Over-the-Rhine's Original Music Laboratory

MOTR Pub has been presenting live original music and comedy in OTR since 2010 with shows six nights weekly. The venue focuses on new artist development both locally and globally creating fun atmosphere for music explorers and emerging artists.

Venue Spaces

Multiple performance areas including main room Sword Room and MOTR Patio allow different event types and crowd sizes. Professional sound engineers maintain top-of-line PA systems ensuring high-quality production values.

Weekly Music Events

Tuesday Open Mic (8 PM) - Original music only voted best open mic seven years running by City Beat readers. First-come first-served signup at 7:30 PM. Performers receive $2 off sandwiches. Some exceptions for covers possible (see host).

Monday Karaoke and Industry Night (8 PM-1 AM) - Kick Out The Jams karaoke plus industry networking.

Wednesday-Saturday Ticketed Concerts - Local regional and touring artists. MOTR was first Cincinnati appearance for Alabama Shakes Lord Huron Margo Price Twin Shadow.

Sunday Programming - Various events and special performances.

Food and Drink

Full menu with elevated pub fare craft beers cocktails non-alcoholic options. Kitchen stays open late accommodating both dinner-before-shows and post-performance meals.

Artist Development

Tuesday open mic serves as pathway to booking opportunities. Strong performers graduate from open mic to opening slots to headlining shows. Professional environment with maintained equipment experienced engineers allows artists to focus on performance not technical issues.

Sister Venue

Woodward Theater across street provides larger capacity for artists ready to graduate to bigger rooms. Established pathway from MOTR open mic to Woodward headliner.

Atmosphere

Equal parts music venue neighborhood bar and artistic incubator. Attracts serious music heads casual listeners industry professionals first-time concert-goers. Created fun exploratory atmosphere defining modern OTR.