Below Zero Lounge

What a fun place! I had a blast here and the drinks are soooooo cheap! I was drinking tall well vodka tonics for $ 5! That is an insanely good deal! The bartenders are all so nice and people here are genuinely friendly.

I went on a Thursday evening because I heard so many good things about it. I arrived after 7 pm not expecting a big crowd. It was ok but the click that was there meshed w the bartender and even though I tipped well the bartender was pathetically non attentive. It was me and the click. I’m ok w that but I had to catch my hair on fire to get a drink. It’s not a warm local bar that is for sure. At least now I know.

Below Zero has a really great drag show. I came in on a Saturday night and was surprised by the size of the crowd. That said, it was a great spot to kick back and watch some drag. I can’t attest to any other facets of this club as I was just here for this, but certainly a nice bar with some good entertainment!

I have to say, every time I have gone to Below Zero I have left with a smile on my face. I have been for just a night out and to see the Cabaret. The ambiance in this place gives off such a happy vibe, that it’s hard not to enjoy yourself. Massive screens line behind the bar and two alcoves in the back and play mainstream and off the wall music videos. It is a great alternative to the jam packed Japps or other quickly overrun areas of OTR. If you arrive early (8−9pm) you’ll find ample seating. The drinks are poured strong and quick. The Cabaret upstairs is free to attend, but be sure to bring some singles to hand out to the fancy singing and dancing ladies. The whole place gets really busy during the Cabaret, but the bartenders are really on top of it. This is a great place for dancing, drinking, and singing to the 80s tunes we all love.

I’m still in shock over my first and last visit at this establishment last Saturday. I was so excited to attend my first drag show here and was having a great time until my husband mistakenly walked through the back of the «stage» area in between sets (the stage area really looks more like a dance floor). The host (Penny Tration) didn’t stop and think about the possibility of that being an honest mistake (my husband ventured up in the middle of the show and didn’t even realize there was a show going on). Penny got right in his face, cursed at him, called him names, and kicked him out. I honestly feel like he was being discriminated against because he was clearly straight. While I obviously will never again visit this venue, nor will our friends, my husband will never again attempt to go out of his element and support the drag community, which is a true shame. I would urge everyone reading this to take their business elsewhere for a good time… maybe where people are shown the kindness and respect that they deserve.

The Cabaret upstairs is a spectacular time! The Drag Shows are an absurd amount of fun! So I just keep coming back for more. I’ve been there several times over the years — most recently this past weekend. So I know some of the performers pretty well now.
Penny-​Tration (that name lol) is a fabulous host and she always accommodates my large groups whenever we come in. All of the performers are very witty and very entertaining. They really work HARD to give you a damn good show! So make sure that you bring plenty of $$ to tip them — they deserve it. Gay, Straight, Grandpas, Girls Night, Black, White, etc — this place is welcoming to all who seek a night of Adventure…

I came here with a group of friends since we were in the partying mood. We got here late so we missed the show but the dance floor was packed and the music was good so we stayed. We got to dance and party which is what we were looking for.

While I spent a little time specifically at Below Zero Lounge, I also went to The Cabaret in the upper level of Below Zero Lounge. I’d love to go back to Below Zero Lounge as we only had time to have one drink and the air conditioner unfortunately was broken. It was a cool atmosphere and the service was very friendly.
The Cabaret was so much fun! I had never been to a show like that before and it was such a great time! Penny hosted the entire show and she was fabulous! Her humor and performance really stood out and made the night! We sat in the VIP area in the back since we had a large party our specific server Stephanie didn’t miss a beat. She was great to ensure everyone had a good time and kept our drinks full. It was a little unfortunate that the bar staff wasn’t as friendly as Stephanie. We had a few staff that were just bluntly rude and ignored serving a few members of our group. They should take tips from Stephanie and maybe next time this would be a five star experience. All and all we had a great time and were able to enjoy the show and Stephanie’s service that will keep us recommending others to go visit! So-​Much-​Fun!

Wasn’t crazy about the neighborhood, but you can tell it’s up and coming with the renovations going on. The cabaret on the second floor was great. Penny and Quasi were great entertainers. The bar itself was decent. They had local beer on tap which is always a plus for me. I’d say it’s a good place to check out, especially if you can swing by for the show through the weekend.

My review is really for the Cabaret, which is located above the Below Zero Lounge, but I would like to mention both places.
My husband and I arrived at Below Zero on Friday before the Cabaret had opened. We had no idea it was a gay bar, but that wouldn’t have made a difference to us one way or the other. The atmosphere at Below Zero was very friendly and open. No one gave us strange looks for being there or gave us a hard time for not ordering drinks.
The Cabaret is old and relatively small, but there is something quite classy about it. There is a bar upstairs, so Paul enjoyed a couple craft beers. The show, appropriately titled «She’s Crazy» was excellent. Cathy and Sherry demonstrated the far-​reaching impact of mental illness, both on those who cope with their own issues and those who love someone with a disorder. They also did an excellent job of showing that mental illness can affect anyone, regardless of race, class, or upbringing. Their show evoked sadness, laughter, and a great deal of reflection.
Thanks to Below Zero and the Cabaret for a memorable night out!

Below Zero Lounge, and the Cabernet upstairs, is the place to be for me and all my straight and gay friends alike. Whenever we end up at Below Zero we know we are in for one crazy, hilarious, fantastic late night!
On Friday and Saturday nights they have some of the best drag show performances that I have seen from Queens that put everything they have into their performances. Their website says the shows start at 10:30, but I have never been there when they have started before 11:15. Its one show, 3 rotating sets, that are hosted by Penny Tration, a diva that cannot be beat! She is hilarious, gorgeous, amazing and larger than life! If you want to reserve a table, you can do so online and for $ 15 you can have a table waiting. Be careful though: if you don’t get their by showtime, some group will find their way to your seats and they will be lost forever.
They also have great nights throughout the week like Sunday Night Show-​tunes Karaōke. People I know swear by this night and say it is as much fun as a Friday or Saturday!
If you have not been to Below Zero and are looking to have a fun night with strong drinks and great entertainment, get to the Gay Icon of Cincy!

A very lively environment. We would have enjoyed our visit but a staff member ruined it. One of the bartenders talked down to a female in our group. She sat at the bar waiting to place a drink order, and was talked to as if she was a dog. «Speak,» the bartender snapped at her, with an condescending tone. We won’t go back.

Amazing! One of the top ten gay clubs I have been to in America. Two floors, young crowd (21 to about 30), great music, and those strong drinks.
Floor one: more of a lounge area where people can talk and meet. Has a large bar on the first floor and you don’t have to wait long at all even if the place is packed. In the back of the first floor there is a DJ and a good size dance floor.
Floor two: massive drag show. Bar in the back and tables to sit down at. I am not the biggest follower of drag but the drag kings and queens were simply great. From the costumes to their dance, to the song chocies. Only bad thing is the second floor gets crazy aroubd 12 with way to many people.
Recommend this place to end your night out on the town for some fun dancing and to meet people in the area who are younger.

Locals say that this is the best gay bar in the city. Coming from Columbus, it compares to a mix of Slammers and Axis. Dancing downstairs and drag upstairs on Fridays. Full bars in both places. The drag wasn’t very impressive with a host who just was mean to people and the support cast struggled.
On a positive, drinks were pretty strong. Mixed crowd of straight college kids, older men, and messy gays.

This establishment is awesome! They have specials throughout the week and drag shows upstairs on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. It is usually busy on the weekend and if it is busy it will get really loud.

I love this bar! The bartenders are fantastic. Drinks are reasonably priced. I’m pretty sure they have every flavor of vodka and rum out there so if you feel like getting creative and making something up. The video juke box is super fun with selections from across the board. Upstairs the Cabaret is fabulous. Penny Tration is simply the best. She is hilarious and takes it from no one. If you can’t be a good sport and laugh at yourself then this is not the place for you. The other queens are top notch as well. Love the variety of song choices and the interaction with the audience. There is no additional cover for the drag show but make sure to bring cash for tipping.

This place is a staple of gay culture in Cincinnati, what is better is that this is not just a «gay» bar. It is frequented by many straight people and as long as you are respectful of others you will have a great time.
I love this place and here is why:
A) The bartenders are fun, engaging, skilled and will endulge wifey when she wants some made up concoction she just thought up. (They save the day with excellent execution so they always taste great)
B) The jukebox is fully loaded with classics and favourites as well as contemporary hits. Something for everyone which makes this place even better as it encourages total inclusivity.
C) The Cabaret is AMAZING. Especially when the MC is Penny Tration. Miss Penny gives everyone a hard time, but is hillarious in every way. If she picks on you, try to have a sense of humor, because if you don’t you will have a bad time but we will still be laughing at you.
Case in point, every time I go there I get called out for something and it is always funny, but it is not the Cabaret until Penny calls me a «bull dike» Every time I go there it happens and it is hillarious, any time I have an uninitiated friend, this is where we go.

I think it’s about time I give Below Zero some props. It’s a place that I don’t always think about going to but when we do decide to go there I am always happy we landed on it.
Sure, it’s technically a «gay bar» but it’s not the kind of bar you to be scared of. If anything, patrons here make you feel more comfortable than anything else. The people here are generally more friendly and fun than most places. Even if your not into the same things. That’s one of the reason I like it.
Secondly, is the large lounge areas in the back that serve as a type of private area without being charged for. It’s almost as if it’s two separate bars.
The third bar would be upstairs where they frequently hold cabaret shows. There are any number of things happening upstairs. I even watched the Super Bowl on a huge projected screen here one year.
The drinks are cold (try the «below zero degrees» vodka cocktails), cheap, and fun. The atmosphere is lively and the clientele and bartenders are always friendly. Hit up Below Zero one night. You won’t regret.

Um, how have I never been in this bar before!
I honestly didn’t know what to expect, the only other time I had been here was on a Saturday afternoon. We thought it was one of the locations for a scavenger hunt but we were wrong.
So last night, our game night location, told us to move last second, and Below Zero graciously took us in.
AND I AM SO GLAD THEY DID!
Holy Crap, I am in love.
Now I am not sure if this only happens on Sunday’s, but they played a compilation of musical numbers from movies, as well as a few from the Tony Awards. So, of course, I was glued to one of many screens.
I was singing along all night!
The bar here is enormous and well stocked! They have a pretty good beer selection and not a big wine selection, but at least they have wine :)
I will definitely be back!

Here’s the deal with Below Zero: It’s Awesome! That’s all you need to know… but I’ll include some luscious deets just to get your blood pumping.
A lot of people judge Below Zero before ever having stepped foot inside and to them I say, lay off the haterade people. You walk in and are greeted with an open air space. You are not clogged in like sardines like at other OTR bars. There are booths along the wall with high tops and there are also two seating areas in the back with couches and big screen T.V.‘s where they stream videos from the video jukebox! How cool is that?! Very unique touch.
The place is neat and tidy. I love the high ceilings and the I occasionally break out some serious moves on the dance floor if Spice Girls comes on. They specialize in vodka and even have some vodka that you can get «below zero» temperature! I love getting the frozen drinks as no other bar has them around here. Choose from: Strawberry Daiquiri or Peach Margarita. Delish!
And drumroll… My absolute favorite part about Below Zero is the Wii Bowling! I think it is only available on some nights, but if it’s slow they might turn it on for you. Great group/​party game. Nigel the owner is absolutely fantastic. Nicest guy you’ll ever meet. Really cares about his customers and is passionate about his business.
We always have a blast here, and I am so glad I discovered this place because it is a nice change of pace in OTR.