Just around the corner from the timelessness and charm of Hyde Park Square is Unwind Wine Bar in the center of Hyde Park. The outdoor courtyard that you enter through has the feel of a coastal city, but the inside is a dimly lit, mood-inducing bar and lounge with a central fireplace. Something about it feels like you're in a relaxed, posh bar in the ‘90s — not because it’s dated, in any way. The ‘90s house music and atmosphere lend themselves to a simpler time before cell phones, the internet and social media, a time when you stepped into places like this and that place, time and the people you were with were all that mattered, when we existed only at the place we were at. They have an extensive wine list, as you’d imagine, and do wine flights and, also, a great curated beer selection including some of the finer European beers like La Chouffe and Chimay, a great cheese board filled with variety, as well as other light foods. unwindhydepark.com.
The May Festival celebrated its 150th anniversary with “25 For 25,” a brilliant tribute to the Festival’s history of commissioning new works that saw 25 commissions written by young female, non-binary or gender non-conforming composers, all alumni of Luna Composition Lab. Each piece was written for a specific choral group and the conductors worked closely with their respective composers. The March concert showcased the composers’ remarkable skills in setting texts and creating challenging, exciting choral sounds. The energy was palpable and gave another reason to celebrate a city that sings. mayfestival.com.
Creative House of Art and Design (or CHAD, named after the owner) is an art store in Mainstrasse that sells a lot of gay-themed art, like stickers and Pride flags, but in the back they have a small bar and patio. During the summer, they offer very strong boozy slushies. Sip on one while shopping for penis coasters. creativehousead.com.
One of the most beloved breweries and most beloved bakeries in town working together on a special brew? Yes, please. Covington’s Braxton Brewing Co.’s Opera Cream Stout was inspired by The BonBonerie’s iconic Opera Cream Torte. The beer features chocolate and caramel malts and is finished with The BonBonerie’s opera cream coffee, roasted by Seven Hills Coffee Roasters. With flavors of milk chocolate, sweet cream and vanilla, this indulgent milk stout is almost more dessert than beverage. What a sweet way to celebrate Cincinnati. braxtonbrewing.com & bonbonerie.com.