Downtown Cincinnati Bars, Clubs and Nightlife Reigns Supreme

Downtown Cincinnati’s nightlife has seen revitalization in the past few years common to many larger urban cities. Business and tourism visit Cincinnati by the millions every year. Visitors crowd downtown during the day, taking in a Reds game, checking out the Cincinnati Museum of Art, wondering through the new Freedom Center, but when the sun sets they will find another side to Cincinnati. The bar and club scene in Downtown Cincinnati is a thriving nightlife full of great Jazz music, interesting people, wonderful food, and an all around cosmopolitan experience.

Downtown Cincinnati is located on the banks of the beautiful Ohio River, on the other side from Kentucky. The Ohio River has been a vital part of the growth of America throughout the past two hundred years and continues to be a vital part of the economy of many of the cities that grace its banks. Entrepreneurs and their families have been stepping off the banks of the Ohio River in to downtown Cincinnati to enjoy a little recreation and Downtown Cincinnati has never failed them.

The Blue Wisp Jazz Club is a thriving club that will transport you back to the romantic 1920’s the minute you cross the threshold. It has been open since the early 1900’s. Patrons enter into a dark and smoky basement where anything goes, well anything legal that is. Drinks and cigarettes are the order of the day at this nightspot. The staff, musicians and guest all smoke, so be prepared because the air can get a little cloudy. It is not uncommon to see a musician playing with a cigarette hanging out of their mouth! Touted as one of the only true Jazz Bars in Cincinnati, the Blue Wisp can get crowded, so it is wise to reserve a table, otherwise you may not make it in the door. The Blue Wisp Jazz Club is open seven days a week; the sets begin around 9:00p.m. and last until midnight or later. The Blue Wisp Jazz Club is located at 19 Garfield Place, Downtown, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202. For reservations call (513) 241-WISP.

The Havana Martini Club carries on a tradition of music, cigars, and liquor that prevails in the Downtown Cincinnati nightlife. Inside the Havana Martini Club it is not hard to imagine hard working and hard drinking business men throughout the century kicking back a few and letting lose. They sell high-end cigars ranging from Astons to Onyx; so don’t worry if you didn’t bring one with you. The staff is knowledgeable and more than willing to help you find the cigar for you. Recently the Havana Martini Club started a VIP membership programs that includes no cover on the weekends, reservations accepted twenty fours hours prior, complimentary valet and more. If Cincinnati brings you often to her doors and The Havana Martini Club turns out to be your scene, this may be a bargain for you. If not, make sure you call well in advance for reservations, because this nightspot fills up fast. The Havana Martini Club is located at 580 Walnut Street, Downtown, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202. For reservations call (513) 651-2800.

Arnold’s Bar and Grill is Downtown Cincinnati’s oldest bar and grill. Arnold’s opened his saloon doors in 1861 and not much has changed in over 140 years. Of course when they opened their door women were not allowed incise, but that has changed. During prohibition it is rumored that gin was made in the upstairs bathtub. This same famous tub remains today keeping a history of good times in a by gone era alive. Arnold’s is well respected for its good for and good drinks served by a friendly staff. They have received numerous local awards throughout the years including Cincinnati Magazine’s “Best of the City” award year after year. Three generations of Arnold have kept this Cincinnati tradition alive and prosperous. Arnold’s Bar and Grill is located at 210 East Eighth Street, Downtown, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202.

For a little more Downtown Cincinnati nightlife check out Oscar’s. Strong drinks and loads of people come together in Oscar’s to create an exciting evening of socializing. This happening hot spot draws a mixed crowd of twenty, thirty, and forty something’s out for a night of music, drinks, and general fun. Be prepared for fun until the wee hours of the morning because Oscar’s is open until three a.m. Oscar’s is located at 700 Pete Rose Way, Downtown, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202, near Great American Ballpark, home of the Cincinnati Reds.

The Bar at Palm Court is a sleek and trendy martini bar that opened its door in 1932. Murals and marble create a classy joint that will keep you coming back time and time again. The setting is magnificent and definitely dressy, so you may not want to come here directly after sweating the evening away at a Reds game. The dress code is definitely business causal or flat out dressed to the nines. Piano music drifts through the air during the weekdays. Live jazz livens up this martini bar on the weekends. The Bar at Palm Court is located at 35 West Fifth Street, Downtown, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45202, in the Palm Court Hotel.