Top cocktail spots

Palomino has an elegant and chic ambiance with an exceptional European-influenced American menu and a great view of Fountain Square. The bar area is more upbeat and happy hour lasts all day featuring specials on drinks, flatbreads and pizzas.

Elegant and stylish yet very comfortable, the Bar at Palm Court in the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza is where crowds come donned in their nicer duds for a night on the town. The martinis and music offer an air of sophistication, not pretentiousness. Bartenders shake and stir an array of classy cocktails made with anything from well liquor to the top-shelf stuff. Relax to the sounds of the piano, sip some wine and take a look at their fun, upscale menu that puts a creative spin on average bar food.

Located in the historic and charming Rookwood Pottery building in Mount Adams, The Rookwood Bar and Restaurant features crafty and unexpected twists on comforting favorites, like deviled eggs, Hanky Pankys and sweet bread and waffles on the small plates menu. Dinner includes bone-in pork chop, rainbow trout or Creole Paella. Can't choose between an after-dinner drink or dessert? Mix the two with Bourbon pecan pie or a beer float.

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.

Local 127 used to be located at 127 W. Fourth St., but has moved to the former location of The Bistro. Local 127 has Las Vegas-trained master sommelier Steven Geddes as the brains behind this restaurant aimed to cultivate local producers and use nearby agricultural products as fully as possible. Geddes says the menu concept is New American, emphasizing local ingredients and heritage dishes, but using modern culinary techniques. Local 127's location and class make it a perfect stop for a night on the town.

The Stand, located in Mount Lookout Square, is a lounge/bar with contemporary exterior giving way to funky, trendy decor on the inside. The bar is made comfortable by the dim lighting, scattered couches for striking up conversation and flat-screens. Anything could happen at The Stand: You could find yourself grooving to the diverse jukebox, shooting some pool or rocking the dance floor to some mixed tunes.

Rock, jazz, blues, top 40 – what do you want to listen to? Avenue Lounge has you covered with live music acts every Saturday and most Fridays. Want to sing along? There’s karaoke every Monday and you can stop in Tuesdays for Melodic Tuesday featuring service industry specials and their live DJ. Bring your trivia skills for Last Call Trivia Thursdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., then stay for the Natalie Wells band starting at 9 p.m. Happy hour is every Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and features $2 domestics, $5 martinis and $4 drafts. This bar prides itself on a laid-back atmosphere, and features additional seating in its patio. Expect a contemporary lounge by day and a hip music venue by night.

Righteous Room, a relatively new bar and lounge, fits in perfectly with the downtown scene. Urbanites, young professionals and patrons to the nearby Aronoff Center come to mingle in the airy lounge or chill at the bar with a sophisticated cocktail. Try one of their concoctions half-price during happy hour from 4-8 p.m. daily.