Kyoshi Soundhouse aims to improve Cincinnati’s entertainment district reputation

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14) — The owners of a new cocktail bar are looking to give the Cincinnati Entertainment District a new reputation.

Kyoshi Soundhouse, the newest establishment of the Cincinnati Entertainment District opened Thursday.

“I want a place where people can come in and hang out in a safe environment that offers a little bit of food, good music, good vibes, and obviously a good environment for everybody to hang out,” Arturo Alluin, the owner of Kyoshi Soundhouse, told KFOX14.

KFOX14 spent the afternoon at the new bar and spoke to some customers about the environment.

“It upscaled for sure,” Avila said.

“I would say the ambiance is a lot more classy, a little more kept, smells a lot cleaner, looks more put together,” Brian Riley said.

Those are the exact reactions Alluin was hoping for when opened Kyoshi Soundhouse.

“Ideally, I want to make a place that was cleaner, nicer, and that gave Cincinnati area or the entertainment district a higher, better quality reputation,” Alluin said.

KFOX14 has reported on several violent crimes that happened at the popular Westside entertainment district, many happening at this location’s previous establishment – Profe.

RELATED: El Paso DA says increase of violent crime reported in Cincinnati area, other parts of the city

“It was crazy. I came a couple of times and it was crazy,” Avila said when speaking of the previous bar.

Kyoshi Soundhouse’s General Manager, Lucero Ontiveros, told KFOX14 that Profe’s reputation played a vital role in the naming of the new bar.

“Kiyoshi, if you look it up, it is the Japanese term for an older professor,” Ontiveros said. “So, essentially what we’re striving for is the renovated Profe, but without having that stigma it used to have back in the day.”

Ontiveros told KFOX14, the new establishment will have additional security, a dress code and a new aesthetic in hopes of ensuring a safer environment.

“[We have] ID checks, pat down, everything’s happening in front and then also throughout the night when we start, say you’re a little bit rowdy, things like that. We do escort you out,” Ontiveros said.

Guests told KFOX14 they’ve already taken notice of the changes.

“Now it’s just elevated and a little bit more positive,” Avila said.

“I like it. it’s very, like, you know, different architecture, very, like, Oaxaca style, so it seems really chill,” Carlos Herrera said.

“Seeing the type of security up in the front makes it seem a lot more comfortable coming in,” Riley said.

Ontiveros said the bar offers a fun environment but will have limitations with alcohol consumption and behaviors.

“We don’t condemn having fun, but we do know our limits here,” Ontiveros said.

RELATED: Tensions rise in Cincinnati Entertainment District, residents demand response to recurring nightlife incidents

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