Cincinnati is known for its thriving Art Community and we’re getting national recognition with USA Todays Readers’ Choice Awards of 2024 ranking Cincinnati as the #1 City for the Best Street Art in the United States! It’s an exciting honor to be acknowledged for our collection of artworks in every neighborhood. The city serves as an outdoor gallery with incredible murals by local and world-renowned artists.
“This award celebrates all who have been involved, from youth artists, professional artists, building owners, community councils, nonprofit partners and the city of Cincinnati.” -ArtWorks
The nonprofit, ArtWorks is one of the largest contributors to the Street Art collection in Cincinnati, with hundreds of murals throughout the area and more planned for the future. This organization has made a commitment to prioritizing the community and providing more opportunities for artists. They have invested in Public Art in profound ways that brings positivity and creativity to the people. The city is a canvas with endless possibilities and Artworks is keeping up the momentum of the Mural Movement by developing consistent projects that collaborate in support of the arts.
“ArtWorks creates community-based public art that provides career opportunities for artists of all ages. We find a way. We thrive together through diversity. We believe art enhances life. We learn together.” -ArtWorks
ArtWorks has been around since 1996 and has worked with thousands of artists to make one-of-a-kind pieces that have transformed and beautified the City of Cincinnati. They’re amazing leaders and innovators that are elevating the way we engage and experience art. They recently celebrated their 10 th partnered project with the Cincinnati Recreation Commission that highlights the diverse culture and history of the city. These works of art are not only gorgeous, but they’re also educational references that tell a story and give a glimpse into the past, present, and future of the impact of creativity in the community. Their next big event is with the return of the interactive art experience Blink and you don’t want to miss it! Take a tour through the city to immerse yourself in this outstanding display of art that is unforgettable that transcends you to a world of magical creativity in Cincinnati.
The great City of Cincinnati has always and will forever be a major supporter of the Arts. No matter what area you’re in, you’re sure to find endless creative things to see and do! There’re lots of galleries, museums, and studios to check out and to get involved in at any age. Pendleton Art Center is a local favorite to visit, and you will be amazed by what they provide for Artists and the community! Not only is this one of the best places to view Art of all varieties but it’s also a great place to purchase Art. They have many events that are incredible opportunities to meet the Artists and get a glimpse into their process.
Photo Credit: Christen Collins
“Pendleton is known for monthly open studio walks called “Final Fridays,” guests can see hundreds of artist studios and buy work directly from artists during these events.”
Pendleton Art Center
Artists Spotlight:
Photo Credit: Joe Pearce
“Joe Pearce is an award-winning fine artist and the author of “The Art of my Life: The Perspective of Life through the Eyes of an Artist”. Joe has occupied an art studio (Studio 509A) at the Pendleton Art Center in Cincinnati since 2008. This is where he paints and draws. Built in 1909, the Pendleton Art Center building was originally a shoe manufacturing warehouse, later being purchased in the mid-1900s by the Shillito’s Department Store. Purchased in 1990 by the Verdin family, the eight story PAC warehouse now houses more than 200 artists of various mediums. Joe loves the warm feel of the building, the north lit windows in his studio, and the relationships he has built with other artists. The Pendleton Art Center is located at 1310 Pendleton Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202, and is open for art walks on the last Friday of the month, from 5-9pm.”
Joe Pearce For more information and to follow Joe’s creative journey find him at http://www.joepearceart.com, Joe Pearce Art on Facebook, and @joe.e.pearce on Instagram.
Photo Credit: Christen Collins
Pendleton Art Center extends to including other facilities such as, 510 Gallery Studios, Café Studios, and the Annex Building Studios. So, take your time walking through their impressive collection of spaces that feature fantastic artwork of all kinds!
Bill and Morgan Witlow are two of my favorite people in the Service Industry. I met Bill years ago when I was opening “Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar” and Bill was helping to open Wiseguy’s on Mainstrasse. Since then Bill has gone on to build some of my favorite establishments in Covington.
Henry Wenzel was a prominent and well-respected business man in Covington, Ky during the mid 1800’s. He manufactured and bottled mineral water. His Business was called “The Covington Bottling Works” and was located in his building called “Wenzel Hall” located down Tobacco Alley right off Madison Ave. Besides his mineral water, he also contracted bottled soft drinks, lager beer, and wine. Henry was German born. He was married to Bertha (Wagner) Wenzel. Together they had five children, Wilhelmina (Minnie) Hugo, Bertha, Julia and Carl. Wilhelmina was a music teacher and Bertha was a sales girl at Coppins (now Hotel Covington) They lived on 4th Street between Russel and Washington.
Henry Wenzel died on April 10,1876. He was standing on the corner of 4th and Scott streets in front of Hermance’s Drug store at about 8pm when he suffered a stroke and collapsed. Bystanders carried him in to the drug store and summoned the doctor. However, he died before the Doctor arrived.
After Henry Wenzel died, the building was sold and used as a pickle factory. On the 3rd floor of Wenzel Hall were the meeting rooms for “the Colored international order and Odd Fellows”. In the early 1900’s, the first floor of the building was a steam dye company.
Today, Wenzel Hall has been transformed in to a hotel called “The Pickle Factory” and also to “Wenzel Whiskey”. Wenzel Whiskey is one of my favorite places in Cincinnati. It is a Whisky Blending experience and a must if you love whiskey. Bill and Griffin are the masterminds in guiding you through the process of blending your own personal bottle of whiskey. We visit another of Bill and Morgan Witlow’s restaurants and their newest one called “Opal” that opened the beginning of October. Opal is on the rooftop of the six story Republic Bank Building at Sixth and Madison . There is an indoor dinning room with windows all around and an outdoor lounge with panoramic views. It is so beautiful and the food and cocktails are spectacular! The Republic Bank Building that Opal tops was built in 1904. It was designed by Henry Hake. It was one of Covington’s tallest buildings at the time. The building was built for the Farmers and Traders Bank, and then was the First National Bank once they merged with Farmers and Traders Bank.
After Opal we make our way down Madison to 7th street to visit Rich’s Proper Food and Drink, another amazing establishment of Bill and Morgan Witlow. Rich’s has one of the best whiskey and bourbon selections in the area- and the food is a fusion of American pub meets Southern Cajun, it’s so good! You can’t miss Rich’s because of the huge neon sign that can be seen blocks away, Rich’s was once a jewelry store owned by master jeweler H. Rich Shullman. He opened his store on November 17, 1944. Rich’s was one of our 100 jewelry stores in the metro area that carried Cincinnati-based Gruen Watches. Greun sponsored the making of Rich’s Ionic Neon Sign. Rich’s slogan Was “Honest dealing with keeping the faith of the public.”
Make a point to visit all of these exciting places that makes Covington so vibrant !
LRHLive is a full-service restaurant and live music venue located in the heart of Greater Cincinnati. This 24,000 square foot facility features two stages that will showcase live country music from local, regional, and national artists.
Come out and enjoy delicious food, live music, and amazing nightlife as we bring Music City to the Queen City for a one-of-a-kind intimate and memorable experience. Click Here to view their upcoming shows!
Looking for a place to catch live music? We have a list of great venues, bars and restaurants, and establishments to catch live music! Some of these are weekly, daily, or biweekly, so check out their site for more information!
The Know Theatre is one of the best places to see amazing shows and get involved in the performing arts community in Cincinnati for people of all ages. They’re also recognized for the featured murals on and near their building. So next time you’re going to an event at the theater or just in the area, take a walk around to discover several incredible wall pieces that are perfect to take pictures of or with!
“Our goal is to create an artistic playground where artists and audiences can come together to produce and experience work that could not be done anywhere else.” – The Know Theatre
The theater is located in OTR at 1120 Jackson Street, down a block from the Art Academy of Cincinnati. On the AAC building and in nearby parking lots there are more murals that are just steps away!
“We want to create a community that includes artists and audience, volunteers, and staff, as well as random passersby who just stop in to say “hello.” – The Know Theatre
Photos by: Christen Collins
Right across from the Academy are two murals in the parking lot of the theater that are delightful to experience and promote positivity. The first is known as “Lookin Good” by XYLENE and is painted on the wall of the Know Theatre. This giant painting looks like a glowing neon sign and has an awesome message for everyone to enjoy and feel good about!
Photos by: Christen Collins
The second mural is brought to life for the public by ArtWorks and their team of creatives titled, “Ice Cream Daydream” which is a colorful look into the wonderful world of imagination. It’s cute, it’s quirk, and will surely make you smile!
“This fantastical mural brings youthful energy and vibrancy to the district of Over-the-Rhine.”
-ArtWorks
Photo by: Christen Collins
On the other side of the building is another parking lot between Jackson and Walnut Street with more huge murals. These works of art are two separate murals that you can’t miss! One of the murals is a huge happy cat called, “Crazy Cat, Crazy Quilt”, that was also made by ArtWorks. This piece is inspired by the great Edie Harper who attended the Art Academy of Cincinnati when it was in Eden Park at the Cincinnati Art Museum.
“Sometimes an idea is triggered by a title and its fun-potential.”
Edie Harper
Charley Harper Art Studio
On the south side wall of the theater is a stellar mural that has a surrealist vibe that sends Cincinnati into a dimension that is wacky and wild! XYLENE creates an alternative universe where aliens have taken over the city! Spend some time scanning over the painting searching for some of the local wonders and landmarks that appear throughout the piece.
The Know Theatre is currently playing the sci-fi – dark- comedy, “Sleeping Giant” and is one of the venues for the Cincy Fringe Festival every year. For more information on their latest showings and events check out their website and follow them on social media to stay up to date on all the exciting new things that are happening in the creative community!
Cincinnati has some amazing views from its hilltops that surround the basin where Over-the-Rhine and downtown are located. On top of the hills are beautiful little parks. Two of my favorites are Fairview Park and Bellevue Park in Clifton Heights, which are within walking distance, with a classic Clifton saloon halfway between… perfect to stop in for a refresher.
I met my friends from BMW Store and Everything Cincy at Fairview Park, which also happens to be my backyard. It was a hazy day, but you could still take in the beautiful view. Fairview is located between Warner and Klotter St, and Ravine Street to the east. There is a one-way mile-long, tree-lined road that winds through the park with the entrance at 501 McMillian Street and ends at Ravine Street just below Warner.The land where Fairview sits was once called Brighton Hill when it was owned by Col. John Riddle. He was the blacksmith at Ft. Washington and at one time one of the largest landowners in the city. After his death, the southwest part of the hill was used as a quarry, and the meadow on the east side was a large vegetable garden. The produce was hauled down the hill to be sold in the downtown markets. By the 1850s, the land was subdivided into lots to be sold. Isaac J. Miller, who was a prominent lawyer and politician, purchased three lots on the newly built Fairview Ave. His house is still there! Miller helped build up the community of Fairview Heights. He, along with other prominent men of the city, helped to have the Fairview incline built at the end of Fairview Ave from McMicken Street and connected to a crosstown streetcar by way of McMillian. This connected the Millcreek valley to Clifton. The Fairview incline was the last incline to be built out of all five inclines in the city. It was built in 1894 with second-hand machinery salvaged from the rebuilding of the Bellevue incline.Almost all of the inclines had some kind of entertainment house at the top of the hills. Mt. Adams had the Highland House, Mt. Auburn had The Lookout House, the Elm Street incline had Bellevue House, and Price Hill had The Price Hill House. Fairview, however, didn’t have a big entertainment house, but it did have a small saloon and wine garden located on the Miller property on the hillside. You can still see the entrance to the wine cellar that supplied the saloon from the road in the park.
After taking in the views at Fairview, make your way east down Warner St. When you hit Clifton Ave, slip on into Murphy’s Pub for a cold one. Chances are, if you went to the University of Cincinnati, you’ve had a drink at Murphy’s. Originally, in 1938, the building that Murphy’s is in was a place called Virgil Hann’s Cafe. In 1958, Charles Mahoney opened Mahoney’s Pub until 1969 when two local men by the name of Mr. Bailey and an Irish man named Mr. Murphy took it over. Apparently, Mr. Murphy went back to Ireland and was never heard from again, so they named the bar after him. Murphy’s has always had cold beer and great music on their little stage in the back room. I remember when I was 17 in 1989, seeing the band Nirvana at Murphy’s. This was before they became big, and the show was like 2 or 3 bucks to get in. It was freakin’ EPIC!!! My friends and I all had fake IDs from the photo place on the corner of McMillan and Ohio, IYKYK. Today, students still flock down to Murphy’s, and on St. Patrick’s Day, it’s absolutely insane there!After having a drink and reminiscing about the good old days, we make our way down Warner to Ohio St and make a right. A little way down is the entrance to Bellevue Park and another beautiful view of Downtown Cincinnati.
In the early 1830s, the place near where Bellevue Hill is was a little village called Jerusalem. In 1876, an incline was built from the end of Elm Street up to the summit of Bellevue, which connected Downtown to Clifton, Burnet Woods, and the zoo. Along with the incline, the Bellevue House was built. The Bellevue House was a large entertainment venue with a dance hall, billiard rooms and ballrooms, a beer hall, and a beer garden. They only served Moerlein beer, which made sense seeing that the Brewery was down the hill from the incline on Elm and Christian Morelein himself lived on Ohio Street at the top. It featured a huge octagon tower with wrap-around verandas to take in the view. The whole structure seemed to float over the cliffside. The building was designed by famous architect James W. McLaughlin. Going up to the Bellevue House was special. Families would dress in their Sunday best, men would bring their best girl, they would eat German food, and sing and dance to nostalgic German songs. The best orchestras would play at the Bellevue. They would go through at least 100 kegs of beer a day! The Bellevue was a Sunday playground of gorgeousness to break up the monotony of the workweek in German-American lives. It must have been so much fun. Unfortunately, the Bellevue House, along with other hilltop entertainment venues, closed in the late 1880s, mostly due to blue laws prohibiting the selling of alcohol on Sundays. The building was turned into a car house for streetcars until 1901 when the whole structure burned to the ground. The Elm Street incline lasted until 1927 and then closed. In the 1940s, the Cincinnati Park Board purchased the land from the Cincinnati Railway Company for a city park. Irwin M. Krohn was the parks chairman at the time and proposed maybe building another beer hall on the site, but that fell through. In the 1950s, the beautiful modern canopy structures were built by Carl Freund. We still get to enjoy them today along with the magnificent view! We are so lucky to live in such a jewel of a city with such a rich history that can be admired from the hilltops!
Hofbräuhaus Positions Hiring For: Host, Servers, Line Cooks
Hofbräuhaus Newport Brewery & Restaurant is located in the popular Newport on the Levee area of Northern Kentucky and is a place where family and friends can enjoy great beer, great food and fun times. It starts with a wide selection of traditional beer brewed on site every day…with flavorful seasonal selections every month. Next, an award-winning menu with something for everyone…whether it’s a traditional German favorite like schnitzel or bratwurst…or one of the best burgers around! It’s all wrapped up in a vibrant environment modeled after the legendary 400+ year-old Hofbräuhaus in Munich, Germany — with authentically decorated rooms, live music and one of the greater Cincinnati area’s most scenic outdoor Biergarten’s with a view of the beautiful Cincinnati skyline.
Lindner Center of HOPE Positions Hiring For: Mental Health Specialist, Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse, and more!
We embrace the many talents, skills, and experiences our employees bring to Lindner Center of HOPE. Everyone is encouraged to use their unique gifts to express ideas, make meaningful contributions to our programs and genuine connections with patients and family, as well as strengthen donor, referrer and community relations. At Lindner Center of HOPE, you’ll have the opportunity for a consistently rewarding career, working for an organization that shares your desire and ability to make a demonstrable difference in the lives of people living with mental illness.
Northern Row Brewery & Distillery Positions Hiring For: Managers, Bartenders, Servers Our fast-growing brewery & distillery is looking for passionate team members to help run taproom operations inside the brewery and distillery. This is an exciting opportunity to fulfill different roles and learn more about the world of beer and spirits! Click Here to Apply.
Mercy Montessori Center Positions Hiring For: Childcare Provider Mercy Montessori provides a world-class education and a strong foundation for learning and discovery as Greater Cincinnati, Ohio’s first and oldest Montessori school. Mercy Montessori is a private, independent Catholic Montessori School offering a special educational and life experience for children from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The student population is 305 pupils, with a student/teacher ratio of 15:1, ensuring that we know every child by name and can tailor an educational experience uniquely suited to each one. To apply email kweiss@mercymontessori.org
YMCA Positions Hiring For: Lifeguard, Group Exercise Instructor A career at the Y is more than a job – it’s an experience. That’s because the Y is more than a gym – it’s a cause! We work daily to positively impact lives through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Click Here to Apply.
Livio Med Spa Positions Hiring For: Office Manager, Practice Manager The Livio Med Spa team is committed to providing quality, customized treatments for all our patients. We offer treatments for acne, rosacea, fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin, and other common skincare ailments. Our team specializes in the newest products and techniques, and you can trust that your skin will be in good hands. To apply email Lisa@liviospa.com
Brewers in Cincinnati made a lot of beer and the majority of what was brewed here was also consumed here.
Cincinnati’s Beer History
Cincinnati has a long history of brewing beer. One of the first brewers in Cincinnati was a man named James Dover. He had a bakery on Sycamore Street near the market on the river where he also brewed and sold porters and ales. In 1806, he advertised in the Liberty Hall newspaper that he was looking to purchase 500 lbs of hops, 1000 bushels of barley, and 500 gallons of honey. He started a brewery that lasted until about 1811.
Another early brewer was David Embree. He built his brewery on the banks of the Ohio River between Elm and Race Streets. He also brewed Ale and Porter as that was the popular choice in those days in America. This brewery lasted until about 1838.
Daniel Symmes, who was the 6th Mayor of Cincinnati, had a brewery in 1817. He was partners in that brewery with Joel Williams who had built the first tavern in Cincinnati. Joel was also a distiller in Butler County. Their brewery was located at Pike and Congress near where Lytle park is now.
The Beer Growth of Cincinnati
Cincinnati grew steadily in the early 1800’s, and by the 1840’s the population boomed when many German immigrants started to move here bringing with them their customs and love for lager beer. Lager beer was much lighter and crisper than the English ales and porters.
Making lager required a different process than just brewing ales or common beer. The yeast for lager beer ferments at the bottom and required a consistent dry temperature of 32-48 degrees Fahrenheit. So, the German immigrants dug tunnels into the sides of the hills surrounding Cincinnati and also several stories below street level. These cellar’s were large enough to ferment and store the beer and had large ice blocks to control the temperature.
At the height of beer brewing, Cincinnati had around 36 breweries making millions of gallons of lager beer! And making millionaires of the men who founded the breweries!
Exploring Cincinnati’s Beer & Hidden History
There are a lot of ways to explore and learn more about brewing history in Cincinnati! One way is to take tour with American Legacy Tours. They will take you around town to tell the story of Over the Rhine. You even get to explore the old lathering tunnels underneath the buildings.
After your tour, you will make your way to Nothern Row Brewery and Distillery at 111w. McMicken. They are housed in the old Morelein ice house from 1895. It’s such a cool place with historic touch’s everywhere! Including a 61 ft. row boat from the 1936 Olympics hanging on the ceiling, and the massive 1908 Brunswick bar back! The Brunswick company started making saloon fixtures in Cincinnati, so it is a fun touch of history! Make sure you order one of their amazing beers or my favorite, the Cincinnati Gin that I’ve been lucky enough to partner with them on!
Another super cool place to enjoy the historic lager callers is to make a reservation for a table at Ghost baby! Ghost baby is located 4 stories under the 1313 Vine Street Building. The entrance is located in the back on Republic Street between 13th and 14th Streets. It’s such an amazing place with fantastic cocktails and the best live Jazz music! Make sure you make a reservation to get a table before you go, as it is always packed! Cincinnati is just full of magic and what’s better is that you get to explore so much….often with a drink in hand! I can’t wait for the next adventure!
