Over-the-Rhine is getting a new bar this week. From the owners of HomeMakers Bar comes Fifty Fifty Gin Club.
The new spot, which will be Cincinnati’s first gin bar, per a release from GameDay PR, is inspired by "Barcelona gin bars,” plus long-time Cincinnati daytime television talk show host Ruth Lyons.
“As a Cincinnati transplant I always get excited to show people my favorite things that I’ve seen and tasted in other places," said owner Julia Petiprin. "The Gin Club does just that. This menu is a collaboration with a few of the incredible bartenders at HomeMakers, our beverage director – Michael Nauer - and myself.”
The name comes from two sources, the martini cocktail, which is typically made with equal parts gin and vermouth — plus a Cincinnati trailblazer. Local institution Ruth Lyons, who hosted the popular talk show The 50-50 Club which ran throughout the '50s and early '60s, inspired the bar's name and some of its drinks.
Spain’s classic gin and tonics are what motivated Petiprin to bring this new bar to the Queen City. So to keep up quality and authenticity, their drinks will be made with fresh ingredients like the house-made brine for martinis and fresh-squeezed juices for gimlets.
Gin is the star of the show at Fifty Fifty Gin Club, with cocktails like the Fifty Fifty gin martini (which is currently a popular order at HomeMakers), plus, of course, a gin and tonic made with high-quality tonic.
If you aren't the biggest fan of gin there, will still be options for you, including other craft cocktails, beer and wine, plus locally-sourced snacks.
The space seats 22 and will have an intimate relaxed atmosphere; the “interior is lit by red neon with a high contrast design.” The black stone bar top, slate bar face, plus dark walls are “accented by light pine details and light mid-century seating.” To set the mood, Motown, jazz, old school R&B and '60s rock will be playing from a vinyl record player.
Enjoy the vibes for yourself starting Thursday, June 30, when the bar will officially open to the public.
Fifty Fifty Gin Club is located at 39 E. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine. Follow the bar on Instagram for updates.
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