Passage Lounge latest to join downtown Cincinnati nightlife

Downtown Cincinnati has another new destination for nightlife entertainment with the opening of Passage Lounge at 6th and Main Street.  The new 5,302 square-foot club is looking to capitalize on the consolidating nightlife district in downtown called the Backstage District.

Passage Lounge General Manager says that the excitement of a nightlife district in downtown Cincinnati is there, and that Passage Lounge looks to offer up something that both compliments what is already there, while also adding value of its own.

"Our number one commitment is to be a service-based venue and we have trained our staff to provide our downtown Cincinnati community patrons with a full, pleasurable and exciting experience," Bond explained.  "We pride ourselves on a return to the basics of hospitality and customer service."

Passage has a large, circular bar that is situated in the center of an open floor plan to serve patrons at night - customers can talk with the bartenders and see the dictionary-thick book they had to study before Passage opened for business.  Visit the new establishment during its daylight hours to try something from its tapas menu.

Inside customers are also treated to one of the most heavily themed and designed interior spaces in Cincinnati.  A secret passage way guarded by a sharply dressed man leads to the VIP lounge.  Whimsical designs cover the walls around the club and even inside the restrooms.  An elevated DJ platform overlooks the entire first-floor space and dance floor.

Ownership says that future expansions could be in the works that would include opening up the basement vaults once used by the bank for which the building was originally built in 1920.  And early discussions with Passage management revealed the possibility of eventually creating a large rooftop bar area that would be the first of its kind in downtown Cincinnati, and one of the largest in town.

Passage Lounge (map) is open Wednesday through Friday from 4pm to 2:30am and Saturdays from 7pm to 2:30am.  Weekday happy hours will include drink specials, live entertainment, and a tapas menu.  For more information, or to make table reservations, contact VIP Manager Ramsey Houston at (513) 720-9946 or [email protected].

Writer: Randy A. Simes
Photography by Tiffani Fisher
Stay connected by following Randy on Twitter @UrbanCincy