Before anyone beats me to the punch (bad pun intended), I fully and completely realize that I am not comparing apples to apples to apples with this particular post. The three bars that I will be examining could not possibly be more different, but I thought it might be somewhat interesting to compare and contrast what makes these relatively new watering holes popular (or not) in their respective neighborhoods.

Liberty’s Bar and Bottle is probably the most low key, neighborhood hang out type of bar among the three. Liberty’s opened at 1427 Main Street just south of its namesake, Liberty Street, in Over the Rhine, continuing the steady march north (and east and west for that matter) of redevelopment in the trendy area. They feature over 20 beers on tap as well as multiple wines by the glass, in addition to a small selection of liquor. There is ample seating at the bar as well as several communal beer hall style tables, quite appropriate considering the beer brewing heritage of the neighborhood. They also offer a selection of carry out beer and wine, something that the residents of the nearby Liberty Hill neighborhood no doubt find quite convenient. Where Liberty’s excels is capturing the feel of the neighborhood in not only the atmosphere, but the service staff as well. It is a welcoming feeling that is in stark contrast to Obscura.

The best way that I can describe Obscura is that she is the girl at the party who keeps looking in the mirror at herself and scanning the room to see how many people are staring at her at any given time, since she is convinced how fabulous she is. In reality, no one gives a shit because she isn’t nearly as pretty as she thinks she is. She might be wearing expensive clothes and have a nice face, but her personality is so wretched that everyone at the party is waiting with bated breath until she leaves. Can you tell that I am not a fan of Obscura? The bar is located in the central business district on the corner of Walnut and Seventh Streets, across from The Aronoff Center for the Arts, and diagonal from Jeff Ruby’s eponymous steakhouse. After celebrating a special occasion last summer with friends at Ruby’s, we decided to stroll across the street to Obscura. Bad move. While I am a big fan of craft cocktails, just because a cocktail has the “craft” label attached to it doesn’t make it a good drink, or even an enjoyable one. None of the four of us wanted to finish our very pricy cocktails, not to mention that the staff couldn’t have cared less whether we lived or died. I literally could clutched my chest, Fred Sanford style, (This is the big one! I’m coming, Elizabeth!) and the entire staff would have probably forgotten how to dial 9-1-1. The décor was interesting in an over the top, almost Alice in Wonderland kind of way, a way that loses its charm very quickly. That may be why Obscura closed its doors in the middle of January for light remodeling and redecorating, in order to more focus on their event business. Let’s hope the cocktail menu and staff get an upgrade as well.

Myrtle’s Punch House is the most recent addition to this trio. Everything that is wrong at Obscura is right at Myrtle’s. Molly Wellman, the mixologist and entrepreneur behind Japp’s and Neon’s, is the architect of the drink menu and the vision behind the venue. Located in what was an abandoned commercial space on the corner of Woodburn and Myrtle Streets in Walnut Hills, about a block from Madison Road and the iconic St. Frances de Sales Catholic Church, Myrtle’s captures the vibe of the up and coming neighborhood. (All of the experts say that Walnut Hills is the next Over the Rhine. Let’s hope they are right.) The décor is contemporary, with mid-mod touches, while still honoring the history of the building with exposed brick walls and stone arches in the cozy basement. The entire space feels like where a grown up might go on a Saturday night and not have to fight for a seat at the bar with an intoxicated 21 year old frat boy. (My license to insult frat boys comes from my three years spent as one in the ’90’s.) Both times I went to Myrtle’s, Three Floyd’s Gumballhead was on draft so I needed to look no further, but friends ordered the signature punch and polished it off quickly. Myrtle’s doesn’t need any additional publicity from me or anyone else for that matter. I have a feeling that word of mouth alone will be enough to bring the crowds back every night. Not too many though, I hope. I don’t want everyone to invade my new spot.