Tell me about Cincinnati

I am coming into town with some friends on the weekend of the 19th to catch a Reds game. (Just for the hell of it.)

Any tips on hotels? What part of town should we be looking?

Also, any good diversions/nightlife in town? Good live music venues?

How about just a good neighborhood bar to hang out and quaff a few with the locals?

And even though I’m probably past hipster age, I’d be curious as to whether there is an artsy/hipster section of town. Even us geezer alternadudes like to know the scene.