Northside

Hip, alternative and progressive, Northside is where artists, musicians, social activists and creative types of all kinds flock to live, work and play. Unabashedly liberal, Northside is pro-music, pro-art, pro-small business and pro-gay. It's home to some of Cincinnati's best independent music, arts and restaurant offerings, while still retaining a strong community and hometown feel.

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Second Look

Northside is a gem in the rough - on the surface, this small neighborhood may look slightly intimidating to an outsider; the buildings are older and often weathered, and the local dress code tends toward piercings and tattoos. Look beyond appearances, however, and you will find one of the most hands-on and tightly knit communities in town.

Northside is also a neighborhood with a great deal of self-pride. If you keep an eye out, it won't be long before you spot an "I ♥ Northside" bumper sticker, which find their way all over the city. It's true, residents and frequenters of Northside DO love Northside, and for good reason.

Besides the lively entertainment scene (some of the city's most unique eateries and music venues have their home in Northside), what really sets the neighborhood apart is its "DIY" (Do It Yourself) attitude; it boasts a wealth of social justice, arts and community organizations. The Northside community council is one of the largest in the city with more than 200 members and promotes grass-roots support of safety, health, business and the arts.

Other progressive groups Northside citizens have created include: the MoBo Bicycle Co-Op, Northside Citizens on Patrol, Gay and Lesbian Community Center, Women's Research Center, Northside Arts Organization and the Northside Farmers Market, to name just a few.

To give an idea of why folks love Northside - here is what an average day off in the neighborhood could look like; you can spend the entire day exploring and enjoying a variety of venues, without getting bored and all within easy walking distance.

Morning: Have breakfast and check email at the corner coffee shop, go for a stroll in the park, browse through the eclectic and outstanding collection of albums at an independent record shop.

Afternoon: Have lunch in a veggie-friendly open air rock garden, kick back for a while in the public library, pick up a foreign film at the independent video store, shop for fresh produce at the market or plant/harvest your own in the local community garden (season permitting).

Evening: Take your bike to the nonprofit co-op for free parts and maintenance advice, get some exercise at a Yoga or Tango class, check out an art opening and socialize with the artists, grab a bite and a beverage at the local watering hole and see a live original band perform.

Though somewhat rugged in looks, Northside is an area with a lot of passion. Unlike some places, where there is a more polished and welcoming feel, Northside requires a little effort to get to know - this neighborhood is essentially what you make of it. The result, as many Northsidians and Northside converts can attest, is worth the effort - though they are just as happy to continue on as they are and let Northside remain one of Cincinnati's quiet treasures. Like a diamond in the rough, it's up to the visitor to find the value in Northside's many facets and to shape them to his or her design.

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Dining

From a vegan-friendly diner to a greasy spoon to a late night burrito joint, Northside’s many culinary hot spots are as diverse as the folks who frequent them. What most restaurants in Northside have in common is that they are independent; aside from the requisite Taco Bell and White Castle, the smile that serves you in Northside often belongs to the face that owns the place.

Slims is an eclectic, slow-food restaurant run by Patrick McCafferty. The food at Slims is always fresh and changing, with a decidedly South and Central American feel, and a locavore slant. Some of the greens and vegetables served are even grown in a small garden between two buildings around the corner!

If your budget is tighter, or you’re eating late night, head to The Comet Bar for a killer burrito, people watching and free bands or Boswell Alley for awesome grub food until 4 a.m.
Nightlife

Northside nightlife equals music. Not just any music though – independent music. If you’re looking for a cover band, this is not the place (don’t even say those words around the locals, unless it’s followed by a grimace of disdain). No matter what type of music you crave, whether Rock, Bluegrass, Hip Hop or Electronica, Northside can fit the bill. Rockin’ venues such as The Northside Tavern, Gypsy Hut and Blue Rock Tavern offer cheap or free concerts every weekend and some weeknights, while the straight-friendly gay bar Bronz provides a dance floor for folks to strut their stuff. The local coffee shop Sidewinder gets into the act with open mics and The Comet offers a karaoke night with plenty of passionate and practiced regulars. For those that appreciate drag shows, Northside is also one of the few places in town that regularly hosts them. Gay and lesbian bars include Bullfishes and Bronz – though all the establishments in this area are “alternative lifestyle” friendly.
Arts & Entertainment

Northside rocks, quite literally. From aging hippies to young hipsters, Northsiders are big on music and art. On any given night of the week, there are sure to be multiple musical venues in use, and art is just a matter of course, often displayed in coffeeshops and restaurants, along with the more traditional gallery spaces, such as Feralmade Gallery and Off the Avenue Studios. The Comet offers an eclectic mix of Rock, Bluegrass, Emo, Irish Folk and everything in between, including local, undiscovered, unrefined talent on Karaoke night. The Northside Tavern, with its new back room, now has multiple performance spaces and hosts everything from Jazz to Indie Rock, Soul and International music. Other venues, such as the Gypsy Hut, cover all styles as well, and occasionally host DJ nights where folks can do some serious dancing. For day-time art action, stop by Happen, Inc, a nonprofit organization that provides adults and children an opportunity to explore art projects together. Classes are designed for adult-child teams, and are designed to spark creativity, sharpen basic art skills and enhance arts awareness.
Recreation

One would think that a neighborhood in the center of the city would struggle to create green space for visitors or residents, but in Northside, nature is part of nurture. Northside is home to America’s largest nonprofit cemetery, Spring Grove Cemetery, which was built in 1845. All 733 acres of the cemetery are immaculately manicured and landscaped, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere equal to any nature preserve. In addition to Spring Grove Cemetery, Northside boasts Hoffner Park at the corner of Blue Rock and Hamilton, where local festivities such as the Gay Pride Parade and the 4th of July Parade take place. Other nearby green spaces include Mt. Airy Forest, Cincinnati’s largest park (of 1,470 acres!), Buttercup Valley, Parker’s Woods, Badgeley Run Park and Bradford-Felter Tanglewood preserve.
Special Interest

Northside is a mecca of institutions aimed at social justice, environmental sustainability and promotion of the arts. The Women’s Research Center (formerly Crazy Ladies bookstore) focuses on supporting women, while the Gay and Lesbian Community Center provides educational, cultural and community support for the thriving gay community and helps to plan the annual Gay Pride Parade. There are many local organizations supporting niche interests, such as the Northside Community Garden, which allows urban residents to grow their own food, and the MoBo Bicycle Co-Op, which provides bike parts and education for anyone needing help.
Overall, Northside residents are a busy bunch. If they’re not growing their own veggies, running or volunteering with a co-op,or grassroots campaigning for a political issue, they may be starting a neighborhood watch group or organizing a community block party. Northside attracts idealists, artists and dreamers – of every type of interest. If you don’t find a group already committed to your cause in Northside, it’s a fertile place to start one.
Shopping

Whether looking for vintage suits, rare albums, funky shoes, African groceries, hippy jewelry or local art, you can find it all on Northside's business strip on Hamilton Avenue. Although the stores are somewhat spread out, one jaunt up the street on a Saturday afternoon could include Casablanca for a new/old vintage outfit, Shake-It Records for your favorite local band's new CD, Shoe-topia for one-of-a-kind pumps, Ali's Boutique for an imported necklace set, or Feralmade Gallery for new wall art to spice up your home. You can then reward yourself after your spree with a homemade dessert from Take The Cake.
Personal Care

If you’re looking for a new and daring hairdo or that tattoo you’ve been considering, Northside can deliver. Great non-chain hair salons such as Pinnokios, Taylor Jameson and the Chop Shop offer the rock-star-goes-to-the-office styles you’ve always wanted and Skincraft and Tattoos by Dana can give you just the tattoo your grandma would counsel against. If you want a work out, you can go community-style at the McKie Community Center, where fees cost less than a Big Mac a month. If weight rooms and exercise bikes are not your style, you could also try a yoga class at Yoga Ah! Studio or learn how to tango at Tango del Barrio.

From a vegan-friendly diner to a greasy spoon to a late night burrito joint, Northside’s many culinary hot spots are as diverse as the folks who frequent them. What most restaurants in Northside have in common is that they are independent; aside from the requisite Taco Bell and White Castle, the smile that serves you in Northside often belongs to the face that owns the place.

Slims is an eclectic, slow-food restaurant run by Patrick McCafferty. The food at Slims is always fresh and changing, with a decidedly South and Central American feel, and a locavore slant. Some of the greens and vegetables served are even grown in a small garden between two buildings around the corner!

If your budget is tighter, or you’re eating late night, head to The Comet Bar for a killer burrito, people watching and free bands or Boswell Alley for awesome grub food until 4 a.m.

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Second Look

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