Is it me, or are cocktail lounges popping up all over Cincinnati?

^Myrita is cool, don't be dissing

 

All these people are cool, that's why they're sipping champagne and martini's. ;)

FB's?  Where is this located?

126 W 6th

Is it me, or are cocktail lounges popping up all over Cincinnati?

 

No, it's not just you.

Is it me, or are cocktail lounges popping up all over Cincinnati?

 

No, it's not just you.

 

They're not my scene, but I guess it's a good thing.  I don't know.  I'm not convinced Cincinnati can support a niche market like that.  Hopefully they'll all still be around this time next year.

Is it me, or are cocktail lounges popping up all over Cincinnati?

 

No, it's not just you.

 

They're not my scene, but I guess it's a good thing. I don't know. I'm not convinced Cincinnati can support a niche market like that. Hopefully they'll all still be around this time next year.

 

Some of the lounge bars that were pioneers are still around today and they keep popping up because Cincinnati can/does support a niche like this.

Yeah, but they keep falling off, too.  Remember Cincinnati's "hottest" night spot, the Exchange, for example?

^That's just how it goes with the Nighlife industry, there is a very high turnover rate. 

 

I do think there is a decent mix of bars and clubs downtown, but the offerings are still kind of sparse.  You have one true club in Bang or whatever its being rebranded as now, a couple trashy big bars like Caddy Ranch, Lodge Bar, Black Finn, one restaurant that turns kind of clubby (Boostys), one rock bar (Mainstay), and a blues club (Blue Wisp). Nada has a decent bar scene, but is really truly a restaurant, and closes too early to be counted as a true nightlife destination, although I wish they would convert to a club late nights like Beluga does.  I hope Mynt is a valuable addition to the DT scene, and I really hope they utilize their location right on FS.  I would love for Mynt to have an outside component so the club kind of spills out onto the square at night.

Yeah, but they keep falling off, too. Remember Cincinnati's "hottest" night spot, the Exchange, for example?

 

What edale said ... clubs/lounges, etc... are revolving doors, no matter where you go.

 

Exchange was a club and never a lounge. I had some crazy times there.

But you see what I'm saying.  Obviously, there's not as big of a market for cocktail lounges and niche bars as bar owners would like.  Otherwise they wouldn't be popping up as quickly as they're falling off.

What lounge closed - that hasn't reopened/reopening?

I don't see a quintessential hole in the wall opening up anytime soon. That basically requires minimal reinvestment in a property, thereby retaining its grit. Simply having exposed brick doesn't achieve that.

What about Neon's?

 

www.soapboxmedia.com/devnews/0915neonsunplugged.aspx

 

http://www.building-cincinnati.com/2009/09/remember-neons-its-coming-backunplugged.html

 

http://cincinnati.blogspot.com/2009/09/return-of-neons.html

What lounge closed - that hasn't reopened/reopening?

 

You tell me.  You said yourself that "clubs/lounges, etc... are revolving doors, no matter where you go."  I don't frequent those places, so I don't really keep up with them.

I don't see a quintessential hole in the wall opening up anytime soon. That basically requires minimal reinvestment in a property, thereby retaining its grit. Simply having exposed brick doesn't achieve that.

What about Neon's?

 

 

Yup, that's what I'm talking about.  It's key to retain the soul of a place such as a bar.  Brand new bars just aren't the same.

I think we're all envisioning multiple districts within downtown with 20 or so late night places.  But to be honest, nightlife doesn't just have to be bars and clubs, it can be spoken word places, it can be pool halls and late night restaurants.  I would love to see more variety out there and some pedestrian only nighttime festivals etc.

I'm pretty sure one of the problems that confronts downtown is the issue of the limited number of liquor licenses available. There have some changes to make it easier, but it has been an issue a number of times as that part of the downtown scene has tried to grow.

Neon's may come back - unplugged

By Lisa Bernard-Kuhn • [email protected]  • September 25, 2009

 

OVER-THE-RHINE - A group of neighborhood residents are working to revive the former Neon's bar at 208 E. 12th St. with hopes of partially opening the spot by March.

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090925/BIZ01/909260330/Neon+s+may+come+back+-+unplugged

 

 

 

 

Awesome news, Michael! I give my word that I'll spread the word and patronize this place! Good drink prices and good music is the secret imo to a place like this -in this location.

Good drink prices and good music is the secret

We hope to deliver on that and more.  We are trying to coordinate some events for Oct and Nov, I will update the information as it develops.

 

Also, check out the new Facebook page for Neon's Unplugged and become a fan.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cincinnati-OH/The-Famous-Neons-Unplugged/140206284265?ref=share

Great photos from this past Friday night downtown taken at Nicholson's, Nada, Bootsy's, The Righteous Room, and Via Vite by Thadd Fiala.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thaddfiala/sets/72157622384900635/

 

I'm enjoying a Queens Velvet in the background of one of the pics taken at Nicholson's.  :-D

Andrew Whitworth can be seen at Nada drinking a Corona.  :roll:

Thadd's new(ish) blog is amazing and chuck full of great photos just like that.  Check it out here - http://thaddandmilan.blogspot.com/.

Just walked by an empty storefront on the corner of 6th and Main and saw a sign for Passage Lounge (www.passagelounge.com)  anybody know anything about it?

^Which building or corner? 

^Which building or corner?

it is the northwest corner.

^^Just curious.  How many restaurants and lounges can downtown support?  How about a bookstore?  A retail shop?  Something other than a bar/lounge.  OTR needs them more than Downtown does.

"Just curious.  How many restaurants and lounges can downtown support?  How about a bookstore?  A retail shop?  Something other than a bar/lounge.  OTR needs them more than Downtown does."

 

I've always wondered that myself.  However, the increased retail, dining and entertainment offerings downtown seem to be fueling business at the restaurants and lounges.  Of course, this is just anecdotal from walking around, random happy hours and occasional nights out.

I actually thought that building would have made a great venue for a 3 story book star i.e. Joseph beth or Barnes and Noble.  The other building I have in mind is that southeast corner of 4th and Race that is also a 3 stroy building that is boarded up. 

Just walked by an empty storefront on the corner of 6th and Main and saw a sign for Passage Lounge

 

That once was owned by Marvin Warner. I believe the group looking to do the Passage were originally looking at 580. Sounds like an interesting concept of hidden doors etc. Not a bad location and perhaps there is the room for a high end club CBD. I hope they can make it happen and we will certainly support them in any way we can.

 

Something other than a bar/lounge. OTR needs them more than Downtown does

This upcoming year should see some very cool bar/lounges popping up in OTR both on Main and Vine. I have been hearing some really great concepts in the works. And of course there is NEON'S...I mean, what else do you want...really? 

Just walked by an empty storefront on the corner of 6th and Main and saw a sign for Passage Lounge (www.passagelounge.com)  anybody know anything about it?

 

Spoke with the owner earlier today.  The concept is going to be great (stay tuned), but I can say that it will feature the first rooftop bar in Downtown Cincinnati.  An opening date is not set yet, but they're hopeful to be open around NYE time.

6th Street is becoming quite the nightlife destination... I remember driving around there at around midnight a couple Saturdays ago, and the whole area was hopping. It's becoming like Cincinnati's answer to Rush Street, and it's exciting to watch.

I will somewhat make the prediction that downtown seems to be putting a more stable and longer lasting nightlife that the 'hotspots' of the last fifteen or twenty years - Main St., NOTL, et al.. Throw in a casino and you've a nightlife to compete with any in the midwest.

Agreed. Turnover is notoriously high in the bar/restaurant/nightclub business, but with enough establishments within a short walking distance, there will be a critical mass such that if one place closes for whatever reason, it won't drag down the rest of the district.

I'm loving all the nightlife opening in the CBD, but now we need to start focusing on providing things for people to do during the day.  9-5 during the work week is hopping of course, but Saturday morning/afternoons, and Sundays are still quite dead Downtown. 

Just walked by an empty storefront on the corner of 6th and Main and saw a sign for Passage Lounge (www.passagelounge.com) anybody know anything about it?

 

Spoke with the owner earlier today. The concept is going to be great (stay tuned), but I can say that it will feature the first rooftop bar in Downtown Cincinnati. An opening date is not set yet, but they're hopeful to be open around NYE time.

 

Live music? Hip Hop? Rap? Electronic?

 

What we're lacking is a good House/D&B/ and Jungle Venue. I went to this place called Lizard Lounge in Dallas and the place was off the hook. Freakin crazy. We need some good electronica, no more rap!

 

Something like this, Guvernment in Toronto:

 

BENNY BENASSI @ The Guvernment / Toronto 21 July 2007

There are no "hip hop" clubs IN downtown.  There are clubs that play some hip hop (hip pop) but no full-time club.  The only one I'm aware of is Club Ritz (Ice closed).

Yeah there are no hip hop clubs in downtown or any places with a strong hip hop touring contingent.  Most just play of the moment pop music.  It'd be great to see a club which mixes some of the current/older hip pop and dancable hip hop through the decades.

I actually thought that building would have made a great venue for a 3 story book star i.e. Joseph beth or Barnes and Noble. The other building I have in mind is that southeast corner of 4th and Race that is also a 3 stroy building that is boarded up.

 

Wow, so strange.  I thought the exact same thing about both buildings.  Perhaps the one at 4th and Race is still a possibility for something like that.

Not so sure where this info fits best...

 

Bootsy tells life story to TV's 'Unsung'

Documentary takes detailed look at history of groundbreaking funk bassist and local icon

By Lauren Bishop • [email protected] • November 5, 2009

 

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20091105/ENT/911080303/Bootsy+tells+life+story+to+TV+s++Unsung+

 

[bootsy] envisions a music district near his year-old restaurant on Walnut Street downtown, Bootsy's produced by Jeff Ruby, with its own walk of fame.

 

"I'm looking at downtown Cincinnati to be, like, the place," he says. "This is the place to come, to be. And I want to be a part of that."

 

 

Not a hiphop club, but the majority of our clubs DT, play hiphop.

There are no "hip hop" clubs IN downtown. There are clubs that play some hip hop (hip pop) but no full-time club. The only one I'm aware of is Club Ritz (Ice closed).

 

I've never been, but aren't there a lot of hip hop clubs in Roselawn? Driving up Reading Road you see at least 3-4 I thought.

Not that I know of.  There USED to be but they mostly closed.

Maybe those establishments are just 'black clubs' rather than being hip hop clubs per se.  I know 'black club' isn't exactly PC, so don't jump down my throat (MTS, if you lurk here...).

Eh, not many "black" clubs exist either over there anymore.  Phat Daddy's, I believe, closed (which was a large one).  There's a couple of "black" bars but other than that, club options in Cincinnati for "black" folks aren't that good.  Dayton, on the other hand, ain't nuthin' but black clubs (except for the live music venues east of Patterson Blvd).

 

Funny how that works out.

We need more clubs in Cincinnati where people can get their dance on.  Cincinnati has the bar scene down pat, but in terms of nightclubs, we have a long way to go.  If I want to go somewhere in Cincinnati and dance the night away I usually head to Pavilion in Mt. Adams.

If I want to go somewhere in Cincinnati and dance the night away

 

I remember last time you were in town you kept mentioning how much you wanted to "go dance the night away" seriously it was like every ten minutes.

 

Eh, not many "black" clubs exist either over there anymore. Phat Daddy's, I believe, closed (which was a large one). There's a couple of "black" bars but other than that, club options in Cincinnati for "black" folks aren't that good. Dayton, on the other hand, ain't nuthin' but black clubs (except for the live music venues east of Patterson Blvd).

 

Funny how that works out.

 

Actually, I was thinking the other night while I was at Suite Lounge (I know, I know) how impressed I was with the changing of the mix of black and white folks at a few of the clubs DT. Righteous Room too. Def Lodge too :-/

Bring me my Golden Corral and TGI Friday's to downtown and I'll be in heaven.

Lucky Strike to operate Levee bowling alley

 

Lucky Strike Entertainment, a chain of upscale bowling alleys, will operate Newport on the Levee’s Star Lanes on the Levee, the Northern Kentucky entertainment venue announced Tuesday......

 

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2009/12/14/daily15.html

 

 

5chw4r7z took some great photos of Mynt Martini which is having its grand opening on NYE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See more here:

http://5chw4r7z.blogspot.com/2009/12/can-we-call-it-fountain-squares-newest.html