After years of cautious dining and takeout fatigue, Cincinnati’s culinary scene is buzzing with renewed energy. Patio heaters hum, craft taps flow freely, and our taste buds have forgotten what a proper char-grilled burger tastes like. It’s finally time to rediscover the smoky, sizzling magic of our city’s best bar & grills—where the fries are crispy, the beers are cold, and the communal joy is back on the menu.
Longshots Sports Bar & Grill
$ | (513) 510-4123 | WEBSITE
The patio at this sports bar is right off the main dining area, and ordering smoked wings or loaded fries here is a perfect way to spend some relaxed time with friends (away from the busy week) with people you haven’t seen outside of their work schedules for months. You can all share plates of jalapeno poppers and chicken fingers while watching the game on one of the many TVs, dipping crispy tenders into those well-loved sauces.
Madonna’s Bar & Grill
$ | (513) 621-8838 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for a genuine hangout spot for a few friends who usually meet up together. This dive bar in Cincinnati has everything from tender and delicious wings to cool bartenders who keep things moving smoothly. But what really sets Madonna’s apart is the cozy community-driven vibe where you can sit with a group of locals under warm lighting and a classic jukebox. This atmosphere is consistently welcoming, so make sure to bring cash since they could use some payment modernization.
Montgomery Towne Tavern
$ | (513) 489-2228 | WEBSITE
Montgomery Towne Tavern advertises “huge wings smoked to perfection,” which is something we’d like to carve into a tree with a heart around it. This neighborhood bar serves generous drinks and char-grilled entrees every day, and there are a few patio tables where you can hang out with a friend, date, or friend who thinks it’s a date.
And if you like the sound of homemade tater-tots, and Cajun fries sound like something you’d be into, stop by any day when the tavern offers its welcoming atmosphere with various TVs, darts, and bar games.
Anderson Township Pub
$ | (513) 231-0601 | WEBSITE
Small talk has always been exhausting, and after months of avoiding it, you’ve become practically allergic to it. So instead of asking your friend about their latest streaming obsession, focus the conversation on ordering as many crispy onion rings as possible from this neighborhood pub in Anderson Township.
And don’t leave without trying their perfectly cooked fish and chips with golden tots and the classic BLT piled high with generous bacon that comes with a side of fries as great as Penn Station’s. And the next time you need to meet up with someone you haven’t seen in ages, remember that you can also return to Anderson Township Pub’s greenery-covered patio this spring.
Mt. Adams Bar & Grill
$ | (513) 621-3666 | WEBSITE
We’re big believers in the neighborhood bar as a social hub, especially in Mt. Adams. If you want to settle into a cozy booth and debate which classic sandwich to order, know that this historic pub on the hill is open and ready for you. Grab a seat in their beautiful historical interior, and then head to the bar to order from their diverse menu.
We’d suggest starting with a cup of soup, trying the standout reuben sandwich, and then making a meal of it with their praised fries and a reasonably-priced drink from the generous bar manager.
Anderson Pub & Grill
$ | (513) 474-4400 | WEBSITE
We’ve spent many restless nights contemplating potential family dinner scenarios with picky eaters. How do you tell someone you don’t want their ketchup bottle touching yours without offending them? This is all to say that Anderson Pub & Grill is a restaurant where you can eat a personal plate of dry rub wings or loaded fries and not worry about compromising.
Their family-friendly grill food is satisfying to eat, partly because it’s more reliable than anything that happened to us in 2020 and partly because of their commitment to letting generous portions be the stars of every bite. Plus, the restaurant has been a neighborhood staple for ten years so you can always enjoy a lively atmosphere with multiple TVs before or after.
Elmore Street Cafe
$ | (513) 681-9333 | WEBSITE
Here’s a Cincinnati option for people looking for more of a lively night out than a quiet dinner for two. This bar-and-grill spot on Elmore Street is always a fun place to enjoy reasonably priced drinks and live music, but especially so in their spacious outdoor area. They also attract a diverse crowd with their band performances where you can become rather immersed in the atmosphere. Head over or check online for details.
The Pony
$ | (513) 954-8415 | WEBSITE
Indoor dinner at The Pony in downtown Cincinnati will feel cozy and flavor-packed, in case those adjectives are priorities for your next night out. The menu at this fantastic bar and grill has things like beef on weck, chicken wings, and some crispy pizza logs you can easily share at the table. They’ve set up a small space with 90’s country vibes and dive bar atmosphere on their downtown block.
You can check out their affordable bar snacks and meals any day they’re open, or just walk in for quick service and memorable eats.
Good Brothas Bar & Grill
$ | (513) 521-0919 | WEBSITE
Looking for a spot where you can grab a drink and some wings without committing to a full meal? Good Brothas Bar & Grill is our current go-to for exactly that. They have fantastic music playing all night long (the Juke Box keeps the jams coming), plus those Monday wings specials that are absolutely worth planning your week around. Don’t forget to order a shot and say hello to MOE behind the bar—he’s the favorite for a reason.
And honestly, just watching the lively crowd come and go is entertainment enough to keep you happily planted on a stool for a good hour.
J Taps Sports Bar & Grill
$ | (513) 574-9777 | WEBSITE
Even on a Tuesday, we always feel like it’s game day at J Taps Sports Bar & Grill. The spacious dining area at this sports bar in Cincinnati has flat screens, memorabilia, and team banners galore, with tons of special deals beyond the wings and gyros on the menu. Check out their social media so you don’t miss one of their game-day specials or happy hour events.
Home Court Tavern / Sinners & Saints
$ | (513) 281-4355 | WEBSITE
If you’re craving barbecue that doesn’t require a three-hour commitment, snag a seat at this Cincinnati gem tucked away in the city. Home Court Tavern / Sinners & Saints has a cozy, unpretentious vibe with exposed brick walls and warm lighting, but it’s the brisket here that commands your full focus. From tender slices that practically melt without a knife to Asian porkbelly that’s serious meat candy, all their smoked meats are perfect for sharing with someone you haven’t seen in months.
Plus, they’ve got jalapeño cornbread, smoked Mac and Cheese, and a selection of cocktails on the menu made with fair prices in mind.
Newtown Village Tavern Pizza
$ | (513) 272-1213 | WEBSITE
For all those looking for a laid-back, satisfying meal (in part, so you can continue to do nothing at night other than watch your favorite shows intermittently), Newtown Village Tavern Pizza is our favorite casual dining option these days. You may not see many fancy frills in this small-town-style pizza parlor, but you’ll still be able to order excellent pizza, fried green beans with ranch, and some of the best wings around until closing.
Our favorite menu item is the vegetarian pizza, which comes loaded with fresh, crisp, and flavorful vegetables. You’re going to want at least a large pie to yourself—it’s a great deal at under $20.
