You’re standing on the sidewalk in downtown Cincinnati, looking up at the Radisson Hotel across the river in Covington, and you see it. That distinctive, mushroom-shaped crown perched atop the tower. For decades, that was the spot. If you had an anniversary, a prom date, or a high-stakes business meeting where you needed to seal the deal, you went to the revolving restaurant in Cincinnati Ohio.
Or, well, technically just across the bridge.
But if you try to make a reservation today, you're going to hit a wall. Honestly, the story of Cincinnati’s revolving dining scene is kind of a heartbreak for nostalgia junkies. It’s a mix of changing tastes, brutal maintenance costs, and the simple reality that keeping a multi-ton floor spinning while people try to eat steak is a mechanical nightmare.
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The Rise and Fall of Eighteen at the Radisson
For the longest time, "Eighteen at the Radisson" (formerly known as Riverview) was the undisputed king of the local skyline. It sat on the 18th floor of the Radisson Hotel Cincinnati Riverfront. It didn't just offer a view; it gave you a slow-motion, 360-degree tour of the Ohio River, the Great American Ball Park, and the twinkling lights of the Queen City.
It took about 60 minutes to make a full trip.
You’d start your appetizer looking at the Brent Spence Bridge and finish your dessert facing the Roebling Suspension Bridge. It was iconic. But here is the thing: the restaurant officially closed its doors to the general public a few years back. The space transitioned into an event-only venue.
Why? Because revolving restaurants are basically heavy machinery. Think about the logistics. You have a massive circular platform sitting on a series of wheels and tracks, powered by a motor that has to run perfectly silent so it doesn't ruin the "ambiance." When those parts wear out—and they do—finding a technician who knows how to fix a 1970s revolving floor is like finding a needle in a haystack.
Why We Lost the Spin
People often ask why more of these aren't being built. It's a fair question. You’d think with the current obsession over "Instagrammable" moments, a spinning room would be a gold mine.
It isn't.
Modern diners have shifted. We care more about "chef-driven" menus and craft cocktails than we do about mechanical gimmicks. In the 70s and 80s, the view was the meal. The food? Usually just okay. Prime rib, baked potatoes, maybe a shrimp cocktail if you were feeling fancy. Today, if the food doesn't match the view, the restaurant dies on Yelp within six months.
Also, the "motion sickness" factor is real. While the rotation is incredibly slow—slower than the minute hand on a watch—some people are hyper-sensitive to that tiny disconnect between what their eyes see and what their inner ear feels.
Where to Go Now for the Best Cincinnati Views
Since you can't currently grab a sunset dinner at a revolving restaurant in Cincinnati Ohio anymore, you have to pivot. You want the height. You want the vibe. You just won't be spinning while you get it.
The View at Shires’ Garden
This is probably the closest spiritual successor to the old-school revolving experience. Located on the 10th floor of the City Club Apartments, it offers a massive terrace. You get that same "pinnacle of the city" feeling. They’ve got these transparent igloos in the winter, which is a nice touch, but the real draw is the unobstructed view of the riverfront.
Incline Public House
If you're willing to head over to Price Hill, this is the local favorite. It’s built on the site of the old Price Hill Incline. You aren't as high up as you would be in a skyscraper, but because of the geography of the hills, the view of downtown is actually better than if you were standing in the middle of it.
Top of the Park at The Residence Inn
This is a rooftop bar situation. It’s seasonal, so don't show up in a blizzard expecting a drink. But for a summer evening, looking out over the Lytle Park Historic District and the river, it’s hard to beat.
The Engineering Behind the Magic
Let's nerd out for a second. How did the revolving restaurant actually work? Most of these structures, including the one in Covington, utilized a "stationary core" design.
Imagine a giant donut.
The center of the "donut" stays still. That’s where the kitchens, the elevators, and the bathrooms are located. This is crucial because you can’t have plumbing or gas lines moving; that’s a recipe for an explosion or a very messy floor. The outer ring—the part where the tables are—is what moves. It sits on a circular track with hundreds of nylon wheels. A small electric motor, often less than 2 horsepower, is enough to move the whole thing because the weight is so evenly distributed.
Is the Revolving Trend Coming Back?
Probably not in the way we remember.
Architects today prefer "static" observation decks or glass-walled cantilevered dining rooms. They are cheaper to build, easier to insure, and they don't have mechanical parts that squeak at 2:00 AM. However, the Radisson space still exists. It’s still there, looming over the river. While it’s currently used for private weddings and corporate gigs, there is always a whisper in the local hospitality scene about a potential renovation or a "grand reopening" under new management.
Until then, Cincinnati is a city of hills, not spinning floors.
How to Get the "Revolving" Experience Today
If you really want that 360-degree feeling, you have to do the work yourself. Here is the best way to recreate the magic:
- Start at the Banks: Grab a drink at one of the ground-level spots like Moerlein Lager House. Look up.
- Walk the Bridges: Take the Purple People Bridge across the river. You get the 360-degree view, but you're providing the "motor" with your own two feet.
- End at Mt. Adams: Drive up to the City View Tavern. It’s divey, it’s old, and the burger is better than anything you would have eaten at a revolving tourist trap in 1985.
The era of the revolving restaurant in Cincinnati Ohio might be on pause, but the skyline it celebrated is better now than it has ever been. We traded a spinning floor for a more vibrant, accessible riverfront. That’s a win in my book.
Actionable Next Steps for View-Seekers
- Check Private Event Calendars: If you’re dead set on getting inside the Radisson’s revolving top, look for public ticketed events like New Year’s Eve parties or charity galas. It’s often the only way for non-wedding guests to get in.
- Visit the Carew Tower: While not a restaurant, the observation deck remains the most authentic way to see the city from above. Check their current hours, as they can be spotty.
- Book "The View at Shires' Garden" early: If you want a perimeter table (the ones that would have been on the "spinning" part), you need to book at least two weeks out for weekend slots.
The city is changing. The "mushroom" on the river stands as a monument to a specific era of mid-century cool. It might not spin for your dinner tonight, but the view it discovered decades ago hasn't gone anywhere.