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The Best No-Frills Bars in Greater Cincinnati, According to Our Readers

By on Tue, Jul 23, 2024 at 2:54 pm

Every year, CityBeat publishes the Best Of Cincinnati®, wherein readers and staffers alike pick which bars are the booziest, which people are the coolest and which shops are your best bet for dropping a pretty penny. While Greater Cincinnati is home to some amazing cocktail bars, sometimes all you crave is a cold beer in an atmosphere that's very come-as-you-are, with zero pretense. Sometimes there's a game on TV, a local band on stage or a pool table in the corner calling your name.

Keep scrolling to see our readers' favorite no-frills bars throughout Greater Cincinnati. 
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No. 10 Best No-Frills Bar: HomeMakers Bar 39 E. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine What to order: Miso Jungle Bird: rums, Campari, miso, plum, pineapple, lime and cinnamon.
Photo: Provided by Homemakers Bar

No. 10 Best No-Frills Bar: HomeMakers Bar

39 E. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine
What to order: Miso Jungle Bird: rums, Campari, miso, plum, pineapple, lime and cinnamon.
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No. 9 Best No-Frills Bar: Crazy Fox Saloon 901 Washington Ave., Newport What to order: The Bloody Mary comes highly recommended and is basically a meal and a drink combined.
Photo: Brittany Thornton

No. 9 Best No-Frills Bar: Crazy Fox Saloon

901 Washington Ave., Newport
What to order: The Bloody Mary comes highly recommended and is basically a meal and a drink combined.
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No. 8 Best No-Frills Bar: rhinehaus 119 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine What to order: rhinehaus has a good selection of craft, domestic and imported beers, but you should also try one of the “Haus Shots” while you’re there. The Mexican Rhino is their bestseller and features el Jimador Blanco Tequila, Rose’s lime juice and a splash of Cholula hot sauce. For a more refreshing crowd-pleaser, opt for the Fresh Rhino, a blend of cucumber vodka, watermelon schnapps and Sprite.
Photo: facebook.com/rhinehausotr

No. 8 Best No-Frills Bar: rhinehaus

119 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine
What to order: rhinehaus has a good selection of craft, domestic and imported beers, but you should also try one of the “Haus Shots” while you’re there. The Mexican Rhino is their bestseller and features el Jimador Blanco Tequila, Rose’s lime juice and a splash of Cholula hot sauce. For a more refreshing crowd-pleaser, opt for the Fresh Rhino, a blend of cucumber vodka, watermelon schnapps and Sprite.
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No. 7 Best No-Frills Bar: Longfellow 1233 Clay St., Over-the-Rhine What to order: The Shiso Painkiller: Navy rum, pineapple, shiso leaf, orange, coconut and nutmeg
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

No. 7 Best No-Frills Bar: Longfellow

1233 Clay St., Over-the-Rhine
What to order: The Shiso Painkiller: Navy rum, pineapple, shiso leaf, orange, coconut and nutmeg
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No. 6 Best No-Frills Bar: Queen City Exchange 32 W. Court St., Downtown What to order: Queen City Exchange features 40 taps, and the prices fluctuate in a Stock Market-esque fashion. If the price is high, you know that beer is in demand, but don’t be afraid to buy low and risk finding a new favorite.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

No. 6 Best No-Frills Bar: Queen City Exchange

32 W. Court St., Downtown
What to order: Queen City Exchange features 40 taps, and the prices fluctuate in a Stock Market-esque fashion. If the price is high, you know that beer is in demand, but don’t be afraid to buy low and risk finding a new favorite.
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No. 5 Best No-Frills Bar: Rosie’s Tavern 643 Bakewell St., Covington What to order: Come in on Mondays and enjoy $2 well drinks.
Photo: facebook.com/RosiesTavern

No. 5 Best No-Frills Bar: Rosie’s Tavern

643 Bakewell St., Covington
What to order: Come in on Mondays and enjoy $2 well drinks.
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No. 4 Best No-Frills Bar: Knockback Nat’s 10 W. Seventh St., Downtown What to order: Grab your beer of choice with an order of Knockback Nat’s famous smoked chicken wings.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

No. 4 Best No-Frills Bar: Knockback Nat’s

10 W. Seventh St., Downtown
What to order: Grab your beer of choice with an order of Knockback Nat’s famous smoked chicken wings.
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No. 3 Best No-Frills Bar: Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar 629 Main St., Covington What to order: Opt for a classic bourbon cocktail like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan, or try one of their rotating Mules and cocktail specials.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

No. 3 Best No-Frills Bar: Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar

629 Main St., Covington
What to order: Opt for a classic bourbon cocktail like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan, or try one of their rotating Mules and cocktail specials.
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No. 2 Best No-Frills Bar: Northside Tavern 4163 Hamilton Ave., Northside What to order: Your favorite beverage to enjoy while listening to live music, which Northside Tavern is best known for. They have a full bar and drink specials Monday through Saturday from 5-8 p.m.
Photo: facebook.com/northsidetavern

No. 2 Best No-Frills Bar: Northside Tavern

4163 Hamilton Ave., Northside
What to order: Your favorite beverage to enjoy while listening to live music, which Northside Tavern is best known for. They have a full bar and drink specials Monday through Saturday from 5-8 p.m.
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No. 1 Best No-Frills Bar: The Belle and The Bear 8512 Market Place Lane, Montgomery What to order: A nice, cold beer. The Belle and The Bear has an updated list of what’s on tap, plus bottles and cans, on its website.
Photo: facebook.com/thebellethebear

No. 1 Best No-Frills Bar: The Belle and The Bear

8512 Market Place Lane, Montgomery
What to order: A nice, cold beer. The Belle and The Bear has an updated list of what’s on tap, plus bottles and cans, on its website.
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