Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Cincinnati / Dayton

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Cincinnati / Dayton? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Frankie's Sips & Savories

4.9

4.9 (170)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Central Business District

About the restaurant

Ahlan wa Sahlan (WELCOME), We’re so happy you’re considering dining with us. Nestled in between OTR and the Financial District, tucked away in Cincinnati’s historic Garfield Park. Frankie’s Sips & Savories serves up Mediterranean inspired Craft Cocktails and Small Plates from a cozy dining room and beautiful alley with a view to the park.
Must Try – Our Award Winning (Cincinnati Business Courier June 21) - Crispy Arancini / Risotto / Braised Lamb & Whipped Feta.
In addition, we offer a unique array of Wines from around the world and local Craft Beers on tap.
Be it, date night, a business gathering or if you just want to feel appreciated and welcomed, join us at Frankie’s for a comfortable, relaxing restaurant atmosphere. Looking to Celebrate Life a little more, stay for the fun until we close with great sounds and weekly special events, (Dancing is Highly Recommended).
Lead by Chef Riston and the Family, Let’s share the joy and savor the moments together at Frankie’s Place !

Top review

Shelly

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Wonderful food & friends. Thank you so much for a great time!

Bakersfield - OTR

4.8

4.8 (927)

$30 and under

Mexican

Over the Rhine

About the restaurant

Tacos. Tequila. Whiskey. Serving up authentic, Mexican street fare, and a selection of over 100 tequilas and American whiskeys. Bakersfield is a spot where the food is simple, the service is warm and the atmosphere is alive.

Top review

KatrinaVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Our server, Kelli, was incredible and we were treated so well, even when we took quite some time to order. It was wonderful to hang out with friends in this very welcoming spot. Thank you so much!

Quan Hapa

4.7

4.7 (69)

$30 and under

Asian

Over the Rhine

About the restaurant

Quan Hapa in Cincinnati, OH is an eatery that offers up some tasty options based on the theme of Asian street food.

Top review

Kate

Dined 1 day ago

They never let us down! Always a super friendly server and delicious food!!!

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Experience

Late Night Happy Hour

Rusty Bucket - Liberty Center

4.7

4.7 (313)

$30 and under

American

Cincinnati

About the restaurant

Rusty Bucket is a casual neighborhood tavern serving the highest quality food and beverage in a “come as you are” setting. Scratch kitchens, fresh cocktails, and the perfect pour are our craft. Our associates are welcoming, and our hospitality naturally makes us the local hub where friends and family frequently gather to share in a good time.

Top review

AleciaVIP

Dined on Oct 19, 2024

Our server was great and the food was really good.

Ghost Baby

4.7

4.7 (1373)

$31 to $50

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

Over the Rhine

About the restaurant

Our Rattle Room welcomes you when joining us 4 floors below Vine street. The Rattle Room does not require reservations and is seated on a first come first serve basis.
Reservations are recommended and prioritized for our Den. If you have a reservation, please check in with the host at the front door before waiting in line. Reservations in our Den will be held for 15 minutes and are a total of 2 hours long (Excluding Saturday reservations before 6:30 which are an hour and a half).

We do not serve food.

Ghost Baby exists to rattle the extraordinary. Our cocktail lounge and music venue claims a 170-year-old space that once served as a lagering tunnel for a brewing company. Come as you are and enjoy an inventive cocktail, a stiff drink, your favorite canned beer, or a glass of our hand-selected wine. Reserve your spot for an intimate, unique performance in the Den or join us in the Rattle Room (front bar) on a walk-in basis.

21+ | Dress Code Enforced

Top review

Sarah

Dined 2 days ago

The atmosphere is very unique and the staff is very friendly and welcoming! My favorite spot in Cincinnati by far. Burlesque night is the best night 😘

Honey Uninhibited Covington

4.4

4.4 (177)

$30 and under

Comfort Food

Cincinnati

About the restaurant

At Honey Uninhibited, we Bee-lieve in serving southern classics made with fresh quality ingredients so we receive multiple deliveries a week. In our scratch kitchen, each dish is served in a home-cooked style by our premiere chef handling the fire.

We are committed to quality food that supports a healthy body and sound mind while executing the brunch flavors that you’ve grown to love. We aim to let our guests concentrate on what matters the most, Bee-ing present with the friends and family that accompany you. We take great pride in our Southern Hospitality.

Top review

Angel

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

The service and food was amazing! However, the drink prices are a little high especially with the poor well option and very little premium available. Also beware. The tip is added in but they don’t tell you that. We will be back for the food and service though!

BrewRiver Creole Kitchen

4.3

4.3 (1119)

$30 and under

Creole / Cajun / Southern

Cincinnati

About the restaurant

Our vision combines New Orleans inspired recipes with handpicked top-notch local ingredients. We are Cincinnati's only New Orleans inspired gastro pub and we are passionate about staying true to those roots. Our mid-19th century building beckons our guests to come in for one of 18 all craft beers and wine on draft, a house made craft cocktail or one of our lovely small production wines. However, the food is the star at BrewRiver.

Our outdoor patio is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a drink and an amazing meal! You may be lucky enough to wander in on a night where a blues, folk or jazz musician is playing! Our goal is to give you a little bit of The Big Easy right here in The Queen City! We hope you will come join us and Laissez les bon temps roulez!

Top review

Terry

Dined 2 days ago

We tried the fried green tomatoes, the pimento cheese appetizers - both delicious! My husband enjoyed the catfish basket, and the drink specials were outstanding! Great evening out

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Live New Orleans Music!

The Troll Pub at the Wheel House

4.2

4.2 (258)

$30 and under

American

Dayton

About the restaurant

Welcome to The Troll Pub - Dayton!

The Troll Pub is a unique dining experience that features a Gastro-pub style menu with a wide selection of great tasting food items, craft beer, and an atmosphere like no other.

Top review

Robert

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Must try - the beer cheese and pretzels - awesome! Great choice of salads, sandwiches, wraps, soups and entrees. Our server was accurate and attentive enough - not enough to interrupt our great visit with friends. We like everything we have tried - especially the salads.

Street City Urban Gourmet

4.2

4.2 (640)

$30 and under

American

Cincinnati

About the restaurant

We are open!
With two great ambiance enjoy a classic American gourmet food in the hart of the city.

We offer Carryout and Delivery options including:
DoorDash
Toast App:
https://www.toasttab.com/street-city-pub-hyplz/v2/online-order#!/order

Top review

HopeVIP

Dined on Nov 24, 2024

Street City never disappoints. The food is delicious, the staff is delightful and the atmosphere is cozy.

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Experience

Happy Hour Every Day All Day! (lounge area)

Experience

Wine Thursdays

Dave & Buster's - Springdale (Cincinnati)

3.8

3.8 (120)

$30 and under

American

Springdale

About the restaurant

Each Dave & Buster’s has more state-of-the-art games than ever, more mouth-watering menu items and the most innovative drinks anywhere. From wings to steaks, we’ve got whatever suits your appetite and our premium bar assures we’re stocked to satisfy! Plus, you can watch your game on one of our massive HDTVs with epic stadium sound.

Top review

Nia

Dined on Nov 9, 2024

Had a little mix up with the table and the manager took great care of me and my family for my son 10th birthday .

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Explore Diners' Choice best of Cincinnati / Dayton