Best of Metromix Cincinnati 2012New bar
There's some great new places for music, sports, dancing and, yeah, drinks.
And the winner is…
Japp's
1134 Main St.
Cincinnati, OH 45202Neighborhood: Over-the-Rhine & Pendleton
Step into Japp’s for a quick break from real time. Neighborhood favorite bartenders serve craft cocktails in an atmosphere that is a fun mix of vintage glamour and contemporary excitement. The elaborate drink list covers everything you could want: craft cocktails, wines, champagnes, and all sorts of beers, not to mention any liquor you could think of and bartenders who know how to mix them up. And be sure to try a coffee drink (alcoholic or not) with Tazza Mia coffee.
Nominees
Bangarang's of Covington
620 Scott Blvd.
Covington, KY 41011Neighborhood: Riverfront
The former location of Mad Hatter is now open as Bangarang's of Covington. Bangarang's will similarly host a variety of local and national music acts. Full bar, state-of-the-art lighting and sound and located minutes from Newport on the Levee.
Chameleon
4114 Hamilton Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45223Neighborhood: Northside
Northside's "neighborhood nightclub" features a different theme event almost every night – from karaoke and unplugged nights to DJ dance parties on the weekends – with an array of specialty cocktails, a great patio and a rare feature for this neighborhood: a parking lot!
Dive Bar
2608 Vine St.
Cincinnati, OH 45219Neighborhood: Corryville/Clifton Heights
Come to this cool but casual bar for domestic and craft beers at good prices and a hot dog menu by Flop Johnson's. Free wifi, pool and darts, and dj sets keep up the fun for you while you hang out with the neighborhood crowd.
Flop Johnson's, located inside Dive Bar, features one-of-a-kind "Dogwiches," homemade vegan chili and pickles.
Geez'l Pete's
508 Madison Ave.
Covington, KY 41011Neighborhood: Riverfront
Owner Mark Dean wants guests to make themselves right at home here, where Happy Hour presents $2 domestics and $3 well drinks. Hungry? The kitchen's selection includes wings, double deckers, char-broiled burgers, soups, salad, and their popular steak hoagie. After dinner, get swinging on Golden Tee Live, pick a song on the TouchTunes jukebox or give the MegaTouch games a whirl. For those who can't miss that sliding catch or QB sack, the bar's got four HD flat screens powered by Direct TV and NFL Sunday Ticket. They also play host to live classic rock on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Holy Grail Tavern & Grille Banks
161 Joe Nuxhall Way
Cincinnati, OH 45202The locally owned restaurant is a great option on game day, being across the street from Great American Ball Park. It has long bar tables, more than a dozen small tables, a patio and a rotating list of draft beers that won't cost you $7 a pint. Let's not forget the 30 HDTVs lining the long bar and sitting high on the walls of the dining areas. With these, you will see the Reds from many angles, and keep up with other major sports happenings.
Keystone Bar & Grill Hyde Park
3384 Erie Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45208Neighborhood: Hyde Park
Keystone Bar & Grill in Hyde Park is the ninth location brought to you by Four Entertainment Group (4EG). It is the second Keystone Bar and Grill. The first location opened in the Roebling Point neighborhood of Covington. Keystone Hyde Park is a place where everyone can relax while sampling one of our many craft beers, single batch bourbons and extensive liquor selection. The menu is filled with made-from-scratch items. They also include the same daily food specials such as Mac and Cheese Monday (half-price mac all day) and Quesadilla Tuesday (half-price quesadillas all day). Amazing Brunch every Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
MVP Sports Bar & Grille
6923 Plainfield Road
Cincinnati, OH 45236Neighborhood: Silverton
MVP Sports Bar just opened in November 2011 in the former Play by Play Cafe location offering everything you look for in a sports bar: 15 big screens with NFL Sunday Ticket and pub grub including Greek offerings. Play Golden Tee during halftime or listen to live music on their stage. Happy Hour runs 3-8 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Luxe
601 Main St.
Cincinnati, OH 45202Neighborhood: Downtown
Located in the old Passage Lounge space in the epicenter of Downtown Cincinnati's Backstage Entertainment District, Luxe offers a mix of an upscale atmosphere tied into a nightclub setting.
PLAY
35 E. Seventh St.
Cincinnati, OH 45202Neighborhood: Downtown
A music and entertainment venue combined with a bar/nightclub have moved into the old location of Lodge Bar.
Last year's winner
Neons Unplugged
208 E. 12th St.
Cincinnati, OH 45202Neighborhood: Over-the-Rhine & Pendleton
Once covered in the neon signs that now grace Terry’s Turf Club (see the burger section), Neon’s reopened last spring after neighborhood residents took on the task of reviving it. With a 4,000-square-foot-patio, there’s plenty of space for music and bocce ball, plus a great selection of beers and top-notch bartenders to help you pick out a new one. When it’s cold, you can play giant Jenga or pool inside, or you can head upstairs and watch a movie or whatever game is playing.
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