Settled is 1788, Cincinnati is definitely an old city, so it makes sense we have quite the collection of historic drinking establishments. From dive bars to high-end lounges, all of these Queen City bars have been serving the city for a long time. 

Arnold’s Bar & Grill 210 E. Eighth St., Downtown Downtown’s Arnold’s Bar & Grill is renowned for being the oldest continuously operating drinking destination in Cincinnati — one of the oldest in America, in fact, at 160 years. There’s the infamous Arnold’s bathtub, reportedly used to make bootleg gin during Prohibition. And another rumor that the building was once a whorehouse. There is even a rumor that this bar filled with spirits (as in alcohol) is full of spirits (as in dead people). Photo: facebook.com/arnoldsbar
The Blind Lemon 936 Hatch St., Mount Adams Mount Adams’ favorite backyard bar since 1963. Walk down a set of stairs to find a secret, little hideaway. Outside, the relaxed garden patio is like a boho blend of Bourbon Street and Paris café life. With frequent live music, it’s one of the most romantic drinking destinations in the city. Hailey Bollinger
O’Malley’s in the Alley 25 W. Ogden Place, Downtown Photo via Facebook.com/OMalleysInTheAlley Facebook.com/OMalleysInTheAlley
City View Tavern 403 Oregon St., Mount Adams A hillside dive and home of one of the best spicy bloody marys and best views in town. The burgers are damn tasty, too. Once a former grocery store and taproom, the historic space has been around in some iteration since the 1870s. Holden Mathis
Black Horse Tavern 27 S. Broadway, Lebanon Jonas Seaman came to Ohio from New Jersey in 1803 and opened the Golden Lamb. In a time when many couldn’t read, the business was marked by a symbol, not a name: a golden lamb. Present-day, the historic hotel and restaurant, in the heart of the Lebanon DORA district, has served 12 presidents and an array of other famous figures. The attached Black Horse Tavern is a more casual dining spot on the backside of the hotel that serves specialty cocktails and beers on draft, including the Black Horse Golden Lager. Photo: facebook.com/BlackHorseTavern
Bay Horse Cafe and Roadhouse 625 Main St., Downtown This historic and recently restored bar has a classic, homey feel. The affordable menu matches its relaxed vibe, and offerers everything from cocktails and 25-ounce Huedepohl schooners to draft beers. The business dates all the way back to 1817 when it was located along the riverfront on Water Street. It moved up to Fifth Street due to flooding. In 1962, the Bay Horse moved to its current location on Main Street and then closed in 2004. It was reopened in 2017. Hailey Bollinger
Crowley’s Irish Pub 958 Pavilion St., Mount Adams Crowley’s has made a name for itself by offering tons of beers on draft in an unpretentious atmosphere. The bar was established in 1937 by Bill Specs Crowley. They put on quite a party for Saint Patrick’s Day and the Labor Day fireworks. Photo: Facebook.com/crowleysirishpub
Herb and Thelma’s Tavern 718 W. Pike St., Covington Open in 1939 as Heine’s Café, the small drop-ceilinged dining room is what some may call a “hole in the wall.” Their incredibly friendly staff serves up simple but delectable made-to-order burgers. Their speciality is a juicy meat patty topped with cheese, onions and pickles; a shortlist of sides includes chili, soup or Husman’s chips. Grab one of their self-described “coldest beer since 1939.” Hailey Bollinger
Palm Court Bar and Lounge 35 W. Fifth St., Downtown Nestled inside Carew Tower’s historic Art Deco Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza sits the Bar at Palm Court. The cocktail bar offers up classic drinks, live Jazz and an expanded bar menu. The hotel opened in 1931 and has been listed as a member of Historic Hotels of America since 1991. Facebook.com/OrchidsAtPalmCourt
Mecklenburg Gardens 302 E. University Ave., Corryville For a taste of Zinzinnati’s German heritage, Mecklenburg Gardens showcases some of the best German cuisine the city has to offer. Their specialty is wienerschnitzel, a tender, pan-fried veal cutlet topped with lemon; it’s served with mashed potatoes and cabbage. They have about a dozen beers on tap, most of which are German, along with some local microbrews. Nationally ranked as one of the best biergartens in the country, it’s also one of Cincinnati’s oldest restaurants, having been open since 1865. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Quatman Cafe 2434 Quatman Ave., Norwood; 224 West Main St., Mason Since 1966, Quatman has provided Cincinnatians with cheap burgers, soup and “the coldest beer in town.” There are canned beers as well as a draft selection and rotating seasonal brews. They’ve also got daily specials where you can get a main dish plus fries and a drink for $10. Photo: facebook.com/Quatman-Cafe
Mt. Adams Bar and Grill 938 Hatch St., Mount Adams Opened during the prohibition era in 1919, Mt. Adams Bar and Grill’s roots are thought to tie back to a speakeasy owned by infamous bootlegger George Remus. It became the first bar and grill in Ohio to receive its liquor license in 1933. Known for their whiskey, it offers a varied menu that serves up hearty burgers, soups and even features a Cincinnati favorite with a twist: white chicken chili. Walk inside and enjoy this Cincinnati blast from the past while tasting some amazing grub. Photo: Izzy Viox Photo: Izzy Viox
Murphy’s Pub 2329 West Clifton Ave., Clifton Established in 1969, this college dive bar offers every day deals on pitchers, bar games and team sports, frequent free pizza and hot dogs. Murphy’s represents its Irish roots on Saint Patrick’s Day. Photo: Facebook.com/MurphysPubClifton Photo: facebook.com/murphyspubclifton
Dunlap Cafe 1926 Dunlap St., Over-the-Rhine Dunlap Cafe has been operational since 1936 with an emphasis on home-cooked meals and all-day breakfast. They specialize in “adult happy meals” and offer a selection of local, craft and draft beer and a fully stocked bar. Paige Deglow
Zip’s Cafe 1036 Delta Ave., Cincinnati Zip’s Cafe was founded in 1926, meaning that it has been running for a whopping 93 years. Well known for their tasty and tangy burgers, they serve up everything from their famed Zip’s Burger, to more bold patties, like the “The Flying Pig” and the “Train Wreck.” Aside from their burgers, they also offer fish sandwiches, ruebens, barbecue, chili, soups and more. They don’t skimp out on vegetarians, either, offering both a garden and a bean patty option. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Bobby Mackey’s Music World 44 Licking Pike, Wilder Yes, Bobby Mackey’s is technically in Northern Kentucky, but it’s labeled as the “most haunted nightclub in America” and has been featured multiple times Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures. Owned and operated by Country singer Bobby Mackey, the building was built in 1850 and originally served as a slaughterhouse and meatpacking operation. After the slaughter house closed in 1890, the building took on new life as a casino and eventually became the site of the Latin Quarter, a nightclub popular with mobsters. It was a spot renowned for murder, mob activity and satanic rituals before becoming Bobby Mackey’s in 1978; the building remains rich with history, and many patrons say the bar is still inhabited by former frequenters. Stories say Satanists were connected to one of the area’s most famous homicides: the murder of Pearl Bryan. Two men killed Pearl by decapitating her with dental instruments. They were wealthy youths from the area who were in medical school, and one of them had gotten Pearl pregnant. They saw no other option but to kill her. Rumors began circulating the duo were involved with the Satanists who practiced in the old slaughterhouse, and they had murdered her as an offering to Satan. Her head was never found. It has been suggested that it was dropped down the well in the basement. Paranormal tours of the property take you into the main floor, upstairs and basement, where the so-called “portal to hell” — that dust-filled hole once used to drain animal remains and serve as disposal for human heads in the building’s slaughterhouse days — resides. People who visit Bobby’s claim to have seen the ghost of a decapitated Pearl, hear the jukebox play the “Anniversary Waltz” on its own and see the apparition of a woman named Johanna, frequently accompanied by the smell of rose perfume, reportedly the same brand of perfume that she wore while she was still alive. Photo: Facebook.com/BobbyMackeyFB Photo: Facebook.com/BobbyMackeyFB
Crow’s Nest 4544 W. Eighth St., West Price Hill The Crow’s Nest opened in 1895 by husband and wife duo Mike and Mary Crow. Now, the pub is owned by the O’Dell family, who are the descendants of Mary. When you drive by, you’ll see a plethora of Irish fanfare. But their claim to fame is their fish sandwich. Photo: Facebook.com/crowsnestcincy Facebook.com/CrowsNestCincy
Maury’s Tiny Cove 3908 Harrison Ave., Cheviot Maury’s has been packed full of flavor and a West Side tradition since 1949. The dimly lit supper-club vibe will have you feeling like a regular on your first visit. The extensive menu consists of all the classic steakhouse options: tender, juicy steaks, seafood and chicken, plus pasta. From the bar, grab a perfect martini or a glass or wine from their massive wine list. Ask for the Carol booth — the restaurant appears in the locally filmed, Oscar-nominated movie starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara — or take a photo with the Maury’s sign, featuring a kitschy cartoon steer holding a cocktail. Hailey Bollinger
Arlin’s 307 Ludlow Ave., Clifton The is Clifton’s Gaslight District neighborhood pub for the thinking man or woman. Have a beer on the big back patio and beer garden or enjoy live music and bar food. The no-frills atmosphere includes a pool room, plus 20 taps, sports on TV and a jukebox. Though the bar has changed names, there’s been a drinking spot at this location since the 1890s. Photo: facebook.com/ArlinsBar
Ludlow Wines 343 Ludlow Ave., Clifton Since 1963, this has been a family-owned and -operated wine and craft beer merchant in Clifton’s Gaslight District. Owner Mike Anagnostou says he focused on providing his customers with “quality and value.” The shop also offers free delivery within the Greater Clifton area. Facebook.com/LudlowWines
Madonna’s Bar & Grill 11 E. Seventh St., Downtown This cozy downtown dive bar has a pool table and jukebox, friendly bartenders (say hi to Downtown Scott Brown) and a great burger. Photo: Facebook.com/MadonnasBarandGrill Photo: facebook.com/madonnasbarandgrill
Boswell’s 1686 Blue Rock St., Northside A casual Northside townie bar and grill in a historic building that dates back to 1886. The menu features inexpensive items — soups, salads, sandwiches and burgers — with plenty of vegetarian-friendly dishes and a daily steak special. A renovated back patio houses an al fresco bar and yard games. Google.com/maps
The Comet 4579 Hamilton Ave., Northside This vintage-styled neon-lit Northside Garage Rock bar has a daily menu of big-ass burritos, strong booze, live music and coffee, so you never have to leave. And more than a few loyal customers come to The Comet’s Sunday brunch to feast off the hangover they earned in the same bar on Saturday night. Open since 1995. Hailey Bollinger
Fries Cafe 3245 Jefferson Ave., Clifton Before opening as a bar in the 1930s, Fries Cafe was a Kroger grocery store. It offers a large selection of craft beers on tap. If you’re in the mood for games, Fries offers three floors of shuffleboard, dart boards and pool tables. Head out back and check out the massive patio set-up. Facebook.com/FriesCafe