About
Queen City Radio is an every-person 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, and two indoor bars. Every week, 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. 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
Owner
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 to say hello and have a Coors Light.
Preferred Drink:
Bourbon or Scotch neat
Jordan
General Manager
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
Orlando joined us in 2018, tackling our beer program and lending a helpful hand across the board. With just over a decade of restaurant and bar experience under his belt, he quickly stepped up to the challenge of AGM, assisting in the continued evolution of QCR. His financial mindset and computer skills have been immensely helpful in our ongoing success. You'll usually see our bearded manager lending a hand behind the bar, taking care of our growing jungle of plants, or hanging out sipping on a craft beer and/or tequila. Prior to QCR Orlando has both worked in and enjoyed OTR's bar and restaurant scene; So you may see him out and about as well as here at Queen City Radio.
Preferred Drink:
Tequila with a White Claw chaser
Erica
Event Coordinator/Social Director
Erica is our newest hire here at Queen City Radio. With her copious years of experience working with everything from bands, to bars, as well as your favorite local vendors. We're both proud and excited to welcome her to the team!
Preferred Drink:
Tall Gin & Soda with cucumber
Casey
Finance
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 perfectly groomed cocker spaniel, Pleakley.
Preferred Drink:
Water from the hose
Tela
Mascot
Queen City Radio misses you...