Author: Christan LeDuc | Staff reporter, Cincinnati Business Courier-June 3,2025
An Over-the-Rhine bar known for its holiday-themed pop-ups is under new ownership.
In a social media post last week, Chase Collier announced he now controls Cobblestone OTR, located at 1132 Race St.
Collier, who also works as a regional sales manager for an industrial company, has been toying with the idea of opening his own bar for years.
“I finally decided to take that leap and take that risk to try and get something going,” he told me.
Although this is his first crack at owning a bar, he has nearly a decade of experience in the industry.
“It’s honestly kind of therapeutic,” he said. “I know a lot of service industry workers don’t agree.”
He formed his hospitality company, Collier Entertainment Group, in February. It’s the umbrella company for Cobblestone and any future acquisitions.
He worked with Sina Danesh from 3CRE to buy the business.
“Finding the right buyer for Cobblestone OTR was crucial to ensuring the business continued to thrive in one of Cincinnati’s most vibrant neighborhoods,” Danesh told me. “As we helped the seller exit in a seamless transaction, we’re confident the new operator will bring fresh energy while honoring the bar’s strong legacy.”
Although Collier did not disclose the acquisition cost, he did say the business’s track record attracted him.
“Some other bars (I) looked at have been pretty awful financially. This one is pretty self-sustaining,” he said. “It’s got good bones and something just spoke to me about its location.”
Collier added he’s working on the bar’s consistent branding and identity. While it’s known for its Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Saint Patrick’s Day pop-ups, it doesn’t necessarily have that year-round identity, according to Collier.
“I want to put a cocktail bar twist on it while still maintaining that neighborhood friendly spot,” he said.
He likes the more upscale feel of a cocktail lounge, but he doesn’t want to put the bar out of anyone’s price range.
“By making it a cocktail bar, it should still maintain fair pricing, but also bring in high-end, high-quality cocktails that anybody can enjoy,” he said.
He’s already started to bring in more types of bourbon and tequila. His plan is to offer customers exotic and traditional options. His travels to New York, Miami and Las Vegas have inspired his vision for the future of Cobblestone.
His biggest inspirations are New York City’s Please Don’t Tell and Death & Co.
“I go to big hubs and go to all the very exclusive high-end cocktail bars there. I learn every time I go,” he said.
Collier plans on releasing his new cocktail menu soon. He also said he eventually hopes to bring back a food element along with beefing up the event schedule.
“I do plan on having more themed weekends in addition to the regular pop-ups,” he said.
He’s also doing some minor renovations, including a furniture upgrade.
The bar will not close for any of these projects. Collier said he still has around 13 years left on the original lease.
“I’m pumped up to give people a place to come, drink affordable, really good quality cocktails and have fun,” he said.
