Today we will try to fill you in on everything we know about music in Cincinnati. This is certainly a broad topic but we will do our best to cover the full scene in this post.
To get the ball rolling we will discuss the best musical instrument stores in Cincinnati. There will be separate lists for where to buy guitars in your area as well as the top drum shops in town.
Obviously there will be some crossover in those sections as some stores will have the leading guitar brands for sale like Gibson, Fender, or Keisel as well as all the keyboards, synthesizers, pedals, amps, or pretty much any supplies you may need.
Contents
Up next we will get into where to go for quality instrument repair because some of you may need a piano tuned, a guitar repaired, or work done on other band instruments and there is somebody out there that can assist.
The best music lessons for kids or adults will get a shout out. And then there will be some local stores for music lovers with vintage CD’s and records.
We also think many of you will want to know about the best concert halls and live music venues near you. There are also many bars and restaurants that have live music around the city.
And our final section will get into the best festivals on the Cincinnati music calendar. Stick around until the end where you will find a map with the wide variety of stores and venues we are discussing pinned on it. The Midwest is a region we have discussed many times in the past.
Musical Instrument Stores In Cincinnati
When you want to go to one of the best musical instrument stores in Cincinnati head to:
- Bass Cellar at 3016 Harrison Ave #1
- Herzog Music at 811 Race St
- Baroque Violin Shop at 1038 W North Bend Rd
- Antonio Violins & Ukuleles at 7721 Montgomery Rd
- Sam Ash Music Stores at 11805 Commons Dr
Herzog Music is a new collective and emporium designed to bring together the region’s community and welcome visiting musicians to participate in our area’s rich and diverse scene.
The Baroque Violin Shop was founded in 1974 to accommodate customers around the country by providing exceptional service and quality violins, violas, cellos, and basses.
In addition to the thousands of different styles, qualities, and sizes of orchestral instruments Antonio Violins & Ukuleles provides they also now carry student, intermediate, and advanced ukuleles, banjo ukuleles, and the Hohner Play N’ Rock kids line.
Featuring one of the largest selections of fine basses and bows from the highest pedigree to the most basic student models Bass Cellar specializes in crafting and major restorations with all services performed by the some of the area’s most experienced luthiers.
Sam Ash Music has been serving local musicians since 1924 proudly offering great service, selection, and guaranteed low prices. They stock the latest and greatest from all of the top brands in guitars, amps, drums, keyboards, pro sound, DJ, and band and orchestral instruments in your area.
Where To Buy Guitars
If you are specifically trying to buy a guitar or guitar accessories check out:
- Mike’s Music at 2615 Vine St
- Guitar Center at 640 Kemper Commons Cir
Mike’s Music has been in the vintage guitar business now for almost 30 years and is happy to be one of the leading vintage guitar dealers in your area.
Visit your local Guitar Center store and get hands-on with one of the best selections of guitars, basses, drums, keyboards, DJ, and recording tools as well as used and vintage gear.
Earlier we linked you to Herzog Music and Sam Ash Music Stores but we also need to mention them here in the guitar stores section.
Drum Shops Near You
And for the best drum shops:
- Cymbal House at 524 Main St
- Badges Drum Shop at 127 W Main St
Badges Drum Shop carries new, vintage, and classic-used drums, cymbals, and more. They also provide drum lessons in Cincinnati for all ages and levels.
Sam Ash Music Stores should also have a large drum selection.
Instrument Repair
You can get quality instrument repairs at:
- Western Hills Music at 4310 Harrison Ave
- Restoration Guitar at 2951 Colerain Ave
- Buddy Roger’s Music Repair Shop at 6891 Simpson Ave
- Dmara Guitar Repair at 11041 Reading Rd
Since 2001 Western Hills Music has been a home for music lovers of all skill levels and expertise. From the piano, guitar, electric bass, ukulele, and banjo to percussion, drums, violin, clarinet, saxophone, or even your voice they can help you master your instrument no matter what you play.
With over 30 years of experience building, repairing, and restoring guitars, basses, and similar instruments near you they offer a full range of services. They apply the same quality of artistry and skill to any task from the simplest adjustment to a complex structural repair or the completely authentic refinish of a rare and fine vintage guitar.
Instrument Rental Plans provides a variety of rental options to fit everyone’s needs and offers one of the largest selections of instruments preferred by local band directors.
A couple of other places that we have mentioned throughout the post that are great places for instrument repair are Bass Cellar, Herzog Music and Sam Ash Music Stores.
Music Lessons
You will probably improve your skills by taking music lessons at:
- Third Rock Music Center at 1232 8 Mile Rd
- Cincinnati Music Academy at 7420 Montgomery Rd
- Queen City Music Studio at 1021 Delta Ave
- Musical Arts Center at 1987 Madison Rd
- Buddy Roger’s Music Showroom at 1939 Galbraith Rd
Third Rock Music Center offers guitars, sound systems, drums, keyboards, school band instrument rentals, and service while private lessons are also available.
Cincinnati Music Academy is pleased to offer Suzuki programs in piano, violin, and cello. If you are looking for private lessons or group lessons they offer a wide variety of programs that will satisfy any level of musicians.
Queen City Music Studio offers private one-on-one and group piano, voice, violin, guitar, ukulele, drums, viola, cello, trumpet, clarinet, flute, oboe, saxophone, and piano and singing lessons.
The Musical Arts Center is especially known for their excellence in voice training and education
Buddy Roger’s Music is one of the leading educational specialists in your area with a full time staff and department dedicated to servicing the specialized needs of the school band department. Their representatives are all knowledgeable and experienced musicians trained in education, and we also gave their repairs shop a shout out earlier.
Earlier we linked you to Herzog Music and Sam Ash Music Stores but we also need to mention them here in the lessons section.
CD & Record Stores
Some of our favorite local stores for music lovers with lots of vintage CD’s and records are:
- Everybody’s Records at 6106 Montgomery Rd
- Shake It Records at 4156 Hamilton Ave # 1
- Torn Light Records at 356 Ludlow Ave
- Black Plastic Records at 6470 Glenway Ave Store
- MetaModern Music at 4011 Allston St #1a
Everybody’s Records has a large selection of new and used records, CDs, and cassettes by adding imports and collectibles to their lineup from around globe. Their selection has grown to include rap, reggae, rock, jazz, soul, blues, punk, indie, hardcore, country, bluegrass, and gospel music as well as a vast selection of local artists to choose from.
Shake It Records is always looking for quality used LPs, CDs, DVDs, and even some books on music or pop culture.
MetaModern Music sells a wide selection of new and used vinyl records near you at great prices as well as turntables, posters, and t-shirts.
Cincinnati Live Music Venues
These Cincinnati live music venues are great places to see a concert or performance:
- Bogart’s at 2621 Vine St
- The Ludlow Garage at 342 Ludlow Ave
- Riverfront Live at 4343 Kellogg Ave
- PNC Pavilion at 6295 Kellogg Ave
Riverfront Live is a premier nightlife concert venue with a focus on high production value. They bring in top-tier artists with local support from country, rock, reggae, and electronic genres to create an eclectic live music experience where performances become legends.
Restaurants With Live Music
These restaurants with live music in your area can be a lot of fun:
- Tin Roof at 160 E Freedom Way #150
- Arnold’s Bar & Grill at 210 E 8th St
- Jim & Jack’s On The River at 3456 River Rd
- Mt. Lookout Tavern at 3209 Linwood Ave
- Dee Felice Cafe at 529 Main St
Tin Roof is a live music joint that is all about giving musicians a place to play and hang when they aren’t on stage.
Dee Felice Cafe has live jazz Wednesday through Sunday and you can eat great Cajun and Creole with steaks, fresh seafood, sandwiches, gumbo, soups, and salads
Bars With Live Music
Plus there are bars that play live music too:
- Northside Tavern at 4163 Hamilton Ave A
- The Comet at 4579 Hamilton Ave
- The Drinkery at 1150 Main St
- Fishbowl at The Banks at 141 E Freedom Way
Northside Tavern is a Cincinnati staple featuring free, original, live music almost every night with local craft brews on tap and a year-round outdoor patio.
The Drinkery is a friendly neighborhood bar in Over-the-Rhine that just so happens to love dance parties, live music, and sports.
Fishbowl is a casual, modern, energetic tropical bar and party spot featuring a full bar, acoustic acts, and DJs.
Music Festivals In Your Area
Have as much fun as you can at these music festivals near you:
- Bockfest in March
- Bunbury Music Festival in June
- Cincinnati Music Festival in July
- MusicNOW Festival
Bockfest is an annual celebration of spring, the area’s brewing heritage, and Bock Beer that has gone on for three decades and takes place in Over-the-Rhine’s historic Brewery District. Admission to enjoy Bock Beer, music, and entertainment at Bockfest Hall and official venues is free.
Bunbury Music Festival has hosted top artists including Post Malone, Jack White, MUSE, Tom Petty, Ice Cube, Florence and the Machine, Snoop Dogg, and more on their two main stages, one side stage, and one acoustic stage.
Cincinnati Music Festival is a two-day event featuring great music from the hottest stars in R&B, jazz, soul, and hip-hop, as well as up and coming artists. Past performers include Aretha Franklin, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Luther Vandross, Gerald Levert, Patti Labelle, New Edition, Earth Wind and Fire, Lakeside, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, and many others.
MusicNOW is a music and arts festival held at the Contemporary Arts Center that has been held in various months over the past decade.
The Bunbury Music Festival takes place in June and is a lot of fun.
You may also be interested in these posts:
- Music Lessons In Louisville
- Music Lessons In Indianapolis
- Music Lessons In Columbus
- Music Lessons In Toledo
Enjoy The Cincinnati Local Music Scene
Well guys, we tried cover the scene as well as we could. You read about the best musical instrument stores, drum and guitar shops, instrument repair services, where to go for lessons, vintage CD and record stores, concert halls and other live music venues like bars and restaurants, plus the best festivals near you.
Anyone that is still here probably knows bit about the local music scene themselves. If so feel free to tell us if we got anything incorrect, if we left any cool spots out, or just share your own thoughts in the comments at the end of the post.
No matter if you are trying to buy a new instrument, wanted some live entertainment, needed a vintage CD and record, or just wanted to learn more about music in Cincinnati we hope you enjoy yourself.