Cincinnati trip -- any recommendations? (1 Viewer)

[Alex P Keaton]

Hey all - a few of us are doing a roadtrip to Cincinnati in 2 weeks for the Packers-Bengals game. Since we'll be there a couple days, wondered if any locals have advice on stuff to do, food to eat, etc.

Really appreciate it. Any other FBGs going to the game?

 

[Guster]

What sort of things would you like to know about?

 

[WampusCat43]

13th & Vine area downtown is the current trendy spot. The Levee, across the river in Newport, is also popular.

But the big thing is the Oktoberfest, one of the largest in the world.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

What sort of things would you like to know about?

Places to eat or sightsee that locals would recommend. Like Skyline Chili (or whatever others would suggest).

 

[Alex P Keaton]

13th & Vine area downtown is the current trendy spot. The Levee, across the river in Newport, is also popular.

But the big thing is the Oktoberfest, one of the largest in the world.

awesome.

 

[jon_mx]

Last time I was there I ate at Mitchell's Fish Market in Newport. Extremely fresh fish cooked to perfection. Everything was delicious. It has a very nice atmosphere and it is right on the river with a good view of the statium and city. After lunch/dinner you can walk around and cross the Central Bridge. There are several other resturants/bars and shopping all situated together there.

ETA: I guess that is considered the Levee

 

[beercat]

The Banks between the baseball and football stadiums. Christian Moerlien Lager House and the Yard House

Montgomery Inn Boathouse

Horseshoe Casino

Hofbrauhaus in Newport

 

[chidoy]

The Banks between the baseball and football stadiums. Christian Moerlien Lager House and the Yard House

Montgomery Inn Boathouse

Horseshoe Casino

Hofbrauhaus in Newport

This. Welcome to the 513... we'll take good care of you.

 

[Keerock]

If you have any interest in seeing an awesome college campus/atmosphere, and a mediocre Div I football game, I would highly recommend taking the trip to Miami University in Oxford (about a 20-30 minute drive or so) on Saturday. They actually play Cincinnati that day.

 

[Fennis]

I would recommend you dont go.

 

[Timmay]

The Banks between the baseball and football stadiums. Christian Moerlien Lager House and the Yard House

Montgomery Inn Boathouse

Horseshoe Casino

Hofbrauhaus in Newport

This. Welcome to the 513... we'll take good care of you.

This X2.

Banks is where it is at downtown Cincinnati. Christian Morlien, Yard House, Holy Grail, Tin Roof, Jefferson Social, Toby Keith's.

If you are looking for something different than downtown, I would recommend the Levee in Newport (KY). Hoffbrauhaus and Brothers are really the only 2 places that I would recommend.

FWIW: Gold Star Chili > Skyline.

 

[Homer J Simpson]

Montgomery Inn. Insanely good ribs.

Everything else is secondary.

 

[doowain]

I echo what everyone else has said here. Moerlein Lager House is my favorite spot in the summer. They have a biergarten and a nice view of the river. In the middle of everything (ballpark across street and the rest of The Banks one block to the north). Their beers are brewed here and are pretty good. You have to try the Moer Burger with a Hefeweizen. I've raved about the burger in other threads.

I'd also add that you try out Tom+Chee. They've been featured on a few TV shows including Adam Lantman's Best Sandwich in America. There is one downtown and one on the Levee. Get ya a BBQ n Bacon (Grippos chips and bacon) on a glazed donut. *drool*

Website

 

[moleculo]

:star:

 

[Guster]

What sort of things would you like to know about?

Places to eat or sightsee that locals would recommend. Like Skyline Chili (or whatever others would suggest).

Ok... How long are you going to be in town for? What's the age range of the group? Any single guys? Where do you fall on the scale of hipster to mainstream?

Do you know where you'll be staying?

 

[shuke]

Montgomery Inn. Insanely good ribs.

Overrated. If you are interested in real bbq let me know.

 

[shuke]

What sort of things would you like to know about?

Places to eat or sightsee that locals would recommend. Like Skyline Chili (or whatever others would suggest).

Ok... How long are you going to be in town for? What's the age range of the group? Any single guys? Where do you fall on the scale of hipster to mainstream?

Do you know where you'll be staying?

I thought you were hosting this cornhole and we were all crashing at your place?

By the way, I see a lot of Levee recommendations. Hofbrauhaus is cool, but there is there really a lot of other stuff for a group of guys to do there?

Also, it looks like we have enough in here to get the league fired back up.

 

[UniAlias]

I've heard good things about an upscale place called Club Venus.

 

[FDAS]

Montgomery Inn. Insanely good ribs.

Overrated. If you are interested in real bbq let me know.

As usual, Shuke nailed it. Montgomery Inn bbq sauce tastes like ketchup.

 

[cj*]

If you are looking to tailgate, I tailgate with a pretty large group in lot 1. Lot 1 is on the northwest side of the stadium (home side away from the river). They are called "the Bengal bomb squad". Look for the 20 foot flags and lots of people under the overpass in that lot. 10 bucks gets you all you can eat and drink plus it is just a fun group. They do giveaways each game of signed bengals stuff and sometimes have former players as special guests. Visiting fans of other teams are always welcome.

 

[beercat]

Montgomery Inn. Insanely good ribs.

Overrated. If you are interested in real bbq let me know.

Eli's?

 

[Alex P Keaton]

What sort of things would you like to know about?

Places to eat or sightsee that locals would recommend. Like Skyline Chili (or whatever others would suggest).

Ok... How long are you going to be in town for? What's the age range of the group? Any single guys? Where do you fall on the scale of hipster to mainstream?

Do you know where you'll be staying?

In town for 2 days, 2 nights. Staying near the airport (unfortunately). Everyone is in their 30s. Nobody is single, though many of us wish we were.

None of us are hipsters, but we all enjoy hipster neighborhoods more than ####ty yuppie bars.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

If you are looking to tailgate, I tailgate with a pretty large group in lot 1. Lot 1 is on the northwest side of the stadium (home side away from the river). They are called "the Bengal bomb squad". Look for the 20 foot flags and lots of people under the overpass in that lot. 10 bucks gets you all you can eat and drink plus it is just a fun group. They do giveaways each game of signed bengals stuff and sometimes have former players as special guests. Visiting fans of other teams are always welcome.

Very cool. Sounds like a great time - hope we are able to join.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Last time I was there I ate at Mitchell's Fish Market in Newport. Extremely fresh fish cooked to perfection. Everything was delicious. It has a very nice atmosphere and it is right on the river with a good view of the statium and city. After lunch/dinner you can walk around and cross the Central Bridge. There are several other resturants/bars and shopping all situated together there.

ETA: I guess that is considered the Levee

Thx jon. Is the Central Bridge....the bridge that was designed by the same guy who built the Brooklyn Bridge?

 

[Alex P Keaton]

The Banks between the baseball and football stadiums. Christian Moerlien Lager House and the Yard House

Montgomery Inn Boathouse

Horseshoe Casino

Hofbrauhaus in Newport

This. Welcome to the 513... we'll take good care of you.

This X2.

Banks is where it is at downtown Cincinnati. Christian Morlien, Yard House, Holy Grail, Tin Roof, Jefferson Social, Toby Keith's.

If you are looking for something different than downtown, I would recommend the Levee in Newport (KY). Hoffbrauhaus and Brothers are really the only 2 places that I would recommend.

FWIW: Gold Star Chili > Skyline.

A lot of these spots sound fantastic. We're definitely hitting Morlein Lager House.

Is there a consensus that Gold Star Chili is the best? I really need to try this (in)famous Cincinnati chili.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Montgomery Inn. Insanely good ribs.

Overrated. If you are interested in real bbq let me know.

I'm interested in real bbq....although....is Cincinnati really the place for bbq?

 

[Alex P Keaton]

I echo what everyone else has said here. Moerlein Lager House is my favorite spot in the summer. They have a biergarten and a nice view of the river. In the middle of everything (ballpark across street and the rest of The Banks one block to the north). Their beers are brewed here and are pretty good. You have to try the Moer Burger with a Hefeweizen. I've raved about the burger in other threads.

I'd also add that you try out Tom+Chee. They've been featured on a few TV shows including Adam Lantman's Best Sandwich in America. There is one downtown and one on the Levee. Get ya a BBQ n Bacon (Grippos chips and bacon) on a glazed donut. *drool*

Website

Moerlein sounds really cool. So does Tom + Chee.

Have any of you been to Oktoberfest? I didn't realize that Cincinnati had such a well-known Oktoberfest. How does it rate?

 

[Keerock]

If you have any interest in seeing an awesome college campus/atmosphere, and a mediocre Div I football game, I would highly recommend taking the trip to Miami University in Oxford (about a 20-30 minute drive or so) on Saturday. They actually play Cincinnati that day.

There's a Skyline in Oxford... But FWIW I prefer Gold Star too...

 

[shuke]

Is there a consensus that Gold Star Chili is the best? I really need to try this (in)famous Cincinnati chili.

No consensus. I would hit either the Skyline in Clifton (near UC) or Camp Washington Chili. Both easily accessible off I-75.

 

[shuke]

Montgomery Inn. Insanely good ribs.

Overrated. If you are interested in real bbq let me know.

I'm interested in real bbq....although....is Cincinnati really the place for bbq?

No, it's not. But somehow Montgomery Inn is the place to recommend for out-of-towners. It's just not that good.

 

[Bonzai]

Agree with most of the above. Lager House and Hofbrauhaus are your best bets.

 

[Bonzai]

13th & Vine area downtown is the current trendy spot. The Levee, across the river in Newport, is also popular.

But the big thing is the Oktoberfest, one of the largest in the world.

Neons is a good place to end up. Haven't been there in a while though..

 

[Timmay]

Having your hotel out by the airport doesn't really make a whole lot of things easily accessible. Taxi cab might cost a pretty penny getting downtown/near some action. It might have been worth it to spend the extra cash to get a hotel downtown or even in Newport.

Eli's BBQ >>> Montgomery Inn. Montgomery Inn is good but way overrated in these parts.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Montgomery Inn. Insanely good ribs.

Overrated. If you are interested in real bbq let me know.

I'm interested in real bbq....although....is Cincinnati really the place for bbq?

No, it's not. But somehow Montgomery Inn is the place to recommend for out-of-towners. It's just not that good.

Got it. Appreciate you steering me away from it.

 

[Alex P Keaton]

Having your hotel out by the airport doesn't really make a whole lot of things easily accessible. Taxi cab might cost a pretty penny getting downtown/near some action. It might have been worth it to spend the extra cash to get a hotel downtown or even in Newport.

Eli's BBQ >>> Montgomery Inn. Montgomery Inn is good but way overrated in these parts.

It's not a huge deal. We'll just drive and park downtown anyway, and someone in the group will do limited drinking so they can drive.

 

[Timmay]

What sort of things would you like to know about?

Places to eat or sightsee that locals would recommend. Like Skyline Chili (or whatever others would suggest).

Ok... How long are you going to be in town for? What's the age range of the group? Any single guys? Where do you fall on the scale of hipster to mainstream?

Do you know where you'll be staying?

I thought you were hosting this cornhole and we were all crashing at your place?

By the way, I see a lot of Levee recommendations. Hofbrauhaus is cool, but there is there really a lot of other stuff for a group of guys to do there?

Also, it looks like we have enough in here to get the league fired back up.

what is this league you speak of?

 

[Timmay]

Having your hotel out by the airport doesn't really make a whole lot of things easily accessible. Taxi cab might cost a pretty penny getting downtown/near some action. It might have been worth it to spend the extra cash to get a hotel downtown or even in Newport.

Eli's BBQ >>> Montgomery Inn. Montgomery Inn is good but way overrated in these parts.

It's not a huge deal. We'll just drive and park downtown anyway, and someone in the group will do limited drinking so they can drive.

That is good then, I didn't know if you would be taking taxis everywhere or driving yourselves.

 

[MikeIke]

There's a cool museum housed in what used to be a beautiful train station.

 

[cheese]

I echo what everyone else has said here. Moerlein Lager House is my favorite spot in the summer. They have a biergarten and a nice view of the river. In the middle of everything (ballpark across street and the rest of The Banks one block to the north). Their beers are brewed here and are pretty good. You have to try the Moer Burger with a Hefeweizen. I've raved about the burger in other threads.

I'd also add that you try out Tom+Chee. They've been featured on a few TV shows including Adam Lantman's Best Sandwich in America. There is one downtown and one on the Levee. Get ya a BBQ n Bacon (Grippos chips and bacon) on a glazed donut. *drool*

Website

Moerlein sounds really cool. So does Tom + Chee.

Have any of you been to Oktoberfest? I didn't realize that Cincinnati had such a well-known Oktoberfest. How does it rate?

Yardhouse has the best beer selection and can easily be done same night as Moerlein. Very short walk from 1 to the other.

Oktoberfest is a huge deal because of the German heritage. It is likely to spill over to Haufbrauhaus late at night, so if you go there, try to make it your last stop (11-2ish IMO)

The area Wampus referenced earlier is Over-the-Rhine

Skyline chili is the most famous one.

The casino is legit

 

[prhof14]

If you are going to Newport check out the brass a ss

 

[trogg78]

If you are going to Newport check out the brass a ss

Tracy Jones?

 

[WampusCat43]

I echo what everyone else has said here. Moerlein Lager House is my favorite spot in the summer. They have a biergarten and a nice view of the river. In the middle of everything (ballpark across street and the rest of The Banks one block to the north). Their beers are brewed here and are pretty good. You have to try the Moer Burger with a Hefeweizen. I've raved about the burger in other threads.

I'd also add that you try out Tom+Chee. They've been featured on a few TV shows including Adam Lantman's Best Sandwich in America. There is one downtown and one on the Levee. Get ya a BBQ n Bacon (Grippos chips and bacon) on a glazed donut. *drool*

Website

Moerlein sounds really cool. So does Tom + Chee.

Have any of you been to Oktoberfest? I didn't realize that Cincinnati had such a well-known Oktoberfest. How does it rate?

The fest is probably the single biggest event of the year here. Massive crowds. Right on fountain square. Can be tough to get a beer at peak times.

Eli's is ridonkulous good. Not downtown, though.

 

[WampusCat43]

What sort of things would you like to know about?

Places to eat or sightsee that locals would recommend. Like Skyline Chili (or whatever others would suggest).

Ok... How long are you going to be in town for? What's the age range of the group? Any single guys? Where do you fall on the scale of hipster to mainstream?

Do you know where you'll be staying?

I thought you were hosting this cornhole and we were all crashing at your place?

By the way, I see a lot of Levee recommendations. Hofbrauhaus is cool, but there is there really a lot of other stuff for a group of guys to do there?

Also, it looks like we have enough in here to get the league fired back up.

what is this league you speak of?

Still one of my favorite threads evah. The first draft was insane. 12 of us, total strangers, floated an entire keg and went back for more.

I need to post a pic of the draft board we had one year. I just ran across it the other day. Probably 2008 vintage. Half the guys on there aren't even in the NFL now.

 

[Guster]

I echo what everyone else has said here. Moerlein Lager House is my favorite spot in the summer. They have a biergarten and a nice view of the river. In the middle of everything (ballpark across street and the rest of The Banks one block to the north). Their beers are brewed here and are pretty good. You have to try the Moer Burger with a Hefeweizen. I've raved about the burger in other threads.

I'd also add that you try out Tom+Chee. They've been featured on a few TV shows including Adam Lantman's Best Sandwich in America. There is one downtown and one on the Levee. Get ya a BBQ n Bacon (Grippos chips and bacon) on a glazed donut. *drool*

Website

Moerlein sounds really cool. So does Tom + Chee. Have any of you been to Oktoberfest? I didn't realize that Cincinnati had such a well-known Oktoberfest. How does it rate?

Ok, here are some recos:

Rhinegeist for some beer and cornhole

Senate for awesome fancy hot dogs and French fries

Moerlein is ok, it's usual crowd is a bit douchy for me... That whole area (The Banks) isn't really my scene, but there are always plenty of hot chicks to ogle but they're usually with huge ##### bags

Terry's Turf Club for the best burger you'll ever have

Neon's for some beers and life sized jenga (plus there should be some good scenery)

Bakersfield for hipster tacos, PBR in a boot for $2 and great chips and quest

Igby's can be a good spot for lady watching

Beer Sellar in NKY is a pretty fun spot, right next to Hooters on the river

Second largest Oktoberfest in the world. This year George Takei is leading the chicken dance... Can't go wrong

I'll echo that its crowded and that can be a bit obnoxious at times, but hey, it's drinking beers in the streets of our fine city with lots of live music.

 

[Guster]

What sort of things would you like to know about?

Places to eat or sightsee that locals would recommend. Like Skyline Chili (or whatever others would suggest).

Ok... How long are you going to be in town for? What's the age range of the group? Any single guys? Where do you fall on the scale of hipster to mainstream?

Do you know where you'll be staying?

I thought you were hosting this cornhole and we were all crashing at your place?

By the way, I see a lot of Levee recommendations. Hofbrauhaus is cool, but there is there really a lot of other stuff for a group of guys to do there?

Also, it looks like we have enough in here to get the league fired back up.

Always up for hosting a cornhole!

 

[Guster]

The Banks between the baseball and football stadiums. Christian Moerlien Lager House and the Yard House

Montgomery Inn Boathouse

Horseshoe Casino

Hofbrauhaus in Newport

This. Welcome to the 513... we'll take good care of you.

This X2.

Banks is where it is at downtown Cincinnati. Christian Morlien, Yard House, Holy Grail, Tin Roof, Jefferson Social, Toby Keith's.

If you are looking for something different than downtown, I would recommend the Levee in Newport (KY). Hoffbrauhaus and Brothers are really the only 2 places that I would recommend.

FWIW: Gold Star Chili > Skyline.

A lot of these spots sound fantastic. We're definitely hitting Morlein Lager House.

Is there a consensus that Gold Star Chili is the best? I really need to try this (in)famous Cincinnati chili.

For the chains, I prefer Skyline and its what most people think of when they hear Cincinnati chili. There are some local spots that are better, but harder to get to

 

[Guster]

Montgomery Inn. Insanely good ribs.

Overrated. If you are interested in real bbq let me know.

I'm interested in real bbq....although....is Cincinnati really the place for bbq?

No. Even the best BBQ here is just ok

 

[Guster]

Is there a consensus that Gold Star Chili is the best? I really need to try this (in)famous Cincinnati chili.

No consensus. I would hit either the Skyline in Clifton (near UC) or Camp Washington Chili. Both easily accessible off I-75.

The Clifton Skyline (@ Ludlow and Clifton Av) is the best spot for Skyline.

Camp Washington or Price Hill Chili are probably the best local spots

 

[Guster]

Oh, a couple other spots that just popped into my head...

The 21c rooftop bar. A bit to wannabe yuppie scene for me, but gives you a great view of the city

Yard house (it's a chain, but good beer selection at the banks)

 

[Guster]

There's a cool museum housed in what used to be a beautiful train station.

It's also where part of Rain Man was filmed. As a resident of Cincinnati, I'm obligated to inform all out of towners of this fact