Our favorite urban resources, from environmentally friendly trends and bike paths to businesses and sanctuaries within the city.
  

Welcome, everyone, to the 17th annual Best of Cincinnati® readers choice poll, where your votes determine the area's best restaurants, bars, arts organizations, retail stores, services, parks, media personalities, sports teams, politicians, causes and urban experiences.  

OK, we admit it — CityBeat staffers do a lot of eating (it's one of the main ways we stay alive). Luckily, in Cincinnati one doesn't have to look far for a great place to eat, whether you're in brunch-mode or looking for traditional lunch, dinner or late-night options. And our city offers plenty of resources for those who like to whip up something special at home.
  

Learn about the best bars, dance clubs, museums and more in the Cincinnati area. The winners in these categories were chosen by you, our readers, using our online ballot. You've chosen champions in more than 30 categories giving us a comprehensive list of places to find culturally rich experiences.
  

Our arts and nightlife picks encompasses everything from traditional music venues and performers to art galleries, great theater, bar nights and more. Where else are you going to learn about the "best place to play your vinyl records while having a coffee or a beer or other alcoholic beverage?" That's what we thought.
  

Learn about the best restaurants, diners, greasy spoons and elegant eateries in the Cincinnati area. The winners in these categories were chosen by you, our readers, using our online ballot. You've chosen champions in more than 50 categories giving us a portrait of the massive food scene in our city.  

Learn about the best shops, retailers and service-providers in the Cincinnati area. The winners in these categories were chosen by you, our readers, using our online ballot. You've chosen champions in more than 70 categories giving us a list of the best resources in the city.
  

You can get just about anything you need in Cincinnati (presuming you're not asking for quality mass transit, and also have a car). Our city's wide ranging retail and service offerings run the gamut from architectural salvage, micro markets, non-profit specialty stores, lifestyle stores and florists. What else could you possibly need?
  

Learn about the best events, places and neighborhoods in the Cincinnati area. The winners in these categories were chosen by you, our readers, using our online ballot. You've chosen champions in dozens categories giving us a portrait of the best urban attractions in our city.  

Cincinnati's urban experience can at times feel fractured, but there's no debating that across our many eclectic neighborhoods one can find everything a bigger city offers — and more. The following are some of our favorite outdoor spots, cultural resources, markets and healthy lifestyle resources.
  

Learn about the best do-gooders, troublemakers and politicians in the Cincinnati area. The winners in these categories were chosen by you, our readers, using our online ballot. You've chosen champions in dozens of categories giving us a portrait of the city's more influential members.
  

Cincinnati has a unique political climate — and that's saying it nicely. The following represent the more notable (if frustrating at times) happenings during 2011 and what Cincinnati can look forward to in the coming months in its political world.
  

Learn about the best athletes and teams in the Cincinnati area. The winners in these categories were chosen by you, our readers, using our online ballot. You've chosen champions in nearly 20 categories giving us a breakdown of the best athletes, coaches and recreation locations in the city.
  

Cincinnatians love their sports, and we liberals down at CityBeat are no different. The following are some of the more noteworthy athletes, teams and media that help define the local sporting landscape.
  

Cartoonist Jim Borgman has taken his shots at The Banks over the years. From Santa dumping coal on the project site to comparisons with Northern Kentucky’s exploding development to The Banks development being transformed into a golf course by five middle-aged white guys — and we’ve all laughed along.