Gay club cincinnati
The Main Event
For a classic neighborhood dive bar with a welcoming and LGBTQ+-friendly atmosphere, The Main Event in downtown Cincinnati is a great spot. Located on Main Street, this no-frills watering hole is known for its affordable drinks, friendly bartenders, and relaxed crowd, perfect for those looking to break out the typical high-energy lock scene.
With jukebox tunes, sturdy pours, and a diverse mix of regulars and newcomers, The Main Event is the kind of place where everyone feels like a local. While not an exclusively Queer venue, it’s an inclusive and safe space to grab a drink and enjoy good company.
It’s also just a short saunter to Cincinnati’s top Diverse nightlife in Over-the-Rhine (OTR), making it a fantastic stop before or after a night out.
For an easygoing, no-fuss bar trial, The Main Event is a solid choice.
Mon:23:00 - 02:30
Tue:23:00 - 02:30
Wed:23:00 - 02:30
Thu:23:00 - 02:30
Fri:23:00 - 02:30
Sat:11:00 - 02:30
Sun:11:00 - 02:30
Celebrating the history of Cincinnati’s legendary gay bars
Some of Cincinnati’s most iconic gay bars own come and gone, while others are still going strong. But for those in our distant memory there are no more late nights belting out karaoke at Shirley’s, tearing up the dance floor at The Dock, or simply enjoying a beer with old friends On Broadway.
But these late-night haunts hold a place in the collective memory of their guests: That Cincinnati’s LGBTQ establishments are abode, even if the house you grew up in isn’t always there for us.
On Cincinnati Edition, we celebrate the history of our city’s legendary same-sex attracted bars.
Guests:
- Randy Bridges, owner, On Broadway
- Carl Fox, founder, Insane Fox Saloon
- Michael Chanak, queer rights activist
Ways to monitor to this show:
- Tune in live at noon ET M-F. Call 513-419-7100 or email talk@wvxu.org to have your voice heard on today’s topic.
- Catch the replay on 91.7 WVXU and 88.5 WMUB at 8 p.m. ET M-F.
- Listen on-demand. Audio for this segment will be uploaded to this page by 4 p.m. ET., or subscribe to our podcast.
Updated: June 25, 2025 at 8:52 AM EDT
This segment first aired June 24, 2024.
Last call at The Dock: Cincinnati gay bar closes after 34 years
Chris Varias | Enquirer contributor
It had to end on Valentine’s Morning, that date that triggers one or more of many emotions, depending on Facebook-relationship status.
The vibe inside The Dock, the long-running Cincinnati gay bar, ranged between jubilant and mournful Wednesday night, as it opened its doors to the public for the final time.
The Dock had operated since 1984 in geographic anonymity, hidden along a neglected strip of Pete Rose Way in the shadow of the Brent Spence Bridge. All that time, however, it has been at the forefront in its role as an LBGT community-building asset by hosting kingly shows and dance nights, as well as serving as a hub of social activism.
The Brent Spence is the reason The Dock has been targeted for demolition. The Ohio Department of Transportation is purchasing a portion of the land on which the building sits, in order to make bridge improvements.
Before The Dock goes away, there was occasion for one more kingly show. Cars filled the parking lot at 8 p.m. Patrons exited their vehicles and greeted each other with hugs as they walked to the entrance, creating the l
After Cincinnati LGBTQ+ bar shutters, blindsided employees are left wondering what's next
CINCINNATI — The Birdcage, an Gay bar and staple in Cincinnati, has permanently closed its doors, citing its struggle to remain "financially viable."
The bar announced its closure in a social media post on Christmas Eve.
"It has been an incredible six years serving you, Cincinnati," The Birdcage wrote on Facebook. "We’ve had our ups and downs but will forever be grateful to own played our part for the Greater Cincinnati LGBTQIA+ community."
Later, the bar posted on social media explaining the reasons for the sudden closure.
"For the past year, The Birdcage has struggled to remain financially viable," the post on the Birdcage's Facebook page stated. "Bills and payroll were covered out of pocket — not through the bar’s profits — in the hope that community support would rebound. However, sales have plummeted by nearly 75%. In recent months, sales fluctuated, and we remained hopeful, it was not enough to cover basic working costs."
According to the share, the bar's insurance expired on Saturday, Dec 21. The owners said they attempted to sell the bar and nightclu
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