The Queen City is bubbling over with swanky and hip bars to visit. But when the weekend rolls around and getting the party started early is a must, these are your best bets for day-drinking — everything from luscious beer gardens with boozy slushies to rooftop patios with beer flights. Some open as early as 11 a.m.
Queen City Radio Noon.-2:30 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. 222 W. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine The historic Queen City Radio building has been turned into a well-manicured full-service bar and outdoor beer garden. The bar serves 14 rotating taps of local, regional and national beer, canned and bottled brews, wine, a small cocktail program and boozy slushies. Garage doors create indoor/outdoor space, weather permitting, and there’s an on-site food truck with burgers, shakes and chili fries. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Pins Mechanical Company Noon-2:30 a.m. Saturday; Noon-1 a.m. Sunday. 1124 Main St., Over-the-Rhine From the Columbus-based Rise Brands, the group behind 16-Bit, this new bar has 25 pinball machines and 10 duckpin bowling lanes, plus other “old school” entertainment options like foosball and ping pong. Cocktails include the Pinball Wizard with blueberry vodka, elderflower, ginger ale and blueberries and Rosé All Day with rose vodka, lemonade, Rhinegeist’s Bubbles and rose water. Head up to the rooftop bar for bocce ball, giant Jenga and an ice cold beverage. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Sundry and Vice Noon.-2 a.m. Saturday; Noon-midnight Sunday. 18 W. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine This apothecary-themed bar features an extensive and inventive cocktail menu. The drinks — meticulously crafted by be-aproned bartenders — take a little longer to make than usual, but that’s only because they’re so good. After a weekend of drinking like this, you’re going to need an apothecary. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Porch at Washington Park 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. 1230 Elm St., Over-the Rhine Washington Park’s Porch is the place to drink away the week’s worries with beer, wine and liquor. Local favorites include Taft’s Ale House, Rhinegeist, Christian Moerlein and Fifty West. Watch pups play at the neighboring dog park while you sip on something cold. Photo: Holden Mathis
MadTree Brewing 10 a.m.-1 a.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday. 3301 Madison Road, Oakley MadTree’s million-dollar makeover did not disappoint. The hugely expanded operation on Madison Road is bigger on all fronts, including its 10,000-square-foot beer garden. With 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. Bonus: The expansion included bigger bathrooms. Photo: Phil Heidenreich
Fifty West Production Works 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. 7605 Wooster Pike, Newtown Across the street from Fifty West Brewing is the expanded Fifty West Production Works. The space features sand volleyball courts and canoe and kayak rentals in addition to additional fermenters to produce thousands more barrels of Fifty West beer each year. Photo via Facebook.com/FiftyWestBrewingCompany
3 Points Urban Brewing 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. 331 E.13th St., Pendleton With 12 of their own beers on draft and a 185-person taproom, this urban brewery is a design-forward and artful space where all are welcome to indulge. Eight artists were commissioned to create pieces inspired by the house beers and taste profiles. Spend a weekend and check out the art that goes along with them while imbibing in the taproom. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Rosedale 1 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday; 1 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Sunday. 208 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine When Neons closed in 2016, people were devastated to lose “OTR’s backyard.” Then, 4EG — the entertainment group behind The Lackman, Mount Adams Pavilion, Igby’s and more — announced they’d be taking over the space. After some upscale renovations, they reopened as Rosedale in January 2018. They’ve added industrial-farmhouse chandeliers, bold floral wallpaper (perfect for an Instagram photoshoot), leveled out the first floor and added lounge seating. It’s a little more classed up than comfy old Neons but has retained the former’s focus on craft cocktails… and the giant, dog-friendly patio (now with brand new seating). Photo: Ty Wesselkamper
Rhinegeist Brewery Noon-2 a.m. Saturday; noon-9 p.m. Sunday. 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine Rhinegeist is a large brewery and event space in historic Over-the-Rhine (housed in an old Moerlein bottling plant) producing hoppy and sessionable ales. The seasonal deck is an excellent addition to the city’s rooftop bar scene and a perfect place to day-drink with the besties. Climb on up and grab a drink your drink of choice for views of the historic Jackson Brewery building, downtown, Mount Adams and the Elm Street streetcar line. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Homemakers Bar 1 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday; 1-11 p.m. Sunday. 39 E. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine Cincinnati hospitality mavens Julia Petiprin and Catherine Manabat have opened Homemakers Bar at the corner of 13th and Walnut streets. The duo worked together to create a space inspired by a retro vibe and the domestic cocktails of the 1950s through the 1970s. Lesser-known liqueurs are featured, like “Italian bittersweet tinctures, herbal and fortified wines, and low-proof cocktails,” says a release. The food menu offers delightfully nostalgic bites like finger sammies, homemade snack mix, dips and more. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Oakley Pub & Grill 11:30 a.m.-2:30 a.m. Saturday; 11:30 a.m.-midnight Sunday. 3924 Isabella Ave, Oakley The east side of the town’s neighborhood hang out spot is the home to a signature bloody mary served with a beef stick, a cheddar block, a spicy pickle and olive and a cajun salt rim. They have eight signature cocktails and an extensive list of beer and wine. Their breezy patio is a perfect place to kick back with a cold drink and some sunshine. Photo via Facebook.com/OakleyPubandGrill Photo: facebook.com/OakleyPubandGrill
16-Bit Bar+Arcade Noon-2:30 a.m. Saturday; Noon-1 a.m. Sunday. 1331 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine Guzzle ’80s-themed drinks with names like the Lisa Frank or Kevin Bacon while playing more than 50 different classic arcade games and pinball. If you drink, you play for free. Photo: Patty Salas
Northside Yacht Club 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Sunday. 4231 Spring Grove Ave., Northside A loosely nautically themed rock club from two local music veterans comes Northside Yacht Club. The mixology is masterful, made with fresh juice, fruit and herbal garnish. Tropical-themed drinks are served in Tiki glasses and the bar-food menu features satisfying items like house-smoked wings and vegan lentil chili fries. If the crew wants to go to the beach, toast to NSYC. Photo: Kellie Coleman
Liberty’s Bar & Bottle 2 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday; 1 p.m.-2 a.m. Sunday. 1427 Main St., Over-the-Rhine At Liberty’s Bar & Bottle, you can wine about it. They have 20 rotating draft beer handles, 40 craft beer bottles/cans, 100 bottles of wine and 15 glass pours of wine. The lounge space is reminiscent of a cozy living room, with a large leather couch and comfy chairs along with plenty of board games to gather around with your friends. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Taft’s Ale House 11:30 a.m.-midnight. Saturday; 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. 1429 Race St., Over-the-Rhine Located inside a former church, the building is an ode to Cincinnatian and former President William Howard Taft. The multi-floor brewpub maintains some of the sanctuary’s charm (like the bell tower). The 18 beers on tap and a menu focused on tri-tip beef are practically begging you to spend Saturday afternoon drinking there. Photo: Jesse Fox
AC Upper Deck 1-9 p.m. Sunday. 135 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown 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 (salsa, guac, cheddar, nacho cheese, jalapeños, corn, black beans, onions, olives, sour cream and carnitas or chicken on tortilla chips). Try the sangria for a summery mix of fresh margarita and housemade sangria — a perfect summertime sipper. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar 1 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday; 2 p.m.-midnight Sunday. 629 Main St., Covington A mind-boggling bourbon selection (over 600 bottles of bourbon and whiskey to be exact) is available, served in snifters by a well-educated, passionate staff. For those less interested in straight booze, enjoy select pre-Prohibition cocktails or bourbon barrel-aged beers. If you want to get drunk fast, this is the place. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Bakersfield 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-midnight Sunday. 1213 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine Part bar, part taco joint, all classy. Bakersfield specializes in gourmet tacos (pollo rojo, pastor, huitlacoche, etc.), quality tequilas and whiskeys and hand-crafted margaritas made the old-fashioned way, not from a pre-made mix. Photo via Facebook.com/BakersfieldOTR
Braxton Brewing Company Noon-1 a.m. Saturday; noon-10 p.m. Sunday. 27 W. Seventh St., Covington The “taproom of the future,” Braxton’s comfy garage-inspired brewery and taproom was the first in the nation with gigabit internet. The company made headlines with their collaborations with Graeter’s and their seasonal beer Summertrip is perfect for these hot, sweaty days. Look for a 5,000-square foot rooftop bar opening this summer. Photo: Lindsay McCarty
MOTR Pub 10 a.m.-2:30 a.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-2 a.m. Sunday. 1345 Main St., Over-the-Rhine This gem hosts some of the best live shows in the city and highlights local and touring indie, rock and folk acts — all without a cover. Their weekend brunch menu along with their assorted drinks are the perfect excuse to sober up before getting drunk again. Be sure to visit the back patio space. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Revel OTR Noon-2 a.m. Saturday; 2-10 p.m. Sunday. 111 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine The boutique winery and event space specializes in promoting local, regional and family-owned wineries. Revel makes it own small-batch house wine, 44 barrels at a time, and serves it in juice glasses. It also carries cool and fun wine cocktails, like a fizzy mojito made with prosecco and a Manhattan featuring malbec and brandy. If the group wants to look cute and drink cute, look no further. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Aster Social Slippery 3 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Saturday; 2-8 p.m. Sunday. 8 E. Fourth St., Downtown Aster wants to bring “the farm to the cocktail world.” Their standout cocktails include the Eden Park with Spruce Gin, elderflower, Luxardo, simple syrup, lemon, egg white and fernet rinse. Tapping into the latest trend in mixology, there’s also a smattering of non-alcoholic and low ABV cocktails that go beyond soda and virgin mixed drinks to accommodate everyone in your party. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Cobblestone OTR Noon-2 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. 1132 Race St., Over-the-Rhine The no-frills establishment feels more like hanging out in a friend’s living room than the kind of preening-for-the-popular-crowd posturing that can happen at other drinking destinations. Cobblestone is about chill as they come, and all are welcome to stop by. Photo: Paige Deglow
The Littlefield 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday. 3934 Spring Grove Ave., Northside This neighborhood bar specializes in bourbon and regional craft beer. Clever cocktails mix sweet and savory flavors and the kitchen puts out excellent seasonal plates and heavenly desserts.Their featured cocktail is the Dandy Lion with dandelion and burdock infused dark rum, honey wine, lime juice, coconut milk, served over crushed ice and garnished with dandelion greens. Grab some friends and sip on some drinks while sitting on the spacious string-light patio. Photo: Izzy Viox
The Pony OTR 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. 1346 Main St., Over-the Rhine By the looks of it, you’d think The Pony has been around for decades with its honeycomb tile floors, low-hanging green bar lamps and a glowing neon sign luring you in for an old fashioned. Turns out the excellently comfortable dive-bar décor is the machination of hipsters, and we’re not at all mad about it. Cocktails include the Pony Express, grape vodka, blue curacao, lemonade and grenadine, or the Continenal Colt, vodka/Kaluha and Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal milk. Great place to watch the game and escape the summer heat. Photo via Facebook.com/ThePonyOTR Photo: facebook.com/ThePonyOTR