Yelp, everyone’s favorite crowd-sourced ratings aggregate site, is an easy go-to when deciding where to drink and dine. Is it new? Does it have a good Yelp review? People tend to trust their peers to give honest (and sometimes highly entertaining) feedback about local bars and eateries.

That being said, these are the top 25 best bars in Cincinnati according to Yelp — literally at the time this was gathered. Because Yelp is a pretty, pretty popular site and people are constantly reviewing and adding stars, etc., this list is constantly in flux. The No. 1 bar position will change, sometimes daily, and several eateries will jockey for position in and out of that top 25.

But regardless of the rank, these are some of the public’s favorite places to drink in the Queen City. And we’ve captured some of their reviews to tell you why.

(Also, you can Google “top 10 best Cincinnati restaurants Yelp” to get the most current list at any point in time.)

1. Comfort Station 793 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills ”This place is HARD to find!! Speakeasy vibes for sure! There’s a blue door out front with the label ‘women’ above it, so I definitely wandered the street for a few minutes. However once inside, this place is adorable. Super comfortable seating with pillows, skylights and a large bar area. Unfortunately it was raining so I didn’t make it outside, but next time! The drinks were all unique and delicious. I tried the summer white wine which was refreshing and had fruit! Definitely recommend visiting when in the Walnut Hills area!” — Deidre F. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
2. Wodka Bar 1200 Main St., Over-the-Rhine ”What a fun and eclectic spot to sip on your favorite potato beverage. Wodka Bar OTR, brought to you by the same owner of Babushka Pierogis next door, is a fine establishment that takes you back to the old country of Russia. Wild big floral printed wallpaper on the back wall draws you in and the stained-glass ceiling piece takes your breath away. The entire place is sprinkled with the tiny details that would make your Russian grandmother proud. From the cute turquoise water pitchers, drinkware and mixed-match tiny plates.” — Abby D. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
3. Homemakers Bar 35 E. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine ”What a unique place that has newly opened in OTR. Homemakers Bar offers something different with styling and cocktails that are an ode to the ’50s-’70s. The place is brightly painted and definitely has a retro vibe. We came here on a Monday night and our bartender was instantly attentive. She told us about the spritzer happy hour which we took advantage of! For $6 I got the Red, White and You which to me was not overly sweet, yet had the tangy bitterness of grapefruit. My friend got the Blue spritzer which she enjoyed. We had already eaten, so chose not to try any of the small bites, but boy are they creative! I for sure picture going to a friend’s house in the ’50s and having their homemaker mom serving us the bites from a tray!” — Heather L. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
4. Aster 8 E. Fourth St., Downtown ”This is by far the most hip bar that I’ve been to in Cincinnati. Located above the downtown Sleepy Bee, Aster is out of the craziness of Over-the-Rhine and in an area that is becoming more attractive to the city. Aster has tons of fun cocktails alongside beer and wine options. The ingredients to the cocktails are unique, while being natural and not artificial (which is kind of hard to find). This is quite an expensive bar, but well worth it. I had so much fun being able to relax on a couch in the corner while playing the game that was on the table and listening to the DJ. It was fun and chill, but could have been more energetic if that’s what I was searching for. In the summer it would be great to come here too because of the beautiful balcony they have. I’d recommend Aster to anyone coming downtown.” — Alyssa H. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
5. Sundry and Vice 18 W. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine ”I love, love, love this bar. It is a must on my list when friends come to visit. It looks like an old-fashioned apothecary from the outside, with little potions and jars in the windows. Inside is small and intimate with a bar and just a few booths. The drink menu is quite large and the cocktails here are made with care and thought. You may wait a bit longer for a drink here, but it’s guaranteed to be a quality cocktail and made very well. — Kimberly J. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
6. Overlook Lodge: A Rustic Watering Hole 6083 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge ”If you’re a fan of The Shining, Overlook Lodge is a must visit. If you’re not a fan of The Shining, Overlook Lodge is still a must visit. The ‘rustic watering hole’ pays homage to the Stephen King classic with the decor throughout. If I were Jack Nicholson, Overlook Lodge would be a GREAT spot to begin terrorizing my family…and enjoying some delicious cocktails while I’m at it. The weekends tend to bring live music and a decent crowd. There is limited seating that fills up quickly, but I’ve never seen it packed to the brim (though I’m sure it happens). The back patio is also a great area to enjoy your libations on a nice day. Whenever I find myself in Pleasant Ridge, I’ll be sure to swing by Overlook Lodge.” — Tyler M. Photo via Facebook.com/OverlookLodge Photo: Facebook.com/OverlookLodge
7. The Video Archive 965 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills ”Whoa, this place is neat as heck. Especially if you are a film lover, as that is what this speakeasy is themed around. I just happened to stumble upon this bar on Yelp, and once reading about it, we were immediately interested! The outside is designed like an old VHS video store. To get in, the person working out front will give you hints on which movie you need to choose that will open the door. I won’t spoil that for y’all! But let’s just say, if it weren’t for my movie buff boyfriend, I probably wouldn’t have gotten it on my own! Once you pull on the right one, a sliding door will open and it. is. so cool.” — Shelby Z. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
8. Blind Lemon 936 Hatch St., Mt. Adams ”This is such a beautiful little spot to have a cocktail and listen to music. The courtyard is perfect in the warmer weather, but even in the winter it is wonderful inside. It is such a beautiful traditional old bar. I love to bring people visiting Cincinnati here. It is not what people would expect to find in Ohio. Just make sure you are not hungry because there is no food, and parking can be a challenge. Other than that I would highly recommend it for the atmosphere alone.” — Janice K. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
9. Hoppin’ Vines 8150 Montgomery Road, Kenwood They have a bar where you can walk up to order drinks and a separate area where you can order your food. No waiters or waitresses, just order whenever and wherever you like. They have nearly 40 brews on tap with very good selection. I went with ole reliable, Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. Delicio prepares the food and their menu is mostly pizza but they also have wings, salads, etc. I tried the Philly cheesesteak pizza and it wasn’t my favorite mostly because of the American cheese but it was prepared right (next time I’ll try something different). In addition, they have an area for duckpin bowling if you’re interested. Needless to say, this place is a one-stop shop for fun and a good, unique date night spot. I also like how they have lots of TVs, which is good for when I’m watching sports.” — Jared T. Photo via Facebook.com/HoppinVines
10. Fowling Warehouse 2940 Highland Ave., Norwood ”A great new entertainment option in Cincinnati!! Fowling Warehouse combines the fun of bowling with the skill of throwing a football. But don’t be intimidated, this game can be played by everyone. The set up is similar to cornhole in the sense that each team is throwing to the other end of the lane. And each team has 10 bowling pins that they must knock over by throwing a football. That is where the fun begins! The staff takes the time to explain the rules should it be your first time visiting. Get a few practice throws in and get ready to play your friends. The bar offers a large variety of craft beer on draft and in cans. There are also many options of spirits as well. While they do not have a kitchen, there are food trucks that visit on busy nights. My friends and I enjoyed our experience at Fowling Warehouse and look forward to coming back.” — Brian R. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
11. 16-Bit Bar+Arcade 1331 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine ”Love this bar, perfect place to day drink and play games with friends! There’s a lot of classic video games (and) they are all free to play (except pinball) as long as you drink! It’s usually hard to find bars that are open early on Sundays, but they open at 12 which I think is awesome, so this is usually my go-to spot for Sunday Funday. They have a huge drink selection of both cocktails and beer. All their cocktails are very different and named after celebrities — very unique. I think at this point I’ve tried almost every single one of their cocktails and I haven’t had one that I didn’t like.” — Krystal F. Photo: Patty Salas
12. Cobblestone OTR 1132 Race St., Over-the-Rhine ”Cobblestone is a really cool little low-key neighborhood bar that is quickly becoming a regular stop on the weekend! They have great rotating beers on tap and my friends like their cocktails. Prices are reasonable. The bartenders here are also super nice. There is bar seating or tables available. Not sure about parking, as we normally walk here from my friends apartment, but it seems to be near everything.” — Heather L. Photo: Paige Deglow
13. Higher Gravity 4106 Hamilton Ave., Northside ”This destination will lift your spirits in more than one way. The selection of beers alone will make you think you’ve died and gone to brew heaven. Walls and walls of nothing but epic bottle and can choices. You won’t know where to begin! But, no matter what you choose, you’re sure to enjoy it and the bar itself. The inside is very clean and inviting, with beers, wines, a full bar, and big screen TVs all around. The staff are all very friendly and knowledgeable about the product. On top of all the bottled and canned beer, they have a very good selection of brews on tap, with a digital list that’s easy to navigate. Plus they have great daily specials and a Monday-Friday happy hour to cure the workweek blues.” — Josh W. Photo: Paige Deglow
14. Fifty West Brewing Company 7668 Wooster Pike, Mariemont ”I’m not really sure how to improve upon this place. I’ve drank 50 West beer for awhile and I believe I even went to their big summer extravaganza but never have been at the brewhaus. The staff is great and the ambience is so relaxing. It’s like riding in an old VW Van across Route 66. So cool and chill. I had a flight that was perfect and the last selection I put ‘surprise me’ and she did. In fact she said if I could guess it in three guesses she would buy me a pour and sure enough I did. I enjoyed probably the best beet salad ever with the most perfectly cooked salmon. Definitely a place I will returned. Give it a try and add to your addiction to great places. It’s not just a brewery but a destination!!!!” — Steve L. Photo via Facebook.com/FiftyWestBrewingCompany
16. Lola’s 24 W. Third St., Downtown ”Really cute coffee shop/bar. There isn’t a sign outside that I could find and I walked right by! Staff was really friendly and helpful. I got an iced Irish coffee which was $2 off. It was made with cold brew and had a delicious whip cream on top. Very delicious and great price. It’s a nice place to get some work done during the day. The music was a little loud but not bad. The inside is cute with booths, a large wood bar, comfy chairs and a small area to sit outside.” — Brandi T. Photo via Facebook.com/LolasCincy>
17. Mecca 1429 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine ”What a fun place. In the city and feels like a beach dive bar. Great indoor and outdoor seating. Eclectic feel and drink menu. The signature drink is a flavored sparkling water with an upside down mini bottle of whiskey, rum or vodka. Choose your flavor, choose your alcohol, drop in a straw and a simple, fun, tasty drink. No need to get fancy here! Only had time for one drink but definitely want to come back and chill on the patio or try to get my ping pong game back on track.” — Sal P. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
18. Vestry 1205 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine ”What a unique joint! The location is not far from OTR and the vibes are ultra chill. They feature craft cocktails, a more than decent selection of bourbon/whiskey, wine and a handful of beers on tap. The service was excellent. Staff was casual pace that set the vibe. They had a knack for being there just when they needed. If you’re looking for a more relaxed atmosphere this is an excellent fit.” — Casondra K. Photo via Facebook.com/VestryattheTranscept>
19. Landlocked Social House 648 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills ”Such a cute addition to the Walnut Hills area! I love that new places like Landlocked are moving into this up-and-coming area. Landlocked is a perfect place for a happy hour drink or coffee in the morning. They have a super cute patio outside as well for when the weather gets nicer. I love that Landlocked has all of their drink offerings on tap! I am a huge fan of the prosecco and cold brew they have! I love how they kept original parts of the building and incorporated them. This is a great place to go for either studying/working or grabbing a few drinks after work.” — Mariel D. Photo: Brittany Thornton
20. Taft’s Ale House 1429 Race St., Over-the-Rhine ”One of my favorite places for drinks in Cincinnati! My wife and I tried the flights of beer and we seriously enjoyed them all. I got mostly IPAs which my wife hates but she insisted on trying them all as the first one was so delicious. We didn’t try any food but it did look cool. The second floor is bar service (at least it was when we were there on a Saturday afternoon) and the first floor was long tables (e.g. like a German beer hall) and there was a basement with another bar and tables. I would most certainly go back to try their food!” — Dan H. Photo: Jesse Fox
21. O’ Malleys In The Alley 25 Ogden Place, Downtown ”I’ve met my friend here a couple of times for a drink before an event and really enjoy the whole atmosphere. As the name suggests, it’s located down an alley and it is a no-frills bar (which as everyone knows, is my favorite). The drinks are strong, the service is friendly and prompt, and the price is right. Inexpensive strong drinks…yes please. It’s located downtown and an easy stop before just about anything you might want to do in the area. However, I understand that it is jam packed before Red’s games so perhaps avoid it during that time unless you are prepared to wait.” — Kimberly J. Photo via Facebook.com/OMalleysInTheAlley
22. Overlook Kitchen + Bar 5345 Medpace Way, Madisonville ”We love the bar at the Summit Hotel and visit often. Ashleigh welcomes us every time with a friendly face and awesome service. She has taken the time to get to know us and has an amazing attitude that allows us to really enjoy our time at the bar. Thanks for a great experience every time we visit!” — Susan A. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
23. The Littlefield 3934 Spring Grove Ave., Northside ”I recently visited Littlefield with a group of friends for a going-away dinner and was very impressed! For starters, the drinks were all very unique but delicious. I tried the Virginia, which was perfectly light and refreshing for the summer. Especially if you like prosecco! For dinner, I had the burger, which was great, but after seeing some of the chicken pot pies coming out, I know for sure what I’m getting next time! Not to mention those around me raved about those pot pies! It has a cute inside decor, and with reservations can be very accommodating for groups!! They have a nice patio outside, but it was way too hot to give that a try, so maybe next time!” — Dierdre G. Photo: Izzy Viox
24. LouVino OTR 1142 Main St., Over-the-Rhine ”Let’s start with the wine. Holy options! So many different choices on bottles/glass/ flights. Since I don’t know too much wine I went with a flight of wine. You get three two-ounce pours, which total one glass of wine. I picked the Jennifer Lawrence, which was a bubbly flight. I really enjoyed it. Next we ordered four different plates, which we quickly learned was a little too much for the two of us, but hey that’s why they gave boxes. I highly recommend the fried chicken tacos and the Brussels sprout salad. They did not disappoint. A wonderful experience and I can’t wait to come back for brunch!” — Katelin M. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger
25. Horse and Barrel 625 Walnut St., Downtown ”Horse & Barrel is a must try if you’re into whiskey or bourbon. They had a wide variety of whiskey to choose from and single-barrel picks as well. The prices are reasonable for the location and the service was excellent. The bar is connected to Nicholson’s and they share the same kitchen (different menus though). We ordered a few different single barrel pick bourbons and had the barbecue chicken bites. Everything was awesome including the two bartenders. The only thing I would suggest is they get better glasses for nosing. Their glasses were decent, but they’d really benefit from offering Glencairns to drink from. Keep up the good work!” — Brett A. Photo via Facebook.com/HorseAndBarrel>