Eastside
Adonis
4601 Kellogg Ave., East End, 513-871-1542
Cincinnati’s premiere gay dance club has a pool and it’s sweet.
Stuff to do: DJs and drag Fridays and Saturdays.
Recommended drinks: Martinis.
Allyn’s Café
3538 Columbia Pkwy., Columbia-Tusculum, 513-871-5779
The Tuesday open mic is a unique medley of local unsigned musicians, some gems in the rough and some roughs among gems.
Stuff to do: Happy Hour 5-7:30 p.m. weekdays; live bands Sundays and Mondays; open mic Tuesdays.
Recommended drinks: Frozen margaritas and more than 120 beers.
Food: Bar fare.
Arthur’s Cafe
3516 Edwards Road, Hyde Park, 513-871-5543
Arthur’s is one of Hyde Park’s favorite neighborhood taverns.
Stuff to do: Happy Hour 4-7 p.m. weekdays.
Recommended drinks: Very Cherry Martini.
Food: Bar fare.
By Golly’s
714 Lila Ave., Milford, 513-248-4444
A neighborhood fave known for its creative burger recipes.
Stuff to do: Happy Hour 2-6 p.m. weekdays. Trivia Tuesdays. Karaoke Thursdays and Saturdays.
Recommended drinks: Extensive beer selection.
Food: Full menu.
The Establishment
2900 Wasson Road, Hyde Park, 513-631-9000
A place so welcoming it’s easy to become a local — no matter which side of town you’re from.
Recommended drinks: Silky shot and Yager Bombs.
Food: Bar food.
Habits Café
3036 Madison Road, Oakley, 513-631-8367
Oakley’s living room for more than three decades; consistently packed with good cheer and great people.
Stuff to do: Sunday open mic.
Recommended drinks: Craft beers. Rotating selection and seasonal beers.
Food: Full menu.
Hap’s Irish Pub
3510 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-871-6477
Haps is a traditional Irish pub that sells more Guinness than just about any other place in town.
Stuff to do: Happy Hour 3-7 p.m. weekdays. Live broadcasts of rugby and soccer.
Recommended drinks: Guinness on tap.
Food: Full menu.
Latitudes Cafe and Bar
7426 Beechmont Ave., Anderson Twp., 513-827-9146
A lively departure from the standard American-style bar and grill.
Stuff to do: Live music Fridays and Saturdays.
Happy Hour 4-7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday.
Recommended drinks: Martinis and an extensive wine menu.
Food: Tapas menu.
Millions
3212 Linwood Ave., Mount Lookout, 513-871-9633
Mount Lookout’s high-energy dance lounge.
Stuff to do: Happy Hour 6-11 p.m. daily except Sundays. Karaoke Wednesdays. DJ weekends.
Recommended drinks: Bomb drinks.
Mt. Lookout Tavern
3209 Linwood Ave., Mount Lookout, 513-871-9633
Mount Lookout’s favorite spot for the YP crowd.
Stuff to do: Happy Hour 1-9 p.m. daily. Live music weekends.
Recommended drinks: Mind Eraser.
Food: Bar menu.
O’Bryon’s Irish Pub
1998 Madison Road, Obryonville, 513-321-5525
A newly renovated neighborhood bar and grill with two floors and an outdoor patio that seats 50-60.
Stuff to do: $3 you-call-its on Thursdays and $12 domestic buckets on Fridays.
Recommended drinks: Shark Tank
Food: Classic Pub food.
The Precinct
311 Delta Ave., Columbia-Tusculum, 513-321-5454
A hip, classic steakhouse that’s on the
National Registry of Historic Landmarks. The Precinct was a police
station during the early 1900s.
Recommended drinks: Martinis.
Food: Steakhouse.
The Redmoor
3187 Linwood Ave., Mount Lookout, 513-871-6789
This theater turned event and music hall serves up strong drinks and eclectic tunes.
Stuff to do: Live music every week as scheduled. Open Thursday-Saturday.
Recommended drinks: Specialty martinis.
Food: Full menu.
R.P. McMurphy’s
2910 Wasson Road, Hyde Park, 513-531-3300
A rollicking tavern with electric performances.
Stuff to do: Happy Hour daily until 8 p.m. Open mic night on Tuesdays. Live music Fridays.
Recommended drinks: Golden Margaritas, Robyn’s Sangria (Sunday only), Cajun Bloody Mary and Car Bombs.
Sandbar
4625 Kellogg Ave., East End, 513-533-3810
It’s a day at the beach, with seven volleyball courts and a view of the river.
Stuff to do: Live music as scheduled.
Recommended drinks: Pink Tommy — Stoli Rasberry and pink lemonade, Pina Colada and Strawberry Daqueri with Ron Matusalem Rum.
Food: Full menu.
The Stand
3195 Linwood Ave., Mount Lookout, 513-871-5006
This former bank rocks. Make a deposit and you’ll be sure to return.
Stuff to do: DipDipDive dance night every final Friday. DJ Matt Joy Saturdays. Sunday Spunday is bring in your own vinyl and DJ night.
Recommended drinks: The SuperGuinness.
Stanley’s Pub
323 Stanley Ave., Columbia-Tusculum, 513-871-6249
A favorite spot for live, eclectic tunes along the river.
Stuff to do: Happy Hour 4-6 p.m. Monday-Friday. Jazz Mondays and Thursdays. Bluegrass Tuesdays. Reggae Wednesdays.
Recommended drinks: Imports and microbrews.
Teller’s of Hyde Park
2710 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-321-4721
This once upon a time bank (hence the
name) serves up gourmet food and drinks that satisfy during business
lunches and romantic dinners.
Stuff to do: Happy Hour 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday. Live music Thursdays as scheduled.
Recommended drinks: The Helsinki Jewel with Finlandia grapefruit vodka and cranberry.
Food: Full menu.
Wine Guy Bistro
2692 Madison Road, Rookwood Pavilion; Norwood, 513-384-5712
A full-service retail wine shop with a wine bar and restaurant.
Stuff to do: Wine tastings in the summer.
Recommended drinks: Extensive wine list.
Food: Contemporary American cuisine.
Wooster Tavern
6309 Wooster Pike, Fairfax, 513-271-8616
A friendly, sports-oriented neighborhood tavern.
Stuff to do: Happy Hour 5-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and all night Fridays.
Recommended drinks: 11 beers on tap and 28 bottles
Food: Full menu.
Zip’s Café
1036 Delta Ave., Mount Lookout, 513-871-9876
Since 1926, Zip’s has served up one of Cincinnati’s best hamburgers.
Recommended drinks: Microbrews on tap.
Food: Full menu.
