Restaurants and bars across the city are beginning to open their patios to give diners the ultimate al fresco experience. From rooftop bars to flower-filled garden oases, these patios are begging for a cold cocktail and some sunshine.

**Please check with businesses before visiting to make sure their patios are open for the season.

Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Alcove 1410 Vine St, Over-the-Rhine Alcove features beer, cocktails, wines and a range of seasonal farm-to-table offerings, all of which can be enjoyed in a warm and inviting environment. It has a large bar and dining area, as well as two private dining rooms for small groups. It also has an outdoor patio area that’s shaded and perfect for lounging and dining. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Coppin’s at Hotel Covington 638 Madison Ave., Covington The Patio at Coppins Restaurant and Bar located inside luxury Hotel Covington provides a sun-splashed “urban refuge” for guests. Play lawn games during the day or watch movie screenings at night when looking for space outside the hotel room. Photo: Provided by Hotel Covington
Bishop’s Quarter 212 W. Loveland Ave., Loveland Doesn’t everyone love a good rooftop? Bishop’s Quarter not only offers full service on the rooftop patio, but also regular live music entertainment. Outdoor seating is also available on the two other patios that wrap around the building (yes, that’s three patios total!). Photo: facebook.com/Bishops-Quarter
Braxton Brewing Co. Rooftop 27 W. 7th St., Covington The Rooftop at Braxton Brewing Co. in Covington provides comfortable outdoor seating, shade and greenery. Sip on all of your favorite Braxton drafts — including the newly release mint julep style beer, Kentucky Home — while basking in the sun. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Bridgeview Box Park 1 Levee Way, Newport Bridgeview Box Park, a cluster of small food, drink and shopping vendors is open year-round but the best time to visit is when the weather is nice. The establishments are housed next to each other in shipping-like containers — hence “box park” — and are interspersed among a common outdoor area. The breezy space overlooks the Ohio River and city and features turf lounge areas, string lights and outdoor games like corn hole and giant Jenga. Photo: facebook.com/newportonthelevee
No. 4 Outdoor/Patio Dining: Little Miami Brewing Co. 208 Mill St., Milford Photo: facebook.com/littlemiamibrewing
Streetside Brewery 4003 Eastern Ave., Columbia Tusculum Streetside Brewery is proud to be located in Cincinnati’s oldest neighborhood Columbia Tusculum. The Hickey family are residents of the neighborhood, and founded Streetside Brewery to share their talent with their community. Enjoy craft beer such as the Alpha and the GRL PWR, wine and guest taps. The Street Chef Brigade food truck is just outside serving Thai chicken tacos, the Street Chef burger, deviled eggs and more. Photo: Scott Dittgen Photo: Scott Dittgen
Madtree Brewing Co. Oakley Taproom 3301 Madison Rd., Oakley MadTree’s massive 10,000-square-foot beer garden is a fun family hangout. With over 30 MadTree-exclusive taps, ambient lighting and an industrial brick façade leftover from the building’s factory days, there’s more than enough space to accommodate all the beer-drinking, cornhole-playing, dog-loving humans that hang at MadTree on the regular. Photo: Phil Heiden Reich
Mecca OTR 1429 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine This hip OTR hideaway is a welcoming hangout for those interested in no-frills drinking, L.A. vibes and vinyl tunes. Find the main courtyard entrance tucked away down 15th Street, and cross the big-ass gravel patio, past colorful street-art murals, a panoply of rainbow lighting and a plethora of communal seating to enter a world of hanging plants (in summer the patio is decked out in greenery). Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Knox Joseph Distillery at OTR Stillhouse 2017 Branch St., Over-the-Rhine The OTR StillHouse is a distillery, winery and brewery in one. Located in a former 1890s ice manufacturing warehouse, the smaller front facade belies a massive outdoor space. OTR StillHouse says the artificial lawn is eco-friendly and installed by the same company who installed and maintains the pitch at TQL Stadium. Rainwater goes through the “grass” and collects in the aquifer below. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Standard 434 Main St., Covington The dynamic duo behind popular Covington dining and drinking destinations Otto’s, Frida and Larry’s also own The Standard, which breaths life into a familiar corner in the neighborhood. The Standard’s food menu features bright and playful flavors. They serve up lunch and dinner with a weekend brunch that features dishes like Cinnamon Toast Crunch-crusted french toast and a goetta, egg and cheese sandwich. Popular cocktails like the U-Haul and Hot Rod are on-brand with the establishment’s overall theme. The Standard has both indoor and outdoor seating, with plenty of patio space beneath the garage’s canopies. Photo: Savana Willhoite
Vista at Lytle Park 311 Pike St., Downtown Cincinnati’s Lytle Park Hotel features a spectacular rooftop patio named the Vista at Lytle Park. The 5,000-square-foot rooftop lounge offers panoramic views of the Queen City and Ohio River. The space is equipped with an “indoor” lounge (where the bar is located) lined with windows that open up to the outdoor patio with two fireplaces, seating and tables. Choose from a selection of cocktails, wine, beer and spirits, or opt for their large-format cocktails that serve four or more. Their food offerings range from a charcuterie board to “Tachos” or smoked salmon crostini. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Queen City Radio 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine The former auto body shop turned multi-level OTR hang features rotating taps of local, regional and national beer, canned and bottled brews, a small cocktail program and adult-themed treats including boozy slushies. Garage doors create indoor/outdoor space and the patio boasts not only a ton of seating, but also the on-site Queen City Whip food truck. Photo: Patty Salas Photo: Patty Salas
Cozy’s Cafe and Pub 6440 Cincinnati Dayton Rd., Liberty Township Anyone who has wandered up to Liberty Township to visit this adorable little house of a bistro knows that the decor alone is worth it, but the food is also magical. Settle in and stay a while — their back patio has lawn games and occasionally hosts live music, so there’s no need to leave. Photo: Susan Keller
15. Urban Artifact 1660 Blue Rock St., Northside “I love this adorable little brewery. It’s the place to go for any connoisseur of light, refreshing fruity beers and the best part is everything is vegan!” — Heather B. Photo: Brittany Thornton
10. The Blind Pig 24 W. Third St., Downtown This downtown pub features a rooftop patio on top of Lola’s coffee shop. The bar is located just across the street from The Banks and serves a full menu of bar food and daily drink specials. A perfect stop for a Reds pregame party. Photo: Kellie Coleman Photo: Kellie Coleman
Porch at Washington Park 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine Head over to Washington Park and enjoy a selection of local beer, seasonal cocktails, canned wine and more. The bar offers seating on the porch or on the lawn, so BYOB (bring your own blanket). Tables and heaters are located under the covered patio for when the weather isn’t cooperating. Photo: Holden Mathis
Monkey Bar & Grille // As a family-owned operation, this place does not allow any monkey business since its transformation from a biker bar, but they do permit a lot of fun. With a full schedule of live entertainment, food trucks and a large patio that overlooks the Little Miami River, they provide a relaxed and friendly atmosphere to grab a drink and listen to some music with your friends (and pup). 7837 Old 3c Highway, Maineville. Photo: Patty Salas
The Littlefield 3934 Spring Grove Ave., Northside The Littlefield is a bourbon bar and restaurant with a fantastic string-lit patio. Dogs are welcome to visit with their owners on both the upper deck and ground patio, which has a pergola covering parts of it. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Upper Deck at AC Hotel Cincinnati’s Rooftop at The Banks // On top of the new AC Hotel at The Banks, the Upper Deck boasts excellent views of the riverfront and Great American Ball Park. Lounge under string lights while gorging on Grand Slam Nachos and sipping a local craft beer. 135 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Brown Dog Cafe 1000 Summit Park Pl., Blue Ash For over 12 years, Brown Dog has been a prime Blue Ash destination for great (and sometimes unusual) meats like wild boar; sustainable seafoods; vegetarian options; pastas; and creative appetizers. In warmer weather, the giant patio is a welcome people-watching hang for those with dogs — and those without. Photo: Susan Keller
Fibonacci Brewing Co. 1445 Compton Road, College Hill Fibonacci offers an expansive outdoor beer garden and urban farm next door to its microbrewery. They have two taprooms, a covered patio, grassy garden space, friendly goats and chickens and plenty of craft beer and wine to sip on while enjoying the open outdoors. Photo: facebook.com/fibonaccibrewing
Eli’s BBQ 3313 Riverside Dr., East Side Eli’s has provided over 15 outdoor picnic tables for dining, both in the sun and the shade. Celebrate a spring afternoon with a cold brew and some delicious barbecue like their pulled pork sandwich with a slide of jalapeno cheddar grits and baked beans. Bring your own beer and enjoy the warmth by the river. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Third Eye Brewing Co. 11276 Chester Rd., Sharonville This Sharonville brewery features a massive patio that offers seating both in the open and under a shelter. Translation: there is plenty of room to enjoy a beer outdoors at Third Eye Brewing. If you’re not interested in beer, they offer a limited selection of wine, spirits, non-alcoholic beverages and a full kitchen. Their kitchen features snacks like edamame hummus and elote waffle fries and meals like the Mind Bender Burger with bacon jam and pimento cheese. Photo: Savana Willhoite
Senate Blue Ash 1100 Summit Place Drive, Blue Ash Summit Park’s Senate is a suburban location of the OTR-based favorite for glammed-up hot dog creations. The eatery offers an expansive outdoor patio that overlooks the park. Photo: Catie Viox Photo: Catie Viox
Silver Spring House 8322 E. Kemper Rd., Symmes Township Boasting the “best chicken in Cincinnati,” the Silver Spring House has a lovely patio to enjoy when the weather permits. They are always offering up specials like half-off bottles of wine on Wednesdays. Photo: facebook.com/silverspringhouse