Historically, Cincinnati is a city, at least partly, built on beer, and with our premier brewing legacy comes the obvious need for places to enjoy these brews. Bars have a storied past in the Queen City; even with Prohibition wiping out many drinking establishments, there are a few bars in Cincinnati that adapted and survived during the time and continue to sling drinks to this day. And with the end of Prohibition came even more bars, taverns and pubs that have been serving as third spaces to Cincinnatians and travelers for decades.

From unpretentious neighborhood dives to art-deco marvels with award-winning wine lists and bars that may have changed names and hands several times but continue the time-honored tradition of serving drinks, these are some of the oldest bars in Greater Cincinnati.

Arnold’s Bar & Grill 210 E. Eighth St., Downtown Open since 1861, Arnold’s is the oldest continuously running tavern in town, complete with dark wood walls, vintage memorabilia and a big ol’ bathtub in the dining room, rumored to have been used to make gin during Prohibition. A Cincinnati classic, it serves up a nice range of lunch and dinner options — pasta, sandwiches and burgers, plus vegan and gluten-free options — at bargain prices. Enjoy a local draft in the outdoor beer garden and almost daily live music. Named as one of the best bars in America by Esquire magazine. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Lounge at 1931 35 W. Fifth St., Downtown While The 1931 just opened this past winter in the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, replacing Orchids at Palm Court, the space it’s in has been around since the year of its namesake. The art-deco marvel that is the restaurant and lounge features Brazilian rosewood, soaring painted ceilings and vintage Rookwood pottery. Relax in the lounge and imbibe from the award-winning wine list or enjoy a well-crafted cocktail. Happy Hour is from 4-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and on Fridays and Saturdays, you can unwind with some live light jazz. Photo: facebook.com/netherlandplaza
Photo: Facebook.com/OMalleysInTheAlley1
Wilden outside the Bay Horse Cafe Time Travel Bar Photo: Katherine Barrier
Lakeside Inn 2019 Tytus Ave., Middletown The Lakeside Inn in Middletown is currently best known for starring in the new film The Bikeriders. If you take a closer look, you can see the remnants of the movie set still on the walls at the bar. Owner Brian Mack, who bought the bar in 2021 but didn’t open it until recently due to filming, was given a signed original movie poster, as well as the original layout plans for the bars’ shelving. You can see notes from the cast and set crew thanking the bar for “letting them blow it up.” This is in reference to the scene in the film where a motorcycle club sets the bar on fire. (Mack said the only thing they actually set on fire was the bar’s awning and that the film paid for the replacement.) But before the bar was hosting the famous, it was hosting the infamous. In the ‘30s, the bar was a regular spot for Clyde Barrow, of Bonnie and Clyde notoriety. Photo: Lydia Schembre
Jerry’s Jug House 414 E. Seventh St., Newport Jerry’s Jug House started as a garage with ties to bootlegging during Prohibition but went legal in the ‘30s as a “jug house.” In 2019, its owners revitalized the joint while staying true to its roots. The former back gambling room — er, we mean, “office,” is now a lounge that serves draft beer, cocktails and natural wines. But, of course, you can still find cheap beers and good bourbon there as well. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Arlin’s 307 Ludlow Ave., Clifton Arlin’s may have changed names and hands quite a few times since its inception, but it’s been Clifton Gaslight District’s premier neighborhood pub since the 1890s. Here you can enjoy a beer on the big back patio and beer garden and listen to live music. The no-frills atmosphere includes a pool room, plus 20 taps, sports on the TVs and a jukebox. And while it’s best known as a bar, Arlin’s also has a food menu with a variety of burgers, sandwiches and even some Tex-Mex fare. Photo: facebook.com/arlinsbar
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
Best LGBTQ+ Bar No. 5: Rosie’s Tavern 643 Bakewell St., Covington Photo: facebook.com/RosiesTavern
6. City View Tavern 403 Oregon St., Mount Adams Indulge in a spicy bloody mary while at this fine low-frills neighborhood bar that offers panoramic vistas of our fair metropolis and some locally loved burgers. Photo via Facebook.com/CityViewTavern Photo: Facebook.com/CityViewTavern
Mansion Hill Tavern 502 Washington Ave., Newport Mansion Hill Tavern knows its blues — in fact, it’s the oldest blues bar in the Cincinnati area. The building it’s in has been around since the 1870s, but a bar didn’t open in the space until the ‘40s when it became Ivy and Gill’s Café (the bar in the space now dates back to this time). Ivy and Gill’s Cafe became popular for hosting musicians playing boogie-woogie — a genre of blues — in the ‘50s and ‘60s, with greats like Albert Washington, H-Bomb Ferguson, Big Ed Thompson and Big Joe Duskin performing there. The bar changed its name in 1988 but remained a draw for blues bands all over the country. To drink, the bar serves a variety of beers and spirits, plus a menu of craft cocktails. Photo: Mansion Hill Tavern Facebook
The Crow’s Nest 4544 W. Eighth St. Opened in 1895 by husband and wife Mike and Mary Crow, this Irish pub is one of the oldest drinking establishments in Cincinnati. And like any good pub, their claim to fame is their delicious fish sandwich. You’ll find live music here on Friday and Saturday nights, and Tuesdays are home to open mic nights. Outside, you can gather around the fire pit with a strong drink or play a game of cornhole. Photo: facebook.com/The Crow’s Nest Cincinnati
Black Horse Tavern 27 S. Broadway St., Lebanon If you’re looking for the Black Horse Tavern, you’ll find it attached to the back of the historic Golden Lamb hotel and restaurant in Lebanon. While the tavern itself opened in 1964, the building it’s in has been providing travelers in the area with premier hospitality since 1803. The bar has a more laid-back feel than its restaurant counterpart, but it still serves the same menu, plus specialty cocktails. It also hosts a Gourmet Burger & Craft Beer Night every Thursday starting at 4 p.m. Photo: facebook.com/blackhorsetavern
Junkers Tavern 4156 Langland St., Northside This proud dive bar serves the usual, low-cost domestic beers in a down-to-earth pub. It hosts karaoke nights and live music. If you get hungry, select something tasty from the infamous wall of chips. Photo: Holden Mathis Photo: Holden Mathis
Maloney’s 408 Greenwell Ave., Delhi Photo via Facebook.com/MaloneysPubWest Photo: Facebook.com/maloneyspubwest
Fries Cafe At more than 90 years old, Fries is a laid-back dive-bar legend near the University of Cincinnati. The uncharacteristically large outdoor space (at least for Clifton) has a covered portion and deck, live music stage, cornhole sets and plenty of seating. Bring your pooch with you: Dogs are allowed inside and outside as long as they are on a leash (and you clean up after them). 3247 Jefferson Ave., Clifton. Photo via Facebook.com/FriesCafe Photo: facebook.com/friescafe
McDog’s Lakeside Saloon 3611 Bevis Lane, Colerain Township Possibly Colerain Township’s oldest bar, the building McDog’s Lakeside Saloon is housed in has been serving drinks since the early 1900s, but it didn’t become McDog’s until the ‘50s. Nowadays, you visit McDog’s for the Harleys, rock and roll and heavy pours. Inside you’ll find darts, pool and plenty of friendly faces. Outside is seating and a small fishing lake that sets this bar apart from other dives in the area. A simple menu of pizza and hoagies is there to soak up the cheap drinks. Photo: facebook.com/people/McDogs-Lakeside-Saloon/100069097186276
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
Colonel Pomp’s Tavern 600 Washington Ave., Newport You’ll find the tiny Colonel Pomp’s Tavern inside Pompilios, which itself is one of the oldest restaurants in the area and has been dishing out Italian fare since 1933. Pop in here for a drink and to admire the historic feel of the space before or after diving into a big plate of spaghetti in the dining room. Founder Col. Pompilio was the first person to secure a liquor license in Kentucky after Prohibition ended, and to this day the bar honors its Kentucky roots by serving an extensive list of bourbon. Photo: facebook.com/PompiliosRestaurant
Larry’s Ryland Heights Tavern 10078 Decoursey Pike, Ryland Heights A hangout since the ’50s, Larry’s Ryland Heights Tavern is truly a Kentucky destination (or, a “no aggravation location” as they like to call themselves) with ashtrays all around the U-shaped, pounded-copper bar and a cash-only register. The space is decked out with jokey signs — “This town is so small we don’t have a town drunk. We take turns.” — and wall decor (neon beer signs and a pair of grimacing, sculpted Laurel and Hardy faces). Canned beer is all-American (mostly “lite”) brews, with the bestseller being Michelob Ultra, of which you can get bucket specials. Stop in on Wednesdays to try the wings on special with their array of sauces. And while Larry’s is pretty much an indoor place, there is a small patio deck on the side of the building. Photo: Google Maps
The Blind Lemon 936 Hatch St., Mt. Adams The Blind Lemon has been 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. It’s also one of the most romantic drinking destinations in the city, offering a delicious selection of cocktails, beer, wine bourbon and scotch. Photo: Hailey Bollinger
No. 8 Best Hidden Gem Restaurant: Maury’s Tiny Cove 3908 Harrison Ave., Cheviot Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Herb and Thelma’s 718 W. Pike St., Covington Opened in 1939 as Heine’s Cafe, the small drop-ceilinged dining room is what some may call a “hole in the wall,” but the simple and delectable burgers are made to order and served by an incredibly friendly staff. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Crowley’s Highland House Cafe 958 Pavilion St., Mt. 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, making it one of the oldest Irish pubs in the city. They also put on quite a party for St. Patrick’s Day and the Labor Day fireworks. Photo: facebook.com/Crowleysirishpub