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About Us
Our Story
The Westside Venue was established in March 2016 as a live music venue, bringing original artists, metal shows to Cincinnati's West Side. After numerous requests to host weddings and celebrations, we expanded into private events in 2020.
We now host both public and private events, creating memorable experiences for both celebrations and entertainment alike. Today we specialize in private celebrations including weddings, birthdays, baby showers, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, graduations, banquets, celebrations of life, class reunion, family reunions, and fundraisers.
We continue honoring our musical roots with curated live shows, comedy nights, and our monthly Westside Spotlight open mic series - because music will always be part of our DNA.
We are open to the public every Monday and Wednesday from 5pm-11pm. Stop by for drinks, games, or to check out the space. To stay updated on upcoming public events, check out our public events page, and subscribe to our Westside Spotlight mailing list.
Feature: VoyageOhio Interview
Jawad Tazari: The Westside Venue was born from the dream of creating a space for the community. My parents, both avid coffee drinkers, discovered a closed down coffee shop in Cheviot, Ohio–my mother’s hometown. My mother had recently retired from teaching in New York City, and my entrepreneurial father envisioned starting a coffee shop. They stopped into the nightclub next door to ask about the coffee shop, and the bartender, explaining she was the owner of the nightclub, encouraged them to “Forget about the coffee shop; buy my bar!” That was early 2016, and now, almost a decade later, the Westside Venue has become established in the community as a private event venue.​
​A lot of work went into renovating the space from a nightclub called ‘The Smokin’ Monkey’. Initially, my mother ran the business like a cafe: opening early, and serving coffee and sandwiches with the vision of creating a welcoming community hub. However, without much business experience, it became clear that guests were confused about our offerings. The venue’s greatest asset from its nightclub days was the incredible PA system and we pivoted our focus to live music; we had solo artists on Fridays, bands on Saturdays, and a blues jam every Sunday. During the week we were a regular neighborhood bar, with open mic, trivia, pool and karaoke. During this period, we hosted a variety of dramatic events, from bands that packed the house, to ‘Extreme Midget Wrestling’ and to the best of my knowledge, the first drag show in Cheviot.
Today, The Westside Venue stands as a private event venue that is deeply engaged in the community. On Mondays and Wednesdays, we open our doors to participate in the local dart and pool leagues, host a weekly Super Smash night and facilitate Chess Club as well as other local group meetings. We also organize a select number of public events a year which include original music showcases, comedy shows, and art exhibitions. While we may not be a traditional coffee shop, we still have espresso, pour-overs, and specialize in adult coffee beverages. As we move forward, we are committed to fostering community connections and creating unforgettable experiences.