It’s been more than a year since the buzz of Cincinnati Street died with Hemingway’s, Cincinnati Bar and Corner Tavern going out of business. These past few months, however, several new bars have opened to liven up the college area of yesteryear. Fool’s Gold, Ditzy Duck and the W are the new foundations of Cincinnati Street. Each bar has a different personality that collaborates with its neighbors and brings an array of atmospheres that don’t lock Cincinnati Street into one single theme.
In a word, Ditzy Duck is boisterous. Right after you enter the Ditzy Duck, a frozen Han Solo greets you. Although there’s nothing duck-like about Han Solo, he does make an attractive piece of furniture. Next to him there’s a wall of artists, whose mouths are replaced with orange beaks. The other wall has barrels nailed to it. Like, real barrels. The Ditzy Duck has that party vibe that will scarcely allow for any conversation. On Tuesdays, there is live music with DJs. Our recommendation is to try the mint strawberry mojito.
It hasn’t even been a month since this bar opened and its delivery of something lively and colorful has regulars to Cincinnati Street reminiscing about bygone days. Alan Ontiveros, a junior engineering student, said that what had been missing in Cincinnati is back and more attractive thanks to Ditzy Duck.
“I’m glad that I don’t have to drive all the way to the Eastside anymore to be in this kind of environment,” Ontiveros said.
The is different from its neighbors in that it has patches of grass lining the walls. The atmosphere is more appealing for people wanting to relax or for anyone that is just starting their night. Monique Valenzuela, bartender at the W, said that this restaurant and bar has a different vibe that differs from the party scene.
“It’s not so much of a party kind of place, but more like relaxed with a classier vibe to it,” said Valenzuela.
On Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, house music can be heard bobbing its way through the bar, and on Fridays, piquant live Cuban music livens the whole room. Tuesdays are just as special as the W serves tacos for a dollar. Although the W’s vibe stands out from its surroundings, Hugo Rodriguez, the W’s manager, doesn’t consider them a threat or competition,
“The more people go there, then more people will come this way,” said Rodriguez.
Fool’s Gold sits on the corner of Cincinnati and Mesa, where the Corner Tavern used to be. Patrons are greeted at the entrance by a stuffed bear showered in red neon light. For a first timer, finding the door can be a challenge. There isn’t a regular door to go in, instead there’s a refrigerator. Asking the bartender where the bar is will prompt a practiced answer.
“Just go get a beer from the fridge.”
Behind the fridge is a small bar, but do not be discouraged, anyone coming in simply needs to take a deep right turn down the corridor to reach a piano decorated with painted prisms on the wall and a brick fireplace at the end. And like the hanging gardens of Babylon, there are flowerpots dangling like bells and cacti on the roof.
Staying with the theme, happy hour is “golden hour” on Tuesdays and Fridays from 4-7 p.m. Fool’s Gold also serves dollar tacos and $5 nachos, which seem to be a popular order during golden hour.
Ashley Aguilar, a bartender at Fool’s Gold, said that this bar produces a sort of cozy feeling.
“This bar in a way is like a throwback Thursday, kind of Corner Tavern meets 2016,” Aguilar said.
Whether bad ideas for bars or revolutionary concepts of cocktail consumption, the new life at Cincinnati Street is a closer option for students. The street is closer than the downtown block of bars and offers drinks within their same range of quality. About a year ago, Cincinnati Street had nothing but cars crowding each other and an awkward silence in the air while people packed into Crawdaddy’s or Ardovino’s, but now it’s slowly picking up to something messy, fun, almost student-like, with people shuffling around to try out the next bar.
Andres Gallegos may be reached at [email protected].
