Arlin's Bar & Restaurant was a nice stop prior to a show at Ludlow Garage. The place is clean. It doesn't smell like stale beer and the floors weren't sticky. After ordering at the bar, the service was great - everything was brought right to our table including our NA beer. The food wasn't great, but there were plenty of options. Three of us got different snack type food - loaded potato skins, chicken strips and pretzel bites. Mark got a burger and thought it was pretty good. For a chili burger it was surprisingly easy to eat, i.e. not messy. It looks like there's a great outdoor space for when the weather's better, though I understand it's always open with heaters in the winter unless the ground is covered in snow. Arlin's was not my bar during my college days. We lived on the south side of the campus and Arlin's wasn't on our radar. Our bar of choice in the day is long gone, but Arlin's lives on. They are obviously doing something right. read more

The atmosphere was good. The food was good. What i didn't like was the ordering and paying system. Between ordering drinks, ordering food, and paying the tab, we stood in line 40 minutes. Not ideal. So i feel like they need more servers or a better system. What i didn't know at the time was they have another bar outside downstairs. If i had known that, I would have tried ordering my drinks there. read more

I went to school at US, but Arlin's wasn't my "spot". Over the last couple of years I've really enjoyed each time I've stopped in here. Their patio is great (and surprisingly large), I never knew it was back there. Last weekend we stopped in for food. The chicken wings were really good, and the potato skins super fresh and tasty, too. Service is friendly and the crowd is eclectic. Arlins is a winner in my book. read more

I like this place because I can take my dog. They have decent food and beer. I ordered some nachos, the server confirmed the order to my face. After over 30 minutes, I checked with the outside server. She told me the order was never placed. Told her to forget it and had to get dinner elsewhere. Lame. read more

let's start out by saying I love Arlin's. I'm here weekly. however, I don't appreciate or approve of the service I received Tuesday night. I was speaking with a bartender (Maddy) about the loyalty program, and another bartender (Matt) jumped in with "we don't do that, and I've already told you that. I'm not gonna tell you again" he had in fact not talked to me about that, he had talked to my best friend. Also, who was he talking to? We do not look alike, this wasn't just something random, it was something that was implemented. He had told my friend that there was no loyalty program because he didn't know how to use it, this was wrong information. we give our phone number every time that we're here. Further more , I am allowed to come up and ask how the loyalty program is used. he had no right to speak to me in a rude manner (and when addressed about it, he said it was because I yelled at him. I was speaking to him in a bar environment, where it was loud. Pardon me for having to raise my voice) about why night shift employees are not allowed or educated on the loyalty program. I also informed him that he wasn't even being spoken to!! he decided to put his unnecessary cents in with his smart answer. I was talking to Maddy the whole time. Idk what his problem is, but people are allowed to ask about loyalty/reward programs and also why employees are not trained on them. You don't get to tell me "this is that, and that's the last you're going to say on it". So apparently, night shift employees don't type our phone numbers in because they're too busy, it's an inconvenience. You work in a bar, NOTHING is an inconvenience. If you're going to have a loyalty program, make sure all your employees are trained on it and know how to use it. The customers should not be penalized or punished because we don't know that the bartenders don't know how to use it. I got one bartender saying she's against the whole idea so she doesn't put phone numbers in, and one bartender yelling at me because I'm asking for my number to be added to my check but also being told there's no loyalty program and he's not going to keep saying it. Who is this man talking to? No, really..... who is he talking to? Outside of my sarcasm; Matt had no reason to be rude with me. I don't care how overwhelmed he was; I wasn't talking to him. I was talking to Maddy about why she didn't know the phone number program. She then asked another bartender about it and was able to add my number. I also made sure that she knew I wasn't "yelling at her" while we both knew we were in a loud building.... a bar. With people drinking. And people also listening to music. A loud environment, where I had to RAISE my voice at her, to be HEARD. Not raising my voice to be rude, smdh, and she also knew this. If you're gonna have the loyalty program, have it. But if you're not gonna train everybody on it, get rid of it. As a paying customer, why should I tolerate your bartenders being rude with me because they don't know how to do something. All I did was ask why our numbers weren't being applied, and this man was rude as **** in front of a bunch of people at the bar. read more

Back for another review of Arlin's, but this time to tell you about the Wednesday Wing special! This was my first time digging into the wing special, and it was well worth starving myself all day. The wings are only $.75 each with a minimum order of 5, and they come out of the kitchen quickly! There's nothing better than chilling on the back porch, having a cold beverage, and diving into a basket of mild wings with blue cheese dressing. Even if mild isn't your jam, they make several different types (garlic Parmesan, hot, etc.), and you just can't beat the vibe. Be SURE to tip your server because these folks are HUSTLIN' up-and-down a legit set of stairs to cover inside and outside. No lie, the bartenders from inside/upstairs will routinely cover tables outside/downstairs...all while covering the bar as well. Everything is served up promptly, chilled (drinks) or hot (food), and there's not a bad seat in the house. Sometimes I hate turning people on to new places/specials, because that means I might have to deal with some scheduling competition in the future. I shouldn't be selfish about Arlin's however, because there's more than enough of this place to go around. See you on the back porch! read more

Arlin's Bar & Restaurant - Non-alcoholic beer and delicious wings...only $.75 each! - Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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My friend and I stopped in here on Monday evening for a drink and a light bite. We were pleasantly surprised by Arlin's! Upon entering, there was plenty of seating options and they have an amazing patio space out in the back. Unfortunately, it was raining when we went. But I will definitely check out the patio when we go back, as many people have given it such raving reviews. The bartenders were really friendly and served us right away. Since we were also ordering food, we got the pretzel bites to share, and I got a burger. I was shocked by the prices--so cheap! My burger was solid too. In total for everything, I think our bill came out to be $30 with food and drinks combined. We hung out here for a while at a table. It definitely gives the classic dive bar vibes with the darker lighting and cheap drinks--but we really enjoyed our experience, and will be back! read more

Arlin's Bar & Restaurant - Pretzel bites - Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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I moved to Clifton in January. I have been looking for "my spot" I have been in Arlins several times since my move to Clifton. EVERY time I'm in Arlins when Taylor is there is always a bad experience. She has a problem with me and I always suffer for it. I wait long periods before drinks and I'm always met with attitude. She once told me she doesn't want to hear my random bull shit.... Why is some one like her working with the public? I can't be the only complaint... read more

female bartender with gages incredibly rude drinking on shift, and overserving customers

fun little bar. Although they were very busy because of the Bengals game, they were very fast with food and drinks! atmosphere was normal for a bar. Lots of people standing up. We stole a bunch of individual chairs and sat next to a small one for a group of six. But it was great. I would suggest if you are going with a group larger than four, get there early on a game night. read more

My son knows all the best dives, and this is his favorite. For $12 he can spend an afternoon playing his golf game and downing PBR's. They are one of the top sellers in the country for PBR. Right here in Clifton. Today I had smothered fries. They were crispy, had cheese and bacon and sour cream. For some reason greasy salty potatoes are tasting so good right now...they usually don't pass these lips. They have Lobster Bisque, but I didn't go for it. I reserve that for 4 Star restaurants. My son swears by it. Too bad I don't live in the hood. read more

My boyfriend and I live down the street from Arlin's and go there all the time. Considering how expensive things have gotten, Arlin's remains an affordable way to go out for a drink and get some decent food. I always get the black and blue burger, and the big cat is my boyfriend's favorite. Vibes are always great, very much a place for the locals to hang out. read more

Basic dive bar. Decent drinks. Good bar food. Older college aged crowd. The outside patio is great on cool fall evenings.

Good beer selection, friendly staff, they made good upgrades to the bathrooms and nice back porch

Great neighborhood gem. Decent food and great prices. Neat outdoor area. I had the Reuben and it was good. A buddy had the ribeye steak sandwich and enjoyed it. read more

We had such a wonderful time here. Great atmosphere, great drinks, great service, & just a wonderful crowd. Everyone here was so welcoming & enjoyable. We stayed for much longer than we expected to because we ended up having such a wonderful night. Thanks for a great night, Rich!! You were wonderful!! read more

Arlin's is by far my favorite bar. I come in here all the time. the food is always great, the beer and liquor is reasonably priced, and I've always had great experience with the bartenders. Particularly: Rich, Laura, Kelsey, Jessie, Nikki, Maddie, Audra, and everyone else! I would come here rather than anywhere else 100% of the time. read more

I love the place but the service setup for the bartenders is a little unfair. I've worked in the service industry for 10+ years and have sympathy for them when they're busy. When food is up and ready to go there doesn't seem to be a consistent method for getting the food out. My past two experiences are what made me want to write a review because I'd like to continue coming here. Last time, the lady accidentally put our order in wrong and had to resend it (which at that point we had already waited 45 minutes). Then we had another bad experience. I think it kinda comes down to maybe just having table numbers to give out to customers. Both times resulted in really cold food that was delicious, just cold. Everyone is friendly, just a little more organized food delivery would be greatly appreciated read more

A friend of mine was recently meeting a group at Arlin's and invited me to come along. I had never heard of Arlin's because as my last review stated, I've spent little to no time exploring the gaslight district. Walking inside, you'll get the feel of any dive bar you have ever gone to. Neon lights on the wall, an excessive amount of domestic cans and bottles on each table, and a bartender that is all too done with everyone except her four regulars at the end of the bar. It took awhile for the bartender to make her way to us, and it was even more annoying that when she finally got to our section of the bar she tried to serve everyone but us first. We were in the front and had been waiting much longer. We eventually received two drafts (they have a surprisingly decent amount of local beers on tap and canned) and some shots. My friend and I downed our shots quickly and headed outside. Their patio is what alone warrants 5 stars. It's impressively large given the area with a good amount of seating for multiple people. They serve bar food staples for anyone looking to nosh on something. My new friends were already halfway into splitting multiple orders of loaded fries, and many of the tables around us seemed to be partaking in their food menu. I was not hungry at the time and kept to the company of my beer and the large group I had just met. There is a bar downstairs that serves people quickly and efficiently. I don't know if we didn't stop by there first because they don't do shots or if my friend just wanted a drink immediately, but the service downstairs is much friendlier near the patio. We proceeded to order the rest of our drinks from there for the rest of the night because of convenience and service. I would visit Arlin's again if I were in the area and it's warm outside. The patio is something I could see myself basking in the sunlight on, enjoying some chicken wings and a draft. Just do yourself a favor and avoid the inside - they aren't as excited to see you. read more

Arlin's Bar & Restaurant - Back patio - Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Very rustic and warm place to hangout. Outdoor patio with lotta space. Pool table and bunch of TV's if you want to sit at the bar and watch a game. I personally love this place. The cherry on top is the pricing. read more

Arrived at 1230 pm and it is now 1258 pm and the bartender who is waiting tables and tending bar has not even appeared at our table to greet us or even ask if we wanted anything to drink. I'm not sure why because we have been here plenty of times before and it has never been like this. read more

I am ashamed that this place doesn't have a higher review. It has been a few months since I've been here, but when I lived in Cincinnati I was walking distance from Arlin's. I would go almost every Wednesday during happy hour. In my opinion, it is one of the greatest bars in Cincinnati. Like Fries Cafe down the street, you will get all types of people come in on any given day. The beer is cheap and happy hour is a steal. Arlin's also has good food too. I have tried almost every appetizer on the list along within a few burgers and wings. I have never been disappointed with the food. Fridays and saturdays can get a little crazy here, especially during the late summer when classes are starting back up. Skyline is also right across the street for some after drinking grub (since the kitchen closes a few hours before the bar does).If you want a good neighborhood dive bar, this is definitely the place for you! read more

This is a typical college bar in Clifton. I happened to be here the weekend before Halloween which perhaps made for a less than typical experience. It was very crowded on a Saturday night but the drinks were cheap and my company was quite nice. The college crowd and the loads of cigarette smoke isn't usually for me, so I would likely not return. read more

So my friends downtown managed to coax me to leave the comfort of the suburbs this weekend. My only rule, given the incredible weather, was it had to be a place with outdoor seating. They suggested Arlin's, but I was dubious. Been there, done that and was underwhelmed in the past. I was promised by friends that they had changed to fit the quaint Gaslight District. Before meeting my pals, I gave the bar a ring (around 3:30 PM so they wouldn't be busy) to ask a few questions. Mostly I wanted to get an idea of what they had on tap. The young lady that answered the phone seemed brusque. I was told that they had 20 or more beers, but she could not list them. I asked if they filled Growlers. There was a pause and then a pretty emphatic "no." I inquired about the "Biergarten" and asked if they allowed patrons to bring Steins to keep the beer cold and bug free. "Absolutely Not." Hmmm. . . This did not bode well. How do you operate a bar in Zinzinnati, brag that you have a great outdoor venue, but not cater to the citizens of this great town full of German tradition? I went to be with friends anyway. Yes, they did have a varied tap, but mostly, bitter, Belgian inspired ale or other hipster brews. Is it really too much to ask to have a few hearty lagers or a Dunkle on tap? The food was the standard pub grub. There is nothing wrong with that, if done right. I wasn't in the mood for a burger (although my buddy enjoyed his) so I looked over the menu and decided on their "Arlin's Signature Quesadilla." Dear restaurant and tavern owners: if you are going to call something "signature" make sure you take the time and effort to maybe drain the grease from the meat. After the first cut of my fork my plate an orange puddle formed. It looked more like tortilla soup, than a light and crispy dish. There was more grease than meat or cheese in this concoction. Remember, if you call it "signature" on your menu, you are telling us it is what you are known for. The one redeeming value was the deck out back. They did indeed update it from the last time I visited years ago. The rickety stairs are gone, and now it is partially covered and the small touches of ambience with plants and gentle lighting make it nice to sit with friends outside. Even better, they invite local artists to come outside and pluck and strum. On this evening we were treated to a fellow that did amazing things with a banjo as he sung in a soft, melodic voice that conjured Sweet Baby James. So to sum it up: Drink Selection: Meh Food: Ick Venue: Good vibe and nice little deck area read more

Arlin's Bar & Restaurant - Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Ask for Chris Martini, he knows how to pour a perfect brimming martini. :-) The back outdoor beer garden is magical. read more

If you're looking for cheap drinks, a fun diveish environment, good beer selection, typical bar food, and questionable patrons to socialize with - Arlin's is your place! Don't set your hopes too high and you'll be delighted. Idk there's some special charm about this place. read more

A wonderful hole in the wall. The bartenders were so friendly and outgoing to everyone coming in. Great service considering it was Super Bowl weekend. Come here if you're looking for a chill atmosphere with friends read more

Definitely a great local spot. My new fav hangout spot. Can get really busy. Come at a good time.

The bariest bar on Ludlow! Drinks are cheap (about two bucks for well drinks). Has pool tables, tv's with sports on them, juke box, etc. Nice outdoor patio in the summer where live music often plays. Do they still have open mic nights? I've always been a fan of those. Bottom line. If you're in clifton this is the bar. read more

Arlin's has been a great place for happy hour with my colleagues for years. The cheap drinks coupled with the great patio makes it a top contender for nice days in Clifton. I have only ordered appetizers and they have been pretty good. It is pretty average bar food but I can't speak for the main dishes. I'd highly recommend grabbing some pitchers of beer with friends here sometime soon! read more

Arlin's Bar & Restaurant - Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Arlin's is exactly the kind of bar you want and expect for a low frills neighborhood bar. There are good deals most nights, the locals are a fascinating bunch, and the multiple seating options with pool tables and an outdoor area are great options for a casual night out. If you're in the Ludlow area this is a good bar to hang out in with good drink prices. It doesn't do anything great outside of that, but it's doesn't charge you a premium unlike other bars and the location is significant with being the only bar in that stretch of the city. read more

Arlin's Bar & Restaurant - people in the bar - Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I'm a big fan because Arlin's looks, feels, and acts like a neighborhood bar. Seven of us enjoyed Happy Hour on a Wednesday and it was great. The menu was very interesting. The Mac & Cheese Bites were different and tasty. The service was excellent. I recommend Arlin's to my friend. read more

Arlin's Bar & Restaurant - Mac & Cheese Bites / Appetizer - Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Stopped in to grab a bite and a drink pre-show at the Ludlow. Wife & I Had burgers - meh. Decent draft beer list, but I ordered a bourbon/rocks and it was delivered in a highball glass. No biggie, just unusual. Weak pour in a tall glass. Let's call it - it's a shot and a beer joint oriented to its core customer - college aged clientele. Nothing wrong w that. I'd stop in for a drink again, but skip the food. read more

Pros: Cheap drinks Plenty of seating Firepit-seasonal Live music-seasonal Jukebox Location Cons: Many of the bartenders will treat you poorly, even if you are a regular patron There is a good chance your food order may take a long time and/or be messed up Not always a family-friendly environment (don't meet your mom here) Customers often bring their dogs and let them roam around without a leash Bathrooms For a long time, I didn't really care about the cons. This is a solid hole in the wall corner bar. However, enough is enough, and I recently decided to take my business elsewhere. The owner could really increase his business if he hired some bartenders that actually cared, or treated people respectfully. read more

Arlin's is the spot. Delicious wings, salty fries and a great selection of ice cold beers. They have excellent lunch specials throughout the week. I highly recommend the hot wings, bayou chicken sandwich and the monte cristo. Arlin's is one of those places you can stop by for a quick beer or spend your entire evening with friends playing pool and enjoying the dive atmosphere inside as well as some prime people watching from the streetside windows. They have a great patio out back when the weather permits with a full service bar. Anytime I take a trip to Cincinnati, Arlin's is on the itinerary and every time I go I am met with the welcome as if we are long time friends or a family member you haven't seen in a long time. I cannot wait for my next trip to Arlin's. read more

If you're looking to meet up with friends in the Clifton area prior to a movie or after dinner in the gaslight district look no further than Arlin's. On a recent Friday night service was great with several bartenders ready to take your order, I can't remember when I've been in a bar on a Friday night and served a drink so quickly. Mixture of local and regional craft beers is always a win on my list. A friend commented on how great their Irish coffee was on this cold night. I enjoyed holiday favorite Great Lakes Christmas Ale. Don't miss Arlin's when you're in Clifton. read more

I love this place, and I will always be a patron, but the food service is slow. SLOW. We ordered dinner and an hour later it came out. Delicious? Yes. Nice size portion? Yes. Hot? Yes. On time? Hardly. Listen, the drinks are always fantastic and I am so excited that they have a video poker machine to play Photo Hunt on, one of my life's many passions. But if you want food quick, there are other places to go. BUT AFTERWARDS come to Arlin's and rock your socks off and grab something to drink! read more

I'm eating my turkey cheese and sauerkraut sandwich slowly cause it's perfect and I want it to last. This place has a basic bar menu but I hear everything else is good too. Mostly a young crowd, there are drips and drabs of older folk. Great selection of tap and bottled beer. Extremely reasonable prices. Live music on weekends. Great local bar. read more

Arlin's Bar & Restaurant - Yum yum . - Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Very comfortable bar that makes drinking enjoyable. Stopped by after a nice dinner and Arlins was exactly what we were looking for....a casual atmosphere with people drinking & having a fun time. Old wooden plank bar top with a classic rail and metal pipe footrest. Padded bar stools, but no back support. Nothing special about the bar back, mostly just shelves with bottles. Still very classic looking. Stamped tile ceiling provides a nice touch (what bars should have). Seating opposite the bar and in the rear. Side rom with a pool table and a great outdoor area. Didn't eat at Arlin's, but fun people, good music, and great atmosphere. read more

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Typical bar, with limited food options. Okayish pool table and good drinks. Crowded on most days irrespective of what match is on. Enough TVs in case you want to catch any sport. Service is quite quick. They also have happy hours so can catch a good deal on appetizers and some drinks. read more