Spring has officially sprung and warm weather is here to stay.
I’m not sure about you, but my favorite thing about the warm season is all of the great things to do outside in our city.
From rooftop drinks with a view and patio dining vibes, to family friendly days out and evenings with friends, there is something for everyone on this list of outdoor dining options and unique activities to do outdoors in Cincinnati.
Sure there are parks, pools, festivals, and sporting events, to attend (you should definitely do those, too!) but these are ways to enjoy time outside this warm season that maybe you hadn’t done or thought about before.
Drinking Al Fresco
Beer Gardens
Hofbräuhaus* Newport
Get in on the Gemütlichkeit with authentic Bavarian food and bier on the biergarten at America’s first authentic Hofbräuhaus.
hofbrauhausnewport.com
MadTree* Oakley
Dog-friendly beer garden at a centrally located brewery perfect for get-togethers, first dates, fun with friends and family, and so much more.
madtree.com
Mecklenburg Gardens Corryville
Historic German restaurant that was voted among the best beer gardens in the US by Thrillist and #1 in America’s Best Beer Gardens by Travel and Leisure Magazine.
mecklenburgs.com
Northern Row* OTR
Brewery and distillery with a historic taproom in the historic OTR Brewery District, serving excellent food with great outdoor seating.
northernrow.com
Narrow Path Brewing Co. Loveland
Craft brewery in the heart of downtown Loveland, enjoying an onsite food truck plus Loveland Bike Trail views and vibes.
narrowpathbrewing.com
OTR Biergarten at Findlay Market OTR
Take a break from market shopping with vendor fare and a beer on Findlay Market’s Biergarten. Beverages (including NA) served by Jane’s outdoor bar.
findlaymarket.org
OTR StillHouse OTR
OTR’s largest indoor/outdoor venue serving house-made brews and wines; complete with a large beer garden and onsite food truck.
otrstillhouse.com
The Porch at Washington Park OTR
Take a break from shopping at a park market or from enjoying the playground or splash pad to kick back and relax with a beverage on The Porch. Bring your own food.
washingtonpark.org
Queen City Radio OTR
For a more authentic biergarten experience, grab Lübecker fare to have with your drink(s). Prost!
QCR Bar and Beer Garden, The Lübecker
Samuel Adams Cincinnati Taproom* OTR
The Samuel Adams Cincinnati Brewery has become Samuel Adams’ main production brewery. Enjoy innovative styles and experimental beers on the beer garden at the Cincy Taproom.
samadamscincy.com
Sonder Brewing Mason
Enjoy excellent brewery fare courtesy of Brewriver at Sonder while taking in the large dog-friendly beer garden.
sonderbrewing.com
Rooftops
21c Museum Hotel* Cocktail Terrace Central Business District (CBD)
Raw bar by Metropole, boozy slushies, and cocktails.
[temporarily closed]
21cmuseumhotels.com
AC Upper Deck at AC Hotel Cincinnati The Banks
Panoramic views of the riverfront, Northern Kentucky, Paycor Stadium, and Great American Ball Park.
Food: Tapas menu onsite
acupperdeck.com
Braxton Brewing Company Covington
5000-square-foot rooftop patio with seating, shade, full bar, and views of Covington and downtown.
Food: Dewey’s Pizza
braxtonbrewing.com
BrewDog Cincinnati Pendleton
Enjoy Mt. Adams and Downtown Cincinnati views from the rooftop just two hours south of BrewDog’s American HQ.
Food: Full menu onsite
Hi-Wire Brewing Norwood
Asheville-based brewery with rooftop views of Factory 52’s grand courtyard where there will be live music performances and movies.
Food: The Gatherall Food Hall is coming soon to Factory 52
hiwirebrewing.com
Pins Mechanical OTR
Take a break from duckpin bowling with a signature cocktail and views of OTR’s historic architecture.
Food: Bring your own
pinsbar.com
Rhinegeist* OTR
Serving up craft beer and spanning vistas of OTR, the Central Business District, and the West End.
Food: Local Cantina in the taproom
rhinegeist.com
The View at Shires Garden* CBD
City views of Northern Kentucky and the Roebling Bridge, as well as Paycor Stadium and more.
Food: Full menu onsite
Patio Dining
Arnold’s Bar & Grill CBD
Cozy patio and courtyard with live music several days a week; serving elevated bar and American food.
arnoldsbarandgrill.com
Arthur’s Hyde Park
Cafe and bar with an urban oasis-like patio area, serving award-winning burgers and so much more.
arthurscincinnati.com
Cabana on the River Sayler Park
Ohio River views, live entertainment, and a menu of American food. (Reservations are not accepted.)
cabanaontheriver.com
Che* OTR
Serving Argentina’s favorite street foods, complete with an Argentinian countryside patio oasis.
checincinnati.com
Element Eatery Madisonville
More than 10 food experiences, 48-tap beer garden, live music, and community events, as well as 250 outdoor seats.
element-eatery.com
Incline Public House Price Hill
Standing atop the former Price Hill Incline, this bar and eatery serves scratch-made fare with panoramic views of downtown and the Ohio River from the 1400-square-foot patio.
inclinepublichouse.com
Kreimer’s Bier Haus Miamitown
A unique German-American cuisine experience, plus a festival-style atmosphere, which enjoys live music and scenic Great Miami River views.
bierhauswest.net
MadTree Alcove* OTR
A nook of nature in the heart of OTR, serving farm-to-table foods, beer, and craft cocktails.
madtreebrewing.com
Moerlein Lager House* CBD
An original and mainstay of the Cincinnati culinary and brewing scene, the Lager House serves German-American fare and enjoys Riverfront and Roebling views. It is conveniently situated amid Smale Park, The Banks, and Great American Ball Park.
moerleinlagerhouse.com
Somm Wine Bar Price Hill
Wine bar and bistro in the Incline District of Price Hill, which enjoys an ambient garden patio and live music on Friday nights.
sommwinebarcincinnati.com
Streateries in OTR
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the “streateries” program was created, which has supported more than 80 businesses downtown and has created 1500 new dining seats spread across parklets, sidewalk expansions, and street closures.
Examples: parklets at Krueger’s, LouVino*, and Taste of Belgium; street closures at 15th between Vine and Republic, and 14th between Republic and Race; plus many more.
Activities
Bark Park + Patio* Florence
Dog park and local craft beer taproom that provides a backyard experience and local food vendors.
barkparkpatio.com
Court Street Plaza* CBD
Enjoy events, food festivals, proximity to On the Rhine Eatery*, and outdoor seating at places such as Pilar and Mid City Restaurant.
courtstreetcincy.com
FC Cincinnati* West End
Cincinnati’s Major League Soccer team, which calls TQL Stadium in the West End home, is one of the most family friendly sports experiences in the area.
fccincinnati.com
Findlay Market OTR
Events, food tours, outdoor market, and vendors as part of Ohio’s oldest continuously operated public market and one of Cincinnati’s most cherished institutions.
findlaymarket.org
Florence Y’alls* Florence
The area’s most family friendly sporting event. Every home Sunday game is Family Sunday, where kids can run the bases get autographs from available players after the game.
Fountain Square* CBD
Enjoy events, live music, food trucks, and so much more (including the UC Health Ice Rink in the winter and Frisch’s Roller Rink this warm season) at one of Cincinnati’s most notable landmarks.
myfountainsquare.com
SS Tiki Tours*
Private Ohio River Cruises that are great for sightseeing, events, celebrations, birthdays, and bachelor[ette] parties.
sstikitours.com
Summit Park Blue Ash
130-acre world class park featuring free workouts, markets, year-round events, and several options to Eat at Summit Park.
summitparkblueash.com
Sunday Afternoon Picnics*
Pop-up custom picnics for special occasions like birthday parties, date nights, or just because.
sundayafternoonpicnics.com
Washington Park* OTR
Live music, year-round events, markets, and so much more, as well as snacks at beverages at The Porch and a splash pad in the warm months.
washingtonpark.org
Ziegler Park* Pendleton
Ziegler Park’s unique 4.5-acre footprint features east and west sections separated by Sycamore Street and features a pool, open play areas, workout classes, and summer camps for neighborhood youth.
zieglerpark.org
Be sure to save this post for the next time you are planning an outdoor event—whether it be a family friendly day out or an evening with friends.
Get to any of these by Metro* or the fare free Connector, especially if you want to avoid paying for parking and/or drinking and driving.
Have questions or want a custom recommendation based on event type, party size, and budget? Just ask!
*Everything Cincy partner
Written by: Linsey Kraeling – Woman, wife, and mother about town, proud millennial, and lifelong Cincinnatian with an invested interest in community involvement and having a full plate—literally and figuratively. Follow along with and read more about eating like a sophisticated six-year-old, supporting local, and acting like a tourist in her own city at instagram.com/linsinnati and tourdecincinnati.com.