The joke is that “it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere.” And that somewhere is right here. Below, CityBeat staffers have compiled a list of places they’re drinking right now, from hot spots to favorite dives, and what to order there. We also tapped some of our favorite local bar owners and asked them where they like to drink if they aren’t drinking at their own establishment.

Staff picks by Anne Arenstein, Brian Cross, Madeline Fening, Katie Griffith, Maggy McDonel, Pama Mitchell, Sean Peters, Rick Pender, Brent Stroud and Maija Zummo.

Alice 1432 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, aliceotr.com If Somerset and Mecca had a baby who was always grounded for sneaking out, her name would be Alice. While Alice is new to the scene, the bar is already cemented on my rotation. Rarely do true craft cocktails and dancing fall under the same roof, let alone in such an artfully designed space. The environment casts a happy-go-lucky vibe that makes it easier to bond with strangers. What to order: I’m always looking for some kind of Last Word variation, so I’m in love with Death of a Clown. It’s Chartreuse-forward with Vinho Verde, fennel, lemon and Ango, garnished with red bell pepper. Refreshing and fancy at just $10, so it doesn’t break the bank the way Chartreuse cocktails often can. (MF) Photo: Madeline Fening
The Condesa at Bar Saeso Photo: Catie Viox for Zest Cincy
Somerset Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Alcove 1410 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, madtreebrewing.com/alcove MadTree’s renovation of the historic Wielert’s Café in Over-the-Rhine — where legendary Boss Cox once manipulated local politics in the 19th century — takes a step beyond the Oakley brewery’s crowd-drawing beers with some great specialty cocktails as well as smashes and sangrias. Alcove offers three distinct spaces: an indoor bar and lounge with a phenomenal wall of living foliage; an outdoor patio with trees, string lights and widely-spaced tables; and a glassed-over, year-round Greenhouse Bar. In addition to drinks, the food menu has lots of shareables and snacks. What to order: You can’t go wrong with a negroni — gin, sweet vermouth and Campari, with an orange peel garnish. (RP) Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Chunker at Mecca Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Junker’s Tavern 4156 Langland St., Northside, facebook.com/northsidecincy Junker’s is the center of the universe, or at least the center of the Cincinnati rock-and-roll universe. Luckily, it is mostly untouched by time and trends. It is also one of the best live-music venues in the city and has one of the best jukeboxes. What to order: Anything — it’s all cheap; cash only with heavy pours and cheaper prices. A classic lager will work nicely, or, if you’re feeling adventurous, a Stella Artois or Grolsch. Anything will complement a re-listen of The Stooges’ Fun House on the jukebox. (BS) Photo: Holden Mathis
A bartender making the Monmouth Mango Photo: Katie Griffith
A frozen booze slushie at Holiday Spirits Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Oakley Wines Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Symposium 2835 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills, symposiumcincinnati.com A new entry in the café-by-day, bar-by-night trend, this East Walnut Hills spot aims to be a neighborhood hangout but is worth the drive from farther away. Though it bills itself as a wine bar, there’s actually only a small selection of glass pours. Instead, go for the fun cocktails. Sit in the pretty corner called The Nest, featuring easy-chairs arranged for conversation with the people you came with, or maybe with a perfect stranger. Small plates include truffled grilled cheese and tiny sweet peppers stuffed with goat cheese or tuna. What to order: Magpie Gin & Tonic combines Empress 908 gin, lime bitters and elderflower tonic over a giant ice cube encasing a colorful flower. The house Old Fashioned has a few captivating grace notes, too. (PM) Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Dee Felice Cafe 529 Main St., Covington, deefelicecafe.com Dee Felice Cafe is Covington’s understated jazz speakeasy with New Orleans-inspired cuisine. Behind the bar is an elevated stage with a piano and drum kit; some days, a three-piece band booms, other days, it’s a solo pianist. Something about the ambiance makes you want to sip a martini in a sequined dress, mysterious and alone at the bar, tapping your foot to the music while the hum of conversation buzzes in the background. What to order: An Orange Creamsicle Martini. The drink is smooth and sweet with a simple orange slice garnish. Every Friday, martinis are $5 and as long as the doors are open, live music is playing. (KG) Photo: Katie Griffith
OTR StillHouse 2017 Branch St., Over-the-Rhine, otrstillhouse.com OTR StillHouse is home to the Knox Joseph Distillery, where gin, bourbon and blended whiskeys are created in a shiny copper still. It opened in 2021 in a century-old structure that once housed an ice manufacturer. Fresh pure groundwater from aqueous underground caverns was frozen for ice back then. Today, it’s used to make award-winning spirits. What to order: The smoky-sweet Ezzard Charles Patio Punch, a blend of James Scott Whiskey, Laphroaig Scotch, spiced cranberry demerara, Montenegro amaro and orange juice. More than a dozen housemade beers and non-alcoholic sodas offer additional options. (RP) Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Mid-City Restaurant 40 E. Court St., Downtown, midcitycinti.com Mid-City is more of a dining destination than a bar, but it’s from the team behind Over-the-Rhine’s Longfellow, so you know the cocktails and atmosphere are excellent. It’s a perfect spot for older millennials who still enjoy a hip night out, but who also enjoy sitting in chairs and not shouting over loud music/loud humans. What to order:The drink menu is a list of quintessential mixology, with options ranging from a Manhattan made with 120-proof bourbon to a tequila sunrise. I like an ice-cold Gibson, featuring London dry gin, French vermouth and cocktail onions. And the bread with housemade pickle butter. (MZ) Photo: instagram.com/midcitycinti
Paddy’s on Main 520 Main St., Covington, searchable on Facebook Paddy’s on Main offers the self-proclaimed largest selection of Irish whiskey in the city. Tons of top-shelf, iconic options like Redbreast 27-year whiskey are available, among familiar selections that frequently take a backseat to bourbon in other area drinkeries. Stop by for a cold-brewed Irish coffee and stay for a tall tale about the owner’s great, great, great grandfather’s dog, Paddy Seamus Ryan. What to order: The Pudding Shot is a must-have. It’s a boozy, chocolate pudding boasting a flavor similar to an Irish Car Bomb. A touch of culinary magic infuses different whiskeys into the fluffy mixture. For optimal enjoyment, the shot is served with cookies for dipping, which is the recommended slow-and-steady route of consumption. (KG) Photo: Katie Griffith
Sundry and Vice Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Littlefield 3934 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, littlefieldns.com The Littlefield is a Northside bourbon bar and bistro known for seasonal eats, craft cocktails — including a drink of the month to benefit a local cause — and a lovely patio. What to order: The Littlefield’s Mad Anthony now goes by the name Fergus, honoring another one of Northside’s streets, but — thank, Bacchus — it’s still the same fabulous blend of Evan Williams bourbon, basil syrup, homemade ginger beer and balsamic vinegar, topped with basil leaves. That basil fragrance stayed with me during the early days of the pandemic; every time a colleague promised to get together for a drink when it felt safer to go out, there was only one destination for me. Maybe absence made the heart grow fonder, but Fergus has only gotten better. (AA) Photo: Provided by The Littlefield
Gaslight Bar & Grill 351 Ludlow Ave., Clifton, gaslightbarandgrillclifton.com Clifton’s nicest restaurant also has the neighborhood’s most welcoming bar. With more than a dozen bar stools and a few high-top tables, it has happy hour discounts ($4 off everything on the cocktail list) from 2-6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. In good weather, you can imbibe upstairs on the comfortable rooftop patio. What to order: Puck’s Fizz is a refreshing summer drink with Ketel One peach and orange blossom vodkas, white wine and “seasonal fruit” — most likely peach puree. Or try Holly Golightly — a mint and cucumber martini. But the hidden gem on this drinks list is a glass of the dessert wine, Boston Bual Madeira: subtly sweet with cinnamon-clove spice and an enticing orange-scented bouquet. (PM) Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Bar at Palm Court Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, 35 W. Fifth St., Downtown, orchidsatpalmcourt.com It’s no secret that the Bar at Palm Court is one of the best places in the city to grab a cocktail, blending artful alcohol creations with awe-inspiring Art Deco décor. Sidle up to the bar — if you’re lucky enough to find a stool — and enjoy some live jazz while you drink. What to order: The NP is a best-of-both-worlds cocktail that pairs bourbon with something bubbly. Named after the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza (the hotel which houses the bar), the cocktail features Four Roses bourbon, lemon, ginger, bitters and sparkling wine. It’s light, refreshing and still packs a boozy kick. (MZ) Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Birdcage 927 Race St., Downtown, thebirdcagecincinnati.com Downtown LGBTQ+ nightclub The Birdcage is one of the best places to be yourself, sing or dance your heart out and, of course, drink. This spot is always a good time, with weekly events like karaoke night, DJ dance parties and tons of drag performances. If you’re broke (like me), the bar offers drink specials including $3 White Claw Wednesdays, $5 Absolut Vodka on Thirsty Thursdays and $5 Screwballs on Screwball Sundays — the perfect way to finish off brunch. What to order: Obviously try any of the drinks on special, but the bar is also known for its bird-themed cocktails. My favorite is the Orange Sparrow Spritzer, made with Jameson Orange and Sprite and topped with an orange wedge. (MM) Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Bromwell’s Härth Lounge 125 W. Fourth St., Downtown, facebook.com/harthloungecinci This jazz-club-turned-coffee-lounge is only open for boozing on Friday and Saturday nights for now but remains committed to quality classic cocktails. The newly redesigned space brings the attached, historic Bromwell’s retail fireplace brand to life, immersing you in cozy, dark hues accented by charred wood installations and working fireplaces. What to order: An Old Fashioned, made the right way — stirred and strained, not shaken. Great coffee and mocktails top off the menu for non-drinkers. (BC) Photo: Mary LeBus
Madonna’s Bar & Grill 11 E. Seventh St., Downtown, facebook.com/madonnasbarandgrill Open since the mid-1990s, this downtown dive is a Cheers-style antithesis to many of the area’s newer concept-bar destinations. It certainly isn’t fancy, but it’s super fun, extremely laid-back and offers surprisingly delicious food. (Also, full disclosure, my uncle is a bartender here, so that’s a bonus. He’s very funny). What to order: It’s kind of a beer-and-a-shot spot, but you can certainly ask the staff to make you your favorite cocktail. I typically just get a vodka soda. Cheap. Good. (MZ) Photo: facebook.com/madonnasbarandgrill
Muse Café 3018 Harrison Ave., Westwood, musecafecincy.com Now celebrating its fifth anniversary, Muse Café has received accolades as perhaps the primary catalyst to Westwood’s revival. Owner Shawnteè Stallworth Schramm has created a selection of cocktails named after the nine Greek muses: mythological goddesses considered the source of human creativity, especially poetry and music. You can enjoy cocktails, coffee drinks and a choice of wines by the glass or bottle while listening to acoustic, jazz or blues performances most evenings. What to order:Euterpe (the muse of music and song), with Bulleit bourbon, ginger, pear and orange. Or Clio (the muse of history), a gin or vodka drink with peach, lavender and lime. (PM) Photo: Erin Gardner
Pilar 56 E. Court St., Downtown, pilarcincinnati.com. Need a quick trip down to Key West? This is the cocktail bar for you, complete with theme and décor to evoke Ernest Hemingway, the hard-drinking, tough-talking novelist. In fact, it’s named for his beloved 38-foot fishing boat, and a replica of its stern overhangs the bar. There are pink, yellow and blue picnic tables for outside seating, where you can sip drinks while surveying the renovated Court Street Plaza. What to order: Up in Michigan, named for the first short story that Hemingway published, uses Tito’s Handmade Vodka, lime juice and housemade grenadine, garnished with a lime. Plenty of tropical daiquiris support the South Florida vibe, too. (RP) Photo: Provided by 4EG
Wondercade 3143 Harrison Ave., Westwood, wondercadecincy.com While you can absolutely get a few drinks, Wondercade is a pinball and video game arcade more than it is a bar. That’s a good thing if your nightlife needs a change of pace. Wondercade created a neon-bright playspace for all ages in Westwood (though no kids are allowed after 9 p.m.). For a flat fee of $8 you can play all day and even leave and re-enter later if you get your hand stamped. What to order: Keep it simple with canned local beer. Wondercade offers a solid selection from local breweries, including West Side Brewing, which is just down the street. (SP) Photo: Provided by Wondercade
Comfort Station 793 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills, comfortstationcincinnati.com When I have time away from Nostalgia and have a chance to meet up with friends for a drink or catch some time alone, Comfort Station is my spot! It’s a quick trip away from OTR with a diverse crowd, nice vibe and great cocktails. What to order: What I order changes pretty regularly, because I like to switch things up, but my go-to drink there is the “Sunday Kind of Love” — light, refreshing and I stan a great cocktail name. (Tammie Scott, owner, Nostalgia Wine & Jazz Lounge, 1432 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com/NostalgiaOTR) Photo: Hailey Bollinger
La Ofrenda 30 Findlay St., Over-the-Rhine, laofrendatequila.com La Ofrenda is a hidden gem tucked away next to Findlay Market. This tequila and mezcal bar is truly authentic and owned by la familia Treviño (Jacob Trevino of Gorilla Cinema Presents). It has a great outdoor space and live Latin music on the weekends. Try their tacos if you need a snack to chase your agave spirit. What to order: You can’t go wrong with any of their margaritas. I’m a sucker for a classic and they let you put a Tajin rim on any of them, but what I love the most at La Ofrenda is getting a cerveza and neat pour of anything from their tequila or mezcal list with a side of their house Sangrita. Yummy! (Julia Petiprin, Owner, HomeMaker’s Bar and Fifty Fifty Gin Club, 39 E. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine, homemakersbar.com, fiftyfiftyginclub.com; Sundry and Vice, 18 W. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine, sundryandvice.com) Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Hub The Hub, 1209 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, totallythehubotr.com This is hard because I love all bars — and pretty much anywhere that serves alcohol — but right now I’m going to say The Hub. This rebellious little bar is still causing trouble in OTR, bullying Dusty Rhodes off Twitter and hosting all sorts of wild events like mud-wrestling fundraisers, live dating games and fringe original music. There’s a pool table and a serious collection of questionable taxidermy. I like to go for happy hour when it’s chill and you can sometimes catch the owner, Lindsey, behind the bar. What to order: Habanero-infused tequila, beers, shots, rinse, repeat. (Stuart MacKenzie, co-owner, Northside Yacht Club, 4227 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, northsideyachtclub.com; Jerry’s Jug House, 414 E. Seventh St., Newport, jerrysjughouse.com) Photo: instagram.com/thehubotr
Hart & Cru 1206 Broadway St., Pendleton, hartandcru.com Walking in, it feels like you’ve entered someone’s home. It’s cozy and no-frills with the most knowledgeable staff the city has to offer. They are wine “producer” driven, supporting winemakers all over the world that greatly care about the grapes they grow and methods in making. What to order: The wine list is thought out with heart and a lot of options. (Steven Clement, co-owner, Lost & Found, 22 E. 14th St., Over-the-Rhine, lostandfoundotr.com) Photo: Aaron Conway
MOTR Pub 1345 Main St. Over-the-Rhine, motrpub.com It always feels safe to be yourself here. What to order: Though it’s not a “cocktail” bar, MOTR is a place to blow off some steam over a beer, look at some different art on the walls and see someone you know while being easy on your wallet. (Steven Clement, co-owner, Lost & Found, 22 E. 14th St., Over-the-Rhine, lostandfoundotr.com) Photo: facebook.com/MOTRPub
The Loon The Loon, 4124 Hamilton Ave., Northside, theloonwinebar.com My favorite place to grab a drink is The Loon (formerly the Listing Loon). This neighborhood bar is dark and cozy, and it might just be the most chill spot in Northside. They have a perfectly secluded patio, with a firepit going during the colder months. What to order: While they have a good wine selection, my personal go-to is the “blip and sip” — a shot of liquor and a tall can of beer. It’s a great deal and pairs perfectly with the laid-back atmosphere, made for catching up with friends. (Sarah Finney, co-owner, 1215 Wine Bar &Coffee Lab, 1215 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 1215vine.com) Photo: facebook.com/theloonwinebar
Gas Light Cafe Other than supporting the bars near Longfellow when I get done working for the day, I enjoy going to Gaslight Cafe in Pleasant Ridge. What to order: Order a tall Dewar’s and soda and a patty melt. You will enjoy yourself. (Mike Stankovich, owner, Longfellow, 1233 Clay St., Over-the-Rhine, longfellowbar.com; Mid-City Restaurant, 40 E. Court St., Downtown, midcitycinti.com) Photo: Google Street View
Goose & Elder 1800 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, gooseandelder.com Plus: Gas Light Cafe, 6104 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge, facebook.com/gaslightcincy. HomeMakers Bar, 39 E. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine, homemakersbar.comJapp’s, 1134 Main St., Over-the-Rhine, jappsotr.com Lost & Found, 22 E. 14th St., Over-the-Rhine, lostandfoundotr.com When I am not drinking at one of my establishments, I really like to support the other bars of people who have built me up over the years, either through their mentorship or friendship. My favorites are Gas Light Cafe in Pleasant Ridge,Goose & Elder in Findlay Market, HomeMakers Bar with Julia Petiprin, Japp’s with Molly Wellmann* and Lost & Found with Steven Clement. (Jacob Trevino, gorillacinemapresents.com) *Molly Wellmann recently sold Japp’s to 4EG Photo: Hailey Bollinger