Cincinnati

They call Cincinnati the “Queen City,” and it’s true that it gives a royal welcome to gays. For a relatively conservative city, Cincinnati has an unusually vibrant gay community, with a large pride celebration held every June or July. Downtown is the traditional gay neighborhood, but over the last decade gays have been gradually moving toward the Northside.

If you’re a sports lover, you’ll fit in here. Many of the local gays cheer for the home teams, the Cincinnati Reds and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Getting here

Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport is about 13 miles south of downtown Cincinnati in northern Kentucky. Taxis to the center of the city cost about $25.

Getting around

A car is the best way to get around Cincinnati. For bus information see SORTA

Neighborhoods

Northside is one of Cincinnati's most active gay neighborhoods, home to a handful of gay bars as well as the GLBT Community Center of Greater Cincinnati.

Downtown is home to several gay bars, clubs and restaurants. Fountain Square is at the center, dominated by the bronze fountain named The Genius of Water. Intended as the cultural and recreational hub of the city it's used for lunch-breaks, rallies, and other gatherings.

The Ludlow Strip in Clifton has a cluster of interesting shops, restaurants, and cafes and a long-time gay bar. If a good movie is what you crave, the Esquire Theatre (320 Ludlow) has all the best current art-house films, before or after dinner.

Local Media

Rainbow Cincinnati publishes GLBT News, the area gay paper with online listings and news.

Other helpful gay Ohio sites include: the Gay People's Chronicle, and the Word, an Indianapolis gay paper with regional coverage.

CityBeat is the local alternative weekly paper for area news, plus dining, arts and entertainment listings.

Lodgings

Popular with gay visitors to Cincinnati, especially this year during Pride events, the Millenium Hotel (150 W. 5th; 866-866-8086) has downtown convenience and reasonable rates.

Just across the river the Weller Haus (319 Poplar St, Belleview; 800-431-4287) is a five room gay-friendly guesthouse in a pair of 1880's era Victorian Gothic homes. All rooms have private baths and modern amenities.

Bars and restaurants

Adonis (4601 Kellogg), big weekend 18+ dance club complex on Ohio River; video bar, jazz bar, cabaret room, outdoor deck, swimming pool, fireplace lounges, plenty of parking. Resident and guest drag performers.

Below Zero (1122 Walnut St), up-market downtown lounge, gay-friendly ambience, piano, drag divas, karaoke and show tunes sing-alongs.

Club BronZ (4029 Hamilton), Northside neighborhood bar, dancing, generally young mix, heated courtyard, lots to watch on TV, drag entertainent.

The Dock (603 Pete Rose Way W), day dance club of decades, high-energy music, throbbing lights, relaxed video bar with pool table at front. Different themes nightly, weekends until 4am.

Home Base Tavern (2401 Vine St), Clifton neighborhood bar, former Little Bit, relaxed and mixed crowd, pool games, karaoke, TV sports, jukebox, WiFi and bar munchies.

On Broadway (817 Broadway), small, friendly downtown bar, neighborly mixed crowd, big screen videos, outdoor patio; live entertainment includes drag shows; also bear and leather special events.

Parkside Cafe (1024 E. McMillan St) is popular for breakfast, lunch or just coffee; also with Sunday brunch and free Wi-Fi internet access.

Serpent (4042 Hamilton Ave), a Northside men's leather bar has very low lighting - so you can imagine the rest. They also have an outdoor patio, pool room and leather shop.

Shooters (927 Race St) the country-western music dance bar of much wood and many years draws a mostly male crowd.

Sidewinders (4181 Hamilton Ave), Northside cocktails, fresh-roasted coffees, espresso drinks, tea varieties, vegan lunch, bagels, sandwiches, soups, cakes and cookies. Cozy inside, courtyard patio, free WiFi.

Simon Says (428 Walnut St) downtown business district favorite for men -- especially bears, with strong drinks, and a long history (see the website).

Sitwell's Coffeehouse (324 Ludlow Ave), laid-back cafe/bar, all-ages/types college-town hipster crowd, rec-room ambience; burritos, sandwiches, baked goodies, coffee and milkshakes, free WiFi. Two doors from the Esquire art-house cinema.

Subway (609 Walnut St), downtown walk-down bar with strong pours, good prices, food, Saturday drag shows and an open welcome to all.

Club Nonta, Golden Lions and Hamburger Mary's all closed this year.

Monroe OH

Old Street Saloon (13 Old St, Monroe) is a "Cheers for Queers" up north towards Dayton, with Saturday floor shows, and Thursday karoake and taco bar.

Covington and Newport KY

Over the river in Covington Kentucky, there are two new places appealing to gay people:

Avenue Lounge (411 Madison Ave), an urban concept nightspot with a diverse crowd, and Seven Zero One (701 Bakewell St). Also in Covington is long-time favorite, Yadda Club (404 Pike) party and dance bar.

While in Kentucky, check out the Crazy Fox (901 Washington Ave, Newport) for a mixed gay/straight crowd, live music and games.