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These Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky bars, breweries and restaurants make drinking outdoors delightful, even when our weather gets frightful. From heated igloos to standing heaters and firepits, local places are getting creative to keep you warm while you enjoy a beverage or two and delicious food with friends and family during the colder months.
AC Upper Deck
135 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown
Get a birds-eye view of The Banks from the igloos at the AC Upper Deck. Each can seat eight people and includes a heater. Igloos are $32 to reserve, and there is a food and drink minimum. Photo: Photo via facebook.com/AC Upper DeckThe View at Shires’ Garden
309 Vine St. 10th Floor, Downtown
The rooftop deck at Shires’ Garden has brought back its igloos and special garden greenhouses for the winter. Reservations are required in advance for parties of two, four and up to eight people to snag a spot for up to two hours. Each dome has a heater and individual speakers, plus a food and drink minimum. A $50 deposit is required. Photo via facebook.com/The View at Shires' GardenBridgeview Box Park
1 Levee Way, Newport
Head to Bridgeview Box Park at Newport on the Levee for some cozy igloo action. Each is decked in holiday decor, with food and drinks available from Rotolo. Igloos seat up to eight people and reservations are required 48 hours in advance. There is a two-hour minimum for the igloos, and it’s $40 per hour. Photo via facebook.com/Newport on the LeveeFrosthaus
115 Park Place, Covington
Enjoy frozen cocktails, ice cream, tater tots and flatbreads in a private igloo for up to eight people. Reservable for two or three hours for $35. There is a food and drink minimum. Photo via facebok.com/Frosthaus CovingtonBraxton Brewing Co.
27 W. Seventh St., Covington
Keep cozy in one of 10 heated rooftop igloos, featuring a ski-resort theme. Order food, like the new butter board or beer cheese, cocktails and Braxton brews. You can reserve an igloo for $35 for a two-and-a-half-hour time slot. Each one seats up to eight people and includes a Bluetooth speaker. Photo via facebook.com/Braxton Brewing CompanydeSha’s American Tavern
11320 Montgomery Road, Symmes Township
With its lodge-like setting and fireplace, deSha’s is also amping up cozy season vibes with private dining igloos on their patio. “Each igloo features a heated fireplace, air purifier, festive string lights, lanterns, and plants for a cozy ambiance,” says deSha’s. The igloos are $25 to reserve for lunch, $40 for dinner Sunday through Thursday and $50 on Fridays and Saturdays. They’re recommended for up to six guests, but can seat up to eight for families with small children. Call 513-247-9933 to make a reservation. Photo via facebook.com/deSha's CincinnatiCovington Yard
401 Greenup St., Covington
Covington’s only food container park and entertainment venue got a winter wonderland makeover: Along with new winter cocktails, they’ve also got heated spaces where you can stay warm while sampling beers and cocktails and offerings from Mr. Bulgogi, Angry Omar’s Slider Shack, Nacho Average Taco Cart and Talons Cincy Fried. Photo via facebook.com/Covington YardQueen City Radio
222 W 12th St., Over-the-Rhine
The former auto body shop-turned multi-level Over-the-Rhine hang features rotating taps of local, regional and national beer, canned and bottled brews, and a small cocktail program. Enjoy a boozy bev gathered around one of their outdoor fire pits. Queen City Radio has added outdoor heaters to ensure customers are staying warm. Photo via Facebook.com/Queen City RadioVista at Lytle Park
311 Pike St., Downtown
The rooftop at Vista at Lytle Park will be decked out with heated “snow globes” aka igloos, full of themed winter decor, fir trees, ornaments and woodsy ephemera like cute critters and pinecones. Get hot chocolate, food and cocktails delivered. Photo via facebook.com/The Lytle Park Hotel (311 Pike Street, Cincinnati)Little Miami Brewing Company
208 Mill St., Milford
Founded by brothers-in-law Dan Lynch and Joe Brenner, Milford’s Little Miami Brewing Company sits on the banks of its namesake river, pouring beers alongside a selection of brick-oven pizzas and other tasty bites. In the colder months, the brewery warms up with fire pits that face the river. Photo: facebook.com/Little Miami Brewing Co.The Blind Lemon
936 Hatch St., Mt. Adams
Walk down a set of stairs to find a secret, little hideaway: The Blind Lemon, Mount Adams’ favorite backyard bar since 1963. Outside, the relaxed garden patio is like a boho blend of Bourbon Street and Paris cafe life — one of the most romantic drinking destinations in the city. The bar has a large, outdoor wood-burning fireplace to warm you up, weather permitting. Photo via facebook.com/The Blind LemonCatch-a-Fire Pizza
9290 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash and 511 N. Broadway St., Lebanon
The woodfired pizza joint offers reservable igloos at their Blue Ash and brand new Lebanon locations. Each igloo features fun winter decor, lights and Bluetooth speakers. They are $35 to reserve and sit up to six people. You can order food and drinks from the full menu, and Catch-a-Fire also has a special Toasty Treats menu just for igloo guests. Photo via facebook.com/Catch-a-Fire PizzaFifty West Brewing Company
7605 Wooster Pike, Columbia Township
Fifty West is again transforming into a winter wonderland with their ice skating rink, fire pits and large heated tents. They’ve also got hot beverages (boozy and otherwise) to help chase away any winter blues. Photo via facebook.com/Fifty West Brewing CompanyNarrow Path Brewing Co.
106 N. Karl Brown Way, Loveland
Head to Loveland to book one of these adorable garden domes. Reserve for up to two hours and 45 minutes for $25 to enjoy some beers from Narrow Path. These seat up to eight people. Photo via facebook.com/Narrow Path BrewingNomad KY
225 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue
Located on Bellevue’s bustling Fairfield Avenue, this bar and eatery offers a variety of cocktails, beer, wine and boozy milkshakes (and some seasonal warm cocktails), plus a petite menu of loaded tater tots and tacos. Their outdoor patio space features heaters to keep their guests comfortable as the temperatures drop. Photo via Nomad KYPins Mechanical Company
1124 Main St., Over-the-Rhine
The winter weather is nothing to worry about at Pins — you can enjoy one of their cocktails or a brew around the fire pits on their rooftop patio. Indoors, this Over-the-Rhine bar has pinball machines and duckpin bowling lanes, plus other “old school” entertainment options like foosball, bocce ball and shuffleboard. Photo: Hailey BollingerSamuel Adams Cincinnati Taproom
1727 Logan St., Over-the-Rhine
There’s no need to truck over to Boston for fresh Sam Adams. This taproom across from the Samuel Adams Cincinnati Brewery features a massive indoor and outdoor space, with an array of unique beers brewed both on-site and across the street. The outdoor patio has heaters to keep you nice and toasty and a fire pit to gather around while sipping something cold. Photo: facebook.com/Samuel Adams Cincinnati TaproomBig Ash Brewing
5230 Beechmont Ave., Anderson Township
At Big Ash Brewing, you can pick between 28 Pour Your Own Taps, including some award-winning craft beers, grab a warm, specialty pizza and gather around the firepit with your nearest and dearest. Photo via facebook.com/Big Ash BrewingPearl’s
3520 Eastern Ave., Columbia Tusculum
With string lights, ample seating, a cozy fireplace and even a TV or two, the exterior patio at Columbia Tusculum’s historic “favorite neighborhood bar” is one of the most comfortable places in town to grab a glass of wine, one of Pearl’s signature cocktails or even a special drink off their winter menu. Photo via facebook.com/Pearl'sThe Porch at Washington Park
1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Located in Washington Park, The Porch is an outdoor bar and gathering place with beer, seltzers and liquor from local brands like Boone County Distillery, Rhinegeist and Fifty West. In the colder months, standing heaters keep guests nice and toasty. Photo via facebook.com/Washington ParkMECCA OTR
1429 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine
In the summer, the patio at this hip OTR hideaway is decked out in greenery, but in the winter, you can gather around the firepit to keep warm with your friends as you enjoy the no-frills drinking and L.A. vibes. Photo via facebook.com/Mecca OTRMadTree Brewing
3301 Madison Road, Oakley
The heated, winter tent is up at MadTree’s taproom for the season. The tent is dog-friendly and the perfect place to gather with loved ones all winter long. You can also hang out around the fire pits outside. Photo via facebook.comMadTree BrewingNorthern Row Brewery & Distillery
111 W. McMicken Ave., Over-the-Rhine
To stave off the cold, Northern Row brings out their smoke stack stoves in the winter months. Complement a chilly outdoor evening with their chili mac or baba ganoush. Photo via facebook.com/Northern Row Brewery & DistilleryThe Crow’s Nest
4544 W. 8th St., West Price Hill
Opened in 1895 by husband-and-wife duo Mike and Mary Crow, this Irish pub is one of the oldest drinking establishments in Cincinnati. And like any good pub, their claim to fame is their delicious fish sandwich. You’ll find live music here on Friday and Saturday nights, and Tuesdays are home to open mic nights. Outside, you can warm up with a strong drink around the firepit, or play a game of cornhole. Photo: facebook.com/The Crow’s Nest Cincinnati