10. Cadillac Ranch (Cincinnati)—First let me start by expressing my well known disdain for chain bars and restaurants. I will always prefer a dive that nobody has ever heard of. I think chains are destroying the character of our American cities. With that being said, I will now tell you why I love Cadillac Ranch regardless (Yes, CR is a chain; there are 13 locations across this great land).
The Ranch (as a group of friends and I affectionately refer) is a 10,000 sqft bar/restaurant in the heart of downtown Cincinnati. They serve the best fried food, play both types of music, country and classic rock, and most importantly serve delicious/strong drinks (for a chain that is). CR is a great place to enjoy dinner and then come 10pm, roll right into the binge drinking activities. Did I mention they have a mechanical bull? The drunken middle aged women really seem to take a liking to it around 12.
9. Kelly’s Irish Times (Washington DC)—Another interesting choice by me, this time not because Kelly’s is a chain, but because I have only been to this fine establishment one time, and let me tell you, it left a mark.
Kelly’s is a small Irish pub on the Senates side of Capitol Hill. During my journey there from the House side of the Hill (lead by my fearless guide, Meghan) I thought I would never reach this much talked about happy hour spot, but then alas it seemed to descend from the heavens. Kelly’s is a small, old, wonderful place to go on a Friday afternoon and have a casual beer (or 7 in my case). The happy hour deals are great and it is filled with House and Senate staffers alike. I can’t think of a better place to relax on a hot summer afternoon inside the beltway.
8. Hofbrauhaus (Newport, KY)—I know, I know, another chain. This is a much smaller chain than the Ranch. The original Hofbrauhaus is a brewery turned bar in Munich. Since then the bar has spread to the United States, with locations in America’s finest drinking cities; Miami, Chicago, Milwaukee, Las Vegas and of course Cincinnati (Newport).
Hofbra is a massive place with bench style seating. On the weekends you can always catch some great live entertainment, and the beer calendar is top notch. Different beer each month, brewed by the Hofbrauhaus. The $8+ price tag for a single beer may cause some anxiety at first, but when you see the size of the mug and the ABV, you are going to be very happy. Drink fast, or it’ll get warm!
7. Molly Malones (Cincinnati)—Perhaps I am a little bias when it comes to Molly Malones, after all, I do live in the apartment above it. Prejudices aside, Molly Malones is a great Irish Pub in one of Cincinnati’s finest neighborhoods, Pleasant Ridge.
The interior is very classy, almost like an O’Charlies (but not a chain), the large bar is a beautiful dark wood and the lines of Jameson behind the bar are even more stunningly pristine. The folks who come around Molly Malones are regulars and everyone really does know everyone’s name. It is a great week night bar, and a great place to have a few before heading out on the weekends. Oh, and did I mention St. Patrick’s Day.
6. Timothy’s Bar and Grill (Dayton, OH)—Timothy’s Bar and Grill sits on the edge of the University of Dayton Campus. Tim’s, as the students call it, has been a UD staple for decades. Tim’s is probably best known for its wild Thursday nights and its signature drink, the Wall. A wall is a disgusting mess that will knock you on your ass, rather quickly. If you drink 6 in a night, you’ve built a house.
Amenities at Tim’s include a large, filthy dance floor, a lovely smoking patio and a number of crying, dramatic 19 year old women. I also won a free trip to Daytona at Tim’s my senior year, for that, my loyalty will be lifelong.
5. Brickyard Bar and Grill (Daytona Beach, FL)—Every summer for the last 6 years I have made a trip to Daytona Beach. One time for senior trip, once for spring break and the other 4 for the Dayton 2 Daytona trip. Every time I go to Daytona Beach, a stop at the Brickyard Bar and Grill is an absolute must.
I will add, this is the only place on the list known for their food, more than their drinks. The burgers and fries are the best I’ve ever had. The NASCAR memorabilia and atmosphere are simply wonderful, but do not be fooled, the drinks make the Brickyard a word class establishment. The bartender, Bee, makes the best Old Fashioned I’ve ever had. Her husband “Big D” makes the best burgers I’ve ever had. If you miss out on this hidden treasure, give up on life.
4. Eighteenth Street Lounge (Washington DC)—Eighteenth Street Lounge is without question the most pretentious location on my list. ESL is a trendy, urban, expensive bar in the heart of a trendy, urban, expensive neighborhood of Washington. The massive three story building was once home to our 26th President, Teddy Roosevelt. The entire inside is hard wood floors, Victorian era furniture and low lighting. The best DJ’s in the city play there all weekend long, and the biggest names in politics and entertainment host parties at the ESL.
While the drinks are unnecessarily expensive and the people are not always friendly, if you want to feel like you’re on an episode of the Real World, this is the place to come. I also have a soft spot in my heart for this bar because I met both Andrew Breitbart and Laura Bush here.
3. The Kennedy Union Pub (Dayton, OH)—Cafeteria by day, watering hole by night. The KU Pub on the campus of the University of Dayton has been a favorite of UD students for decades. After class on Friday students will file into the dining room where they had their lunch just a few hours before, to enjoy a few ice cold pitchers of their favorite brew with classmates and friends. There really is something special about drinking in the student union. It becomes even more special if you do so before you even return home to drop off you books.
The KU Pub holds a soft spot in the hearts of all UD students. That point was reiterated to the University officials in 2010 when UD announced the Pub would be closings its doors. The student body and alumni pulled together in a truly inspiring manner to raise awareness, money and ultimately, get the Pub open again. So once again, come Friday afternoon you know where you can find the lucky few who get to call themselves Dayton Flyers.
2. Anything in Mt. Adams (Cincinnati)—Cincinnati is a city that I am very fond of, but I will be the first to tell you it can get a little boring. When you’ve been to New York, LA, Miami, DC, Chicago, Vegas, etc… Cincinnati can seem a little low key and often can remind you how “Midwestern” it is. If there is one neighborhood in Cincinnati that lets you forget all of that it is Mt. Adams.
The narrow, winding, steep streets of Mt. Adams make you feel like you’re in a European village rather than a city in Ohio. The quaint shops, restaurants and bars that line the streets add to that effect. During the week it is a quiet, upper-class neighborhood where folks drive their Volvo’s, walk their dogs and sip latte’s. When the weekend comes, Mt Adams turns into the best party Cincinnati has to offer.
Mt. Adams offers world class dining, the best views of the skyline available and some of the coolest bars in the Midwest. The best part; all of that class and sophistication goes out the window on any typical weekend night around 1:45. At that point the hills of Mt. Adams are as loud as any college town, and the streets are soon to be flooded with thousands of twenty-somethings, just trying to make their way back to the suburbs.
1. Flanagan’s Pub (Dayton, OH)—Many are going to scoff at this, many will disagree, some might think Flanagan’s isn’t even a quality bar, to all of those people I say- piss off.
Flanagan’s is nestled quietly on the outskirts of the University of Dayton campus. Wednesday and Thursday nights Flanagan’s sells $1 well drinks all night. This is an amazing deal, and you can really have a good time. Just ask my friend Brett.
There is not a whole lot to say about Flanagan’s… I guess you just have to be there. It is a big open room, with lots of tables and lots of chairs. It is always filled with my best friends and the cheapest drinks. The family that owns it are great people and they love the community and costumers they serve. At the end of the day, there is nothing more I could really ask for in a bar. Thanks Flanagan’s.
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