Irish Bars Take Over in the German Town of Cincinnati, Ohio
O’Bryan’s Irish Pub, located at 1998 Madison Road, is in a neighborhood of Cincinnati aptly named O’Bryanville. The atmosphere is as Irish as the name at this bar. O’Bryans is a friendly neighborhood pub, somewhat off the beaten path and full of locals. Driving down Madison Road to reach this pub patrons may begins to think they are in the wrong part of town, but quickly they are transported into a quaint little part of Cincinnati. Charming buildings house stores, bars, and cafes at ground level and apartments up above. It is not difficult to imagine living in one of these apartments and coming home from a long day at work and stopping in at O’Bryan’s for a much needed beer. Definitely a place where everyone could know your name, during the week that is. On Friday and Saturday nights O’Bryan’s comes alive and the young crowd takes over. Rowdy and lively, this is definitely a hip hangout. Traditional pub grub can be found at O’Bryan’s, as well as the requisite for all Irish bars, peanuts still in the shell. Upstairs guest will find a quaint outdoor patio that is perfect for those warm summer evenings.
RP McMurphy’s Irish Bar, located at 2910 Wasson Road, is one extremely popular Irish bar in Cincinnati. Well known for its whiskey selection, RP McMurphy’s also has an extensive list of beers. Beers like Blue Moon are served on special different nights of the week for less than three dollars a draft. If crowds are not your thing do not go to this bar! The evenings here will start out calm enough, but as the band gears up you will quickly realize what a sardine feels like! Trips to the bathroom need to be started well in advance, as the wall of people is not easily broken through. Barrels of peanuts, lots of beer, and great music all come together this Cincinnati favorite. Local bands like H Bomb and the Music Men whip the crowd into a frenzy of blues, while hip alternative bands provide a great backdrop to peruse the crowd for an old friend. RP McMurphy’s is a tiny bar that is cozy in the winter, a perfect spot to pass those cold Cincinnati nights away in. A small loft upstairs provides additional seating and gives patron a great location to take in the band or people watch the crowd below. Drinks are moderately priced, considering its ritzy Hyde Park location and the atmosphere is definitely casual.
Hap’s Irish Pub, located at 3510 Erie Avenue in Hyde Park, has been voted Cincinnati’s Best Overall Irish Bar by the Best of Cincinnati. The most authentic Irish bar in the Cincinnati area, Haps definitely pays homage to the true Ireland. The original owner, Gordon Thomas, built this bar to mirror the Irish bars he saw during his travels. Pictures of the Pope and Ireland dot the wall and it is not unusual to hear an Irish accent or two at this pub. Hap’s was named after Gordon’s father and the tradition of memorializing the patrons continues with brass plaques on the bar stools that humor long time patrons past and present. Corned beef and Irish stew are favorites on the menu here, but patrons will quickly notice one missing American favorite, green beer. Green beer does not exist in this hallowed Irish pub, and I wouldn’t ask for it. Locals visit the pub any day of the week to watch soccer matches and the local Catholic University, Xavier’s, basketball games. Burning candles lit during the games tell you that Xavier basketball is not merely a sport to these patrons, but a local religion.
Pub at Rookwood Mews, located at 2692 Madison Road, is more of an upscale Irish Bar, if there should be such a thing. Millions were poured into this bar to create an American interpretation of what a perfect Irish bar should be. Grand scale out weighs traditional quaint charm in this Irish pub. This is a bar where people come to see and be seen. Patrons young and old groomed into perfection, crowd into this local nightspot, looking like an ad for J Crew or Calvin Kline. Their backdrop is dark wood paneled walls, speckled with stonework and Irish d�©cor. Great wooden tables dot the floor and a patio looks out onto the Rookwood shopping pavilion. In the center of the pub is a massive wooden bar. Old world charm oozes from this masterpiece and literally cries for patrons to come up and take a seat while they sip on their refreshing lager. This bar definitely transports you out of Cincinnati, if only temporarily, into a world of Ireland as it was meant to be. Beyond all the hoopla though, the food is great here and you can find a full bar with an amazing beer selection, all the liquors, and a great wine list. Traditional Irish beers, like Guinness and Old Speckled Hens are the favorites here, as well as black and tans.
The Dubliner, although not exactly in Cincinnati, is close enough in nearby Pleasant Ridge to make it a favorite among the residents of Cincinnati. Although, it may be the traditional Irish food, more than the location that keeps locals coming back again and again. Fanfare is set aside here and visitors can find a truly Irish experience at this local pub. The Dubliner was voted best Shepherd Pie from the Best of Cincinnati and it is an honor they do not give lightly. Real lamb is ground for this traditional Irish fare; no ground beef will be substituted at The Dubliner. Colcannon cheese, a traditional Irish cheese, gives this dish an authentic taste. Served with real Irish soda bread, lumps and all, and great salty butter, this is an inexpensive way to celebrate Ireland with out the expensive plane ticket! Their beer list is extensive and as authentic as their Shepard’s Pie. There is definitely no better place to fill your belly and your heart on a cold Cincinnati night.
