About
Queen City Radio is an every-man bar and beer garden built inside of a 1920’s-era gas and car service station. Located on the corner of W 12th Street and Central Parkway in Cincinnati’s Historic Over the Rhine neighborhood, the bar carries on the namesake of the original business which was instrumental in radio hardware and technology in the mid 20th century. The original Queen City Radio installed aftermarket radios in cars before their standardization into new car builds in the 1930s and 40s and was known around the city as the premier spot for car-radio service. They also assisted in the development and advancement of several of the city’s hilltop radio towers.
Today, the post-renovation building still has an industrial look, featuring the original garage bay doors, two large patios, two indoor bars, an on-site food truck and an Airstream trailer which has been converted into an outdoor bar for the spring and summer months. Every week, thousands of happy drinkers enjoy the modern Queen City Radio’s services of domestic and craft beer, cocktails, boozy slushies and even boozy popsicles in the summer time. Foodies are also thrilled with the Queen City Whip’s backyard inspired burgers and fries as well as Cincinnati-style chili dogs and candy milkshakes. The bar’s vibe offers something for everyone, transforming from a relaxing outdoor happy hour or weekend afternoon to a vibrant Saturday nightlife. Private spaces within the bar such as the upper patio, living room and mezzanine can also be rented for parties and special events.
Our Team
Preferred Drink:
Coors Light
Chris Reckman
Chris Reckman is a native of Cincinnati, OH. He has been an active contractor and developer-- not to mention resident--in Over-the-Rhine for almost a decade. As owner/operator of Urban Expansion, Chris and his team saw great opportunity to turn historic Queen City Radio automobile service station into a bar and beer garden. While keeping the same name and retro rotating sign, Chris has expanded the Over-the Rhine’s bar scene from Vine Street over to the west end. He continues making improvements and modifications to his business, such as adding a sweet remodeled Airstream bar for the patio during the spring and summer, and a bar in the Living Room for private parties. You will likely see Chris popping in and out of QCR with his dog, Tela to say hello and have a Coors Light.
Preferred Drink:
Bourbon or Scotch neat
Jordan
Jordan has been in the service industry for the better part of 20 years, most of which behind the bar. He's the friendly face you’ll see all over QCR. Whether he’s making you one of his mean margaritas behind the bar, greeting your party as they come in or continually improving the atmosphere of the bar, Jordan is truly our “jack of all trades”. As our General Manager, Jordan is the attention to detail and operations guy of the bar. Aside from his love of crunching numbers and creating spreadsheets, Jordan enjoys bourbon, baking, and board games sometimes all at once!
Preferred Drink:
Tequila
Orlando
Assistant General Manager
Preferred Drink:
Sauvignon Blanc
Laura
Laura has been working at QCR since we opened our doors in 2016, and in the industry for longer than she cares to admit. Her two favorite past times are telling people why her home state of Wyoming is better than Montana, and shouting advice at the TV during hockey games. (Go Canucks Go!)
Preferred Drink:
Tall Gin & Soda with cucumber
Casey
Casey is an active advocate and resident of the Over-the-Rhine community as well as the Vice President of Urban Expansion. At Queen City Radio, he oversees the behind the scenes finances of the business. When he’s not at QCR, he’s busy acting on the Board of Trustees of the Cincinnati Preservation Association; a featured contributor and co-founder with online news magazine Soapbox or running the Urban Basin Bicycle Club, a downtown Cincinnati bike club with in excess of 600 members (which meets at QCR on Tuesdays before their ride!) You can usually spot Casey with his two perfectly groomed cocker spaniels, Merlin and Remington.
Preferred Drink:
Water from the hose
Tela
Tela is the Queen City Radio dog. You’ll see her all over the patio and will probably come right up to your table for pets. Don’t be alarmed, she’s super friendly and just wants to make sure you’re enjoying yourself.
