Over The Rhine

Over-the-Rhine is one of the most culturally and historically rich neighborhoods in Cincinnati. Italianate architecture provides a backdrop to inner city living, creating an urban ambiance that is full of personality. Eminently walkable, Over-the-Rhine contains many small shops and hideaways to explore.

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Over-the-Rhine is an urban treasure trove. It is home to such fine arts jewels as the Cincinnati Symphony, Music Hall, the Cincinnati Opera, the Cincinnati Ballet, School for Creative and Performing Arts, Know Theatre, New Stage Collective and Ensemble Theatre. It is also where you can find Cincinnati's oldest public market, Findlay Market. Full of specialty retail shops and boutiques, Over-the-Rhine makes a great place to visit as well as a convenient place to live - it's centrally located and within walking distance to all of Downtown.

Over-the-Rhine is one of the most architecturally stunning neighborhoods in the region. Its gorgeous Victorian architecture has landed it on the National Register of Historic Places (with 943 contributing buildings); complimented by many new developments, such as the Gateway Quarter. Over-the-Rhine is also very economically diverse, with residences ranging from assisted housing to luxury condos.

Historically, Over-the-Rhine was settled (and named) by German immigrants, who felt that the Miami-Erie canal (which ran under what is now Central Parkway) was reminiscent of the Rhine in Germany. After prohibition (much of the local business was brewery-related, and shut down during prohibition) and anti-German sentiment during WWII, many Germans in the area moved elsewhere and were replaced with African American residents. Today, the neighborhood has very mixed demographics, in great part due to the push for young professionals and empty nesters to consider purchasing a condo in the new developments. It is also an area with many social service agencies, such as free health clinics, a free food store and a homeless shelter - and so tends to attract people in need. This raises safety concerns to some, but though OTR does have more crime than suburban neighborhoods, there is a strong police presence in the area and safety has been improving over the last few years.

Over-the-Rhine is a Cincinnati neighborhood with unmistakable character and unique opportunities. It's one of the best places to find a gift or specialty item, and many of the residences offer beautiful historic living options, such as exposed brick walls and original hardwood floors. In all, Over-the-Rhine is a wonderful place to get to know, and has much to offer the inquisitive visitor.

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Dining

For food, you can find it all in Over-the-Rhine – the key is personality. For elegant dining in a restored mansion adjacent to Music Hall, try the Symphony Hotel. Tucker's, the local home-style diner of choice, serves cheap eats, as does Lucy Blue’s pizza-by-the-slice. Iris Café offers excellent teas and coffees with sandwiches and salads made from local-bought produce (and also sells books and CDs), and Jean Robert’s Lavomatic (housed in what is thought to be an ancient Laundromat) serves upscale, rustic French fare. In a hurry? Shadeau Bakery is a wonderful place to grab a slice of foccacia or a delectable pastry.
Nightlife

At night, Over-the-Rhine has several local establishments that are worth a visit. Below Zero Lounge has a nondescript exterior but a strikingly elegant main room, as well as stages for live music on both the ground and upper floors. They also boast a selection of 50 different vodkas and Cincinnati’s first video jukebox. Courtyard Café and Mr. Pitiful’s are also neighborhood favorites, and feature live music as well. One of the most beautiful bars to visit in the area is Grammer’s, which has breathtaking old architecture and stained glass.
Arts & Entertainment

The roster of arts organizations in Over-the-Rhine is unparalleled in size and caliber within the city. This neighborhood is home to world class orchestras (Cincinnati Symphony and Cincinnati Pops Orchestras) as well as the Cincinnati Ballet, the Cincinnati Opera, two high-quality theatre organizations (Know Theatre and Ensemble Theatre), the Art Academy of Cincinnati, and many smaller galleries. It is also the location of the School for Creative and Performing Arts, a Cincinnati Public School from grades 4-12 (and soon to be expanded to K-12) that offers arts training to its students. Every final Friday of the month, there is a large art-walk, where participants can hop from gallery to gallery to see what’s new and during second Sundays during the summer, the neighborhood hosts a special art and music showcase on Main Street.
Recreation

The neighborhood park of note is Washington Park, which was created in 1855 and is located across from Music Hall. Originally a cemetery site, the park now features a gazebo-style band stand, sculptures, trees and a playground. For activities, the CRC Over-the-Rhine Recreation Center offers a gymnasium, skating rink, indoor pool, fitness center, game room, teen lounge, study room and art room. The Peaslee Neighborhood Center offers free writing and music classes to disadvantaged children as well as educational daycare programs for children up to age 12.
Special Interest

One of Over-the-Rhine’s most notable qualities, besides being a hub for the arts, is its community resources. There are numerous community organizations and social service agencies in the area. One outstanding community organization is Media Bridges, which provides free video/editing training and equipment lending to Cincinnati residents. Peaslee Neighborhood Center provides free music lessons, writing classes and educational daycare to children. InkTank offers writing workshops and support for writers of all ages, as well as sells local author’s books. Organizations such as iRhine, Over the Rhine Foundation Over the Rhine Foundation and Over the Rhine Chamber of Commerce work to improve and promote the neighborhood. Crossroad Health Center offers free and low-cost healthcare.
Shopping

Over-the-Rhine offers some of the most original and eclectic items in town. The place to start is definitely Findlay Market , which is open from Wednesday-Sunday and home to two dozen indoor merchants selling meat, fish, cheese, spices and more as well as an outdoor famer’s market on the weekends during the growing season (April to November).
Some of Cincinnati’s best artisan bread can be found at Shadeau Bakery, and for Asian ingredients, Saigon Market and Ottugi Foodmart can provide almost any exotic flavoring you might need. Over-the-Rhine is home to Cincinnati’s only green general store, the award-winning Park+Vine, as well as several urban gift and home furnishings shops such as Urban Eden, Metronation, MiCA 12/v and Outside. City Roots specializes in urban gardening products, while Suder’s Art Store furnishes Art Academy students with art supplies. Antique lovers can visit Greg’s Antiques, which features a wide selection; those with a penchant for interior design may enjoy browsing Switch Lighting and Design. Fans of imports must visit The Little Mahatma, a shop full of Indian jewelry and other ethnic gifts.
Personal Care

Incredible Creations is an upscale salon offering everything from barbershop services to ladies' styling needs (including cuts, color, makeovers and nails). For fitness, the YMCA is a bargain with new equipment, personalized training and a large indoor pool. Pendleton Pilates, LLC offers mat classes and group sessions for toning and strengthening. If you get the sniffles and don’t have health insurance, Crossroad Health Center offers affordable, community-based healthcare with a large volunteer staff of physicians, nurses and social workers, and ProScan Pink Ribbon Center provides free breast cancer screenings.

For food, you can find it all in Over-the-Rhine – the key is personality. For elegant dining in a restored mansion adjacent to Music Hall, try the Symphony Hotel. Tucker's, the local home-style diner of choice, serves cheap eats, as does Lucy Blue’s pizza-by-the-slice. Iris Café offers excellent teas and coffees with sandwiches and salads made from local-bought produce (and also sells books and CDs), and Jean Robert’s Lavomatic (housed in what is thought to be an ancient Laundromat) serves upscale, rustic French fare. In a hurry? Shadeau Bakery is a wonderful place to grab a slice of foccacia or a delectable pastry.

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Official Home Page of Over the Rhine:
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At the center of change in Cincinnati sits Over-the-Rhine. As more and more residents and visitors rediscover the charms of OTR, most discover a neighborhood rich in art, history and community.

Over The Rhine

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