Around the Swirl-d
You do not need a boarding pass or TSA clearance to circle the globe this summer. All you need is a spirit of adventure and a cocktail passport. On Saturday, August 2, The Banks in downtown Cincinnati will transform into an international playground for the second annual Around the World Bar Crawl, a uniquely spirited event blending themed drinks, friendly competition, and community giving.
This isn’t just a bar crawl. It is a curated cultural experience, cleverly condensed into a five-hour walking tour of ten transformed bars and restaurants. Each participating venue adopts the identity of a different country, offering themed décor and custom cocktails that match the flavor and flair of their adopted homeland. In a single afternoon, attendees might sip sangria in “Spain,” down a lager in “Germany,” or dance to reggaeton in “Brazil.” The result is a passport-worthy journey through global traditions, all contained within a few blocks of Cincinnati’s riverfront.
The day begins with check-in at The Stretch at 11 a.m. By noon, teams and solo crawlers take off, each one collecting stamps in a souvenir passport as they travel from stop to stop. But it’s not just about the drinks. At each destination, revelers are invited to complete mini challenges and minute-to-win-it games, turning the crawl into something more interactive, playful, and social than your average Saturday afternoon. The event concludes with a post-crawl celebration at The Park, where prizes, music, and more cocktails await.
This year, the event offers two ticket tiers. The $50 level includes access to five participating venues, along with drink tickets, event swag, and raffle entries. For those committed to the full experience, the $75 level includes eleven drinks — one from each global stop — plus swag and expanded raffle opportunities. Either way, participants walk away with more than a buzz. They help fuel real progress in medical research.
Proceeds from the event benefit UC and UC Health’s Sunflower Rev It Up for Parkinson’s, a local initiative funding critical research and care for people living with Parkinson’s Disease. The cause is serious, but the strategy is brilliant. By turning fundraising into festivity, organizers draw broader support and amplify awareness for a disease that affects more than 10 million people worldwide. In that sense, the global theme of the event feels especially appropriate.
The Banks has become a natural home for this kind of celebration. Situated between Great American Ball Park and Paycor Stadium, the neighborhood pulses with the energy of sports fans, concert-goers, and food lovers alike. But events like this one offer something more. They showcase The Banks as a destination in its own right — not just a place to pregame or post up, but a setting for creative community experiences that blend entertainment and purpose.
And that’s what this crawl does so well. It invites people to travel, taste, and play, while reminding them of the power of collective action. Every stamp in a passport becomes a small contribution to something larger. Every themed drink becomes a toast to a better future. And every team of “travelers” becomes part of a shared memory, made more meaningful by the reason behind the revelry.
So if you’re looking to add a stamp to your summer calendar, consider joining the journey. Throw on a travel-themed outfit, grab your passport, and get ready for a trip that goes far beyond the glass.
Tickets are on sale now at atwbanks.eventbrite.com. Raise your glass. Rally your crew. And help Cincinnati go around the world for a cause that’s worth every step.