The End of an Era, and a New Chapter for Cincinnati

While not all good things have to end, this Saturday saw the turning of a chapter as the League of Cincinnati Steampunks held a Last Hurrah at Arnold’s Bar and Grill. Arnold’s has played a significant part in the evolution of the steampunk movement in Cincinnati, including the Steampunk Symposium. Arnold’s was there in the beginning on October 15^th, 2008 when six people met for dinner at Arnold’s for one of the first recorded steampunk meetups in Ohio. Last night was a far cry from such humble beginnings as the farewell event hosted no less than 72 enthusiastic steampunks that gathered to reminisce about the number of past salons.

October 15th, 2008 saw the formation of the League of Cincinnati Steampunks and the first Salon at Arnold’s.

We would like to take a moment on behalf of the League of Cincinnati Steampunks and Steampunks from as close as Cincinnati to as far as Michigan and beyond to thank the Arnold’s staff for their hospitality and service. You have truly created an atmosphere that any anachronistic fan could truly admire. (If you didn’t know Arnold’s is one of the longest running bars that first opened its doors in 1861. Even during Prohibition, Arnold’s remained open and according to legend the bathtub you can find upstairs is the same tub that was used to make bootleg gin. No surprised that as part of our farewell to Arnold’s many steampunks opted to have their pictures taken in this iconic tub.)

Mr. Aloysius Fox himself posing in the iconic Arnold’s tub.

Turning the page, the League of Cincinnati Steampunks looks on to our next chapter as we continue to grow and expand holding future salons at our new home across the river at Molly Malone’s in Covington. There we will have access to the entire third floor complete with its own bar, stage, projection screen, DJ booth, and room for 200 people. This new location will allow us to more than just eat, drink and socialize. Future Salons will also potentially include silent movies, occasional bands and performs as well as a monthly DJ to turn our third floor sanctuary into a dance club from 11pm to 2am (for no cover – though we will ask for a generous passing of the hat for those who do perform).

Five years later and the Cincinnati Steampunk Salon averages 70 plus people each month.

Next month, however, will feature the intrigue and amazing costumes of the famous and fourth-annual Voodoo Carnival. The following month will see our first Salon on Saturday, April 5^th at Molly Malone’s for the pre-Symposium show.

We invite you and your crew to join us as we get ready for one of the fastest growing steampunk events in the Midwest, the Steampunk Symposium, as it continues with it’s very own Steam Wars saga. Don’t have a crew? Feel free to talk to captains of airships near and far on our Facebook page or come early to our open recruiting meet-and-greets at the beginning of Symposium.