December 2021
Features
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Five of the Oldest Spots in Cincinnati
Best of the City 2021 celebrates all that’s new in the Queen City, but we can’t forget these old favorites.
Five Places You Can Drink Outside
The Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) has become a big hit. We picked our favorites for Best of the City 2021.
Five Attractions Coming Soon
Best of the City 2021 celebrates five things we’re keeping an eye out for in the coming year—and they’re going to be great.
Four 2021 Comebacks Worth Celebrating
These local spots aren’t new, but they’re definitely improved for 2021 and beyond, making them 2021 Best of the City winners.
Cincinnati Ballet Comes Home With the Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance
The new arts facility expands what Cincinnati Ballet can offer and provides a home base for the company’s future growth.
Taking Outdoor Dining to the Streets
Streateries helped restaurants survive the pandemic and gave diners a new experience. And they’re here to stay.
TQL Stadium Is a Queen City Gem
The home of FC Cincinnati is a great place to watch a game. Here’s hoping that it brings good fortune to the team and its neighborhood.
Best of the City 2021 Winners: Entertainment
These 2021 Best of the City winners are pure fun, whether you want to go to the movies, take a spin class, or visit a new bar.
Best of the City 2021 Winners: Food & Drink
Whether you’re hungry for wings, gelato, vegan pizza, or breakfast sandwiches, these Best of the City 2021 winners have you covered.
Best of the City Winners 2021: Kid Stuff
A new place to play, a mountain biking team, and a new educational option, all part of our 2021 Best of the City list.
A Playground for All
Common Ground Playground at Mason’s Makino Park makes sure everyone can get in the game and have fun, no matter what their abilities.
Best of the City Winners 2021: City Life
From new community art to new parks to leaders of local institutions, 2021 brought plenty worth celebrating in the 2021 Best of the City.
Best of the City 2021 Winners: Shopping
Plants, running gear, bottles of wine, books, and more are all available from these new shops in our 2021 Best of the City list.
A Monument to Shame
The Brent Spence Bridge’s traffic chokehold has taken a back seat to political cowardice and misplaced priorities for decades. Will the federal infrastructure bill finally bail out regional leaders who fiddled while the bridge burned?
What Colleges, Faculty, and Students Learned From the Pandemic
How local college faculty turned the past year’s crazy school schedules and disrupted routines into life lessons for their students.
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Frontlines
Editor’s Letter, December 2021: The Best New Things in Cincinnati
In the spirit of positivity, our annual Best of the City highlights local people who started exciting new adventures, arts initiatives, businesses, communities, and movements in this pandemic year.
A Year to Celebrate 200
Cincinnati’s Jewish community marks its bicentennial with a series of events, including Hanukkah on Fountain Square.
What Inspires Mahagany Shaw’s Kitschy, Crafty Style
The Higher Love tattoo artist describes her style as ”an ’80s movie doing a ’60s period piece.”
There’s Room for Everyone Under Dave Willacker’s Big Top
How the founder and ringmaster of the Cincinnati Circus juggles his successful company.
Dr. Know: Oakley Streets, Skyline Chili Songs, and Interstate Signs
The good doctor ponders puzzling issues, like why Oakley skips some numbered streets, the story behind a Skyline Chili jingle, and what to do if you see an endangered person notice on an interstate sign.
Radar
Discover the Knight’s Tale of Loveland Castle
Loveland Castle was Harry D. Andrews’s life’s work, taking over 50 years to complete and drawing visitors of all stripes.
For Cynthia Kearns, All Signs Point to Progress
Cynthia Kearns takes over at the American Sign Museum and talks about its 10 years in Camp Washington and her immediate plans.
Columns
Damn You for Being a Friend
I thought I knew my lifelong buddy. I didn’t.
Dine
Okto Brings a Mediterranean Mash-Up Downtown
After asking the community what foods were missing from the local dining scene, E+O forged ahead with this unique concept.
Matthew Deluca Helps Feed a Naval Combat Ship
The Milford native serves as a culinary specialist aboard the USS Charleston.
Gulow Street Is the Only Corner Pub You Need
From burgers to breakfast, it’s whatever time you want it to be on Gulow Street.
Yuca Brings Latin Brunch Fare to Bellevue
The delectable dishes and inviting café vibes at this breakfast, brunch, and lunch spot keep diners coming back.
Hosting’s Made Easy with HomeMakers Bar’s Guide to Entertaining
This Over-the-Rhine bar offers you tricks of the entertaining trade.