June is Pride month! And this year, the jubilee is double as the community will be making up for the lost time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vaccinated folks can now safely embark on the town and live up this annual celebration to the fullest.
Greater Cincinnati boasts a number of nightlife hotspots for the LGBTQ community – here are some options:
More:Pride Month events in Greater Cincinnati 🏳️🌈
Bar 32
701 Bakewell St., Covington
Why go? Every night of the week, there are different specials from $6 domestic beer pitcher to $2 drafts to Jell-O shots at $1 apiece.
It also hosts karaoke nights and has pool tables. Check out its Facebook page to see some of the fun flyers that they’re posting every week.
Bar 901 at the Brittany
901 Race St., Downtown
Why go? This bar is gay-owned and staffed. It has an outdoor area with couches and tons of seating as well as plenty of art adorning the walls, private tables and a fully stocked bar.
Bar 901 is intimate and describes itself as, “a place you can come enjoy a drink AND have a conversation with your friends.”
Below Zero Lounge
1120 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine
Below Zero is perfect for late-night dancing on the weekends. The first floor has a video juke box, draft and craft beers, coat check and a full bar.
Why go? There’s a stage, great party music and happy hour specials on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Stop by on Sundays for themed Drag Brunch and Thursdays for Karaoke.
Its Facebook page says, “Open minded bar for open minded people where all are welcome and diversity is celebrated!”
Birdcage
927 Race St., Downtown
Why go? The Birdcage is a downtown bar that says it’s the “hottest LGBTQ+ bar and lounge.” This colorful bar is intimate, with drag shows that happen right in front of you rather than on a stage. There is space to dance, DJs, and a full bar that has seating and a VIP room.
There are bird decorations hanging from the ceiling, bird art on the walls, and craft cocktails. Happy hour specials daily, RuPaul’s Drag Race viewing parties, burlesque shows and more.
The Crazy Fox Saloon
901 Washington Ave., Newport
Why go? Drink specials every day of the week. Cheap jukebox, pool table, patio, free W-Fi, TVs, video and pinball games. “We think of ourselves as a great bar where all are welcome… Just happens that the owners are a gay couple” the bar’s Facebook page says.
The owners Carl D. Fox and Terry Bond were the first same-sex couple to get married in Kenton County in 2015. They regularly bring in food to share from doughnuts to homemade soup. The bar has basketball days, derby parties and even a Sausage Queen Festival.
e19 Lounge Bar & Discotheque
1905 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
In 2021, e19 Lounge Bar & Discotheque is celebrating its first pride month in business. This Over-the-Rhine spot is all neon-lights, sleek lines and nonstop dancing. Owners Richard Cooke and Martin Wagner are no strangers to nightlife – they were inspired to open the bar after years of hosting monthly LGBTQ dance parties in venues across Cincinnati.
Why go? They may sling drinks, but they are more than a bar. The space bumps with dance music every night – and Thursday evenings, it’s transformed into a Pilates studio.
Home Base Tavern
2401 Vine St., Clifton Heights
Why go? Its Facebook says, “We offer daily specials, good friends and plenty of things to do.” There is a TV, pool tables, patio, pong, darts and a digital jukebox. Well drinks are quite cheap and expect lights and rainbows as decorations.
The bar is three rooms and on the smaller side, but the atmosphere is very welcoming. Bonus: Dogs are welcome inside, and the bar serves light snacks.
Good Judy’s
4169 Hamilton Ave., Northside
Nestled in Northside is a midcentury-modern, dreamy cocktail bar called Good Judy’s. It’s been a pastel paradise for the LGBTQ+ community since its inception in January 2020.
Why go? Not only is the space cute as could be – they keep their patrons entertained with Drag Queen and Drag King shows and Thursday-night tributes to pop culture icons like Rihanna, Brittany Spears and Ariana Grande. It is the perfect spot to have fun and to support local LGBTQ performers.
Main Event Speakeasy
835 Main St., Downtown
Why go? This bar opens at 5:30 a.m. most days. Yes, opens. Main Event has shows throughout the week, a dance floor, and a lounge available to book for private parties and events.
Main Event Speakeasy is keeping a star-studded lineup of Drag performers for Pride month, which can be found on its Facebook page.
MixWells
3935 Spring Grove Ave., Northside
Why go? This bar has everything from late night dance parties to performances including drag shows. The bar is dark with colorful flashing lights, DJs, a stage and a ton of opportunities to dance.
The patio is huge and the bar has themed nights regularly. There is a photo-booth and drink specials. The bar also offers classes where couples and groups can learn to make cocktails from Danny MixWells.
Old Street Saloon
13 Old St. #B, Monroe
Why go? Open talent nights, karaoke and amazing drag shows every weekend. This 18 and older bar is open Thursday through Saturday and each week has a different show. The stage is colorful and takes up much of the room with plenty of tables and seating around it. There are disco balls, colorful lights, backdrops and cheap drinks.
Rosie’s
643 Bakewell St., Covington
Why go? “Covington needed a bar that was accepting of everyone in the community – Rosie’s Tavern is that place for our neighbors… When you stop by, you’ll quickly see why we’re the friendliest bar in town,” according to its website.
There is art and signs hanging on exposed brick, a jukebox, draft beer and lots of hanging lights. Mondays have $2 well drinks.
Tillie’s Lounge
4042 Hamilton Ave., Northside
Why go? The front door has a red carpet and bright purple door. The bar has dark wood and deep colors, chandeliers, art and moody lighting. There is a back patio with plants and specialty cocktails.
According to its website, the bar is named after Tillie the elephant, who was part of a traveling circus that paraded the streets of Northside in the early 20th century.
