The reason I'm asking is we are trying to make plans for about 10-12 of us and I don't have time to go during the week.  Just want to get any kind of info before we actually all go Friday night.

Blue Wisp headed up an octave

New owners want to make club an upscale destination

BY JANELLE GELFAND | CINCINNATI ENQUIRER

December 9, 2007

 

DOWNTOWN - It's 8:30 p.m. on a Wednesday night, and the Blue Wisp Jazz Club downtown is filled to near-capacity. The internationally known Blue Wisp Big Band is heating up the place as it has for nearly 28 years, with standards from Kurt Weill's "Speak Low" to Vince Guaraldi's "Christmastime Is Here."

 

"It's good vibes here," says Amanda Brackmann, 20, a University of Cincinnati student. "I think they're wonderful."

The Blue Wisp was notorious for serving underage when I was underaged.  I think I successfully ordered a Heineken there when I was 16. 

"And there's no guarantee the jazz club will remain downtown. The sale was for the name, liquor license, piano, sound equipment and fixtures. The building's lease has expired, and the partners are in negotiations with landlord North American Properties."

 

 

I wouldn't mind seeing this move up to Main St. and start to get a real entertainment district solidified. It would be cool to have a Beal St. type vibe going on Main St. I was too young to see it when it was in its prime.

^ No, we don't want Beale St., I know what you mean, but we do not want a Beale.

I just want an entertainment district where people from all over say if your in Cincy you need to check out Main St.  - Something that will put entertainment here on the map. A diverse atmosphere that offers something to everyone.....

The entertainment district belongs downtown on 4th or 7th.  Keep it close to Fountain Square but not too close.  Keeps the clubbers a couple of blocks from family friendly Fountain Square.  Would be a great mix and offering.  Let OTR evolve into a neighborhood with more businesses created for the residents.

I know this is against the rules, but I'm actually okay with it not being downtown. I think it could do very well on the Ludlow strip or perhaps Northside. It could do fine in Mt. Adam's too, but yuck. Actually, I think a great place for would be in Walnut Hills near the Greenwich. Toledo's great Jazz bar for years and years was Rusty's and it was entirely out of the way in an industrial park in South Toledo. (for Cincinnatians that would equivalent to parts of Roselawn or Norwood).

my money would be in the ludlow garage in clifton

^^The problem with that is that any other district (outside of Downtown or OTR) is far too residential for that type of environment to evolve.  These existing districts are essentially maxed out with the number of establishments of this sort, imo.  Downtown is clearly more commercial than any part of OTR and thus would make logical sense for it to become the nightlife hotspot for Cincinnati.  However, OTR (in particular Main Street) offers that unique Cincinnati feel that can not be matched in other cities.  It also offers a more intimate setting for bar hopping and what not...and has a better potential for having a closed off street to vehicular traffic and open-container district.

 

Personally I'm torn, but in all honesty with the way things are heading right now I think we'll see which one the all mighty market ultimately is in favor of...Downtown or OTR/Main Street.  My bet is that Downtown will be the more rowdy nightclub and bar scene...while OTR/Main Street will continue its evolution into more of a art gallery, lounge (ie Mr. Pitifuls), and unique nightspot (ie Cue) destination.

My thinking is why does Cincinnati need a single dedicated "entertainment district"?  Why not just think of the entire city as an entertainment district.  If things keep going the way they are going for downtown, having several small "pockets" of bars\clubs spread throughout the city will benefit the city.  It keeps people throughout the entire space of downtown and not just concentrated in one particular spot.  With having several different "hot spots" throughout the city, the need and use of a streetcar will be more disireable.  Also, when people are moving from one set of bars to another, they are more likely to stop at places in between to get food and what not.

^Prepare to have you ass handed to you by the pro-district crowd.

 

The Blue Wisp was in O'Bryonville before it moved to Garfield Place.  I think it was where the Chateau Pomijie or however you spell it is now.  I saw an episode of WKRP when Johnny Fever reconnects with a daughter he had and there is a poster for the Blue Wisp in his apartment.

I think that MT. Adams appeals to people because it has a party like atmosphere, and a concentrated mix of bars. People like the idea of all the bars being concentrated because like UncleRando said it creates the opportunity for bar hopping. I also really like the idea of closing off traffic for pedestrian circulation on Main St.

 

Although i am a huge fan of what is happening DT i think that OTR (Main St.) has what people are really looking for. It's unique in itself within the city and throughout the country. People will come to see this, but it needs more of a mix of environments. (some pubs, american bars, jazz clubs, dance clubs, and wouldn't an ale house be great?)

 

It is also attractive to bar owners because most of the buildings are easy to convert into bars because at one point may were bars and the rent or purchase price is much cheaper than in downtown. Really the only problem is the overall perception of OTR and Main St. in general. Hopefully this will be changing with the addition of the streetcar.

Mt. Adams wouldn't be what it is without the small streets, low traffic, and trees everywhere.

If they could pull it off and close off Main St. to vehicles, but still alow the streetcars to pass through, that would be awesome.

you also have the 17 18 19 24 busses that use upper main as well

My thinking is why does Cincinnati need a single dedicated "entertainment district"? 

 

Because people that visit and conventioneers like to stay close to their hotels.  Suburbanites like to be able to park the car (pay for parking once) and not touch it again until they leave.  City dwellers like to walk to the district and then walk home.  A entertainment district in downtown and not in OTR makes sense.  Downtown is statistically safer and the perception is better.  OTR should be left to grow organically as a neighborhood with businesses that cater to the residents that live there.  The focus lately in OTR has been on art and services which is perfect.

I guess my thinking was bigger cities like Chicago, NYC, LA, etc...seem to have multiple entertainment areas throughout the entire city, not just one district or part of the city where everyone goes.  At least I think that's the case, I may be wrong?

^ They are big enough to have several large entertainment districts.  If we could have several that size, it would be great - but right now just one that size is what we should be shooting for.

I guess my thinking was bigger cities like Chicago, NYC, LA, etc...seem to have multiple entertainment areas throughout the entire city, not just one district or part of the city where everyone goes.  At least I think that's the case, I may be wrong?

 

No one is saying to close up the smaller districts of Northside, Mt Adams, Mt. Lookout, OTR & Mainstrasse.  I am just suggesting that new investment be focused in a Downtown district.  We will still have the fabric of those great neighborhoods to enjoy life.

^

From my understanding the Banks will be an entertainment district. (Not solely but will have large amount of eateries and bars) People tend to gravitate towards things that are new (The Banks) - Cadillac Ranch is a perfect example of that.

 

Don't you think that the banks will hurt the chances of the CBD solidifying an entertainment district, where as OTR is far enough away where they can survive in co-existence?

If they cap Ft. Washington way there is no reason why Fountain Square to the Banks can't be connected.  I already park under Fountain Square and walk to the ballparks.  It will be years though before we can enjoy anything on the Banks.

Yes it will be interesting to see how the banks affects the rest of downtown.  I really think it would be great to just put as much residental living on the banks with a few non-chain bars\restaurants\entertainment places.  Kind of like the type you find in a typical neighborhood.

On the other hand, competition from the banks will be good for the rest of the "entertainment" areas of downtown.

If they cap Ft. Washington way there is no reason why Fountain Square to the Banks can't be connected.  I already park under Fountain Square and walk to the ballparks.  It will be years though before we can enjoy anything on the Banks.

 

the cincinnati streetcar will connect the banks to all of downtown and over the rhine

I wonder about those caps on Ft. Washington way......I think they would be a great addition to lower downtown\banks.  But, also I think it will take away from people driving through Cincinnati because it's cool to drive past the stadiums and the front of downtown.

I wonder about those caps on Ft. Washington way......I think they would be a great addition to lower downtown\banks.  But, also I think it will take away from people driving through Cincinnati because it's cool to drive past the stadiums and the front of downtown.

 

What are you talking about?  the caps don't cover the streets!  Just FWW!

I wonder about those caps on Ft. Washington way......I think they would be a great addition to lower downtown\banks.  But, also I think it will take away from people driving through Cincinnati because it's cool to drive past the stadiums and the front of downtown.

 

I'm guessing you're talking about when you're driving on FWW...I would say that it is actually cooler to tunnel underneath an urban core.

The view from the highway should be the last thing on our minds when planning downtown.

I wonder about those caps on Ft. Washington way......I think they would be a great addition to lower downtown\banks.  But, also I think it will take away from people driving through Cincinnati because it's cool to drive past the stadiums and the front of downtown.

 

What are you talking about?  the caps don't cover the streets!  Just FWW!

 

Yes I was talking about FWW.....and yes I know the view from the highway is the last thing we should be worried about.  My point was that I know when I have had relatives\friends visit when I first moved here they made the comment about how "neat" it was to drive between the stadiums and downtown.

^ Screw them...  Cap it! They will get over it once they are walking on the park space created from the cap. 

I miss America Live! and Metropolis at Forest Fair. That was a real bar hopping experience. Safe, secure and great parking! What else could anyone ask for? Plus after putting in good night of drinking I was always felt safe only having to drive a few miles home to my posh spread in Fairfield.

^are you joking?

^ Continue any further Cincinnati Mills conversation here: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php?topic=2614.0

^ Screw them...  Cap it! They will get over it once they are walking on the park space created from the cap. 

 

 

I hope those parks are lined with money-trees.

To bring the conversation back to nightlife, the phenomenal house duo, Lawnchair Generals, from Seattle will be at Bang on Friday night.  I've been to Bang once and said that it could be great if the music was better.  Friday night it will be better.

 

Look for my friends and me on the dancefloor.

^are you joking?

 

Yes he is...although igon, Metropolis is still around and still bringing in the SE Indiana farmers by the droves.

Went to the Blue Wisp last night with a few friends for the Blue Wisp Big Band and it was fantastic as always.  They are slowly but surely starting to offer some food items...the owner also got up during the intermission and was talking about some of their improvements for the place and mentioned that they soon hope to be open for lunch/dinner and serve some BBQ type stuff.

 

With this said, I am hoping that they look into some new seating options/arrangements for the place, because right now it is a cluster#@!$.  It could be really cool if they wrapped the wall with deep/soft booths that could further develop the chill atmosphere that a jazz club should be.  Plus I would think it might be able to both offer more seating and clean things up a bit for better access for the servers.

 

Oh yeah and one more thing...I was carded for the first time ever there last night.  I was really shocked given the fact that they have always been known to serve underage and that I have never once been carded.  Oh yeah...and the place was packed full.

I have yet to check out Blue Wisp, but maybe I will this weekend.  I've really been digging the 7th street strip of bars lately.  We got out of Lodge Bar Saturday night after last call and their was just masses of people out on the sidewalks.  Their seemed to be a lack of cabs though as I saw people fighting for them.

OMG! A celeb spotting at CUE! ;)

 

 

Jeez ... Single guys take note ... it seems like almost every female in CUE is a dime piece!  :cool2:

 

http://cinweekly.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Avis=A1&Dato=20071116&Kategori=LIFE05&Lopenr=711160801&Ref=PH

 

That looks like Urban Ohio former, Michael Redmond.  I finally met him back when Kendall was selling his loft in OTR.

 

Here are a view more Cue photos, you should recognize a few other faces.

http://www.cuecincy.com/cuephotos/slideshow.swf

 

 

 

^^Oh Michael...he's such a charmer.

wow there are some amazing girls there... i'll have to check that out. What are the prices like?

$2 Newcastle & Sam Adams ;)

^

not bad.

 

 

To me, it seems that 6th & 7th street are gaining momentum as far as bars go.  The past few times I've been bar hoping on those two streets, their seems to be tons of people in the bars.

The one thing that would be great is if that pizza shop right next to the Lodge bar was open around when the bars closed.  The place would be packed with people leaving the bar.

^There is a walk up pizza by the slice window on Vine right near the corner of 7th and Vine.  Dink's also stays open after the bars let out and it is essentially right next door to the walk up window I mentioned.  With that said, you're right...another one would still do killer business and add to the overall atmosphere.  Oh yeah...there is a Skyline right there at the corner of 7th & Vine as well.  What kind of business do you think they would do right around 2am?

Well given that if you go to Pleasant Ridge Chili after 2AM on a Friday or Saturday and you have to fight for a table, I would image they would do pretty well.  In the warmer months, it would be great to see like a hotdog\pizza\whatever vendor on the street located right around those bars.

Thursdays at the Wisp

BY RANDY SIMES | URBANCINCY

February 7, 2008

 

DOWNTOWN - There is a new weekly activity that is sure to please…Thursday nights at the Blue Wisp are now UrbanCincy nights. When you go you can now get $3 off of the cover charge – typically $8 reduced to $5 for readers of UrbanCincy. The first Thursday night special will be on Valentines Day with the Dan Faehnle Quartet taking the stage. Dan Faehnle is know for his jazz guitar and even better - he's an Ohio native.

 

But before the first Thursday night special, there is another performance which is definitely worth checking out. World renowned organ virtuoso, Joey DeFrancesco, will be performing with his trio on February 12th for two shows (7:30pm & 9:30pm). This is a fantastic opportunity to check out a simply outstanding performance that will be full of blistering speed and fantastic control. Make sure you come and see what the hype is about and make your reservations now.

 

Spread the word and tell everyone you know about the new UrbanCincy nights at the Blue Wisp.

 

Preview Dan Faehnle's latest record - Ohio Lunch - now!

 

And check out Joey DeFrancesco here:

wow, this rocks.  Joey DeFrancesco is unbelievable on the B-3, the best I've ever heard.  I hope to be there.

wow, this rocks.  Joey DeFrancesco is unbelievable on the B-3, the best I've ever heard.  I hope to be there.

 

Mention that you heard about it from UrbanCincy...you might be given some sort of discount (no promises).