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Bars and breweries across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky are breaking out the tinsel and holly for some festive fun. Whether you’re in the mood to have a drink or two underneath a mistletoe, try a Yuletide-themed cocktail or check out some holiday events and activities — or maybe you’re just trying to get away from your family to have a drink in peace — these 20 Greater Cincinnati drinking establishments have the vibes to get you in the holiday spirit.
Miracle at the Overlook Lodge
6083 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge
This immersive Christmas bar is back for another year! You’ll need to buy a ticket to experience Miracle at the Overlook Lodge, which gets you 70 minutes in the bar and includes a welcome shot and two festive-themed cocktails, a holiday clip show and “over-the-top decor,” according to the bar. Photo: Aidan MahoneyCovington Yard
401 Greenup St., Covington
Food container park Covington Yard has transformed into a winter wonderland for the season. Featuring two towering trees made of kegs, an enormous Advent Calendar stuffed with daily giveaway goodies, a light tunnel, themed hangout containers, photo ops and tons of holiday lights, Covington Winter WonderYard aims to capture “the nostalgia of loading up the car with family and friends and heading out into the neighborhood to enjoy the wonder of holiday displays.” Guests will be able to enjoy heated and covered seating, as well as a special menu of themed holiday cocktails, like the food park’s warming signature Hot Chocolate Flights, and food from Hangry Omar’s. Photo: facebook.com/covingtonyardCobblestone OTR
1132 Race St., Over-the-Rhine
Cobblestone OTR’s Nutcracker-themed holiday pop-up will keep you in the holiday spirit all December. Along with an abundance of decorations, the Winter Wonderland pop-up features themed drinks and shots to keep you warm. From now until Dec. 31, the entire place will be transformed from top to bottom. Photo: Aidan MahoneyArnold’s Bar & Grill
210 E. Eighth St., Downtown
The cozy Christmas and winter decorations at Cincinnati’s oldest, continuously operating bar will make you feel merry and bright as you catch up with friends and family this holiday season. You can also catch The Naughty List, Cincinnati’s longest-running improv comedy show, here on Dec. 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21. Photo: facebook.com/Arnold's Bar and GrillVista at Lytle Park
311 Pike St., Downtown
The rooftop at Vista at Lytle Park will be decked out with heated “snow globes” a.k.a. 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: facebook.com/The Lytle Park Hotel (311 Pike Street, Cincinnati)MadTree Brewing
3301 Madison Road, Oakley
In addition to the taproom being decked out for the holidays, MadTree also has a heated winter tent up for the season. The taproom will also be hosting a variety of holiday-themed activities, winter markets where you can shop for gifts from local vendors and holiday craft nights. Photo: facebook.com/MadTree Taproom13 Below Brewery
7391 Forbes Road, Sayler Park
13 Below Brewery is hosting several holiday-themed activities throughout the month, including the Frisch Marionettes Christmas Show on Saturday, Dec. 21. Photo: facebook.com/13 Below BreweryAC Upper Deck
135 Joe Nuxhall Way, The Banks
Get a birds-eye view of The Banks from the igloos at the AC Upper Deck. The igloos’ colorful lights will make you feel like you’re inside a Christmas tree bulb. Photo: facebook.com/AC Upper DeckOakley Greens
3065 Vandercar Way, Oakley
Bring the whole family to Oakley Greens and celebrate the festivities. They have activities such as skating and mini golf. Along with festive drinks such as “Granny’s Hot Toddy” and “Red Winter Sangria,” you can also grab a bite at Hangry Omars. Photo: Oakley Greens InstagramThe 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, and it’s also decked out in colorful holiday lights to help you live out your Hallmark movie fantasies. Their menu also has some cozy cocktails and hot drinks to keep you warm throughout the season. Photo: facebook.com/The View at Shires' GardenTiki Tiki Bang Bang
965 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills
You can enjoy Tiki Tiki Bang Bang’s immersive tropical decor while sipping on an all-new cocktail menu with drinks like the Merry Spritzmas and Yule Tide. They’ll also have theme nights, including a “Campy Christmas” PJ party on Tuesday, Dec. 17. Photo: facebook.com/Tiki Tiki Bang BangFifty West Brewing Company
7605 Wooster Pike, Columbia Township
Fifty West has once again transformed into a winter wonderland with their ice skating rink, fire pits, large heated tents and hot beverages (boozy and otherwise) to help chase away the winter blues. Also on Dec. 22, you can do goat yoga, with the goats arriving in their most festive holiday sweaters. Photo: facebook.com/Fifty West Brewing CompanyFishbowl at The Banks
141 E. Freedom Way, The Banks
If you want a bar that makes you feel like you’re spending Christmas at the beach, Fishbowl at The Banks will take you there. With their tropical and holiday decor and signature spike hot chocolate and Christmas Cookie Shot, you’ll feel like partying with Santa into the new year. The bar is also an official stop for the Saturday, Dec. 14 Cincinnati SantaCon. Photo: facebook.com/Fishbowl at The BanksFrosthaus
115 Park Place, Covington
Frosthaus is getting cozy for the season with holiday movie-themed trivia nights throughout December and outdoor igloos. Photo: facebok.com/Frosthaus CovingtonWest Side Brewing
3044 Harrison Ave., Westwood
West Side Brewing has its Christmas decorations up and holiday-themed beers on tap, including the Holiday Ale. They will also have cookie decorating classes, Christmas movie trivia and a holiday market throughout the month. Photo: facebook.com/West Side BrewingMoerlein Lager House
115 Joe Nuxhall Way, The Banks
Moerlein Lager House is helping host the Servatii Cincinnati Christkindlmarkt throughout December, so you can shop for gifts from local vendors before warming up in one their igloos, featuring high-top cocktail tables and electric fireplaces. Photo: facebook.com/Moerlein Lager HouseUrban Artifact
1660 Blue Rock St., Northside
Urban Artifact is celebrating the season with their holiday-themed brews, including the Sugar Plum American fruit tart and Maple Berry. Photo: facebook.com/Urban ArtifactJerry’s Jug House
414 E. Seventh St., Newport
This Newport bar has the holidaze decor out and Great Lakes’ Christmas Ale on tap. They also have a special “Jerry’s Jug House” hat for sale during the holiday season. Photo: facebook.com/Jerry's Jug HouseQueen 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 Queen City Radio’s outdoor fire pits, or warm up with one of their outdoor heaters. Photo: facebook.com/Queen City RadioNorthside Yacht Club
4231 Spring Grove Ave., Northside
This rock and roll bar and gastropub gets a bit of a naughty holiday makeover as the mermaid mascot dons a pair of sparkling red pasties and a Santa-beard merkin. Keep an eye out for colored lights, a giant mounted fish in St. Nick cosplay and Santa beards on almost every item in the establishment. Photo: Provided by Northside Yacht Club