Top gay bars

One word encompasses Below Zero Lounge on Walnut Street – “fabulous.” Grab a spot on one of the cozy couches towards the back of the bar, or shimmy up to the dimly-lit bar where select liquor drinks and martinis are served from freezer kept at six degrees Fahrenheit. The Over-the-Rhine hotspot commonly sees liquor aficionados sipping candy-colored martinis at candle-lit tables. The lounge features cabaret music on Sunday nights. Engage in chit-chat in one of the quiet corners while attentive servers are on hand for those curious to try the Metro martini, a secret recipe concocted with raspberry puree and a splash of champagne.

Adonis is the perfect spot for a night of dancing and drinking in a gay-friendly atmosphere. While the bar is renowned for its Saturday night drag shows and spacious dance floor, there are also two other rooms conducive to striking up a flirty conversation: a smaller martini lounge and the main area with a full bar and fireplaces. The dancing goes until 3:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings. In the summer months, the pool is open to allow you to cool off, but during the rest of the year the pool’s patio provides a place for smokers.

Picture this: The bartender places a sugar cube on a slotted spoon. One hand holds the spoon directly over a glass of fragrant absinthe, the other is used to poor ice-cold water over the sugar cube and into the glass, creating a cloudy, sweet-tasting concoction. Newport’s own Crazy Fox legally serves up glasses of absinthe this way, and only this way. Absinthe is one of the main attractions, but the free pool Sunday through Tuesday (free during happy hour from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday), incredible jukebox tunes and local art on display certainly don’t bring any complaints. An enclosed patio also creates an outdoor space to get in on the fun. Crazy Fox likes to keep its crowd like its jukebox … fun and diverse.

The Dock Complex is Cincinnati’s longest running alternative lifestyle nightclub. It regularly has DJs, three full service bars, a large outdoor patio and a full volleyball court when the weather's fair. This nightclub is always bumping until 3 a.m. on the weekends and usually has a different theme party. The Dock is a place to be and be seen with its popular late night dancing and drag shows.