There’s nothing better than enjoying a meal and a drink with friends outside when the weather is nice out. Fortunately for Cincinnatians, there are plenty of places around the city where you can do so on a rooftop bar where you can sit back and take in some excellent views.
In this post, we share the 16 best rooftop bars to check out in the Queen City.
Map of Rooftop Bars
The map below shows the locations of every rooftop bar mentioned in this post.
The Best Rooftop Bars in Cincinnati
21c Cocktail Terrace
Located in the heart of Downtown Cincinnati across the street from the Aronoff Center for the Arts, 21c Museum Hotel is a boutique hotel, a contemporary art museum, a cultural civic center, and a restaurant all wrapped into one. Located inside of the building is a secret elevator that takes you to the 21c Cocktail Terrace offering a total of 75 seats where you can enjoy a wonderful view of the city while you sip a pop-tail, cocktail, or boozy slushie.
Location: 609 Walnut St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Website: 21c Cocktail Terrace
AC Upper Deck at The Banks
Located atop the AC Hotel at The Banks, AC Upper Deck is a rooftop bar that offers a spacious area to enjoy drinks and light snacks with plenty of seating and some great views of The Banks as well as the Ohio River.
What makes this spot truly unique is the fact that they add heated igloos to the seating areas during the winter, so you can still hang out on the rooftop and enjoy the views even during the colder months.
Location: 135 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Website: AC Upper Deck
Bean & Barley
Bean & Barley is a hybrid between a coffee shop and a brewery located in O’Bryonville. The second story patio on the backside of the building offers an excellent place to enjoy a drink when the weather is nice out and there is also an outdoor beer garden being built on the lower level, which will add an additional place to hang out and enjoy a local craft beer.
Location: 2005 1/2 Madison Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45208
Website: Bean & Barley
Bishop’s Quarter
Bishop’s Quarter is a three-level bar located along the Loveland bike trail. On the third level is “The Landing,” which is a rooftop bar that offers a variety of craft beers on tap, televisions, and plenty of seating that can all be enjoyed in a modern industrial setting. On the weekends there are frequently live bands that perform on the terrace as well, which makes this a popular community gathering spot.
Location: 212 W Loveland Ave, Loveland, OH 45140
Website: Bishop’s Quarter
Braxton Brewing Company
Located across the Ohio River in Covington, KY, Braxton Brewing Company is one of the more popular breweries in northern Kentucky. The bar brewery features a 5,000-square foot rooftop bar that offers tons of seating, an open lawn space for lounging, a huge living plant wall, and incredible views of Covington and Downtown Cincinnati. With over 20 beers on tap and an impressive cocktail menu, this is an excellent place to check out during the warmer months.
Location: 27 W 7th St, Covington, KY 41011
Website: Braxton Brewing Company
The Blind Pig
Located just five minutes from the Reds Stadium, The Blind Pig is a self-designated “modern speakeasy” that offers an outdoor patio where you can enjoy jumbo wings, tacos, and flatbreads along with craft beers and cocktails. The seating area offers some nice views of the Queen City and the Ohio River that you can enjoy with your food and drinks.
Location: 24 W 3rd St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Website: The Blind Pig
Gaslight Bar and Grill
Gaslight Bar and Grill is the only restaurant in the Gaslight District that offers a rooftop bar. With several plants and a modern vibe, this rooftop patio is the perfect place to stop for a drink and some food before exploring the rest of the Gaslight district. Their menu includes an impressive selection of seafood dishes, burgers and salads, along with a wide selection of craft beers and cocktails.
Location: 351 Ludlow Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45220
Website: Gaslight Bar and Grill
Incline Public House
Located in the Price Hill neighborhood on the west side of the City, Incline Public House is a restaurant with a seasonal outdoor patio area that offers some of the best views of Downtown City, the Ohio River, and Northern Kentucky that you can anywhere in the city. You can enjoy the view with a burger and a beer.
Location: 2601 Eighth St W, Cincinnati, OH 45204
Website: Incline Public House
Krueger’s Tavern
Krueger’s Tavern is a popular two-story American restaurant located in the heart of the Over-The-Rhine neighborhood.The second story features an outdoor rooftop patio that serves as a great place to enjoy a local craft beer or a cocktail in an urban environment. They also offer a simple menu that includes burgers, salads, sandwiches, sausages, and fries that you can enjoy with your drinks.
Location: 1211 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Website: Krueger’s Tavern
Pavilion at Mt. Adams
Located in the upscale neighborhood of Mt. Adams, Pavilion is a multi-storied bar that offers some incredible views of Downtown Cincinnati. Pavilion is known for their live music and their wide selection of beers, liquors, wines, and cocktails, which can all be enjoyed with breathtaking views of the city in the background.
Location: 949 Pavilion St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Website: Pavilion at Mt. Adams
Pins Mechanical Company
Located in the Over-The-Rhine neighborhood, Pins Mechanical Company is a three-story bar that features duckpin lanes on the first floor, a spacious second floor, and a rooftop patio, with all three levels offering a wide variety of local craft beers, liquor, and cocktails.
Location: 1124 Main St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Website: Pins Mechanical Company
Rhinegeist Brewery
One of the largest and most well-known breweries in Cincinnati is Rhinegeist. Located on the northern end of the Over-The-Rhine neighborhood, Rhinegeist has a huge rooftop bar that offers a variety of locally brewed craft beers on tap, plenty of seating, and some excellent view of the city. This is one of the most popular rooftop bars in the city to visit during the warmer months.
Location: 1910 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Website: Rhinegeist
Top of the Park at Residence Inn
Located atop the historic Phelps Building in the heart of downtown Cincinnati’s business district, Top of the Park is a spacious rooftop bar that offers some incredible views of the city that can be enjoyed with a variety of craft beers, cocktails, and delicious handmade tapas.
Location: 506 E 4th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Website: Top of the Park
Via Vite Italian Restaurant
Located directly on Fountain Square in Downtown Cincinnati, Via Vite is an italian restaurant with a rooftop seating area that offers views of the square along with the buildings in the heart of the downtown area, which can be enjoyed with italian dishes and a variety of wines or beers.
Location: 520 Vine St, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Website: Via Vite
The View at Shires’ Garden
The View at Shires’ Garden is an upscale restaurant with a rooftop bar that offers incredible views of the city along with a wide selection of craft beers, wines, and American-based dishes.
Location: 309 Vine St 10th Floor, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Website: The View at Shires’ Garden
Yonder at Commonwealth Bistro
Yonder is Commonwealth Bistro’s unique rooftop bar. Located in Covington, KY, Yonder offers a relaxing place to enjoy a small plate menu along with hand crafted cocktails, wines, and beers in a warm, dimly lit atmosphere.
Location: 621 Main St, Covington, KY 41011
Website: Yonder
