Recently, I’ve developed this strong distaste for going to bars on what we call “Amateur’s Nights”. You know what I’m talking about… St. Patty’s, New Year’s Eve, Cinco De Mayo… nights were people who rarely go out to bars descend upon them in droves. They come with taxi-cabs, limos, and wallets full of I’m-gonna-spill-my-beer-and-puke-on-your-girlfriend.

Me, I’m an avid bar-goer. I think of it more like visiting the local public house (which, by the way, is where the term “pub” came from). That’s why I love to stop by the Northside Tavern, for example, which is only a block from where I live. I’m bound to see some people I know, and it’s great to share a beer and sit out by the fire pit, discussing politics, the new album I’m listening to, or the latest episode of Breaking Bad. Even if I have every intention of drinking until I’m squarely inebriated, busy bar nights annoy me to no end. I don’t want to be around a bunch of yelling, screaming, drunk people, unless they are my friends. I want to actually be able to have conversations with people, away from the distractions of home and work, whilst enjoying some tasty brews.

So, New Year’s Eve rolls around. I’m trying to think of what I want to do, and the images forming in my mind are pretty disappointing. Crowds of people I don’t know, waiting for 25 minutes to get a drink because some n00b is buying 20 washington apples, getting my beer spilled all over me when some bro comes stumbling through the room… no thanks.

Fortunately, a couple of days before my New Year’s Eve plans were settled, I received a magical bit of news: The Rake’s End would be open for the last night of 2011.

The Rake’s End is a new bar (actually, let’s say “pub’) located in historic Brighton. Brighton has become more popular recently for being home to gallery hops along Central Ave, the now-closed event venue inside the old Mockbee, or the community-driven living opportunities. I’ve recently been dating someone who lives in Brighton, so I am down there a lot. The idea of ringing in the new year at a new bar, especially one in an up-and-coming neighborhood, was very appealing to me; especially since I knew we could just walk back to her place afterward and hang out, rather than waiting an hour in the cold for a cab.

It turned out to be a great night. We took the Cincinnati Metro downtown to have a couple of fancy drinks at Japp’s, and big surprise, one of my favorite bands, The Dukes are Dead, were playing there. We stayed for a while, but made it a point to catch the metro back to Brighton, where we could ring in the new year at The Rake’s End.

Riding the bus to Brighton

Here’s what I knew going in: I’d see a lot of familiar faces. I also suspected that it would be busy, but not packed-to-the-wall-with-amateurs busy. I also knew that the guy running the place, Jerome, doesn’t do anything halfway. The bar would be fully stocked, there would probably be a credit card machine (though I brought cash, just in case), and there would be a place out back to smoke. I also expected that there would be champagne.

I was correct.

I saw many of my favorite people. The place was cozy, comfortable, clean and spacious. There was enough room to host a band or a DJ in the future. There were a couple of bartenders and your drinks came quickly. There was a TouchTunes Jukebox on the wall, and everyone was feeding it Washington’s to make the vibe their own. There were no televisions (thank goodness… much as I like watching the over-commercialized three-ring broadcasts on New Year’s Eve). You could step out back with your beverage of choice to enjoy a cancer stick if that’s your thing, or just to get some fresh air and hang out with the smokers. They also had this spicy snack mix. My friend Heather described it as “delectable”.

I got to ring in the new year with my loud voice counting down the seconds off the atomic clock that is my iPhone. It was the perfect way to celebrate the good and bad of 2011, and welcome 2012 with open arms.

Readers, you should all make it a point to check out The Rake’s End. Now, it won’t be open every night, at least not for now. Brighton is very much a do-it-yourself kind of neighborhood. As far as I’m aware, there aren’t many (if any) city, state or federal monies being used to revitalize or sustain it. There aren’t any big investment or development companies going in to clean the place up and gentrify it. So, you’ll need to know when it’s open if you want to stop by. Here’s a hint: It will be open this weekend to celebrate my friend Brittany’s birthday, who by the way took these great photos from New Year’s Eve.

          
Photos courtesy of Brittany Skelton

The Rake’s End is located at 2141 Central Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45212. The doors will be open around 9:00pm this Saturday. Come check it out.

Written by Matthew Risher.