From Winston Churchill's favorite bathroom to a speakeasy: 6 downtown Cincinnati gems

This is part of The Enquirer's series on the Future of Downtown.

Downtown Cincinnati has a plethora of iconic staples that people visit frequently. Many locals can't even count the number of times they've ventured to Fountain Square or Great American Ball Park.

But the neighborhood also has a rich history filled with hidden gems. So we decided to search for unique destinations Cincinnatians might not know exist, or have just simply forgotten about.

From a suite where Winston Churchill himself once stayed to a fun little speakeasy, we visited several distinct locations throughout the area. Take a look for yourself below.

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Related: What is it really like living and working in downtown Cincinnati?

Churchill Suite at Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza

Address: 35 W. Fifth St.

What makes it unique: The old Netherland Plaza Hotel, which is connected to Carew Tower and is now known as Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, is iconic in and of itself. It opened in 1931 and is known for its beautiful art deco architecture. But did you know Winston Churchill, the former prime minister of the United Kingdom, once stayed there?

Churchill visited Cincinnati multiple times during his life, but on Feb. 29, 1932, he stayed at the Netherland Plaza while on a lecture tour. He lectured at the Taft Theatre that evening, speaking on the world economic crisis and Anglo-American friendship.

The room he stayed in is now named the Churchill Suite. There are various markers signifying the history of the room, including a framed telegraph Churchill sent while at the hotel to Howard Heinz, the son of the H.J. Heinz Co. founder.

People can stay in the room, but it's more for those who are in the know, according to Carrie Moore, area director of sales and marketing at the hotel. Anyone interested in staying in the suite must contact the hotel directly.

What we love about it: It may seem weird, but the best part is easily the bathroom. The hotel has preserved it, keeping it designed exactly how it was during Churchill's Cincinnati visit.

Why?

Gina Washington, a history buff and the business travel sales manager at the hotel, says Churchill halted construction at his country home in London so he could make sure his bathroom was designed identically to the hotel's.

Library stacks at the Main Library

Address: 800 Vine St.

What makes it unique: Ever count the levels at the Main Library and notice there are two between the second and third floors? Those are the C and D stacks, where the library houses the millions of items not on the regular shelves.

Yes, millions.

About half of the library system’s collection of approximately 9 million items are housed in the Main Library branch, most of them in row after row of closed stacks that are not open to the public.

What we love about it: Think the opening scene of “Ghostbusters,” without the flying books. It’s a bibliophile’s dream. Original newspapers from the early 1800s, historic maps, reference books galore, popular novels from other eras – all out of sight for library patrons. But you can ask a librarian to retrieve any of the items for you.

Upstairs at Arnold's Bar and Grill

Address: 210 E. Eighth St.

What makes it unique: As the oldest bar in Cincinnati, and one of the oldest in the country, the upstairs of Arnold's has seen its fair share of history. The Downtown building was first opened as a brothel in 1838. Simon Arnold, the first of three Arnolds to own the space, purchased it and opened it as a bar in 1861. The upstairs bedrooms, where generations of Arnolds lived, have now been converted to dining rooms, and the original kitchen and dumbwaiter remain intact.

The upstairs is also home to the iconic bathtub where owner Elmer Arnold is rumored to have stored his homemade gin during Prohibition.

What we love about it: Arnold’s, as a whole, is a must-see stop in Cincinnati. The historic establishment has appeared in multiple films, features some of the city’s most famous street art, was owned by a wrestler/collector for the mob (not an Arnold) and was investigated for paranormal activity.

The upstairs feels the most intimate, on the historic side of things. This is where the Arnolds lived while running their bar, and the well-preserved space makes you feel connected to the bar's storied past. One of the former bedrooms is now used for Bockfest festivities, and guests can also dine upstairs during the winter or for private events.

Unexpected speakeasy

Address: 580 Walnut St. #100.

What makes it unique: Unexpected, a speakeasy-style bar inside Prime Cincinnati, is perhaps the youngest place on the list. It opened to the public in April and is still widely unknown by the community.

To access the speakeasy, guests must enter through Prime and inquire about Unexpected. They then will be escorted through a back hallway featuring murals painted by an anonymous local artist and led through a secret bookcase entrance.

Once inside the dimly lit space, the speakeasy features several large flat-screen TVs. A detailed mural inspired by the Aronoff Center for the Arts also decorates the walls behind a stage, where live music is held every Friday and Saturday.

What we love about it: The bar features a wide selection of bourbon, an extensive cocktail menu and a nightly selection of small bites, making for a perfect evening out on the town.

The best part, though? There's no cover fee to get in.

The Vault in Richter & Phillips Jewelers

Address: 601 Main St.

What makes it unique: Through the doors of a jewelry store and down a set of marble steps sits an old, refurbished bank vault.

But why?

It was once the Washington Bank and Savings vault, built in 1917 and the first thing built at the corner of Sixth and Main streets, with the rest of the bank constructed around it. Now, it's a 1930s-inspired event space owned by local jewelry store Richter & Phillips Jewelers, which has also been a fixture of Downtown since 1896.

What we love about it: The small 20x20 space features jewel-toned, art deco furniture and Richter & Phillip's catalog pages on the walls, dating as far back as 1909.

Although it's not accessible to the general public, the vault can be reserved for private meetings and events upon request, but only during business hours.

Did we mention it's free to rent?

The Dave Herche Cincinnati Athletic Club

Address: 111 Shillito Place.

What makes it unique: The Dave Herche Cincinnati Athletic Club, formerly named the Cincinnati Gymnasium Athletic Club, was founded in the summer of 1853 as a men's-only gym and social club. Although the original club had four different locations across Greater Cincinnati, only the Downtown site, which was built in 1903, remains.

According to its website, the club has historically been the premier destination for fitness and athletics in the Midwest for several sports, including boating, cycling, boxing, swimming, track and field, wrestling, basketball, football and more.

Along with its athletic reputation, the club is also known for its roster of prestigious members, like former U.S. presidents James A. Garfield, Benjamin Harrison, Rutherford B. Hayes and William Howard Taft. Other notable members include Procter & Gamble co-founder William Procter, Kroger founder Barney Kroger and saxophonist David Liebman.

What we love about it: The athletic club, which boasts 350-400 active members, offers a wide variety of workout services and amenities, including a Grecian tile swimming pool, a full-sized indoor basketball court, a suspended indoor track, racquetball courts, an on-call masseuse, a Swedish sauna, free yoga classes and more.

Although membership is male only, the club's main floor, which features a bar, restaurant and billiards lounge, is open to the general public with year-round social events for all, including weekly happy hours.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 6 Cincinnati gems, from Winston Churchill's bathroom to a speakeasy