Cincinnati restaurants that opened or closed in June
It was a pretty quiet month for restaurant openings and closings. We did gain a promising new Caribbean and Southeast Asian restaurant in East Walnut Hills and what looks to be an awesome Chicago-themed dive bar in Camp Washington.
On a darker note, we bid a far-too-early farewell to what I thought of as a really good wine bar in East Walnut Hills as well as a Frisch's location that is part of our city's baseball history. Read on to learn more.
Cincinnati restaurants that opened in June 2023
Solstice, East Walnut Hills
Brought to you by the same group that opened Anjou, a popular East Walnut Hills cocktail bar, this new restaurant features dishes inspired by the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, India and Africa. It's located in the DeSales Plaza inside the former home of Suzie Wong's, an Asian-style restaurant that closed in 2021.
1544 Madison Road, East Walnut Hills, 513-872-1355.
Keystone Mac Shack, Corryville
Keystone Bar & Grill spinoff, Mac Shack, which is owned by Four Entertainment Group (4EG), opened a new location at 2612 Vine St., near the University of Cincinnati, this month. It replaces its former location at 249 Calhoun St., which opened six years ago and closed this month. Mac Shack stays open until 2 a.m. and caters largely to UC students.
2612 Short Vine St., Corryville, 513-475-4055.
Binski’s, Camp Washington
This new-school dive bar is inspired by owner Kiel Erdelac's Chicago roots, something made immediately evident by the Old Style beer sign hanging above the door outside and the availability of Chicago’s most infamous shot of shame, Malort, which is served in an ashtray inside. There's also a jukebox, darts and an outdoor patio. For those who live or work in Camp Washington, this might just be the community bar they've been waiting for.
2872 Colerain Ave., Camp Washington.
Tickle Pickle, Fort Thomas
Husband-and-wife team Raymond Bowman and Lea Dickman opened a new location of their music-themed burger joint in Fort Thomas. Convenient, since both of them live there. "We have wanted a location in Kentucky for some time now," Bowman told The Enquirer's Quinlan Bentley in March, adding Fort Thomas seemed a natural fit. "It's just really close to home."
The Northern Kentucky restaurant will be Tickle Pickle's third location. It continues to operate its original Northside location and a restaurant in Norwood at the Listermann Brewing Taproom.
915 North Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas, 859-815-8085, ticklepicklefortthomas.com.
Aubrey + Zach’s, Westwood
The new ice cream and cocktail spot is connected to W Bar + Bistro, an all-day restaurant in Westwood. The shop features ice cream, sundaes, slushies and milkshakes. Though you can also order more adult fare, including bourbon-infused boozy shakes and slushies.
3447 Epworth Ave., Westwood, 513-389-1234.
Cincinnati restaurants that closed in June 2023
Symposium, East Walnut Hills and Ole Republic Larder, in Over-the-Rhine.
Symposium coffee shop/wine bar, which opened in May of 2022 at 2385 Woodburn Ave., closed its doors for good on June 12. Owners Aaron Owen and Julia Berger also announced the permanent closure of their Over-the-Rhine sandwich shop, Ole Repubic Larder, at 1400 Republic St., on the same day. On an Instagram post, the owners said they told employees about the impending closures on June 8.
Frisch's, West Price Hill
The iconic Frisch's location, where Ken Griffey Jr. once blasted a baseball that landed in its Glenway Avenue parking lot, closed its doors for good earlier this month. According to Enquirer intern Annasofia Scheve, "customers expressed disappointment at the sudden closure of the West Side mainstay...after arriving at the restaurant only to find a sign posted on the door that read, 'This location is being closed permanently. Please visit one of our other locations.'"
Porta Nera, Sharonville
Aaron and Janelle Boem, owners of the Sharonville Italian-American restaurant, shuttered this month, but they say they have plans to reopen in a new, yet-to-be-determined spot soon. “The decision to move wasn’t made lightly, but we are confident that this temporary closure will pave the way for bigger and better opportunities,” Aaron Boehm said in a statement posted on the restaurant’s website.
Latitudes, Anderson Township
After 20 years in business, the restaurant and music club, located at 7454 Beechmont Ave., announced its closing via social media this month. "Everything ends. Make sure you enjoy the moments that make life special," the owners wrote on Facebook. "Recognize those moments. Take time to cherish the small things because in a flash they are gone."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati restaurants that opened or closed in June 2023
