After a long day at the office, nothing tastes sweeter than a half-priced cocktail and deeply discounted appetizer. Luckily, Cincinnati's hip bars, casual hangouts and upscale eateries cater to that need with unbeatable happy hour specials late in the day. Whether you're a foodie, a tourist, a professional, or just someone in need of a cheap glass of wine, we rounded up the 10 happiest hours around town for your enjoyment.
So what are you waiting for? Ditch the desk and head over to one of these Cincinnati hot spots pronto.
Monday through Saturday 4-8 pm
Photo courtesy of The Righteous Room
The vibrant and chic atmosphere at the Righteous Room is enough to draw anyone in after a long day at the office. The walls are decorated with the work of local artists, the booths are made of studded red leather, and classic rock music sets the vibe. During happy hour, grab a craft cocktail, microbrew on tap, or wine by the glass for half the price.
Weeknights 5-7 pm
This chic yet casual seafood joint serves up one whale of a deal during happy hour! Enjoy the shucker's selection of oysters for just $1.50 each, as well as $1 off all beer and select glasses of wine. Afterward, move on to a beautifully displayed entrée made with local ingredients and the freshest fish available.
Tuesday through Friday 4-7 pm, Saturday 4-6 pm, Sunday 4 pm-close
Photo courtesy of Leah Zipperstein via Kaze
Kaze combines a contemporary dining room, a hip bar and lounge, and landscaped beer garden to create the ultimate Japanese Gastropub experience in Over the Rhine. The happy hour specials are unbeatable, featuring specialty cocktails for $5, hot sake for $4, ramen for $4.50, sliders for $2.50, a discounted sushi menu, and much more.
Daily 4-6 pm
Embers offers inventive bites from both land and sea in a chic, polished setting. While every hour here is happy, try to stop by between 4 and 6 pm for the best deals, where you'll find discounted drinks and bar bites, select sushi rolls for just $5, and mini cheeseburgers for $2.
Daily 3 pm-close
This vibrant Italian hot spot is conveniently nestled in the heart of downtown, which makes it an easy target for post-work cocktails. Happy hour starts at 3 pm (in case you've kicked off work a bit early), and features a wide variety of bites and bevvies to satisfy any craving. Standouts include Brussels sprouts with pancetta, gluten-free wild mushroom ravioli, and several choices of artisan pizza. But don't make us pick a favorite cocktail — there are too many to choose from!
Weeknights 3-6 pm
Leave work a bit early to fully embrace the happy hour deals at Via Vite, where all cocktails, beers and wines by the glass are half-priced. Enjoy your choice al fresco on the covered terrace or open-air courtyard, and be sure to accompany it with a fresh pasta dish or inventive entrée from the kitchen.
Weeknights 4-7 pm
Photo courtesy of Unwind
Step into Hyde Park's Unwind to find a cozy wine bar complete with artisanal cheese boards, flights, and creative bites from the kitchen. During happy hour, enjoy half off select bottles, $5 off all other bottles, and $2 off glasses and appetizers. Enjoy your selection on the lush patio on warm-weather days, and feel free to bring your dog along with you!
Daily 4-7 pm
Your dollar goes a long way during happy hour at Cricket Lounge. Daily drink specials include a $5 featured cocktail, $5 wines by the glass and $3-4 beers, but the deals get even sweeter depending on the day. On Sundays and Mondays for instance, you can fill up on a burger, fries, and a beer or glass of wine for just $8, and any other day of the week you can enjoy the featured chef's bite with your bevvie of choice for $5.
Weeknights 4-7 pm
Photo courtesy of Quan Hapa
This hip Asian fusion hotspot on Vine Street boasts some of the best ramen in the city, but you'll also be delighted to find shareable bites, vegetarian options, and a large selection of okonomiyaki (savory Japanese pancakes). Happy hour features $2 and $4 drinks and discounted bar bites, and specials are even sweeter early in the week! Stop in Monday to grab any okonomiyaki for $8, or Tuesday for half-priced wings.
Monday through Saturday 5-8 pm
This Cincinnati staple serves up draught beers, well drinks, classic cocktails and wine in a no-frills, community atmosphere. Over the years, it has become a favorite for locals looking to catch up with friends and dance along to a live local band! During happy hour, most drinks on the menu are $5 or less, so come a bit early and find a spot for the show. The entertainment usually starts at 8 or 9 pm.
Cheers! And may all of your hours be happy hours.