
8 minute read
City Life
Voting results from CityBeat’s 2021 readers’ poll
Apartment Community
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1. Aqua on Levee 2. The Lofts at Shillito Place 3. One Lytle Place Apartments
Builder
1. Drees Homes 2. Fischer Homes 3. Urban Sites
Developer
1. 3CDC 2. Over-the-Rhine Community
Housing 3. Messer Construction
Building
1. Union Terminal 2. Music Hall 3. Cincinnati Art Museum
Cincinnati Neighborhood
1. Northside 2. Over-the-Rhine 3. Hyde Park
Cincinnatian
1. Fiona the Hippo 2. Brian Garry 3. Anthony Muñoz 4. Bob Herzog 5. Pete Rose 6. Molly Wellmann 7. Rose Lavelle 8. Nick Lachey 9. Drew Lachey 10. Cam Hardy
College/ University
Conservative
1. John Cranley 2. Joe Deters 3. Bill Cunningham
Progressive
1. Aftab Pureval 2. Brian Garry 3. Mike Moroski
City Life
11 DORA Districts to Sip and Stroll
Open containers are A-OK in these neighborhoods
City of Hamilton
DORA districts — or Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas — are a fun fact of life in Greater Cincinnati. In these specific spaces, you are able to grab an alcoholic beverage to sip while you stroll.
While the new 85-acre DORA at The Banks is a major player, many neighborhoods have their very own areas where visitors can have an open beer or cocktail, as long as they follow some simple rules:
• Alcoholic beverages must be in specific
DORA cups. • DORA beverages must stay within the boundaries of the district. • Guests may take their DORA beverages from participating businesses but are not permitted to bring their drink into another business. • Visitors are subject to open-container laws when outside of the district. • You must be 21 and up to drink.
Here’s your guide to exploring local DORA districts.
The Banks
The DORA at The Banks spans from Paul Brown Stadium to Heritage Bank Center and to the south sidewalk of Second Street and north sidewalk of Mehring Way. (Smale Park is not included in The Banks’ DORA district.) The city has also permanently closed Freedom Way from Joe Nuxhall Way to Walnut Street to make it a pedestrian pathway. The DORA is open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week, during which time visitors may purchase their adult beverages in DORA cups from participating businesses and traverse the district.
Cheviot
Cheviot’s DORA district covers three blocks of Harrison Avenue. Hours are 4 p.m.midnight Monday through Thursday and noon-midnight Friday through Sunday.
Deerfield Township
Deerfield’s DORA district encompasses Deerfield Towne Centre. The district is open 6 p.m.-midnight Monday through Thursday and noon-midnight Friday through Sunday. Deerfield Township’s government says: “Once a DORA cup has left the business it was purchased at, it must be consumed before you re-enter that business or any other business that sells alcoholic beverages. However, you can enjoy your beverage in the public gathering spaces within the designated boundaries.”
Hamilton
Greater Cincinnati area, which launched in 2018. The Hamilton DORA is open noon-midnight daily, with Richard’s Pizza, Municipal Brew Works and Neal’s BBQ serving up DORA beverages.
Loveland
Loveland’s DORA was established almost two years ago, in April 2019. The boundaries run along Karl Brown Way into Nisbet Park and around to West Loveland Avenue. Some local businesses that sell DORA drinks are Bishop’s Quarter, Casual Pint and Narrow Path Brewing. Loveland’s DORA is open noon-11 p.m. daily.
Mason
Mason’s DORA runs from Dawn Street to Fourth Avenue, and the city has signs signaling boundaries. The Common Beer Company, Two Cities Pizza and Quatman Cafe are some of the businesses taking part in the Mason DORA district. The area is open 6 p.m.-midnight Monday through Thursday and noon-midnight Friday through Sunday.
Middletown
Middletown has its very own DORA, running from the riverfront to Clark Street in downtown Middletown. The DORA hours are noon-midnight daily. Middletown requires the purchase of a $1 DORA bracelet, which is good for the entire day. Participating locations include the Canal Pub at the Landing, Gracie’s and The White Dog Distilling Company.
Milford
Milford joins the list with their own DORA. The boundaries cover Main Street, parts of Water Street and some of Lila Avenue. The entirety of Riverside Park is included in the DORA district. The Governor, 20 Brix and Little Miami Brewing Company are all participating businesses. Hours are 4-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m.midnight Friday through Sunday.
Montgomery
Montgomery’s DORA district runs from the edge of State Route 126 to Go Bananas Comedy Club on Montgomery Road. The DORA hours for Montgomery are 5-11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m.-midnight Friday, noon-midnight Saturday and noon-9 p.m. Sunday. Participating businesses have maps showing the limits of DORA. And locations may charge $1 for the DORA cup.
Wyoming
Wyoming has its own DORA, which is open 2-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 2 p.m.-midnight Friday and noon-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Wyoming Community Coffee, Tela Bar + Kitchen and Station Family + BBQ are some of the businesses licensed to sell DORA drinks.
Bellevue
Bellevue, Kentucky, has something a bit different, but the concept is the same. The Bellevue Entertainment District (BED) allows those over 21 to roam with open containers as they shop. The BED is open between O’Fallon Avenue and Riviera Drive on Fairfield Avenue. Hours of operation are noon-11 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. BED patrons must purchase a reusable cup for 50 cents from a participating business.
10 Stunning Scenic Overlooks
It is said that Cincinnati is built on seven hills, like Rome — the city is actually named for Roman agrarian and military general Cincinnatus — but the reality is that we have plenty more hills, heights and neighborhood names that begin with “Mount” than that. The alternating peaks and valleys of the city create excellent views from a variety of vantage points. There are about 50 classified scenic overlooks throughout the Tri-State area and many other secret spots from which to see the lights of the city and the winding Ohio River.
• Devou Park, 854 Park Lane, Covington • Licking Riverside Historic District, Fourth
Street, Covington • Mount Adams Steps, 99-1 Guido St., Mount
Adams • Mount Echo Park, 202 Crestline Ave., East
Price Hill • Jackson Hill Park, 2027 Eleanor Place,
Mount Auburn • Eden Park Twin Lakes Overlook, 950 Eden
Park Drive, Mount Adams • Prospect Hill Park, Between Milton and
Boal Streets, Prospect Hill • Olden View Park, 2610 Eighth St. W, East
Price Hill • Fairview Park, 501 West McMillan St.,
Clifton Heights • Celestial Street overlook, Celestial and Hill streets, Mount Adams
1. Matthew 25: Ministries 2. Ohio Innocence Project 3. Cincinnati Zoo &
Botanical Garden
Friend to the Environment
1. Cincinnati Zoo &
Botanical Garden 2. Great Parks of Hamilton County 3. Cincinnati Nature Center (TIE) 3. Krohn Conservatory (TIE)
Journalist
1. Jessica Schmidt (WXIX) 2. Bob Herzog (WKRC) 3. Tricia Macke (WXIX) 4. Paul Daugherty (Cincinnati
Enquirer) 5. John Matarese (WCPO) 6. Tana Weingartner (WVXU) 7. Kathrine Nero (Cincinnati Enquirer) 8. Nick Swartsell (WVXU) 9. Megan Mitchell (WLWT) 10. Lucy Mays (WCPO)
Local Activist
1. Brian Garry 2. Jim Tarbell 3. Triiibe
Local Cause
1. Matthew 25: Ministries 2. Freestore Foodbank 3. Maslow’s Army 4. Planned Parenthood
Southwest Ohio 5. SPCA Cincinnati 6. Cincinnati Public Radio 7. The Friends of the Public Library 8. ArtWorks 9. ArtsWave 10. Save the Animals Foundation
Local Elected Official
1. Aftab Pureval 2. John Cranley 3. Denise Driehaus
Local Podcast
1. Accused 2. Art Palace 3. True Crime Historian
MBA Program
After a year-and-a-half of planning and construction, Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC) unveiled its $5.5 million Court Street Plaza revitalization project in June 2021.
The plaza — located on Court Street between Vine and Walnut streets — is a pedestrianfriendly urban promenade with sidewalks wide enough to accommodate outdoor dining, events and pop-ups. With wide sidewalks and a “festival-style street,” says 3CDC, the area can easily be closed to cars and vehicle traffic as needed.
Court Street Plaza also features public art, including the first work, a mural by local Gee Horton.
New bars and restaurants have popped up along the development including the Ernest Hemingway/Key West-inspired cocktail lounge Pilar (pilarcincinnati.com), and Mid-City (midcitycinti.com), a grill-food-focused eatery and bar from the team behind popular Over-theRhine spot Longfellow. For upcoming events, follow @courtstreetcincy or visit courtstreetcincy.com.

Hailey Bollinger
Northern Kentucky Neighborhood
1. Covington 2. Newport 3. Bellevue
Northern Kentuckian
1. George Clooney 2. Nick Clooney 3. Cris Collinsworth 4. Amy McGrath 5. Jean-Robert de Cavel 6. Kathrine Nero 7. Otto M. Budig, Jr. 8. Maryanne Zeleznik 9. Tom Browning 10. Michael Monks
Park (City)
Park (County)
1. Cincinnati Nature Center 2. Sharon Woods 3. Miami Whitewater Forest
Philanthropist
1. Anthony Muñoz 2. Bootsy Collins 3. Carl Lindner III
Place to Take a Visitor
1. Findlay Market 2. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical
Garden 3. Jungle Jim’s International Market 4. Over-the-Rhine 5. Smale Riverfront Park 6. Cincinnati Reds Game 7. The Banks 8 Cincinnati Museum Center 9. Cincinnati Art Museum 10. Carew Tower Observation Deck
Playground
Private School
1. Cincinnati Waldorf School 2. Saint Xavier High School 4. Elder High School
Public School
1. Walnut Hills High School 2. School for Creative and Performing Arts 3. Oak Hills High School
Radio Show
1. “Jeff & Jenn” (Q102) 2. “All Things Considered” (WVXU) 3. “Cincinnati Edition” (WVXU)
Radio Station
1. 91.7 (WVXU) 2. 101.9 (Q102) 3. 105.1 (B105)
Radio Talk Show Host
1. Jeff, Jenn, Fritsch and Tim (Q102) 2. Natalie Jones (Q102) 3. Maryanne Zeleznik (WVXU)
Religious Leader
1. Chuck Mingo (Crossroads) 2. Fr. Michael Graham (Xavier) 3. Brian Tome (Crossroads)
Scenic Overlook
1. Eden Park 2. Devou Park 3. Ault Park
Suburban Neighborhood
1. Mariemont 2. Loveland 3. Liberty Township (TIE) 3. Wyoming (TIE)
Troublemaker
1. The Gang of Five 2. Mike Brown 3. Brian Garry
TV Anchor
TV Newscast
1. WXIX (Channel 19) 2. WLWT (Channel 5) 3. WCPO (Channel 9)
TV Sportscaster
1. George Vogel (WLWT) 2. Dan Hoard (Bengals, Bearcats) 3. Joe Danneman (WXIX)
TV Weathercaster
1. Frank Marzullo (WXIX) 2. Steve Horstmeyer (WXIX) 3. Randi Rico (WLWT)
Weekend Getaway (Within 150 Miles)
1. Hocking Hills, Ohio 2. Red River Gorge, Kentucky 3. Yellow Springs, Ohio
