Old City Prime

Old City Prime is an upscale American chophouse and live entertainment lounge at 215 South Main Street in the Spring & Main entertainment district of downtown Lima, Ohio. Housed within a restored late-19th-century brick commercial building just steps south of the historic Public Square, the multi-level restaurant pairs USDA Prime aged beef, a chilled seafood raw bar, and tableside service with an upstairs performance lounge hosting national tribute bands, jazz ensembles, and dueling piano shows. Travelers and regional diners visit for classic supper-club hospitality, craft cocktails, and high-production concerts in a single historic downtown venue.

What to Expect at Old City Prime

The ground-floor main dining room preserves the character of old Lima with exposed brick masonry, dark wood wainscoting, white-tablecloth booths, and a warm, low-lit bar area anchored by an extensive bourbon and wine display. The kitchen focuses on wet- and dry-aged USDA Prime cuts seared at high heat and finished with herb butter, alongside bone-in chops, cold-water lobster tails, and daily coastal fish selections. Starters and classic steakhouse sides are designed for sharing, and servers perform traditional tableside Caesar salad preparation during dinner service. Guests can browse the current seasonal offerings on the official Old City Prime menu.

Above the main chophouse, the Old City Prime Upper Lounge operates as an intimate cabaret and concert hall equipped with stage lighting, concert acoustics, and dedicated table and balcony seating. On weekend evenings, the upstairs venue schedules ticketed performances ranging from Motown, classic rock, and country tribute acts to interactive dueling pianos and stand-up comedy. Concertgoers can book dinner in the downstairs steakhouse before heading upstairs for the show, or order from a lounge menu of gourmet appetizers, desserts, and cocktails directly from their stage-side tables.

• USDA Prime Aged Steaks: Center-cut filet mignon, bone-in ribeyes, New York strips, and porterhouse cuts aged for tenderness and served with optional truffle butter, bearnaise, or bone marrow crusts.
• Chilled Raw Bar & Seafood: East and West Coast oysters on the half shell, jumbo shrimp cocktail, lump crab cakes, and broiled cold-water lobster tails.
• Tableside Caesar Salad: Crisp romaine hearts tossed at the table with house-made anchovy-garlic dressing, shaved Parmesan, and toasted croutons.
• Upper Lounge Live Concerts: Ticketed weekend shows featuring touring tribute bands, acoustic jazz combos, and crowd-request dueling piano nights.
• Bourbon & Craft Cocktail Bar: A curated spirits list highlighting small-batch Kentucky bourbons, smoked Old Fashioneds, classic martinis, and full-bodied California Cabernet Sauvignons.

Old City Prime at a Glance

Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings

Because Friday and Saturday nights bring overlapping dinner crowds and concert attendees, securing a table in advance through the Old City Prime reservations page or by calling the restaurant is strongly recommended. If you plan to attend a performance in the Upper Lounge, schedule your dining room reservation for 5:30 PM or 6:00 PM so you can finish a three-course meal at an unhurried pace before doors open upstairs. Smart-casual to dressy attire is standard across both the dining room and the lounge. Vegetarian diners can combine salads, roasted vegetable sides, and seafood options, and the kitchen accommodates gluten-free preparation requests when notified upon ordering.

Drivers arriving via Interstate 75 can take Exit 125 (OH-309 / Harding Highway) west into downtown Lima, turning north onto South Main Street where public parking lots and evening street spaces line the block between Spring and Elm streets. The ground-floor street entrance on South Main Street is step-free, and an interior elevator provides wheelchair and mobility-friendly access between the first-floor steakhouse, accessible restrooms, and the second-floor Upper Lounge. Within a five-minute walk north along Main Street, visitors can pair dinner with an afternoon visit to ArtSpace/Lima on Town Square, a touring Broadway or symphony performance at the Veterans Memorial Civic & Convention Center, or pre-dinner coffee and shopping inside the revitalized Spring & Main storefronts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the operating hours at Old City Prime and when is the best time to dine?

Old City Prime serves dinner from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM Monday through Saturday and is closed on Sundays. Weeknights between Tuesday and Thursday offer the quietest dining room atmosphere for business dinners or date nights, while Friday and Saturday evenings feature lively energy paired with live music in the Upper Lounge.

Do I need separate tickets for live shows in the Upper Lounge?

Yes, performances in the second-floor Upper Lounge—including dueling pianos, comedy nights, and tribute bands—are ticketed separately from main dining room reservations. Guests should purchase show tickets online in advance through the official website and book a downstairs dinner table for at least 90 minutes prior to showtime.

How much time should I budget for a visit to Old City Prime?

Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours for a full multi-course steak and seafood dinner in the main dining room. If you are pairing dinner with a live concert upstairs, budget 3.5 to 4 hours for the complete evening experience.

Is Old City Prime wheelchair accessible and what is the dress code?

The restaurant features a level street-level entrance off South Main Street, accessible restrooms, and elevator access to the second-floor lounge. Most guests wear smart-casual or cocktail attire, such as collared shirts, slacks, dresses, or tailored denim.

When planning your Lima travel guide or comparing verified restaurants and nightlife in Lima, pair this stop with standout local spots including Milano Café, Allen County Historical Society and Museum, Lauer Historical Farm, and Casa Lu Al (nearby).