Best laid plans, meet the pandemic!

2 years ago my friend asked me to go see Billy Joel when he came to town in the fall of 2020. And then there was Covid. Thankfully squared, the pandemic had left us mostly unscathed, but by the time his rescheduled date rolled around, my friend could no longer attend. Queue the unexpected FNFT.

Ever the wonderful sport to buy her ticket despite his utter disinterest in the fabulous Mr. Joel and other plans he had to reschedule, John stepped up, ready to roll. With the Billy Joel concert as our main event that night, we only had time to squeeze in one other venue – all the better to be within walking distance of the Great American Ballpark where the show was scheduled.

Downtown Cincinnati on “The Banks,” is a very cool area to spend a pretty day or evening. This was a perfect weather night. Breezy, warm, no coat required, no humidity – a jewel of a night for our beloved (an often quite humid) city. The Banks are on the Ohio river’s edge of Cincinnati, the walkable area where the paddlewheels are parked, where Reds and the Bengals play, the fans pre- and post-party no matter the record or outcome, and the fun bars, restaurants and scenic, interactive parks are a great way to pass some hours. There’s even a DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area) where you can carry & drink a purchased alcoholic beverage (in a special cup) if you are so inclined.

Just to the north of the Banks is where the highways roll in to town and past that, the beginnings of downtown Cincinnati proper: the Queen City.

Just for kicks, I had to find out why she’s called the Queen City – after all, my brothers on the west and east coasts simply refer to our wonderful (and more affordable) share of the map as, the “midworst.” Rumor has it, this name was derived from the Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem “Ode to Catawba Wine,” in which he refers to the city as “the Queen of the West,” fun fact, Nicholas Longworth, Cincy’s first eccentric millionaire, grew his Catawba on the slope of Mt. Adams and shared it with Longfellow who then wrote him the poem. However, according to CultureTrip, a journalist in 1819 referred to Cincinnati as “the fair Queen of the West,” as Cincy was notable and admired for her civilization, culture and enterprise and was the first major city built west of the Alleghenies by settlers. And for those of us who think it’s the MidBest, here’s a poem, a cool ode to the Queen if you will, commissioned by ArtWorks Cincinnati.

First Stop: The View at Shires’ Garden

Let’s face it, when you’re in a city on the water, near the water, don’t you want to be looking at it? If you’re near a city’s largest attractions, isn’t it nice to see them from a birds-eye view with a cocktail in hand? I say yes. Thus on this Friday night, a restaurant/bar called The View. This sweet place is just on the business side of the busy streets that frame the banks – but close enough to safely walk (in heels).

On the top floor of the City Club Apartments on Vine Street, nonchalantly perches the View at Shires’ Garden, According to their website, it is resurrected from the history of what used to be: the first amusement resort in the area – in this very location: Shires’ Garden. Though the original Shires’ Gardens burned to the ground in 1848, “in a most picturesque fire,” it left an inspirational legacy behind.

In 1825 the Englishman William Shires bought the land and Burnet mansion. In 1842 he planted beautiful gardens with fruit trees and flowers from around the world and constructed a square-framed theatre where the first matinée show was produced.   Vendors with refreshment offerings lined the walkways through the gardens, and a grand restaurant and hotel was housed in the old Burnet Mansion.

Somehow the new version of Shires’ Garden is sweet and old-fashioned while also being a bit regal and modern – sort of whimsical but also perfectly serious – probably somewhat like its namesake. Oh and major bummer – the patio (ahem, the area with the view) was full, so was the rest of the place. John and I barely snagged the last 2 free seats at the bar. Did I mention Billy Joel was playing across the street? Perhaps I should have called to reserve.

No matter, forge on we must. Time to order up beautiful and inventive cocktails, feast on empanadas (a tasty theme among Juan Imeroni’s many wonderful local restaurants), soak in the decor, peek over people’s shoulders at the view and visit their teeny tiny, cute bathroom. We had a wonderful time.

Next (& Last) Stop: The Show

The rest of the evening isn’t truly local, merely made more lovely for being here. Great American Ballpark, after a lengthy duration of being only partially inhabited while people were separated from other humans by 6 feet, was packed. It was awesome. Billy Joel’s music has a place in everyone’s memories and usually fond ones. He played the faves. It makes you smile and remember. Two thumbs up. Also two thumbs for drinking giant $15 beers out of plastic cups on the 2nd base line with 50,000 people singing along to Piano Man. Just like Billy, it never gets old.

Until next Friday, Cheers!

Shire’s Garden, 309 Vine street, 10th floor