As you’re making plans to celebrate Valentine’s Day or just enjoy an evening out on the town, consider visiting one of ArtsWave’s Toast to the Arts partners.

Back for its second year, Toast to the Arts is ArtsWave’s partnership with local restaurants, breweries, and bars to raise awareness for the annual community campaign.  Restaurants feature select wines on their menu and a portion of sales goes to the ArtsWave campaign. More than 20 restaurants have joined Toast to the Arts this year, including downtown favorites like BOCA, The Orchids, Jean Robert’s Table, and Via Vite.  Neighborhood hot spots like Daveed’s NEXT in Loveland, 20 Brix in Milford, and Bouquet Restaurant and Wine Bar in Covington, are also participating.

“Toast to the Arts is a great way to dine out and give back,” says Alecia Kintner, President & CEO of ArtsWave. “Partnering with local businesses is a win-win.  ArtsWave is proud to drive customers to its Toast partners, and grateful for their help in raising awareness and contributions for the community campaign.” 

New for this year, ArtsWave is connecting with the growing craft brewery scene for a series of special events.  In January, Madtree Brewing hosted a Beer Release Party for its collaboration brew, Black Tart, concocted by 12+ local breweries.  Madtree donated a portion of all the party’s sales of Black Tart and its merchandise to the ArtsWave campaign.  Cincinnati Beer Week contributed a portion of sales from its January Taproom Trolley tour. On February 2, Moerlein Lager House hosted a tapping event for its Beer of the Month, Barley Rhine, and donated $1 from every beer sold along with 100% of the proceeds from the ceremonial keg, tapped by ArtsWave President & CEO, Alecia Kintner.

“Breweries are excited to be involved with ArtsWave and they have made it so easy to participate,” said Lindsay Roeper, Rivertown Brewing. “We think of brewing as an art, so it makes sense for us to support the arts and our community by supporting ArtsWave.”

“By expanding Toast to the Arts to include beer, I think we’re tapping into an important part of Cincinnati’s culture and history,” says Spencer Mapes, coordinator for Toast to the Arts. “This town loves beer and art.  When we bring the two together, it helps people see art in a different way – a part of their everyday lives, not just for a special occasion.”

More events are scheduled throughout the campaign including a Cincinnati Beer Week kick-off at Listermann Brewing Co. on February 21 and a Bathtub Gin Party at New Riff Distillery on April 23.  For a complete list of partners and events, visit our Toast to the Arts page and follow #Toast2Arts on Twitter.