These Are Some of the Oldest Bars in Cincinnati for When You Want to Grab a Historic Drink

Arnold's Bar & Grill

210 E. Eighth St., Downtown
Downtown's Arnold's Bar & Grill is renowned for being the oldest continuously operating drinking destination in Cincinnati — one of the oldest in America, in fact, at 160 years. There's the infamous Arnold's bathtub, reportedly used to make bootleg gin during Prohibition. And another rumor that the building was once a whorehouse. There is even a rumor that this bar filled with spirits (as in alcohol) is full of spirits (as in dead people).

The Blind Lemon

936 Hatch St., Mount Adams
Mount Adams’ favorite backyard bar since 1963. Walk down a set of stairs to find a secret, little hideaway. Outside, the relaxed garden patio is like a boho blend of Bourbon Street and Paris café life. With frequent live music, it’s one of the most romantic drinking destinations in the city.

O'Malleys In the Alley

25 W. Ogden Place, Downtown
This downtown classic labels itself as “Cincinnati’s Second Oldest Bar” right behind Arnold's Bar & Grill. You can get a beer or an iced-cold mixed drink here, but they also serve food. Grab a fish sandwich, a reuben or check out the Ultimate Italian Smasher made with capicola, pepperoni, salami, provolone and banana peppers.

City View Tavern

403 Oregon St., Mount Adams
A hillside dive and home of one of the best spicy bloody marys and best views in town. The burgers are damn tasty, too. Once a former grocery store and taproom, the historic space has been around in some iteration since the 1870s.

Black Horse Tavern

27 S. Broadway, Lebanon
Jonas Seaman came to Ohio from New Jersey in 1803 and opened the Golden Lamb. In a time when many couldn’t read, the business was marked by a symbol, not a name: a golden lamb. Present-day, the historic hotel and restaurant, in the heart of the Lebanon DORA district, has served 12 presidents and an array of other famous figures. The attached Black Horse Tavern is a more casual dining spot on the backside of the hotel that serves specialty cocktails and beers on draft, including the Black Horse Golden Lager.

Bay Horse Cafe and Roadhouse

625 Main St., Downtown
This historic and recently restored bar has a classic, homey feel. The affordable menu matches its relaxed vibe, and offerers everything from cocktails and 25-ounce Huedepohl schooners to draft beers. The business dates all the way back to 1817 when it was located along the riverfront on Water Street. It moved up to Fifth Street due to flooding. In 1962, the Bay Horse moved to its current location on Main Street and then closed in 2004. It was reopened in 2017.

Crowley’s Irish Pub

958 Pavilion St., Mount Adams
Crowley’s has made a name for itself by offering tons of beers on draft in an unpretentious atmosphere. The bar was established in 1937 by Bill Specs Crowley. They put on quite a party for Saint Patrick’s Day and the Labor Day fireworks.

Herb and Thelma’s Tavern

718 W. Pike St., Covington
Open in 1939 as Heine’s Café, the small drop-ceilinged dining room is what some may call a “hole in the wall.” Their incredibly friendly staff serves up simple but delectable made-to-order burgers. Their speciality is a juicy meat patty topped with cheese, onions and pickles; a shortlist of sides includes chili, soup or Husman’s chips. Grab one of their self-described "coldest beer since 1939."

Palm Court Bar and Lounge

35 W. Fifth St., Downtown
Nestled inside Carew Tower’s historic Art Deco Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza sits the Bar at Palm Court. The cocktail bar offers up classic drinks, live Jazz and an expanded bar menu. The hotel opened in 1931 and has been listed as a member of Historic Hotels of America since 1991.

Mecklenburg Gardens

302 E. University Ave., Corryville
For a taste of Zinzinnati’s German heritage, Mecklenburg Gardens showcases some of the best German cuisine the city has to offer. Their specialty is wienerschnitzel, a tender, pan-fried veal cutlet topped with lemon; it’s served with red cabbage. They have plenty of German beers on tap, along with some local microbrews. Nationally ranked as one of the best biergartens in the country, it’s also one of Cincinnati’s oldest restaurants, having been open since 1865.

Quatman Cafe

2434 Quatman Ave., Norwood
Since 1966 Quatman has provided Cincinnatians with cheap burgers, soup and "the coldest beer in town." There are canned beers as well as a draft selection and rotating seasonal beers.

Mt. Adams Bar & Grill

938 Hatch St., Mount Adams
Opened during the prohibition era in 1919, Mt. Adams Bar & Grill’s roots are thought to tie back to a speakeasy owned by infamous Cincinnati bootlegger George Remus. It became the first bar and grill in Ohio to receive its liquor license in 1933. Known for their whiskey, it offers a varied food menu that serves up hearty burgers, soups and appetizers with a blast-from-the-past vibe.

Murphys Pub

2329 West Clifton Ave., Clifton
Established in 1969, this college dive bar offers everyday deals on pitchers, bar games and team sports — plus frequent free pizza and hot dogs. Murphy’s represents its Irish roots on Saint Patrick’s Day.

Dunlap Cafe

1926 Dunlap St., Over-the-Rhine
Dunlap Cafe has been operational since 1936 with an emphasis on home-cooked meals and all-day breakfast. They specialize in "adult happy meals" and offer a selection of local, craft and draft beer and a fully stocked bar.

Zip’s Cafe

1036 Delta Ave., Cincinnati
Zip’s Cafe was founded in 1926, meaning that it has been running for a whopping 95 years. With worn wood flooring and dark wood paneling, the small space is separated into a dining area and a bar by a saloon-style door. Zip’s owner Mike Burke says that years ago, the bar area or “code room” was where customers placed illegal bets on horse races. The code was that “if the blinds are open, the books are open.” Today, head to the code room to grab a local beer on draft while you wait for space at a booth or a seat at one of the shared family-style tables.

Bobby Mackey's

44 Licking Pike, Wilder
Yes, Bobby Mackey’s is labeled as the “most haunted nightclub in America” and has been featured multiple times Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures. Owned and operated by Country singer Bobby Mackey, the building was built in 1850 and originally served as a slaughterhouse and meatpacking operation. After the slaughterhouse closed in 1890, the building took on new life as a casino and eventually became the site of the Latin Quarter, a nightclub popular with mobsters. It was a spot renowned for murder, mob activity and satanic rituals before becoming Bobby Mackey’s in 1978; the building remains rich with history, and many patrons say the bar is still inhabited by former frequenters.

Crow’s Nest

4544 W. Eighth St., West Price Hill
The Crow's Nest was opened in 1895 by husband-and-wife duo Mike and Mary Crow. Now, the pub is owned by the O'Dell family, who are the descendants of Mary. When you drive by, you’ll see a plethora of Irish fanfare. But their claim to fame is their fish sandwich.

Maury’s Tiny Cove

3908 Harrison Ave., Cheviot
Maury’s has been packed full of flavor and a West Side tradition since 1949. The dimly lit supper-club vibe will have you feeling like a regular on your first visit. The extensive menu consists of all the classic steakhouse options: tender, juicy steaks, seafood and chicken, plus pasta. From the bar, grab a perfect martini or a glass or wine from their massive wine list. Ask for the Carol booth — the restaurant appears in the locally filmed, Oscar-nominated movie starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara — or take a photo with the Maury’s sign, featuring a kitschy cartoon steer holding a cocktail.

Arlin’s

307 Ludlow Ave., Clifton
The is Clifton’s Gaslight District neighborhood pub for the thinking man or woman. Have a beer on the big back patio and beer garden or enjoy live music and bar food. The no-frills atmosphere includes a pool room, plus 20 taps, sports on TV and a jukebox. Though the bar has changed names, there's been a drinking spot at this location since the 1890s.

Ludlow Wines

343 Ludlow Ave., Clifton
Since 1963, this has been a family-owned and -operated wine and craft beer merchant in Clifton’s Gaslight District. Owner Mike Anagnostou says he focused on providing his customers with "quality and value." The shop also offers free delivery within the Greater Clifton area.