What Redditors Say They Miss About Cincinnati

Sudsy Malone’s

Sudsy Malone’s Rock & Roll Laundry & Bar was both a laundromat and a music bar on Short Vine in Corryville. The business opened in 1986 and hosted smaller rock and indie acts (many of which became famous later on, like Red Hot Chili Peppers and Smashing Pumpkins). The bar/laundromat closed in 2008, and the building was demolished in 2020.

“I was just a couple years too young to experience Sudsy Malone's - but it was half laundromat half venue that had death metal karaoke and shows. Just a legend by the time I was a UC student.” -u/acanofspam

“It was my favorite place to both see and play punk rock. So many great bands and people.” -u/Awkward-Tangelo5181
“I was a doorman there for the rear entrance from the back parking lot in the summer of 91'. We had a cover charge, or you could get in free if you had a bag of laundry to wash. I remember people just sitting on the washing machines watching the shows.” -u/rawfish71

Kings Island’s Vortex Roller Coaster

Vortex was a steel roller coaster at Kings Island that opened in 1987 and briefly set two world records: tallest coaster (148 feet) and most inversions (six). In 2019, Kings Island stated the roller coaster had reached the end of its service life and it would close in October of that year. From 1987 to 2019, over 46 million people had ridden Vortex.

“Vortex at Kings Island, exactly as it was in all its bumpy glory.” -u/Tumbling-Dice

“Yep, the Vortex was as legendary as The Beast for my friends and I, growing up in the 80’s and 90’s. The tv commercials when it opened were featured a metal robot hand (Terminator-esque) twisting and bending a roller coaster track. It seemed so bad-ass. I was shocked when I heard they were removing it; my nostalgic memories placed so much importance on that ride, but I guess it just wasn’t a big deal anymore.” -u/Locutus_of_Bjork

Nightclubs The Warehouse and The Dock

“The Warehouse at 1313 Vine would be amazing. The Dock would come in 2nd, spend many a Thursday night at darkotica” -u/Asylum242

“Yes. Today there are way too many rules, insurance/liability issues, and sanitiz-ation for such a cool place. Also the original Southgate House and its often surprising schedule of great acts that played there.” -u/v9Pv

“yeah, the Warehouse, Asylum, 1470's as they were wouldnt fly now thats for sure. They also had the bonus of being pre smart phone too” -u/Asylum242

Tall Stacks

Tall Stacks was a special event held every three to four years in Cincinnati from 1988 to 2006 that celebrated the city’s riverboat history. It featured numerous riverboats that offered tours and cruises and even raced each other. A similar event, America’s River Roots, will be held in 2025.

“Tall Stacks! I was too young to ever appreciate it” -u/theamazingiv

“I went on a field trip to Tall Stacks 95 and loved it. I took a camera and still have all the terrible pictures I took. I don’t know what made me love it so much but I would definitely go again for nostalgia’s sake.” -u/upallnight74

“The music was amazing! First official date with my wife was at Tall Stacks. Fond memories!” -u/nfairweather68

“The inclines” -u/OHMotormadman

Cincinnati was once home to five inclined plane railroads, also called the inclines, that would transport passengers up and down our hills. The inclines — Mt. Adams, Price Hill, Mt. Auburn, Bellevue and Fairview — were built between 1872 and 1894. There were also resorts built at four of the inclines (Fairview being the only one without a resort), which were places to relax or attend events like dances, concerts and fireworks. All of Cincinnati’s incline railroads closed down by 1948, Mt. Adams being the final to close.

Forest Fair Mall

Forest Fair Mall was a mall located between Forest Park and Fairfield that was famous around here for being mostly abandoned for a while. The mall officially closed in December 2022. There are currently plans to demolish it and build a new retail complex in its place.

“Forest fair mall...rides, gameroom,, movies.” -u/Excellent_Foot_7399

“The giant ball sculpture! I went down a rabbit hole a few months ago researching it and the artist, George Rhoades. Someone restored the bottom half and got it working again. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C2A5cRuy5F7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link” -u/KrazyAboutLogic

“The arcade room there was epic!” -u/Western-Anybody4356

Coney Island

“Coney Island. I will never get over it. Give me back my pool. I also miss Hot Summer Nights, the summer season of musicals that used to be at CCM. Broadway calibre performers and productions that I guess are just gone now?” -u/real_actual_tiger

“Dude those diving boards had so much spring. I remember this dude that used to absolutely dominate one of those. He’d do triple flips and stuff. I remember he had his chest hair shaved into the Tri force. One of my favorite NPCs from childhood.” -u/ChunkDunkleman

“FERRIS WHEEL” -u/Flimsy-Ad2124

Cincinnati and Newport were once going to have dueling Ferris wheels. SkyStar brought its Ferris wheel to Cincinnati’s riverfront in 2018, and for a little while there were plans to make the wheel a permanent addition to The Banks. Around that same time, Newport announced it would also be building a Ferris wheel at the Levee. Then, the pandemic hit; SkyStar took its Ferris wheel back and Newport’s mayor said the pandemic-decimated economy dried up plans for their own wheel.

“Myra’s Dionysus” -u/salt_andlight

Myra’s Dionysus was a vegetarian-friendly restaurant serving Greek food and other fare from around the world from its spot on Calhoun Street near UC from 1977 to 2014.

“Came here to say Myra’s too - her daughter has been publishing recipes to a blog on Facebook lately!” -u/MakeBlaislin

“Myra’s was such a gem. I still dream of their avgolemano soup” -u/Dick_Lazarus

Downtown’s Skywalks

“Skywalk. Best way to get around the city. You could basically park anywhere and walk almost the entire city in the enclosed, raised crosswalk system.” -u/mrje3tski

“The skywalk system was pretty cool.” -u/bluegrassgazer

“Walking around downtown without getting snow and slush splashed on you in the winter was key” -u/Worldly-Ad-246

“Not to mention, a nice reprieve from worrying about getting hit by cars while in a crosswalk.” -u/musgroie6

MidPoint Music Festival

MidPoint was an annual musical festival featuring indie and alternative rock bands that ran from 2001 to 2017. CityBeat ran the festival from 2008 until it was acquired by MEMI in 2016.

“Midpoint Music Festival by a longshot. It is a disgrace what happened to it.” -u/Rude_Crude_Dude

“It was perfect for a few years. Groundbreaking and amazing lineups.” -u/cincyky

The Beach

The Beach was a water park located in Mason. It opened in 1985 and officially closed following the 2019 season. In 2022, it was sold to a Lexington attorney and developer who decided to keep the park permanently closed.

“The Beach Waterpark and honorable mention for Surf Cincinnati” -u/LLDD32

“Not a day goes by that I don’t have a fond memory of The Beach Waterpark run through my head :(” -u/Bull_Inna_ChinaShop

“God I miss that humongous, tall ass slide near the wave pool.” -u/Citizen_of_Danksburg

Americana Amusement Park/LeSourdsville Lake Amusement Park

Americana, known at LeSourdsville Lake prior to that, was an amusement park in Monroe. The park opened in 1922 as a family picnic and swimming destination, but it transformed into an amusement park throughout the 1940s. The park rebranded as Americana Amusement Park in 1978, but a fire in 1990 bankrupted the park and it permanently closed in 1999. It reopened in 2002 as LeSourdsville Lake again, but didn’t last long.

“I know its not technically cincinnati but Americana” -u/roger_that_hooah

“Will never forget my first rollercoaster there, the screeching eagle ” -u/im_your_lobster

“That place was awesome, not as busy as king island, but perfect if you want to have fun with your friends without the high costs.” -u/Excellent_Foot_7399

Downtown Christmas Shopping

“Going waaay back—Christmas shopping downtown. I came here from East Bufu rural Ohio in the early 80’s to attend UC, and I thought downtown Cincinnati was like a Hallmark movie at Christmas time. Decorations everywhere, horse carriages (I know, it’s not great for the horses but we didn’t think about that stuff in the 80’s), 4-5 department stores, the trains in the CG&E lobby, tons of little mom-n-pop lunch places—I truly miss it.” -u/Mrs_Evryshot

“Omg yes! My parents brought us downtown very year for the Christmas displays. They were so amazing and interactive!” -u/hennycabbagehead

“I really miss the Christmas displays downtown.” -u/fat-witch

“There were trains right? Maybe a miniature version of the city? Also a lot of santas setup in individual stalls for pictures. We used to go dowtown every year for that and to go to The Samurai, which became Benihanas.” -u/DamnJaywalkingIguana

Manufacturing Companies

“GM Norwood, Cincinnati Milling Machine, Kahn’s, LeBlond, Fay & Egan, Crosley, P&G Ivorydale, Powell, Lunkenheimer, Stearns & Foster, and countless other manufacturing companies that once produced quality goods and offered secure, well paying, long term employment to Cincinnatians.” -u/1969Corvair

“My grandma worked at Kahn's for YEARS.” -u/bgood_xo

“97X” (WOXY) -u/CPTZaraki

97X, or WOXY, was a local radio station that played modern rock. The station was on air from 1981 to 2004 before switching entirely to an internet format and later simulcasting on WVXU’s second HD Radio channel. In 2009, WOXY announced it would be moving its broadcasting facilities to Austin, Texas, however, operations shut down completely in March 2010.

“The FUTURE of rock and roll!” -u/otherwayaround1zil

“It was the soundtrack of my life from the early 1980's until it ceased to be.” -u/bobert2691

Cory’s/Mad Frog

“Cory’s which became Mad Frog in 97 on MacMillan and Vine with acts like H Bomb Furgeson and band. Great music, beyond affordable good time with a tiny cover charge.” -u/v9Pv

“I was by Mad Frog a few times in the last month and was a little heartbroken to see it was torn down. I dated a guy whose band played there a lot and it was a fun place! Clinton was our bartender and he was awesome.” -u/unibonger

“Big Ed Thompson and the All Stars, with none other than my piano teacher on keys, Rick Neiheisel aka Ricky NYE.” -u/fordboy0

Cincinnati Royals

The Cincinnati Royals was a professional basketball team here from 1957 to 1972. The team started in 1923 as the Rochester Seagrams and later became the Rochester Royals before being moved to the Queen City and featured star players like Oscar Robertson, Jack Twyman and Maurice Stokes. In 1972, the team moved to Kansas City and its name changed again to Kansas City-Omaha Kings. Another move to Sacramento followed in 1986, and the team has been the Sacramento Kings ever since.

“Let’s go back further.. Cincinnati Royals” -u/downvotemeplss

“I live in Sacramento now and they are here! The Sacramento Kings are the Cincinnati Royals of yore. Also the Delta King (Delta Queen’s sibling) is here too…” -u/fordboy0

“Johnny’s Toys” -u/sad_cow_disease

This local toy store chain was started in 1939 and was famous for mailing you a key to the Birthday Toys Castle where you could get a free mystery gift. All the stores closed down by 2009, but the birthday castle tradition lives on in the former Latonia Johnny’s Toys, now electronics and computer repair shop Tech Castle (pictured). You can sign up for their Castle Birthday Club here.

“Getting that key on my birthday is something I’ll cherish forever” -u/Whodey_who

“Nothing better than getting my birthday key in the mail and going to the castle!” -u/Crazy-Ass-World

“Swallen’s” -u/MrBrickMahon

Swallen’s was a department store chain based in Cincinnati and they sold everything from appliances and electronics to groceries. The first store opened in 1948, making it a precursor to Walmart and Target. All stores were closed by 1995 after the company filed for bankruptcy.

“My mom worked there. I have tons of great memories of wandering the store on Red Bank.” -u/real_actual_tiger