July 24, 2012

The historic Color Building sits on the corner of 14th and Vine in Over the Rhine and gets its name from housing the old Cincinnati Color Company. For those who have recently walked the streets of the Gateway Quarter, then you know new seeds are being planted on this site. Jon Zipperstein and Hideki Harada are slated to open a Japanese gastropub in late fall. Last week I had the privilege to step inside the building.

This is the back end of the dining room and indoor entrance to the bar. The bar will incorporate dramatic red Japanese style lanterns along with other elements of the color red for a striking, edgy feel. Guests can opt for high top tables along the walls or two communal tables in the middle of the room. The exposed brick will remain.

Here, you have the outside entrance to the bar, which sits on 14th street directly across from what will soon be Mercer Commons. What I forgot to mention is that inside the bar they will have live music (think DJ or perhaps even some karaoke) along with vintage Japanese art & cult movies playing on flat screen TVs.

This will be the outdoor courtyard, beer garden, what have you. You’ll enter through the bar. The courtyard will be partially covered with a permanent roof structure for year-round use supported by telephone poles painted in Chinese red. The uncovered portion will be open to the night’s sky. Furthermore, there will be an outdoor bar, lounge seats, and a fire pit. Me likey… me likey a lot.

The basement will house the ladies restroom, but don’t worry the walk down the stairs will be worth the effort. Apparently, for the hassle of those few extra steps, the owners are making sure to define the bathroom as a conversation piece. How so? We’ll have to wait and see.

Ok, so this isn’t going to be a part of the new restaurant, but it just seemed too cool not to highlight. Here we are, on the second floor of the building. This is where the legendary Ezzard Charles used to box. The hardwood floors have just been completed, and the renovated space will be turned into offices.

Alright folks so there you have it, a look inside the Color Building. Pretty soon it will smell of spicy tuna rolls, sake bombs, and seaweed salad. Bring it!

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