Gay bars in cincinnati oh
Cincinnati might not always be on the clue of your tongue when thinking about LGBTQ+ destinations, but this Ohio metropolis deserves a spot on your travel list. With a growing and welcoming community, Cincinnati offers something for everyone, from cultural experiences to vibrant nightlife. It’s a city where the rainbow flags travel proudly and diversity is celebrated.
Throughout the year, Cincinnati hosts several LGBTQ+ events that tug crowds and spread happiness. Pride Cincinnati Parade and Festival in June are big attractions, featuring amusement, community outreach, and a vibrant parade through downtown. Harmony Festival and the LGBTQ+ Film Festival are other annual highlights that foster community bonding and celebrate queer culture.
For the best encounter, consider visiting Cincinnati in the summer months. The warm weather coincides with many LGBTQ+ events, and the city buzzes with activities both indoors and outdoors. While it can get busy, the vibrant energy and events appreciate Pride make it an ideal time to scout .
The LGBTQ+ nightlife in Cincinnati is diverse and livel
Celebrating the history of Cincinnati’s epic gay bars
Some of Cincinnati’s most iconic gay bars have come and gone, while others are still going strong. But for those in our distant memory there are no more late nights belting out karaoke at Shirley’s, tearing up the dance floor at The Dock, or simply enjoying a beer with old friends On Broadway.
But these late-night haunts hold a place in the collective memory of their guests: That Cincinnati’s LGBTQ establishments are home, even if the house you grew up in isn’t always there for us.
On Cincinnati Edition, we celebrate the history of our city’s legendary gay bars.
Guests:
- Randy Bridges, owner, On Broadway
- Carl Fox, founder, Crazy Fox Saloon
- Michael Chanak, gay rights activist
Ways to attend to this show:
- Tune in live at noon ET M-F. Call 513-419-7100 or email talk@wvxu.org to have your voice heard on today’s topic.
- Catch the replay on 91.7 WVXU and 88.5 WMUB at 8 p.m. ET M-F.
- Listen on-demand. Audio for this segment will be uploaded to this page by 4 p.m. ET., or subscribe to our podcast.
Updated: June 25, 2025 at 8:52 AM EDT
This segment first aired June 24, 2024.
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Amazing
After Cincinnati LGBTQ+ bar shutters, blindsided employees are left wondering what's next
CINCINNATI — The Birdcage, an LGBTQ+ bar and staple in Cincinnati, has permanently closed its doors, citing its struggle to remain "financially viable."
The bar announced its closure in a social media post on Christmas Eve.
"It has been an incredible six years serving you, Cincinnati," The Birdcage wrote on Facebook. "We’ve had our ups and downs but will forever be grateful to have played our part for the Greater Cincinnati LGBTQIA+ community."
Later, the bar posted on social media explaining the reasons for the sudden closure.
"For the past year, The Birdcage has struggled to remain financially viable," the post on the Birdcage's Facebook page stated. "Bills and payroll were covered out of pocket — not through the bar’s profits — in the hope that community support would rebound. However, sales have plummeted by nearly 75%. In recent months, sales fluctuated, and we remained hopeful, it was not enough to cover basic functional costs."
According to the post, the bar's insurance expired on Saturday, Dec 21. The owners said they attempted to sell the bar and nightclu