The Queen City may be packed with nightlife options, but there are a few local gems that are a challenge to find. From secret garden patios to a literal underground nightclub, these bars may be playing hard-to-get... but they're totally worth the struggle.
Tags:
- Speakeasies,
- Hidden Bars,
- Lounges,
- Cincinnati
Scroll down to view images
Page 1 of 2
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Comfort Station
793 E. McMillan Ave., Walnut Hills
From the team behind OTRs Sundry and Vice comes Comfort Station. This co*cktail bar is located in a century-old Walnut Hills rest area. Without much signage outside, guests enter via the original women's room door now painted a beautiful bright blue into an industrial and airy space with skylights, inventive co*cktails and a living plant wall. A back patio and lounge creates an indoor/outdoor feel.
1 of 22
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Somerset
139 E. McMicken Ave., Over-the-Rhine
This sprawling drinking and dining destination offers an immersive escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, all tucked behind an unassuming front gate. Somerset features two bar spaces — one in the plant-filled and glass-roofed conservatory and another in the cozy lounge space. The bar serves both boozy and non-alcoholic co*cktails.
2 of 22
Photo: Catie Viox
Revival
5 E. Eighth St., Covington
Revival isn't a speakeasy, but it sure does look like one. This vintage bottle shop offers up tastings and advice from friendly and knowledgable staff members who know the curated selection of bourbon like the back of their hands. In addition to educated sipping, Revival also has a collection of rare bourbons for sale and can give "dusty" collectors a professional valuation of their bottles.
3 of 22
Photo: Aparna Avasarala
Ghost Baby
1314 Republic St., Over-the-Rhine
This subterranean nightclub/music venue is located several stories below Vine Street in a 170-year-old lagering tunnel formerly used by Champion Brewing (beer was aged and cooled in lagering tunnels before the advent of refrigeration). The historic, dimly-lit space, which has been vacant since the 1850s, features soaring ceilings with stone archways and decor that is adorned with "crushed velvet and unpredictability," according to the bar. Guests can expect an immersive experience with art, design, co*cktails and live music.
4 of 22
Photo: Brian Rineair
Saeso
1208 Sycamore St., Pendleton
If you're looking for an otherworldly escape without leaving the city, or a co*cktail menu that takes the work out of ordering, Saeso might just be your new neighborhood bar. Christy Wulfson and Michael Guilfoil, the duo behind the petite Pendleton bar, created a space where they'd like to sit and enjoy a co*cktail and invited you to join. You can linger, say yes to that second drink and bask in the terracotta glow.
5 of 22
Hailey Bollinger
The Blind Lemon
936 Hatch St., Mount 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 one of the most romantic drinking destinations in the city.
6 of 22
Photo: @thelounge.ns
The Lounge at Liberty Exhibition Hall
3938 Spring Grove Ave., Northside
This watering hole is located in Northside's Liberty Exhibition Hall. It's a very low-key hang open to everyone. Specializing in live music and weekly Jazz nights, the bar offers co*cktails, wine, beer and non-alcoholic tea concoctions.
7 of 22
Photo: facebook.com/otrstillhouse
OTR Stillhouse
2017 Branch St., Over-the-Rhine
Want to feel like you're actually back in the 1920s? Head over to one of the first distilleries to open in Cincinnati proper since prohibition, OTR Stillhouse. Try some of their gin, bourbon and blended whiskies on their own or in a specialty co*cktail. The petite facade hides the bar and venue's true size. The indoor/outdoor space occupies more than a half-acre of real estate and includes a stage.
8 of 22
Photo: instagram.com/midcitycinti
Mid-City
40 E. Court St., Downtown
Mid-City moved into its spot downtown off the recently refurbished Court Street Plaza. The entrace is a little hidden but once you get inside it's worth it. Helmed by the same team as popular Over-the-Rhine bar Longfellow, the self-described “small, relaxed restaurant” serves easy eats, classic co*cktails and vintage dessert, including a baked Alaska with Fernet and mint chip ice cream.
9 of 22
Photo: Brittany Thornton
Mecca OTR
1429 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine
This hip OTR hideaway is a welcoming hangout for those interested in no-frills drinking and L.A. vibes. Find the main courtyard entrance tucked away down 15th Street, and cross the big-ass gravel patio, past colorful street-art murals, a panoply of rainbow lighting and a plethora of communal seating to enter a world of hanging plants and the most creatively decorated — dare we say selfie-ready — bar bathrooms in the city.
10 of 22
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Cellar at Oakley Wines
4011 Allston St., Oakley
Oakley Wines is a cozy spot off of Madison Avenue's main drag. The upper floor wine bar and bottle shop is minimal, bright and full of grab-and-go selections, and an unassuming staircase leads down to The Cellar, a low-lit speakeasy-style space with room for live music.
11 of 22
Photo: Twitter.com/CheviotMarathon
White Oak Marathon
6050 Cheviot Road, White Oak
A White Oak staple. This gas station offers one of the area's widest craft beer and fine wine selections as well various themed nights hosted on their spacious back patio. They have a bar with rotating beer taps updated almost weekly. Need to make a quick stop? Swing through their drive-thru. Fill up your tank, grab a drank and enjoy great company at this local one-stop shop.
12 of 22
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Skeleton Root
38 W. McMicken Ave., Over-the-Rhine
This working winery and event space in OTR pays homage to Cincinnati's wine history by producing heritage and French and European style wines, crushed and aged on site. Wines are produced in-house with minimal intervention, showcasing the terroir of the fruit in bottles of red, white and even rosé wine. The tasting room, with its beautiful illustration of grape harvesters on a Cincinnati hillside, is a perfect backdrop for happy hour.
13 of 22
Oddfellows Liquor Bar
2014 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Columbus-based watering hole Oddfellows Liquor Bar is an eccentrically-themed place to hang out and drink. Attached to its sister operation, Mikey's Late Night Slice on Elm Street, it's almost too convenient that the bar is located next door to everyone's favorite drunken food craving. Oddfellows features tons of beers on tap and a seasonal co*cktail menu.
14 of 22
Photo: Facebook.com/GoodfellasOTR
Wiseguy Lounge
1211 Main St., Over-the-Rhine; 603 Main St., Covington; 6099 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge
While inspired by the prohibition and speakeasies, this lounge nestled in Goodfellas Pizzeria doesn't require a secret password. Instead, just walk up and order one of the more than 400 bourbons, hand-crafted co*cktails or wide variety of beers from your knowledgeable bartender.
15 of 22
O'Malleys in the Alley
25 W. Ogden Place, Downtown
O'Malleys in the Alley is a straightforward imbibing experience with homemade dishes that have stood the test of time. Accessible via the shaded alleyway on Ogden Place, the bar offers drink specials and its proximity to Great American Ball Park make it a must before Reds games.
16 of 22
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Lost & Found
22 E. 14th St., Over-the-Rhine
Located on a quieter street in Over-the-Rhine, this co*cktail bar is a funky, community-driven gathering space with an inventive drink menu and small bites inside of a creative, art-filled environment; it was once a multi-car garage. Work from local artists fill the walls from room to room.
17 of 22
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Shires Rooftop
309 Vine St., 10th floor, Downtown
Located on the 10th floor of downtown's City Club Apartments, this spacious rooftop spot features an indoor dining room, an outdoor patio, two full bars, outdoor small and group dining and co*cktail tables with impeccable views. In the winter you can rent a cozy rooftop igloo or greenhouse to enjoy the beautiful city view even in the cold.
18 of 22
Prohibition Bourbon Bar
530 Washington Ave., Newport
This Newport bourbon bar may not be tough to find geographically, but their hours make them a hard-to-catch destination. Open only on weekends, the bar offers a collection of more than 1,000 bottles and counting of bourbon and rye whisky, including Scotch, Irish, Tennessee and Japanese brands, along with a large selection of wines by the glass and craft beers.
19 of 22
Photo: Catie Viox
Longfellow's Other Room
109 E. 13th St. and Brackett Alley, Over-the-Rhine
Attached to Longfellow, the bar's Other Room is a separate back drinking spot that has a large list of fluctuating rums. With the vibe of a 1950s basem*nt bar — where Desi Arnaz would perform but was managed by David Lynch — the rum curators and bartenders are more than happy to help you find a favorite new spirit from their global collection. The unassuming entrance is at 109 E. 13th and Brackett Alley along Longfellow's strip of side doors and windows, but can also be accessed by walking through the bar's bathroom hallway.
20 of 22
Page 1 of 2
Next Page
`this.removeSpinner = () => {jQuery(slideshowInstance.itemContainerSelector + ' div[uk-spinner]').remove()};this.prevPageLinkHTML = `Previous Page `this.nextPageLinkHTML = `Next Page `Object.defineProperties(this, {'items': { get: function() { return jQuery(this.itemContainerSelector).find(this.itemSelector)}},'currentItem': {get: function() {var foundItem = nullvar foundItemInView = nullthis.items.each(function () {var currentInView = elementInView(jQuery(this), scrollTopOffset, 0)if (currentInView) {// An in view item is already located extra logicif (foundItemInView && foundItemInView.inView) {// The entire previously found item is visible - it winsif (foundItemInView.topInView && foundItemInView.bottomInView) return// The previously found item covers the visible area - it winsif (foundItemInView.middleCoversView) return// The previously found item has more surface area - it winsif (foundItemInView.percentVisable > currentInView.percentOfViewHeight) return}foundItem = jQuery(this)foundItemInView = currentInView}})return foundItem}},'currentItemIndex': {get: function() {var currentElement = this.currentItem.closest('[slide-index]')if(currentElement) {return parseInt(currentElement.attr('slide-index'))}return null}},'currentItemId': {get: function() {var currentElement = this.currentItem.closest('[slide-id]')if(currentElement) {return currentElement.attr('slide-id')}return null}}})var slideshowInstance = this// xxx for debuggering - igwindow.slideshowInstance = slideshowInstance;var scrollTopOffset = window.innerHeight > this.smallMenuBreakPoint ? 110 : 140var originUrl = window.location.hrefthis.scrollToIndex = function (index) {var slideItem = this.items.filter('[slide-index="' + index + '"]')if (slideItem.length) { var topOffset = slideItem.offset().top - scrollTopOffset// window.scrollTo({ top: topOffset, behavior: 'smooth' })window.scrollTo({ top: topOffset, behavior: 'auto' })}else {this.fetchMore(index, function () {slideshowInstance.scrollToIndex(index)})}}this.fetchMore = function (startIndex, callback) {var currentItemOnFetch = this.currentItemvar url = '/cincinnati/25-hidden-bars-lounges-and-speakeasies-in-cincinnati/Slideshow/12483269'var params = {ajaxComponent: componentId,action: 'grabMore',startIndex: startIndex,oid: slideshowOid,cb: '1715005431',}if (paginate) {params.paginate = paginate;}var keywords = currentItemOnFetch.attr('slide-keywords')if (keywords) {params.keywords = keywords}if (editorView === true) {params.editor = true}// jQuery.ajax({url: url,type: 'GET',data: params,dataType: 'json',// beforeSend: function () { console.log('Fetching results') },success: function (data) {console.log('success', data.results, data.results.length, data.error, data)if (data) {if (data.error) {console.log(data.error)}else if (data.results) {console.log('slideshowInstance.items', slideshowInstance.items)for (var i = 0; i < data.results.length; i++) {var resultItem = jQuery(data.results[i])// // var resultItem = jQuery.parseHTML(data.results[i], document, true);var resultItemIndex = parseInt(resultItem.attr('slide-index'))var resultAlreadyInserted = slideshowInstance.items.filter('[slide-index="' + resultItemIndex + '"]').length > 0console.log('result', resultItemIndex)var previousItem = nullvar previousItemIndex = 0if (!resultAlreadyInserted) {slideshowInstance.items.each(function () {if (resultAlreadyInserted) returnvar currentItem = jQuery(this)var currentItemIndex = parseInt(currentItem.attr('slide-index'))if (resultItemIndex === currentItemIndex ) {resultAlreadyInserted = truereturn}else if (resultItemIndex > previousItemIndex && resultItemIndex < currentItemIndex) {var topOffsetBeforeInsert = currentItemOnFetch.get(0).getBoundingClientRect().topresultItem.insertBefore(currentItem)resultAlreadyInserted = truevar adjustedTopPosition = currentItemOnFetch.offset().top - topOffsetBeforeInsertwindow.scrollTo({ top: adjustedTopPosition, behavior: 'auto' })}previousItem = currentItempreviousItemIndex = currentItemIndex})if (!resultAlreadyInserted) {var topOffsetBeforeInsert = currentItemOnFetch.get(0).getBoundingClientRect().topresultItem.insertAfter(slideshowInstance.items.last())resultAlreadyInserted = truevar adjustedTopPosition = currentItemOnFetch.offset().top - topOffsetBeforeInsertwindow.scrollTo({ top: adjustedTopPosition, behavior: 'auto' })if (typeof instgrm === 'object' && instgrm.Embeds && typeof instgrm.Embeds.process === 'function') {setTimeout(instgrm.Embeds.process, 200);}}}}}else { console.log('How did we get here?') }}else { console.log('No result or error returned from content request.') }},complete: function () { slideshowInstance.items = jQuery(slideshowInstance.itemSelector) // Update items resultslideshowInstance.removeSpinner();if (typeof callback === 'function') { callback() }},error: function (jqXHR, textStatus, errorThrown) {console.log(jqXHR, textStatus, errorThrown);if (textStatus === 'timeout') {slideshowInstance.removeSpinner();if (paginate === true) return;paginate = true;if (slideshowInstance.items.length < totalSlides) {var firstLoadedIndex = parseInt(slideshowInstance.items.first().attr('slide-index')) || 1;var lastLoadedIndex = parseInt(slideshowInstance.items.last().attr('slide-index')) || totalSlides;if(firstLoadedIndex > 1) {var prevLink = jQuery(slideshowInstance.prevPageLinkHTML);var prevLinkUrl = new URL(url, `https://www.citybeat.com`);prevLinkUrl.searchParams.append('startIndex', firstLoadedIndex - 1);prevLinkUrl.searchParams.append('paginate', 'true');prevLink.attr('href', prevLinkUrl.href);jQuery(slideshowInstance.itemContainerSelector).prepend(prevLink);}if(lastLoadedIndex < totalSlides) {var nextLink = jQuery(slideshowInstance.nextPageLinkHTML);var nextLinkUrl = new URL(url, `https://www.citybeat.com`);nextLinkUrl.searchParams.append('startIndex', lastLoadedIndex + 1);nextLinkUrl.searchParams.append('paginate', 'true');nextLink.attr('href', nextLinkUrl.href);jQuery(slideshowInstance.itemContainerSelector).append(nextLink);}}}}})}// var lazyLoadSurroundingItemsInterval = null;var lazyLoadTimeout = null;var lazyLoadSurroundingItems = function (index) {if (paginate) return;if (slideshowInstance.items.length >= totalSlides) {clearInterval(lazyLoadSurroundingItemsInterval);}if (slideshowInstance.lazyLoadMoreResults) {// Rate limit lazyloading more slidesclearTimeout(lazyLoadTimeout);lazyLoadTimeout = setTimeout(function () {var prevIndex = Math.max(index - 1, 1)var prevPrevIndex = Math.max(index - 2, 1)var nextIndex = index + 1var nextNextIndex = index + 2var prevIndexLoaded = slideshowInstance.items.filter('[slide-index="' + prevIndex + '"]').length > 0var prevPrevIndexLoaded = slideshowInstance.items.filter('[slide-index="' + prevPrevIndex + '"]').length > 0var nextIndexLoaded = slideshowInstance.items.filter('[slide-index="' + nextIndex + '"]').length > 0var nextNextIndexLoaded = slideshowInstance.items.filter('[slide-index="' + nextNextIndex + '"]').length > 0if(!prevIndexLoaded) {slideshowInstance.removeSpinner();// jQuery(slideshowInstance.itemContainerSelector).prepend(slideshowInstance.spinnerHTML)slideshowInstance.fetchMore(Math.max(prevIndex - (fetchMoreMaxCount - 1), 1))}else if(!prevPrevIndexLoaded) {slideshowInstance.removeSpinner();// jQuery(slideshowInstance.itemContainerSelector).prepend(slideshowInstance.spinnerHTML)slideshowInstance.fetchMore(Math.max(prevPrevIndex - (fetchMoreMaxCount - 1), 1))}if(!nextIndexLoaded) {slideshowInstance.removeSpinner();jQuery(slideshowInstance.itemContainerSelector).append(slideshowInstance.spinnerHTML)slideshowInstance.fetchMore(nextIndex)}else if(!nextNextIndexLoaded) {slideshowInstance.removeSpinner();jQuery(slideshowInstance.itemContainerSelector).append(slideshowInstance.spinnerHTML)slideshowInstance.fetchMore(nextNextIndex)}}, 200)}}// var lazyLoadLastCheckedIndex = slideshowInstance.currentItemIndexlazyLoadSurroundingItemsInterval = setInterval(function () {var currentIndex = slideshowInstance.currentItemIndexconsole.log(`lazyLoadSurroundingItemsInterval - currentIndex: ${currentIndex}; lazyLoadLastCheckedIndex: ${lazyLoadLastCheckedIndex}`);if(currentIndex !== lazyLoadLastCheckedIndex) {lazyLoadLastCheckedIndex = currentIndex;lazyLoadSurroundingItems(currentIndex);}}, 1000);var onScrollLastCheckedIndex = slideshowInstance.currentItemIndexjQuery(window).on('scroll resize', function () {var currentIndex = slideshowInstance.currentItemIndexif(currentIndex !== onScrollLastCheckedIndex) {onScrollLastCheckedIndex = currentIndex// console.log(`Slide Item index: ${currentIndex}`)fireEvent('foundation:slideshow:slidechange')}});// var onScrollTimeout = null;// jQuery(window).on('scroll resize', function () {// // Rate limit lazyloading more slides// clearTimeout(onScrollTimeout);// onScrollTimeout = setTimeout(function () {// var currentIndex = slideshowInstance.currentItemIndex// if(currentIndex !== onScrollLastCheckedIndex) {// onScrollLastCheckedIndex = currentIndex// console.log(`Slide Item index: ${currentIndex}`)// fireEvent('foundation:slideshow:slidechange')// }// }, 100);// });this.initialized = falsethis.init = function () {if (this.initialized === true) return// Prevent the browser from trying to scroll to the last scroll position before reloadif (history.scrollRestoration) {history.scrollRestoration = 'manual'}var startIndex = this.items.first().attr('slide-index')var oid = window.location.pathname.match(/\d+$/)if (oid) {var grabIndex = parseInt(this.items.closest('[slide-id="' + oid[0] + '"]').attr('slide-index'))if (!isNaN(grabIndex)) {var startIndex = grabIndex}}// if (startIndex > 1) {// this.scrollToIndex(startIndex)// }// if(jQuery(this.itemContainerSelector + '[single-listing]').length === 0) {// this.lazyLoadMoreResults = true// }this.lazyLoadMoreResults = truethis.initialized = truelazyLoadSurroundingItems(startIndex)}return this}var SlideshowItems = new SlideshowItemsObj()// Ad refresh on slide change handlingvar adSlideChangeRefreshThreshold = 10;var adSlideChangeRefreshTimeout = null;// adSlideChangeRefreshTimeout = setTimeout(function () {adSlideChangeRefreshTimeout = null; // Set timer to null}, adSlideChangeRefreshThreshold)// Timeout to prevent fast jogging from item to itemvar itemChangeTimeout = nulljQuery(document).on('foundation:slideshow:slidechange', function () {if (editorView !== true) {updateMetaDataFromElement(SlideshowItems.currentItem)}// Google Anayltics track pageviewif (typeof ga === 'function') {console.log("foundation:slideshow:slidechange event", "sending pageview navigation to:", window.location.href);ga('set', 'location', window.location.href)for (let i = 1; i <= 3; i++) {let currentDimension = jQuery(SlideshowItems.currentItem).attr('ga-dimension'+i)if (typeof currentDimension === 'string') {ga('set', 'dimension' + i, currentDimension)}else {ga('set', 'dimension' + i, '') }}ga('send', 'pageview')}// if (adSlideChangeRefreshTimeout === null) {// adSlideChangeRefreshTimeout = setTimeout(function () {adSlideChangeRefreshTimeout = null; // Set timer to null}, adSlideChangeRefreshThreshold)// if (Foundation.Ad && Foundation.Ad.slots) {if (typeof (Foundation.Ad.slots['CIN_Footer-1']) === 'object') {Foundation.Ad.showFooter('CIN_Footer-1');}}// if (Foundation.Gpt && Foundation.Gpt.getInPageSlotDataById) {var gptSlots = window.googletag.pubads().getSlots();var gptSlotFixedFooter = gptSlots.filter((slot) => slot.getSlotElementId() === `FixedFooter`)if (gptSlotFixedFooter.length) {Foundation.Gpt.ShowAd.refreshFixedFooter(gptSlotFixedFooter[0]);}}}});// Try to init immediatelySlideshowItems.init()// On document loadedjQuery(function () {SlideshowItems.init()})// })();
