Some of the more happening spots around town — some have outrageously creative drink menus, others have some of the freshest and most mouth-watering food around and others still encourage you to dance your ass off.  

Prior to the Prohibition Era, OTR was at the heart of Cincinnati’s rich brewing history. At one point the Christian Moerlein Brewing Company took up three city blocks dedicated solely to producing that fine golden beverage.  

Too much time in the bar scene can make a person feel overwhelmed — too noisy, expensive and health threatening. Area coffee houses offer a nice break from the craziness, with creative coffee-inspired cocktails to enjoy while reading a book or enjoying a draught beer during some WiFi downtime.  

College bars are the types of places that run the gamut of the bar experience — loud, happening, fun and, often, drunken and messy (probably still fun). The University of Cincinnati’s Clifton Heights is heavily represented by such establishments, while Xavier’s lone hangout is the go-to spot for the private schoolers.  

No one really knows which came first — human interest in dancing or drinking. But it’s obvious now that we’re in the 21st century that the two go together quite well.  

These establishments offer more than just your average beer and a burger. You can still enjoy your favorite food and some excellent beverages in addition to a little something extra. Dance, gamble, laugh, play and sing as you venture outside your standard weekend night out.
  

Sometimes the goal of an evening at the bar isn’t to partake in a liquid diet — sometimes the drinks are simply a compliment to a fare one particular bar has become known for.  

The two things I am most proud of after working in a German bar for a year are being able to carry three liters of beer in each hand and taking a warm sauerkraut juice and Jager shot without letting out a whimper. If you like pickled things, meat and carbs then German cuisine should be a must.  

Guinness, Shepherd’s Pie and hooligans are all staples of the typical Irish bar. The capacity of the aforementioned staples vary depending on which bar you choose; more upscale places like Nicholson’s and Claddagh’s lean toward the “first date” atmosphere.  

Jack Kerouac’s “Essentials of Spontaneous Prose,” instructed one to write “as a jazz musician drawing breath between out-blown phrases.” I like to imagine that jazz notes fit perfectly in-between the spaces of each of our inhales and exhales.  

Nestled among the houses, busy streets and skyscrapers of Cincinnati lay the ruins of what was once the lifeblood of the city. Above and below ground sit empty breweries, some left abandoned since Prohibition.   

LGBT communities are a second star to the right for many, a place where one can feel safe, supported and free to enjoy whatever types of cocktails they please. This collection of LGBT-friendly bars is just a slice of such drinkeries the Queen City offers.   

These bars offer everything for the area music connoisseur from smooth Jazz to bust your eardrums Rock. Find local favorites or broaden your horizons as you discover a new international sensation.  

These area pubs are exactly as described — comfortable and cozy gathering places to have a drink and shoot the breeze with the regulars and neighbors you may have never met. Don’t feel obligated to dress over-the-top or spend half of your weekly — or bi-weekly for many of us — paycheck on an outrageous four-course meal.  

Dueling piano bars add a different dimension compared with most local watering holes. This makes such fine establishments a welcome change for both entertainment thrill-seekers and weekend warriors. There is still booze, food and music, but piano bars take the experience to a new level.