Raise the Roof!7 min read

Springtime…I think it’s really here! Nothing screams Spring louder than ROOFTOP BARS!! So I did my job and went out to do some research on places I think you need to go and raise the roof ;) Some are truly on a roof and others are, well, let’s just say elevated. But they’re all outside and fun.

Cocktail Terrace at 21C hotel– 609 Walnut St.

Hours: Mon. – Sat. open at 5:00

This was the first rooftop and continues to be a fun one. They have fantastic warm weather cocktails such as “poptails” which are flavorful bubbly drinks, boozy popsicles, adult slushies and many more. Small snacks available. They have fun big yellow penguins all over the hotel. If you see one you can grab it and take it to your table, on the elevator…take selfies with it whatever you want…just don’t take him home!

Rhinegeist Rooftop – 1910 Elm St.

Hours: Mon. – Fri. 3pm- 12am , Sat. 12-2am, Sun. 12-9pm

Spacious cool rooftop with little areas to gather with friends. You can also sit at the large bar area. Plenty of beers on tap, wine and 2 draft cocktails. This is such a fun gathering spot and offers a main indoor level with cornhole, ping pong and more.. No food or smoking on the roof!

Blind Pig – 24 W. 3rd St. or enter through O’Malley’s In the Alley

Hours: 11am-2pm everyday

O’Malley’s is the second oldest bar in Cincinnati, after Arnold’s. The Blind Pig is the back of O’Malleys (or I guess the front depending on how you look at it) :) The “rooftop” part is only a couple years old. It has a ton of character. Rumor has it that there’s a tunnel in the basement that once ran all the way over to KY, so it was part of the underground railroad. Pretty cool! Now it only goes to the river or less, but is all boarded up.

If you don’t have a ticket to the Reds or Bengals games this is a perfect rooftop to watch all the fans as they make there way to the games. Good bar food and 20 beers on tap plus a full bar. This might be one of my new faves.

Krueger’s Tavern– 1211 Vine St.

Hours: Mon. – Sat 11am-12, Sun. 11am-10pm

This is a cool OTR rooftop with a great full menu and full bar. Great cozy atmosphere. Very hip place with a good vibe.

Via Vite– Fountain Square 520 Vine.

Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 11am-10pm, Fri. 11am-11pm bar until 2am, Sat Brunch 10am-3pm bar until 2am. Sun. brunch 10am-3pm/ dinner 4pm-10pm

This is the largest outdoor dining downtown with a fantastic ½-off happy hour Mon.-Fri 3-6 !

They have a covered terrace that overlooks Fountain Square, which is hopping with fun things all summer long. They also have an open-air courtyard with a view of the square and the ginormous T.V. on the Macys building, showing all Reds games + movie nights. Oh… and amazing food!!!

Lisse – 530 Main St. Covington, Ky.

Hours: Tues.- Sat. 4pm -11pm, Closed Sun & Mon.

This is a great spot to have a spectacular view of the Cincy skyline! Really cute spot that also has an indoor bar area. Food and drink offered.

The Phelps/Top of the Park in the Renaissance Hotel- 506 E. 4th St.

Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 5pm-10,pm Fri. – Sat. 4pm-11pm

This is a popular place to meet friends and have a cocktail. Once again, great views of the city! Simple bar menu and full bar.

Budweiser Bow Tie Bar– Right above the bullpen out in right field of Great American Ballpark

Home of the Cincinnati Reds!! Open during games

I think this is just a cool way to watch the game. You can grab a cheap seat tickets and watch the game while standing around bar tables. You can also look behind you and get a great view of the Ohio River. Pretty cool !

Honorable mention

Carew Tower– 441 Vine St.

Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 9am-5:30pm, Fri. 9am-6pm, Sat. & Sun. 10am-7pm

Okay, okay…it’s not a bar, but it’s the most kick-butt rooftop, right in the heart of the city!! This is a must do for everyone! 360-degree views of our beautiful city and beyond. It’s truly awe-inspiring. You’ll want to take pics with every background.

If you want, you can borrow my husband, who has every bit of crazy knowledge of buildings and what the heck you’re looking at from 574 feet in the air.

There are coin-view binoculars to see things a little closer.

It is CASH only and is $4 for 12 and up, $2 6-11 , and free for 6 and under. Well worth admission!!

Coming Soon!

Revel Rooftop – 111 E. 12th St.

The roof will open sometime this summer…fingers crossed.

Hours: Wed. – Fri. 4pm-12am, Sat. 12pm-12am, Sun. 12pm-10pm closed Mon. & Tues.

I got a sneak peak of this one. It is the roof of the new wine spot in OTR, which just opened about a month ago. I’ll be blogging about it soon because it’s well worth the attention. Don’t wait for the roof…check it out now. It has small batch wines made in the basement. Other drinks offered along with snacks.