COMMUNITY
Christian
ARTS AND CULTURE REPORTER
Kane Mitten
COMMUNITY VIBRANCY REPORTER
Noah Jones
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Erin Sendelbach
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Nadya Ellerhorst
DISTRIBUTION TEAM
Brian Drees
LINK MEDIA
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Lacy Starling
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Meghan Goth
SENIOR DIGITAL EDITOR
Maggy McDonel
By Christian LeDuc
Best of Cincinnati has been celebrating the people, places and experiences that make the Queen City unique since the awards were first launched in the late 90s.
As we were putting the final touches on this year’s 30th anniversary edition, I’ve been reflecting on what CityBeat, and Best Of, means to this town. What began as a readers’ poll has grown into a tradition that captures the spirit, creativity and energy of Greater Cincinnati every year.
Bartenders, musicians, DJs, authors and drag performers are just a few of the professions you chose as categories for this special anniversary edition of Best of Cincinnati. This issue, and the businesses and people celebrated inside, are all a reflection of what our readers love about Cincinnati.
There is, of course, an elephant in the room (he’s big and he’s beautiful and that’s fine obviously, but still, he’s an elephant): Putting this issue together was not free. Not even close.
Our website is free to anyone who wants to read it. We don’t use paywalls or ask for your email address. Our print edition, which goes out every two weeks to news stands across Cincinnati, is also free.
So is this edition, which, as you can imagine, costs a lot more than our regular bi-weekly edition.
That brings me to my ask of you: If you
are able to support CityBeat in any way you can, it will help us keep everything you love about Cincinnati’s beloved altweekly free for everyone.
If you are financially able to make a monetary Contribution, please consider donating to the CityBeat Press Club Fund. This philanthropic fund is dedicated to sustaining and expanding our publicinterest journalism for the Cincinnati region. Scan the QR code on this page to make a donation now.
We also understand that a financial contribution is not a possibility for a lot of
people, especially in today’s economy. If that’s the case for you, there are a lot of other ways to support CityBeat:
• Go to our website at City Beat.com. Click on stories you like, share your favorites on social media or send them to your friends or family.
• Sign up for our newsletters. There’s one for just about any taste, including one dedicated to food and another that reminds you of what’s happening this weekend every Thursday.
• Pick up one of our print editions. We’ve included a list of all locations, along with a QR code you can scan to see a google map of the locations. Read it, pass it along or even leave it in a coffee shop somewhere for someone else to peruse.
• Follow us on social media and don’t forget to share the love!
In this special anniversary edition, we’re spotlighting the top three winners in categories spanning arts and culture, eats, services, family and health, shopping and city and nightlife. Inside, you’ll also find staff picks, profiles of standout winners and photos from this year’s celebration party. Here’s to three decades of local favorites — and to the people who continue to shape Cincinnati’s story every day.
Christian LeDuc is CityBeat’s Community Editor. Email him at cleduc@ citybeat.com.
SCAN THIS QR CODE TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO THE CITYBEAT PRESS CLUB FUND.
The Arts & Culture category reflects the heart of Cincinnati, and for decades, it’s been at the heart of CityBeat, too.
From community theaters and public murals to local authors, beloved festivals, radio personalities and museums, these are the people and places that shape the city’s creative identity and keep its culture thriving.
Chosen by readers, these finalists represent the artists, institutions and experiences that make Cincinnati inspiring, expressive and unmistakably itself.
Here are the top three finalists in each Arts & Culture category, including this year’s winner.
Arts & Culture Reader picks
ART GALLERY
1. Studio Kroner – All Else Pales: 2
2. Cincinnati Art Museum
3. DSGN CLLCTV
ART MURAL
1. “Love Wins” at Queen City Radio
2. “Homecoming (Bluebirds),” by Charley Harper at 119 E. Court Street
3. Street art by “EMPR CTZNS”
ART MUSEUM
1. Cincinnati Art Museum
2. American Sign Museum
3. Contemporary Arts Center
ATTRACTION
1. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
2. Findlay Market
3. American Sign Museum
CASINO
1. Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati
2. Hollywood Casino & Hotel Lawrenceburg
3. Turfway Park Racing & Gaming
CHARITY FESTIVAL/EVENT
1. Cincinnati Pride Festival/Parade
2. Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
3. Art in Bloom – Cincinnati Art Museum
CHURCH FESTIVAL
1. Cincitalia
2. St. Cecilia Catholic Church
3. All Saints Catholic Parish
COMMUNITY THEATER
1. Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
2. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
3. Know Theatre of Cincinnati
CULTURAL
1. Asian Food Fest
2. Cincinnati Music Hall
3. Cincinnati Museum Center
DANCE COMPANY
1. Dance Flash Fusion
2. Cincinnati Ballet
3. DanceFix by HBDC
EVENT SPACE
1. 20th Century Theater
2. Rhinegeist Brewery
3. Longworth Hall Event Center
FESTIVAL OR SPECIAL EVENT
1. BLINK
2. Opening Day
3. Pickin ’N Sippin Festival –Lawrenceburg, Ind.
FOUNTAIN SQUARE EVENT
1. Live music
2. Winterhaus
3. Beerfest
FREE ATTRACTION
1. BLINK
2. Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
3. Findlay Market
CINCINNATI’S ART AND LIGHT FESTIVAL, BLINK, WON THIS YEAR IN THE FESTIVAL OR SPECIAL EVENT CATEGORY. PHOTO PROVIDED | BLINK
GALLERY SHOW
1. Studio Kroner – All Else Pales: 2
2. Pendleton Art Center
3. I.C.I. Studio School of Art
HAUNTED HOUSE
1. The Dent Schoolhouse
2. Kings Island
3. USS Nightmare Haunted Steamboat
HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAY
1. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
2. Cincinnati Nature Center
3. Kings Island
LOCAL ARTIST
1. PopWater Studio – Autumn Walsh
2. Art by Alexis
3. Michael Thompson
LOCAL AUTHOR
1. Emily Henry
2. Jay B. Kalagayan
3. Jenna Beall Mueller
LOCAL BAND
1. Under the Sun
2. Vinyl Countdown
3. Discount Llama
LOCAL COMEDIAN
1. Sweett Biscut
2. Mark Borison
3. Gary Owen
LOCAL INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT
1. @hood_news_75 –Hood News 75
2. @mullet_review – Mullet Review
3. @midwestern.lesbian –Midwestern Lesbian
LOCAL TIKTOK ACCOUNT
1. @mulletreview – Mullet Review
2. @midwesternlesbian –Midwestern Lesbian
3. @cincylibrary – Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library
LOCAL TOUR
1. American Legacy Tours
2. Friends of Music Hall
3. Cincinnati Subway Tour
MOVIE THEATER
1. Esquire Theatre
2. 20th Century Theater
3. Kenwood Theatre
MUSEUM
1. Cincinnati Museum Center
2. Cincinnati Art Museum
3. American Sign Museum
MUSIC VENUE
1. 20th Century Theater
2. Whiskey City’s Liberty Theater
3. Bogart’s PLAY
1. “Die Hard is a Christmas Movie”
2. “Pride and Prejudice” – UC College-Conservatory of Music Play Series
3. “GREASE” – The Carnegie
PUBLIC ART
1. BLINK
2. Art Climb Steps at the Cincinnati Art Museum
3. “Welcome to Jaffa” mural
PUBLIC MURAL (NEW IN 2025/2026)
1. Mercer Garage Pride Mural
2. Kate Albert Art murals – Milford & Miami Township America250
3. Goshen Grind
PUMPKIN PATCH/FARM
1. Blooms & Berries Farm Market & Garden Center
2. Neltner’s Farm & Event Venue
3. Shaw Farms
STREET ARTIST
1. EMPR CTZNS
2. Josh Stout
3. technique2012
WASHINGTON PARK EVENT
1. City Flea
2. Drag Bingo
3. Opening Day
By Christian LeDuc
Lamenuel Scales has always been up in everybody’s business.
“My nickname as a kid was Johnny the Newsboy,” Scales told CityBeat
Long before his viral success skyrocketed him into social media influencer status with his Hood News 75 Instagram account and his Hilarious Scales Facebook page (it has a combined following of more than 310,000 fans), Scales was a boy with a big dream, growing up on the streets of downtown Cincinnati.
“Originally, I wanted to be a firefighter,” he said.
At age 12, Scales started hanging around Cincinnati Fire Department Company 3 across from the Hamilton County Justice Center. One day, a firefighter gave him his first scanner, which allowed him to listen to emergency radio traffic between first responders and dispatchers — it was a day that changed everything.
He got a bike, and he tried to beat them to scenes. “I was amazed,” Scales said. “Years later, here we are.”
And with that, Hood News 75 was born.
In the early days, Scales’ content focused around where he lived with his family in Clermont County, but he ventured back to his original stomping grounds in downtown Cincinnati.
Last year, he posted a video of himself
reporting while literally standing in the Ohio River, which went “crazy.”
Now he’s always looking to top himself.
From wandering around in the woods in his underwear to splashing around a puddle outside of his home in the middle of a thunderstorm to hanging out with Afroman while he smokes a blunt, Scales’ raunchy comedy is designed to be crazy, yet relatable.
“The world is so stressful and crazy,”
HOOD
Scales said. “I don’t want to hear about somebody dying every day … I want to hear about the fun things,” he said. “I want to see the dude in his underwear or wearing a boot… down at the Bengals stadium talking about Lord knows what.” Scales doesn’t shy away from getting serious when he needs to be. He’ll cover shootings, house fires and other incidents around the region. He said this balance has helped set himself apart
from traditional media and even other content creators.
“It makes you nervous when you see people that are supposed to be so calm when crazy s*** is going on,” he said. “If you’re freaking out, I’m freaking out. I think people just appreciate the realness.”
Scales prides himself on providing his fans an “unfiltered news source.”
“Content creators is the move,” he said. “(We’re) reaching more people than actual media companies.”
He said that’s the key to his success. At the end of the day, everyone is human and having normal human reactions to events (good or bad) resonates with people.
“I got suburban people, country people, trailer park, people in the hood … all this,” Scales said. “They want to hear straight from the truth. Straight in the streets.”
His fans adore him and he gives that love right back.
“The people are good to me, so I’m good to the people,” he said. “That’s why I’m here, 100%, I love my city.”
After filming content with a Reds player, he’s just as likely to show up at your weekend barbecue. All you have to do is ask.
“I’ll pop up on you,” he said. “That’s what it’s about for me. Just enjoying the people because at the end of the day, that’s where it starts.”
His realness has also helped him gain the respect of local first responders. In the beginning, they didn’t take him seriously, but now, he’s getting more facetime with law enforcement than even TV news reporters, he said.
“That’s huge,” he added.
Scales doesn’t have a team of
producers running around trying to make things happen. Hood News 75 is DIY. Sometimes his family helps out, but usually it’s him, his $20 tripod from Walmart and whatever crazy s*** happens at any given moment on the streets of Cincinnati.
“If I’m not doing it, somebody else gonna be doing it,” he said. “And I ain’t gonna let nobody outdo me.”
As he’s grown, he also has had to learn how to handle the business side of the influencer industry.
“I send out my own emails, I do my own invoices, I communicate with companies and hold my ground,” he said.
He’s his own boss and that’s never going to change.
“I go out when I want to go out,” Scales said. “I didn’t think that just being myself with a microphone would open up so many doors and have so many opportunities.”
Despite not being able to go grocery shopping without someone asking for
his picture, Scales said he’s just getting started with his unique brand of comedic journalism.
He wants to turn Hood News into a nationally recognizable brand.
“It can be way bigger than I imagined,” he said. “We’re gonna take Hood News to a different level.”
If there’s a hurricane in Florida or a wildfire in California, he wants to be there.
To make this happen, he’s putting his business hat on to start identifying how he can financially take things to the next level. Whether it’s a brand deal or a corporate sponsorship, he’s open to negotiating.
“A big misconception is they think that it’s about the clicks and likes,” he said. “It’s just about being a good person.”
In the meantime, he plans on hanging his 2026 Best of Cincinnati award in his man cave as a reminder to keep hustling, even when it’s hard.
“It’s been a blessing,” he said.
By Nadya Ellerhorst
If you knew how early they start their day, you may never complain about your 8 a.m. alarm again.
It’s about 9 a.m. on a bright Tuesday morning, but the quartet that makes up Q102’s “Jeff & Jenn” show — Jeff Thomas, Jenn Jordan, Tim Timmerman, and Jennifer Fritsch — have been up long before the sunrise. With cups of morning brew within arm’s reach and eight mounted televisions broadcasting a mix of clocks, decibels and local news, the group is deep in the grind of their daily morning show.
During short breaks, Fritsch speculates out loud about the culprit behind the broken door handle to the studio with a damning attention to detail (“sounds like Jeff, definitely something Jeff would do”).
As if on queue, a repairman walks in, and begins (quietly) working on the door as the quartet alternates between live on-air banter, music and commercial breaks.
Today, they’re giving away free tickets to see the upcoming “Devil Wears Prada” sequel. Yes, folks are still calling in these days.
Maybe you know them from “Second Date Update” (now available on-demand in an uncensored format). Perhaps you’re well familiar with their voices from morning commutes or workplace speakers. Or maybe you haven’t turned the radio on in years, and that’s fine.
But the “Jeff & Jenn” show is still going strong.
Jordan and Thomas have worked alongside each other for over three decades, first meeting at a radio station in Tampa, Fla. They haven’t always been early birds — Jordan did midday shows, while Thomas worked afternoons. A new door quite literally opened for them: The
morning show across the hall moved out, and the duo moved in.
“We were really tight as coworkers and we hung out a lot outside of work, and we just felt like we had the rapport that maybe we could do something in mornings that would be fun,” Thomas said. “And so they gave us that opportunity to try it out, and it failed, and we ended up getting fired. But it was a huge learning experience for us, and it actually led to this opportunity here in 2002.”
Timmerman later joined the show (he now has 11 years under his belt), and a Q102 internship during college eventually led to Fritsch’s joining the program. And yet, it never feels like too many cooks in the kitchen.
“There’s four of us, and each one of us has a very different perspective on life,” Timmerman said. “And so I think we all offer a different way to connect.”
”Even when one of us is missing, the dynamic of the show is different,” Fritsch
said.
Despite being disembodied voices, connection is key.
“I want to feel like we’re connecting with people every day,” Thomas said. “That’s just really it for me.” While Jordan acknowledges that the “heyday” of radio may be over, to the crew, it’s far from obsolete. Especially in this town.
Thomas said, among the cities he’s worked in, Cincinnati stands apart in the way its radio industry and its personalities have remained consistent.
“ Cincinnati’s really unique in that because we don’t really take kindly to change, it might be easier to hang in there a little bit longer,” he said.
Timmerman, who runs his own nature-focused podcast separately, still sees radio’s relevance.
“Someone asked me one time, ‘Hey, wouldn’t it be cool if there was like a podcast that could go live and tell something that was happening in that moment?’” Timmerman said. “And I said, “There is. It’s called radio.’”
Yet in an age where the relevance and longevity of radio is called into question, the crew haven’t resisted evolving to keep that connection they value going. Alongside maintaining an on-air presence, their program is available to stream online in podcast format (search for the “Jeff & Jenn Podcast” wherever you get your podcasts, or find it in the podcast section at wkrq.com).
You can also find them IRL at community events, or just in the wild (for the record, they love meeting fans).
Connection is just as key within the walls of the studio.
”All four of us live really different lives,” Thomas said. “But the fact that we’re able to coexist and connect with each other, and get along and relate to each other and have this weird, rarefied chemistry is a gift. I’m not really sure how you bottle that, but it feels like a family
dynamic. The kind of dynamic you would have with your siblings that you kind of get along with.”
“Most of the time!” Jordan interjected. Despite the clamor around radio as a dying art, the minds behind “Jeff & Jenn” know that they’re reaching a wide swath of people — and they’re mindful about it.
”Having a platform where we can reach as many people as we do every week — that’s a great responsibility,” Jordan said. “To make sure that we’re not just having fun, that we’re also being kind, and that we’re setting good examples.”
They concede that the 4 a.m. (or earlier) wake-up times are something you never get used to, no matter how long
Sibcy Cline Mortgage Services offers a streamlined lending experience that helps qualified buyers close in as few as 17 days—without sacrificing accuracy or communication.
It’s one more reason you voted us Best Mortgage Company.
By Christian LeDuc
lthough I am entering my golden years very soon, (I am approaching 30), I still like to get out of the house and have a bit of fun between my doctor’s appointments and gardening adventures. Despite my old age, I am still a gigging musician and editor of an alt weekly here in Cincinnati. And although I don’t have a lot of free time, I know where to go to unwind. So, if you need any recommendations for where to catch a great local band, hit me up. If you want to get a new tattoo, I’ll
hook you up. And if you wanna blow all your money, my Venmo is @ChristianLeDuc (Jk Jk... I know a good casino or two).
Keep reading for some of my favorite places around the Queen City.
Best place to be horrified: USS Nightmare
Halloween is hands-down the best holiday humans have ever created. Yeah, I will die on that hill. As an anxious person, there is nothing I love more than choosing to be afraid. If you aren’t anxious you won’t understand, and
honestly, good for you because this is so damn annoying. Anyway, ever since I was a little kid, I’ve been fascinated with dark and wired stuff. I’ve been to hundreds of Halloween haunt attractions over the years and while nothing can compare to the haunted corn maze in my hometown in Tennessee, Newport’s USS Nightmare is by far the best haunted house in all the Tri-State region. It is floating on the Ohio River, which is already horrifying. It has animatronics that are so terrifying I’m honestly excited to see actors because at least I know they can’t hurt me.
101 Riverboat Row, Newport; ussnightmare.com
The best local band is obviously the one I play drums in: White Lighter
This city is full of amazing musicians and killer local bands but the best of all is White Lighter. I am allowed to be biased for this one section, so I will shamelessly plug my own band. At my last job, someone complained, so my boss wouldn’t let me write about it anymore, which made me sad. Well, now I’m the boss so take that. Anyway, White Lighter has been around since 2018. The current lineup includes yours truly on drums, Ethan Qureshi on lead guitar, Ben Jervis on vocals and rhythm guitar and Hallie Menkhaus on bass. We’ve put out two albums, including “Natural Law” in 2021 and “Human Law” in 2025. Our originals have a lot of punk, alt and hard rock influences. Our biggest song “You Don’t Have to Go” has nearly 80,000 streams on Spotify, which is cool. Catch us locally at places like Molly Malone’s in Covington, Bishop’s Quarter in Loveland, at various Reds and FC Cincinnati games along with a plethora of local festivals. We also play across the country in places like Lexington, St. Louis, Los Angeles, New York City, Louisville and more.
whitelighterband.com
The best place to lose your money: Hard Rock Casino
I have a lot of vices, but gambling isn’t one of them. I’ve lost out on enough money in life choosing journalism as a career path so my tolerance for financial risk is low. But never zero. When I do
want to lose money for fun and it doesn’t involve splurging on luxuries in life like gas and groceries, I will occasionally go to the Hard Rock Casino. She’s been good to me. One time for my birthday, my buddy gave me $50 to put in the slots and we turned it into $200. I know that doesn’t sound exciting, but at that moment, we thought we ruled the world.I also just love people watching and there are always some characters in that place. At my last job, we had a few work events there early in the morning, and I was always impressed by the dedication of those glued to their favorite slot machines at 7 a.m.
1000 Broadway Street, Pendleton; casino.hardrock.com/cincinnati
The best place to get some permanent art: Lee Brewster
When people think about local artists, they often don’t include tattoo artists, which is frustrating because this region has some insane talent. My man Lee Brewster is hands down the best of the best. He used to own Born to Lose in Clifton but now he works out of Neighborhood Classic in Erlanger. I got the balls to get my first tattoo back in 2019 and it was so stupid. It was my childhood dead cat as a ghost holding a skull on my arm. Like, WTF was I thinking? Even with that horrendous idea, Lee brought it to life. He captured that dumb little cat in a way that I didn’t even know was possible. Fast forward nearly a decade later and
now I have too much ink, according to my mom. Most of my work is by Lee. Every time I’ve come to him with an idea, either deeply meaningful or dumb as h***, he creates something I could never even think of. He’s consistent, professional and his work is worth the money. If you want a cheap tattoo, you’ll get one.
@leebrewstertattoos on Instagram
Best place to see a killer local band: Revel Urban Winery
Revel Urban Winery is a fantastic spot to discover amazing local musicians. It is located at 111 E. 12th Street in the heart of Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. It is not technically a music venue, but the business hosts a range of artists that usually play in the upstairs room. I discovered one of my favorite local musicians Mic. Carr while walking home one night with a friend from a different bar a few summers ago. We stood outside and listened to a few songs before heading upstairs for a drink. Carr’s vibes were immaculate but something about good acoustics in such a small space with a little wine has a certain magic to it that the grungier dive bar venues and the larger room spots like Bogart’s or the Madison Live just can’t compete with. Sometimes music needs to be intimate, and Revel does a fantastic job of creating an inviting space for musicians, their fans and random people walking on the street.
111 E. 12th Street in OTR; revelotr.com
Best of Cincinnati’s 30th anniversary party was full of whiskey, music, live painting, the Flying Pig mascot and even a dancing robot! Flip through the pages of this issue to see selections of photos taken at the April 2 party at Rhinegeist at 1990 Elm in Over-the-Rhine. All photos were taken by members of the CityBeat staff.
When the sun goes down, Cincinnati’s personality comes out.
This is the side of the city powered by packed dance floors, neighborhood dive bars, hidden speakeasies, unforgettable DJs and the places people connect and make stories they’ll retell the next morning (or maybe afternoon).
From beloved LGBTQ+ spots to iconic radio voices and even the city’s favorite place to pop the question, these readerselected winners capture the energy that keeps Cincinnati out late.
Here are the top three finalists in each City & Nightlife category, including this year’s winners.
City & Nightlife
Reader picks
1. Factory 52 Apartments & Townhomes
2. Textile Apartments
3. American Can Lofts
BAR
1. The Well
2. Queen City Exchange
3. The Vick Rooftop
BAR FOOD
1. Goodfellas Pizzeria
2. Northside Yacht Club
3. Dead Low Brewing
BARTENDER
1. Cat Middendorf
2. Kyle Chaboudy – The Roosevelt Room, Liberty Center
3. Austin Weimer
BED & BREAKFAST
1. Hotel Covington
2. 8 Cats Cincinnati
3. Moon River Bed & Breakfast
BOWLING ALLEY
1. Madison Bowl
2. Pins Mechanical Co.
3. Stone Lanes
COCKTAIL
1. The Well
2. Willow Run Custom Bourbon Experiences
3. Juniper’s
COMEDY CLUB
1. Go Bananas Comedy Club
2. Commonwealth Comedy Club
3. The Comet
DANCE CLUB
1. Alice
2. Galaxie
3. Bloom OTR
DISTILLERY
1. Willow Run Custom Bourbon Experiences
2. New Riff Distilling
3. Cincinnati Distilling
DIVE BAR
1. Northside Yacht Club
2. Keller’s Cheviot Café
3. Larry’s
DJ
1. DJ Boywife
2. John Buycks
3. DJ Vader Mixx
DRAG ENTERTAINER
1. Armani Devine
2. Jessica Dimon
3. P.H. Dee
GOLF COURSE
1. Blue Ash Golf Course
2. Devou Park Golf & Event Center
3. Kenwood Country Club
GYM
1. System of Strength
2. Eleven Fitness Club
3. Activate Brain & Body Fitness
HAPPY HOUR
1. Queen City Exchange
2. Nice Life OTR
3. Rhinegeist Brewery
HOTEL
1. Hotel Celare, Cincinnati Midtown, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
2. Hotel Covington
3. 21c Museum Hotel
KARAOKE
1. Tokyo Kitty
2. The Hoffner Pub
3. MOTR Pub
LGBTQ BAR
1. Alice
2. Bloom OTR
3. Rosie’s Tavern
LOCAL BEER
1. Rhinegeist Brewery
2. Brink Brewing Company
3. MadTree Brewing
LOCAL CAUSE
1. Cincinnati Animal CARE
2. La Soupe
3. Ignite Peace
1. Juniper’s
2. Dead Low Brewing
3. Merchants Club
NEIGHBORHOOD
1. Covington, Ky.
2. Over-The-Rhine
3. Northside
NEW BAR (2024 OR LATER)
1. Willow Run Custom Bourbon Experiences
2. After.life bar
3. Stage Left Whiskey Bar – Liberty Theater
1. Cincinnati Animal CARE
2. Caracole
3. Activate Brain Health Foundation
ORGANIZATION TO VOLUNTEER FOR
1. Cincinnati Animal CARE
2. Ohio Alleycat Resource (OAR) & Spay/Neuter Clinic
3. Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati
OUTDOOR BAR PATIO
1. Fifty West Brewing Company
2. Little Miami Brewing Company
3. Dead Low Brewing
PARK
1. Ault Park
2. Cincinnati Nature Center
3. Eden Park
PERSON WHO MAKES A DIFFERENCE
1. Megan Dashley
2. Dan McCabe
3. Tyler Chernesky
PLACE TO PROPOSE
1. Rhinegeist Brewery
2. Dead Low Brewing
3. Krohn Conservatory
PLACE TO TAKE A VISITOR
1. Willow Run Custom Bourbon Experiences
2. Jungle Jim’s
3. Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
PUB
1. Crowley’s Highland House Café
2. Molly Malone’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
3. Queen City Exchange
RADIO PERSONALITY
1. Jeff & Jen Q102
2. JonJon
3. Nick on Inhailer
RADIO STATION
1. Q102
2. 700 WLW
3. 91.7 WVXU
SPEAKEASY
1. Ghost Baby
2. Juniper’s
3. Goodfellas Pizzeria
SPORTS BAR
1. Queen City Exchange
2. Holy Grail Tavern & Grille
3. MVP Sports Bar and Grille
SWIMMING POOL
1. Wyoming Swim Club
2. Ziegler Park Pool
3. Blue Ash Recreation Center
TRIVIA NIGHT
1. Fretboard Brewing Company –Factory 52
2. Queen City Exchange
3. Tavern On the Bend
WINE BAR
1. Crafts & Vines
2. Marty’s Hops & Vines
3. Ripple Wine Bar – Covington, Ky.
WINERY
1. Revel OTR Urban Winery
2. The Skeleton Root
3. Vinoklet Winery & Restaurant
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By Kane Mitten
It’s a little after midnight. The lights are low. You’re surrounded by hundreds of people dancing their heart out, as the hottest song from the pop singer du jour is blaring at a volume so loud nobody can hear themselves think. And then the DJ tag hits.
“You’re listening to DJ Boywife, you stupid b****.”
The crowd screams.
It’s an experience thousands of Cincinnatians have every single weekend. To some, DJ Boywife is solely responsible for revitalizing the city’s nightlife. To others, he’s a parasocial figure with obsessive fans who follow and document his every move. But to those who know him best, he’s just Shane Brouman.
It seems hard to believe, given how ubiquitous he is at every single major space and event across the city — nightclubs, dive bars, FC Cincinnati games, blowout NYE bashes at Hard Rock Casino, just to name a few — but there was a time when CityBeat’s winner for Best DJ four years in a row was never a DJ at all.
“In 2021, I had a friend from Twitter who invited me out to his DJ set at a local gay bar. What he didn’t tell me, or anyone, was that it was actually his farewell set and he was moving to Dallas,” he said. “A few minutes later, the owner comes up to me and goes, ‘You look like a DJ. Why don’t you come try it?’”
A week later, he performed his first “DJ set” — air quotes his, as the set was really just him sitting at a computer and queuing up songs on Spotify. But the crowd loved it, and he was asked to come back again, and again, and again. Eventually, the popular Over-theRhine nightclub Alice took notice of his burgeoning reputation and asked him to perform a set on a busy weekend night. What started as a side hustle and a reason to “get on stage and wear gay little outfits” became a full-time career.
“Going from a bar that holds 50 people to a giant warehouse that holds hundreds was when I realized, ‘Oh, this
could actually be something.’ For the first time, I was getting an actual paycheck to perform, not just two drink tickets and a pat on the back,” he said. “I realized I needed to lock in and get some real equipment, because this had real legs to it. A few gigs later, Alice asked me to be their resident DJ. In a short span of time, I went from playing “Bad Romance” on the aux cord for my friends to performing for thousands every weekend.”
Local bartender, DJ and music producer Elliot Gill, a.k.a. Liot, has been along for the ride since the very first DJ
Boywife set. He was drawn to Brouman’s “eclectic” taste in music across his sets, which includes everything from rap to K-pop to hyperpop to UK breakbeat. The two struck up a friendship, and have played shows together ever since.
“The thing I love about Shane’s sets is that he’s always having fun. Obviously, he has a huge core following that follows him wherever he goes,” he said. “Like, crowds show up specifically because they know he’s going to be there. And they’re always having so much fun watching him have fun. And it gives everyone else
permission to have fun, too.”
Watching Boywife perform, it’s easy to tell that he exudes the sort of confidence and effortless cool that your run-of-themill musician or influencer would kill to have — which, in turn, brings around “a lot of similar people who are also really good at expressing themselves and dressing cool,” according to Gill.
“If Shane was given a title, like, if he was a knight or something, I think they’d deem him Cincinnati’s nightclub savior,” he said.
These days, when Boywife isn’t playing a gig at whatever Cincinnati venue is paying him top dollar to bring in a steady stream of customers, he’s regularly flying out to play sets in bigger cities.
Recently, for example, he spent Tuesday through Friday morning performing in New York City, flew back to Cincinnati that afternoon, then proceeded to play eight more shows in town that weekend. It’s a strenuous lifestyle without much downtime, but it’s rewarding in the end.
“When I see these young people who don’t really know themselves yet come
out, and they see themselves in me or in the other people who come to my gigs, and they’re creating these core memories and figuring out who they are ... all the sleepless nights, all the preparation, all the annoying logistics, it makes it all worth it,” he said.
His rampant popularity comes with plenty of side effects, of course. Lots of people have attempted to use his name for clout or status. Often, customers try to get free drinks or access to private areas by claiming to be his best friend.
Recently, at Alice, a girl tried to skip the queue by claiming she had a text from him about it. (When prompted by security for the text, she revealed a message that simply said “Hi this is DJ Boywife” on her screen.) But none of it really bothers him as long as the right people make their way to the dance floor.
“What keeps me going, frankly, is the dedicated people. The people who really care about feeling safe and having fun. They’ll pay the cover, buy three expensive drinks and come back every single week,” he said “It proves to me that I’m doing something important, and giving people
a space to express themselves, and that we’re all in this together, no ‘High School Musical.’”
Getting named the city’s best DJ for multiple years in a row has been “incredibly validating,” he says, because it means the people he’s doing it for are responding in kind.
“Mom and Dad, I know you’re reading this, I told you college was for dorks,” he said, laughing.
“But seriously, it’s not lost on me how much my success is centered around the people who come to see me. What’s a DJ without a crowd? I never want there to be any gray area about how much I appreciate not only the people who paved the way before me, but also all these little fags who see me breaking glass ceilings and doing the things we never dreamed of.”
As for what the future holds for his career, that’s easy.
“What doesn’t it hold?” he said. “Everything. End of answer.” The phone clicks, and an ‘end call’ sound plays. He’d love to stay and chat, but he’s got another gig to get to.
228 E Liberty Street Thur & Fri 11am–6pm Sat 11am–5pm
By Kane Mitten
eing in charge of arts and culture coverage at CityBeat, you’d hope I have a good handle on the city’s culture and nightlife. Everybody knows about the obvious stuff: your Aronoff shows, your CSO performances, your museum exhibits, what have you. And when it comes to bars, there’s plenty of big names in town to give you a “The Hangover”-esque time of your life. But not every day needs to be some grand event. Sometimes it’s nice to just chill out. With that in mind, here are some of my favorite easy-going spots in the city where you can create your own memorable moments. You’ll find me at all these spots at least once a month. Feel free to say hello.
Best place to pay almost nothing for a beer after work: Queen City Exchange Queen City Exchange won Best Happy Hour in our actual Best Of competition, but that undersells how much of a deal their Friday happy hour is. If you haven’t been to Queen City Exchange before, it’s an unusual bar themed after the stock market: 40 beers are on tap, and the “stock” price of each beer goes up or down depending on how many people in the bar are ordering it. On Fridays, though, the stock market temporarily crashes and every draft beer is $1 from 4 to 5 p.m. That means you can get everything from a Guinness to a Modelo to any local craft beer you can think of at the low, low price of a single George Washington bill. After the market has recovered, head over to the walk-up window inside QCE and order some takoyaki or chicken katsu from Hawker’s Alley, the Asian street food joint located directly next door.
32 W Court Street, Downtown; queen cityexchange.com
Best place to avoid screaming children in the park: Sherwin-Williams Porch Washington Park is one of Overthe-Rhine’s most notable landmarks, thanks to its lush greenery and wideopen space. In that space, the park boasts several spots to enjoy the warm weather and beautiful views of iconic
Cincinnati buildings like Music Hall. There’s just one thing: the park is allages, with several playgrounds inside. There’s nothing wrong with children in public spaces, of course — but, as with all things, balance is necessary. Enter the Sherwin-Williams Porch (mostly just known to locals as “the porch”), the bar area that’s just far enough away from all the action. With plenty of seating in both the shade and the sun, daily events like bingo and live jazz, and everything from Rhinegeist Truth to Casamigos available for purchase, the porch is the best way to enjoy Washington Park without having your day interrupted by a shrill noise two feet from your ears.
1230 Elm Street, Over-the-Rhine; washingtonpark.org
Best trivia host who actually writes good questions: Approximate Knowledge Institute of Cincinnati
Justin Schafer, creator and host of the independent trivia night Approximate
Knowledge Institute of Cincinnati, populates three Cincinnati bars each week with his blend of copious pop culture references, esoteric questions and wry humor. During his trivia nights, Schafer writes questions that are supposedly themed after current events but usually have nothing to do with the events at all — like a Super Bowl-themed round that actually talks more about food and cultural moments, or a “twins” lightning round where you’ll identify both a song and its most famous remix. Schafer’s trivia hijinks can be found at Northside Yacht Club on Tuesdays, Queen City Radio on Wednesdays and Covington Yard on Thursdays. Support small business, even when it comes to your trivia host.
Dates, times and locations can be found at akioc.com
Best place to see a weird movie: Outer Cinema Cincinnati
This film screening series at the
Esquire Theatre from local film curator Justin Wiese has shocked and delighted audiences since its inception in 2019. “Cult, fringe and esoteric film screenings,” as their Instagram page describes it, is an understatement. Sure, some months you’ll have relatively ‘normal’ fare like a David Lynch classic or a Hong Kong action film, e.g. “Hard Boiled” or “Eastern Condors.” Other months, you’ll have screenings like “Devilhelm,” a relatively forgotten ‘90s cult-hit fantasy-horror flick that was shot entirely in Ohio and Kentucky, and you can meet the cast and crew afterwards. Plenty of music films show up in Outer Cinema’s programming, as well. In recent months, they’ve shown documentaries or concert films about both major names like The Band and lesser-known figures like Q Lazzarus and Scott Walker; sometimes, they’ll even have live musical performances at the showings too.
320 Ludlow Ave., Clifton; esquiretheatre.com
Best place to hear live music while eating a burrito: The Comet
Do we really need to say anything else?
The Comet, the Northside bar known for its live music and made famous by GenXers in the heyday of their youth, is still just as vibrant and interesting today. They still have their famous burritos —made “Mission-style” as they did in San Francisco’s Mission District in the sixties, which basically just means they’re enormous and packed with meat — quesadillas, tacos and housemade salsas. They still have a working jukebox. They still have their distinctive cooler and neon lights scattered about to bring some character to the otherwise dimlylit rooms. But the new generation has embraced The Comet as a scene for all things alternative as much as their grandparents did. A look at the events calendar on the bar’s website reveals they’re still doing rock shows, yes, but also bring in DJs and touring acts who perform in genres like hardcore, folk, indie, metal, electronic, experimental, and more — and there’s a show nearly every night of the week all year. Sometimes what’s old can be new again. Or maybe The Comet is just timeless.
4579 Hamilton Ave., Northside; cometbar.com
INSIDE QUEEN CITY RADIO, WHERE JUSTIN SCHAFER HOSTS TRIVIA AS THE APPROXIMATE KNOWLEDGE INSTITUTE OF CINCINNATI EVERY WEEK. PHOTO PROVIDED | QUEEN CITY RADIO
Readers showed up hungry this year when they voted for their favorite restaurants, chefs and more in the Eats category.
From stacked burgers and smoky barbecue to handmade bagels, dim sum favorites and food trucks, this category celebrates the flavors that keep local foodies coming back for more.
Whether it’s a longtime staple or a rising favorite, these are the spots readers say define dining in the Queen City. Here are the top three finalists listed for each Eats category, including this year’s winner.
Eats
Reader picks
BAGELS
1. The Bagelry
2. Marx Bagels
3. Ceres Bagels
BAKERY
1. Wyoming Pastry Shop
2. Golden Hands Bakery
3. Allez Café
BBQ
1. Pig Candy BBQ
2. Heaven In Your Mouth BBQ
3. Eli’s BBQ – Riverside
BOURBON SELECTION
1. The 859 Taproom and Grill
2. Longworth Hall Event Center
3. Whiskey City’s Liberty Theater
BREAKFAST
1. 6 ‘N The Mornin’
2. The Echo
3. Sleepy Bee Café – Blue Ash
BREWERY
1. DVD Brew
2. MadTree Brewing
3. Dead Low Brewing
BRUNCH
1. 6 ‘N The Mornin’
2. Sleepy Bee Cafe – Blue Ash
3. Ari & Mia’s Small Town Café
BURGER
1. Milkman
2. Zip’s Café
3. Whiskey City’s Liberty Theater
BUSINESS LUNCH
1. Livery Montgomery
2. Bacalls Café
3. Goodfellas Pizzeria
CAFE
1. Bacalls Café
2. Ruth’s Parkside Café
3. Gabby’s Café
CAJUN/CREOLE
1. Nolia Kitchen
2. Swampwater Grill
3. BrewRiver Creole Kitchen
CAKES/CUPCAKES
1. Joyously Sweet
2. Wyoming Pastry Shop
3. Lulu’s Sweets Boutique
CANDY/CHOCOLATE SHOP
1. Schneider’s Sweet Shop
2. Tiki Treatz
3. Aglamesis Bro’s
SCHNEIDER’S SWEET SHOP IN BELLEVUE WAS THE WINNER IN THE CANDY/CHOCOLATE SHOP CATEGORY. PHOTO PROVIDED | SCHNEIDER’S SWEET SHOP
CASUAL DINING
1. Livery Montgomery
2. Colette OTR
3. Whiskey City’s Liberty Theater
CATERER
1. Heaven In Your Mouth BBQ
2. Pig Candy BBQ
3. Taste of Boujie
CHEAP EATS
1. Brooklyn Pizza & Pasta
2. Wabi Sabi
3. Heaven In Your Mouth BBQ
CHEF
1. Logan Whitehead – Tuba Baking Co.
2. Danny Combs – Colette OTR
3. Alfio Gulisano
CHICKEN WINGS
1. Knuk-N-Futz
2. Heaven In Your Mouth BBQ
3. The Hilltop
CHINESE
1. Oriental Wok
2. KungFood Amerasia
3. Uncle Yip’s
CINCINNATI STYLE CHILI
1. Skyline Chili
2. Camp Washington Chili
3. Gold Star Chili
COFFEE
1. Roaming Joe Coffee
2. Tiki Treatz
3. Wyoming Community Coffee
DELI
1. Carl’s Deli
2. Young Buck Deli
3. Wyoming Meat Market
DESSERT
1. Livery Montgomery
2. Heaven In Your Mouth BBQ
3. Graeter’s Ice Cream
DIM SUM
1. Corner Dumpling House
2. Uncle Yip’s
3. Oriental Wok
DINER
1. The Echo
2. Sugar n’ Spice Diner
3. Blue Jay Restaurant
DONUTS
1. Golden Hands Bakery
2. Starlight Doughnut Lab
3. Holtman’s Donut Shop
FAST FOOD
1. Skyline Chili
2. Chick-fil-A
3. Milkman
FINE DINING
1. MRBL
2. Colette OTR
3. Sotto
FISH FRY
1. Whiskey City’s Liberty Theater
2. Alabama Fishbar
3. The Pub – Rookwood
FOOD COLLABORATION
1. La Soupe
2. Wayfarer Tavern
3. Element Eatery
KNUK-N-FUTZ IN TAYLOR MILL WON BEST CHICKEN WINGS FOR 2026. PHOTO PROVIDED | KNUK-N-FUTZ
FOOD TRUCK
1. Fry Haven
2. Buffalo’s Best
3. Heaven In Your Mouth BBQ
FRIED CHICKEN
1. Galactic Fried Chicken
2. Milkman
3. Whiskey City’s Liberty Theater
FRIES
1. Milkman
2. Fry Haven
3. Galactic Fried Chicken
GASTROPUB
1. Tēla Bar + Kitchen
2. Tuba Baking Co.
3. Northside Yacht Club
GERMAN
1. Tuba Baking Co.
2. Hofbräuhaus – Newport
3. Wunderbar
GLUTEN-FREE SELECTIONS
1. Galactic Fried Chicken
2. Heaven In Your Mouth BBQ
3. Pig Candy BBQ
GOETTA
1. Glier’s Meats Inc.
2. Eckerlin’s Meats
3. Avril & Bleh Meat Market
GREEK CUISINE
1. Aladdin’s Eatery
2. Greek To Me
3. Santorini Family Restaurant
HEALTHY CASUAL
1. Clean Eatz
2. BIBIBOP Asian Grill
3. Melt Revival
HIDDEN GEM
1. Willow Run Custom Bourbon Experiences
2. Livery Montgomery
3. Whiskey City’s Liberty Theater
HIDDEN GEM (EAST SIDE)
1. Livery Montgomery
2. Pig Candy BBQ
3. Dead Low Brewing
HIDDEN GEM (NORTHERN KENTUCKY)
1. Galactic Fried Chicken
2. Cork N Crust
3. Tuba Baking Co.
HIDDEN GEM (NORTHERN)
1. Tēla Bar + Kitchen
2. Quatman Café
3. Cozy’s Café & Pub
HIDDEN GEM (WEST SIDE)
1. El Trompo
2. Ari & Mia’s Small Town Café
3. Maury’s Tiny Cove
HOTEL RESTAURANT OR BAR
1. The Lytle Park Hotel
2. Coppin’s Restaurant & Bar
3. The National Exemplar
ICE CREAM
1. Graeter’s Ice Cream
2. AK Sweets and Treats
3. Tiki Treatz
INDIAN
1. Baba India Restaurant
2. Jot India Restaurant – Newport
3. Ambar India Restaurant
ITALIAN
1. Ferrari’s Little Italy and Bakery
2. Sotto
3. Pepp & Dolores
JAPANESE
1. Kiki on Ludlow
2. Café Mochiko
3. Ichiban
KOREAN
1. Riverside Korean Restaurant
2. Wabi Sabi
3. Red Sesame Food Truck/Korean Street Food
LATE NIGHT EATS
1. Goodfellas Pizzeria
2. Mikey’s Late Night Slice
3. Skyline Chili
LUNCH SPECIAL
1. El Trompo
2. Livery Montgomery
3. Goodfellas Pizzeria
MEDITERRANEAN
1. Aladdin’s Eatery
2. Abigail Street
3. Café Alma
MEXICAN
1. El Trompo
2. La Jaiba Seafood & Taqueria
3. Livery Montgomery
MIDDLE EASTERN
1. Aladdin’s Eatery
2. Abigail Street
3. Phoenician Taverna
NEW RESTAURANT
(OPENED 2024 OR LATER)
1. Alveo Sandwich Shop
2. Colette OTR
3. Whiskey City’s Liberty Theater
OUTDOOR/PATIO DINING
1. El Trompo
2. Milkman
3. Livery Montgomery
PHO
1. Pho Lang Thang
2. Pho Kimmy
3. Wild Ginger Asian Bistro
PIZZA
1. Brooklyn Pizza & Pasta
2. Strong’s Brick Oven Pizzeria
3. Cork N Crust
RAMEN
1. Café Mochiko
2. Kiki on Ludlow
3. Quan Hapa
RESTAURANT FOR A FIRST DATE
1. Livery Montgomery
2. Colette OTR
3. Whiskey City’s Liberty Theater
RESTAURANT FOR AN ANNIVERSARY
1. MRBL
2. Livery Montgomery
3. Colette OTR
RESTAURANT FOR KIDS
1. El Trompo
2. Milkman
3. Dead Low Brewing
RIBS
1. Montgomery Inn
2. Pig Candy BBQ
3. Eli’s BBQ – Riverside
SALADS
1. Livery Montgomery
2. Heaven In Your Mouth BBQ
3. Dewey’s Pizza
SANDWICH
1. Alveo Sandwich Shop
2. Heaven In Your Mouth BBQ
3. Carl’s Deli
SEAFOOD
1. El Trompo
2. MRBL
3. La Jaiba Seafood & Taqueria
SHAWARMA
1. Aladdin’s Eatery + Lounge
2. Al Madina Grill
3. Babas Shawarma Grill
SMOOTHIE/JUICE BAR
1. Tropical Smoothie Cafe
2. Nourish at be.
3. Better Blend – Mason
SOUL FOOD
1. 6 ‘N The Mornin’
2. Nolia Kitchen
3. Lucius BBQ
SOUP
1. La Soupe
2. Spice Spice Baby
3. Heaven In Your Mouth BBQ
SOUTHERN FOOD
1. Libby’s Southern Comfort
2. The Eagle OTR
3. Nolia Kitchen
STEAK
1. El Trompo
2. MRBL
3. Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse
SUSHI
1. El Trompo
2. MRBL
3. Wabi Sabi
TACOS
1. El Trompo
2. Livery Montgomery
3. OLLA Taqueria
TAPAS/SMALL PLATE
1. Livery Montgomery
2. Mita’s
3. Juniper’s
THAI
1. Thai Namtip
2. Teak OTR
3. Thai Express
VEGETARIAN/VEGAN
1. Harmony Plant Fare
2. Melt Revival
3. Café Alma
By Kane Mitten
For Milkman founder Nick Pesola and current owner Paul Folker, they’re cooking up delicious burgers and shakes to fill a community need.
“In Over-the-Rhine, there’s plenty of gourmet burger spots or expensive, full-service restaurants,” Pesola said. “Personally, I like casual food. And more than anything, I like affordable food. I
was like, ‘Why is everyone not doing the obvious in this area?’”
Since opening in September 2022, Milkman has become a staple of the neighborhood and the city at large. The restaurant is constantly overflowing with customers, it’s been the No. 1 restaurant in the area on Uber Eats for years and it took home six trophies in CityBeat’s 2026 Best of Cincinnati awards — including outright wins for Best Burger and Best Fries.
Milkman fits into a lot of categories: a retro diner with modern stylings; a fastcasual joint with fine-dining sensibilities; a simple, cheap menu with a deceptively large amount of work going into each and every item. Really, its entire menu could fit in one short paragraph. There’s a few burgers, a chicken sandwich, a salad, a couple sides, some hot dogs, a kid’s menu and a short list of milkshakes with the option to add booze to each.
Burgers at Milkman start at just $7 — a rarity in a neighborhood full of lunch meals that can run upwards of $30 or $40. Keeping the price point low while maintaining a level of quality that’s a lot higher than you’d find at your average fast food spot is why the restaurant is a perennial community favorite.
“When I designed the concept, I thought, if we could have only one of each type of item, what would we have? And how could we make it as good as humanly possible while remaining simple and inexpensive?” Pesola said. “There’s this vein of simplicity that runs through everything we do. It’s not like we’re gonna start doing wagyu burgers or something. People will say they want wagyu, but then you hand them the bill and they’re like ‘never mind.’”
The building that houses Milkman was originally home to Pesola’s first restaurant. After working under Folker at Dewey’s Pizza for several years, he struck out on his own to begin the chickenfocused spot Revolution Rotisserie as a tent at Findlay Market in 2014. It was a huge hit, and eventually he expanded to a brick-and-mortar in Milkman’s current building before spinning off a second location in Pleasant Ridge. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic decimated business.
“I got burned by COVID, and I was like, ‘This one can’t fail.’ So if I was going to build a concept that couldn’t fail, it needed to be one that really resonates with people,” Pesola said. “The irony of this is that it’s actually incredibly complex to create a simple restaurant that only does a few things.”
While Pesola was sitting at a local coffee shop prior to Milkman’s opening, he was furiously scribbling ideas in his notebook for what the restaurant should be called and how it should look. Then he looked on the wall and saw a painting of a “psychedelic cow,” and the name came to him.
“And then the weirdest thing happened,” he said. “The lady next to me asked what I was working on, and I told her I was sketching out my next restaurant concept that I was probably going to call Milkman. She gasped and said her father was a milkman. And I immediately got chills. What are the chances? Like, that’s so unlikely.”
He sat and talked with the woman for a while, then incorporated some of the stories he heard about her father into the restaurant’s branding and atmosphere. With their mascot, a burly, “badass” milkman, he indicates that the diners of old have been brought into the 21st century.
“There’s a lot of innuendos in our branding. Like our slogan, ‘a damn good time.’ It’s a double entendre referencing the milkman hooking up with the housewife or whatever. I just leaned into that,” Pesola said. “Our milkman, he’s a real person, you know? He’s got a little dirt on his scrubs, and he’s got some stubble, and he puts bourbon in his milkshake. He runs marathons, but then he’ll get a double cheeseburger and fries to reward himself.”
As Pesola transitioned careers to become a commercial real estate agent
and business broker, he couldn’t imagine anyone better to take ownership of Milkman than Folker, his former mentor. While Pesola is still involved with the restaurant, Folker now handles day-today operations.
“I actually had moved to Asheville, North Carolina, but was still working with Nick in a consulting capacity,” Folker said. “But then he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse with Milkman ... and I got to move back and fall in love with Cincinnati all over again. It’s been my dream to have a restaurant my entire life. I kinda feel like I’m in bizarro world every day, ’cause I’m living the dream now. I have to pinch myself all the time to make sure it’s real.”
In the near future, Folker has some fun surprises coming up for the city’s annual Burger Week that he’s tightlipped about. He also plans to produce several “interactive moments” at the restaurant for BLINK, the biannual light
and art festival that just happens to take place right outside Milkman’s front door.
Folker credits his team for the restaurant’s continued prosperity, and takes special care to shout out his executive chef, Myke Brake. He credits Milkman’s success to the restaurant’s two most important aspects.
“Simplicity is good,” Folker said. “And simplicity is our secret sauce, so to speak. Our success comes from our simplicity. And then we focus all of our effort on doing the little things right, focusing on the basics, and that builds consistency. It’s all about having a good time and eating some really good food. To be honest with you, what we do is not flashy or groundbreaking, but it works. It’s blue collar work, and we’re not afraid of it, and we embrace the fundamentals.”
Milkman is located at 1106 Race St. in Over-the-Rhine. Find them online at milkmanbar.com
By Kane Mitten
As CityBeat’s resident foodie, it’s nice that I’ve been able to turn “going out to eat too much” into part of my job. Since my entire career has been me either writing about the service industry or working in it, I’m naturally a guy that everyone turns to when they wonder where they should go to eat. And, sure, I can rank the best fine-dining restaurants in Cincinnati until the cows come home, but nobody is eating haute cuisine every single day. (And if you are, please take me with you.) CityBeat is an alt-weekly, which means we’re allowed to get a little cheeky with it when it comes to our staff favorites. While my explanations for these five picks might be somewhat unserious, the food at all five spots is no laughing matter.
Best place to step back in time: Dunlap Café
While it retains its title as the oldest bar in Over-the-Rhine (it opened in 1936), the Dunlap Café is more of a breakfast spot
these days. Six days a week, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the cozy dive bar serves up some of the cheapest, greasiest, tastiest food you’ll have in the entire neighborhood just as it has done for generations. History lines the walls across the joint, like a signed Boomer Esiason jersey or a massive wall of beer cans that all look old enough to be our grandfathers. While there’s plenty of cheap items you can order from the grill that seem to have teleported from a bygone era to your plate both in taste and in price — a $3 coney, $4 chili, a $5 grilled cheese, a $7 burger — look to the corner of the menu for their calling card, the double decker french toast sandwich, a monstrous concoction packed full of meat and dusted with powdered sugar. Just like grandma made, right?
1926 Dunlap St., Over-the-Rhine; dunlapcafe.com
Best place to be overloaded by neon while you eat: The Turf Club
The Turf Club has only been around for 20 years, but it already feels like a Cincinnati institution. Guy Fieri took
note of this funky burger joint on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” and it isn’t hard to see why. The entire place is lathered from top to bottom with neon signs of all sorts —mostly beer advertisements — that give it a unique character and feeling you’ll not likely find anywhere else in the Queen City other than the American Sign Museum. Helps that the food is good, too. There are plenty of fun appetizers like shrimp deviled eggs or foie gras, and all the burgers at Turf Club are completely customizable with all sorts of bizarre options; in theory, you could order a burger comprised of pimento cheese, halloumi, lump crab, lobster cake, a fried egg, a giant portobello mushroom, crème fraiche, chorizo, garlic, bearnaise, mango tequila jalapeños and truffle oil. (Please do not actually do this.) Delectable duck fat fries and tempura-battered onion rings are available if you need a side item. And if you’re feeling thirsty, the cocktail menu sports a whopping 10 different martinis.
4618 Eastern Ave., Linwood; turfclubcincy.com
Best place to brag about eating at on social media: Roji
You’re not like the other girls. You like to go places your friends haven’t even heard of and post mouthwatering, jealousy-inducing pictures to your story immediately. Jeff Ruby’s? So passé. Taste of Belgium? No thanks. The Eagle? Don’t even think about it. Then you heard about Roji. Only eight seats in the whole restaurant. Located in a literal back alley downtown. Limited, hotly-contested reservations that only open at 6 a.m. the day of. Sushi made out of the freshest fish you’ll find in the Cincinnati area prepared literally three feet from your face. This was perfect! All your followers are going to hate you for getting here first. Jokes aside, Roji is a one-of-a-kind experience: it’s an omakase-style sushi restaurant, a Japanese word which roughly translates to “I’ll leave it up to you.” Chefs prepare a different menu every day based on whatever they feel like doing, which means no two trips are the same. ‘Phone eats first’ shouldn’t apply here.
31 E Court Street, Downtown; @roji_ sushi on Instagram
Best place to eat when the party’s over: Lucky Dog
This should almost read as the ‘only’ place in the city to eat when the party’s over, as COVID destroyed most of Cincinnati’s famed late-night spots. Lucky Dog is one of the last men standing,
and is basically exactly what you’d want when it’s almost 3 a.m. and you need to eat something. The ‘dogs’ in the name are on hand as either Cincy-style coneys or just plain wieners, sure, but there’s also wraps, tater tots, macaroni and cheese, club sandwiches, individual slices of bacon, walking tacos, double deckers, marshmallow chocolate chip peanut butter cheesecakes, slushies, milkshakes, and — the most inexplicable item on the menu —salads. Whatever you’ve got a hankering for after all the bars have closed, Lucky Dog probably has it. On top of that, the food is good enough that you’ll probably remember eating it the next day.
1210 Main St., Over-the-Rhine; facebook.com/LuckyDogOTR
Best place to recover the next day: Eckerlin(s) Meats
This old-fashioned, family-owned butcher shop has been serving up all kinds of meat since 1852. (Much like how many Cincinnatians add an ‘S’ to the end of Kroger, talk to any longtime Over-theRhine resident and you’ll find the same thing happens to Eckerlin.) You probably already know them for their famous goetta, their fresh sausage, or their ability to pull out ridiculously good ribeyes and filets from their deli cases. What you might not know them for is their fromscratch kitchen inside their Findlay Market storefront, which has several items on their morning menu that feel like
manna from heaven anytime you partied a little too hard the night prior. Off the top of my head, I’ve had beef stew, a meatball sub, french onion soup, a pastrami melt, chicken tacos, steak stir fry, several burgers, and hundreds of bacon, egg and cheeses paired with a chocolate chip cookie. It’s never expensive, either; the aforementioned BEC is $5.
116 W Elder St., Over-the-Rhine; eckerlinmeats.com
From wellness and education to outdoor adventures and familyfriendly experiences, these readerpicked favorites help Cincinnati families stay connected, active and cared for.
Whether it’s a trusted massage therapist, a standout after-school program, a favorite hiking destination or a go-to spot for a quick day trip, these businesses and organizations make a lasting impact on daily life across the region.
Here are the top three finalists in each Family and Health category, including this year’s winner for each.
Family & Health
Reader picks
ACUPUNCTURIST
1. Caldwell Family Wellness
2. Milford Traditional Acupuncture
– Cincinnati Acupuncture Clinic
3. Acupuncture Cincinnati
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
1. CCM Prep (UC CollegeConservatory of Music)
2. I.C.I. Studio School of Art
3. Heartfelt Tidbit
BARRE
1. Body Alive
2. Mayerson JCC
3. Pure Barre
BIKE TRAIL
1. Loveland Bike Trail
2. Miami Whitewater Forest
3. Mt. Airy Forest
CHIROPRACTOR
1. Dr Jim Johnson – The Joint Chiropractic
2. Kauffman Chiropractic
3. Mt. Lookout Chiropractic
COLLEGE
1. University of Cincinnati
2. Miami University
3. Xavier University
DANCE STUDIO
1. The Studio for Dance
2. Intensity Dance Studio
3. Dance Factory Fitness
DAY TRIP
1. Blooms & Berries Farm Market and Garden Center
2. Yellow Springs
3. Red River Gorge
DAYCARE CENTER
1. Creative Tots Preschool Mason
2. The Learning Nest Cincinnati
3. The Learning Center
DENTAL PRACTICE
1. Mason Dental Center
2. Vita Dental
3. Todd K. Pieper DDS
DERMATOLOGY PRACTICE
1. Mona Dermatology
2. Elizabeth Muennich, MD
3. The Dermatology Group
DOCTOR’S OFFICE
1. Second Opinion Psychiatry
2. McKenna Peter J MD
3. The Surgeonista – Gina Maccarone MD, FACS
ELEMENTARY
1. Hilltop Elementary School
2. School for Creative and Performing Arts
3. Mason Elementary School
FAMILY FUN CENTER
1. Tucker’s Party Animals
2. Mayerson JCC
3. Scene75 Entertainment Center
FITNESS STUDIO
1. Body Alive
2. Eleven Fitness Club
3. BEAT Personal Training and Fitness
HIGH SCHOOL
1. Calvary Christian School
2. Wyoming High School
3. Mason High School
BEAT FITNESS WAS THE WINNER OF THE PERSONAL TRAINER CATEGORY. PHOTO PROVIDED | BEAT FITNESS VIA FACEBOOK
HIKING TRAIL
1. Cincinnati Nature Center
2. Loveland Bike Trail
3. Ault Park
HOLISTIC MEDICINE
1. Inner Stillness Holistics
2. Advanced Integrative Wellness
3. Whole Systems Healthcare Cincinnati Clinic
HOME CARE/IN HOME CARE
1. Visiting Angels Senior Home Care
MARTIAL ARTS
1. Cincy Women’s Fight Club
2. Club MMA: Mixed Martial Arts
3. Cincinnati Quest Martial Arts
MASSAGE THERAPIST
1. Creative Wellness Massage
2. Cincinnati BodyWork Solutions, LLC
3. Caldwell Family Wellness
MIDDLE SCHOOL
1. Wyoming Middle School
2. School for Creative and Performing Arts
3. Mason Middle School
NURSING HOME/ASSISTED LIVING
1. Artis Senior Living
2. The Christian Village at Mt. Healthy
3. Shawneespring Skilled Nursing Facility
OB/GYN PRACTICE
1. Dr. Anne Pierson
2. The Christ Hospital Physicians –Obstetrics & Gynecology
3. Mt. Auburn Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates, Inc.
PERSONAL TRAINER
1. BEAT Personal Training & Fitness
2. Ryan Davidson
3. Wendell Whitehead – 3W Fitness
PHYSICAL THERAPY
1. Traci Bacon – Wyoming
2. Mercy Health – West Hospital
3. The Christ Hospital Outpatient Center – Red Bank
PICKLEBALL COURTS
1. Sawyer Point Park
2. Aces Pickleball Bar + Grill
3. The Pickle Lodge
PILATES
1. Body Alive
2. Wyoming Pilates
3. Space 3 Yoga + Pilates
PLACE FOR A BIRTHDAY PARTY
1. Longworth Hall Event Center
2. Cincinnati Parks
3. Club MMA: Mixed Martial Arts
PUBLIC GOLF COURSE
1. Blue Ash Golf Course
2. Legendary Run Golf Course
3. Devou Park Golf & Event Center
RUN/WALK EVENT (5K/10K)
1. Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon
2. DAV (Disabled American Veterans)
3. Bockfest 5K
SKATE PARK
1. Sawyer Point Park
2. Beechmont Rollarena
SUMMER CAMP
1. Cincinnati Nature Center
2. Club MMA: Mixed Martial Arts
3. Cincinnati Art Museum
TUTORING SERVICE
1. I.C.I. Studio School of Art
2. Matt McLean’s tutoring services
URGENT CARE
1. Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
2. The Christ Hospital – Urgent Care Center
3. Mercy Health Urgent Care –Finneytown
YOGA
1. Body Alive
2. Embra Studio
3. Sölhaus
By Noah Jones
Rachel Cerimele was never overconfident.
She was shy. She had struggles with depression. Like most women, she thought about her safety each time she walked out the door.
Then she found a gym.
Cincy Women’s Fight Club, a nonprofit at 3651 Harrison Ave. in Cheviot, teaches self-defense to women and girls ages 12 and older.
“I was like, ‘OK, I’ll give it a shot,’” Cerimele said. “I’ve never worked out before. I’ve never been in a sport before.”
Three years after walking through the door, Cerimele has compiled a 9-8-3 record across 20 bouts. Now, she helps train other women at the gym.
What Cerimele found was more than a workout.
“Coming here over time, I started becoming physically more capable,”
Cerimele said. “I realized what I was capable of. Now, I’m mentally stronger too.”
Gym owner Gary Pekoe founded the nonprofit in 2015 to teach women to prepare for potential attacks. According to the National Domestic Violence Institute, nearly three in 10 women in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by a partner. A 2023 study from the National Institutes of Health reports that approximately 1.5 million intimate partner female rapes and physical assaults are perpetrated annually in the U.S.
“As a woman, you think about that every day,” Cerimele said. “Every time I leave my house, I think about it. I have some peace of mind, at least I know a little bit. It makes you feel a little safer.”
Pekoe said seeing Cerimele transform into a more confident woman has been special.
“Rachel has never done anything athletic in her life,” he said. “Now she’s our trainer. She went from 110 pounds to 130 pounds of muscle.”
Cerimele almost didn’t stay.
“I always found myself coming back,” she said. “I would take breaks, but I would find myself missing it.”
The gym was named a CityBeat Best of Cincinnati winner for martial arts gyms in the Family and Health category, earning more than five times as many votes as other martial arts gyms.
A typical session begins with boxing drills on punching bags, moves into kicking circuits and then stretching.
“You don’t want to stretch cold muscles,” Pekoe said.
Members spend about 20 minutes on technique before sparring.
“We’re teaching them basic
submissions: rear-naked chokes, arm bars, Americana — the kind of stuff you see in UFC,” Pekoe said. “About 80% of what we teach is mental: how to think like a fighter, how not to be a victim.”
Trainer Kat Davidson said the womenonly environment makes that possible.
“It’s a very intimate sport,” Davidson said. “You’re up close and personal with your partner the whole time. I think women just inherently have a greater trust in one another in that kind of setting.”
Member Jazmyne Mink said the gym offers something traditional martial arts programs do not.
“Here, you get to focus on either taming or harnessing that wild woman
inside while building real skills,” she said. “You learn to trust your instincts and follow your intuition.”
Cerimele said the community surprised her most.
“I realized quickly how close everybody was,” she said. “It’s a very safe place here. I felt very comfortable with everybody.”
Cerimele said she is not the woman who walked in three years ago. She runs. She works out every day. She trains others to do what she once thought impossible. She still thinks about her safety when she leaves the house, but she thinks about it differently now.
“I have some sort of peace of mind,” she said, “that at least I know a little bit.”
By Meghan Goth
s a mother of five and a manager of many, I’m always trying to find places that are family friendly, have lots of variety, or at least allow me to get some semblance of a workout in. Need to find a place you can take your kids but also occupy them while getting a drink and not spending too much on food? I gotchu. Need a spot near the office where non-beer drinkers can hang out with cocktail lovers and wine aficionados without breaking the bank? Give me a call. I also know the best soccer fields where you can keep an eye on practice while getting in a run around the park (email me for a list of those if you’re interested … mgoth@linknky.com).
Keep reading for some of my favorite places to keep everyone happy, whether you’re with your family or trying to stay away from them (it’s OK. I won’t tell, I promise).
Best place to drink alcohol while pretending to parent: Fifty West Brewing Co.
I don’t even like beer, but as a mom of five, I’m happy to go anywhere with a fence to keep the kids in and enough sand pits and volleyball courts to keep them
busy (and away from me for five minutes. Don’t hate. The moms know). I can always find something I like to drink and the food isn’t super expensive. There’s chicken fingers and hot dogs for the kids and amazing cheeseburgers for whoever, but above all: Make sure you order extra fry sauce. Oh, and the milkshakes are my kids’ favorite. Pro tip: Invite your friends over and get a spot in the shade next to the sand pit. The kids will be occupied and you’ll be able to imbibe a bit before it’s time to take everyone home and hose the sand off of them. (Covington Yard is also a great spot that has a fence and stuff for kids to do. It’s at 401 Greenup St. More info at covingtonyard.com).
7605 Wooster Pike, Columbia Township and 5224 District Park Drive, Mason; fiftywestbrew.com
Bike trail most likely to make you hate everyone on a bicycle: Loveland Bike Trail
In all honesty, I love the Loveland Bike Trail. Downtown Loveland is one of my favorite spots to get some exercise, get a drink with friends or take the family out
for brunch. BUT. As someone who grew up in Denver where literally everyone cycles everywhere, it was very strange to go to Loveland and see so many people who seem to consider themselves professional cyclists. What do I mean by this? There’s the newest carbon model that you can pick up with one finger; there’s the matching shirt and bike shorts with a pocket above your butt for your keys; there’s the matching hat with the small bill; and best of all, there’s the sunglasses with the little rearview mirror attached. The way you can really point out a faux professional Loveland cyclist is when your child is very earnestly trying to get going on their bike that they just learned how to ride only for someone to yell “ON YOUR LEFT!!!” when they’re basically on top of your kid, scaring them to death and making them fall over and lose all confidence. To be fair: I embody most of the things I described above (sans the butt pocket and the rearview mirror) when I go riding on the trail. And most of the cyclists aren’t more worried about their speed than anyone else. But definitely keep an eye out, because a faux pro def almost ran me off the trail last weekend while I was trying to avoid running over a snake (no worries - the snake is fine and so am I!).
206 Railroad Ave., Loveland; lovelandbiketrail.com
Best bookstore to take your time in when you need a break from it all: Joseph-Beth Booksellers
I moved to Cincinnati when I was 16, and our house was a five-minute walk to Joseph-Beth. If you’re looking for something specific, you can usually find it here, but I love going when I don’t have anything on my list. I’ll get a coffee, browse the surprisingly large amount of non-book merchandise, then go section by section. I usually end up with a pile of books and find a chair or a corner to look through them and sip my coffee. I always buy more than I meant to, and I never regret it. (If you need a place with lower prices, check out Half Price Books locations throughout the city for secondhand books and new items. Go to hpb.com for more info and locations.)
2692 Madison Road, Norwood (You might think this is in Hyde Park. It’s actually in the city of Norwood, which is separate from the city of Cincinnati, inside which Hyde Park sits.); josephbeth.com
Best smoothie that doesn’t taste like a protein bar pretending to taste like a cookie: Better Blends
| JOSEPH-BETH BOOKSELLERS
I might be calling it the wrong thing. Is a smoothie still a smoothie if it’s mostly protein powder and there’s no fruit? In any case, Isaac Hamlin thought of the idea for his franchise when he was tired of choking down gross protein shakes while training for rugby matches. Now there are Better Blends all over Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky so that anyone can get that protein in without having to sacrifice taste.
betterblend-smoothies-bowls.com
Best place to look sexy while still getting a good workout in: PoleKittens Fitness
I had to double check how long this fitness studio has been leading pole dancing classes, because I was 99% sure I went once with my friends before my first wedding in 2008. I was right! Personally, the more I try to look sexy the unsexier I feel, so maybe it’s just a me thing, but either way, this class was fun, surprisingly difficult (though it’s made for all skill levels!) and actually gave me a workout. Everyone else looked sexy, so I was probably just getting in my own
WHETHER IT’S CLASSES TO MAKE YOU STRONGER OR A GREAT BACHELORETTE WEEKEND ACTIVITY, POLEKITTENS HAS YOU COVERED. PHOTO PROVIDED | POLEKITTENS FITNESS
head. The instructors want you to feel good in your skin, strong in your body, more like yourself and maybe even a little sexy. It’s not full of barely-clothed women with perfect bodies — the class is truly meant to make women feel good about themselves. Normal workout clothes are expected — no worries. There’s no crowds of drooling men with beer bellies and $1 bills in this studio!
4719 Vine St., St. Bernard; polecore. com
Great service can make everyday life a little easier, and Cincinnati readers know exactly where to find them.
Whether it’s a trusted barber, a goto dog groomer, a favorite hair salon, a reliable law firm or the team you call when it’s time to clear out the clutter, these local businesses stand out for their professionalism, personality and customer care.
Here are the top three reader-selected finalists in each Services category, along with this year’s winner for each.
Services
Reader picks
ACCOUNTING
1. Clark Schaefer Hackett
2. SW Strategic Tax Solutions
3. Ackermann CPA
ATTORNEY
1. Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers –Cincinnati Office
2. Whitney Ellison – Belle Legal
3. McCarthy Law Office
AUTO REPAIR
1. Tire Discounters
2. Jake Sweeney Automotive Group
3. Donovan’s Auto & Tire Center
1. General Electric Credit Union
2. TruPartner Credit Union – Main Office
3. PNC Bank
BARBERSHOP
1. Bishops Haircuts
2. Railway Barber Shop
3. Echo Alley Barbershop
BODY SHOP
1. Jake Sweeney Auto Body Shop
2. Auto-Correct Paint & Body
3. Five Star Collision Center, Inc.
1. The Bearded Guys
2. Don Scipio
COMMERCIAL CLEANING
1. The Queen of Clean Ohio, LLC
2. Germ Free Cleaning
3. Dakota’s Deep Cleaning
CONCRETE
1. Heitker Concrete
2. Prus Construction
3. Frank’s Landscaping
COWORKING SPACE
1. SparkHaus
2. The Gatherall
3. The Work+Shop
CREDIT UNION
1. Cinfed Credit Union
2. General Electric Credit Union
3. Kemba Credit Union
DOG GROOMER
1. Mads and Boomba’s Dog Grooming
2. Paws&Claws LLC
3. Deer Park Veterinary Hospital
DRY CLEANER
1. Tide Cleaners
2. Atlas Dry Cleaners
3. Kroner Dry Cleaners
ELECTRICIAN
1. Lipps Electric
2. Henri Cortes Electric
3. Cooper Electric
EMPLOYMENT AGENCY/ STAFFING
1. TEKsystems
FINANCIAL PLANNER
1. The Rosselot Financial Group
2. Carson Wealth (formerly Total Wealth Planning)
3. Johnson Investment Counsel
FLOORING
1. CJ’s Wholesale Flooring LLC
2. McSwain Carpets & Floors Corporate Headquarters
3. Ohio Tile & Marble Company
GARAGE DOORS
1. AE Door & Window Co.
2. PDQ Garage Doors
3. Overhead Door Company of Greater Cincinnati
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
1. Anderkin Remodeling
2. Built It Brothers
3. 7 Pillars Custom Construction
HAIR SALON
1. Greenline Salon
2. Bishops Haircuts
3. Benefit Salon – Columbia Tusculum
1. Traditions Building & Development Group
2. Tim Guilfoyle Homes
3. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati
HOME CLEANING
1. Swift Sweeper’s Cleaning Service LLC
2. The Queen of Clean Ohio LLC
3. Swift Sweeper’s Cleaning Service
HVAC
1. Air Authority Heating and Cooling
2. Arlinghaus Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning
3. Clark Heating & Cooling, Inc.
I.T. SERVICES
1. WJWatts Consulting
2. Black Bag Computer Consulting, LLC
3. Nerd Patrol
INTERIOR DESIGNER
1. Biltmore Designs
2. SPACES
3. Jackie Barnes Design
INTERNET PROVIDER
1. altafiber
2. Spectrum
3. Little Miami Gig
JUNK REMOVAL
1. Junk King – Cincinnati East
2. Building Value
3. Junk Police – Cincinnati
LANDSCAPER
1. DB’s Landscape and Hardscape LLC
2. Reisenberg’s Lawn and Landscape
3. Native Roots
LAW FIRM
1. Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers –Cincinnati Office
2. Belle Legal, LLC
3. Murphy Landen Jones PLLC
LAW FIRM (BUSINESS)
1. Murphy Landen Jones PLLC
2. Thompson Hine LLP
3. Niehaus Financial Services
LAW FIRM (PERSONAL INJURY)
1. O’Connor, Acciani & Levy
2. Murphy Landen Jones PLLC
3. Young, Reverman & Bolotin
LOGISTICS COMPANY
1. TQL
2. Big John Movers
3. ATS Logistics
MORTGAGE BROKER
1. Kathy Lamb
2. Dave Scully – Ruoff Mortgage
3. Korey Yelton – Fairway Independent Mortgage
MORTGAGE COMPANY
1. Sibcy Cline Mortgage Services
2. Sibcy Cline Mortgage
3. Union Home Mortgage –Cincinnati
MOVERS
1. Big John Movers
2. Pink Zebra Moving
3. Hercules Moving & Storage Inc.
NAIL SALON
1. Ambiance Nail Spa
2. Magnolia Nails – Oakley
3. Deluxe Nail Salon and Spa
PAINTER
1. Corcoran Painting
2. Fresh Coat Painters – Cincinnati East
3. The Bearded Guys
PET ADOPTION/SHELTER
1. Cincinnati Animal CARE
2. Ohio Alleycat Resource (OAR) & Spay/Neuter Clinic
3. Louie’s Legacy
PET SPA
1. Mads and Boomba’s Dog Grooming
2. Paws&Claws LLC
3. Shear Pawfection
PET SUPPLY STORE
1. Pet Supplies Plus – Milford
2. Pet Supplies Plus – Maineville
3. Pet Wants Cincy – Findlay Market
PHOTOGRAPHY
1. Bethany Ellen Artistic Imagery
2. Casey Miller Photography
3. Bobbi Sue Photography
PLUMBER
1. A. All Valley Plumbing & Sewer Service
2. Zins Plumbing
3. Holtmeier Plumbing
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZING COMPANY
1. RevampT Spaces Organizing Services
2. Organized by Wendy
3. Closets by Design – Cincinnati
REAL ESTATE GROUP
1. Nick Foltz – Realtor, REDM
2. Sibcy Cline Realtors
3. Six Realty
REALTOR
1. Nick Foltz – Realtor, REDM
2. Donna Blankenship
3. Home with Hannah Wang –Sibcy Cline Realtors
REMODELING COMPANY
1. Tim Guilfoyle Homes
2. Make Her Mark
3. Kraft Construction Co Inc.
ROOFING
1. Cincy Exteriors
2. Warner Roofing
3. At Your Service Roofing
TAILOR/ALTERATIONS
1. Peppi Romano
2. Theresa’s Alterations
3. Kim Dao’s Alterations
TAX PREP
1. SW Strategic Tax Solutions
2. Pelle’s Tax Services
3. H&R Block
VETERINARIAN
1. Deer Park Veterinary Hospital
2. Noah’s Ark Animal Clinics
3. Moore’s Veterinary Clinic
WINDOW COMPANY
1. Gilkey Replacement Window Company – Cincinnati
2. Cincy Exteriors
3. Windows Plus
By Noah Jones
Bethany Ellen hoists her camera gear, protected in a clear plastic box, below the surface of a saltwater pool.
Her focus today is on an expecting mother treading water on the other side of the pool, fighting to look comfortable and natural in a purple flowing dress against a dark background.
“It’s the ultimate experience of trust for my clients and for me,” Ellen said. “It is something that is so out of the ordinary, so out of the norm ... and it creates this very otherworldly experience for them.”
Under the surface is where the magic happens. Ellen, a lifelong photographer, loves capturing the seasons of love in people’s lives.
Eventually, her client appears to be floating against a dark background.
The only noise Ellen can hear is the clicking of the camera. Ellen is at peace, focused in a way her ADHD won’t allow her to be without being surrounded by water.
After several clicks, the mother is floating, beautifully posed. The dress is reflecting upward in the water. This is not just a photograph. It’s art, and the baby bump is the star.
Bethany Ellen Artistic Imagery won the Best of Cincinnati award in the Services photography category.
Bethany Ellen Artistic Imagery is more than just Ellen’s career. It’s been trial and error, filled with education, networking and finding her passion.
Her journey into photography, as she tells it, is lame.
“I worked at Best Buy to pay for college,” Ellen said.
Among the many aisles of tech in the store, the camera aisle called out to her the most.
“Everybody thought iPhones were going to take over, and that it was just going to be an iPhone world forever,” she said. “Honestly, I really just wanted this camera that was on clearance.
“I was like, ‘You know what?’ I’ll start a photography business, and that’ll
definitely justify the cost of this.”
For the next three years, she took shots of people, justifying her purchase. Then, one day, she realized not one photo was good enough for her.
“I was looking for these pictures; there’s no growth,” she said. “There’s no skill set to these. These are just pictures that I’ve taken, and they’re not special because I haven’t put any effort into them.”
She began working to better her craft. She took classes, went to conferences and met fellow photographers.
Ellen’s mentor, Sal Cincotta, said the two met at ShutterFest, a photography conference. He said he enjoyed that she was interested not only in taking her craft to the next level but also in taking the business to the next level.
Cincotta, a professional photographer for the past 19 years, owns Salvatore Cincotta Photography and several other camera-based business ventures.
“Artists are historically broke, hence the term starving artist,” Cincotta said. “There are those of us who want to actually make a living at it, not treat it as a hobby. And that’s what Bethany showed.”
Cincotta added that one of the biggest
differences between his mentee and people who take photos with cameras on their phones is her ability to create “must-have moments.”
“Anybody can go out there and take a picture, but can you create an image, a moment that takes me aback as a customer — where I’m thinking this is the best I’ve ever looked,” he said. “This is not a picture. It’s art. There’s no price tag on what people are willing to pay for that because it really is one-of-a-kind and unique to that client. That’s really how I think she has created a niche for herself.”
Over time, Ellen began developing a passion for maternity photography, capturing moments that made mothers feel beautiful.
She took a course at a conference and fell in love with the idea of capturing such intimate moments.
She remembers adding a maternity conference class to her agenda because she didn’t want to miss it.
“My husband and I are child-free by choice,” she said, acknowledging the irony. “That whole class changed the entire spectrum of my career. I love anything that challenges norms. I love anything that kind of breaks the mold. For me, maternity portraiture will always be that.”
On Ellen’s website, she calls herself a maternity specialist, though she also takes wedding, newborn, boudoir, underwater, family and senior year photographs.
Ellen said her photography captures the many stages of love.
“Milestones often happen when love happens, and I think love itself is part of that milestone,” Ellen said. “Watching the way that love changes people over time. It changes their opinions, their viewpoints, their worldviews. Watching all of that happen and then getting to make them also fall in love with themselves is the greatest honor.”
Eventually, she was asked to participate in a reality YouTube show for photographers, “The Creator Series,” produced by Canon.
Ellen said the series was tough
because she had about 10 minutes to complete challenges with a model, but her hard work paid off. She won the show’s first season.
Cincotta, who helped create the series with his wife, said it was a joy to watch her beat out not just the 10 contestants but also the 50 to 70 photographers who didn’t make it onto the show.
“That was a big, definitely proud moment for me, of course,” Cincotta said of Ellen’s photographer coming-out party. “She really had to rise above many, many talented photographers on that series.”
Ellen calls this the coolest thing she’s ever done.
“That was probably the craziest experience I’ve ever had. I always tell people I cried every episode,” she said. “All of us ended up becoming best friends. All 10 of us still talk to this day. To be crowned the winner of that was crazy.”
Now, Ellen is giving back to her community, teaching at conferences around the country.
Cincotta said this is a real full-circle moment for her career, helping new photographers develop as she had done not long ago.
“She goes from this just being some side hobby to now it’s a successful business, and she’s teaching other people,” Cincotta said. “That story is pretty powerful for anybody who thinks, ‘I can’t do this.’ Well, yeah, you can.”
Ellen teaches regularly at a few conferences a year. She holds workshops for maternity, portraiture and wedding photography.
One photographer, Matt Maenpaa, met Ellen at a festival. He said she has improved his confidence when working with others, thanks to Ellen’s
encouragement.
“You can tell Bethany is having a good moment in her class because across this echoing hallway, you’ll just hear this, H*** yeah, brother,’” Maenpaa said.
At the time he first met Ellen, Maenpaa said he was new to capturing moments with a camera. Now, after working in the industry, he said he’s been able to have confidence without thinking about it.
“I’d only really just started photography,” said Maenpaa, who has now owned Foolish Endeavors Photography for three years. “I’m fortunate to work with a lot of talented
photographers who I have convinced to mentor me in one way or another. And so, I think having access to someone like Bethany helps internalize it, so it’s not a conscious thing.”
He added that he speaks with Ellen often via a Facebook group page and at conferences they both attend.
Ellen’s journey may have had a “lame” beginning, but now, as a mentor, teacher and a top maternal photographer, she is able to make a difference for the right people — capturing milestone moments one mother at a time.
By Noah Jones
Iam about as Cincinnati as you can get. In fact, my upcoming wedding (well, it will have happened by the time you read this, but as I write it, it’s still upcoming!) is at Findlay Market and we’re having it catered by four Findlay Market vendors. We’re even going to Rhinegeist for cocktails so everyone can enjoy the view from the rooftop.
All of that is to say, I know Cincinnati. I know where to get the cuddliest felines, where to get supplies for said felines, and where to look “fly as h***.” Here are some of my recommendations for services in the Queen City.
The best place to treat your furball like royalty: Pet Wants Cincy at Findlay Market
A store at Findlay Market ought to be special, and Pet Wants delivers. Michele Hobbs and Amanda Broughton founded Pet Wants in 2010 after they noticed problems with their own pets’ nutrition. Today, Pet Wants makes its own smallbatch cat and dog food, along with dog biscuits and a variety of unique treats. Inside, the atmosphere is welcoming and a little playful, making it just as enjoyable for pets as it is for their owners. Bring your dog along for a visit, browse the shelves and let them sniff out a favorite snack before you decide what to bring home.
1813 Pleasant St., Over-the-Rhine; petwantscincy.com
best place to find lawn art: Sibcy
You’ve probably seen the Sibcy Cline yard signs scattered across just about every Cincinnati neighborhood. I personally ended up using them when I bought my place in Walnut Hills, which is honestly why I’m talking about them at all. It wasn’t because of the yard signs. It was because someone I trusted pointed me in the right direction, and the experience held up. They knew the area, they kept things moving and I never felt like I was in the dark about where things stood. If you’re somewhere in the middle of the home-buying process, or just starting to think about it, they’re worth a conversation. Cincinnati’s a big city made up of many very different neighborhoods, and it helps to work with people who actually know them.
sibcycline.com
best
hammer
In the past fiscal year alone, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati built 23 homes and made critical repairs to 174 others. It’s also the largest home builder in the Cincinnati area, which I didn’t fully appreciate until I looked into
it more. More than 1,000 volunteers show up to help address the very real need for affordable housing here. Regular people, giving their weekends, swinging hammers, making it happen. What I like about Habitat is that it doesn’t feel abstract. The homes are here, in neighborhoods we all drive through. The families are real. The need is real. And the work being done to meet that need is consistent, year after year, in a way that’s genuinely hard to argue with.
4910 Para Drive, Bond Hill; habitat cincinnati.org
The best place to look ‘fly as h***’: Peppe Ramundo Menswear and Black Tie
My soon-to-be wife suggested I rent a tuxedo from Peppe Ramundo Menswear for our wedding this summer. When I arrived at the store, I was surrounded by brightly colored suits and tuxedos and an impressive selection of accessories. I had been there for a moment before I was handed the tux I’ll wear in June. The only tailor in the building spoke with me for three minutes, then went upstairs. When he returned, he had two jackets that fit perfectly. That was the moment I understood what an expert tailor really was — someone who doesn’t need a
measuring tape to size up a customer. Just a three-minute conversation.
5229 Glenway Ave., West Price Hill; peperamundo.com
The best place to go for kitty snuggles: Ohio Alleycat Resource
Finding a second cat meant doing our homework, which led my fiancée and me to Ohio Alleycat Resource. We decided to get a second cat in 2024 and began researching adoption agencies. When we visited this Cincinnati nonprofit, we were promptly ambushed by the most devastatingly cute kittens imaginable. Determined not to adopt the very first
fuzzy faces we encountered, we pressed on. (Spoiler: we came back.) And honestly? We’re glad we explored. The facility, formally known as The Joanie Bernard Home for Cats, is nothing short of impressive. Cats are housed in groups of four or five per unit, and roughly half of those units come with screened-in porches. Yes, porches. They are nicer than my home, frankly. The cats aren’t just housed, they’re respected, enriched and genuinely cared for. We left with one very perfect kitten, Lucy; OAR left us with zero regrets.
5619 Orlando Place, Madisonville; ohioalleycat.org
By Nadya Ellerhorst
For artist Paul Kroner, it began with Pablo Picasso’s Guernica.
Witnessing the artist’s Cubist depiction of the horrors of the Spanish Civil War at age 19, the painting became Kroner’s “north star.”
“ If I can ever create anything that has that kind of impact on anybody, I’ll feel like I succeeded,” Kroner said.
Now, Kroner operates his namesake Studio Kroner with a similar mission of lasting impact through art. Kroner himself is an established painter and sculptor, although he’s still a relative newbie to the gallery scene.
After graduating from the University of Cincinnati, he lived and worked in the Boston area for 40 years before returning to his hometown. With a background in marketing communications design and branding, he only became a fine artist in his late 40s.
And after moving back, while on the hunt for a larger studio space, he happened upon an entire gallery. The space known today as Studio Kroner used to be Dick Waller’s Art Place, and Kroner’s was the latter’s last featured show before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Dick decided he wanted to retire and give up the space,” Kroner said. “The landlord of this building is the landlord of my other building. He said, ‘Hey Paul, do you want to take over this space?’ So in my look for a bigger studio space, I also got a gallery.”
Following some renovations, Studio Kroner opened in April 2021 (Kroner’s own studio is located in the back of the gallery space).
Studio Kroner is not a “representational” gallery, with a pool of artists it consistently represents for longer spans of time. Nor does it limit itself to art of a given format or style. Instead, Kroner selects five or six artists of varying media throughout a year to feature for approximately one month at a time.
“ I try to do things that I really feel like I can invest a month of my time presenting
that work and get really behind them,” Kroner said. “So I have to really be invested in the quality, the topic, the medium, all the things so that I can be the best possible spokesperson for that person for the duration of their show here.”
The creative expression within Studio Kroner is not exclusively static, either – he aspires to make the space “a crosspollinated platform for the arts,” often in tandem with other local organizations.
”When I opened this, I was like, okay, this is an opportunity for me to get a little bit immersed in the community, so how do I reach different parts of the community that I don’t know?” Kroner explained.
Aside from being voted CityBeat’s Best Art Gallery, it also received Best Gallery Show for “All Else Pales 2,” a five-artist, “multi-disciplinary art
exhibition” exploring environmental themes. It included poetry readings, meditation sessions, and “A Living Earth” Pageant throughout its run. Participating organizations included The Ohio Valley Forestry Fellowship, the University of Cincinnati Institute for Research in Sensing, and The Center for Public Engagement with Science, among others. The synthesizing approach also has another purpose – bringing people in.
Kroner acknowledges that his downtown gallery is situated “sort of on the outskirts.” Studio Korner sits a few blocks down from the more bustling parts of Court Street. But, should you pass the gallery on a walk to lunch, chances are there’s art in full view. Through May 23, Kroner’s own vibrant paintings and sculptures are on view as part of “What Have I Done?” And if it’s not art on the walls that draw you in, it could be an
artist talk, a panel discussion, or any other activity.
The local convergence these multifaceted offerings inspire often tends to be the gift that keeps on giving.
”The beautiful thing about that is it’s Cincinnati,” Kroner explained. “So you’re having a show that’s got somebody from Northern Kentucky, and all of a sudden somebody from the West Side of Cincinnati shows up, and they’re connected.”
Kroner acknowledges that he’s still gaining experience within the multilayered space that serves as both platform for other art and a busy workspace for his own.
”It might not be the wisest decision,” he admitted with a laugh. “I don’t know. I’m still working on it, trying to figure it out.”
Yet the studio is 5 years going strong.
For now, Kroner continues to keep presenting shows. The gallery will soon be partnering with the Fernside Center for Grieving Children to celebrate the organization’s 40th anniversary throughout a three-day event. In June, the gallery will be presenting Ken Landon Buck’s paintings as part of “Serpent Mound: Observations of the Seen, the Unseen, the Mystical, and the Reverent.”
He also hopes to continue building Studio Kroner’s status not only as a local hub for art, but as a regional destination –with Cincinnati community connections at the forefront.
“Who do I tap in Columbus, in Louisville? How do I bring people who I think are good into the city, and introduce new people to the community where that makes sense, and just broaden the footprint?”
Shopping local is about more than checking items off a list: It’s about discovering the places that give Cincinnati its character.
From neighborhood florists and farmers markets to international grocery stores, home décor shops and standout beer selections, these reader-picked favorites reflect the businesses that keep the region vibrant, unique and unmistakably local.
Here are the top three finalists in each Shopping category, including this year’s winner for each.
Shopping Reader picks
BEER SELECTION
1. Depot Brewing Company
2. Rhinegeist Brewery
3. Jungle Jim’s International Market
BEST PLACE TO BUY ART
1. Archived Interiors
2. Tasty Bird Vintage
3. Pendleton Art Center
BOOKSTORE
1. Snapdragon Books and Gifts
2. Joseph-Beth Booksellers
3. Bookery Cincy
BOURBON SELECTION
1. Party Source
2. Jungle Jim’s International Market
– Eastgate
3. Cincinnati Distilling
BUTCHER SHOP
1. Avril & Bleh Meat Market
2. Lehr’s Prime Market
3. Eckerlin’s Meats
BLEH MEAT
CAR DEALER
1. Jake Sweeney Automotive Group
2. Harper Hospitality – Cronin Kia
3. Jeff Wyler Fairfield Kia
CARPET/FLOORING
1. JP Flooring Design Center – West Chester
2. Bowling’s Flooring
3. Ohio Tile & Marble Company
FARMER’S MARKET
1. Findlay Market
2. Hyde Park Farmers Market
3. Northside Farmers Market
FLORIST
1. Lutz Flowers
2. Adrian Durban Florist
3. Flowers by Shannon
FURNITURE
1. Tasty Bird Vintage
2. Ohio Valley Antique Mall
3. Ikea West Chester
GARDEN CENTER/NURSERY
1. Blooms & Berries Farm Market and Garden Center
2. White Oak Gardens
3. Pipkin’s Market
GROCERY STORE
1. Jungle Jim’s
2. Trader Joe’s International Market
3. Dorothy Lane Market
HOME DECOR
1. High St.
2. Tasty Bird Vintage
3. Patina At Home
INTERNATIONAL GROCERY
1. Jungle Jim’s International Market
2. Cam International Market
3. Saigon Market
JEWELRY STORE
1. Geraci Fine Jewelry
2. Genesis Diamonds
3. Sindur Fine & Antique Jewelry
LIQUOR STORE
1. Party Source
2. Jungle Jim’s International Market
– Eastgate
3. Arrow Wine & Spirits
LOCAL CLOTHING BOUTIQUE
1. Tasty Bird Vintage
2. Ahead of the Curve Gifts
3. Generations Vintage
MEN’S FASHION
1. Tasty Bird Vintage
2. Generations Vintage
3. Well Made Vintage
NEW STORE (OPENED IN 2024 OR AFTER)
1. Snapdragon Books and Gifts
2. Hobii House
3. Old Man Clucker Rubs & Sauces
RECORD STORE
1. Shake It Records
2. Alien Records
3. Everybody’s Records
SEAFOOD MARKET
1. Findlay Market
2. Sen by Kiki
3. Jungle Jim’s International Market – Eastgate
SPECIALTY FOOD MARKET
1. Findlay Market
2. Old Man Clucker Rubs & Sauces
3. Jungle Jim’s International Market
THRIFT STORE
1. Tinker’s Treasures Antique Mall
2. Indigo Hippo
3. Generations Vintage
VINTAGE STORE
1. Tinker’s Treasures Antique Mall
2. Bquirkie
3. Disco Tits
WINE SELECTION
1. Victor’s Wine
2. The Party Source
3. Ripple Wine Bar – Covington
WOMEN’S FASHION
1. soHza sister Boutique
2. Tasty Bird Vintage
3. Generations Vintage
By Christian LeDuc
It was the late ’90s in Cincinnati: Reds fans were riding the high of a recent World Series Championship, Maisonette on East Sixth Street was still the longest-running five-star restaurant in the country, and like many, brothers Jim and Darren Blase were underwhelmed with their 9-to-5.
“We both kind of hated our jobs at the same time,” Jim said.
He was tired of working in restaurants and Darren was not a fan of his music distributing gig. They knew there was more to life, and their light at the end of the tunnel was opening a record store.
“We’d always talked about doing this,” Jim said. “So, we started.”
They officially opened Shake It Records in 1999.
Now, nearly three decades later, the brothers run one of the most beloved record shops in the Queen City with a catalog of more than 45,000 new and used records, books, CDs and more.
“It feels good,” Jim said, “every time you hear someone say, ‘I haven’t been in a place like this before,’”
The brothers moved the shop to its current location at 4156 Hamilton Ave. in 2001.
They landed in Cincinnati’s Northside neighborhood because “nobody in Clifton would rent to us,” and they could get double the square footage for “nothing” in Northside, Jim said.
As the business grew, so did the neighborhood.
“When kids moved down here and bought their first house, they would have a kid and they would move to the suburbs,” Jim said. “Now, those people are staying.”
Darren remembers in the beginning, there was a big personal aspect to the music industry on all levels. Now, he said, with the corporatization of nearly every aspect, it’s virtually nonexistent.
“We used to have sales reps that called and we’d shoot the s*** with them,” Darren said. “And now it’s just these like lists of stuff.”
Despite the relatively unsavory evolution, Shake It has refused to move
in that direction. Because sometimes, change is bad. It’s a decision the brothers say has helped keep the shop alive for generations of music lovers.
“The fact that we’ve been able to keep some of these customers for one fourth of a century or more now, is pretty cool,” Jim said.
The shop is a glimpse back in time to what the industry once was, according to longtime customer Adam Heltemes
“These guys do it right,” he said. “They put a lot of effort into having the right records, which is key.”
Heltemes grew up in the music industry. His father, Bill, worked for Atlantic Records. Heltemes idolizes the brothers and what they’ve built. One of his first stops back from his recent honeymoon was the record shop.
“They’re not just customers,” Darren said. “They’re like true friends.”
The brothers are starting to notice
a very promising trend in the industry: young people are flocking to physical media again. Kids aren’t only coming in with their families to shop, they’re coming in on their own, bringing friends, building a community and making Shake It a safe space for the next generation to discover their own soundtrack. The brothers think it’s one way young people are steering away from the status quo.
“Part of that is a pushback from phones,” Darren said. “Like, Jesus Christ, not everything has to be on your phone. They’re committing dollars and emotion to a physical purchase of something that they want to be part of their life.”
No kid is going to start with Velvet Underground, but they might pick up a Sombr vinyl. And who knows, a couple of Taylor Swift records could lead down the path to discovering other iconic artists of a different time, like Amy Winehouse, the brothers agreed.
“It should be supported no matter what it is,” Darren said.
Music is a never-ending journey of discovery. And to the brothers, it never
“After all this time, there’s still bands that we learn about almost every day,” Jim said.
Knowing that Cincinnati loves Shake It more than any other shop in the city is fine and dandy. This year’s Best of Cincinnati award in the Record Store category won’t be the only one hanging on the walls between band posters but regardless of the accolades, the brothers are going to keep doing business their own way.
“It’s about leaning over the counter and shooting the s*** with people and either talking about music or not,” Darren said.
Shake It’s bins are fresh, but they’ve also got plenty of records on hand with “purpose. “
“Somebody’s going to get that and
By Maggy McDonel
To know me is to know I love to shop. Whether it’s clothes, books, food, records or wine (definitely wine), I love to spend money, much to my bank account’s dismay. Another thing I love is my city; I love supporting local and seeing small businesses thrive.
So, if you’re like me and you love to leave somewhere with your wallet noticeably lighter, keep reading for my picks for some of the best places to shop around the region.
The best place to get smut on the go: Wanderlust Book Bazaar
Are you ever somewhere and think, “Wow, I really need a smutty book right now”? Well, you’re in luck! Wanderlust Book Bazaar is a mobile bookstore, known to some as the “Smut Truck,” based out of Union, Ky. The truck stocks its shelves with novels of the romance persuasion. From fantasy to romantasy, romance, merch and more, Wanderlust offers up everything for anyone who finds themselves on “booktok.” Owner Luci Slawnyk brings the mobile bookstore to all kids of markets and pops up everywhere from breweries to pizza places. Follow
the Book Bazaar on social media to stay up to date with where they’ll be so you can catch them and grab a title that’ll be sure to tickle your fancy.
wanderlustbookbazaar.com
The best place to get the niche ingredients for that recipe you saved on Instagram: Findlay Market
We’ve all been there: You save a delicious-looking recipe on Instagram. Then, after signing up for a Substack, you get the full recipe, and there are about 15 ingredients you don’t have in your pantry and can’t find at your local Kroger. But, being a good home chef, you want to be true to the original recipe, so what do you do? Head over to Findlay Market, of course. With over 100 vendors ranging from butchers to specialty spice shops, fish mongers, an outdoor farmers market and more, you’re definitely going to be able to find what you need at this iconic Cincinnati market.
1801 Race St., Over-the-Rhine; findlay market.org
The best place to get a deep cut record to show off to your friends: Everybody’s Records
Are you in desperate need to impress
your friends who may or may not know more about a niche sub-genre of music than you? Look no further than Everybody’s Records in Pleasant Ridge. Having been open since 1978, the popular record shop started out buying and selling used records and cassette tapes. Now, nearly 50 years later, it has new records plus CDs, collectibles and more. Still independently owned, Everybody’s is a great place to spend a Saturday afternoon, pursuing its selection and enjoying the shop’s chill vibes. Its selection ranges from rap to punk to jazz, bluegrass, gospel music and more; there’s room for everybody at Everybody’s.
6106 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge; everybodysrecords.com
The best wine selection (for even the snobbiest wine snob you know): Hart & Cru
With a chill atmosphere, vibe-y record collection and curated selection of wine, Hart & Cru is the Cincinnati spot to impress any wine lover (even the ones who think they really know wine). Founder Kevin Hart (not that Kevin Hart), an experienced sommelier, left the restaurant world to grow wineCRAFT, a local importing and distributing company, launching Hart & Cru in 2015
and eventually opening the brick-andmortar location in 2021. While you’re there, enjoy the vibe of a European-style wine bar, grab some light bites from its rotating food menu and probably spend a little too much money, leaving with some bottles to take home.
1206 Broadway St., Pendleton; hartandcru.com
The best place to find something where you can say ‘oh, it’s vintage’: Casablanca Vintage
We’ve all seen that really cool girl with that awesome outfit, and you ask her, “Where did you get that jacket?” and she responds, “Oh, it’s vintage.” Yeah, you know the one, the girl you deep down want to be, but you don’t know where to even start looking for a cool vintage jacket. If you’re in Cincinnati, you’ve got to start at Casablanca Vintage in Northside. Originally established as a pre-1970s menswear shop in 1985, this local staple has transformed over the years, now offering clothes and accessories for all ages and genders, mostly ranging from the 1920s to the 1990s with a few antiques here and there.
3944 Spring Grove Ave., Northside; casablancavintage.com
TRIḋCOUNTY • WESTERN HILLS • FLORENCE, KY • LEBANON, OH SHOP ONLINE
