Dock it and eatpick

Boat accessible restaurants on the river

By Amy Schoenfeld

Special to Metromix
June 10, 2009

Dock it and eat
Curt Wagner and Teresa Harvey enjoy some drinks at Ludlow-Bromley Yacht Club. (Credit: David Sorcher | Metromix)

You're chillin' on a boat on the Ohio River, when hunger strikes. Besides the bag of chips and cooler of brews, what's there to eat? Lucky for you, there are a handful of restaurants that are boat accessible or have docks close by.

Ludlow Bromley Yacht Club

pick Ludlow Bromley Yacht Club

860 Elm St. - Ludlow
859-291-8132

At the Ludlow Bromley Yacht Club, where you can wear flip-flops and tank tops and fit right in, as long as you’re sharing a bucket of beers with friends and family and chowing down on their steaks, ribs, cod, pork chops or maybe the mushroom and Swiss cheese hamburger. The best part about the place is the live music mixed with the open air and unbeatable river views on the huge outdoor patio. On Fridays and Saturdays, live bands rock the house. Dock the boat, stay late and watch the sun set over the Ohio River.

Pirate's Cove Tropical Bar & Grill

4609 Kellogg Ave. - Cincinnati
513-871-1820

Arrive by boat or car. This floating marina restaurant has a stunning river view of the Ohio River. Have a Caribbean cocktail or dig in on specially prepared island fare, including delicious crab cakes at this outdoor covered tiki hut that makes you feel more like you’re on vacation in Florida than in the midwest.

Riverside Marina Bar and Grill

145 Mary Ingles Highway (Ky. 8) - Dayton
859-442-8111

Riverside Marina Bar and Grille is open from early May until mid-November. Dave and Debbie Bricking have owned Riverside Marina since 1973. The Bricking children and one grandchild help to run the multi-faceted enterprise. You’ll feel like you’re on vacation—they welcome boats to dock on the river and also offer a fuel lane. Food selections include appetizers, hoagies and the popular Cod Fish dinner. The kitchen serves homemade lunch and dinner specials daily. Regulars prefer the sirloin tips served with noodles, Debbie's meatloaf and spaghetti and meatballs made with a family recipe. Enjoy half-priced appetizers and $3 draft beers Monday-Friday from 4-6 p.m. Live music outdoors every Friday and Saturday starting at 9 p.m. with no cover charge. You can book Riverside Gardens for your private event.

Hooter's

301 Riverboat Row - Newport
859-291-9191

Hooter's in Newport is located directly on the Ohio River, and you can park your boat at the Beer Sellar's dock right next door. Everyone knows about the infamous uniforms worn by the chain's friendly female servers, but the wings are also a selling point. They also serve up appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, seafood, soups, salads and desserts.

Cabana on the River

Cabana on the River

7445 Forbes Road - Sayler Park
513-941-7442

When the warm weather rolls around, it's time to head to Cabana on the River. This outdoor venue overlooking the river provides a fantastic view with a fun and free atmosphere, helped along by its tiki bar. A day on the boat certainly conjures up an appetite, and Cabana serves up a menu of appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees and dessert.

The Sandbar

pick The Sandbar

4609 Kellogg Ave. - Cincinnati
513-533-3810

If you want to have fun in the sun while drinking with your friends, this sunny-weather retreat is the place to go. The aptly named Sandbar is a bar and restaurant overlooking the Four Seasons marina. It features an outdoor cabana bar, seven volleyball courts, a large grass area for cornhole, an indoor bar with five flat-screen HD TVs and a pool table, a covered deck overlooking the marina, the new Riverside Room and Deck, and a wading pool for Four Seasons boaters.

pick Drew's on the River

4333 River Road - Cincinnati
513-451-1157

Drew’s is truly the party spot of party spots for a night of boisterous merry-making. Before you beer it up, line your stomach with a pot roast sandwich or Drew’s beloved chicken wings. Its prime location next to the Anderson Ferry gives a delightful river view with an outdoor tiki bar. The outdoor space is partially shaded for those who want to enjoy the weather but skip the sunburn. If you're arriving by boat, Drew's boasts some brand new docks.

Beer Sellar

pick Beer Sellar

301 Riverboat Row - Newport
859-431-6969

Beer lovers unite! With 60 taps and 120 bottles of imports and domestics, the Beer Sellar is certain to have at least something even the most anti-beerite would like. The riverfront location is optimal, with a dock and a riverboat shuttle to Reds games. Though Beer Sellar hosts a number of European beers, the major focus is on domestic microbrews, such as Bell’s, Rogue and Ohio’s own Great Lakes.

What other people are saying...

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niki75 - May 12, 2010 at 9:00 PM

Wow, it seems some people these days just dont get it! Credit Cards, Computerized Cash Registers, havent been around forever.....before this people...

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ronsmith - September 20, 2009 at 2:41 PM

A major inconvenienc at Ludlow Bromley is cash only. I will not plan on going there in the near future, and will also let my friends hear about thi...

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