20 Outdoor Drinking Destinations
Cold drinks and cool spots to enjoy on hot summer days
Do you like drinking outside? Sure. We all do. It’s a chance to get some fresh air, vitamin D and take selfies with colorful cocktails. But how do you know which bar patio is the best place to enjoy your simmering summer evening or Saturday afternoon with alcohol in hand? Solution: We made a list.
This is not a comprehensive collection of all the places in Greater Cincinnati to have a beer outside (like, we didn’t list your backyard); just think of this as a starter guide. And to make narrowing down the selection easier, we made some categories.
Mecca OTR // Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Hip Hotspots
Mecca OTR — This hip hideaway in OTR just got an outdoor overhaul. With a courtyard main entrance tucked away down 15th Street (the streetside façade is actually a vintage Americana shop accessible from inside the bar), this destination feels very “in the know.” But the big-ass gravel patio, hanging plants, colorful street-art murals, panoply of rainbow lighting and plethora of communal seating makes this a welcoming hangout for those interested in no-frills drinking, L.A. vibes, vinyl tunes and corndogs. 1429 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine, facebook.com/meccaotr.
21c Cocktail Terrace — One of the chicest spots to imbibe outdoors, the seasonal rooftop cocktail terrace at 21c is located down an alley next to the hotel and up a service elevator. Lounge seating and bar-top tables nestled on the narrow glass-enclosed patio offer some of the best views of downtown. Grab a Pop-tail cocktail, flavored ice pops submerged in alcohol — a quintessential summer sipper. 609 Walnut St., Downtown, 21ccocktailterrace.com.
Spacious Hangs
MadTree // Photo: Phil Heidenreich
MadTree 2.0 — 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 32 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. Bonus: The expansion also included bigger bathrooms. 3301 Madison Road, Oakley, madtreebrewing.com.
Queen City Radio — This auto shop turned bar and beer garden has a plethora of outdoor seating on its urban patio — perfect for downing one or two Hawaiian Haze slushies, made with Columbus-based Karate Cowboy sake-infused grain alcohol, ginger beer, pineapple and lime. Stay long enough and sate your hunger with onsite food truck Queen City Whip’s chili cheese fries. 222 W. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine, qcrbar.com.
Rooftop Cocktails
Top of the Park — A hidden gem of a rooftop hotel bar, the Top of the Park at the Residence Inn in Lytle Park has prime panoramic views of the Ohio River, Mount Adams and downtown. Soft lounge seating, fire features and full-service staff accent a bar menu highlighting local brews, a curated cocktail list and charcuterie. 506 E. Fourth St., Downtown, topoftheparkcincinnati.com.
Rhinegeist — The crown jewel on top of the 25,000-square-foot historic brewery, Rhinegeist’s wood-lined rooftop deck is an always-packed party palace that’s a Cincinnati must-do. Sidle up to the draft bar for a pint of Truth or Bubbles rosé cider; they even have cocktails on tap, like a Salty Dog with Ohio’s OYO vodka and grapefruit shrub. 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, rhinegeist.com.
Newish in NKY
Hotel Covington — The al fresco courtyard nestled between historic brick buildings and adjacent to Coppin’s restaurant in Hotel Covington is a multi-use patio that offers everything from lawn games, live music and film screenings to a full food menu, artisan coffee bar and daily happy hour (3-6 p.m.). Hang out under string lights with a Carabello cappuccino, gin and housemade tonic or rosé on draft. 638 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., hotelcovington.com.
Darkness Brewing — This dark-beer-focused nano-brewery in Bellevue has a picnic-table-lined blacktop patio (a call-back to the building’s former life as a car lot and showroom), which gives perfect access to the local food trucks that pull up frequently to serve bargoers dinner.224 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue, Ky., facebook.com/darknessbrewing.
Alcohol with Animals
The Cincinnati Zoo — The 70-plus-acre Cincinnati Zoo is home to a bunch of animals — lions, rhinos, capybaras, Fiona the hippo, etc. But it also has beer. More than 20 taps are situated at concessions outposts throughout the park, serving domestic brews and local crafts. But the zoo is currently working with locals Mt. Carmel to come up with a new, exclusive in-house beer to benefit conservation efforts. The brew should roll out midsummer, which gives you one more reason to sip and stroll while checking out the animal exhibits. 3400 Vine St., Avondale, cincinnatizoo.org.
Braxton Brewing Company — Celebrate the dog days of summer at this uber popular garage-inspired Covington brewery. Claim one of the coveted eight patio tables in front and sip on Braxton’s seasonal Summertrip passionfruit Berliner weisse. Well-behaved pups are allowed at the brewery until 9 p.m. And if you don’t have one of your own, there are plenty of other people’s dogs to pet for a Fido fix. 27 W. Seventh St., Covington, braxtonbrewing.com.
OTR’s Backyard
Washington Park — Washington Park is a dream backyard, complete with a water feature, dog park, playground and its own deck bar — a suburban-style escape in the city — which is open every day this summer and serves wine, liquor and local beer. The park also has a concession stand, open during Summer Cinema in the park, a free every-Wednesday movie screening on the civic lawn. Watch a classic movie (like Men in Black, Space Jam and Legally Blonde) while enjoying the spoils of the full bar. 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, washingtonpark.org.
Kaze — More like OTR’s izakaya, this Japanese gastropub is notorious for its excellent outdoor space and one of the best happy hours in the city. Starting at 4 p.m., grab $5 specialty cocktails and discounted sushi rolls, among other options, and enjoy them on the giant private patio, featuring string lights, colorful vertical planters and Acapulco lounge chairs. It even has its own outdoor bar, perfect for not moving too far when you want a refill of $4 house sake. 1400 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, kazeotr.com.
Bourbon Bars
The Littlefield — This classy little space in Northside has a focus on bourbon — from small-batch barrels and ryes to American, Scotch, Irish and Canadian brands — plus artisan bites and brunch. Try a signature Blue Goose old fashioned, made with Bulleit and in-house cherry bitters. The two-level patio is almost as large as the building itself, with seating for supper or drinks. 3934 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, littlefieldns.com.
Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar — Wellmann’s Brands’ MainStrasse bourbon outpost features more than 300 bottles of domestic bourbon and whiskey and a quaint, secluded 40-seater backyard outdoor space. Visit Sundays for Liquid Brunch, featuring classic and creative bourbon-based cocktails (who needs food?), or try an always-changing top-shelf flight. 629 Main St., Covington, Ky., wellmannsbrands.com.
Gemütlichkeit in the Garten
Kreimer’s River Bar — Located in the backyard of Kreimer’s Bier Haus, this Bavarian biergarten on the Great Miami River has three decks, fire pits and a ton of Black Forest-inspired wood features, from picnic seating to a whimsical cuckoo-clock-looking German grill house, which serves snacks like sauerkraut balls, pretzel bread, bier cheese and plenty of meaty metts. 6052 State Route 128, Cleves, facebook.com/kreimersriverbar.
Mecklenburg Gardens — At 150 years old, Mecklenburg Gardens is one of the city’s most historic eateries, and its vine-covered trellised biergarten is one of the best in the nation (an accolade awarded by Travel + Leisure magazine). Grab one of the German brews on draft, which come in several sizes, including a 1-liter glass boot. Wednesday night, the garden offers quarter flip specials: The bartender flips a coin and you call heads or tails while it’s in the air. If you guess right, you pay 25 cents for a half-liter beer. 302 E. University Ave., Corryville, mecklenburgs.com.
With Meat
Northside Yacht Club — It’s half-price wing night every Wednesday at this nautical Northside Rock & Roll establishment. Landlubbers can grab some smoked Amish chicken wings on the cheap (also available in cauliflower), topped with sauces like parmesan garlic, cilantro honey lime and triple-X hot. Eat on the multi-level dog-friendly back bar and patio and kill the burn with an icy island-style banana daiquiri. 4227 Spring Grove Ave., Northside, northsideyachtclub.com.
Dutch’s — Dutch’s pony keg turned bar, bottle shop and artisanal larder is an East Side hang with an expansive kitchen, pantry and patio, complete with a fire pit and bocce court. Pair one of 200 different available wines or craft on-tap beers with farmstead cheeses, natural meats or snacks like truffle popcorn. Thursday is Burger Night, with a special one-night-only gourmet topped burger available from 6 p.m. until they sell out. 3378 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, dutchscincinnati.com.
Island Escapes
Cabana on the River — The Cabana brings the beach to the West Side. Sign up for volleyball leagues and bask in the glow of neon palm trees while taking in relaxing Ohio River views. Get more relaxed with a Lava Flow: piña colada blended with rum, poured over strawberry purée and served frozen. 7445 Forbes Road, Sayler Park, cabanaontheriver.com.
The Sandbar — 4EG’s The Sandbar at Four Seasons Marina is a summer staycation destination. The palm-frond-topped outdoor cabana bar is located next to the seven sand volleyball courts, which are in turn next to the grassy cornhole court and wading pool. Tap into your inner river lover with the Ohio River Mudslide: bourbon, Bailey’s and half and half on the rocks. 4609 Kellogg Ave., East End, thesandbarcincinnati.com.
