These Are Cincinnati's 10 Best New Bars, According to CityBeat Readers

Owned by husband and wife duo Amy and Tom Fessler, when designing the space and menu, they found a great deal of inspiration from a vacation to California's Venice Beach.

No. 10 Best New Bar: Homemaker’s Bar

39 E. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine
Cincinnati hospitality mavens Julia Petiprin and Catherine Manabat opened Homemakers Bar at the corner of 13th and Walnut streets in Over-the-Rhine. The duo created a space inspired by a retro vibe and the domestic cocktails of the 1950s through the 1970s. Outside, the bar welcomes folks to sip on cocktails in its string-lit Outpost.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

No. 10 Best New Bar: Homemaker’s Bar

39 E. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine
Cincinnati hospitality mavens Julia Petiprin and Catherine Manabat opened Homemakers Bar at the corner of 13th and Walnut streets in Over-the-Rhine. The duo created a space inspired by a retro vibe and the domestic cocktails of the 1950s through the 1970s. Outside, the bar welcomes folks to sip on cocktails in its string-lit Outpost.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

No. 9 Best New Bar: Dug Out Bar

9000 Reading Road, Reading
This American Legion bar has been around since 1919, but opened up to non-members roughly six years ago. However, last spring — right before the pandemic hit locally — the almost-century-old bar reopened with a top-to-bottom revamp. Dubbed Dug Out Bar, the destination is well-known for having the "coldest and cheapest beer in town," with brews priced at a meager $2.25. The bar features "raffle machines," as well as pool and shuffleboard tables.
Photo: Danielle Schuster

No. 9 Best New Bar: Dug Out Bar

9000 Reading Road, Reading
This American Legion bar has been around since 1919, but opened up to non-members roughly six years ago. However, last spring — right before the pandemic hit locally — the almost-century-old bar reopened with a top-to-bottom revamp. Dubbed Dug Out Bar, the destination is well-known for having the "coldest and cheapest beer in town," with brews priced at a meager $2.25. The bar features "raffle machines," as well as pool and shuffleboard tables.
Photo: Danielle Schuster

Saeso

1208 Sycamore St., Pendleton
If you’re looking for an otherworldly escape without leaving the city, or a cocktail 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 cocktail and invited you to join. You can linger, say yes to that second drink and bask in the terracotta glow. The bar recently teamed up with local taco pop-up Pata Roja to transform the patio into a taco haven, as well as shifted their back bar into "The Cantina," offering margaritas, house cocktails and a variety of cervezas to pair with your meal — enjoyed for dine-in or to take and enjoy at home.
Photo: Brian Rineair

No. 8 Best New Bar: Saeso

1208 Sycamore St., Pendleton
If you’re looking for an otherworldly escape without leaving the city, or a cocktail 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 cocktail and invited you to join. You can linger, say yes to that second drink and bask in the terracotta glow. The bar recently teamed up with local taco pop-up Pata Roja to transform the patio into a taco haven, as well as shifted their back bar into "The Cantina," offering margaritas, house cocktails and a variety of cervezas to pair with your meal — enjoyed for dine-in or to take and enjoy at home.
Photo: Ross Van Pelt

No. 7 Best New Bar: Nomad

225 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue
Bellevue bar and eatery Nomad opened its doors in September. They serve craft cocktails and beer, but the main attraction is their boozy (and virgin) milkshakes, tater tot baskets and tacos. The space is meant to bring together the adventurers in life to relax, connect and reflect on their journeys. Eventually they plan to incorporate a vintage double-decker bus in the courtyard to provide an eclectic seating option, but for now, they will utilize the space for more dreamy, string-lit seating (with heaters during the chilly months).
Photo: facebook.com/NomadKY

No. 7 Best New Bar: Nomad

225 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue
Bellevue bar and eatery Nomad opened its doors in September. They serve craft cocktails and beer, but the main attraction is their boozy (and virgin) milkshakes, tater tot baskets and tacos. The space is meant to bring together the adventurers in life to relax, connect and reflect on their journeys. Eventually they plan to incorporate a vintage double-decker bus in the courtyard to provide an eclectic seating option, but for now, they will utilize the space for more dreamy, string-lit seating (with heaters during the chilly months).
Photo: facebook.com/NomadKY

No. 6 Best New Bar: Wiseguy Lounge

6099 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge
While inspired by Prohibition and its associated speakeasies, this lounge nestled above Pleasant Ridge's Goodfellas Pizzeria doesn’t require a secret password. Instead, just walk up the stairs and order one of the more than 250 bourbons, hand-crafted cocktails or wide variety of beers from your knowledgeable bartender. This is the third Greater Cincinnati location for the pizza/bourbon bar combo.
Photo: Danielle Schuster

No. 6 Best New Bar: Wiseguy Lounge

6099 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge
While inspired by Prohibition and its associated speakeasies, this lounge nestled above Pleasant Ridge's Goodfellas Pizzeria doesn’t require a secret password. Instead, just walk up the stairs and order one of the more than 250 bourbons, hand-crafted cocktails or wide variety of beers from your knowledgeable bartender. This is the third Greater Cincinnati location for the pizza/bourbon bar combo.
Photo: Danielle Schuster

No. 5 Best New Bar: Lost & Found

22 E. 14th St., Over-the-Rhine
This Over-the-Rhine cocktail 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. It’s located on a quieter street in Over-the-Rhine — if it weren’t for the green light perched outside the bar, you just might miss it. Co-owners Steven Clement and Camilo Otalora are the masterminds behind Lost & Found, with the goal of creating a hub where guests can feel welcome and inspired. Work from local artists fill the walls from room to room. The bar also has an outdoor patio space.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

No. 5 Best New Bar: Lost & Found

22 E. 14th St., Over-the-Rhine
This Over-the-Rhine cocktail 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. It’s located on a quieter street in Over-the-Rhine — if it weren’t for the green light perched outside the bar, you just might miss it. Co-owners Steven Clement and Camilo Otalora are the masterminds behind Lost & Found, with the goal of creating a hub where guests can feel welcome and inspired. Work from local artists fill the walls from room to room. The bar also has an outdoor patio space.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

No. 4 Best New Bar: Nostalgia Wine & Jazz Lounge

1432 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
Nostalgia Wine & Jazz Lounge, which officially opened last summer, features bottles from women and minority winemakers, as well as eight wines on tap, live music, a limited selection of spirits and beer, and small plates from local businesses.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

No. 4 Best New Bar: Nostalgia Wine & Jazz Lounge

1432 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
Nostalgia Wine & Jazz Lounge, which officially opened last summer, features bottles from women and minority winemakers, as well as eight wines on tap, live music, a limited selection of spirits and beer, and small plates from local businesses.
Photo: facebook.com/NostalgiaOTR

No. 3 Best New Bar: e|19

1905 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Founded by the minds behind Cincinnati's LGBTQ+ Tea Dance series, e|19 Lounge Bar & Discothèque — located across from Rhinegeist — opened last fall. In a press release, the establishment says it aims to bring together "high-caliber music, exceptional customer service, and top-notch entertainment in a beautiful, inspiring setting." Owners say the goal is to make "e|19 a much sought-after venue for this underserved community and provide a safe, diverse and inclusive entertainment space.”
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

No. 3 Best New Bar: e|19

1905 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine
Founded by the minds behind Cincinnati's LGBTQ+ Tea Dance series, e|19 Lounge Bar & Discothèque — located across from Rhinegeist — opened last fall. In a press release, the establishment says it aims to bring together "high-caliber music, exceptional customer service, and top-notch entertainment in a beautiful, inspiring setting." Owners say the goal is to make "e|19 a much sought-after venue for this underserved community and provide a safe, diverse and inclusive entertainment space.”
Photo: facebook.com/e19bar

No. 2 Best New Bar: Ghost Baby

1314 Republic St., Over-the-Rhine
This subterranean nightclub/music venue opened beneath the streets of Over-the-Rhine last winter. The venue holds 160 guests and 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 a release. Guests can expect an immersive experience with art, design, cocktails and live music.
Photo: Aparna Avasarala

No. 2 Best New Bar: Ghost Baby

1314 Republic St., Over-the-Rhine
This subterranean nightclub/music venue opened beneath the streets of Over-the-Rhine last winter. The venue holds 160 guests and 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 a release. Guests can expect an immersive experience with art, design, cocktails and live music.
Photo via Instagram/heymichelle1

No. 1 Best New Bar: Green House Bar

424 W. Sixth St., Covington
A well-known MainStrasse watering hole turned over a new leaf. After 26 years, Pachinko Bar has transformed into a chic and breezy West Coast-inspired drinking establishment called Green House Bar. The new bar and restaurant opened in August and offers a trendy spot for visitors to "kick back, relax, have good conversation and a little tomfoolery.” The menu offers several seasonal cocktails, like Recession Proof with CBD seltzer and vodka, and The Green House, a vodka, lemon and lavender cocktail, plus classic cocktails, craft nonalcoholic beverages and a petite list of wines. In addition to sips, they also have a few light bites like pimento cheese and Tommy Dip.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger