By Hannah Roberts
Photo By: Graham Lienhart

It’s a family affair in Northside. As spring crackles in the eaves and the area’s new additions — like Madison’s Market and Take the
Cake bakery — stretch their legs,
the streets are again filled with a
dazzling array of folks of every color,
background and orientation.

It’s a refreshingly un-Cincinnati mix of diversity and solidarity.
It was our recent mission (and pleasure) to try to put a finger on what makes this neighborhood such a delightful anomaly. But once we realized that 1,000 words could never suffice, we cobbled together this small ode to just one charming aspect of Northside: original music.

While we love the area’s hipster- and gay-friendly dance halls Club Bronz and Bullfishes and the quirky “townie” bars like Ginger’s and Fifth Amendment, Northside has become Greater Cincinnati’s Mecca for regular live music. Four different clubs now host local, regional and sometimes national bands just about every night of the week.

They’re also CityBeat readers’ favorites, as these four clubs finished first, second and third in Best Bar/Nightclub and first in Best New Bar/Club.

4579 Hamilton Ave.

What rocks:Wise father figure of Northside music venues, the Comet boasts the jukebox, the burrito and the photo booth. Though live jams and a funky ambience are what give The Comet its sense of exclusivity, these three recognizable elements certainly don’t hurt. In the cozy front room “pool hall,” checkered laminate and vintage fixtures add the perfect Rockabilly slant without the slightest hint of condescension. Everyone’s welcome.

what's new:Feralmade, an arty retail house and printshop specializing in limited edition goodies, couldn’t have asked for cooler neighbors when it recently leased the third unit in the building housing The Comet and Avant Garage. The addition of to this tour de force could spell a long overdue redefinition of the strip mall.

the upside to northside: The Comet resides at a considerable distance from Northside’s city center (where other venues are packed snugly), a circumstance some might not see as optimal. But Dave Cunningham, Comet owner for more than 10 years, calls it a boon: “The distance makes this end more a destination point, and with the various things we have cropping up here it’s becoming its own smaller (arts district).”

the word: “The cool thing about this neighborhood,” Cunningham says, “is that it’s organic — not manufactured at all. The people who live here want to support arts and music because they identify with DIYers from every background. This is the best kind of place.”

4163 Hamilton Ave

Photo By: Graham Lienhart

What rocks: Call it “NST” or “The Tavern” for short — this indie gem is the cool sister of the family. There’s not a whole lot about Northside Tavern that doesn’t rock, actually. The space is charmingly schizophrenic with the front room/bar/stage area seeing most of the nightly action. A middle room is thoughtfully art-deco and perfect for a conversation break from the music. In the back, seating surrounds pool tables and a door lead to the big patio that makes NST a favorite summer chill spot.

what's new: Where to begin? Bartender Tim McMichael gives the scoop: “There are a ton of new places opening up here, as well as some businesses who’ve relocated. Right next door there’s Hideaway.” That’s the newly renovated space formerly known as Potluck, and it’s still managed by long-time owner Jim Demaree. If you do nothing else with your lips this summer, try a Cuban sandwich, which will most likely be prepared by a member of Wussy — the band’s drummer, Dawn Burman, jokes that they make up most of The Hideaway’s staff.

the upside to northside: In terms of location, Northside Tavern is pretty much spoiled rotten. It’s nestled smack-dab in the middle of all the new buzz and is a stone’s throw distance from hotspots that have been popularizing Northside for years: Bughouse Video, Taylor Jameson Salon, Ali’s Boutique and Sidewinder Coffee to name a few. Plus, the veritable beating heart of Cincinnati’s independent music scene, Shake It Records, sits cattycorner to NST and sometimes gets in on the live music act by hosting in-store performances.

the word:“I like that you (musicians) run your own sound at Northside Tavern,” says Dan Mecher of local Power Pop favorites Turnbull ACs, “which makes playing there feel almost like a rehearsal. Except there’’s a bunch of kids packed in the place! It’s always fun.”

4231 Spring Grove Ave.

Photo By: Joe Lamb

What rocks: It’s just like your punky little brother to hog all the attention and never return phone calls, right? But we understand that it’s not personal, it’s just the business of Rock & Roll, baby. And business is good at Gypsy Hut, Northside’s newest sugar shack. They’re tearing the roof off the mother nightly; in its still-green existence Gypsy Hut has already hosted some of the area’s best original music acts.

what's new: Well, besides the club itself, a stellar booking schedule is catching the attention of music fans far and wide, with a list of upcoming shows that runs a dizzying spectrum: everything from the Greg Dulli-produced, Italy-based Soul Pop of Afterhours to a Punk parade including Cincy’s beloved Blacklight Barbarian to a recurring Thursday night dance-travaganza with guest DJs and cheap drinks.

the upside to northside: In the grand tradition of bad kids everywhere, Gypsy Hut says, “Smoking ban? What smoking ban?” Patrons are encouraged to smoke ’em if ya got ’em until the city implements a tougher enforcement strategy.

the word:“I’d venture to say the Gypsy Hut is the best new bar in Cincinnati,” says Matt Ayers, frontman for local Garage Rock outfit Death in Graceland. “They really cater to bands. The sound is great, they give us some free beer and they pay us! It’s a great place to see and play music.”

3929 Spring Grove Ave.

Photo By: Graham Lienhart

What rocks: Last October, after a tumultuous couple of years in Over-the-Rhine, alchemize owner Nick Spencer made the tough choice to relocate. The orphan Rock club moseyed to Northside, choosing a corner building that used to house Preacher’s. Spencer says things are on the upswing. The gig schedule is chock-full of highly anticipated local and national acts, and a plan to renovate the expansive outdoor space for the summer months suggests that good times are on the way.

what's new: Being the new guy isn’t always easy, but Spencer is making good on the same hip vibes embodied in alchemize’s old location. His “15 Minutes Karaoke” every Thursday puts a silly-sweet spin on the age-old guilty pleasure: Singers can opt to be taped and have their performances (provided they please the crowd) broadcast on Myspace and YouTube.

the upside to northside: When you compare the myriad hassles alchemize endured on Walnut Street in OTR with the relative peace the club is currently enjoying, there’s hardly a downside at all to the move. Except maybe if you count the absence of the late-night pizza window at Lucy Blue that made for a great after-alchemize meal.

the word:“It’s such a relief not having to spend half my night outside doing damage control,” Spencer says of the move. “It took (the downtown regulars) a while to adjust, but I think everyone’s coming around.” Fewer distractions allow the club time to settle into its new digs, which Spencer says are “much safer and nicer than even I anticipated.” ©