CityBeat has been in the business of curating the Best Of Cincinnati for more than two decades, highlighting the city’s most outstanding selections in Eats, Shops & Services, Music & Nightlife and more. And the responsibility of selecting these exceptional entities is divided between our readers and staff.

This year, more than 900,000 votes were tallied to determine our Reader Picks — and readers logged on to the ballot site to vote for their favorites in a slew of categories, including Best Overall Bar/Club.

Cincinnati likes to drink. With bars/clubs/breweries popping up on every block, the options for grabbing a cold one are (almost) endless. There’s something for everyone in this city; whether you like to sip your cocktail while rocking out to live jams, you’re a gamer who prefers a Popsicle with his/her vodka or maybe you’re in the mood to groove, we’re confident a place exists to tickle your fancy. And were here to help you find that place. Your friends and neighbors voted on their favorite go-to local bar/club. We put those bars together in a pretty little list with pictures. If your favorite didn’t make the top 10 this time, make sure to vote for them in next year’s Best of Cincinnati ballot.

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Queen City Exchange 32 W. Court St., Downtown Buy, buy, buy and drink, drink, drink at this stock market-themed bar. Queen City Exchange has 41 beers on tap – all of whose prices fluctuate based on demand. A beer can go anywhere between $3.50 to $9 depending on how bargoers are feeling about it that night. The only difference is you can’t sell your beer back if its brewery’s CEO gets caught insider trading. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
3. Arnold’s Bar and grill 210 E. Eighth St., Downtown A friendly, diverse and historic gin joint, Arnold’s Bar and Grill is the city’s oldest bar — in operation since the 1830s. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
3. Arnold’s Bar and grill 210 E. Eighth St., Downtown The cheap (strong) drinks and almost daily live music — Bluegrass and Americana to Jazz — complement Arnold’s awesome interior courtyard, which used to be a stable and carriage house. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
3. Arnold’s Bar and grill 210 E. Eighth St., Downtown They claim to have one of the best bourbon lists in Cincinnati, with nearly 40 options on the menu. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
4. Queen City Radio 222 W. 12th St., OTR Head to the beer garden at Queen City Radio for a local pint, boozy slushies, wine and cocktails. Photo: Patty Salas
4. Queen City Radio 222 W. 12th St., OTR The former auto body shop turned gigantic, multi-level OTR hang features 14 rotating taps of local regional and national beer, canned and bottled brews, a small cocktail program and adult-themed treats including alcohol-infused Popsicles. Photo: Philip Heidenreich
4. Queen City Radio 222 W. 12th St., OTR Garage doors create indoor/outdoor space, weather permitting, and the patio boasts not only a ton of seating, but the on-site Queen City Whip food truck (which serves burgers, shakes, and chili fries) and a new outdoor bar in a converted Airstream trailer. Photo: Patty Salas
5. Below Zero Lounge 1120 Walnut St., OTR LGBTQ+ nightclub Below Zero Lounge is nestled snuggly between the nightlife action on Vine and Main streets in OTR. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
5. Below Zero Lounge 1120 Walnut St., OTR A summer cocktail at Below Zero Lounge. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
6. Japp’s Since 1879 1136 Main St., OTR A bourbon cocktail at Japp’s. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
7. MOTR Pub 1345 Main St., OTR Hosts some of the best live shows in the city, highlighting local and touring Indie, Rock and Folk acts — all without a cover. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
7. MOTR Pub 1345 Main St., OTR MOTR has almost nightly live music. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
8. Northside Yacht Club 4321 Spring Grove Ave., Northside Northside Yacht Club is a loosely nautically themed Rock hangout from the minds of two local music veterans. The mixology is masterful, made with fresh juices, fruit and herbal garnish. Photo: Kellie Coleman
8. Northside Yacht Club 4321 Spring Grove Ave., Northside Northside Yacht Club’s bloody mary decked out with a smoked wing, slider and bacon. Photo: Catie Viox
8. Northside Yacht Club 4321 Spring Grove Ave., Northside Outdoor patio at Northside Yacht Club. Photo: Kellie Coleman
9. Sundry and Vice 18 W. 13th St., OTR Sundry and Vice’s apothecary-inspired drinks lend more textures, colors and flavors than a classic list of libations. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
9. Sundry and Vice 18 W. 13th St., OTR Sundry and Vice’s Topaz cocktail. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
10. Longfellow 1233 Clay St., OTR Longfellow offers cozy, mushed-together seating, a large U-shaped bar and super-positive attitude as transmitted by D.C./N.Y.C. transplant and owner Mike Stankovich. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
10. Longfellow 1233 Clay St., OTR Longfellow bartender, Jen, preparing the Queens Park Swizzle. Photo: Hailey Bollinger