Every year, CityBeat hosts its Best of Cincinnati® competition, wherein our readers vote for their favorite things across the city — from hiking trails and free attractions to restaurants and bars, including the best sports bars. Once September and the official start of the NFL season roll around, Cincinnati bleeds orange and black, with plenty of sports bars in the area firing up the flatscreens to welcome Who Dey Nation. The Cincinnati Bengals will play their Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 1 p.m., and in honor of the 2025 season kickoff, we wanted to share the sports bars our readers think are the best of the best in the city. From soccer-forward spaces that welcome the other kind of football fans to cozy pubs and classic sports-themed bars decked out in memorabilia, here’s where you can go on Sunday to celebrate the Bengals’ first game (and hopefully first win) of the season.
Best Sports Bar No. 10: The Pitch
1430 Central Parkway, Over-the-Rhine
This Over-the-Rhine sports bar is located just across the street from FC Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium, making it a go-to spot for soccer matches. But you can also sport your Orange and Black stripes when the Bengals are playing. Join the bar for Week 1 Bengals vs. Browns game starting at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 7. The food truck will be open from noon to 5 p.m. with new offerings, including wings and chicken tenders.
Best Sports Bar No. 9: rhinehaus
119 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine
Stop in Over-the-Rhine’s “original sports bar” for all your sports-viewing needs, and try one of their Rhino shots while you’re there. For a Bengals/Browns matchup, we recommend the Wonder Rhino, with dark rum and orange, pineapple and cranberry juice. Or, enjoy a locally brewed beer, like Streetside’s Cincy Shirt Faced, Northern Row’s Wanker or the classic Rhinegeist Truth.
Best Sports Bar No. 8: Blue Goose Sports Cafe
11060 Reading Road, Sharonville
If you’re looking for top-notch food and cold drinks to celebrate the Bengals’ season opener, this family-friendly sports-themed cafe in Sharonville is the perfect stop. Try the Cajun burger (blackened seasoning, sautéed onions, jack cheese and jalapeño slices, with spicy mayo on the side) or the Cajun steak hoagie (chopped ribeye steak with Cajun seasoning, grilled onions, melted mozzarella cheese and mayo on the side) as a nod to Joe Burrow’s time at LSU and turn your attention to the TVs at 1 p.m. for kickoff.
Best Sports Bar No. 7: Higher Gravity
4106 Hamilton Ave., Northside; 10241 Summit Parkway, Blue Ash
This bar and bottle shop features a rotating selection of over 500 beers and 100 wines. Let their friendly “beeristas” pour you a flight, and, after the game, don’t leave without visiting their growler and crawler station to take a cold one home with you. Higher Gravity is kid- and dog-friendly, as well as B.Y.O.F. (bring your own food), so bring the whole fam and order in something tasty from one of their Northside or Blue Ash neighbors.
Best Sports Bar No. 6: Anderson Township Pub
6694 Clough Pike, Anderson Township
This family-owned pub offers craft beers, handcrafted cocktails and award-winning burgers, plus plenty of TVs for all your Bengals-watching needs. Their smashburgers are made with a blend of fresh chuck, short rib and brisket. Try the Pub Special (beer cheese, fried banana peppers and grilled jalapeños on a toasted pretzel bun), or create your own.
Best Sports Bar No. 5: Second Place
3936 Spring Grove Ave., Northside
Northside’s Second Place is kicking off the Bengals’ season with a neighborhood chili cookoff, plus free popcorn and food trucks. Patrons can also enjoy $1 Narragansetts on draft until kickoff, $4 slushies, Long Drink buckets, $5 house shots and $3 cowboys.
Best Sports Bar No. 4: Holy Grail Tavern & Grille
161 Joe Nuxhall Way, The Banks
One of The Banks’ most popular sports bars, Holy Grail will host the official pre-game show with Mo Egger, Tony Pike and Ken Broo before every Bengals home game. While the Bengals will be away for Week 1, you can still stop in to enjoy the game and order a bucket of beer and eats the special Game Day menu, featuring everything from wings and burgers to wraps and pizza.
Best Sports Bar No. 3: Queen City Exchange
32 W. Court St., Downtown
Just like the stock market, demand dictates the price of beer at this interactive downtown bar. Buy high with a known favorite or take a risk on something that hasn’t caught other patrons’ eyes just yet while you watch the Bengals take on the Browns on one of Queen City Exchange’s brand new TVs.
Best Sports Bar No. 2: Knockback Nats
10 W. Seventh St., Downtown
There’s no better food to represent football season than the wing, and Knockback Nats has some of the very best in the city. Get them dry-drubbed or tossed in one of Knockback Nats’ 12 sauces — including their award-winning bourbon-pineapple barbecue and spicy garlic ranch.
Best Sports Bar No. 1: MVP Sports Bar & Grille
6923 Plainfield Road, Silverton
MVP Sports Bar & Grille will host a Bengals season kickoff party on Sunday, Sept. 7 starting at 10 a.m. with a Bengals brunch. There will also be bucket specials, giveaways and live music.