- Up There, a new rooftop lounge at 535 Madison Ave., transforms the former Opal space into an upscale cocktail and entertainment venue overlooking the Cincinnati skyline.
- Founded by entertainment industry veterans Andrew Listermann and Scott Sheridan, the concept emphasizes elevated hospitality, signature cocktails by Molly Wellmann and curated live music.
- The venue officially opens with a City of Covington ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 27, continuing the revitalization of one of downtown Covington’s most prominent rooftop destinations.
With pristine views of the Cincinnati skyline, this Covington bar is revitalizing one of the city’s most enticing commercial rooftops.
Perched atop the landmark Republic Bank Building at 535 Madison Ave. in the heart of Covington’s Central Business District, Up There promises to bring an elevated experience to the city’s nightlife.
“There’s nothing like it,” co-founder Andrew Listermann said.
The concept was conceived by Listermann and Scott Sheridan, two veterans of the entertainment industry. Steve Swartz is project lead.
Listermann, a Turpin High School graduate and the co-founder of the Los Angeles-based Riveting, an entertainment company is taking his first swing in the Northern Kentucky hospitality market. He and his family moved back to the Tri-State three summers ago after spending more than two decades on the West Coast.
“We wanted to make this our first space to elevate Covington,” Swartz said. “We’re focused on staff that are at a high level of service—think of (Jeff) Ruby’s, Carmelo’s, Hotel Covington and those kind of elevated spaces.”
Swartz said the business is intentionally designed as a lounge and entertainment venue, aligning with the professional expertise of its co-founders.
Up There is focused on what Swartz referred to as “elevated hospitality,” offering wine, champagne and a cocktail program. Food will be limited to a small selection of light bites, reinforcing the venue’s emphasis on atmosphere and socializing.
Given Listermann and Sheridan’s background in the entertainment industry, live music was a primary consideration for the concept. Instead of operating as a nightclub, Up There will showcase a curated selection of music and DJs to establish an easy-going atmosphere.
Thursday nights will be an elevated jazz and bourbon experience for guests, according to Listermann. Friday’s are shifting the vibe completely and will focus on country music, with an elevated twist, of course. Listermann is using his industry connections to bring higher profile artists to the smaller venue. Country artist Logan Michael, who Listermann manages, will make an appearance at the venue in July.
Saturday won’t have a theme, it will be mixed format, according to Listermann.
“We want Saturday to be a surprise,” he said. “You never know what you are going to get.”
DJ Revel, who has spent years with the Tao Group, is going to be the resident DJ. The venue will also host a variety of pop-ups including surprise comedy shows, private events and even shows from major artists in the more intimate venue. But more to come on that in the future, Listermann teased.
The interior of the space features the bar and a DJ stand, along with several low-slung couches and padded chairs. The outdoor patio offers more open space for standing and mingling. A row of padded outdoor chairs faces the Cincinnati skyline, providing direct sightlines for patrons to take in the views.
Emerald La Fleur designed the florals thought the entire venue.
Swartz explained that Covington was an enticing spot for the lounge concept because of its bustling nightlife. Up There is located within close proximity to other popular bars in the area, such as Coppin’s, Knowledge Bar, Braxton Brewing, The Hannaford and Wenzel Whiskey, among others.
While Swartz said he hopes Up There will add to the vibrancy of the local bar scene, he also believes the rooftop will help it stand out.
“There’s so much life and vibrance going on here,” Swartz said.
Listermann and Sheridan signed the lease back in January. They had seen a few spots prior to the tour but nothing compared.
“It just felt right,” Listermann said.
On Saturday, June 27, the City of Covington will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open Up There to the public.
In January 2025, Opal, the previous occupant of the rooftop space, permanently closed. Opal was well known for its dual restaurant-and-bar concept, which gave customers the option to dine on the space’s open-air patio or to sit at the bar inside.
Prior to Opal’s opening in September 2023, the space had been under construction since 2019. LINK nky reported in April 2022 that the redevelopment of the rooftop space was part of a larger overhaul of the entire building following the Republic Bank Building’s purchase by a new ownership group named Covington Republic LLC, consisting of Sparen Real Estate, Manning Construction, and WorK Architecture + Design.
