The Gaslight District in Clifton is one of Cincinnati’s most unique and vibrant neighborhoods.
Located just a short walk away from the UC campus and the Cincinnati Zoo, this historic district offers boutique stores for shopping, a variety of restaurants for dining, and several other neat places to check out including bars, coffee shops, and a movie theater.
The area is still lit by original gas lamps along the streets, which gave birth to the Gaslight District name in the first place.
Most of the places to see and things to do in the district can be found along a short strip of Ludlow Avenue:
Along with the restaurants and shops, it’s worth exploring the residential side streets that branch off Ludlow that feature historic homes and tree-lined sidewalks, which a variety of residents including students, professors, young professionals, and families alike all call home.
If you’re a fan of gorgeous old homes and unique architecture, including a house built by Frank Lloyd Wright (The Boulter House), you’ll love taking a stroll through the neighborhood streets in the area.
In this post, we share a comprehensive list of places to visit and things to do in this historic district.
Places to Eat in the Gaslight District
Perhaps the most impressive part about the Gaslight District is the sheer number of restaurants available to dine at. Some of the local favorites include:
Skyline Chili – A great place to grab a cheese coney, a 3-way, some cheesy fries, or any other Cincinnati Skyline classic.
Dewey’s Pizza – The most popular place in the historic district to grab a slice of pizza and a beer.
Los Potrillos – A Mexican restaurant with an excellent selection of burritos, fajitas, enchiladas, and margaritas. The portion sizes make it a guarantee that you’ll leave stuffed.
Ambar – A popular spot to grab some Indian cuisine.
Proud Rooster – A classic diner that specializes in breakfast food from omelets to bacon to burgers to everything in between.
The Ludlow Garage – A restaurant that originally started as an automobile shop in the 1970s and later became a music venue, which featured acts including The Allman Brothers Band, Santana, and The Kinks among other famous acts. This is an excellent place to grab a burger and fries along with a beer or a specialty cocktail.
Gaslight Bar and Grill – The only restaurant in the Gaslight District that offers a rooftop bar, which offers a great view of Ludlow Avenue below. The menu includes an impressive selection of seafood dishes along with more traditional offerings like burgers and salads.
Graeter’s – A great place to grab some ice cream.
Places to Shop in the Gaslight District
Along with a wide variety of places to eat, the Gaslight District also offers several places for shopping. Some of the local favorites include:
Pangaea Trading Company – Clothing and accessories.
Hansa Guild Company – Women’s clothing and accessories.
Kilimanjaro – African art, clothing, and decor.
Paolo – Custom fine jewelry.
Toko Baru – Home decor and jewelry.
Adrian Durban Florist – Flowers.
Lentz and Company – Home goods and home decor.
Ludlow Wines – Fine wine and craft beer.
Places to Visit in the Gaslight District
Along with a variety of places to dine and shop, the Gaslight District also offers several other interesting places to visit including coffee shops, bars, a movie theater, and more. Some of the more interesting places to visit include:
The Esquire Theater – A classic movie theater built in 1911 located in the heart of the Gaslight District that shows new movies, retro favorites, and independent films.
Clifton Performance Theatre – A performing arts theater that offers live performances, family events, and even improv classes.
Sitwell’s Coffeehouse – A great place to get some work done during the day over a cup of coffee and a wonderful place to enjoy some beer and live music in the evening.
Lydia’s on Ludlow – A trendy coffee shop that offers a perfect place to grab a light snack or a cup of joe.
Arlin’s Bar – The most popular place to grab a drink in the historic district, featuring a full bar and a roomy brick-walled patio.
Visit the Gaslight District
Whether you’re in the mood for a coffee, a beer, a nice dinner, a casual walk, or some entertainment, the Gaslight District has something for everyone, so be sure to check out this historic neighborhood when you get the chance.
The map below shows the locations of each of the places mentioned in this post.
Feel free to click on any marker on the map to reveal the name, address, website, and Google Rating of each place.
