The Most Delicious Pubs in Cincinnati

Braxton Barrel House

★★★★☆ 4.2 (19) • $$

"Had a much needed night out with my daughter and husband. We went and had some tacos from the taco truck which were pretty amazing. The elote was my favorite. The beer was really good. We sampled quite a few and settled on one finally. Sat outside by the wood burning fireplace. All I all a good night."

Brewfontaine

★★★★★ 4.5 (152) • $$

"Our server/bartender was great. Everyone's food was good but mine was not great. I ordered the loaded tater tots as an appetizer they came out with the meal and they were not hot. My entree was the French Dip. The meat and onions were cooked perfectly and the au jus was good. My only problem was the bread was just a smooshed hoagie bun. A sandwich like that needs to be served on a nice French Bread or Italian roll. The Hoagie bun was soggy and smashed."

Smiley's Pub

★★★★☆ 4 (15) • $

"Smiley's has had new owners since April 2012. They've made some changes and the place isn't so dark and dreary anymore. It is still pretty smokey inside though. I came here with a group of colleagues on a Thursday evening. The patio is great and relatively smoke-free during dinner hours. Smiley's is known for their pizzas and drink/food specials. They were really busy and the wait staff was ok, but obviously overwhelmed. It's a decent place to go after work for a drink in the evenings to sit outside in the summer. They offer local beer (New Boswell) on tap.I'm not sure I would come here on a weekend night just based on things I've heard around town. I hope they turn the bar around and will sponsor a few more smoke-free evenings."

ZwanzigZ Pizza & Brewing

★★★★☆ 4 (390) • $$

"This is a nice local family restaurant and brewery located on the outskirts of downtown Columbus. Please do not ask me to pronounce the name though. They have their own private parking lot in the back and free street parking available in the front. There is also a decent sized dining area with televisions on the walls and a nice patio out to the side of the restaurant. You will find a tasting room to the right as you come in the front door, with booths and a bar. They periodically host tastings and special events here. The staff there is so friendly and helpful. They periodically checked in on us while we were there and one even came to our table and told the kids a dad joke.They do not have table service here so if you plan on dining in like I did then you have to place your order at the counter and they will bring your food out to you when it is ready. I ordered a lasagna pizza and some breadsticks for the littles. I also got one of their craft sodas and I am glad that I did. It was so good. I will say that this place is a bit on the higher end, but you pay for quality.It took about 15 to 20 minutes for me to get my food and it was delicious. I was expecting the pizza to taste more like lasagna, maybe with some ricotta, but it was still good. The breadsticks were fresh and perfect. This is a nice place to eat some "Za" , they also have salads, calzones, and hoagies. They also have a nice selection of craft beer and wine. A 4.5 rating would be more appropriate, but since that is not an option, I decided to go with a 5 because that it what I feel this restaurant is closer to. I highly recommend checking this place out. It is a good family restaurant with some very tasty food."

Red Star

★★★★☆ 3.7 (9)

"My husband and I have been to Red Star twice in 2 weeks and really love this place. The bartenders are friendly and down to earth. The flavor infused vodkas deliver what they promise. We enjoy playing darts and lounging on the plush sofas. Great decor! Just an all around good time. Would only be improved by the addition of food."

The Pearl Street Pub

★★★★☆ 4 (28) • $$

"I'm giving this place 3 stars because the server was very nice and the pub had a charm to it. The food was just average. To quote country music superstar Shania Twain, "it don't impress me much."It wasn't horrible food, it just seemed like they had a catalog from Gordon's food service and they just warmed stuff up. My wife had the buffalo chicken sandwich. It was glorified chicken tenders chopped up and soaked in buffalo sauce on a bun. I had the pizza hoagie. It was described as a steak sandwich with pizza sauce and cheese. It turned out to be an elongated hamburger patty, with cheese and pizza sauce. The waffle fries were really good though."

Dixie Club Bar & Cafe

★★★★☆ 4.1 (12) • $

"I was faced with waiting at CVG for two hours and decided to take myself out for a drink. It was a $16 uber ride from the airport, which I think is a fair price. Airpopped tater tots go well with a pint of Yuengling's."

Crow's Nest

★★★★☆ 4.3 (28) • $

"This is another fish-fry restaurant we decided to try since Bridgetown Finer Meats isn't doing theirs this year due to COVID safety precautions. We each got a fish platter and they were delicious, reasonably priced and huge portions! I was only able to eat half of my sandwich (which was delicious cold the next day for lunch!) They provide pickles, tarter sauce and the platters come with fries, another side (we got mac) and hush puppies. I wasn't a huge fan of the hush puppies, but everything else was really yummy. Would definitely come back here for sure!"

Bloom OTR

★★★★☆ 3.7 (7)

"DRINKS--moderately priced --drinks usually have a nice or decent taste but are often inconsistent between bartenders --need better/easier access to menus and larger portion options ‍ SERVICE --everyone is usually incredibly friendly, approachable, and usually really talented --security is usually AMAZING and both my boyfriend and I feel very safe in the OTR community. I would bet it is the safest gay bar in this area. --bartenders are usually QUICK af when you walk up --the wait staff/floor runners could IMPROVE and need to work on service speed and consistency of providing service by checking in on tables more often AMBIANCE -- depends on the night, but when I go it's a total PARTY VIBE -- safe ENTERTAINMENT -- depends on the night. Thursdays are usually pretty bad while Fridays & Saturdays can be bomb af. LOCATION -- not the greatest/safest area, especially when leaving late at night --awful parking --would LOVE to see this bar move to a larger location or open another one which is bigger with more dancing opportunities"

The Belle & The Bear

★★★★☆ 4.4 (28) • $

"Fun Bar!! There's something going on every night and it draws some of the best bands in the area. Prices are good, the beer is cold, there's a good booze selection, and the bartenders are top notch. I've met the owner several times and she clearly knows her business and clientele. I would guess the average age would be around 40 to 45 years old and this is not a youngster's bar. Every Thursday is "Jam Session" and I'd tell you more but this is something you have to experience for yourself. On Mondays, they play "Bottle Cap Bingo" and Queen of Hearts if you want to put a few bucks in your pocket. Ran, a local comedian and the man with many shoes, does the calling. I have to admit, the dude is funny and keeps things lively. Out of all the bars in the Cincinnati area, I'd have to say this is clearly a favorite!"

1st Main St Pub

★★★★★ 4.8 (4)

"The family and family like patrons make this the perfect place to eat and get together. Great service, great food and kids have a many good choices for dinner. I can't wait to go here again."

Macs Pizza Pub Blue Ash

★★★★☆ 3.9 (31)

"Great corner pub in Blue Ash, Ohio! If you want good wings, a place to catch the games along with a place to post up for Blue Ash Summertime Concerts then you are in the right place! The staff and bar tenders are always attentive. Go check it out! I went there for St. Patricks day and we had a great time."

Rose & Thorne Pub

★★★★★ 4.9 (10)

"An accidental find as we were looking for Rooster Brewing. Rose & Thorne is an eclectic and comfy pub that's a must for us when visiting or passing through Paris. Excellent food, mixed draft selection - everyday beers plus seasonal options and ciders, bottled beers and spirits, too. The owners are present, involved and passionate. It's just a dang good place to hang out for a few."

The Pub at Crestview Hills

★★★★☆ 3.9 (198) • $$

"I visited a little while ago with my friend and we had the hugest piece of fish ever. It was so decadent I love a good piece of fish."

Street City Pub

★★★★☆ 4 (9)

"My 4th time here! I call it my "hidden gem". I took my friends and family and it's been nothing but a great experience each time! My go to is the Ruben Rolls, quesadilla, Brussel sprouts and bread pudding. I recently took my husband and he loved his salmon sandwich and fries! I ate outdoors for the first time and it was nice! I've been when their was live music and it was such a vibe! They have great cocktails as well"

McCauly's Pub

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (37) • $$

"Casual spot for food , and not bad service . My word of advice , the "fried chicken" be taken off the menu . ONE piece of a boneless chicken tender that's BLAND and is not worth the money is not something to advertise as even a lunch "special" as it was advertised . They even failed to mention "boneless." Didn't go making a fuss since we as a group had to run, but again DONT ORDER THE "FRIED CHICKEN" you may be disappointed."

Brewskies Pub & Eatery

★★★★☆ 4 (32) • $

"Great neighborhood pub with good beer and good food. Stoped in while in the area to watch some football. We had PBR's and the Chewbacca burger which is two grilled cheese sandwiches American and Swiss as the buns with a well seasoned burger with melted cheddar and mozzarella cheese, we also had a side of tots. This was great burger seasoned very well and lots of melted cheese and crispy grilled cheese buns, #delicious! The tots were cooked perfectly. Great sandwich!"

Molly Malone's Irish Pub & Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4 (297) • $$

"As a business traveler, I'm often eating alone. Finding a great place where not only is the food excellent, but the servers are on point and friendly often seems like a needle in a haystack. Well I found my needle here at Molly Malone's. I ordered the Guinness Beef Stew and it arrived at my side quicker than a drive thru fast food burger. It was delicious my only complaint is I wanted more! The bartenders were friendly and chatted with me just the right amount (too much they're ignoring everyone else, too little they're ignoring me). The atmosphere was just right with it being brisk but not too busy. I imagine it gets pretty packed during Bengals games in there, but this was the night before. I hope for another chance to return to the area, you know I'll be back here."

O'rourke's Pub

★★★★★ 4.5 (17) • $

"It has a wonderful outdoor seating area, plenty of room. Indoors is spacious. The server was very knowledgeable about the menu, beers on tap, and the Augusta ferry.The food was delicious. I had the potato skins and steak hoagie with mushroom sauce. My husband had their hot wings. Flavor on the wings, saice on the side. He said they had just enough of a kick, and very tasty."

Crazy Horse

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (188) • $$

"Walked into this bar for a few after a couple other bars. The behind bar shelf is beautiful. It was elaborately carved and just cool. We sat at the bar and had a few drinks. The bartenders were adequate. They were not crazy busy. Ordered an Irish Green Tea which was okay. Watched him make it. Didn't put any sweet/sour mix in it, so it was lacking. I got it as a drink instead of a shot, so I had time to taste it. Other than that, we just shared a dessert. Something chocolate, don't even remember what it was, but it was fine. Not too memorable.Watched numerous employees get off work here and begin drinking. We also watched the bartenders do shot after shot. While we were there maybe 1 - 1.5 hours. We saw both bartenders do at least six shots. One was doing Vegas bombs and the other was doing vodka shots with OJ chasers. At least I think it was vodka. I couldn't see the bottle. At one point, a few servers got off shift and walked up to the side of the bar. One of them did a shot, but not just a shot. It was an entire rocks glass filled with Jameson. It was impressive. This bar was okay. No idea how the food was. Staff was fine but not overly friendly. The entertainment was watching the staff drink. I guess I don't hang out in college bars in Indiana enough to make it seem normal."

Benson's Tavern

★★★★☆ 4 (110) • $$

"Came there alone after a rough day and wanted to sulk over mid bar food. The hangover burger was good, nice aesthetic, good music & I got my meal paid for by an interesting "regular". 10/10 felt like an extra on an episode of shameless."

Port City Pub

★★★★☆ 3.9 (39) • $$

"My friend and I visited for the first time today, we thought we'd try a place we have never been to.My honest first impression upon entering was, wow this is drab, this isn't going to be good. But our waitress was welcoming and friendly. I also felt that the music needed to be at a higher volume because it was really quiet.I ordered the pretzel with cheese sauce, and it was just like a frozen pretzel you would make at home. Not bad but didn't impress me. We both ordered a half Reuben and potato salad, as the waitress recommended the potato salad, saying they make it homemade. Holy moly, that was some good potato salad! Very different from the usual, tasted like it was made with Dijon mustard. The Reuben was good, but the potato salad won the whole meal for both of us.Our waitress was very nice and tentative. She mentioned that their larger area wasn't opened up because of COVID. There were only 5-6 tables available in the dining area, very spaced out. Everything looked clean and well kept.Anyway, I'll go back just for the potato salad, maybe try a different sandwich or entree, and hope the music is a bit louder..."

Docs Place

★★★☆☆ 3.3 (68) • $$

"We were starving after hitting Charm at the Barn and realized we hadn't eaten a thing since early that morning during our coffee drive thru sharing a blueberry lemon cake. By this time it was almost 230 pm on a Saturday. Greg welcomed us and got us our drinks and we ordered the same cheeseburger with fries and aioli sauce for dipping. The only difference between our orders was my BFF wanted her burger to MOO and I wanted mine more med-well. They not only got the order right, we both got the cheeseburger we wanted. Cleaned out plates - we were starving! Prices were reasonable. Staff was awesome. Food was fantastic. Super happy we hit it up and would totally go back the next time I'm in town."

Gameday Grille And Patio

★★★★☆ 3.9 (97) • $$

"Food is good. Obviously you are not getting a gourmet experience but food is a cut above the average pub food. Shrimp poboy was a surprise. Do not usually see it offered often on pub menus. The sandwich was good with lots of shrimp, but could've used more sauce and I found the sauce a bit bland. Hamburger was definitely 1st class. Big and juicy. Fries were plump with a crispy exterior and creamy interior. Service was great."

Strasse Haus

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (32) • $

"Strasse Haus is your pretty standard MainStrasse bar, though the crowd tends to be a little bit older than the college crowd at Pachinkos or Cosmo's. There's a large patio open year round (covered in the winter, course) and pool tables upstairs. On the weekends, they often have local cover bands or a DJ spinning Top 40's tunes.While the bar itself is not a standout in my opinion, a few of their food items are. In particular, Strasse Haus's sauerkraut balls are wunderbar! Forget Hofbrauhaus' flavorless version. Strasse Haus's savory appetizer is filled with cream cheese, sausage, sauerkraut, which is then deep fried and served with 1000 island dressing. Since 5 balls only cost $4.95, order a double batch and share with your friends. I don't think I'll be hanging out at Strasse Haus for cocktails, but I'll definitely go back from their yummy deep-fried treats."

Main Street Grille

★★★★☆ 4.2 (326) • $$

"Hands-down, the best pizza in the Greenwood area! This photo says it all! My grandson was so excited when this huge pizza was brought to the table. Service is always fast and friendly, the pizza is amazing, made in a wood burning stove in the front!"

Fogarty's Irish Pub

★★★★☆ 4.1 (17) • $

"Come for the low price drinks and free popcorn, stay for the energetic crowd and awesome patio. As others have said, the prices are very reasonable so have another round...on me. ha ha. The bathrooms are clean and the knick-knacks that adorn the bar are funny and unique. If you're in Cheviot and are looking for a nice place to chill, listen to some music, and have some good drinks, stop by Fogarty's. *Parking is on the street and often close by and I would avoid parking at the 5/3 just in case someone decides to start towing."

Olde Towne Tavern

★★★★☆ 3.8 (21) • $

"Wow. I am in love! This may or may not be a secret, but I LOVE dart's. We had a few dartboards in our basement growing up and it was always something our family did to bond together and pass the time. So now, whenever I get the chance to play it warms my heart. Also I love hustling anyone who thinks I "look like I can't play." WHAT?! Anyway - Old Towne Tavern has the best set of darts I have seen in this city and I have probably seen 20+ set ups. They are labeled by numbers and they have open tournament Wednesday nights and leagues you can join. Why I love the darts here? Because the boards are in reallllly good shape. They are real dart boards and made out of sisal fibres. Not cork that cracks all over the place, or worse PLASTIC - yuck. The darts are also in really amazing shape. In fact, I have never seen some of the grips on darts like they have here. Outside of the great dart set-up the space is not much to look at, pretty standard. Although I will say they were repainting everything when were here so it's nice to see the owners taking care of the place. Happy hour is .50cents off everything. Drinks are already cheap. I think my titos and tonic was $5 bucks, and the beers were $3.50. Seriously impressed, and I am already planning my next trip back."

Schneider's Pub

★★★☆☆ 2.9 (45) • $

"This is a hole in the wall bar located on the Indy/Greenwood line off of 135. It is in an old strip mall. Being in a strip mall, there is tons of parking available. The pub is pretty old, or at least looks old. It is a locals bar. They have a full bar with seating and an adequate sized dining area. They are a couple of televisions in there that are usually playing sports and they have music in the background. The bartender/server was friendly enough. They have a menu with pub favorites like burgers, tenderloin, sandwiches, and pizza. They claim their pizza is the best, but whose isn't. They have daily food and drink specials that you can take advantage of and I hear that this is the place to be to catch a game.The pub is dimly lit, has a digital juke box, a pull tab machine and a couple of other video games. There is no pool table though. They host karaoke and live music periodically.I ordered the black and blue steak, with a side of steamed veggies and fries. It took about 20 minutes to get my food. I did not set the bar too high. Hey, I was ordering steak from a hole in the wall pub, so I was not disappointed. Yes, it was not like Ruth Chris or anything and the blue cheese was actually dressing, but it was not too bad, had a little flavor to it and filled my belly.This is an OK spot to hang out at, have a drink, catch up with old friends or make new ones. It is a neighborhood bar and most of the patrons are regulars and seemed to all know each other, but new people are welcome."

Toxic Brew Company

★★★★☆ 4 (153) • $$

"What's Up to my YELP! Fam!! Now I know this picture isn't super crazy exciting except for having beer on the streets thanks to DORA but let me tell you a bit more.... I stopped by Toxic Brew Company this Sunday afternoon as I was in Dayton for work and needed to have a quick drink, Toxic is always a great place but when the sun is shining on a Sunday, but this experience was a tad bit different. I was greeted with a ton of awesome furry friends and got some awesome information about howI could help support local animals and more in the Dayton community. You are like Jourdan get to the beer bruh! I know lol. So the beer I had was the SCPA beer that they tapped that day, I believe that they will continue to carry for some time but they had some amazing cans for sale that were absolutely adorable! I will get more details and check back in, let me know if you check it out for yourself and give your thoughts. Beer: 9/10"

The Bearded Hobo

★★★★★ 4.5 (4)

"We stopped in for a late lunch while we were in town for the fair. The restaurant was clean and had a good menu for kids and adults. Server was wonderful and so sweet. We got appetizers of fried cauliflower and fried banana peppers. Yum! The veggie burgers were amazing with great food presentation. The tenderloin sandwich was what our mom remembered it tasting like when she was growing up. Very affordable, and fresh ingredients. Definitely recommend stopping here if you're in the area!!"

St Bernard Pub

★★★★☆ 3.8 (26) • $

"Amazing service. Amazing people. Amazing food. Amazing atmosphere. My mom knows the owner from when she lived here and has many connections to this place. I love to know it's still the same for her."

Stanley's Pub

★★★★☆ 3.6 (37) • $

"Great venue for up coming bands!!! Great sound in the room. Yes it has a bit narrow quarters but it's just right!! They have an outdoor patio that you can get away to chat a bit with your fellows. They have a plethora of alcohol drinks!! I had their Wild Turkey bourbon straight which is one of my favorites that has a huge kick so ladies be careful unless your tough to handle it!! Enjoying the music tonight!! Stringbreakers and Stuffbreakers band from Brazil They made their first debut in the States at Stanley's Pub!! How awesome.....the manager has a huge heart and was a pleasure to meet all of them!! Gone Solo!!"

The Augusta Pub

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (35) • $$

"I ate there yesterday and I will return! Service was great. One of their signs read something to the effect of "not the place to be if you're in a hurry". . I was actually in a slight hurry since I was trying to get back to another local business before it closed, I didn't let it be known, but service was timely.Soup of the day (Stuffed pepper? - "Nick Clooney's favorite") sounded weird but intriguing. It was delicious. Steak sandwich was probably one of my favorites ever, and I've eaten around the world."

Geez Grill & Pub

★★★★☆ 3.6 (93) • $$

"Local bar/restaurant, great bar food and excellent Italian food, good cocktails and beer selection. One of my favorite bars to hang out at for a drink and food."