Bromwell's HÄRTH Lounge

The are some questions from coworker and acquaintances that are inevitable when you live downtown. Where should we go to dinner before our big night out? Where do we go for drinks after? And of course depending who is asking, is there anywhere to smoke a damn cigar?
The answer used to be Igby's, but recently a new spot has appeared.
Bromwell's HÄRTH Lounge
Now the HÄRTH Lounge may or may not want their claim to fame to be a place to indulge in a cigar smoking habit, but if you are so inclined...
And if by chance you just want a specialty cocktail, wine or beer, some jazz music and a quiet place for conversation, then the HÄRTH Lounge is for you. We walk past all the time living just down the street and pop in for drinks once in awhile. Recently though they added a couple tables outside and instantly I thought cigar time!
So if you happen to be downtown looking for quiet spot to relax and quietly digest dinner and the amazing show you just attended, Bromwell's HÄRTH Lounge is the place for you.

Maplewood Kitchen and Bar

Maplewood Kitchen and Bar joins two other restaurants in the Death Star's* growing restaurant row on Race St. Maplewood, a fast casual restaurant recently began a Sunday brunch which allowed us to finally drop in and check the place out. We got there a little later than we wanted and queued up in a line that looked a little long. Have no fear, you can grab a coffee or drinks to enjoy while waiting in that surprisingly rapid line. Inside, Maplewood is understated and relaxing; the decor stays in the background so the amazing food can be front and center. And not just the food, the drinks! Bloddy Mary's as big as your head and mimosa's with floating snapdragon blossoms. Not too much ever gets said about coffee in restaurants. restaurant coffee usually is what it is. But hipster coffee shops aside, this is probably the best coffee I've had with breakfast. You know, little things like that just set the tone for the entire dining experience.
If you've gotten spoiled by the high bar set at the trendy places in OTR, you'll feel right at home at Maplewood. Friendly service, good food and good drinks.

Its usually OTR that gets the cool new establishments so its exciting to see downtown grab the spotlight with another new place. Its going to be nice for downtown residents and guests to not have to walk/bike/Uber to OTR anymore for an amazing breakfast/lunch.
*And if what we affectionately call the Death Star has you confused, it is more commonly known as the 84.51 building.

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activating Cincinnati's parklets

What would you do if suddenly you found a parklet outside your house on a mostly unknown street in OTR?
If you are Matt Anthony and you had a child, you'd team up with the Play Library just a couple blocks away and create a family night to engage other families in OTR. And that is just what Anthony has done. Beginning a couple weeks ago and going through the end of August, every Wednesday night 5-9pm families can enjoy games loaned out from the Play Library. Anthony has no connections to the creation of the parklet or its location but as the closest resident he felt ownership in seeing that the parklet is successfully used and enjoyed.
Once he discovered the Play Library was planning a family night anyhow he volunteered to start staffing the parklet with a range of games for an open community night.
Anthony would love to recruit other parents that can help staff game night and make it more of a community effort. He has been successful in attracting kids from a one block or so radius but would love to see more other OTR/Downtown families show up and get involved.
In addition to Anthony, I've spotted MetroLAB faculty member Michael Zaretsky and his family using the parklet. Professor Zaretsky taught the studio that designed four temporary parklets last summer that lead to the design of the current parklet. You can see them HERE, they were amazing for only being temporary and put together from pallets. Zaretsky says he is thrilled that Matt has begun the family nights in the parklet.

The parklet is located on Pleasant St (map) two and a half blocks north of Washington Park and a block and a half south of Findlay market. Bring the kids and meet Matt Anthony and his family every Wednesday night through the end of August for fun and games.



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Sid Saturday

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The City Flea

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Play Library

People's Liberty located at 1805 Elm St directly across the street from Findlay Market always has something amazing happening in their Globe Space. They're been hitting home runs with their Globe Grants which allow an artist to take over the space for amazing interactive art installations.
The latest is the Play Library, like a regular library except instead of books patrons will check out games. There are borrowing memberships available but you can also take the games with a deposit. Julia Fischer is hoping to acquire enough memberships to make the Play Library permanent somewhere in OTR.
Tomorrow night, July 21st the Play Library will host Beer & Board Games from 6-10pm. The adults only (obviously) evening will feature games such as Cards Against, DrunkQuest and Exploding Kittens! I love Exploding Kittens, its kind of like Uno, except instead of shouting Uno your kitten explodes. If you are a fan of The Oatmeal you'll understand Exploding Kittens immediately.
It sounds like the Play Library host these every other Thursday so if you are child free and don't have kiddos to entertain, you can still take advantage and enjoy the library.





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7 exploding kittens!

Corkopolis

Whenever a certain group of friends gets together, sooner or later someone laments the fact that City Cellars is gone. If you don't remember it was a wine/beer shop on Race where you could buy a bottle and just hang out. It was the next best thing to being in your living room. OK, maybe it was better than hanging out in our living room.
But why bring up a long closed shop when this post should be about a new one? Corkopolis seems to have captured the vibe and spirit of City Cellars even though it looks and operates nothing like it. If you want a place with a good selection of wine and beer, either for carryout or to consume there, OR to consume there and carryout, then this is the place. Understated interior design, no blasting music, nothing to distract from the company of friends.
Check out Corkopolis along the streetcar line on Main St. right across from the Aronoff.









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Sid Saturday

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Second Sunday on Main drag races

The first time ever I think it wasn't 100°f for SSOM and the drag races. But the action was still hot. The kids throwing water balloons are always amussing, and there were a couple this year that were out for blood. All good though, its only water right?












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