Japp's is my new favorite place for happy hour. Seriously, I would go there every day after work. (Is that a problem?) I think what I love best is the vibe... the vibe is amazing. I know I'm probably supposed to say the drinks are amazing, and they are, but the vibe has to come first for me. There are lots of great places in Cincinnati but nothing has the same vibe as Japp's. After work the sun is streaming through the windows and plants, the jazz is playing, and I can sit and relax with my friends. The decor is beautiful, with lots of old but nicely restored wood and other fixtures which I know nothing about except that they are pretty. It's easy to feel classy sitting in the bar with this decor, drinking a cocktail and listening to jazz. Nothing else quite compares. Besides the vibe, the staff are all great and very friendly. The drinks list is excellent, the cocktails are superb and there's plenty of space. I highly recommend it! read more

So, I've been extremely excited to try Japps ever since I heard that Molly Wellmann was reopening it. I finally went when they were hosting a Woodford Reserve tasting, and it was fantastic. I was surprised and pleased by the subtle Wild West vibe to the bar. The space is set up long and narrow, like a larger version of the Lackman. The bar is incredibly long (and lovely), and there are many comfortable booths opposite it. In the back, there is a beautiful coffee bar. I didn't try it, but I'm sure it's quite wonderful because, well, everything Molly Wellmann does is wonderful. (Example: The Western theme continues even into the ladies' room, where the stall doors are double, saloon-style doors. Very cool, indeed.) We sat up at the long bar. I really liked that the liquor was not displayed in mirrored shelving--it can be disconcerting to stare at yourself all night long. This way, you can admire the amazing, incredible, unbelievable selection of liquor instead of your own reflection. And the bartenders are wonderful. They are so knowledgable and ready and willing to help you figure out which of the creative cocktails suits you best, or to help create something entirely new. And the amazing Molly Wellmann? Well, she remains amazing. read more

I've only been in Japp's twice, so this is a very preliminary review. Anywhere I can go to get a cocktail from Molly Wellmann is a worthwhile venture in my book. This is the perfect place to get your favorite classic cocktail or to just let Molly work her magic and surprise you. Drink prices are commensurate with quality, but may surprise those who are used to $2 well rum and Cokes. The decor is absolutely beautiful. Between saving the original features of the building interior and adding other cool touches, they nailed the ambiance they were clearly going for. There is plenty of space for for groups of pretty much any size and a patio that looks quite nice, though I haven't been out on it yet. Towards the rear of the space, there is a coffee bar, though I haven't been there while it was open yet. Oh yeah: for those of you who are more inclined to grab a beer than a cocktail, they have a great selection of this, as well. Available on tap and in bottles. Kudos to another great establishment opening up in OTR. It definitely fills a previously-empty niche in the bar scene in the neighborhood. I expect nothing but success from the place, judging by my experiences there so far. read more

If you love cocktails and you love Cincinnati then you have to love Molly Wellmann, our local celebrity mixologist. I've been a long time fan of Molly's and was so excited when she told me she was going to be (re) opening JAPPS as her very own bar! It's everything I hoped it would be! With a great retro feel, lots of seating and a glorious bar that spans the entire open room you just can't help but fall in love with the charm. Then you find that nestled in the back room is another bar complete with a vintage espresso machine and plenty of coffee drinks with or without spirits--and you fall in love a little more. The staff are all wonderful and greet you with a smile. What I loved most was the fact that my husband went up to order a gin and tonic and came back with a craftily made gin gimlet which was both different, exciting and delicious! They offer all types of handmade infusions and are ready to help you expand your drink tastes and knowledge as they share with you the origins and folktales of your new favorite drink! Along with all of this the prices are great, it's located right in the heart of the bar district of OTR and the eclectic mix of patrons just add to the charm. The only complaint I have is that because of the age of the building it doesn't have great circulation and it got pretty warm on the hot summer night, but on the other hand that just gave us more reasons to experiment with drinks to cool our thirst! :) So stop in and say hi to Molly and find out what your new favorite classic drink will be! read more

I am a weekday Japp's attendee. Japp's on the weekend is totally crazy, but during the week it's a lovely place to share a few drinks with friends. One of the things I like about Japp's is the drink I get there and nowhere else. It's called the Brunswick Sour, which was suggested to me my first time in by a bartender (and most of the other bartenders know how to make it). It's rum and sour with a float of red wine--perfect cocktail for me, primarily a wine drinker. Now that drink does cost $7, but I understand that included in that price is ambiance and bartender education in esoteric drinks. There is lots of seating, and the long tables make it suitable for larger groups to all sit together. Also, the music isn't terrible or so loud to hinder conversation. read more

Awesome place to hangout with friends on a friday night Pros: 1. Absolutely great cocktails 2. Molly is awesome, I asked her to surprise me with a cocktail and it was quite enjoyable 3. The atmosphere Cons: 1. There can sometimes be a long wait for a drink, but that's to be expected when they actually hand craft their cocktails Great place, can't wait to go back read more

The dance party happening Friday nights in the annex is nonpareil in Cincinnati. A mix of old school soul, funk, and R&B, the music is F-U-N. The crowd is unpretentious and friendly. There is a burlesque show for added entertainment. Friday night at Japp's annex has rapidly become my favorite nighttime activity in the city. The bar in the annex is a mixed bag. The bartenders are friendly and competent - when you can actually catch their attention. Nothing puts a damper on a fun dance party like having to cool your heels for 20-30 minutes while waiting for a bartender to notice you. Then again, it's not like you need to drink to have a good time here. The bar in the main room is a totally different experience. My time in this section of the establishment is more limited: I am a little put off by the stuffy atmosphere and scenester vibe. Japp's subscribes wholeheartedly to a classic, nay, Pre-Prohibition approach to cocktails: balanced ingredients carefully measured out and designed to stimulate sight, smell, AND taste. It is a shame there are not more bars in Cincinnati following this same philosophy. While I greatly admire the philosophy behind Japp's, in my experience the execution has been off. Admittedly, I have not been served by the proprietor (mentioned by name in 13 reviews as of the date of this review). But there is no reason one cocktailian should be required to do all the heavy lifting. The drinks I have ordered sound great on paper - and I have tried both classic drinks as well as their own, modern inventions - but somewhere between bottle and shaker and glass, something has gone wrong. Maybe I have just visited the main bar on off nights. In any event, the Friday night dance party is awesome, and the overall bar is A-OK! read more

Japp's is a place I'd take visitors from places like New York or San Francisco. It has embraced its history with a cool but understated vibe and its staff understands the concept very well. Led by the incomparably charming Molly Wellmann, the bartenders are well schooled in the art of the cocktail and can improvise beautifully when you're craving something but you aren't sure what it is. And they're reasonably priced so the place can draw a diverse crowd. Love that. A brilliant addition to a growing neighborhood. read more

Wonderful old location with lots of charm! Mollie made drinks for our group that none of us had ever heard of.... They were all fantastic!!! Can't wait to go again! read more

This is a solid mixology spot if you are looking for a great craft-cocktail. The Japp's side is set up like an old speak easy. The mixologists have an endless array of craft cocktails to make. Honestly there are times when I will just show up and tell them what type of liquor I like and sweetness wise and they will whip out a solid craft cocktail I have never heard of. They offer several beers by the bottle and have weekly craft cocktail specials. The left side (has its own entrance) is called Annex. It is a legit night club/disco. There is a DJ on the weekends and they have 2 bars set up on each side. They are limited to the cocktails they can make and the beers they have on hand. It is a completely different feel compared to Japp's on the right side. You can hop in between each bar as they are connected. They play old school movies and black and white films on the wall via projector. The lighting is very dim and this is your typical night club feel. Be aware that after 10pm on the weekends it fills with the young 21+ year olds that are wasted enjoying themselves. It gets elbow to elbow packed and is very loud. If this is not your scene I suggest staying on the right side (Japps) read more

Japps is the latest addition the burgeoning Main Street district in the rapidly revitalizing Over the Rhine neighborhood. Situated in what used to be Japps Hair Store, the bar eagerly embraces its heritage as the famous Molly Welman serves up her latest craft cocktail. I'm going to say right out that there's a perception that this place is upscale and pricey but that's a lie. The drink prices are exactly the same as they are at their sister bar Neon's around the corner. The cocktails though...they are definitely worth it! The bar hosts a seasonal rotating menu, so it's really pointless for me to recommend a specific drink (plus if I did it would be all of them). The furnishings are classic and the interior space creates an open and inviting atmosphere. It's the best place to go to relax after work and on the weekends. Unfortunately, the bar loses a star because they got rid of their coffee drinks that were developed in a partnership with Tazza Mia. Although I understand why things didn't work out, I LOVED those drinks...all of them and now I wonder the streets like an addict looking for my next fix...but it will never come! Okay so exaggeration aside, I would recommend this place to anyone without hesitation. read more

We went to Japp's twice during our visit - my first visit was five stars all the way, the second ,barely a one, so I will meet in the middle with a three. Friday- We went to Japp's which has two different sides- a more relaxed trendy bar, and a dancing area with a giant screen playing classic cartoons. The drinks seem very interesting, lavender, exotic fruits etc. and the prices were very reasonable (they had a selection of $5 interesting cocktail specials). I prefer more low-key bars but I have to admit we had a blast Saturday night and the lady-DJ was awesome! Saturday- The place felt like a locker room, stuffed to the brim with no AC, it smelled putrid, like a thick fog of sweat..just gross. Besides the faulty AC, many of the overhead fans were not working properly either. the foul scent was so noticeable to me I would have immediately turned around if it were just me, but I was with a group. Thankfully we did not stay long. People were overly-intoxicated, and several people were sloshing drinks around and bumping into us. The women's restroom was downright atrocious. I was literally stepping in glass and a spilled drink on the floor of my stall. I understand it happens, but this was to the extreme. I honestly feel bad to the person who was stuck cleaning that disaster. I am not sure if I just happened upon a bad night the second night, but this place had a serious case of split-personalty disorder! read more

I needed to update this review a bit. I have been to Japp's nearly every time I come home to Cincinnati for the past year now. It's hands down the best bar we go to, and we've been to our fair share of nice bars this year across the east coast and mid west. The cocktails never fail to amaze us - it's really just a treat to get to watch them make it, especially if you manage to nab Molly to make your drinks. Always delicious and creative, I can't help but want to go home and make my own cocktails the second I leave. We have ended up at Party Source thinking of our own crazy things the day after going here a few times. Inspriing and delicious. The atmosphere is just so comfortable and adorable. I love sitting in this place. It's well upkept, inviting, and just a nice place to sit down and talk. The music is never too loud and you can go dancing if you want, or stay away from it too. Never does this place fail to amaze me and make me an incredibly happy person. read more

There are so many different things that Japp's is. We walked in first to the bar and, having never been there before, I asked the mixologist for a birthday shot for my friend. He got real snooty and didn't bother to explain that there were other bars in the other portion of the bar that I could order one of those. Had I not been with my friend to explain that to me, I'd have a horrible taste in my mouth about this place and likely not come back because of that one guy's 'tude alone. Not appreciated...sorry I've never been there before. Once I got over the rudeness, I'd agree that the drinks they made at that bar were very tasty. A+ for creativity, F for friendliness and helpfulness. We quickly transferred to the second part of the bar, where the sweaty dancing was happening. It was pretty disgusting, but it made me nostalgic in more ways than one. Loud music, people everywhere, huge screens playing cartoons. Childhood mixed with college...but mostly college... The "back" bar (by the front windows to the left of the screens had the nicest bartender in the world. Drinks were cheap (compared to what I'm used to in Chi) but they were fast and strong! Go with your friends and feel free to really let loose. Our group had a blast (again). read more

I fucking love this place!!! Molly Wellman is the greatest!!! She is such a genius!! I am astounded by her knowledge of liquor and cocktails! This place is very classy and yet casual at the same time. Dress is casual/ dressy. They have a coffee bar in the back which is great for sobering up. I always order the French 75 cocktail :) read more

I have been here twice now and I remember it 1.5 times. The second time wasn't my birthday so that explains the first .5 visit. So my review will describe my second visit. This was the next stop after my taco stop, so we wanted to continue our fun. Japps is a great place for this. You can enter in two sides, and they are two very different sides. There is a dance floor side, which has a really cool feature of screening old school muted movies dubbed over with music and then there is the classier side. This is the place where you can sit down at the bar, set aside tables, or the booth that runs across the entire side opposite the bar. Regrettably, I did not get a cocktail, which from what I hear and from what seemed pretty obvious, is their specialty. I'll have to go back and get one of these. I haven't been to this joint in the right state of mind either time, yet I am giving it 5 stars because I know if I was, I would have a blast at Japps. The dynamic of the bar is so cool that I can't resist rating it so highly. read more

I finally got in to Japp's while hosting clients a few weeks back, and it was everything I'd been told to expect. Know going in that this is one of those mixology places. Service will be slow, bartenders will have a (slightly and endearingly) superior attitude, and most importantly, they know their stuff. Yes, it will take 10 minutes to get your drink. Yes, it will be incredible. No, it will not cost less than $5 (unless there's a special or something). There were four of us, and three of the four drinks were $8, the other $12. I can speak most definitively about mine - it was delicious. I got a manhattan (of course) and it was expertly crafted, with premium rye bourbon and those yummy dark-maroon cherries that cost like 8 times as much as the bright-as-the-color-wheel maraschino's you get at Kroger. Another was a vodka drink, which was fine (my opinion). I also tasted a very very good gin-based drink, and that was awesome. Served in a tumbler, it was very refreshing and perfect for a slightly-warmer-than-average September evening. We lounged in the back area, where they have benches and comfy chairs/sofas about. There was an amazing piano player rocking the hell out of the place when we were there, too, along with a guitar accompanist. I really enjoyed their playing, so went to give them a few bucks on the way out, and there was no tip jar. Bummer! I'm not sure what the arrangement it, but I left the cash on the piano and she gave me a nod and a smile, so I guess it's cool. Again, they were great! I'll be back for sure. read more

Decided to stop here for a drink after dinner. The bar is very cool and the bartenders very knowledgeable. The chairs could stand to be replaced with something a little sturdier (definitely felt like my chair could break). It's the type of place where adventure is your friend. Take advantage of the bartenders knowledge and enthusiasm and try something different. I tried a bourbon/fig drink and definitely enjoyed it. read more

Favorite spot in Cincinnati! I love the live band before 1030. After 1030, hit the dance floor and they have pretty decent music playing! Drink is awesome, I just tell the bartender what I like and she made me a customized drink. A recommended night life spot to go to! read more

"I love this place" - I said this the second I walked through the front door. From the apothecary style bottles, old-style bar, sights of heavily varied cocktail and juice mixers, cool seating and an interesting crowd, I knew this was a great place. Walked up to the bar and gave this information "I like gin drinks and she likes cider" - out comes some fresh and tasty drinks for $7 each. This is how a great cocktail bar should be - let the creativity and inventiveness of the bartenders do the job, give a bit of a request and enjoy. At the intersection of great quality drinks and good prices is Japp's - you should stop on by. read more

Molly is such a sweetheart!! I love her bubbly personality - she's definitely a power player of Over the Rhine. This place is really cool - they have an extensive selection of craft cocktails, many of which you've never heard of. I really enjoy their one-of-a-kind Bourbon Latte!! Perfect as a half-way point for bar hopping to get your caffeine fix to continue. They also are masters of their trade - I went up to molly, told her what I liked, what I didn't like and said, "Got it!" She went to work, and came back with the Brunswick Sour - It. Was. PERFECT. Exactly what I was looking for. There is one downside to this place, and the reason I only give them 4 stars instead of 5. They. Are. SLOW!!! I know it's the whole atmosphere of it all, but you can still be an old school bar, with old school drinks, with a new school attitude and speed. read more

"Shut the front door" How many times have we heard that at Japp's? If you haven't been to Japp's and met Molly Wellmann what are you waiting for? She's the ultimate mixologist and has the most intoxicating personality. You can't not be happy being around her and having one of her specialty drinks in your hand. Every week there's some new drink that she has created and always delicious. I think I like the idea of Japps more than I actually like the bar. The only reason I say that is the drinks are a little pricey and on the weekends it's always crowded, but I love the feel and atmosphere of the bar. Japp's is usually where I want to start my night when in OTR before a night of debauchery. When I can still enjoy my $8 drink before I've had too many to care. read more

Came here on Friday after Final Friday for my first visit ever. Japps was packed with hipsters and YP's. Our group watched a bartender make a mai thai adding everything and even tasting the drink thru a straw to see if the flavor was perfect. I ordered a Tom Collins as the night called for one, it was OK, most of my drink was comprised of soda water. Since it was Friday, a few people were dancing on the floor, I like that they have old school music, but I would like some current hits. Also saw the girls from the show "Queen City" If I am on Main again in OTR I would stop in and try it again. read more

This is really a 4.5 star review. Awesome cocktail bar. Cool feel. It manages to pull off that old speakeasy vibe without doing the overdone "dark woods and low light" thing that you see in every city. Molly made me the best cocktail of my life: a pre-prohibition Old Fashioned. Holy hell, Batman, this was amazing. I love my old-old fashioned's, but this was the best I've ever had. Tons of different liquor to make some creative drinks. Why take half a star away? There's some inconsistency in the quality of drinks among the bartenders. I know everyone makes their drinks a little different, and part of this may be because Molly set the bar so high, but sometimes the drinks are like at any other place. Not always, but sometimes. I guess the bar was set so high after that drink from Molly that I'm disappointed when it's not as good. I know it's an unreasonable expectation for this place, but I'm an unreasonable person. Essentially, if a drink here isn't as good as the best drink I've ever had, I leave a little disappointed. True story. read more

Great vibe in here, no TVs, the jazz band can be loud if you sit close. The cocktails are amazing. I have had so many delicious ones. To name a few: Makers Manhattan (best in the city!!) with homemade bourbon soaked cherries & homemade bitters, (real) whiskey sour with egg whites, and many other unnamed whiskey or bourbon cocktails that I have asked the bartender to whip up have been perfect. Any of their cocktails will be good because they make all their own mixers, such as infused juices, simple syrups, grenadine, even their own bitters! Bartenders are really friendly and willing to make you something special based on what you like. Favorite place for Friday night happy hour. Again let me reiterate: BEST Manhattan in the city. read more

Simply put, Japp's is great for drinks, but you could take or leave pretty much everything else. It's quite small (minus what looks to be a vacant ballroom in the back), relatively pricey, and it lacks that je ne sais quoi for atmosphere. Sure, it's old and stuff, but eh. Kinda plain, in my opinion. It's a cool place, make no mistake. But it's not Neon's. Only Neon's is Neon's. What makes Japp's unique is its drink menu, which sports sophisticated drinks with compelling names, like "French Quarter," "Noggin Cleanser," and "Van Gogh." They can also pretty much make whatever you want to order with their vast, dizzying array of ingredients (I had mine with vodka, vanilla, and... cinnamon?). Even the glasses are classy. It's kind of old school, really. They put bitters in the drinks. It's that sort of bar. Which is also something of a curse, and maybe what loses that fifth star for me. Japp's is a lot of things, but casual is not one of them. They won't throw you out for wearing a tee shirt and sneakers, but you'll feel a little out of place. It's probably a great place to go with, say, co-workers or less than intimate acquaintances. But if you want a place to hang out and let your hair down some night, you're better off across the street. read more

I had never been to Japp's, and wanted to check it out because many of my friends have become familiar with the place. I have to say, It's got some of what I'm looking for in a bar - primarily a classic, warm atmosphere, without the blaring music. Sometimes when you go to a bar, you're there to have a conversation with friends, or a date, and not just look at them. Japp's would be that place. On my first trip, I didn't have a whole lot of time to spend there, so I just got myself a Hudy Amber Lager $3, (excellent for a "cheap" beer). Other beers are about $5. They don't have a tap, so they just do bottles (but they can pour it into a glass for you). The specialty to Japp's, however, are their cocktails. They're $8, and next time around, I'll have to try one myself. These drinks are hand-made, mixed by their great staff, so I'd imagine the quality is there for the price! I'll have to come back soon! read more

I fell in love with the ambiance the first time I walked into this place when it frist opened. I'm surprised that my love grows almost each and every time I go there. (which is a lot) Maya, one of my favorite bartenders there always knows what I want to drink. Some girls made it up one night and she never forgot it. The mulled wine and cider they had this winter was unbeatable. I love trying all their drink specials, actually. Combinations I've never heard of and never would have thought up myself excite me. And I've enjoyed almost everything I've tried. Japps is a perfect blend of casual and classy. read more

This is my favorite cocktail bar in Cincinnati. Great atmosphere and good prices. If you go, sit at the bar. That way you can take in all the sights and sounds. read more

This was my first time in a place like this, and I went for a special bourbon tasting. The director was a super-cute gal decked out in beautiful ink and a cute pin-up dress. Her way of speaking was slightly southern, and she definitely kept me interested in the history of bourbon and whisky. I learned so much from her! We started off with a fabulous Manhattan. It was my first one, and I absolutely loved it! The tasting was set up so that we would get a little piece of something from the plate, smell, sip, repeat. While we did this, she explained the particular beverage to us. We got to try: Oyo Corner Creek Makers Mark Buffalo Trace Dickal Rye I was really excited about all of them, but Oyo and Dickal Rye were my favorites. The place was closed unfortunately, but I did get a free shot of Oban aged 14 years, and fell absolutely head-over-heels in love. The people here were amazing, the decor was fantastic, and the bottles lined up all around were beautiful to look at. I'm not sure how much anything cost here because I was here for free, but I am sure it is worth every penny to drink here during open hours. If I return to Cincinnati, I will go here for sure. It was an amazing first experience for something like this all the way around. read more

Great place for bartender's choice. The two cocktails I've requested were made exactly to my taste and just what I was looking for. Cozy live music in a traditional bar read more

"Mixology" at its best! I usually go here once a week, it's quiet during the week but a bustling place on weekends. They open up Annex on weekends, if you're looking for a different club experience here it is. Try the amaretto sour, and don't let the egg white fool you, it's amazing! read more

Fantastic drinks, fantastic quesadillas, fantastic crowd. Best bar in Cincinnati. The decor is, well, old, but it fits this place so well. The music isn't too loud (making it the closest thing to a lounge that downtown has), but the playlist is enjoyable. If you're there when Fallon is you're guaranteed a great quesadilla, though I hear rumors she'll be out on her own soon (good for her!) If you're a cocktail drinker this is your place. read more

Really like this place. Most of the week, it's great to retreat to with friends, talk, and either sip from their menu of interesting concoctions, or just grab an old classic. Weekends, it gets louder and more of a dance crowd. But either way, it's one of those spots that's always a good time. read more

I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones to step over the threshold of Japps at approximately 4:05 of their opening day. We wanted to get there early to secure a seat at the bar and to be able to get a good look at the inside before the crowed arrived. I was very impressed with the vintage and nostalgic feel of the interior and with the antique bar. The inside isn't huge, but that is what gives it the comfortable feel of an OTR neighborhood bar. Sorry ladies, I didn't make it to the restroom, so I can't report on that. When I opened the drink menu, I was surprised at first that I didn't see a long list of specialty cocktails. But, I think they did the right thing by sticking to a smaller selection so that each one can be made to perfection. The top of the pounded copper bar possess bottles and jars of their homemade syrups and ingredients. Between all of us, we ended up trying just about every specialty cocktail on the menu. Each one hand made and was refreshing with a unique flavor of its very own. At around $8 a piece, these are not to be slammed and their not to be drank lightly. These are the kind of top shelf drinks that you enjoy - but, don't be fooled - you will notice that they have alcohol, that's for sure. I did get to try a coffee drink and all I can say is wow! The coffee machine itself is amazing, but what comes out of it is even better. I will definitely be going down the menu and trying all of them. I can't remember the name of the one we ordered, but I'm pretty certain it had bourbon in it - need I say more! I think Japps will make a great addition to the OTR Neighborhood! read more

The Main Street Entertainment District continues to grow and Japp's is a great addition to the block. Technically its not a "new" addition as it was a bar previously, but it has now been reopened under new ownership. I really like what they have done with the place. If you asked me to describe Japp's in one word it would be "classy". Everything from the decor to the drinks that are made are classy. They bartenders are very knowledgeable and if you tell them a particular liquor you like they will create something very tasty for you. Japp's isn't a place that I would spend all night at since it is a little pricier than your typical bar, but its a great place to start an evening out on the town. Also if you are telling someone about Japp's who hasn't heard of it before its not a bad idea to clarify that its Japp's with two p's before someone gets offended or confused. read more

I went to Japp's for the first time for their grand opening (not their soft opening lol) and it was really crowded and fun! Molly Wellman herself, made our drinks. It took a really long time for some reason, but Molly recognized that and gave us our first drink on the house. I really like the ambiance of this place; high ceilings, cushiony bar stools with backs, a friendly crowd, and an old-fashioned cozy but high class vibe... is that mixture possible? Why yes, at Japps! The bathroom is kinda interesting as well with double wooden doors on the stalls, and the back where the bathrooms are, is really roomy, I feel like their should be a green room back there for VIP, or maybe there already is and its secret? One nice thing about it that a lot of people may not realize is that Japp's back patio connects with The Drinkery's. I also really like the coffee bar in the back which is unique to Cincinnati. They have alcoholic drinks where they mix coffee in from this really old metal espresso machine. They even have a drink that mixes Absinthe and coffee, wow! There are only a couple of things I didn't get about this place. I know its not their fault but I went out on a Tuesday (rare for me) and there was no one there and it was sad. The Drinkery, on the other hand was pretty crowded. And also, the bartenders really shake the sh*t out of those drinks, which I know, its part of the show, but c'mon, its like they are having a seizure or something. The show is no good when the place is packed, it seems a bit over the top cheesy, like they don't know what they are doing. My favorite drink would have to be the Seelbach, which I though was named after Chris Seelbach running for City Council, but it turns out thats not true.. but anyway its delicious it has champagne and bourbon I think? and is like a bougy Long Island Iced tea. read more

I was excited to try Japps. Everyone around me was buzzing about the history of the Japps. I did not do further research but from hearsay what I gather is that before becoming a neighborhood bar, it was once a hair parlor. It operated under the name Japps and apparently urban legend has it that they kept their entire wig making supplies in the basement. When the owner bought Japps, there was enough human hair in the basement that he was able to sell it to wig makers and pay for the building with his profit (now I may just be spreading rumors...but it makes for a good story). Anyway, Japps is a pretty cool space. You can feel the history of OTR mixed in with some modern day décor. They did a pretty good job in rehabbing the place. Now Japps has some classy drinks that will rock your socks. This is no college bar. Sure you could order a cherry bomb but why when you could order a classy martini and hear the history of martinis and how it relates to pop culture in the USA from the knowledgeable bartender. I will say that these drinks are a little steep in price. I would love to check out their happy hour to give some relief to my monthly budget. Also when going on a busy night, know what you want before talking to a bartender. If you stand there not knowing you will be handed a drink at the mercy of the bartender. This happened to me and I was a little confused, thankfully the drink was amazing. But I like having a say in what I am ordering. The next time I made sure to be clear about what I wanted and I didn't have this problem. read more

Japp's is one of my favorite bars in OTR. I get a new drink their every time. All of their specialty drinks are delicious. I especially love the cider in the winter. They also have a great selection of beers. I tried a new one last weekend that I loved - a cranberry one I think. It is a great place to relax and catch up with friends. If you feel like dancing the annex is the place to go. Just next door, but also connected, it is my favorite place to go dancing in the city. It's not a club, as much as a wedding reception - except no one got married. The music is typically older but the kind everyone likes dancing to. Last weekend the DJ wasn't as talented in the annex and the main bar was super packed. Maybe it's just like that on Saturday nights. I prefer to go there on Fridays. read more

Molly the proprietor is amazing. Great craft cocktails, but it can take a few minutes to get a drink on the weekends because of the nature of the cocktail and the crowd. But well worth the wait. The updated annex next door gives you dance party feel and you can sneak over to the Japp's lounge side to sit and chat if thats your thing. read more