The Readers Speak Out- Favorite Neighborhood Bars Around Greater Cincinnati

It's been a little over a week since I addressed the question to you regarding your favorite neighborhood bars around town, and there were plenty of great responses from our readers!

Neighborhood bars, much like mom-and-pop restaurants, each have their own unique character to them. While they all aren't universally liked, they each bring a special quality to where certain people can feel comfortable in each place. These places do not necessarily have to be the hip establishments downtown, although there's nothing wrong in enjoying that kind of atmosphere. Some of these bars are very down-to-earth and laid back, while others may have a more energetic feel to them, in spite of their location.

Judging by the comments, it seems as if Murphy's Pub right here in Clifton is a very popular place for people to go to. Carly Behringer mentions proximity as a big factor of why she enjoys going there.

"I love going to Murphy's Pub," she said.  "It's right around the corner from my house so it's literally within walking distance. My bartender is one of my good friends so it's always fun to go there and just hang out. Usually on Monday, Murphy's has free pizza around 10 or 11 p.m. and has free hot dogs everyday. There usually aren't live bands, but they have a good music selection. In short, Murphy's is a really cool place with awesome, cheap drinks and super nice bartenders."

Adam Niemeyer also throws his hat into the ring regarding Murphy's, mentioning that the bar is his go-to place when hanging out with friends.

"I don't live in the Clifton area but usually if I go out with my friends we go to Murphy's," he said. "It's got a really laid back atmosphere--at least to me, and I don't like crazy loud places so Murphy's usually suits me."

While we can ascertain that Murphy's is a very popular bar in Clifton, it certainly isn't the only option for students to go to. Eli Johnson mentions another neat bar in Clifton that is friendly to more than just humans.

"Neon's is the place to be," he said. "They have free pool, an Xbox 360 and an awesome beer selection. Also, it's dog friendly. I guess that's a pro and a con. I know more more than one Neon's patron who has left with a "muddy shoe.""

Yikes! Let's hope that you're pretty inebriated if and when such a thing occurs. Hopefully you won't remember it.

Moving toward the East Side, Syndey Benter mentions a great hang-out place where there is a nice, European-like environment.

"The Pub at Rookwood is fun in the summer months when they open the place up and you can sit outside," she said. "They have an authentic London Pub feel and they offer a variety of cool beers."

Heading south on I-71 toward the bright lights of downtown, Gin Ando mentions a hip hang-out for anyone interested in hearing great jazz and great stories.

"The Blue Wisp, bar none," he says. "Every person you meet there (who's been there before, at least) has a story. I've met so many interesting people, heard so many interesting stories and saw Cannonball Adderley's most talented (in my opinion) drummer Louis Hayes there. I learned how to roll a cigarette there and I learned how to drink Scotch there."

"It's the one place I can honestly, truly honestly, say I will never tire of going to," he said. "I went there on dates, I went there after break-ups and, well, it's a jazz club so of course they have good music."

Having personally been to the Blue Wisp myself, I would have to agree with Gin. The place has fantastic music, and some jazz giants will occasionally pass through from time to time, like the aforementioned Louis Hayes.

Switching gears and atmospheres, Ben Grewe mentions a saloon where competition is present on the outside via games, and on the inside by "Cougars."

"It's a little north of town, but Back Porch Saloon is by far my favorite local joint to drink, eat and rock some outdoor volleyball," he said. "They even have cornhole... in the winter if you're brave enough. No particular story sticks out in my mind, but a few of my friends and I practice a skill we refer to as "Cougar Dodging." The place is full of them, and it's always a good laugh watching them stalk their prey. Their black and bleu burger is unreal, by the way."

Rounding out the comments from our readers is Nick Grever, who tells of a lively bar in Northern Kentucky where there are plenty of activities to do while having a good time.

"The Crazy Fox in Northern Kentucky is a few minutes from the Levee, but a world away," he said. "I love the place, it's a great environment, tons of great regulars and the nicest bartenders you'll ever meet. No food is served, but drink prices are great. There's also pool, darts, pinball, a great jukebox and a few TVs placed around for watching the game (but not so many that they're overwhelming)."

This post just scratched the surface regarding great neighborhood bars around town. Perhaps some of you out there may be wondering where to go when hanging out with your friends for a night on the town. Hopefully our readers have enlightened regarding bars worth hitting up for a good time. Thanks again everybody, and take care!

The Readers Speak Out: Hidden Gems around Cincinnati

When it comes to locally-owned, "mom and pop" restaurants, each one has their own unique, special quality to them. Whether that quality is in their atmosphere, their service, their food or a combination of the three, each person that goes to any place like these will find some special quality in them that they find enjoyable. However, more often than not, these places are unknown to the general public, which means that their reputation has to be spread by word of mouth from patrons like ourselves.

Recently, I asked you, the readers, a question regarding your favorite "hidden gems" around Greater Cincinnati, and several of you came up with some great places that sound very appealing to visit.

Reader Adam Niemeyer mentioned two great establishments on the West Side of Cincinnati, Price Hill Chili and Proud Rooster, both located on Glenway Avenue. Here's what he said:

"As I said before, I'm a West Side guy through and through, and I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on Price Hill Chili. Although it might be safer if you venture to PHC with a West Sider so you don't end up drowning in purple!

And I might not consider PHC really a "hidden gem" either since it gets plenty of publicity.

One place I really enjoy is the Proud Rooster (which has a location on Glenway Ave as well as one closer to campus I believe). They've got some really cheap breakfast deals and the service (at least here on the West Side) is generally very good."

Another one of our readers, Ben Grewe, mentioned another restaurant on Glenway.

"J & J Restaurant on Glenway is truly a hidden one. A cash-only diner, it has the biggest deli sandwiches you have ever seen (literally), all awesome, and all about $5. Worth the drive."

Hannah McCartney brought up a great place down in Newport that certainly sounds like something worth visiting when you want a touch of class and local flavor:

"The York St. Cafe in Newport is really cool! It's kind of hidden among a residential area and the inside of the restaurant is so cool. The walls are completely covered with little knick-knacks and pieces of art. It's a little pricey and I would never go there just on a whim--it would have to be for a special occasion--but it's so worth it!"  

When it comes to discovering local gems around the area, it is always interesting to hear the opinions from someone who is not from the Greater Cincinnati area. Jackie Turner was kind enough to provide her thoughts on a classic Clifton staple for hungry UC students:

"Not being from the Cincy area, I am still trying to find my neighborhood gem. In Clifton however, I have grown very fond of Krishna. The five booth, Styrofoam containers, and warm smell of Indian spice greets you as you walk through the door. My favorite is the chicken tikka masala. and I am a wimp, seeing as I only get a 2 on the spice level, but the flavor is what keeps me going back!"

Heading slightly south to downtown, Nick Grever provided us with a late-night staple of downtown bar-hoppers that also features some great food and atmosphere:

"Shanghai Mama's is great. It's downtown, open late, has great Asian cuisine and a wonderful atmosphere. It's a little pricey, but being able to watch the bar crowd and eat delicious food at the same time is worth it."

Finally, while I wasn't able to feature each and every comment from you in this brief recap, I also had someone from Facebook chime in on this discussion. Shane Harrison mentioned a great breakfast eatery not too far from UC off of Reading Road in Paddock Hills:

"Sugar and Spice is a breakfast and lunch diner with GREAT food, good food portions, good people that work there, and finally there is AMAZING art work on the inside. If you live around Clifton, or off Reading you NEED to check this place out."

These aforementioned comments are just a small sampling of some of the great hidden gems around Greater Cincinnati. While this is by no means comprehensive, they give you a variety of places to go around the area, should you feel particularly adventurous. Feel free to chime in on some more places in the comments section.

I would like to thank each and every one of you that was kind enough to leave great recommendations on places to go, and I will definitely post another question to you well-informed readers soon. Take care, everybody!