New Brewery Sets Opening Date in Iconic Race Street Space

Mellotone Beer Project to Celebrate Grand Opening Tomorrow

CINCINNATI (November 21, 2024) – Following a successful “sneak peek” of the space during Cincinnati’s BLINK festival, Mellotone Beer Project will officially open its doors to the public tomorrow. Located at 1429 Race Street in Over-the-Rhine (OTR), the brewpub is taking up residence inside a 12,345-square-foot historic, renovated church owned by Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. (3CDC).

Co-owned by Dennis Kramer-Wine and Alexandra Nowell, Mellotone’s scratch kitchen will focus on modern American fare to pair with its fresh, uncomplicated beer selection. The co-owners have partnered with Brendan Martin, formerly of Boca Restaurant Group, to create a menu featuring a seasonal rotation of elevated, approachable dishes. Martin will serve as Mellotone’s Director of Food & Hospitality, preparing items with locally-sourced ingredients whenever possible.

“We want Mellotone to be a place for everyone – where you see things you love on the menu and feel welcome when you walk through the door whether you’re celebrating something or just stopping by to relax and grab a drink,” Nowell said. “It was amazing to get a preview of that during BLINK and it took the anticipation for our grand opening to a whole new level.”

The brewpub’s main floor will house the restaurant portion of the space, with a neighborhood bar, Undertone, which features a small stage for live music, on the lower-level. The top floor has been converted into an indoor beer garden outfitted with beautiful greenery and first come, first served seating in addition to pool tables and darts. Nowell and Kramer-Wine collaborated with general contractor Dominic Sansalone and INDIO Design on a complete overhaul of the space, giving each floor a unique look and feel.

“If BLINK was any indicator of how Mellotone is going to bring this space to life, we have a lot to look forward to,” said Lindzie Gunnels, Director of Commercial Leasing with 3CDC. “This iconic Race Street location has so much potential, and we believe that Mellotone will act as a catalyst for future growth along this Race Street corridor.”

Mellotone will open its doors to the public beginning tomorrow at 5 PM. The restaurant will remain open until midnight, with the kitchen closing one hour prior, and Undertone will be open until 1AM. Following the grand opening, Mellotone’s hours will be as follows:

• Monday – CLOSED
• Tuesday – 5 – 11 PM, kitchen closing at 10 PM
• Wednesday – 5 – 11 PM, kitchen closing at 10 PM
• Thursday – 5 – 11 PM, kitchen closing at 10 PM
• Friday –  5 PM – midnight, kitchen closing at 11 PM
• Saturday – 5 PM – midnight, kitchen closing at 11 PM
• Sunday – 5 – 11 PM, kitchen closing at 10 PM

While the main-floor restaurant will eventually accept reservations, Undertone and the upstairs beer garden areas will be open to walk-ins only. However, no reservations will be available tomorrow.

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