25 Kid-Friendly Cincinnati Spots Where Parents Can Get a Damn Drink
Let's all raise a glass to parents. It's not an easy job — but someone's gotta do it. And sometimes that job, like every job, can put you in the mood for a stiff drink. We hope this list inspires some parents to relax and have some fun while spending time with their kids.
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1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Head over to Washington Park and enjoy a selection of local beer, seasonal cocktails, canned wine and more. The bar offers seating on the porch or on the lawn, so BYOB (bring your own blanket). Tables and heaters are located under the covered patio for when the weather isn't cooperating. Kids can enjoy the massive lawn and playground at the park and for dog parents out there, Washington Park offers a dog park for pups to play and get their zoomies out.
1 Levee Way, Newport
Bridgeview Box Park, a cluster of small food, drink and shopping vendors, is open year-round, but the best time to visit is when the weather is nice. The establishments are housed next to each other in shipping-like containers — hence “box park” — and are interspersed among a common outdoor area. The breezy space overlooks the Ohio River and city and features turf lounge areas, string lights and outdoor games like corn hole and giant Jenga.
Photo: Savana Willhoite
7605 Wooster Pike, Mariemont
Fifty West has tons of activities for kids to enjoy, like several sand volleyball courts, cornhole and pickelball, plus an ice skating rink in the winter. The brewery hub also has a Burger Bar serving up a menu of bread-and-butter diner specialties like classic cheeseburgers, flat-top hot dogs and loaded crinkle cut fries. Don’t miss the 12 specialty burgers named for the 12 states that U.S. Route 50 runs through. Grab a house-made root beer or orange soda to wash it all down, or choose from a wide range of Fifty West canned, bottled or draft beers.
Photo: Danielle Schuster
25 W. Eighth St., Covington.
For your animal-obsessed kid, reserve a 50-minute session to cuddle with kitties in Purrfect Day Cafe’s cat lounge room. Roughly 15-20 adoptable cats hang out in the lounge room, and all can be interacted with. Grab a snack like the "Paw-Pcorn" or "Purr-Etzels" and a drink— they offer up a variety of beers, wines and cocktails like the "Purrfect Meowmosa."
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
1124 Main St., Over-the-Rhine
Pins is full of fun and games for both kids and adults, including duck pin bowling, ping pong, foosball and pinball machines. There are 36 beers on tap and loads of imaginative cocktails for the adults — plus mocktails for kids and anyone not drinking. Customers can also head over to Goodfellas Pizza down the street and bring it into Pins.
5959 Kellogg Ave., California
Dead Low Brewing is located within walking distance of Coney Island and Riverbend Music Center. The massive space features a taproom, beer garden and kitchen. They serve up beer, cider and seltzer brewed on-site, as well as a made-from-scratch food menu featuring burgers, sandwiches, pizza, wings, and salad; there's also a dedicated kids menu and several vegetarian options.
123 Railroad Ave., Loveland
The Wicked Pickle, located along the Loveland Bike Trail, is an amazing spot to sip on a drink, eat some barbecue and watch bikers on the trail. This dog-friendly establishment has live music, a full bar and a menu stuffed with delicious items that feature their house-smoked pork. The little ones can enjoy a kid's menu with classic items like griddle cheese, sliders and key lime pie for dessert.
Photo: Phil HeidenReich
3301 Madison Rd., Oakley
MadTree’s massive 10,000-square-foot beer garden is a fun family hangout. With nearly 50 MadTree-exclusive taps, ambient lighting and an industrial brick façade leftover from the building’s factory days, there’s more than enough space to accommodate all the beer-drinking, cornhole-playing, dog-loving humans that hang at MadTree on the regular.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Aside from serving up delicious ales, Rhinegeist also offers games like ping pong and cornhole. The taproom is 21+ after 8 p.m. on Thursday-Saturday nights and the rooftop is always 21+.
6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason
At one of the largest amusement parks and water parks in the Midwest, there are plenty of thrill rides, family-friendly rides, daily live shows, water slides and traditional carnival games to keep the entire family entertained for hours. Alcoholic beverages are available at various hubs around the park, including the Bier Garten, Coconut Cove Bar (located in Soak City) and the Miami River Brewhouse.
