The Corner, a new LGBTQ+ bar at 927 Race Street downtown, is projected to open in October 2026, near Halloween. It is taking over the former Birdcage space and is owned by Pride Holdings Group, a publicly traded company focused on LGBTQ+ hospitality venues.
Cincinnati CityBeat reported that, during a Monday-night tour of the space with Pride Holdings Chief Operating Officer Joshua Cooper, Cooper described plans for karaoke, drag bingo, movie nights and Bengals watch parties. He said the initial opening will focus on getting the main bar operating, with further work planned for later in the winter.
A Staged Opening
The finished concept is expected to include a larger performance stage and a large LED screen on the back wall, but CityBeat reported those features will not be ready for opening. Cooper also plans to convert the former Birdcage dressing room into a lounge with couches. CityBeat said it expects to publish more information about The Corner later this month.
Cooper told CityBeat he expects the bar to open in the afternoons and on most weekdays. Construction began after the former Birdcage building had sat unused.
The Birdcage’s Closure and Move
The Birdcage announced its permanent closure in a Facebook post on Christmas Eve 2024, according to CityBeat. The bar’s 2023 expansion plan moved it to the former 7,000-square-foot Rebel Mettle brewery space on Central Avenue, with the aim of hosting larger shows and dance parties. In earlier coverage, CityBeat reported that The Birdcage said its Race Street location would become a laid-back ultra-lounge called The Flock.
The Central Avenue venue opened in February 2024 and closed shortly afterward, prompting The Birdcage to return to Race Street. WCPO reported that sales had fallen by nearly 75% before the bar closed for good.
Pride Holdings’ Expansion Plans
Pride Holdings has described The Corner as part of a wider effort to grow its LGBTQ+ hospitality and entertainment portfolio through acquisitions and new development. In a statement distributed via NewMediaWire, the company said the opening date, entertainment schedule, drag performances, special events and opening celebrations were still to be announced ahead of the October launch.
A separate release carried by eqs-news.com called The Corner the first of many planned organic openings for Pride Holdings Group. Company figure Tim Majors said the project reflects that ambition, praised Cooper’s work preparing the space and said the company is committed to creating thriving and inclusive LGBTQ+ spaces.
The company’s scope and Cincinnati’s wider record
Pride Holdings Group’s website describes a strategy that reaches beyond bars, spanning hospitality, entertainment, media, membership and consumer brands. The company’s public description provides that broad scope, rather than a detailed account of its finances or existing venues. For context beyond one venue, the Cincinnati LGBTQ+ History Digital Library says its collection includes materials from more than 40 years of Greater Cincinnati LGBTQ+ organizations and groups, including community newsletters and Cincinnati Pride-related materials. The collection offers a wider historical record, though its description does not chart changes in the city’s nightlife venues.
The Corner’s initial offering will be more limited than the completed concept, with the stage, LED screen and lounge planned for later. The company has not yet announced the full entertainment schedule or opening celebrations.
