Cincinnati's nightlife is speckled with trendy, be-seen places and quaint neighborhood bars. Local music is hot, too, and is featured at many bars and restaurants.
Pub crawl in Clifton: One 'Simply Cincy' reader says a must is "hitting all the bars around Calhoun St. (Woody's, Bearcat Cafe, etc.) only to end up at Papa Dino's after the bars close."
Listen at the Mad Frog: 1 E. McMillian St., Clifton. One of best local music bars in the city. You can't miss it---the building is a bright, bright green. (513) 784-9119.
Get the blues at Lucille's: 3715 Winston Ave., Latonia. Opened in 1994, Lucille's is one of the choice spots in Cincinnati to see live blues. Read more about Lucille's. (859) 431-8086
Laugh at Go Bananas: 8410 Market Place, Montgomery. Top-shelf comics come here to make Cincinnatians laugh. Call for show times and reservations. (513) 984-9288.
Fling in Spring: The April "Spring Fling" is the royal matriarch of all singles events in Cincinnati. A pre-Flower Show gala in Ault Park, the "Spring Fling" features drinks, food, spring air and a gorgeous setting. It's sheer flirting madness; a bastion of pretty people. Every single Cincinnatian should try the "Spring Fling" at least once.
Listen at the Southgate House: 24 E. 3rd St., Newport. Once a home, this bar/nightclub hosts of some of the area's most creative live independent bands, shows and events. (859) 431-2201.
Visit singer/songwriter night at Allyn's Cafe: 3538 Columbia Parkway, Columbia-Tusculum. Tuesdays at 9:30. Local writers can share their work. (513) 871-5779. More about Allyn's Cafe.
Sample local brew at the BarrelHouse: 22 E. 12th St., downtown. Cincinnati's first modern microbrewery offers a sampler series with five different kinds of beer. Live music is offered Tuesdays through Saturday nights, too. (513) 421-BEER.
Go to Crowley's in Mt. Adams: 958 Pavilion, Mt. Adams. A "Simply Cincy" reader suggested this Mt. Adams pub for "a drink and to experience an authentic slice of Cincinnati history." (513) 721-7709.
Live la vida loca: For a festive Latin dance party, go to Corinthian Restaurant and Lounge on Jefferson Avenue in Cllifton. This place is known for its hot dance nights that start at 9:30 p.m. on the weekend. The cover is $3.
Hang out at Sudsy Malone's Rock and Roll Laundry Bar: 2626 Vine St., Corryville. Listen to the hottest local bands while you clean your clothes. Sudsy's has hosted several big acts, including Jefferson Airplane, Beck, Everclear and Smashing Pumpkins, but has run into some trouble lately. Regardless, live music makes its return on October 28 with Hoodoo Caminos. 751-2300.
Sing at MLT's on Tuesday nights: 3209 Linwood Ave., Mt. Lookout. Karaoke night at the Mount Lookout Tavern is, quite possibly, a rite of passge for single 20-40somethings who just moved to Cincinnati. A regular crowd appears, but a good, solid survey of Cincinnati tavern life can be taken on this night.
Visit Arnold's Bar and Grill: 210 E. 8th St., downtown. Arnold's opened in 1861, and so, has the oldest barroom in Cincinnati. Jazz and piano acts entertain eating and drinking patrons. Some Cincinnatians consider Arnold's a great historical tradition. 421-6234.
See a concert at Bogart's: 2621 Vine St., Corryville. Bogart's is the premier place for live music in Cincinnati. It's small, it's cheap, but it attracts many of the "brink-of-stardom" acts: U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jane's Addiction played Bogart's before the mainstream got a hold of them. 281-8400.
Wednesdays at the Blue Wisp: The Blue Wisp Big Band, (a 16-piece orchestra) is featured every Wednesday night at the Blue Wisp. "Even if you don't think you like jazz or Big Band music," says a reader, "I dare you not to like this." 19 Garfield Place, downtown. 721-9801.
Carouse at Bobby Macky's country bar - Rumor has it that Bobby Macky's is haunted. Regardless, who can pass up El Torro, the mechanical bull, or their mechanical surfboard? Open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Karoke and live music. 859-431-5588.
Spend a night on Main Street - Main St., Over-the-Rhine, downtown - This entertainment district has bars, restaurants, neon lights and music. It's worth one night---just to see what you're missing.
Hit "Bluegrass Sundays" at The Comet - 4579 Hamilton Ave., Northside - Once a secret, the word about Bluegrass Sundays is out: great local music, good burritos and an eclectic crowd. 541-8900.
Observe at a "Thank van Gogh It's Friday" party - - These late winter/spring parties (thrown by the Cincinnati Art Museum) combine art, good music, and lots of beautiful people. It's worth at least one stop. $6.
Listen to Ray's Music Exchange - A "Simpy Cincy" reader suggested this local band. "They won a Cincinnati Entertainment Award for best album and are featured in June's "Downbeat Magazine," he says.
Relax at Cabana On the River - 7445 Forbes Rd., Sayler Park - "One of the best things to do," says one reader, "is to go to the Cabana On the River. I don't think there's anything better than going down there with some friends, watching the boats go by and eating some really good fish!"
Do a wine tasting in Mt. Adams - Two wine shops/bars in Mt. Adams do wine tastings weekly: the Monastery and the Mushroom. Plus, the neighborhood ambiance makes for a fun (and maybe unique) evening. Places to go.
Visit the Pilot Inn - 3921 Edwards Rd., Norwood. Chicago residents have heard of this dive bar and recommend it to friends visiting Cincinnati. More about the Pilot Inn.
Karaoke at the Corner Pub - 5077 Glenway Ave., Price Hill - Improve intracity relations with a jaunt over to the west side for great fun on Wednesday evening. Very friendly people, quick karaoke waiting time, and it's not too crowded, either. 471-5170.
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