Brewers fans heading to Cincinnati

[BuckyBrewer]

Hi all,

Brewers fan here coming in peace. I'm planning to head to Cincinnati for opening day with some friends and hoping you all might have some insight on what to do around town. This will by our first visit to Cincinnati and GABP, and we're really excited! In particular, where are the places to be before the games? I've found that NL Central ballparks tend to have great pre-game atmospheres (Busch, Wrigley, Miller, maybe not PNC so much...) and I'm figuring/hoping Cincinnati will be the same! Is there tailgating? Bars around the stadium? Also, where are some spots in town we should be sure to hit? Both at night and during the off-day on Friday?

Thanks for any insight, and I'm looking forward to kicking off the year with the two best teams in the NL Central! (well, if our players can stay off the DL...)

[PedroBourbon]

Welcome. Being a Kentuckian, I have for years been going to Newport to eat/drink before and/or after the games. It's a 10-15 walk from the stadium. Look for the huge purple bridge just east of the stadium. At the end of the bridge is a large complex of bars, restaurants, just about anything (pizza, sushi, mexican, burgers, etc) you would want to eat or drink. Hofbrau house and Arnie's are accross the street. I would suggest this at least one day.

[nate1213]

Too bad you aren't coming next year. There really isn't a ton to do in Cincinnati, but there are a lot of things to do in Newport. This time next year there is supposed to be a great place inbetween Paul Brown Stadium and GABP. It showed be very nice for before and after games. It will be called The Banks.

[Girevik]

[QUOTE=BuckyBrewer;2336940]Brewers fan here coming in peace. [\QUOTE]

Screw that! If you come, come prepared for WAR!!

Just kidding. Hope you have a great trip, other than being dissapointed in the outcome of the games.

[goreds2]

Welcome and may you finish second this year. :)

Here are some Eating places and bars near the ballpark. I like the In-Between Tavern because you can glance at Great American Ball Park while having a cold one. Something about that I just love!

It is number 13 on this list.

http://cincinnati.citysearch.com/list/106271

EDIT: I have not been to the In between Tavern in about three years. It looks to be getting bad reviews now. Please read them before going or someone from this site can give an update.

[baron23]

To the OP, please return the favor. My friends and i are heading to milwaukee in june for the reds series. any suggestions of what to do/where to go would be much appreciated.

[BuckyBrewer]

Baron,

For the game itself, head over the the parking lots at Miller Park to tailgate. The lots open 3 hours before game time, and fans will be filling the lots from the get-go. If you're driving your own car, bring a grill, some brats/burgers, and some cold ones (preferably Miller products). Strike up some conversation with the tailgate parties surrounding you, you'll probably catch some flack for being a Reds fan then be offered a beer and a game of bags. A Brewers experience is not complete without a tailgate.

Is there a "place to be" before the games in Cincy? Someplace where the fans always pack and some opposing fans can expect a little friendly ribbing and a little baseball talk? Or does everyone spread out a bit at the places you've mentioned? Thanks for all your suggestions!

For after the game, you'll likely want to head downtown. The park is a couple miles west of downtown, in large part for the parking space so fans can tailgate/the Brewers can collect the parking money. For dining after the game, the best stuff will mostly be downtown. However, some of the post-game crowd will end up at some of the bars on Bluemound road, which is within walking distance north of the park. You can get some standard bar food at most of those places.

One place I would recommend at some point during your visit is Sobelman's, which is between the park and downtown just south of I-94. It's in the middle of nowhere, but well known for having one of, if not the best burger in Milwaukee. The bloody mary's are also packed with garnishes that could probably qualify as a meal in their own right.

Lastly, for nightlife, there are a few different scenes. I already mentioned Bluemound road, which is by the park and will have a lot of the post-game crowd. Downtown, the busiest spot is likely Water St (@ Juneau). There are a number of bars there that are always packed on the weekends with young professionals/college students. The scene on North Ave is similar and attracts a lot of the UW-Milwaukee students. Brady St will have a mildly more upscale vibe to it. Cathedral square is also a nice area with a variety of spots, from Irish pubs to nightclubs.

Let me know if I can help out any more, and I appreciate the info in return!

[3dogphil]

Hooters bout 3 hrs before gametime,stay for 2 hrs then ride the barge across the river to the game. You will like it good atmosphere. GO REDS :beerme:

[baron23]

BuckyBrewer, great info, thank you very much! Can't wait to spend a weekend in your city. i also just found out that summerfest will be going on while we're there. i hear that's a good time, too.

[steve7268]

Yet another Brewer fan making the trip down, here. Hey, everyone! I have a couple questions as well.

So after looking over all the info it appears that tailgating is not a big thing in cincinnati. However, we can't possibly go to a game and not tailgate. I don't mean this in that i disapprove of or scoff at the notion of the way you guys do it, it's just that it's in our blood. We are determined to make it happen!

So what would be the closest parking lot to GABP that isn't a garage and may be friendly to a few guys sitting around a small grill drinking beers? Perhaps the top floor of a garage would work provided, of course, it's on the roof.

Also, I read somewhere that you can bring any food you want into the game, and any non-alcoholic sealed beverage. Is this true?

Lastly, what time does the park open up for BP? (For Saturday's 7pm game)

Thanks, guys!

[davereds24]

If you guys are staying all weekend, you should go to at least part of the parade before opening day. After that find a bar downtown that isn't too packed and have a few beers.

The closest open parking lot is probably the ones just east of US bank arena. It's about a 5-10min walk to GABP. They are small and on opening day will probably fill up by 9am if not earlier.

Saturday would be the best day to go across the river to newport before the game and take the ferry over. I believe gates open just after 5pm Sat.

[swaisuc]

Yet another Brewer fan making the trip down, here. Hey, everyone! I have a couple questions as well.

So after looking over all the info it appears that tailgating is not a big thing in cincinnati. However, we can't possibly go to a game and not tailgate. I don't mean this in that i disapprove of or scoff at the notion of the way you guys do it, it's just that it's in our blood. We are determined to make it happen!

So what would be the closest parking lot to GABP that isn't a garage and may be friendly to a few guys sitting around a small grill drinking beers? Perhaps the top floor of a garage would work provided, of course, it's on the roof.

Also, I read somewhere that you can bring any food you want into the game, and any non-alcoholic sealed beverage. Is this true?

Lastly, what time does the park open up for BP? (For Saturday's 7pm game)

Thanks, guys!

First of all, yes you can definitely bring any food or non-alchoholic drink into the game.

Generally speaking, tailgating is minimal for Reds games, but if you are going to be around on Opening Day there will be way more options. Otherwise, I would say Rock Bottom or the new Holy Grail is your best bet. The Inn Between Tavern isn't great IMO, but you can't beat the location (right across from the stadium).

[Girevik]

First of all, yes you can definitely bring any food or non-alchoholic drink into the game.

As long as it's not in cans or glass bottles. Make sure you get it in plastic bottles.

[steve7268]

Oops, i should have specified. We will only be in town for the Saturday game. In that scenario, which do you think would be the best parking lot for mini-tailgating? haha

[Tadasimha]

If you've got the time either before or after the game, take in the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum. It's right outside the stadium and not only has some fantastic exhibits about the Reds but some really good history of baseball in general.

Have a great trip

[brm7675]

Don't forget...soon you will be able to gamble before and after Reds games in teh new downtown casino...

[BuckyBrewer]

BuckyBrewer, great info, thank you very much! Can't wait to spend a weekend in your city. i also just found out that summerfest will be going on while we're there. i hear that's a good time, too.

I would definitely suggest Summerfest while you're in town, a dozen stages of live music, snd usually pretty well-known acts, along with good food and plenty of cold ones (at ballpark prices, of course). It can get packed on the weekends, particularly at the main stages, but definitely a must while you're in town.

Regarding the ballpark, are these some good sightlines around for standing room only folks? Just wondering what tickets to target on stubhub/scalping before the game. Thanks!

[Cuban_Missile]

Brewer I am dead serious when I say this if you want to meet up with some cool reds fans at head first let me know we should be there. And we are a good group to hang out with. I could pm you my number if you guys want to stop by and buy us a round!

[goreds2]

Hi all,

Brewers fan here coming in peace. I'm planning to head to Cincinnati for opening day with some friends and hoping you all might have some insight on what to do around town. ...) ;) Did you have a good time opening day? :p:

[Mr.MojoRisin]

Honestly, Cincy does need some better Reds fan stuff. Some towns are built around their baseball, Cincy is just there. I'm a life long Reds fan, no matter what, but I would love to see at least one Reds themed bar, some more hot spots actually in Cincy (Newport is nice but the Reds are in Cincy). And yeah, seriously, why no tailgating?

[Drugs Delaney]

Brewers fans, I personally have the most fun parking on the Kentucky side (Riverboat Row). It's only 5 or 10 dollars and they would probably be more lax about people drinking. But people don't really tailgate before Reds games, they go to bars. I like the Beer Cellar which is right next to the Riverboat Row parking lot. It's right there on the river and they've got a ton of beers on tap.

You can drink right up until about a half hour before game time and then for $2.50 take the ferry across the river and get dropped off right at the stadium. Its a nice 5-10 minute boat ride and you can buy beers on the ferry. Same thing goes on the way back after the game.

[gedred69]

Brewers fans, I personally have the most fun parking on the Kentucky side (Riverboat Row). It's only 5 or 10 dollars and they would probably be more lax about people drinking. But people don't really tailgate before Reds games, they go to bars. I like the Beer Cellar which is right next to the Riverboat Row parking lot. It's right there on the river and they've got a ton of beers on tap.

You can drink right up until about a half hour before game time and then for $2.50 take the ferry across the river and get dropped off right at the stadium. Its a nice 5-10 minute boat ride and you can buy beers on the ferry. Same thing goes on the way back after the game.

Ditto NKy. Around Newport on the Levee. Hooter's (for those who's wives permit them nothing more risque), BeerSellars, Hoffbrau for food and German Beers, Bulldog's, Arnie's (for the best-looking Bar crew), and either a short bus ride or a 15 minute walk over the river to GABP.

[goreds2]

It's too bad the Reds do not have a special tailgating area as it would be a blast. The Brewer fans do look like they have a good time.

http://www2.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Chicago+Cubs+v+Milwaukee+Brewers+n4svvlSI9sol.jpg

[Drugs Delaney]

Milwaukee is a very cool city. I was downtown for something and parked in a parking garage. There were a bunch of people in it with mini grills and drinking beers out of their trunks. I couldn't figure out what was going on. Turns out there was just some random minor league hockey game and people were in this parking garage tailgating for it. Awesome.