I've found it difficult to get a taxi to take people distances of more than a few miles after 2am because the cabbies want to get home. If you're in Newport when the bars close they won't even take you to UC.

 

Wow, talk about not wanting to make any money.  They should stay greasy and unshaven at home then!

The Banks really needs caps on FWW so it becomes a part of downtown. Now it feels very separate - at least to me.

 

Unless the City gets huge federal grants, caps will happen years after the streetcar is finished.  there's simply no money.

 

I've found it difficult to get a taxi to take people distances of more than a few miles after 2am because the cabbies want to get home. If you're in Newport when the bars close they won't even take you to UC.

 

Wow, talk about not wanting to make any money.  They should stay greasy and unshaven at home then!

 

That's strange. The cab companies I usually call end shifts at 7am. Towne taxi.

 

I've found it difficult to get a taxi to take people distances of more than a few miles after 2am because the cabbies want to get home. If you're in Newport when the bars close they won't even take you to UC.

 

Wow, talk about not wanting to make any money.  They should stay greasy and unshaven at home then!

 

That's strange. The cab companies I usually call end shifts at 7am. Towne taxi.

 

Also once you are in the cab, they can't kick you out and have to take you where you want to go. A taxi driver told me when I call for a ride from, say, northside going to downtown, no one will want to come get me and they will wait for a fare that wants to go to northside. However, if I call for a ride to Batavia or Blue Ash or something, they will come because they make so much more money off of the ride. He says once you get in the cab, say "oh wait, first i need to go downtown..." I haven't been ballsy enough to pull this maneuver myself, but I thought I would share the knowledge.

^That bit of information helped my friend recently. She got in the last cap lined up outside Longworth's in Mt. Adams and the cabbie was on the phone and proceeded to tell her to get out since he had to pick up a regular. She was well aware of the fact that they can't kick you out and sat there until he started going. Apparently he wasn't all too happy but  he brought her to Clifton. So yeah, if there's a cab wherever you are, get in and once you're in they can't do anything about it if you want to go somewhere they really don't want to.

 

I can't seem to find some of the information I'm looking for (maybe it wasn't even made public yet) but when were they supposed to be starting Phase II? I seem to remember January/February, is that correct?

 

The Yard House is also coming along decently quick. I'll be interested to see it finished.

Also, sometime recently the City added taxis to the customer service hot line website, www.5916000.com

 

You can register complaints about service on there. I did it once when a guy had no change for a $20 so I was forced to give him an extra big tip. I got a call immediately from the city saying they'd spoken with the cabby about it and he would give me the extra $4 tip back. I didn't care about that, but I'm glad he got called out about it and it showed in his company record.

 

A better cab system is key to multiple successful spread out neighborhoods, especially for places like the banks, mt Adams, the casino, OTR, etc.

Good info. The trick that they were using was to ask where we were going BEFORE we got in the cab.

Some great new aerial shots have been posted to: http://www.downtownity.com/2012/12/cincinnatis-riverfront-2002-to-2012.html

 

Imagine what this view will look like in about 5 years:

 

Great shot!

 

When are they going to construct the wall at the river's edge?  The shabby wilderness area between the river and the park looks awful. 

When are they going to construct the wall at the river's edge?  The shabby wilderness area between the river and the park looks awful. 

 

The wall/grassy hill/dock along the rivers edge will be part of Phase 4.

The Banks is a suburbanite destination, and not just when the Bengals and Reds are playing. ...

 

True, although Johnny Rockets is not a destination restaurant. I can't imagine suburbanites driving downtown just to eat there. Rather, there needs to be something going on, and then they eat at JR because it's convenient. During Reds games JR is packed. On the other hand, people will drive downtown for the fancier restaurants, like your Ruth Chris or Crave.

The Banks have actually been able to satisfy both urban and suburban cravings, so kudos to the Banks. 

Hopefully some rail under that bridge.

The Banks is a suburbanite destination, and not just when the Bengals and Reds are playing. ...

 

True, although Johnny Rockets is not a destination restaurant. I can't imagine suburbanites driving downtown just to eat there. Rather, there needs to be something going on, and then they eat at JR because it's convenient. During Reds games JR is packed. On the other hand, people will drive downtown for the fancier restaurants, like your Ruth Chris or Crave.

 

I know many suburbanites that make going out to eat one of their only forms of entertainment (so sad I know), but they are my friends and to each their own.  Now having said that, these people really do like the experience of going out to eat, it is their fun in life.  The banks offers that for them and they will continue to come to the Banks as long as it's a way for them to get their enjoyment, food fetish rocks off.  They don't need to see the Reds or Bengals play or go to a concert.  They are not interested in walking around downtown either.  It feels suburban enough for them without going beyond their comfort zone.  But they would eat at these establishments and they will come out and see the fountains and whatever they have to offer because it's not offered in their area of town.  It's a way for them to experience something fun beyond what they have in suburbia without getting into the core of downtown.  The Banks have actually been able to satisfy both urban and suburban cravings, so kudos to the Banks. 

 

is this post for real?  You are writing about "suburbanites" like they are some alien race.  The constant broad classification and stereotyping has been nothing short of annoying and borderline ridiculous; quite frankly the attitude makes many of you look extremely closeminded; the very trait you criticize those awful suburbanites of.  You guys are better than that.  Yes there are close minded suburbabites but give it a rest. 

Agreed. The same goes with the car bashers, but bike bashers, the transit bashers. It's all the same type of folk.

I was at the Banks yesterday with a thirtysomething man that hadn't been downtown in ten years. The only thing he knew about it was that there was a Toby Keith's restaurant somewhere around it.  I certainly understand that hanging out downtown isn't for everyone, but it's still a bizarre experience when you follow urban development news and you're with someone who is immediately lost as soon as they get onto Second St. from I-75 South.

 

I think there's definitely some truth to your post that the Banks can cater to suburban and urban crowds. Maybe my acquaintance from last night will do something at the Banks sometime now that he knows it has easy interstate and parking access. At the same time, though, the guy has infant twins to take care of, and going out to eat someplace close to his home is probably his most realistic entertainment option.  I don't think he needs to be belittled for not going downtown more often.

Some updated shots of the Yard House construction. It's been moving along quite quickly..

Anyone seen a completed rendering?

That's going to fill in that space quite nicely.

Opens in March with 160 taps.

Anyone seen a completed rendering?

 

That can't be the rendering.  It doesn't match what's being built.  I have a feeling they're going to use the same materials though...meh.

I sort of like the look of the big box entry thing...Hope they don't clad it in brick. As it is (at least at the resolution of the picture), it seems like it fits with the textures/materials used in the park and on the Freedom Center.

Wasn't there speculation of a rooftop deck overlooking the Ohio?  It's hard to tell - but that doesn't look like it's going to happen.

 

Any insight?

160 beers on tap...at what point are people going to burn out on microbreweries/such extravagant collections of beer?  And as has been discussed the cost of keeping so many beers on tap is very high because of the cooler space, beer that is lost when th elines are cleaned, etc.  Also, moving the kegs around a cooler with so many kegs in it is a total pain in the ass.  A company risks somebody getting a back injury an/or dropping one on their foot.

^I'm sure they have come up with some rather innovative solutions to some of these issues. It's not like they are just going to use the same system for beer distribution as any other bar with 8-12 taps. This isn't their first time doing this. And are you joking about people dropping them or getting back injuries? There are people who move heavy objects for a living in warehouses and beer distribution centers.

Ya seriously. I don't buy the idea that a multi million dollar 30+ location restaurant hasn't figured out a way to move things without injuries or a way to keep taplines clean... All their locations have 160 taps. They aren't even all craft, it's just every single beer on top you could think of.

Believe me because so many bars aren't purpose-built the kegs are stacked chaotically in coolers.  Even though this place is new, the sheer volume of beer kegs presents all kinds of opportunities for problems. 

160 beers on tap...at what point are people going to burn out on microbreweries/such extravagant collections of beer?  And as has been discussed the cost of keeping so many beers on tap is very high because of the cooler space, beer that is lost when th elines are cleaned, etc.  Also, moving the kegs around a cooler with so many kegs in it is a total pain in the ass.  A company risks somebody getting a back injury an/or dropping one on their foot.

 

Lucky for us craft beer fans, they make it work (as evidenced by their dozens of locations around the country).

160 beers on tap...at what point are people going to burn out on microbreweries/such extravagant collections of beer?  And as has been discussed the cost of keeping so many beers on tap is very high because of the cooler space, beer that is lost when th elines are cleaned, etc.  Also, moving the kegs around a cooler with so many kegs in it is a total pain in the ass.  A company risks somebody getting a back injury an/or dropping one on their foot.

 

I don't think people are ever going to get burnt out on good beer. In fact as more people realize what good beer is, they will only become more popular.

I've drank hundreds of "good beers" and didn't like a single one.

It's great Cincinnati is gaining more and more cool places to drink.  Decent bars are memorable, ordinary watering holes aren't.  I also think it's fantastic for tourism and out-of-towners to have surefire go-to places like a 160-tap cathedral.

I've drank hundreds of "good beers" and didn't like a single one.

 

Lots of people don't like beer. It doesn't change the fact that craft beer is still rising in popularity while others are falling out of favor.

The late 90s is when the microbrew craze took off.  That's when bars typically had 4-6 beers on tap.  Then Sam Adams came along and Guiness started being distributed in the US outside the Northeast.  Meanwhile domestic breweries were screwing around with Red Dog and Bud Dry.  Every city had one bar that imported beer from around the world but that was seen as a gimmick (drink all 280, get your name on the plaque!).  Now that and a sprawling selection of microbrews seems to be the baseline.  Now there are so many goddmamn microbreweries and imports that it's impossible to tell them apart.  Part of it seems to be about being the "ultimate dude". 

 

In Cincinnati we had The Barrelhouse in the 90's, where the Art Academy is now.  The Moerlein revival is a lot more interesting and I think will survive.     

Now there are so many goddmamn microbreweries and imports that it's impossible to tell them apart.     

 

It's a great problem to have.  I've found that I love everything that certain breweries make (Rogue, Left Hand, Breckenridge, Bells), while I hate everything by other brands (Brooklyn, Leinenkugel).  Just find a brewery that you do like and start trying all of their beers.  Or find a style that you like (porter, IPA, stout) and use that as a way to sample new breweries.

Some people complain about the strangest things...

 

So about those Banks...

 

Anyone else confused as to why it's taken almost 2 years for Wine Guy to open?

The thing about Moerlein that sets them apart from every single other craft brewery in the country is that they have a beer for every price point. They have in Burger (budget) Hudy (domestic) Little Kings (premium [which is the name of a specific price point in the beer world]) Moerlein (craft). I can't think of a single other brewery that has that product range aside from AB/MillerCoors (e.g. All Great Lakes beers are craft beers starting at $8.99+ a six pack; Burger is $5.99 a 12 pack)

^I agree, but is that simply because we aren't familiar enough with other breweries? I realize Great Lakes might only produce craft beer, but I am sure there are some craft beers you know of that also have a lower price product in a different market you don't know of. If you  didn't follow news about CM, I doubt you would really know that CM, Hudy, LK, and Burger are all produced by the same company. They do a good job keeping the identities separate.

^And Moerlein is better than Great Lakes...

 

One of the things I miss most about Cincinnati is Moerlein.  Another is watching the riverfront take shape.

^And Moerlein is better than Great Lakes...

 

Not a chance.

^^I agree. There are some damn good Great Lakes beers, but there are too many that I don't like. I like all of the Christian Moerlein beers. One of my favorite breweries is Breckenridge. I've never had a beer from that brewery I haven't loved.

Wasn't there speculation of a rooftop deck overlooking the Ohio?  It's hard to tell - but that doesn't look like it's going to happen.

 

Any insight?

 

There isn't a "rooftop deck," but there is a large, elevated outdoor patio overlooking the park, bridge, and river.

160 beers on tap...at what point are people going to burn out on microbreweries/such extravagant collections of beer?

 

Most "microbrews" that people are familiar with are actually mass produced. You may see a beer labeled as being made at "Green Valley Brewing Company," but if you drive to that address it's a large Budweiser factory. The big brewers are doing this a lot now because only the so-called, "microbrew" market is growing. I'm sure all, or most, of those 160 beers will be those.

^^I agree. There are some damn good Great Lakes beers, but there are too many that I don't like. I like all of the Christian Moerlein beers. One of my favorite breweries is Breckenridge. I've never had a beer from that brewery I haven't loved.

 

Agree about Breckenridge.  Had the opportunity to visit their original location in Breck as well as the brewpub in Denver last February and really enjoyed both. 

 

Micro and craft breweries are great small and medium sized businesses and their proliferation can really have positive economic benefits.  If I drink a Moerlein at the Lager House or a Breckenridge at their brewpub, that money stays local instead of going to the coffers of InBev or MillerCoors. 

Anyone else confused as to why it's taken almost 2 years for Wine Guy to open?

 

I've noticed this too. Construction inside that space has moved terribly slow. It took them months to even start construction. It also looks like little progress has been made the last few months. I'm sure the reason, if there is one, is money related.

Brad interesting points on the Moerlein business model, which I won't expect will serve as a model for anyone else.  The circumstances are too unusual.  BTW the big Hudy Amber sign that was on I-75 south in Lockland for most of this year was always inspiring but has unfortunately been replaced by a busier OTR sign. 

 

I was just thinking about the beer snobs of the 1990s.  They were like middle-aged women who like to play matchmaker.  They wanted nothing more than for your favorite beer to become what they had in their hand at that very moment.  They imagined a small army converted to Sierra Nevada IPA, or whatever they declared to be the Best Beer in America back in 1997. 

160 beers on tap...at what point are people going to burn out on microbreweries/such extravagant collections of beer?

 

Most "microbrews" that people are familiar with are actually mass produced. You may see a beer labeled as being made at "Green Valley Brewing Company," but if you drive to that address it's a large Budweiser factory. The big brewers are doing this a lot now because only the so-called, "microbrew" market is growing. I'm sure all, or most, of those 160 beers will be those.

 

I disagree with you completely. I imagine many of them will be true micro brews (yes, some will be pretend). However, you are correct that the "big brewers" are either creating pretend micro brews like "Green Valley Brewing" and "blue moon" or buying some of the really successful micro brews, like Goose Island Brewing. But by no means will all 160 beers on tap be mass produced "pretend micro brews". Just in Ohio you have Great lakes, thirsty dog and Mt. Carmel to name a few. With those 3 micros you could have 15 beers on tap.

So will they have Moerlein?

^They'll probably have one or two.  I think I've seen Hofbrau on tap as a guest draught at the Moerlein Lagerhouse.