Neighborhood

NeighborhoodBars

71 comfortable places to raise a glass and raise your spirits.

Human beings long for connection, and we find it in the places we gather: school, church, work, the gym, and, yes, the bar. Scattered throughout our neighborhoods are those welcoming spots, places where strangers can become friends, where the day’s troubles are eased, where people come together in support—for a team, a cause, each other. Grab a seat. We’ll buy you a drink.

By John Fox, Claire Lefton, Aiesha D. Little, and Amanda Boyd Walters

Photography by Lance Adkins

Edited by Amanda Boyd Walters

Downtown/ OTR/

Downtown/ OTR/Mt. Adams

Bars in the heart of the city.

Central

Central

Where to grab a drink in centrally located areas like Reading, Norwood, and Pleasant Ridge.

East

East

The prime watering holes of eastern neighborhoods like Milford, Hyde Park, and Madeira.

West

West

The West Side's best drinking spots.

North

North

The bars of the 'Burbs.

Kentucky

Kentucky

Southern sports that serve beer, bourbon, and beyond.

Apartment

Apartment Bars

These watering holes inside (or adjacent to) residential buildings have a built-in roster of regulars for whom “going out” means staying in.

Name Game

Name Game

We looked into some of the area’s eponymous establishments and found some interesting history.

Check Out Other Drinking News

UC Alum Megan Pando Pitches Her Interactive Makerspace on Shark Tank Tonight

The owner of Maker’s Social in Columbus will attempt to woo the “Sharks” with her crafty DIY cocktail bar business.

Best of the City 2025: Food

Charcuterie boards, matcha, and some of Cincinnati's best food in 2025.

New Drink Vending Machine Opens in Liberty Township

Mystery Machine opens its fourth location at Liberty Center on November 30.

Mellotone Beer Project Hits the High Notes

Craft brews and a unique modern menu make OTR's newest brewpub sing.

U.S. Open Cider Championship Kicks Off in Oxford

Judging for the international hard cider competition goes through October.

Read a digital copy of our Neighborhood Bars issue!