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Cincinnati's Underground Allure Lands it on Magazine's 'Must-See Fall Destinations' List

The feature also highlights some other hidden gems for Cincinnati visitors, like the Lucky Cat Museum, Spring Grove Cemetery, Filipino breakfast sandwich pop-up Cackleberry and eclectic OTR cocktail bar Lost & Found.

Aug 27, 2024 at 2:52 pm

Ghost Baby was one of the underground attractions highlighted by Midwest Living. Photo: Aparna Avasarala

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You don’t have to travel far to get to one of the best fall destinations in the Midwest, according to magazine Midwest Living. In fact, it may even just be right outside your door.

When summer fades, Cincinnati brims with the autumnal charms of pumpkin spice, colorful leaves and even a little bit of spookiness — part of what landed it on Midwest Living’s must-see fall destinations list. In the magazine’s Fall 2024 issue, editors highlight the bewitching (literal) underground allure of the Queen City.

The feature includes a “how to” on spending a day in the underground of Cincinnati, including an adventure below the city’s streets into the historic Over-the-Rhine brewing tunnels on an American Legacy tour, drinks at the subterranean jazz bar Ghost Baby and dinner at Sotto, a rustic Italian restaurant located in the basement of another restaurant, Boca, downtown.

The magazine also showcases some other hidden gems for Cincinnati visitors, like the quirky Lucky Cat Museum, Spring Grove Cemetery (a perfect spot for some fall ghost hunting), Filipino breakfast sandwich pop-up Cackleberry and eclectic OTR cocktail bar Lost & Found, plus much more.

The Midwest Living article comes after public relations agency PB&J; local businesses; and Main Street Ventures, a community-funding initiative for entrepreneurs, established a partnership to give tours of Cincinnati to national travel, food and beverage editors. The tour, dubbed the “Lost & Found Tour” after the bar, which was also a participating venue, was fully funded by Main Street Ventures and featured bars, coffee shops, pop-ups, restaurants and other attractions throughout Cincinnati to highlight the city’s entrepreneurial spirit.

“This feature story is a testament to the innovative and collaborative Cincinnati spirit that only our strong community could deliver,” PB&J owner Micah Paldino said in a press release.

Main Street Ventures says the goal of the tour was also to inspire further investment in Cincinnati through community-funded initiatives that make entrepreneurship possible for everyone in Greater Cincinnati.

Midwest Living’s Fall Issue is on newsstands now, and an online version of the feature will be coming shortly.

Slideshow

28 Hidden Bars, Lounges and Speakeasies in Cincinnati

Longfellow's Other Room 109 E. 13th St. and Brackett Alley, Over-the-Rhine Attached to Longfellow, the bar's Other Room is a separate back drinking spot that has a large list of fluctuating rums. With the vibe of a '50s basement bar — where Desi Arnaz would perform but was managed by David Lynch — the rum curators and bartenders are more than happy to help you find a favorite new spirit from their global collection. The unassuming entrance is at 109 E. 13th and Brackett Alley along Longfellow's strip of side doors and windows, but can also be accessed by walking through the bar's bathroom hallway.

Ghost Baby1314 Republic St., Over-the-RhineYou'll literally need to go underground to visit Ghost Baby. This subterranean nightclub/music venue is located several stories below Vine Street in a 170-year-old lagering tunnel formerly used by Champion Brewing (beer was aged and cooled in lagering tunnels before the advent of refrigeration). The historic, dimly-lit space, which has been vacant since the 1850s, features soaring ceilings with stone archways and decor that is adorned with "crushed velvet and unpredictability," according to the bar. Guests can expect an immersive experience with art, design, cocktails and live music.

Comfort Station 793 E. McMillan Ave., Walnut Hills From the team behind OTR's Sundry and Vice comes Comfort Station. This cocktail bar is located in a century-old Walnut Hills rest area. Without much signage outside, guests enter via the original women's room door — now painted a beautiful bright blue — into an industrial and airy space with skylights, inventive cocktails and a living plant wall. A back patio and lounge create an indoor/outdoor feel.

Bar Saeso 1208 Sycamore St., Pendleton A glowing red, neon sign reading "BAR" is the only hint you get that you're about to enter Saeso, which is tucked away in a small, unassuming building in Pendleton. But once you walk in, you'll know you found something special. Saeso offers an airy, Europen feel as you walk in, greeted by terracotta floor tiles, plants and exposed brick. A marble-topped bar beckons you to sit and chat with a friendly bartender while you browse a cocktail menu that takes the work out of ordering. Walk down a narrow hallway to find another bar space and the entrance to the back patio.

Wiseguy Lounge 1211 Main St., Over-the-Rhine; 603 Main St., Covington; 6099 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge Featuring low lighting, dark wood and rich leather sofas, Wiseguy Lounge will pull you back in time to the days of the Roaring '20s and speakeasies. While inspired by Prohibition, Wiseguy Lounge, found nestled in any Goodfellas pizzeria, doesn't require a secret password. Instead, just walk up and order one of the more than 800 bourbons, hand-crafted cocktails or wide variety of beers from your knowledgeable bartender.

Unexpected580 Walnut St., DowntownFor some real speakeasy vibes, with all the hush-hush nature and feelings of exclusivity, visit Unexpected. You can access the bar through steakhouse Prime Cincinnati; just inquire with a staff member and you’ll be led down a mural-covered hallway to a secret bookcase entrance. The space is low-lit and moody, perfect for imbibing one of Unexpected’s cocktails or samples from the bourbon selection. You can also become an Unexpected member and enjoy private events.

Schwartz Point 1901 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine Pianist Ed Moss is a Cincinnati Jazz legend for his musical achievements, but he was also beloved for his low-key venue, Schwartz Point, which was written about as one of the area's "Best Kept Secrets" so often, it really wasn't a secret anymore, particularly among the city's Jazz players. When Moss passed away in 2016, his daughter, Zarleen Watts, decided to honor her father by keeping his passion project going. The club reopened in 2017, retaining the eccentric character and regular Jazz performances that were part of Moss' vision, but modernizing it a bit and adding a new drink menu.

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About The Author

Katherine Barrier

Katherine Barrier is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s journalism program and has nearly 10 years of experience reporting local and national news as a digital journalist. At CityBeat, she oversees the digital and social media strategies, edits web and print content and writes for the dining and arts...