Hyde Park - Cincinnati, OH Area Guide

In 1892, a group of Cincinnati citizens gathered to form a neighborhood known as the Mornington Syndicate through the combined purchase of almost all the property bound by Edwards, Observatory and Madison Roads, just east of downtown Cincinnati. The Syndicate made grand efforts to improve Madison Road and the local area, changing the name to Hyde Park and influencing neighborhood development to the point the locale became one of the most elite residential areas in the city. In 1896, the first village officials were elected and further development of the community continued slowly. Hyde Park maintains its beloved, elite local status with Hyde Park Square. The Sundays on the Square, Hyde Park Art Show, Hyde Park BLAST 5k, Hyde Park Square Sidewalk Sale, Hyde Park Holiday Happening and many other events keep residential activity alive.

Hyde Park Square features several local eateries and bars along with regional and national chain restaurants. An immense variety international cuisines and specialties stand available at Alfio's Buon Cibo Italian-Argentine Cuisine, Green Papaya, Keegan's Seafood, the Spicy Olive and Hyde Park Gourmet Food & Wine.

Green Papaya is known for its innovative Thai menu as well as being one of the top-rated sushi bars in Cincinnati. Alfio's Buon Cibo is recognized across the city for both Italian and Argentine dishes, popular for short ribs, while the scallops and empanada trio appetizer is beloved among diners as well. Plenty of other cafes, diners, and traditional menu locations on the square include Arthur's, featuring a weekly "Burger Madness"; Carl's Deli, a local favorite with daily food specials; and the Echo, locally famous for breakfast and brunch throughout the week.

Hyde Park Square also has great pubs and bars to visit for happy hour or during a fun night out. Although this largely residential community has minimal nightlife, there are plenty of drinking establishments within walking distance. Keystone Bar and Grill, Unwind Wine Bar & Light Fare and Hap's Irish Pub on Hyde Park Square have happy-hour specials and friendly atmospheres with quality customer service. Locally popular, Unwind Wine Bar & Light Fare provides an elegant environment with couches and fireplaces for high-class lounge style and comfort. Hap's Irish Pub is known for cheap drinks and dart games among an actively fun environment. The Cock & Bull Public House located on Hyde Park Square, is one Cincinnati area location famed for a selection of nearly 60 draft beers along with its happy-hour drink and food specials within a great local sports bar.

Based upon the busy restaurant and retail life within Hyde Park Square, a great availability of walking and biking options for daily activity and fun evenings, especially with the sidewalks all throughout the residential area. With broad four-lane streets through the center of Hyde Park, a short commute into downtown Cincinnati or other local areas for work and fun is quite easy. The entire Cincinnati area also contains several taxi and limo services available for scheduling various transportation options, including nightlife, business, airport rides and much more, with the nationally popular Uber, available locally. The Metro bus service runs right through Hyde Park and other Cincinnati areas for work commutes and simple travel around the city as needed.

Nearby Ault Park, the most beautiful in Cincinnati, is technically in Mount Lookout, though Hyde Park claims this natural gem as its own. The Ault Park Advisory Council manages activity and events throughout the year, including July 4th Fireworks and the Summer Dance Series, keeping the park open year-round as a beautiful location overlooking the city often reserved for weddings and more. The Pavilion is the best-known city lookout, originally dedicated in 1930, offering beautiful views. Over the years, significant decline overtook the Pavilion and it was condemned in 1970, only to be later refurbished along with park shelters, gardens and trails by the Ault Park Advisory Council founded in the 1980s, bringing the park back to an elite status matching that of Hyde Park. Other popular local parks include Alms Park, a beautiful spot overlooking the city, and Otto Armleder Dog Park, an open space for dog play with another city overview atop a lovely hill. Hyde Park residents enjoy a fountain and small open space at the center of Hyde Park Square for picnics, walks and open-air fun.

The average one-bedroom apartment rental rate in the Hyde Park neighborhood area is $777 per month, ranging about $200 below the city-center rate for one-bedroom locations and about $100 greater than other outer-city locations. The general cost of living in Hyde Park is up to 15 percent higher than the cost in Cincinnati as a whole. The average half-liter domestic beer is available in the Hyde Park neighborhood for about $2.50 at restaurants and pubs, with various specials provided during happy hours and other weekly events. Gasoline price per gallon in the Hyde Park area remains on par with the Cincinnati area average price, while running at about 5 percent lower than the national average cost.

At the center of Hyde Park, Hyde Park Square holds over 100 unique shops and boutiques, along with other specialty locations that work to fill the needs of the residents within their fine village. Hyde Park Square is known for Sundays on the Square, when all of these specialty locations are open along with the Sunday Farmer’s Market that runs full-swing from June through September every year. The local farmer’s market runs every Sunday June through September, while plenty of nearby grocery stores are readily available for broad residential needs.