November 6, 201410 yr The Mad Frog was closed again last weekend on Saturday and Sunday night. I'll try and remember to drive by this weekend. Found it really weird that they painted it red considering it was a frog.
November 10, 201410 yr EXCLUSIVE: O’Malley’s in the Alley owner to open new Prohibition-themed bar Nov 10, 2014, 10:49am EST Updated: Nov 10, 2014, 11:39am EST Andy Brownfield Reporter- Cincinnati Business Courier The owner of O'Malley's in the Alley is opening a new Prohibition-themed bar within spitting distance of his current one downtown. The Blind Pig has a target open date of Dec. 4 at 24 W. Third St. downtown, right behind O'Malley's, owner Juan Imeroni told me. http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2014/11/10/exclusive-o-malley-s-in-the-alley-owner-to-open.html
November 10, 201410 yr Finally some reporting on this... there has been ongoing construction since at least August. An O'Malley's bartender told me they were putting in a patio. :roll: Just in time for winter, The Locker Room is adding an outdoor patio... "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
November 19, 201410 yr Popular Northside bar for sale A popular bar in Northside's historic business district is for sale. Mayday is a craft beer and whiskey bar that resides on 4,069 square feet at 4227 Spring Grove Ave. Owners Vanessa Barber and Kim Maurer told me they're selling the business along with the real estate. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2014/11/19/exclusive-popular-northside-bar-for-sale.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
November 19, 201410 yr Stick a fork in it. Closed for the second weekend in a row. Mysteriously the Mad Frog is back in business.
November 19, 201410 yr Stick a fork in it. Closed for the second weekend in a row. Mysteriously the Mad Frog is back in business. Maybe they have been closing on nights when they don't have bands booked. Due to its odd location the Mad Frog doesn't get much of a built-in crowd like other music venues such as MOTR do.
November 19, 201410 yr The Mad Frog was closed for several years in the 90s, then it reopened around 1998 or 1999. It was mostly a jam band place with a preppy crowd in the 2000s. Then the Russians bought it around 2010 or 2011 and the place turned into a mess.
November 19, 201410 yr It looked like in the Metallica video that the side stage and room wasn't a part of the bar when it was shot around 1992.
December 1, 201410 yr New lounge named for famous Cincinnati entertainer opening in Northside A new lounge named for perhaps the most famous pachyderm in Cincinnati history is being planned for Northside. Tillie's Lounge is expected to open to the public at 4042 Hamilton Ave. in February 2015, with soft openings in December and January. The bar is named for Tillie the elephant, the most famous of the exotic animals that traveled with John Robinson's Circus in the early 20th century. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2014/12/01/new-lounge-named-for-famous-cincinnati-entertainer.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
December 16, 201410 yr Downtown bar The Blind Pig opens behind O'Malley's The Blind Pig, a bar that strives to be a hybrid of a sports bar and a modern-day speakeasy, has opened Downtown. Located behind O'Malley's In the Alley, The Blind Pig has the same owner but a different vibe, general manager Scott Igbonegun said. "We wanted to go with an updated version of a speakeasy but add elements of a sports bar, too," he said. Cont "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
December 16, 201410 yr Didn't chef Josh Campbell open a place called the Blind Pig about 3 years ago that only remained open for about six months?
December 19, 201410 yr Go inside Cincinnati’s newest Prohibition-themed bar The Blind Pig, Cincinnati's new prohibition-themed bar behind O'Malleys in the Alley downtown, hosted its grand opening on Dec. 5. The bar, at 24 W. Third St., was named for the slang term for speakeasies used during Prohibition. Many of the bar's craft cocktails pay homage to Prohibition and Cincinnati's historic taverns and speakeasies – like the Kelly's Roadhouse named for a Wooster Pike speakeasy, the Remus Ol 'Fashioned named for the famous local bootlegger or the Vine St. Corridor named in honor of the 113 saloons that once called Vine home. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2014/12/go-inside-cincinnati-s-newest-prohibition-themed.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
December 19, 201410 yr Didn't chef Josh Campbell open a place called the Blind Pig about 3 years ago that only remained open for about six months? No. It was the Skinny Pig: http://www.urbancincy.com/2011/04/world-food-bar-restaurant-group-to-open-new-restaurant-in-east-walnut-hills/
December 30, 201410 yr New nightclub coming to downtown Cincinnati in time for New Year’s A new Cincinnati nightclub is hosting its soft opening in the old Mainstay Rock Bar space just in time for New Year's Eve. Societe will open at 301 W. Fifth St. for New Year's Eve and continue weekend business until its grand opening next month. More below: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2014/12/30/new-nightclub-coming-to-downtown-cincinnati-in.html "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 2, 201510 yr Downtown Cincinnati gets another new bar Jan 2, 2015, 6:47am EST Horse & Barrel Bourbon House Downtown has about 80 different bourbons available. Staff Cincinnati Business Courier In a surge of openings over the last few weeks, another bar will open its doors today in downtown Cincinnati, the Enquirer reports. Horse & Barrel Bourbon House Downtown is opening in the former Walnut Street Grill space at 625 Walnut St. The ground level will serve as the main bar area, and the upstairs space will be used for events. http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/morning_call/2015/01/downtown-cincinnati-gets-another-new-bar.html
January 11, 201510 yr I went to Horse and Barrel last night and had something happen that I've never seen at a bar before. I ordered a Bulliet, and he just stood there. i asked how much it was and he said he wouldnt know until he ran my card. i showed him a ten dollar bill, he looked confused but went back to the POS station and said $8. I handed him the ten dollar bill, he brought me back $1.52 change! I said what is this, and he said it was $8 before tax! I'm 26 years old and have never had tax added to my drink at a bar. What's goin on here? If you want bourbon selection and great coctails go to wise guys above goodfellas.
January 11, 201510 yr I went to Horse and Barrel last night and had something happen that I've never seen at a bar before. I ordered a Bulliet, and he just stood there. i asked how much it was and he said he wouldnt know until he ran my card. i showed him a ten dollar bill, he looked confused but went back to the POS station and said $8. I handed him the ten dollar bill, he brought me back $1.52 change! I said what is this, and he said it was $8 before tax! I'm 26 years old and have never had tax added to my drink at a bar. What's goin on here? If you want bourbon selection and great coctails go to wise guys above goodfellas. Weird-maybe he was new and did it wrong? I can't see bartenders trying to count out pennies in a crowded bar. www.cincinnatiideas.com
January 20, 201510 yr The gaps are starting to fill in. Great to see so much new development along Republic... New craft cocktail bar planned for OTR Located at 13th and Republic, about a block south of Salazar and a block west of Lackman, it doesn't yet have a name but should open in March. It will serve heritage cocktails in a space inspired by a turn-of-the-century apothecary, complete with antique medicines, jars, bottles and sundries.
January 20, 201510 yr ^There's an empty href in that headline. Here's the URL: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/2015/01/20/new-craft-cocktail-bar-planned-otr/22042291/
January 20, 201510 yr So are those "antique medicines" going in those "heritage cocktails?" Could make for some uh...interesting libations.
January 20, 201510 yr ^ Some other sources are reporting that this bar will be named Remus Pharmacy. That name is on the liquor license permit application. PDF: http://city-egov.cincinnati-oh.gov/Webtop/ws/council/public/child/Blob/41592.pdf;jsessionid=87605A04C9A1A1FD0B01E70FD0CFFF83?rpp=-10&m=1&w=doc_no%3D%27201500072%27
January 21, 201510 yr Anyone else sick of all these gimmicky names? Bring back Biff's. I lived on Walnut about a block north of Biff's for a couple years. I'm all for bringing back the name ironically, but I'm glad that place is gone. The catfights that spilled out into the street every Friday and Saturday night at about 4:00, despite the sheriff permanently camped out in front of the bar, got old pretty quick, though the stuff being yelled was occasionally hilarious. I never got to check the place out, sadly, as I think the age limits were 25+ for women and 30+ for men, amongst other reasons.
January 21, 201510 yr The original Neon's was ages 25+, I believe. I'm surprised we haven't seen any new bars open up with higher age limits in OTR.
January 21, 201510 yr Anyone else sick of all these gimmicky names? Bring back Biff's. I lived on Walnut about a block north of Biff's for a couple years. I'm all for bringing back the name ironically, but I'm glad that place is gone. The catfights that spilled out into the street every Friday and Saturday night at about 4:00, despite the sheriff permanently camped out in front of the bar, got old pretty quick, though the stuff being yelled was occasionally hilarious. I never got to check the place out, sadly, as I think the age limits were 25+ for women and 30+ for men, amongst other reasons. Maybe the new gimmick could be not having a name. When I moved to Athens in 2002 there was a bar missing its sign until 2003 or 2004. It was longtime college bar The Crystal, which eventually erected a sign that said the same, except the legal name of the bar was actually "The Crystal Casino". Top that, OTR.
January 21, 201510 yr Muz's (dive bar in Mt. Lookout) switched ownership and the new group put a quickly made sign out that said "Transition Bar". That was about three years ago, and the official name of the bar is now Transition Bar.
January 21, 201510 yr It's always amusing when a macho bro bar or strip club has a name that sounds like a gay bar name, i.e. The Crystal in Athens or Concepts in Lawrenceburg.
January 21, 201510 yr Anyone else sick of all these gimmicky names? Bring back Biff's. I lived on Walnut about a block north of Biff's for a couple years. I'm all for bringing back the name ironically, but I'm glad that place is gone. The catfights that spilled out into the street every Friday and Saturday night at about 4:00, despite the sheriff permanently camped out in front of the bar, got old pretty quick, though the stuff being yelled was occasionally hilarious. I never got to check the place out, sadly, as I think the age limits were 25+ for women and 30+ for men, amongst other reasons. Maybe the new gimmick could be not having a name. When I moved to Athens in 2002 there was a bar missing its sign until 2003 or 2004. It was longtime college bar The Crystal, which eventually erected a sign that said the same, except the legal name of the bar was actually "The Crystal Casino". Top that, OTR. I think Schwartz's Point beat that by operating without a liquor license for 3 years under the radar in the 2000's. The only indication they were open was a green light turned on outside.
January 21, 201510 yr It was Ed Moss's house. He used to play at the Blue Wisp all the time so people who were into jazz knew he was doing it.
January 21, 201510 yr I believe it still is his house, though the first floor is not considered his "living room" any more by the state.
February 19, 201510 yr EXCLUSIVE: Downtown bar rebrands, sets launch date Feb 19, 2015, 1:54pm EST Andy Brownfield Reporter- Cincinnati Business Courier Downtown Cincinnati cocktail lounge Obscura is reopening with new branding this weekend after closing in January to renovate the space. The lounge is now Ivy Cincinnati and will have the same emphasis on original craft cocktails with a warmer, more accessible atmosphere. http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2015/02/19/exclusive-downtown-bar-rebrands-sets-launch-date.html
February 19, 201510 yr How old was Obscura? I never went there as it looked entirely too stuffy/snobby for my liking and it sounds like that was a common issue. But I didn't think it was that old. I might just be remembering incorrectly however. Some photos to accompany that article would have been nice/smart...
February 19, 201510 yr I just felt like I'm nowhere near big enough of a d-bag to have gone in Obscura. It felt like most of those lounges in NYC you take an elevator to get to so that you can't be bothered to have to look at the plebs out on the sidewalk. It wreaked of egotism.
February 19, 201510 yr It sounds like from that article that a lot of people agreed that it seemed way to snobby.. i only was going to go in once with a few of my friends after it opened and the guy at the door wouldn't let us in because my brother had on shoes with a rubber sole. I will never go back because of that experience.
February 19, 201510 yr It sounds like from that article that a lot of people agreed that it seemed way to snobby.. i only was going to go in once with a few of my friends after it opened and the guy at the door wouldn't let us in because my brother had on shoes with a rubber sole. I will never go back because of that experience. They make shoes without rubber soles? www.cincinnatiideas.com
February 19, 201510 yr What a meaningless rule...I'm a guy who likes his shoes nice (it's one of the only extravagances I allow myself) and most of my shoes still have rubber soles. A handful have wooden soles but still...you can find plenty of $200+ pairs of shoes with (nice) rubber soles. I hate places like this...
February 19, 201510 yr Most of the trendy bars in the CBD seem uninspired and inauthentic. I would much rather go to Japp's or The Littlefield than Obscura to have a fancy cocktail. And what is the appeal of Mynt Martini?
February 19, 201510 yr Though I don't like them, the inauthentic, generic bars are a good intro to urban nightlife. Similar to how The Banks is a good intro into urbanism. Not quite there, but it fills in a much needed middle ground before delving into something like Japp's or Neons or hanging out on the sidewalk at Salazar, etc.
February 19, 201510 yr I basically have to be forced to go to Japps anymore. It's always so crowded with the 18+ crowd, and I think it's really lost a lot of what originally made it great. Maybe I'm just getting old, but I find it much more enjoyable to 'go out' to the bars and restaurants on Vine than the true bar/wannabe club scene of Main Street.
February 19, 201510 yr Most of the trendy bars in the CBD seem uninspired and inauthentic. I would much rather go to Japp's or The Littlefield than Obscura to have a fancy cocktail. And what is the appeal of Mynt Martini? on Fountain Square primarily, but it gets clubby. I went there for 4th of July and fireworks. I was sitting at an outside table with a group from 30-75 years old. "Bouncer" comes up and says I gotta take my UC BBall hat off or leave. Dress code gangsta violation. Mynt is nice in that the outdoor area is nice, outdoor grill burgers/metts, ok casual food. They blast the music too loud. They could do a heck of lot better for sure.
February 19, 201510 yr It sounds like from that article that a lot of people agreed that it seemed way to snobby.. i only was going to go in once with a few of my friends after it opened and the guy at the door wouldn't let us in because my brother had on shoes with a rubber sole. I will never go back because of that experience. Rubber soles, lol, that is a bad joke. I have expensive dress shoes with rubber soles. They last much longer than wood.
February 20, 201510 yr I'll be the odd man out and say the 2 or 3 times I was there I had a pretty good time. The best thing it had going for it was that it was very quiet, which is something most bars in that area can't say for themselves. They were pretty hands off as a staff and let us alone to hang out and which is much easier to do there than nada or 21c
February 20, 201510 yr There is usually an inverse relationship between the amount of money involved and the amount of fun to be had, be it a night club, wedding, whatever.
February 20, 201510 yr I commented on Obscura's Facebook post and was subsequently asked to come check it out tonight since they wanted to keep everything under wraps until the unveiling. I think I'll take a night in watching movies and staying warm instead.
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