You can’t drive down some Greater Cincinnati streets without a barrage of chain bar-and-grill-style restaurants, and at one point, you couldn’t throw a rock without hitting an Applebee’s, O’Charley’s, TGI Friday’s (RIP) or Chili’s. And while we definitely won’t judge you for liking chain bar and grills (because, let’s be honest, O’Charley’s has some of the best rolls around and Applebee’s 2 for $25 deal is hard to beat), we also would be remiss not to highlight some of the many delicious, locally owned bar and grill restaurants here in Cincinnati you should also patron.
From floating riverside eateries with grill-your-own steaks and a selection of beach-grub fare to your local tavern or pub with dim lighting; wonderfully sticky floors; cheap, cold drinks; and the best burger of your life, here are 18 Greater Cincinnati bars and grills worth a visit.
Northside Yacht Club
A little bit naughty nautical, a little bit rock ‘n roll, Northside Yacht Club is known for many things, but one of those is its inventive menu of over-the-top, indulgent dishes (almost always offered with a veggie/vegan option). Kick your feet up and chill with a drink and a plate of something greasy and delicious: The landlocked yacht club serves up handcrafted classics like sandwiches, burgers, wings and fries, but with a twist, as well as vegan and gluten-free options. They also have an extensive craft cocktail list — including their infamous peanut butter tequila shooter — as well as brunch on the weekends. 4231 Spring Grove Ave., Northside.
Ludlow Bromley Yacht Club
She has risen. More than five years after being struck by a barge and forced to close, the Ludlow Bromley Yacht Club made a stunning return this spring. With a giant shark figurine impaled on the sign, this bar, grill and marina has a definite sense of laid-back island humor — and cheap drinks. People might go for the irony, river views and glowing palm trees, but they stay for the grill-your-own steaks, live music and Tiki drinks served in Styrofoam cups. 860 Elm St., Ludlow.
Wishbone Tavern
Delicious bar and grill fare meet friendly West Side hospitality at Wishbone Tavern. Hot wings and cold beer are a staple here, and the atmosphere is perfect for watching a late-night Reds game or the Bengals on Sunday. Aptly named, Wishbone is best known for its wings, and every Monday is Boneless Wing Night, with a range of sauce options from mild buffalo and sweet BBQ to Asian Zing, bourbon sriracha and an especially spicy one called “Wish-U-Didn’t.” (Don’t worry, you’ll be glad you did.) While the wings are popular, you also can’t go wrong with one of Wishbone’s sandwiches, tacos or the mac and cheese bowl. Pair your meal with a brew from their extensive list and, when the weather is nice, enjoy your meal in the indoor/outdoor room. 5251 Delhi Road, Delhi.
Ali’s Bar and Grill
Ali’s is Madeira’s friendly neighborhood bar and grill, dedicated to being a spot for families and friends to gather and enjoy good food and drinks together. Alison Tepe-Guy and her husband, Dan Bowman, started the restaurant in honor of Ali’s son, Tyson, who passed away in a car accident. His memory is present in many parts of the restaurant, including some of his favorites being featured on the menu. Ali’s ensures everything on the menu is handcrafted with high-quality ingredients, from the burgers, made with a three-cut blend of brisket, short rib and chuck ground, to the Gremlin Pizza, with house-made dough and fresh toppings. The couple also uses the restaurant and bar as a way to give back to the community, raising money for local organizations and starting a memorial scholarship fund in Tyson’s name. 7820 Camargo Road, Madeira.
Mi Cabaña Mexican Bar & Grill
This new Westwood bar and grill is a lively spot to enjoy a full menu of authentic Mexican eats and a couple of giant margaritas. You can find soccer on the TV at the bar, or sit on the patio when the weather is nice and enjoy a game of sand volleyball out back. The Fiesta Burrito (a tortilla stuffed with grilled chicken, steak, beans, rice and onions and topped with cheese sauce, chorizo, pineapple and shrimp) and the Birria Tacos are already standout favorites among guests. 2169 Queen City Ave., Westwood.
Arthur’s
Arthur’s has been through many changes since opening as the Allen E. Bradford Restaurant in the ‘40s, but even all these years later, it remains a favorite neighborhood stop, especially now for burger lovers — both meat-eaters and vegetarians alike. The burger menu features options ranging from a classic cheeseburger to the Boursin Burger (creamy French herb and garlic cheese, lettuce and tomato), the Hyde Parker (goat cheese, avocado, bacon, romaine and tomato) and the big baddie, The Tall Stack — two 5-oz. patties, cheddar, pepper jack and 4x bacon. Every Sunday and Tuesday at the Hyde Park restaurant (and every Tuesday in Anderson Township) is Burger Madness, where you can choose from a select list of burgers and add up to five additional Burger Madness toppings for just $13. 3516 Edwards Road, Hyde Park; 8221 Beechmont Ave., Anderson Township.
Gordo’s Pub & Grill
The menu at Gordo’s Pub & Grill lives up to its grill reputation, excelling at unique and over-the-top burger creations. Try the BPJ, which stands for banana, peanut butter and jam. Plus bacon. We can’t forget about that. The banana is fried, the peanut butter has been whipped into a chunky cream cheese and the bacon is smoked. To drink, select from one of the many local and regional craft brews from the bar. 4328 Montgomery Road, Norwood.
The 859 Taproom and Grill
Boasting the largest beer wall in Kentucky, The 859 Taproom and Grill offers more than 60 craft beers on tap, plus over 150 bourbons to choose from. This family-owned restaurant’s menu features burgers, including a build-your-own option, crafted from beef from Whobrey’s Farm, which feeds its cattle spent grain from the Neeley Family Distillery in Sparta, Kentucky. There’s also a selection of sandwiches, tacos and salads, plus a weekend brunch. The 859’s patio is also open year-round and is dog-friendly, making it truly a restaurant for the whole family. 8720 Bankers St., Florence.
Coaches Corner
This Newport sports bar boasts a friendly crowd and menu featuring burgers, stadium fries and, of course, craft beers on tap. Head out back to the spacious patio for some fresh air. 317 E. Sixth St., Newport.
Friendly Stop Bar & Grill
Friendly Stop lives up to its name as a friendly place to roll in for a drink or a meal. The walls of the bar and restaurant are covered in license plates, leaning into that nostalgic, pulled-off-the-road feeling of all great roadside establishments. The menu features classic bar fare like wings and burgers, as well as comfort food like its meatloaf plates, barbecue and down-home-style sides like mashed potatoes and coleslaw. To drink, you have a variety of beers on tap and bottled to choose from, as well as a small selection of wines. 985 Congress Ave., Glendale.
Wunderbar!
If your favorite event of the year is Oktoberfest and you consider yourself a connoisseur of pretzels, schnitzel, pilsners and all culinary things German, bar and grill Wunderbar! needs to be on your radar. At this unassuming space tucked away in Covington, theres’s truth to the adage that the best food can be found in hole-in-the-walls. With a menu of authentic German fare, plus a variety of beer and weekend brunch, Wunderbar! offers some of the best sauerkraut, pretzels and sausages you’ve ever had outside Munich. The pierogies are also the perfect late-night snack after a few beers. 1132 Lee St., Covington.
Mt. Adams Bar & Grill
Opened during Prohibition and believed to have ties to infamous bootlegger George Remus, Mt. Adams Bar & Grill looks like you’re stepping back into a charming bar of the past with its vintage wooden bar, stained-glass windows, antique lamps and coffered pressed-tin-style ceiling. While the interior takes you back to another era, the menu is all modern bar and grill, with varied options like hearty burgers, soups and appetizers like the must-try fried jalapeño ravioli. 938 Hatch St., Mt. Adams.
Knockback Nats
A bar and grill staple, the wings are king at Knockback Nats, whether they’re dry-rubbed or tossed in one of Knockback Nats’ 12 sauces — including their award-winning bourbon-pineapple barbecue and spicy garlic ranch. Enjoy dart boards, video golf, video bowling and a jukebox for extra fun every night until 2 a.m. 10 W. Seventh St., Downtown.
The Monkey Bar & Grille
As a family-owned operation, The Monkey Bar & Grille has not allowed any monkey business since its transformation from a biker bar, but it does permit a lot of fun. Weather permitting, enjoy fine bourbon while chatting with friends outside next to one of their outdoor fire pits. The kitchen serves up appetizers like “Spicy Monkey Balls” (a breaded and fried ball made with bacon, jalapenos, corn and cream cheese) and wings, plus specialty and build-your-own pizzas. 7837 Old 3C Highway, Maineville.
Arnold’s Bar and Grill
Serving up food and drinks since 1861, Arnold’s is the oldest continuously running tavern in town, complete with dark wood walls, vintage memorabilia and a big ol’ bathtub rumored to have been used to make gin during Prohibition. A Cincinnati classic, it serves up a nice range of bar-and-grill-style options — wings, sandwiches and burgers, plus vegan and gluten-free options — at bargain prices. Enjoy a local draft in the outdoor beer garden and almost daily live music. It was also once named one of the best bars in America by Esquire magazine. 210 E. Eighth St., Downtown.
The Reef Top Bar & Grill
Located just above Pelican’s Reef (which is currently closed for renovations), The Reef Top Bar & Grill initially was just meant to be a separate space where diners waiting for a table at Pelican’s Reef could chill and grab a drink. But the owners at the time, John and Patti Broshar, saw more potential for the space and turned it into its own concept, with a full bar and kitchen and a separate vibe from downstairs. Now, The Reef Top offers a tiki bar and grill-style experience, with nautical decor and a seafood-forward menu with offerings like oysters, crab cakes, grilled fish, fish sandwiches and burgers, plus beer and cocktails. 7251 Beechmont Ave., Anderson Township.
O’Bryon’s Bar & Grill
This popular pub has made a name for itself in two Greater Cincinnati neighborhoods — O’Bryonville and Newport. Many folks head to either of the bars for their juicy chicken wings, burgers or their many sandwich options. They also have a signature Shark Tank cocktail, featuring vodka, Sprite, sour mix and a grenadine-filled plastic shark. 1998 Madison Road, O’Bryonville; 736 Washington Ave., Newport.
The Gas Light Cafe
This Pleasant Ridge eatery and drinkery has been a neighborhood staple for generations. Behind the bar, there’s a large list of local, domestic and craft drafts on tap, and what goes well with a cold draft of your favorite beer? The half-pound Gas Light Burger, the cod tail fish sandwich with tartar sauce and lettuce or the Homemade Chili with cheese and onions. 6104 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge.