It’s getting cold out here in Cincinnati, but just because the mercury’s dropping doesn’t mean you have to move the party inside. There are a number of restaurants, bars and breweries in the Queen City offering ways to eat, drink and stay warm on their patios and rooftops this winter, whether you’re looking for an igloo to cozy up in with your friends and family or if you want to gather ’round a firepit with other winter revelers.
Keep scrolling to see some of the Greater Cincinnati restaurants and bars that will keep you warm this winter.
Braxton Brewing Co.
Keep cozy in one of the heated igloos, now available at all three of Braxton’s locations. Order piping hot pizza from Dewey’s to enjoy in the igloo at either the Covington or Union locations, or eats from The Gatherall food hall at Factory 52. To drink, Braxton has 15 beers on tap, as well as two wines (a red and white option), cocktails and spiked hot beverages. You can reserve an igloo for $40 for a two-hour time slot. Each one seats up to eight people and includes cozy decor and a Bluetooth speaker upon request. 27 W. Seventh St., Covington; 8901 US-42, Union; 4600 Beech St., Norwood (Factory 52 campus).
The Chase Rooftop Bar
Moxy, one of Cincinnati’s newest hotels, recently opened The Chase Rooftop Bar, which offers firepits so guests can enjoy the space all year long. The food menu is Tex-Mex inspired, with nachos, a selection of tacos and chili-lime chips. To drink, try one of their cocktails, like the Casa Del Chase (tequila, lime, orgeat and Red Bull Yellow) or The Greenback (gin, cucumber simple syrup, lime and soda). 312 Main St., Downtown.
Fifty West Brewing Company
Fifty West is again transforming into a winter wonderland with its 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, as well as a winter curling league to help keep you active during the colder months. 7605 Wooster Pike, Columbia Township; 5224 District Park Drive, Deerfield Township.
Vista at Lytle Park
Visit the Lytle Park Hotel and head up to the rooftop bar and restaurant, Vista at Lytle Park. The rooftop lounge offers panoramic views of the Queen City and Ohio River. The “indoor” lounge (where the bar is located) is lined with windows that open up to the outdoor patio, which offers two fireplaces so you can enjoy the space in the colder months as well. Choose from a selection of cocktails, wine, beer and spirits. They also offer a selection of light bites and shareables. 311 Pike St., Downtown.
Tēla Bar + Kitchen
A Rock & Roll-inspired gastropub (it gets its name from a song title by the owners’ favorite band, Phish), Tēla serves up a menu of elevated pub grub made with fresh and locally sourced ingredients, plus an eclectic selection of handcrafted cocktails, mocktails, craft beer and artisan wine. The Wyoming bar and restaurant has a covered outdoor patio that can be enjoyed all year round. 1212 Springfield Pike, Wyoming.
Rusk Kitchen + Bar
Rusk Kitchen + Bar is once again offering heated igloos so guests can continue to enjoy its rooftop throughout the colder months. A reservation is good for two hours in the igloo, and each igloo seats up to eight people and offers a full menu, plus wine, bourbon and festive cocktails, as well as your own Bluetooth speaker. Each igloo has a $250 food and beverage minimum and 20% gratuity is added. You can make a reservation on OpenTable for a $35 fee. 2724 Woodburn Ave., East Walnut Hills.
Covington Yard
Food container park Covington Yard has transformed into its Winter WonderYard for another season. Winter WonderYard aims to capture the nostalgia of Christmas, with sparkling Christmas lights, festive décor and holiday cheer. 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 El Jefe’s, Mad Anthony Pizza and Empanadas. 401 Greenup St., Covington.
Elm Street Plaza
The brand-new Elm Street Plaza is now the home of the UC Health Ice Rink, and it also offers cozy igloos and pergolas available for rent. The igloos are heated, while the pergolas are open-air and feature a fire pit to warm up around. Both can seat up to eight people and are rentable for up to two hours for $150 Sunday through Thursday and $200 Friday and Saturday. Your rental also includes admission to the ice rink, skate rental and one free drink per person.
Blind Lemon
Walk down a set of stairs to find a secret, little hideaway: The Blind Lemon, Mt. 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. 936 Hatch St., Mt. Adams.
Shires’ Rooftop
Shires’ Rooftop has brought back its igloos and special garden greenhouses for the season. 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. 309 Vine St., 10th floor, Downtown.
Narrow Path Brewing Co.
Located along the well-traveled Loveland Bike Trail, Narrow Path Brewing offers a selection of craft beers that range in style from light lagers like the Grisette (a bright, citrusy Belgian-style ale) to darker, richer beverages, like the Brews Traveler Coffee Stout and Coconut Porter. In the winter, the brewery has adorable beer garden domes, which you can reserve for up to eight people for 45 minutes for $25 to enjoy some beers from Narrow Path and eats from the food truck. 106 N. Karl Brown Way, Loveland.
AC Upper Deck
Get a birds-eye view of The Banks from the Northern Lights Glow Pods at the AC Upper Deck. Each pod can seat eight people and includes customizable lighting, ambient music and a heater. Glow Pods are $30 to reserve, and there is a food and drink minimum. 135 Joe Nuxhall Way, The Banks.
Pins Mechanical Co.
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. 1124 Main St., Over-the-Rhine.
Pig Candy
Located in a former historic jail near Riverbend, Pig Candy specializes in smoked, barbecued meats with pulled pork, smoked and sliced turkey and grilled bone-in chicken thighs on the menu. The name “Pig Candy” comes from their specialty: a fluffy gluten-free waffle pressed with pulled pork and topped with peach maple glaze. The restaurant has put tarps and heaters up on the patio to keep guests warm this winter. 5901 Kellogg Ave., California.
Little Miami Brewing Company
Milford’s Little Miami Brewing Company sits on the banks of its namesake river and pours a rotating selection of beers. The hot, tasty brick-oven pizzas will keep you warm in the colder months, as will the outdoor fire pits that also offer a great view of the river. 208 Mill St, Milford.
Incline Public House
Named after the Cincinnati inclines that traveled to Price Hill, Incline Public House features a gorgeous view of the city and delicious American-style food for brunch, lunch and dinner. On the menu you’ll find dishes like pizza, burgers and the popular poutine, plus a variety of local craft brews. Plus, you can enjoy the view from the all-seasons patio all year round. 2601 W. Eighth St., East Price Hill.
Moerlein Lager House
Experience The Banks at wintertime from the comfort of one of Moerlein Lager House’s heated igloos. Each igloo can fit up to 14 people and features three high-top cocktail tables, an electric fireplace and a personal igloo concierge who will keep the drinks flowing. Your reservation is good for up to 90 minutes, and while the rental fee is $300, that will be returned to you in the form of vouchers to be used at Moerlein Lager House or the food and beverage stalls at the Servatii Christkindlmarkt this December. 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, The Banks.
Somerset
This winter, Somerset has transformed its garden spaces into oases of revelry and relaxation with firepits for its gazebos and heaters for its pergola. Reservations aren’t required to enjoy any of Somerset’s spaces, but if you want to secure a specific spot, you can do so on their website for a fee. 139 E. McMicken Ave., Over-the-Rhine.
MadTree Brewing
The heated, winter tent is up at MadTree’s Oakley 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. And at its new Parks & Rec location in Blue Ash, there are fire pits on the patio. Taproom: 3301 Madison Road, Oakley; 4321 Glendale Milford Road, Blue Ash.
Queen City Radio
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. 222 W. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine.
Big Ash Brewing
Featuring a self-serve tap wall (with 28 taps), specialty pizzas and a spacious outdoor patio, Big Ash Brewing is an ideal spot for a casual night of eating, drinking and socializing. Head to their outdoor biergarten for fire pits and live music. They also wrap their patio to keep it warm. 5230 Beechmont Ave., Anderson Township.
The Porch at Washington Park
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. 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine.
The Monkey Bar & Grille
As a family-owned operation, this place has not allowed any monkey business since its transformation from a biker bar, but it does permit a lot of fun, even in the colder months. Enjoy fine bourbon or a brew while chatting with friends outside next to one of their outdoor fire pits. 7837 Old 3C Highway, Maineville.