Greetings Bearcats!

Coming into town for the Memphis game and staying at the Hampton Uptown near campus. What attractions, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, etc. are nearby and would be good stops for Friday before the game? Also, from my internet searches I haven't had any luck finding info on visiting team tailgating areas or ANY info on single game tailgate lots for that matter. What's the scoop on that?

I've visited Cincy several times and always enjoyed it, but I've never been for a football game, so any help would be appreciated!

If you're looking for the typical college bar, Murphy's has been a favorite for decades. The Brass Tap is a bit higher end with hundreds of different beers on tap and bottled. There are loads of places for food, but Adriatico's is my personal favorite for pizza. I'm not familiar with any single game tailgating spots for visiting fans though. Hope you enjoy your visit to Clifton!

(10-12-2016 01:05 PM)731615Tiger Wrote:  Greetings Bearcats!

Coming into town for the Memphis game and staying at the Hampton Uptown near campus. What attractions, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, etc. are nearby and would be good stops for Friday before the game? Also, from my internet searches I haven't had any luck finding info on visiting team tailgating areas or ANY info on single game tailgate lots for that matter. What's the scoop on that?

I've visited Cincy several times and always enjoyed it, but I've never been for a football game, so any help would be appreciated!

That Hampton is walking distance to the Stadium, tailgate in the parking lot.
There are a # of bars and restaurants if you walk south down Vine St. Or walk over to Calhoun St. South of the Stadium lot of options there.

I can't give much advice on tailgating, but I hope you enjoy your visit -- except the outcome of the game! :)

If you're trying to park your own car and tailgate in a lot, I would suggest the lot behind bogarts near short vine. That is usually just cash parking with people tailgating, no passes.

If you're just trying to find the atmosphere and people, walk from hotel onto the middle of campus and check out the grid. Just look for a huge green space with people in the middle of campus, can't miss it.

(10-12-2016 01:05 PM)731615Tiger Wrote:  Greetings Bearcats!

Coming into town for the Memphis game and staying at the Hampton Uptown near campus. What attractions, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, etc. are nearby and would be good stops for Friday before the game? Also, from my internet searches I haven't had any luck finding info on visiting team tailgating areas or ANY info on single game tailgate lots for that matter. What's the scoop on that?

I've visited Cincy several times and always enjoyed it, but I've never been for a football game, so any help would be appreciated!

Bring some barbecue with you.

(10-12-2016 02:21 PM)JackieTreehorn Wrote:  

(10-12-2016 01:05 PM)731615Tiger Wrote:  Greetings Bearcats!

Coming into town for the Memphis game and staying at the Hampton Uptown near campus. What attractions, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, etc. are nearby and would be good stops for Friday before the game? Also, from my internet searches I haven't had any luck finding info on visiting team tailgating areas or ANY info on single game tailgate lots for that matter. What's the scoop on that?

I've visited Cincy several times and always enjoyed it, but I've never been for a football game, so any help would be appreciated!

Bring some barbecue with you.

Good point. We'll be behind Martinos tailgating, which isn't far up the street... you are welcome to join if you bring some Pulled Pork and or ribs from Bar B Q Shop

So much is new around campus that I'm not even sure about what eats and drinks are available within walking distance.

I heard Hang Over Easy is awesome for breakfast. Taste of Belgium is credible as well. Both a couple blocks from The Hampton.

You want pizza? Adriatico's. Skip the LaRosas near your hotel.

Not sure about the bars near campus. Someone mentioned Brass Tap. Not sure I'd walk to Murphy's. Fries. Arlin's. Uncle Woody's. What else is there? BW3?

But really, if you have a car, go to OTR and spots downtown or at the Banks. Tons of restaurants and bars there.

(10-12-2016 01:05 PM)731615Tiger Wrote:  Greetings Bearcats!

Coming into town for the Memphis game and staying at the Hampton Uptown near campus. What attractions, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, etc. are nearby and would be good stops for Friday before the game? Also, from my internet searches I haven't had any luck finding info on visiting team tailgating areas or ANY info on single game tailgate lots for that matter. What's the scoop on that?

I've visited Cincy several times and always enjoyed it, but I've never been for a football game, so any help would be appreciated!

I'm going to tailor this to the Short Vine area you'll be staying at, but there are amazing restaurants/coffee in and near downtown if you want to go that route and explore.. here are a few suggestions I'd have:

Restaurants: Island Frydays (Jamaican/Caribbean cuisine) owned by a former UC football player (Leo Morgan) and was featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. Taste of Belgium (also on Short Vine and also was on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives) has amazing waffles (the chicken and waffle is great). Mr. Sushi on W. McMillan has great sushi if you're into that and they have half priced sushi every day (check online for the times but I think it's all day weekends and after 5 on weekdays).

Coffee Shops: The 86 (right next to Island Frydays on Short Vine) has a great mix of coffee, pour over, espresso, etc. in a neat environment.

If you venture into downtown, The Banks is a cool new area with an awesome park, some bars, restaurants, etc. You could also grab some Graeters Ice Cream at Fountain Square if you're down that way.

Tailgating I would check out The Grid right in the middle of campus. Across from your hotel you'll see two big glass buildings (dorms).. there's a green space right on the other side of those buildings that has tailgating, live music, etc. right on campus.

Enjoy the trip.. I hope to make it myself as I'm a UC grad and current Memphis grad student (online)... unfortunately I live 3 hours away and have a meeting at work that day I have to be at, but we'll see what happens.

Safe travels and enjoy the Nati!

(10-12-2016 02:35 PM)BearcatsUC Wrote:  Skip the LaRosas near your hotel.

Amen. I have a buddy that worked there a few years ago in college, the place is a dump. They serve out food that's been dropped on the floor, as well as undercooked pizzas. Pretty sure my girlfriend got food poisoning from that one.

Do they still do the shuttle bus to and from Mecklenburg? I did that before a basketball game and it was a good deal.

(10-12-2016 05:23 PM)BearcatsUC Wrote:  Do they still do the shuttle bus to and from Mecklenburg? I did that before a basketball game and it was a good deal.

Don't know, but I recently learned about a free shuttle to and from Wurst Bar in Mount Lookout before and after games. Thought it was interesting.

(10-12-2016 05:30 PM)TubaCat Wrote:  

(10-12-2016 05:23 PM)BearcatsUC Wrote:  Do they still do the shuttle bus to and from Mecklenburg? I did that before a basketball game and it was a good deal.

Don't know, but I recently learned about a free shuttle to and from Wurst Bar in Mount Lookout before and after games. Thought it was interesting.

If "bohemian" is more your style and you don't mind the gritty neighborhood, head down Ludlow to liberal Northside. Northside Tavern, the Northside Yacht Club and The Comet are faves. The Littlefield is a bourbon bar and there's an arcade bar across the street.

there's a van gogh exhibit at the art museum. the contemporary art center is free (and awesome). as for food, i'm not picky. i've eaten out of the trash before. so my opinion doesn't mean much. listermann's brewery/ brew supply store is close to campus and in enemy territory. the gaslight district is where i'd hang out if you're staying close to campus. don't bother with that trashy new sh!t on campus. then just down the road from the gaslight is my neighborhood, northside. that's the good nightlife. but yeah, stay away from the douchey campus area

(10-13-2016 07:10 AM)Lush Wrote:  there's a van gogh exhibit at the art museum. the contemporary art center is free (and awesome). as for food, i'm not picky. i've eaten out of the trash before. so my opinion doesn't mean much. listermann's brewery/ brew supply store is close to campus and in enemy territory. the gaslight district is where i'd hang out if you're staying close to campus. don't bother with that trashy new sh!t on campus. then just down the road from the gaslight is my neighborhood, northside. that's the good nightlife. but yeah, stay away from the douchey campus area

Some of my best times in Northside were at the lesser-known dive bars, like C&D, Junkers, Boswell Alley and Ginger's Bar (now closed). I'd never send an out-of-towner to these places off the beaten path, but it's a fun time for the locals.

I ended up at Ginger's after a neighbor offered up the rumor that the owner - Ginger - used to be a guy and once played in the NFL. I heard different variations of the rumor after that, so I went. I did get to meet Ginger, and Ginger - who looked like she was in her 70's - had boobs down to her navel and a rather large adams apple.

Yes, it's clear that Ginger was once a guy, but I found it interesting that the lower middle-class, working-man clientele and her staff clearly loved her.

The bar itself was the epitome of a dive. The Shoenling and other beer signs from the 70's and a lack of updates since really gave the place character.

Good times.

I never got the scoop on whether Ginger once played in the NFL, but guessing from her size, I'm thinking not.

But back to the topic at hand, I understand the sentiment of avoiding all the "douchey" new stuff built around campus, but that's what I think the majority of people go for.

I'm the guy who went to the Liberty Bowl and spent 30 minutes on Beale, then spent the rest of the trip in Memphis's underbelly hanging out with the locals.

ginger's finally got shut down. something about meth. c&d's is my spot. i spent the first few years i lived in northside in that bar. it was the only bar in northside for awhile that had a tv

For the purposes of the OP's request, I would stick to CUF/Clifton. Northside probably isn't a feasible point of discussion here.

I would walk Short Vine (the street your hotel is on), as there are plenty of good restaurants and bars there, then hit the Calhoun/McMillan corridor for some additional great food/drink. Tailgating isn't huge, but the lots spoken about earlier as well as The Grid would be good places to go to check it out...unfortunately there isn't really a designated Visitor tailgate area given the campus constraints. After the game, go downtown, check out The Banks, OTR, etc. Quite a few things have changed with Cincinnati since Memphis played up here consistently in the C-USA days, and it is really awesome to see all of the positive energy the city center now has.

If you're looking for a great steak on the night before, try out Blinkers Tavern in Covington, (lesser known place, but I have never had a better steak, and Mac and Cheese side for that matter, in all of the Tri-State), hit Eli's for some good quality Bar-B-Q, and there are plenty of other specific food recommendations we all can give, just let us know!

Always good to see some visiting fans make the trip, and we definitely want you to have a great time...outside of the three-four hours on Saturday of course.

(10-13-2016 09:52 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  For the purposes of the OP's request, I would stick to CUF/Clifton. Northside probably isn't a feasible point of discussion here.

I would walk Short Vine (the street your hotel is on), as there are plenty of good restaurants and bars there, then hit the Calhoun/McMillan corridor for some additional great food/drink. Tailgating isn't huge, but the lots spoken about earlier as well as The Grid would be good places to go to check it out...unfortunately there isn't really a designated Visitor tailgate area given the campus constraints. After the game, go downtown, check out The Banks, OTR, etc. Quite a few things have changed with Cincinnati since Memphis played up here consistently in the C-USA days, and it is really awesome to see all of the positive energy the city center now has.

If you're looking for a great steak on the night before, try out Blinkers Tavern in Covington, (lesser known place, but I have never had a better steak, and Mac and Cheese side for that matter, in all of the Tri-State), hit Eli's for some good quality Bar-B-Q, and there are plenty of other specific food recommendations we all can give, just let us know!

Always good to see some visiting fans make the trip, and we definitely want you to have a great time...outside of the three-four hours on Saturday of course.

totally. skip northside and go to the friggin banks or go across the river. northside seems up the op's alley. sidewinder and collective espresso are good coffee shops. urban artifact (the brewery) has live music as does pretty much every bar on the weekend. taco shops, semi upcsale like bistro grace or ruth's. it's not a tourist destination like otr, but it's just a short bus/taxi ride from his hotel.

(10-13-2016 10:43 AM)Lush Wrote:  

(10-13-2016 09:52 AM)BearcatMan Wrote:  For the purposes of the OP's request, I would stick to CUF/Clifton. Northside probably isn't a feasible point of discussion here.

I would walk Short Vine (the street your hotel is on), as there are plenty of good restaurants and bars there, then hit the Calhoun/McMillan corridor for some additional great food/drink. Tailgating isn't huge, but the lots spoken about earlier as well as The Grid would be good places to go to check it out...unfortunately there isn't really a designated Visitor tailgate area given the campus constraints. After the game, go downtown, check out The Banks, OTR, etc. Quite a few things have changed with Cincinnati since Memphis played up here consistently in the C-USA days, and it is really awesome to see all of the positive energy the city center now has.

If you're looking for a great steak on the night before, try out Blinkers Tavern in Covington, (lesser known place, but I have never had a better steak, and Mac and Cheese side for that matter, in all of the Tri-State), hit Eli's for some good quality Bar-B-Q, and there are plenty of other specific food recommendations we all can give, just let us know!

Always good to see some visiting fans make the trip, and we definitely want you to have a great time...outside of the three-four hours on Saturday of course.

totally. skip northside and go to the friggin banks or go across the river. northside seems up the op's alley. sidewinder and collective espresso are good coffee shops. urban artifact (the brewery) has live music as does pretty much every bar on the weekend. taco shops, semi upcsale like bistro grace or ruth's. it's not a tourist destination like otr, but it's just a short bus/taxi ride from his hotel.

Well, it's a lot closer than Covington or Riverside!

i just realized that i totally missed the game was on friday. now i realize what bearcatman was saying. you should stay saturday too. for coffee shops in the area, highlands has the beatnik appeal emerging philosopher. rohs street cafe has a nice neighborhood appeal and is also the only real coffee shop around campus. iris bookstore and cafe down in otr is one of my spots. used books and good coffee. sitwell's in the gaslight is for the people trying to figure it all out. it's an institution. and that's right next to esquire theatre, cincinnati's original art house theatre.

findlay market is always a good time. it's lively on the weekends. the country's longest running market or something. i've seen red sox fans visiting for the game hang out there. i was like, damn. otr is definitely on the tourist radar. it's still edgy enough to be cool. it's the spawn of millennial nostalgia. for a fun calm sunday morning, before you head back (if you're staying another night), drive over the roebling bridge and park in covington. walk across that bridge back into the city and walk around. find a breakfast joint and take the tank (transit authority of northern kentucky. it's a bus) back, or walk. i'm sure it'll be chilly.

taft ale house in otr is an experience, good dinner choice. rhinegeist is probably the best brewery in the city and possibly conceived by frat boys. stay saturday too