond mall makeup stores or are looking to up your shelfie game with some new, independent and ethical beauty brands, Launch Party is a perfect one-stop shop in Over-the-Rhine. The coral-colored shelves are lined with everything from makeup, skin care and genderless fragrances to 10-free nail polish, cold-processed scalp systems…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Local Distillery

New Riff Distilling OTR StillHouse Second Sight Spirits Northside Distilling Co. Cincinnati Distilling Northern Row Augusta Distillery Karrikin Spirits RJ Cinema Distillery and Taproom Sons of Toil Brewing

by CityBeat Staff

Best Make-Your-Own Floral Bouquets

If you’re going to an event around the city and you know Daisy Jane’s Flower Truck will be there, run to this adorable refurbished vintage vehicle. While the selection of flowers changes depending on what’s in season, there’s often an assortment of beautifully made bouquets ready to go or a well-thought-out floral bar where you…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Wedding-Hair Team

Your bridesmaids have been by your side through thick and thin, so they all deserve to feel gorgeous standing by your side on the big day. The ultra-hip High Five Salon in Over-the-Rhine is one of the rare salons that can expertly style bridesmaids with a variety of hair textures. Part of the process is…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Inclusive Gardening Experience

Eric Boltz was paralyzed from the chest down after he was struck by a car in 2015. Boltz’s wife, Yvonne, decided to take her husband’s recovery diet into her own hands and source nutritious food and herbal medicines herself. Seven years of farm work later, the Boltz family now owns and operates Boltz to Nutz…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Art Heist

Look, no one is happy that the Capitoline Wolf statue was stolen from Eden Park last summer, but you’ve got to hand it to the bandit — it was impressive. The thief not only had to cut through four solid bronze paws, but also move the impossibly heavy statue without drawing attention from park-goers or…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Concert Venue

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best Giftshop

Cincinnati Art Museum I Love Cincy Shop MiCA 12/v indigenous, a handcrafted gallery Cincinnati Museum Center Ten Thousand Villages Village Junction The Collective The Friends of the Public Library shop Metallic Giraffe

by CityBeat Staff

Best Findlay Market Vendor

Eli’s BBQ Blue Oven Bakery Pet Wants OTR Colonel De Gourmet Herbs & Spices Silverglades Three Leaf Crafts Eckerlin Meats Harmony Plant Fare Makers Bakers Company LK at Findlay Market

by CityBeat Staff

Best Indie Bookstore for Obscure Finds

Covington’s Conveyor Belt Books opened its doors in 2022, and since then, the used bookstore’s shelves have been full of eclectic, curated finds that feel hand-selected with care. Co-owned by Brandon DiSabatino and Shelbi Schindler, Conveyer Belt has everything from first or rare editions and French literature to horror paperbacks and a robust arts and…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Neighborhood for a Low-Key Date-Night Stroll

What do you need for a date night? Pretty lights? Good drinks? Yummy food? Quality entertainment? Literally all of that can be found in the business district of College Hill. Grab low-key, ethnic grub at MashRoots or Tortilleria Garcia, or get a little more highbrow at Kiki College Hill, Marty’s Hops and Vines or Bacalls…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Fitness Studio for Bouncing on Bungees

If you’re looking for a low-impact, high-intensity workout, the bungee classes at Fly Bungee Fitness in Loveland can help you soar to new heights. Fly Bungee Fitness reps say their workouts offer 70% lower impact than traditional workouts do and are designed for people of all abilities. Beginners will start with the SimpliFLY class and…

by CityBeat Staff

Best New Bar

Alice Alcove Bloom OTR Fifty Fifty Gin Club Higher Gravity (Summit Park) Cincinnati Distilling In Between Tavern Hi-Fi Cincy Hearth Room Fulton Yards

by CityBeat Staff

Best Local Brewery

Rhinegeist Urban Artifact MadTree Brewing Dead Low Brewing Braxton Brewing Company Little Miami Brewing Company Fretboard Brewing Company Streetside Brewery March First Brewing and Distilling Darkness Brewing

by CityBeat Staff

Best Instagrammable Wedding Venue

Couples who are over cookie-cutter, blank-canvas venues should consider embracing the maximalist Somerhaus design. Every inch of the event space in Over-the-Rhine is dripping with something beautiful, strange and unique — perfect for making long-lasting photos extra memorable. Of course, the space comes from the minds behind Somerset, so the wild, dreamy loft has everything…

by CityBeat Staff

Best News for Renters with Deadbeat Landlords

The city isn’t turning a blind eye anymore to landlords who house tenants in dangerous conditions, officials say. In January, Cincinnati launched the first salvo of the year against bad building owners, filing a lawsuit against the Williamsburg of Cincinnati Apartments & Townhomes for a variety of alleged infractions, including lack of heat or water,…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Wedding-Dress Alterations

No one tells you that altering your wedding dress can cost as much as the dress itself, but it doesn’t have to with Rhonda Russell in Southeastern Indiana. Russell’s lifetime of experience meticulously customizing the most delicate wedding gowns is worth more than one could ever calculate, but she charges just a fraction of what…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Mobile Bookstore for Grabbing a New Read on the Go

You’re out running errands, thinking about how you need to get your hands on the new novel you saw on BookTok, and suddenly an aqua VW truck bearing the words “The Book Bus” rolls past you. It’s a sign! You find the bus at a pop-up with its canvas rolled up to reveal several shelves…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Refresh of an Outdoor Sculpture

Edgar Tafur, whose reputation as a highly regarded modernist sculptor continues to grow since his 2007 death, was born and raised in Colombia and did some important work locally while teaching at the University of Cincinnati. One such piece used to be located outside the old Temple Sholom in Amberley Village, with its abstracted figuration…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place to Perform Your New Poetry

On the last Sunday of every month, MOTR Pub in Over-the-Rhine hosts Word of Mouth, one of the most approachable open-mic opportunities for poetry that yields honorable and bright material. Unlike other open mics, there are no signups here — it’s a read-the-room kind of situation in which participants take turns and walk up to the…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Mural Dedicated to Restaurant Regulars

Arthur’s in Hyde Park has super good food and a great mural of over 100 stylized caricatures of some its past (and probably present) storied regulars, now immortalized on the restaurant’s wall. The 44-foot-long wall was painted by artist Jerry Dowling between 1981 and 1992 and gives a rare and intimate glimpse into the restaurant’s…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Old Thing

Findlay Market Union Terminal Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Music Hall John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge Spring Grove Cemetery Krohn Conservatory Over-the-Rhine Cincinnati Art Museum Eden Park

by CityBeat Staff

Best Patio to Bum a Cigarette

For those who didn’t plan on having a cigarette tonight but found themselves swept away by the $2 domestic beer and karaoke at Arlin’s Bar & Restaurant on Ludlow Avenue, this back patio’s got you. The Arlin’s patio is never not full, but it always has room for one more. A dozen regulars (and sometimes…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bar for Hosting Your Kid’s First Birthday Party

Admit it, a first birthday party is more for the parents than the kid. It’s like a second baby shower, except Mom can actually drink this time, so why not have the party at a bar? Enter Queen City Radio. The sprawling Over-the-Rhine bar has a private room you can rent for just about anything,…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Time-Capsule Bar

The Lounge at Liberty Exhibition Hall is a basement bar that was left untouched for decades below a historic former vaudeville theater. The Northside bar is like a ’70s time capsule, made only more retro with the addition of funky decor like mid-century modern furniture, black-light posters, vintage signs and stylish retro lamps. The Lounge…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Save of a Musical Heritage Site

On Sept. 6, 2022, the King Records studio buildings, located at 1536-1540 Brewster Avenue in Evanston, were officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. From the 1940s into the early 1970s, the Cincinnati label produced several celebrated and legendary musicians, including James Brown, Bootsy Collins, Philip Paul and Otis Williams. Being placed on…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place to Find Your New Look on a Budget

Do you want to dress like a Band-Aid or a Mad Man? Will you go formal or ultra casual? Whatever your answer, you’ll find what you need to match your vibe at Casablanca Vintage. It smells like an old bookstore, is more colorful than anywhere in the city, and boasts sizing and staff that are…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Fitness Podcast That’s Not Really About Fitness

Yes, What the F*t! is a fitness podcast, but don’t expect to be inundated with calorie-counting, gut-health-promising, 10-ways-to-sweat-out-all-your-problems bullshit. Krissy Rubio welcomes guests from all areas of the life and wellness spectrum to talk about what fitness means to them. From indoor cycling to weed to what the hell our hormones are doing, the Cincy-based…

by CityBeat Staff

Most Fashionable Bartender

To pin down Anthony Buchanan’s style would be like trying to hold 10 squirmy kittens at once. Attend happy hour at Milton’s or Liberty’s Bar & Bottle Shop in Over-the-Rhine and you’ll understand — blending genres and genders, textures and timelines, Buchanan tells a color story with every outfit that perfectly reflects his endless interests.…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Vietnamese

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best Dive-Bar Bingo

This ain’t your great-grandma’s bingo-hall bingo — this is magic-marker, packed dive-bar bingo with tallboys and taxidermied goats. The Hub OTR has been hosting bingo for about a year, with Jordan “Jordy” Ellehorst spinning the cage of tiny balls every Tuesday night. Players who are getting close to a win call out ”biscuit!” and the…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Selection of Experimental Music at a Record Store

Torn Light Records is quickly rivaling Shake It and Everybody’s as one of the best record stores in Cincinnati. Located on Ludlow Avenue, Torn Light has a terrific selection of new and used records, plus a constantly replenished stock of new acquisitions in front of the counter that’s always worth flipping through. Not many record…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Blog for Adventurous Music Lovers

If your interest in music is so expansive it takes in every genre from art rock to hip hop, and you like reading about them from a local source, then the blog on the website of Clifton’s adventurous Torn Light Records is for you. It features deeply researched posts, written by blog creator Hannah Blanchette,…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Homecoming Performance from a Breakout Star

Cincinnati native Brittney Parks, better known by her stage name Sudan Archives, performed during the Keep Smiling Festival in Walnut Hills’ Five Points Alley ahead of the release of her critically acclaimed breakout record, Natural Brown Prom Queen. The high-energy performance featured local guest appearances and previewed songs off the then-upcoming album that went on…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Wearable Art Inspired by Reproductive Rights Issues

In response to the potential reversal of Roe v. Wade in June, an Over-the-Rhine art gallery hosted an exhibit featuring wearable art and jewelry meant to ignite conversations surrounding reproductive rights. Plan B Art Project at Ombré Gallery showcased more than 40 artists and pieces of contemporary, handmade jewelry, including pins, earrings and necklaces, inspired…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Argument for Rethinking Museum Period Rooms

Period rooms often recreate homes too distant in the past for us to relate to beyond our silent admiration for their individual antique objects. But two shows in 2022 brought such rooms — and their potential — into the 21st century by making the lives of their inhabitants seem relevant and modern. Cincinnati Art Museum’s Unlocking…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place to Watch a Movie Stoned

Take a break from smoking and scrolling in your living room, because the Esquire Theatre is now your living room away from home. Pop an edible, hop on the bus and prepare for the chillest moviegoing experience of your life. The Esquire’s ticket and concession prices are totally reasonable for a theater, so you can…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Veggie Burger

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best Action Figure of a Music Legend

Need an unusual gift for a music lover or Cincinnati fanatic? Legendary funkateer Bootsy Collins is forever immortalized as a super-cool action figure. Created by collector toy company Super7, the figure features the famous bassist wearing his jumpsuit and funky glasses, SpaceBass in hand. Bonus: You can cut out your own Bootsy-esque glasses from the…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Alcoholic Interpretation of a Creamsicle

13 Below Brewery doesn’t just brew excellent beer; this micro craft brewery also has an extensive list of fruity, hazy hard seltzers. Starting with just five flavors, the list has now grown to 14, including one of the brewery’s favorites, orange cream. The citrus and vanilla in the drink blend together to make it taste…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place to Drink and Feel Swanky AF

Inside the art deco treasure that is the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza hotel is the lavish Palm Court, which contains a central bar in the cavernous room that features warm colors accented by ornate brass lamps and chandeliers. Live jazz musicians perform in front of the fountain on the stage by the bar regularly. Elvis…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Immersive Eco-Art Fashion Experience

Last August, Cincinnati Jewish arts organization ish hosted Trashion, an immersive eco-art fashion experience at the Mockbee. Described as “Hunger Games meets Harry Potter’s Yule Ball on Project Runway,” Trashion featured teen-designed clothing that celebrated creative fashion design and promoted waste reduction and sustainability. The event was hosted in the spirit of vogue balls in…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Island with No Leis

Ahoy, matey, and welcome to Cincinnati’s own island at the confluence of the Ohio and Little Miami rivers. The island, which emerged due to local flooding, is a four-acre oval that measures 300 feet by 900 feet. It was once owned by Greater Cincinnati Water Works but is currently (kind of) owned by Nick Motz…

by CityBeat Staff

Best To-Go Batched Cocktail

Even the best at-home bartenders would struggle to replicate Somerset’s Ube Margarita, but luckily they don’t have to. Somerset started selling batches of their iconic purple margarita in January for guests to take home. Pineapple-ginger tequila is balanced with lime, agave and ube tincture for a tropical, easy-drinking stunner. They even offer a version without…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Music Venue to Pitch a Chair and Hear a Concert for Free

While this venue’s nearly unbelievable name change to MegaCorp Pavilion (formerly PromoWest Pavilion at OVATION) could win in a category of its own, there’s an unlikely feature that’s beneficial to passersby: You can hear concerts on the outdoor stage from the sidewalk, clear as day. The echo reaches as far as Newport on the Levee,…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place to See Music Hall in a Hothouse Environment

Not only is Krohn Conservatory’s annual end-of-year Celestial Holiday show a tradition — it also keeps getting better. In 2022, Friends of Music Hall commissioned Applied Imagination, the Kentucky company that creates the conservatory show’s model-train journey and the exhibits that accompany it, to add a vividly detailed and beautiful 8-foot model of Music Hall…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Music Video Filmed in a Local Pool

Have you been looking for a Wes Anderson-like music video featuring synchronized swimmers? Who wouldn’t? Luckily, Cincinnati-based singer and songwriter Mol Sullivan created that exact thing. In late summer 2022, Sullivan filmed the video for her single “Deep End Dive” at Over-the-Rhine’s Ziegler Pool and featured the Rhine-Stones Synchro Swim Team, fluidly gliding around her…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Reason to Look Up at the Sky During BLINK

No, it’s not a Chinese spy balloon (too soon?) — it’s a BLINK drone! BLINK 2022 gave attendees a beautiful reason to look up. For the first time ever, the BLINK festival partnered with Sky Elements Drone Shows to host a drone show in which synchronized drones in luminous colors danced over the Ohio River…

by CityBeat Staff

Welcome to the Best of Cincinnati® 2023

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 Vegetarian

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best Old-Fashioned to Drink Alone in a Crowd of People

When bourbon, bitters, sugar, citrus and a cherry are the only company you need, it’s still nice to be surrounded by chatty tables, friendly staff and the steamy winter windows of Longfellow in Over-the-Rhine. Longfellow has long reigned supreme for the quality of their old-fashioned, but their X factor is what makes one feel totally…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Irish Pub for St. Patrick’s Day in Kentucky

Molly Malone’s Irish Pub & Restaurant in Covington, Kentucky, on St. Patrick’s Day is a wild experience. The bar doubles in size, utilizing its rarely seen second and third floors. In addition, the space spills out into the street where tents are erected and multiple outdoor bars appear. Molly’s is a destination for soccer fans…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Hot Buttered Rum

The vibe at the cozy and romantic underground tavern Blind Lemon screams “warmth” with its self-described Old World comforts, soft firelight, colorful Tiffany lamps and the courtyard that’s filled with lush plant life in the spring and summer and a large fire pit in the winter. So, it only makes sense that you would want…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Excuse to Promenade at the Taft Museum

Last summer, Jane Austen fans had the chance to see costumes from beloved film adaptations of the author’s novels at the Taft Museum of Art. Traveling from London, England, Jane Austen: Fashion & Sensibility featured dusters, capes, dresses, tailcoats, trousers, trimmed bonnets, spencers (cropped jackets for women) and other items worn in films like Pride…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Gallery Exhibit

The Art of Ducks (Rhinegeist Brewery) Michael Coppage: American+ (Alice F. and Harris K. Weston Art Gallery) Golden Ticket (Clifton Cultural Arts Center)

by CityBeat Staff

Best Museum Exhibit

Made in Cincinnati (Cincinnati Museum Center) Jane Austen: Fashion & Sensibility (Taft Museum of Art) Irving Berlin’s White Christmas: The Exhibit (Behringer-Crawford Museum)

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place to Catch an Americana Concert

With its restored jewel box of an intimate auditorium, historic Memorial Hall has caught on with fans of roots-oriented Americana music, and there are several promoters presenting such shows there. Two presentations really stood out in 2022. JBM Promotions’ June show with Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets had a packed house dancing to his clever…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Seafood

Pelican’s Reef Ivory House PearlStar (closed in February 2023) Allyn’s Cafe Oakley Fish House BrewRiver Creole Kitchen Emery Alfio’s Buon Cibo Metropole Dear Restaurant & Butchery

by CityBeat Staff

Best Wings

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best New Starring Role from Behind the Scenes

Early every summer for nearly two decades, Know Theatre has produced the Cincinnati Fringe Festival — two weeks of off-kilter, offbeat performances by local theater adventurers as well as creators who tour the country to perform wildly imaginative shows for enthusiastic audiences. One of those out-of-town performers, Katie Hartman, was a draw during several festivals…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Thai

Teak OTR Thai Express Green Papaya Wild Ginger Thai Taste Bangkok Bistro Lemon Grass Thai Cuisine Thai Namtip Mai Thai Restaurant TIE Siam Orchid TIE Asiana Thai & Sushi

by CityBeat Staff

Best Wine-Bar Patio to Pretend You’re in France

Not that anyone would ever want to leave Northside, but tucked behind The Loon wine bar is a patio perfect for pretending you’re somewhere else. The brick patio and wrought-iron gate feel straight-up Parisian under the twinkling lights and sounds of the occasional live music inside. You can sip some of the best wine in…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Way to Eat Alcohol

Paddy’s on Main in Covington, Kentucky, has an edible shot on the menu. It’s a boozy chocolate pudding shot, served with a handful of cookies. The brave ones scoop the pudding out, tongue first, Jell-O-shot style. A more refined alcoholic-pudding-cup consumer might savor it by dipping the cookies provided into the chocolate, enjoying it one…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bar Officially Certified to Pour the Perfect Guinness Pint

Public House embraces both the German and Irish roots of Cincinnati’s heritage, but its Irish side holds a claim to fame in the Queen City: It’s the only bar in the city certified to pour the perfect Guinness pint by Guinness brewmaster Fergal Murray. The two-part pour is an art form that requires precision in…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place to See Botanical Prints

Lloyd Library and Museum is a treasure trove. Tucked away downtown, it’s stocked with historical and contemporary books, journals and prints related to botany, natural history, medicine and visual arts. The research library at Lloyd also hosts exhibits throughout the year, fielding topics like birdwatching, insects, the intersection of humanity and nature, medical cannabis and…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Wedding After-Party Bar

Those who have gone through the marriage machine know that picking an after-party bar is a crucial task. Lost & Found in Over-the-Rhine has late-night food, like grilled cheese made with bread from Allez Bakery, perfect for soaking up that cheap wedding wine your guests guzzled in your honor. Speaking of booze, their Drink the…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Movie-Theater Bar

Esquire Theatre on Ludlow Avenue in Clifton is celebrated for its unique charm. It was originally opened in 1911 as a neighborhood theater and has fostered local charm ever since. Today, if you’re in search of an intimate theater experience that offers rare and sometimes eccentric screenings plus alcohol, the Esquire is it. It’s not…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bar with ‘Naughty’ Holiday Decorations

Northside Yacht Club got a bit of a naughty holiday makeover as the mermaid mascot donned a pair of sparkling red pasties and a Santa-beard merkin over the holiday season. Next holiday season, keep an eye out for colored lights, a giant mounted fish in St. Nick cosplay and Santa beards on almost every item…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Exhibit to Investigate the Science of Color

Krohn Conservatory provides Cincinnatians with an urban oasis of well-tended, lush foliage. Backdropped by a burbling waterfall, a stroll through the Krohn’s plant houses (fern, palm, orchid, desert and bonsai) might just be one of the best ways to destress in the city. But between July and October, the conservatory welcomed even more color into…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Spot to Sit in Paycor Stadium

For many fans, seeing a Bengals game at Paycor Stadium feels like winning the lottery. But if you’re buying tickets anyway, splurge on verified resale club seats. While you’re not right on the sidelines, you’re close enough to hear helmets crunch while sitting in rather comfy seats. Depending on the weather, the club-only concessions area…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Free Attraction

Findlay Market BLINK Cincinnati Art Museum Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library Smale Riverfront Park Jungle Jim’s International Market Washington Park Contemporary Arts Center FotoFocus Tunes & Blooms at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

by CityBeat Staff

Best Museum

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best Free Mimosa Selection While You Get Your Nails Done

Mimosas taste better when they’re free. They taste even better when someone is glamming up your nails while you sip. The talented nail techs at Paint Nail Bar in Florence are masters at keeping your glass full while applying trendy, long-lasting manicure finishes. They even have spooky purple mimosas with edible glitter during Halloween. But…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Steakhouse

Jeff Ruby’s The Precinct Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse Walt’s Hitching Post Ivory House Losanti Jeff Ruby’s Carlo & Johnny Tony’s of Cincinnati Maury’s Tiny Cove Jag’s Steak & Seafood Eddie Merlot’s

by CityBeat Staff

Best Live Guest Appearance

Two of Cincinnati’s most prominent bands, Tweens and Vacation, shared a rare bill together last April, each giving energetic and powerful performances. The night took an exciting turn when Vacation frontman and founding Tweens drummer Jerri Queen began singing with Tweens’ Bridget Battle while being ushered onstage to join the band on drums and vocals…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Successfully Innovative Show at the FotoFocus Photography Exhibition

With over 800 artists, curators and other participants involved in staging some 100 exhibitions in about 90 venues, it’s a challenge for any one artist to really stand out for presenting lens-based art in a radically new and different way at the FotoFocus Biennial. But on evenings at Camp Washington’s CampSITE Sculpture Park, Liz Roberts’…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Local Actor/Actress

Bob Herzog Mark Borison Darnell Pierre Benjamin Kali Marsh Rachel Perin Maggie Lou Rader Annie Fitzpatrick Jeremy Dubin Andrew Maloney Kassandra Jackson

by CityBeat Staff

Best Takeout

Dewey’s Pizza Eli’s BBQ City Barbeque Gomez Salsa Mazunte Pig Candy BBQ Lucius Q Currito Good Plates Eatery Revolution Rotisserie

by CityBeat Staff

Best Local Orchestral Rendition of Frank Zappa and David Bowie Tunes

Looking to perhaps be provocative and avant-garde, Kentucky Symphony Orchestra presented “An Orchestral Puzzler,” a program featuring some of Frank Zappa’s difficult new music compositions like “G-Spot Tornado” and “Pentagon Afternoon.” These compositions were alternated with passages from Philip Glass’ “Low” symphony and “Heroes” symphonic ballet, based on compositions by David Bowie and Brian Eno.…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Literary Deep Dive into Cincinnati’s Music History

Steven Rosen has decades of experience writing about Cincinnati’s arts scene. (Full disclosure: He previously worked as CityBeat’s arts and culture editor and remains a regular freelancer.) Rosen is also immensely knowledgeable about local music, making it no surprise that he penned Lost Cincinnati Concert Venues of the ‘50s and ‘60s. While not exhaustive, the…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bar with ‘Nice’ Holiday Decorations

The immersive Christmas experience at Overlook Lodge Miracle Pop-Up gets top billing on Santa’s Nice List for its over-the-top holiday decor, which spans every inch of the space. Fully decorated Christmas trees — big and small — dot the room, and wrapping paper covers the windows to give you the feeling of being inside a…

by CityBeat Staff

Best True-Crime Memoir That Cuts Away Sensationalism

Local author Holly Brians Ragusa’s debut memoir Met the End folds together national, local and personal history to tell the story of her late father, John Powell, whom serial killer Donald Harvey murdered along with dozens of other victims. After a motorcycle accident, Powell was recovering at Drake Hospital, where Harvey worked as a nurse.…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Space Fostering Joy for Cincinnati’s Black Queer Community

The Black Pearl Experience curates spaces that bring unapologetic celebration of joy, art and music to the Black and Brown LGBTQ+ community, with cofounders Latoya Watson and Darrah Dunn urging the attendees of their social events to dance, drink, socialize and come as they are. In these spaces, they hope to foster joy, connections and…

by CityBeat Staff

Best ArtWorks Mural

“Cincinnati Toy Heritage” “Fiona and Bibi at the Cincinnati Zoo” “Charley Harper’s Beguiled by the Wild” “Ezzard Charles: The Cincinnati Cobra” “Martha, the Last Passenger Pigeon” “Mr. Dynamite” “Democracy!” “Homecoming (Blue Birds)” “Swing Around Rosie” “Dream Big and Fly High”

by CityBeat Staff

Best Tacos

Mazunte Agave & Rye Condado Tacos Tortilleria Garcia Bakersfield OLLA Taqueria Gutierrez Texas Joe Tex-Mex Gomez Salsa La Mexicana Restaurant Frida 602

by CityBeat Staff

Best Salads

Dewey’s Pizza Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse Ivory House Maplewood Kitchen and Bar E+O Kitchen Aladdin’s Eatery Melt Revival Good Plates Eatery Dead Low Brewing Longfellow

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bourbon Blending Experience

You don’t have to own a bootleg booze still to craft a personalized bourbon — just head to Wenzel Whiskey. Located in a historic former pickle factory and one-time soda-pop manufacturer, this drinking experience goes above and beyond cocktail mixology and allows guests to build their own perfect bottle of straight bourbon whiskey via a…

by CityBeat Staff

Best ‘Wise Guy’ Appearance

Cincinnati ranked on Moviemaker Magazine’s best places to live and work in the film industry again this year. Over the course of 2022, five feature films were shot in the Queen City. The film that seemed to draw the most attention in Cincinnati was Wise Guys, which follows a feud between two gangsters, both played…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Kid-Friendly Attraction

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Children’s Museum at the Cincinnati Museum Center Kings Island Great Parks of Hamilton County Smale Riverfront Park Super Parties TIE Newport Aquarium TIE Longbottom Bird Ranch Cincinnati Parks Cincinnati Art Museum Washington Park

by CityBeat Staff

Best Waterfront Dining

Montgomery Inn Boathouse Cabana on the River Moerlein Lager House Buckhead Mountain Grill Chart House The Monkey Bar & Grille Pirates Cove Tropical Bar and Grill Sinners & Saints Skipper’s on the River Eighteen at the Radisson

by CityBeat Staff

Best Famous Face on a Dress

At the 45th Kennedy Center Honors, Julia Roberts turned heads. Yes, because she was Julia Roberts, but also because her dress was covered with faces. Whose? None other than George Clooney’s. The visage of the actor/director/producer who was born in Lexington and later attended school in Mason was centered in gold, ornate frames and sprinkled…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Brewery for Breastfeeding in Public

Listen, sometimes you just gotta whip it out, moms. In the warmer months, Fifty West Brewing looks like a summer camp for kids and grownups alike. The family-friendly (yet legitimately cool) atmosphere means most patrons don’t give a shit if you’re feeding your newborn while you keep an eye on your oldest playing in the…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bar for Ditching Muggles without Funding Terfism

Dubbed a “wizard speakeasy,” Pennifold’s Pub is a Quidditch-themed bar near Findlay Market that is everything a Harry Potter fan could ever ask for. The bar offers up wizarding-world-themed cocktails and mocktails in a warm and inviting atmosphere. The bar holds no official affiliation with a certain author, either, so you don’t have to worry…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Place to Drink and Pet Cats

Cats and drinks? A “purrfect” day, indeed. At Purrfect Day Cafe in Covington, you can hang out with adoptable kitties while enjoying a tasty beverage. For just $15, book a 50-minute time slot to meet the cats, play and sip on a coffee or cocktail. And if you’re looking to adopt, the room is usually…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Street Art Featuring Pop Culture References

The artist Technique2012 is responsible for the mysterious, pop-culture-influenced street art that’s been showing up all over the city in recent years. Their work includes at least a few now-iconic public pieces, including a stylized illustration of the stapler-loving character Milton from the cult classic film Office Space cleverly placed (and then replaced after being…

by CityBeat Staff

Eats

Here are the 2023 Best Of Cincinnati® Reader and Staff Pick winners for Eats.

by CityBeat Staff

Best Waitstaff/Service

Jeff Ruby’s The Precinct Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse Sotto Ivory House Pepp & Delores Dewey’s Pizza Boca Abigail Street Losanti Tuba Baking Co.

by CityBeat Staff

Best Vino Version of Graeter’s Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

If Graeter’s black raspberry-chocolate chip ice cream had a baby with dessert wine, the result would be Holtkamp Winery’s Black Raspberry Chip Wine. This Sunman, Indiana, winery takes its already-delicious Black Raspberry Wine and blends it with just the right amount of chocolate to give you the perfect treat to enjoy after you dine on…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Pop-Up Asian Night Market

With street-style eats from more than 10 area Asian restaurants, plus lanterns, light art and glow-in-the-dark family activities, the Asianati Night Market brought the feeling of Asia’s historic night markets — “a vibrant, diverse and inclusive community experience with delicious, accessible late night street food,” according to a press release — to Court Street during…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Musical Hat Trick

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music’s musical theater department demonstrated the irreplaceable gift of live performance with three outstanding productions in 2022. Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George paid tribute to the epic composer/lyricist, who died in November 2021. Performed in the 170-seat Cohen Family Studio Theater, it was a poignant, wonderfully…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Heated Baklava and Champagne Combo

If you haven’t filled up on Abigail Street’s wood-grilled octopus, firakh and shrimp ceviche, then you must order their pistachio baklava. Even if you’re full, push through, because the crumbly-yet-gooey, sweet-yet-savory dessert needs to be experienced warm. Alternate baklava bites with sips of Abigail Street’s house bubbles (Pierre Delize Blanc de Blancs Brut) for a…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Meet-and-Greet with a Pop Culture Icon

Writer, journalist and social commentator Fran Lebowitz made an appearance on her speaking tour for an April event titled “An Evening with Fran Lebowitz” at the Aronoff Center for the Arts, where she covered a lot of ground in a talk and Q&A. Her appearance touched on her views on the overuse of technology, the…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Offbeat Show on Local Public Radio

Cincinnati has a ton of independent radio stations with interesting programming, but The Sunday Drive with Dean Hart might be the most offbeat and unexpected, like walking into a thrift store and finding a hodgepodge of all the fun stuff you’ve been looking for and some you didn’t know you needed. It’s part nostalgic amusement…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Bar with Wall-to-Wall Exposed Brick

There’s exposed brick, then the exposed brick at Milton’s The Prospect Hill Tavern. Warm brick adorns this old-as-hell beer-and-shot bar from all sides, making you feel like you’re in a true-blue Midwestern dive. You can’t help but feel like you’re in a movie when playing pool surrounded by brick and branded neon — it’s downright…

by CityBeat Staff

The Best Instagrammable DORA

As DORAs, or Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas, continue to pop up in neighborhoods across the Tri-State, it’s important to consider what each has to offer. Liberty Center might be a bit of a hike for folks Downtown, but it’s a fun little adventure for suburbanites. There are games set up on the lawn, plenty of…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Coffee Cream Ale

Esoteric Brewing Company takes its Chrysalis American Cream Ale and combines it with a special roasted La Terza coffee blend to create the smooth and refreshing brew Kallima. The Chrysalis brings hints of pear and a “delicate taste of maize and sweet bread,” according to the brewery. But when blended with the coffee, you also…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Rescuing of Signs from Recently Closed Businesses

The American Sign Museum, a local institution with a national glow, has done some great things for the city and the preservation of times past. The museum’s ever-expanding collection contains signs and styles across a multitude of times and places. The collection, naturally, includes plenty of signs with a Cincinnati connection, like the sign belonging…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Hidden-Gem History Museum

Tucked away in Devou Park, the Behringer-Crawford Museum is a bit of an overlooked local gem — but it shouldn’t be. Dedicated to showcasing Northern Kentucky heritage, the stated mission of the BCM is to collect, present, study and enjoy the area’s natural, cultural, visual and performing arts heritage. Founded in 1950 as the William…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Local Theater Company

Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Know Theatre of Cincinnati Loveland Stage Company Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati Covedale Center for the Performing Arts The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati Cincinnati Black Theatre Company The Carnegie School for Creative and Performing Arts

by CityBeat Staff

Best View From Your Table

Incline Public House Primavista Montgomery Inn Boathouse Moerlein Lager House City View Tavern The Chart House The View at Shires’ Garden Eighteen at the Radisson Le Bar a Boeuf Via Vite

by CityBeat Staff

Best Perfect Manhattan

A Perfect Manhattan isn’t just some eye-roll-inducing way to say where you lived once — it’s a specific drink, and one that the Hearth Room in Downtown knows well. The variation is simple yet important to enthusiasts, using equal parts dry and sweet vermouth to make the balance, well, perfect. The Hearth Room’s swanky-yet-homey atmosphere…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Green-Chartreuse-Forward Cocktail

Chartreuse, the centuries-old herbal spirit made in France by Carthusian monks, leads the way on classics like the Last Word. But Sundry and Vice have added a touch more mystery to the Prohibition-era cocktail in their Green Carnation by subbing Luxardo with absinthe. The rosewater rinse walks your nose through a garden before you taste…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Soul Food

Alabama Fish Bar Lucius Q Purple Poulet Richie’s Restaurant Rich’s Proper Food & Drink Island Frydays Nolia Soul Secrets Sweets & Meats BBQ Conscious Kitchen

by CityBeat Staff

Best Cider Named After a Person

Oh my gourd, Becky, look at her … well, you know the rest. If you love the taste of fall all year ‘round and drinks named after people, Northwood Cider Company’s Becky can be your new best friend and drink of choice. Not your mom’s PSL, Becky is a semi-dry pumpkin spice cider that’s full…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Holiday Laughs

You might think that after 16 years Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s annual holiday show, Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!), would be worn out. But the classic theater company keeps it fresh and timely with topical references to local and national politics, pop culture and current events. Directed for many seasons by Jeremy Dubin,…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Addition to the Cincinnati Zoo’s Hippo Float

Do you remember where you were when you found out that Cincinnati’s favorite hippo would become a big sister? It seems like yesterday that Fiona the hippo stole the hearts of Cincinnatians — and the world — when she was born prematurely at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in 2017. Now six years old, Fiona still…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Sushi

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best Espresso Martini That Actually Uses Real Espresso

If you take your espresso martini seriously, you must start with people who take their coffee seriously. That’s why the best place to order an espresso martini in town is at 1215 Wine Bar & Coffee Lab on Vine Street. Their classic espresso martini uses freshly and expertly pulled espresso, not cold brew like some…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Ribs

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

by CityBeat Staff

Best Spot to Sip Across the Centuries

Revival Vintage Bottle Shop is like a unicorn for bourbon lovers, or any spirit lover, really. The petite storefront and tasting room in Covington is helmed by a group of experts with a passion for history and education. And it is stuffed with unique, rare, one-off and very vintage bottles of alcohol, including tons of…

by CityBeat Staff

Best Musical Memorial to a Tragedy

In May, The Who returned to Cincinnati to perform for the first time since Dec. 3, 1979, when 11 people waiting to get into that night’s concert lost their lives in the crowd rushing into what was Riverfront Coliseum (now Heritage Bank Arena). Regarded by some as one the most influential rock and roll bands…

by CityBeat Staff

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