Silence descended Thursday night on much of Cincinnati. Around Fountain Square, only small sounds remained: birds, the whoosh of distant trucks, the clang of signs flapping in the breeze.

        Five minutes after the city's 8 p.m. curfew, a man clutching a briefcase hurried along Fifth Street toward his car. A couple waited at Fifth and Race streets, their arms loaded with takeout food.

        A mounted police horse clomped past Fountain Square, its hooves ringing loudly in the silence.

        On Madison Road in O'Bryonville, some businesspeople hung signs on their doors; others simply turned off the lights, locked the doors and went home.

        In front of O'Bryon's Irish Pub, four friends lingered on the sidewalk at 8:15 p.m. Today being Good Friday — a holiday from work — they were reluctant to turn in so early. But within 10 minutes, at least three police cars had driven by, the officers giving the group long sideways glances.

        “I feel like they're looking at everyone,” said Paul Wagner, an owner of the bar.

        One of his regular customers, Randy Homoelee, said he would be spending a quiet night at home, watching Gladiator on DVD.

        At Busken Bakery in Hyde Park, Jennifer Faulkner worried for her city and herself. She and others had to stay past the curfew, to open the doors for bakers working overnight shifts.

        “We got bathroom passes, like, so we can get home,” Ms. Faulkner said, pulling a note from her pocket.

        “Jennifer Faulkner is an employee of Busken Bakery and is scheduled to work from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.,” it said.

        Earlier in the evening, a man had called the bakery to ask when it would be closing.

        “We're open 24 hours, but you have to stay in because it's after 8 p.m.,” she responded.

        The man laughed and said, “OK, honey.”

        She didn't think it was so funny. “I think it's a shame,” she said.

        Jennifer Mrozowski contributed.

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