In 2006, Aaron Dessner of The National founded the annual MusicNOW festival in his (and his bandmates’) Cincinnati hometown, bringing to town artists from the Indie Rock and “New Music” worlds for one-of-a-kind events and performances. MusicNOW has featured the likes of Justin Vernon, Sharon Van Etten, Sufjan Stevens, Eighth Blackbird, Philip Glass, Steve Reich and many others, often performing together in different configurations and almost always offering performances you couldn’t see anywhere else. In 2015, Dessner noted in an interview with CityBeat that the unusual, intimate nature of the festival also made it a favorite among his fellow musicians: “The reason most artists play festivals is they pay better than the average gig; in our case it’s really about the experience.” In 2018, MusicNOW spawned a sibling festival, Homecoming, to carry on a similar vision and experience on a bigger scale. Held in conjunction with MusicNOW in April at Smale Riverfront Park near Paul Brown Stadium, Homecoming was more of a “Rock festival” and, by all accounts, it was a big success, drawing thousands of fans from across the region to Cincinnati with two days of Indie Rock heavyweights like Father John Misty, The Breeders and the host band, The National, who performed spectacular headlining sets each night. Homecoming drew a lot of attention to The National’s hometown, with the likes of Billboard, Uproxx, Stereogum and even The U.K.’s Independent sending reporters and running glowing reviews of the event. It also gave Cincinnati Indie Rock lovers an amazing musical experience that was fan-friendly and featured programming (including less high-profile vanguard artists like Alvvays, Moses Sumney, Mouse on Mars and Julien Baker) that helped set it apart from a lot of the huge corporate fests. Before the 2018 event, Dessner told CityBeat that Homecoming (presented with promoter AC Entertainment, which specializes in niche, artist-curated fests while also founding powerhouse events like Bonnaroo and Forecastle) was a test run, with an option of becoming a recurrent showcase; late last year, the band announced Homecoming wouldn’t return in 2019, but organizers said they “look forward to doing it again in the future,” so stay tuned. Homecoming, ntlhomecoming.com.

2. The Blind Lemon

3. The Overlook Lodge

2. Sundry and Vice

3. MOTR Pub

2. Dutch’s

3. Oakley Pub and Grill

2. Fox & Hound

3. Back Porch Saloon

2. Coppin’s Restaurant & Bar

3. Bobby Mackey’s

2. The Crow’s Nest

3. Knotty Pine Rock Club & Tiki Bar

2. MOTR Pub

3. The Southgate House Revival

2. The Southgate House Revival

3. Madison Theater

2. Sundry and Vice

3. Queen City Exchange

2. Molly Wellmann (Japp’s)

3. Sara Hutslar (MadTree Brewing)

2. Giacomo Ciminello (Night Drop)

3. Nick Squeri (Queen City Exchange)

2. Higher Gravity

3. Queen City Exchange

If there’s one thing Cincinnatians love more than a local brewery, it’s a local brewery with an outdoor drinking area — especially if that drinking area happens to be elevated (cough Rhinegeist cough). So when Braxton Brewing Co. announced a $5 million expansion plan in January, which includes a 5,000-square-foot rooftop deck, it just gave us one more reason to love the Cov and Braxton. The plan permits the brewery to ramp up annual production to 30,000 barrels to allow them to better serve beer drinkers locally and throughout Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. Renderings show astroturf, lawn games (aka cornhole), outdoor seating, string lights and fire pits plus a view of the city. The upstairs bar will pour Braxton brews and serve cocktails and the brewery’s new Vive hard seltzer. The rooftop is currently under construction and is expected to open in summer 2019. Braxton Brewing Co., 27 W. Seventh St., Covington, braxtonbrewing.com.

2. Arnold’s Bar & Grill

3. Hang Over Easy

4. The Eagle OTR

5. Northside Yacht Club

6. Maplewood Kitchen and Bar

7. Higher Gravity

8. Taste of Belgium

9. Redwine & Co.

10. S.W. Clyborne Co.

At the end of February 2019, The Anchor-OTR announced it was closing its doors after seven years of slinging super-fresh seafood to Cincinnatians at the corner of 14th and Race streets. It’s always sad to lose a favorite neighborhood haunt, and the loss of the Anchor will be felt quite deeply by fish fans … and bloody mary stans. The restaurant conjured up what might be the city’s most decadent drink via its Longshorman’s Bloody Mary. Named in homage of 1934’s “Bloody Thursday,” when longshoremen went on strike along the Pacific Coast, this drink balanced spice, acidity, sweetness and several sea creatures. The housemade base consisted of tomato juice, horseradish, pickle and olive juice, four different hot sauces, sugar, cayenne, garlic and a touch of umami with Old Bay seasoning. But it went big with the garnish, showcasing the Anchor’s fresh seafood with the option to add a lobster claw, shrimp or an oyster for an upcharge. It was big, bold and beautiful. And its loss is enough to shed a salty tear over.

2. Sundry and Vice

3. Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar

2. Newberry Bros. Coffee & Prohibition Bourbon Bar

3. Wiseguy Lounge

2. Jungle Jim’s International Market

3. DEP’s Fine Wine and Spirits