Greater Cincinnati Restaurant Week Returns September 18-24, 2023

35 of Our Favorite Greater Cincinnati Bars and What to Order There

By CityBeat Staff on Wed, Jul 27, 2022 at 12:16 pm

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.

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Photo: Madeline Fening

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: Catie Viox for Zest Cincy

Bar Saeso

1208 Sycamore St., Pendleton, barsaeso.com
Bar Saeso offers a transportive experience in Pendleton. Stepping through the skinny front doors into the petite space feels a bit like you’re stepping into a different city — a different country — entirely. Replete with flickering candles, exposed brick, plenty of plants and a terracotta color palette, it very much gives an old-world Barcelona vibe. Co-owner Christy Wulfson once told CityBeat, “Everyone who walks in here [says] it reminds them of somewhere they’ve been, and no one ever says the same place — Argentina, Mexico City, Lisbon, Rome, all across the globe.” What to order: The Condesa. Named after the hip La Condesa neighborhood in Mexico City, this drink is smoky, spicy and sweet featuring mezcal, lemon, hot honey and a Tajin-dusted orange slice. (MZ)

Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Somerset

139 E. McMicken Ave., Over-the-Rhine, somersetotr.com
Somerset is basically a giant urban oasis in Over-the-Rhine. It has two indoor bars — a cozy library-lounge and a large light-filled conservatory — but the main attraction is the back patio, which boasts a collection of the owners’ architectural treasures collected from across the globe. It feels like a Moroccan riad, with unique seating areas like out-of-commission tuk-tuks. What to order:The cocktails are made with house-infused spirits, like peach-Thai basil vodka, and all are delicious. But the mocktail menu is equally unique. The Ziggy Stardust is a favorite, with coconut milk, pineapple, lime and hibiscus. (MZ)

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

Mecca

1429 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine, meccaotr.com
The original OTR garden bar with plants everywhere. Nestled between buildings on 15th Street, you’d miss it if you didn’t know it was there. It’s a relaxing, secret hideaway in the early evening hours but comes alive at night, attracting crowds of in-the-know revelers. Staffed by artists and musicians, colorful surrealist art covers the walls inside and the vibes are immaculate. What to order: The signature drink is the Chunker, an airline-sized mini-bottle of liquor inverted in the mouth of a can of fizzy water, served with a straw. Try 1800 Silver Tequila in a can of orange San Pellegrino, or keep it classic with vodka and LaCroix. (BC)

Photo: Holden Mathis

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: Katie Griffith

Coppin’s Restaurant & Bar

Hotel Covington, 638 Madison Ave., Covington, hotelcovington.com
Coppin’s, located in the boutique Hotel Covington, has a glamorous, modern bar that manages to boast an approachable vibe with serious mixology flair. The seasonal drink menu is always distinctive and innovative. This summer, the bar staff picked five ingredients out of a hat and each employee had to use the spontaneous list and an assigned spirit to craft a one-of-a-kind cocktail. Every drink name is locally inspired, a complement to the locally-sourced ingredients. What to order: The Monmouth Mango is a refreshing lavender- and nectarine-infused gin concoction with a lavender-sugar rim. A bite from the mango skewer finishes the crisp and fruity but not-too-sweet drink. (KG)

Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Holiday Spirits

1538 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, holidayliquorbar.com
This hip and unpretentious spot offers a variety of activities. Have Zoltar tell your fortune, play Skee-Ball or pinball, nuzzle up to your sweetie in the photobooth or shoot a game of pool, or you can enjoy delicious Middle Eastern delights from the on-site food window, Forty Thieves. What to order: On a hot summer day, the frozen concoction that helps me beat the heat is the Frozé (frozen rosé). The pink slushy wine cocktail is tart, sweet and refreshing. (BC)

Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Oakley Wines

4011 Allston St., Oakley, oakleywines.com
As the name suggests, Oakley Wines is primarily a wine bar and bottle shop, but it does have a nice, streamlined cocktail menu. Owned by the same people who run The Rhined in Findlay Market, the shop offers small plates, great cheese and frequent food pop-ups. In the colder months, head to the speakeasy-style basement for some raclette — hot cheese scraped over meat, potatoes and vegetables. What to order: An Aperol spritz to enjoy in the outdoor “Alley” patio. Follow that up with a build-your-own wine flight. The expert bartenders will help select the pours. (MZ)

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)