While Cincinnatians certainly appreciate a local brew and a charming wine bar, you might find yourself in the mood for some shaken finesse and something a little bit more cosmopolitan. On these happy occasions, you can find plenty of cocktail bars in Cincinnati serving both quality and style.
1. Anjou
For a bougie night out accompanied by great cocktails, Anjou in Walnut Hills is an absolute must. Between the elegant decor, boutique wines, and craft cocktails, you’ll feel at home in this stylish oasis. Choose from a menu of unique cocktails, including She-Wolf made with pear liqueur, gin, and elderflower, while A Ghost of Time is a smoky, citrus, blood orange-flavored glass of goodness.
📍2804 Woodburn Ave. Cincinnati
2. The Blind Lemon
With live music every night except for on Mondays, The Blind Lemon provides the right atmosphere for an atmospheric tipple in the Queen City. You’ll find this authentic gem in Mt. Adams boasting a cozy courtyard and an eclectic interior. Enjoy one of The Blind Lemon’s craft cocktails featuring heroes such as Wild Turkey American Honey bourbon, pomegranate liqueur, and raspberry vodka surrounded by the paintings, signed photographs, and memorabilia capturing a Cincinnati institution that has been serving customers for over 60 years.
📍936 Hatch St, Cincinnati
3. Cobblestone
The Over-The-Rhine district is celebrated for its brewing history and 19th-century buildings. Cobblestone is one of those great bars nestled in the popular neighborhood where the past and the present meet. You can look forward to rustic brick walls, high stools, and brown leather for a snug setting while you sample cocktails like a Basil Mule or the house-made old-fashioned.
📍1132 Race St, Cincinnati
4. Comfort Station
Behind the blue door at Comfort Station, you’ll find an oasis offering some of Cincinnati’s best cocktails. Built in 1914, Comfort Station was originally a public restroom. Today, it is a beautiful cocktail bar with an incomparable atmosphere. You can choose from “light and elegant” or “bold and restorative” cocktails. Try the tempting Chanel No.5 cocktail which consists of gin, lemon, rose, chamomile, and sparkling wine, or a Manhattan.
📍793 E McMillian Street, Cincinnati
5. Ghost Baby
Ghost Baby is “rattling the ordinary with music, camaraderie, and revelry”. Ghost Baby calls tunnels formerly used by a brewing company for refrigeration its home. Make your way to The Rattle Room for a clandestine cocktail at a hand-crafted bar or find yourself ushered into The Den—a clubroom adorned by velvet curtains and marble bistro tables. Listen out for the crying baby…
📍1314 Republic St, Cincinnati
6. Igby’s
You’ll feel at home in Igby’s from the moment you spot the big fireplace and wood-planked walls. Engage in some subtle people-watching thanks to the balconies around each level. Two outdoor patios, an urban alley, and modern decor are some of the features contributing to the lively ambiance at Igby’s. With a craft cocktail menu created by a world-renowned mixologist, Brian Van Flandern, your next cocktail at Igby’s won’t disappoint.
📍122 E 6th St, Cincinnati
7. Bar Saeso
The same development team behind The Carriage House created this neighborhood bar on Sycamore Street. Saeso proves the power of less is more. It is an intimate space with a small but ever-changing menu. You might feel like you’re in a small Mediterranean town losing track of time. The stone counter, handmade terracotta tiles, and plants are some of the minimalist details adding to Saeso’s undeniable charm. “When you walk through the door, your experience starts. You don’t have to figure it out,” says Christy Wulfson of Guilfoil & Wulfson.
📍1208 Sycamore St, Cincinnati