Home Court Tavern, the East End barbecue and sports hangout, is set to stage its comeback a little farther upriver by moving into the former Allyn’s Eclectic Cuisine space in Columbia-Tusculum. Owner Chris Rose says renovations are already underway, and he is eyeing a May or late-June debut, trading one longtime neighborhood staple for a new tavern that aims to bring smoked meats and game-day energy back to the strip.
Speaking about the relocation, Rose told the Cincinnati Enquirer he has been busy rehabbing the old Allyn’s address and is planning for a late spring opening. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, Home Court will stick with its core of smoked meats and a sports-forward layout while tweaking the concept to fit Columbia-Tusculum’s dining crowd.
Allyn’s Longtime Run Leaves a Gap
Allyn’s Eclectic Cuisine shut its doors last fall after more than three decades on Columbia Parkway, leaving a familiar storefront sitting dark through the winter. As reported by CityBeat, the restaurant’s final day of service was Oct. 19, 2025, following a change in ownership the year before.
Home Court’s Rough Stretch on Riverside
Before the move, Rose was operating Home Court Tavern on Riverside Drive, where the business ran into serious trouble when roadwork and detours cut into customer traffic. “I barely got notice of road closures before construction began,” Rose told WCPO, which reported that owners in the area saw sales drop sharply during the pipeline project.
Neighborhood Still Rebounding From Big Disruptions
The timing of the move comes as the area is still shaking off other major disruptions, including the Nov. 1, 2024, fire that damaged the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge and led to lane closures while repairs were made. The City of Cincinnati detailed arrests linked to the blaze in a December release, and local TV coverage captured the traffic snarls and detours that followed, which put a squeeze on some East Side businesses. Reporting from WLWT showed how the bridge fire shifted commuting routes across the river.
What Diners Can Expect
Rose describes Home Court as an elevated barbecue tavern, built around smoked meats, house sauces, and a game-day vibe that stays approachable for regulars. Moving into the larger Allyn’s space should give the concept more room for seating and patio service while he fine-tunes the menu and floor plan for Columbia-Tusculum, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer…