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

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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.com
Japp’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