These 25 Cincinnati Bars are Perfect Weekend Day-Drinking Destinations

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

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