Nice!  I thought it was only going to be outside only. Wonderful incorporation of what looks to be a a classic 60's era pole lamp on the bar as well.

I thought it was only going to be outside only.

That was the original plan but we got impatient.

Passage is going to be missing out on some major drinking revenue if they don't get it in gear. Spring is here!

Righteous Room operators opening "neighborhood bar" in OTR

By Henry Sweets, Soapbox Cincinnati | May 11, 2010

http://soapboxmedia.com/devnews/0511lackmanopensinovertherhine.aspx

 

Cincinnati bar entrepreneurs - Four Entertainment Group (4EG) are spreading to the Gateway Quarter of Over-the-Rhine late this summer in the form of a 900 sq ft pub called The Lackman.

 

The eighth project on a list that has included The Righteous Room, The Stand and Mount Adams Pavilion, The Lackman is intended to be a "neighborhood bar" for the growing community in the Gateway Quarter, 4EG partner Bob Deck said.

 

While many of their other projects feature dance floors and bustling weekend crowds, The Lackman will be styled as a classic corner pub with wood trim, televisions for sporting events, a selection of craft beers and an "eclectic jukebox," Deck said.

 

"It's going to be a corner bar that we hope will anchor the progression of that neighborhood," Deck said. "The kind of place you can meet friends for happy hour or sample a couple of beers and watch the game."

 

Deck said he hopes the bar will provide a sense of place for those who live in the OTR gateway quarter and also play off the success of Senate, an eatery that opened there this spring, to attract more visitors to OTR.

 

"Hopefully the places that are going in down there will feed off of each other and encourage people to come to the area," Deck said. "It's set up to be a destination area."

 

The pub will be located in The Lackman Lofts Building, which was recently renovated and parceled into condominiums. It once housed a brewery and pub during the golden days of OTR, Deck said. The Lackman will be the second establishment, after Senate, to open in the Gateway Quarter with the financial and logistical support of 3CDC, the development group that is driving a massive redevelopment of that area, 3CDC development manager Adam Gelter said.

 

He said his group approached 4EG about the project after they worked together to open the Righteous Room in downtown Cincinnati last year. In both projects 3CDC provided a loan, assisted with planning issues and helped to secure necessary permits, Gelter said.

 

Gelter said 3CDC is in the early stages of playing the same role for other bar and eatery projects in the Gateway Quarter.

NEONS Unplugged is in the running for the best bar in Cincinnati on Cincinnati Man's site.  Any help would be most appreciated.

http://thecincinnatiman.com/best-bar-tournament-polls/

Noticed Passage has their sign up now.

^How does the sign look? Any pics?

Anyone been to Main Event yet?

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Cincinnati,+Hamilton,+Ohio&ll=39.105336,-84.510334&spn=0,0.003862&z=19&layer=c&cbll=39.10571,-84.510767&panoid=M_k4PqG3fRGs7uwj1XesCQ&cbp=12,273.97,,0,1.06

FUCK DETROIT The Anti-Movement Movement 10-4am

 

 

Start Time: Saturday, May 29, 2010 at 10:00pm

End Time: Monday, May 31, 2010 at 4:00am

Location: The Main Event 835 Main St. Cincinnati, OH 45202 (9th & Main)

 

Cant make it up to Movement Festival in Detroit this weekend??? neither can we so I say f$&k it!

 

Urban Pioneer has you covered this weekend starting Saturday night with Chuck Stretch, Rick Always, Sam C and Bryan Prewitt. 10 till 4am 21+ & $5 @ the door. Then again on Sunday with a free party from 9 till 2:30am with music by Elton Mack, Dj Empirical, Metro Dj and Rick Always.

 

The Main Event is Cincinnati's new underground music venue with the best sound system in the city bar none. Located at the corner of 9th and Main St. Downtown Cincy.

 

We hope to see you out and please help spread the word!

Round 2 of the Cincinnati Man's best bar tournament has begun and NEONS is up against Hofbrauhaus so please help us take them out!

http://thecincinnatiman.com/best-bar-tournament-polls/

While Hofbrahaus has great beer, it's far from a great bar. But in the latest tournament round, it's beating Neon's by 95 votes. Get out there and vote every two hours!

 

http://thecincinnatiman.com/2nd-annual-best-bar-in-cincinnati-tournament-round-2-part-2/

 

 

And the XU bar Dana's beating City View Tavern is a big ol WTF?!  ;-)

Well, Dana isn't owned by XU but it's damn near close :)

 

I put my vote in for Dana because I have gone there several times after work and the atmosphere is great, and the beer selection is even better. City View didn't have much for me...

^I have lots of memories of Dana's from my senior year of college.  I had to put my vote in there, too.

^How does the sign look? Any pics?

 

It looks really good. If you check out the site - same logo with a rustic brown look. Material looks like it's copper almost. I tried to take a picture, but the light turned green and it came out blurry.

 

Monday, June 7, 2010, 1:38pm EDT

Piano bar to replace Havana Martini ClubBusiness Courier of Cincinnati

- by Lucy May Senior Staff Reporter

Havana Martini Club downtown is closing and will be replaced by the Penguin Dueling Piano Bar.

 

Judie Guttadauro, vice president of sales and leasing for Realty Network Plus, Inc., leased the 6,000-square-foot space in the Carew Tower to Penguin, which is based in Lexington.

 

“I think it’s going to be really exciting,” Guttadauro said.

 

The location is near both the Westin Cincinnati and the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, making it an ideal stop for wedding parties after rehearsal dinners and receptions, she said. Its proximity to the Duke Energy Center downtown is a plus, too, she said.

 

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2010/06/07/daily5.html

^ zzz.

Will it have a mechanical bull?

Passage is supposed to open this Friday night to the public! Whoo Hoo! Can't wait to check it out!

 

I love this space! Man, 6th St. is going to be hoppin.

If I'm not mistaken, Passage's soft opening was last night.

 

Anyone going on Friday?

... Just got an email that Passage is going to kick off their happy hour promo Wed.-Fri.

 

$2.50 bottles/$3 shots

 

 

__________________________________

 

Anyone else know anything else about the sports bar on 7th & Walnut - where the eyeglass place is?

Tried to go to Passage last Friday and got turned away because two people in our group of eleven had tennis shoes on. They also had an officer outside which surprised me as it was only 9PM.

 

We took our business down to The Main Event where they had a cover charge because they had a DJ in. The place was dead though and we got them to waive the cover. Place was still dead at 1AM when we left for Neon's. Anyone know if they get busy after all the other bars close?

Tried to go to Passage last Friday and got turned away because two people in our group of eleven had tennis shoes on.

 

I would expect that more in Vegas. 

 

On a similar note, we know someone who was turned away from Mynt Martini because of his shoes.  He even explained that he could only wear certain types of shoes because of a medical issue, but they still wouldn't let him in.  I'm wondering if it was an age discrimination issue because the man is in his 70s.

Or the time I wore a hat and got denied entry into The Righteous Room, and when I was finally allowed in (after taking the hat off), I saw people inside with cowboy hats...

Tried to go to Passage last Friday and got turned away because two people in our group of eleven had tennis shoes on.

 

I would expect that more in Vegas.

 

On a similar note, we know someone who was turned away from Mynt Martini because of his shoes. He even explained that he could only wear certain types of shoes because of a medical issue, but they still wouldn't let him in. I'm wondering if it was an age discrimination issue because the man is in his 70s.

 

Clubs and bars have dress codes, and it's up to the operators of the establishment to determine what is appropriate and what isn't.  Wearing tennis shoes to a club isn't smart, as many places ban them in an effort to be more upscale.  Also, why the hell was a 70 year old trying to go to Mynt?

Wearing tennis shoes to a club isn't smart, as many places ban them in an effort to be more upscale.

 

I know, but these were brand spanking new black Jordans. Pricey shoes!

^Oh, well that is different.  Wearing nice sneakers to a club is done all the time...I was picturing some beat up New Balances or something lol.  Oh well, some bouncers just have a stick up their ass.

Also, why the hell was a 70 year old trying to go to Mynt?

 

He wanted a drink, and he had been there several times. 

Someone can rock a sweet pair of sneakers or cap, even designed by a designer. The problem is avoiding law suits. How can a doorman get away with allowing new Jordans, but deny New Balances? If someone is rocking a red Reds cap flipped to the left and someone comes up with a JT hat from H&M, how can he deny the Reds cap?

Nightlife is not meant to be all inclusive.  Part of the business is maintaining an image of exclusivity.  In many cities people are turned away from bars or clubs simply because the bouncer doesn't want to let them in, or because they're too old or don't fit the image of that particular establishment.  I find it kind of funny/ridiculous that in Cincinnati people complain about 70 year olds not getting in to clubs, and not letting people in without the right shoes or hats or whatever. 

^ Edale, I think you'll like this article:

 

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/manhattan/rope_dopes_bOgfHgMSLmI4xQQGQ7kUnK#ixzz0qlU04iBd

When we were in Manhattan visiting some friends, we were denied to get into a particular club (upscale; beautiful people), I told the guy "look, I'm from Cincinnati and just drove all the way to visit some friends ... the least you could do - is to let me in so I can enjoy a drink and catch up with these guys." ... something along those lines. He let us in.

Dueling piano bar to open Friday downtown

Posted by lbaverman November 8th, 2010, 3:39 pm

 

The Penguin Dueling Piano Bar will open for business Friday night in the old Havana Martini space at Carew Tower.

 

The Lexington-based operator signed a lease for the 5,150-square-foot space upon Havana’s closure in June. The group has spent the last couple months under renovation. It has moved the club’s entrance west on Fifth Street, removed its tinted windows, added hardwood flooring and a new bar top.

 

 

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/developingnow/2010/11/08/dueling-piano-bar-to-open-friday-downtown/

^ I would have stared the renovations by getting rid of the horrible drop ceiling in there and ended them by changing the concept to something other than another piano bar.  That said, I think this one probably has the best chance based on their location near the hotels.  It's the kind of safe (lame) concept that should play well to the out of town convention / wedding crowds that stay there. 

^Agree. I think that's a good location for the concept.

New nightclub called Lunar Lounge is opening soon at 5th and Elm.

 

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/developingnow/2010/11/24/lunar-nightclub-opening-downtown/

 

New nightclub called Lunar Lounge is opening soon at 5th and Elm.

 

http://cincinnati.com/blogs/developingnow/2010/11/24/lunar-nightclub-opening-downtown/

 

 

 

 

From what i've heard that will be the first of multiple venues in that building under common ownership

^Is the building that weird building across from the Convention Center and next to that little skate park?

shapes is not a skatepark, i got a $40 ticket for skateboarding there.  Fought it and won.   

party at the mockbee tonight.  I'm not sure who the DJ's are but there will be some.  $5

Looks like Jack Pott's Tavern closed.

 

--

 

Mr. Estell said that it's being rebranded as JP's...

I went to Scene last Tuesday...

 

Very nice. I was expecting another martini bar/club... Something to take the crowd away from one of the other bars. It was nice and definitely different than the others. It had huge U shaped tables... About 6 of them that created an atmosphere for talking.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20101229/BIZ/12300314/1196/NEWS/Fat-Cats-Piano-Bar-closed

Some construction is going on in the old Lodge Bar space on 7th.  Not sure what's up.  Anyone got details?

The former Passage space is being re-branded as Luxe. Their Facebook Page

 

 

Luxe soft-opens tomorrow:

 

Luxe Bar on Main opens Friday

 

Luxe Bar and Nightclub, a new nighttime destination on Main Street, will open its doors for the first time this Friday.

 

It’s 601 Main St., at the corner of Sixth and Main in downtown’s Backstage Entertainment District, in the space that was another bar, Passage.

 

General Manager Andrew Schlanser said the space has been remodeled and features three full-service bars. Floor-to-ceiling windows provide views of downtown, and VIP room, plus additional VIP tables, are available.

 

Cont

Curious about what the Queen City offers.

 

So far I have been to The Serpent, which can be fun...and fairly friendly, too.  I know about Simon Says (nice downtown gay bar).  What else is out there and what kind of places are they?  Good gay/lez danceclubs (gay or mixed) would be a plus, if there are any.

 

  Assuming there are a few GLBT Cincinnatians posting here who would have this intel.

 

I'm planning some road trips down to Cincy for some variety.

First off, and this is just my experience, but I feel like nightlife is becoming increasingly mixed between gay and straight. You can go somewhere like Adonis, which is east of town off of Kellog Avenue, and see mostly gay people.

 

Or you can go somewhere like Below Zero in Over the Rhine and on many nights see a mix of gay people, straight women, and some (sometimes lost) straight men.

 

Also, too, you see many more gay people at predominantly straight downtown spots lately, or at hot spots that aren't really night clubs, including pretty much every establishment in the Gateway Quarter (which would include A Tavola, The Senate, The Lackman) and places like Neon's.

Here's a review of a few gay bars/clubs...this is not a full list, and just from my own experience:

 

Adonis - 4601 Kellogg Avenue, Cincinnati - Probably the most 'danceclub'-esque in the area.  They have a very big facility, with a variety of events.  Saturday night is their dance night, and have a large dance floor and a good DJ.  They also have a nice pool and outside bar during the warmer months...generally Friday evenings and during the day Saturday and Sunday.  Thursday is usually college night and also has drag shows on the weekend.

 

The Dock - 603 West Pete Rose Way, Cincinnati - Another pretty big complex, but not in the best part of downtown.  They frequently have drag shows and have a large dance floor.  I haven't been there recently, but last time I was there, it was looking a bit run down.

 

Roxy's - 909 Vine Street, Cincinnati -  (formerly Hamburger Mary's/Universal Grille)  They are a few blocks from the center of downtown, and have a food menu available late.  Food isn't the greatest, but not a bad option if you are already there and don't feel like venturing out.  Caters to more of the younger crowd, and has a stage with drag shows and dancers/go-go boys on occasion. 

 

Shooters - 927 Race St, Cincinnati - Country-Western bar just down the street from Roxy's.  Not very inviting from the outside but generally has a decent crowd on the weekends.  Bring your cowboy hat, boots and line dancing skills, or just come to enjoy the show.

 

Below Zero - 1122 Walnut Street, Cincinnati - Probably the most upscale of the gay bars.  Like Civvik said, you'll see a mix of gay and straight.  The second floor reopened earlier this year as Cabaret, with drag shows on the weekend.

 

On Broadway - 817 Broadway Street, Cincinnati - Small bar with a great staff and a friendly crowd.  There is also a patio in the back.  Not real close to much else, but still a good stop within walking distance if you are doing a bar crawl around downtown.

 

701 Bar - 701 Bakewell Street, Covington - Newer bar in Covington that caters to the 'bear' crowd.  It also has great bartenders and a friendly crowd.

 

Rosie's - 643 Bakewell Street, Covington - Next door to 701, and is known as more of a lesbian bar, however all are welcome.  Both Rosie's and 701 allow smoking inside.  It can be a shock if you aren't used to it, but it doesn't smell as bad as it used to.

 

 

All in all, there is a variety of bars in Cincinnati.  I suppose it depends on what you are looking for...if you are primarily looking for a dance club, go for Adonis on a Saturday.  If you are looking for bar hopping, and the ability to easily try another bar if you get bored, go for downtown with Roxy's/Shooter's/Below Zero/On Broadway/Simon Says.  There are more bars that I haven't mentioned...but mostly because I don't feel I've been there enough times to make a valid review.  I agree with Civvik and feel that most 'straight' bars and restaurants downtown are gay friendly.

 

Hopefully this helps...if you get a chance next year, I would recommend coming down to pride next summer.  The past two years it has been downtown, after moving from Northside (where Serpent is located).

Hey, thx for this list.  Im deffo going to try Adonis.  Sounds like a hot place.

 

Below Zero sounds almost like a good place if yr gay but also bisexual, since str8 women hang out there.  I can see this could get interesting.  BTW, I have been to the 'upstairs' at BZ, for a show during the Fringe Festival last year.

 

The Covington places and the On Broadway place sound pretty interesting, too. 

 

 

 

I went to Adonis last weekend (go there about once a year) and honestly, it was kind of flat. And I'm 32, so it's not like I'm looking for foam parties or anything like that.

 

I say this all the time, but I don't know why The Dock or Adonis doesn't close up and re-open as a big club in OTR in the tradition of Chicago's Sidetrack, Minneapolis's Gay 90's or Louisville's Connection. Like many things in Cincinnati, the paint seems to be spread a bit too thin for a metro of only 2 million.