Cincinnati - Guide for Gays, Lesbians and Queers

Cincinnati's queer scene is spread across several neighborhoods and reaches across the Ohio River into Kentucky. There is no single gay district.

In Over-the-Rhine, the historic neighborhood just north of downtown, Bloom OTR on Walnut Street is a nightclub with drag shows and theme parties. Northside, in the north of the city, has two queer bars on Hamilton Avenue: Good Judy's, with cocktails and drag on a small stage, and Tillie's Lounge, done up in the style of the twenties with a partly covered back patio. In Clifton, near the University of Cincinnati campus, Home Base Tavern on Vine Street is a popular spot for happy hour.

Across the river from downtown lies Covington, Kentucky. Two more queer bars sit on Bakewell Street there, Rosie's Tavern and Bar 32. In neighboring Newport, the Crazy Fox Saloon draws a mixed crowd and has long been a favorite with trans people. The bridges put all of them a few minutes from downtown.

Cincinnati has no gay sauna; the common gay travel guides list none.

The biggest queer date of the year is Cincinnati Pride on the last Saturday in June. After the parade through downtown, the festival fills Sawyer Point and Yeatman's Cove on the riverfront. That weekend, every bar on both sides of the river is busy, so it is the best time for a first visit.