Cincinnati Venue In Works

Julian Rodgers operates Mixx Ultra Lounge and Joe’s Diner in the city’s Over-The-Rhine neighborhood, and plans to open a new 15,000-square-foot concert venue nearby that he hopes will draw national touring acts.

Rodgers, who’s promoted concerts in the city by artists including Drake, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross and Young Jeezy, told the local Business Courier he “originally reached out to the House of Blues to see if I could get a franchise. They told me Bogart’s was essentially their House of Blues in Cincinnati. “I wanted a similar premise, a live music concept with national artists,” he said. OTR Live, which will be located in one of three buildings Rodgers is leasing, is set to feature overhauled sound and lighting, polished concrete floors and textured walls.

The venue is slated to open in November. “You’ll be able to see local bands, national, international, it’s going to be a space you can go see anyone from Blessid Union of Souls to Nas,” Rodgers added.

Future plans will include relocation of his lounge, Mixx, to an adjacent building that will include a 13,000-square-foot outdoor patio space with a small stage for live music, a bar, outdoor games and a cigar bar come spring 2016, the Business Courier reported.