long story short: a lot of potential but too empty to deliver on the fun club energy We went on Saturday night around midnight & the place was pretty empty. There was a DJ & a dance floor, but very few people were dancing, which was disappointing. The place itself was cool with colorful lights & fun graffiti-like walls, but the aesthetic was let down by the lack of people. We enjoyed the free popcorn & I really liked my drink, the downside up, although I realize it's probably too sweet for most. Unfortunately, the cocktail & popcorn didn't make up for the dead atmosphere & we left pretty quickly. I would be interested in going again & seeing what it would be like when it's lively; I imagine it would be a fun spot when the dance floor is full! read more

This is the coolest bar, I was visiting my cousins in Cincy and they said that I needed to visit, we popped over here after dinner. It was a nice night so we took advantage of being able to sit outside. I love all the random art and set up of the back. To drink I had the chunker, which was gin in a San Pelegríno it was a very refreshing drink! Deceptively doesn't taste like alcohol. I noticed some people with white claws and little airplane bottles so naturally I have to have a strong claw as well. We also had some very tasty shots, all around we had a good time, just hanging out and enjoying drinks, can't wait to come back here and visit again! read more

Mecca - Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Looking for a cool outdoor spot to hang that isn't Rosedale?! Well then look no further! This indoor/outdoor bar is little off the beaten path and perfect for day drinking with friends. I love that this place has some character and isn't pristine and perfect. AND they have a ton of bathrooms (always a plus)! read more

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What an awesome time we had at Mecca last night. Great drinks, great people and very affordable. Shout out to Matt our fantastic bartender. read more

The 1 star is just bc I had to. Yes the bar is nice and the ambiance is super cool. but tell me why I got charged almost $70 for two drinks. Yes I got Tito's. I got two double vodka cranberries! I have never paid more than maybe $20 for two doubles. $70!!? I closed my tab and everything so that wasn't because of that. Never ever will I be returning to this bar. read more

A beautiful and welcoming place! The ambiance is amazing and the staff is very kind. A great spot to go with my queer friends. read more

Mecca - Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

What a cool vibe in downtown Cincinnati! We decided to stop at this location as they had a trivia night. The atmosphere was very divey, and welcoming. They have inside and outside entertaining space, but the outside was much more impressive. I'd recommend this place to anyone who is looking for a drink in a unique location. Enjoy! read more

Mecca - Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Staff was very rude, mediocre overpriced drinks, and bad vibes. Spend your money somewhere else.

I waited a long time to come to Mecca, and was really glad that I had. We had spent the evening having an adventure downtown and realized that both of us had always wanted to visit Mecca. We comically attempted to find the entrance, which had proven to be a bit of a challenge ( it's around the corner BTW) and walked through the large outdoor seating area to enter the bar. Inside the decor was fun and eclectic, especially in the restroom (so make sure you visit the bathroom while you're here). Also, we of course ordered the "chunker" which is kind of their signature thing. It's a can of flavored San Pellegrino which a small bottle of liquor, think airplane bottles. It's a fun drink that was actually quite tasty. We had a really nice time and I am happy we finally had the chance to stop by! I look forward to returning in warmer weather to enjoy the outdoor area. read more

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Mecca brings me back to my high school days of Etnies and Mayday Parade. As much as I absolutely love the rustic feel, it felt nice to get a little "weird" at Mecca. The bright colors, plants, odd murals are a nice break from dark rustic woods. I went around 8 on a Monday but rumor has it from Tony, the bartender, that Mecca lights up after dark with black lights and a party. I actually enjoyed the "chill" atmosphere at 8pm, though. Less than 15 people in the bar= a relaxing drink and fun. Speaking of drinks, you really do have to try the Chunker. They were out of Orange Pellegrino so I went with Lemon and Rum. Absolutely delicious. I would have this over and over. They also offer a small selection of beer and canned wine. No drafts. Happy hour is $1 off. Tony was very happy to answer any of my questions since it was my first time. He's a cool dude. He waters the plants every Monday from 12-5. 5 hours! Insane amount of plants but atleast they're low maintenance, right? We stayed inside at the bar but the patio looked awesome. Plenty of space to mingle. I look forward to going back someday! Update: finally visited the patio. The guys had a roaring fire going on a chilly April evening. Everyone here is super chill! Love it! read more

Mecca - Chunker! - Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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We met up with some friends to play trivia at Mecca. My husband and I drove right past it - the signage isn't great. It's very easy to miss. When we finally did see it, it took us a minute to realize that there was small writing telling us to enter off 15th Street. They definitely could use some improvement with that. It's a small place - as far as the actual building goes - but they do have a really neat outdoor area. Now that it's getting to be winter, it's too cold, for me, to hang out outdoors like that. Even with the several fire pits. I must say that I like the outdoor area better - it just has a better atmosphere. Inside is small, but has a ping pong table. They don't serve any actual food but have popcorn and chips, etc. They did have a non-alcoholic hot cider, which was perfect for me as I was battling a cold. Mecca wasn't really my kind of place. I can't say I don't recommend it but I also can't say I'll be back anytime soon either. That's just my old soul. This place is definitely for a younger crowd. read more

Okay, this space is really cool. The air smells fresh and amazing due to all the plants. It's a bit tricky to find the door, but once you know where it is that's not a problem. It was quiet when we went so we could really check out all the bathrooms - which are... interesting. Absolutely worth looking over and picking a favorite experience, as it were. The beer selection was a little limited, but this seems like the type of bar where the experience of being in the space is the point, and it is a very cool space- but I like a bit wider variety. I don't know that I'd go out of my way to go back when there are other bars that I find I vibe a bit more with, but I'd never talk someone out of checking it out. Again - I was attracted by the plants in the photos and those did not disappoint. read more

Mecca - Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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This Uber cool space is the perfect getaway. We crushed a few chunkers, admired the art, and enjoyed the good tunes. The outdoor space is also lovely. The place is sprawling with plants which gives certain parts of the bar an indoor garden-like quality. The crowd and bartenders were friendly--can't wait to go back! read more

Mecca - Chunker--travel size liquor bottle in a pellegrino. - Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

What a fun place. In the city and feels like a beach dive bar. Great indoor and outdoor seating. Eclectic feel and drink menu. The signature drink is a flavored sparkling water with an upside down mini bottle of whiskey, rum or vodka. Chose your flavor, choose your alcohol, drop in a straw and a simple, fun, tasty drink. No need to get fancy here! Only had time for one drink but definitely want to come back and chill on the patio or try to get my ping pong game back on track. read more

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Quality service and chill ambiance. Nice patio to enjoy when the weather is nice. I'll be back!

Mecca is that little corner of OTR that just refuses to be as "mainstream" as the area around it. This quirky patio bar has cemented itself as a favorite of mine. It's not as big as Queen City Radio or Rosedale, but it has a charm and vibe that you'd otherwise have to drive to Northside for. This is likely the most hipster bar that still exists in OTR. Mecca is a great spot to snag can of wine (yeah, that's a thing), grab a picnic table, and mingle under the glowing lights of the patio. The lighting and vibes of Mecca really 'transport' you somewhere else, and it's easy to forget that you're in the middle of the booming OTR neighborhood. read more

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I think if I came here during the day or warmer months, perhaps my opinion would improve. Recently I came here after 11pm on a chilly Saturday night. The entrance is off on a side street that is now permit parking only. The surrounding streets are riddled with construction and it is for sure hard to find parking. Walk here or Uber if you can. Entering from the sidewalk takes you through their expansive outdoor patio. On this night a blazing firepit was going which is probably the only thing I loved. Inside was a different story. It was so crowded I could barely move which is an absolute no to me. There was clubby music and a dance floor to the left, also not my jam. It was hard to get to the bar to order a drink. They have an ok selection and their "thing" is the Chunker, a Pellegrino with a nip of your choosing in it. Unfortunately a sign states there is a $10 card minimum after 9pm on Friday and Saturday. I got a cheap Braxton garage beer because I wasn't wanting to stay long enough to spend the $10. The bartender shorted me a dollar of my change (reasons I don't pay in cash) probably hoping I was drunk like everyone else and wouldn't notice. The plants all around give it a unique feel that I really liked if it werent for the other things that I did not like and shady service. read more

Mecca - Bar area - Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Mecca has improved since the first time I came and it's turned into a great hangout spot! I love the addition of hanging plants above the patio, the food truck, and the outdoor bar. Mecca has a kind of botanical feel and it's a great spot for spending time outside with friends. There are tons of tables and just a generally HUGE patio area making it a fun place to be when the weather is nice. The drink specials are always pretty good, too. This time, I had a $1 Hudy Delight and enjoyed a $3 burger from the food truck in the patio area. My friends tried piña coladas and they looked delicious and refreshing! read more

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Mecca is full of flavor!!! And so down to earth!!!! This is the only "real" bar in OTR that show cases it's diversity. I am a former Brooklynite so I know all about gentrification. In the process great bars like Mecca come around to preserve the neighborhood's culture and that's the feel I got from Mecca. Expect a mixture of people from the all walks of the city all out to have a good time. I was fortunate to visit twice and one of the nights were reggae night and the Dj didn't hold back I heard songs that I taught would never be played in Cincinnati which confirmed the culture in OTR. Artistic decorative and flat out genius is the layout considering this use to be a parking lot. Great drinks and even greater prices. Check this place out !! read more

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Brandon was the worst bartender he told me to fuck off when I asked a question , he disrespected me as a paying customer who is very polite 0 stars , Had a great encounter with the bouncer, bartender not so great read more

Want to be inspired to open an unconventional bar? Visit Mecca. My husband had been raving about Mecca all week long to me over the phone. Finally I joined him in Cincinnati and began my own exploration. We went to Mecca on a Thursday night, the yard space is gorgeous with plenty of picnic tables for seating and ample standing spaces. There's a bar outside and another inside, both are great,and drinks are cheap in comparison to NYC prices. For example gin and cranberry = 5 bucks (NYC gin and cranberry 10-12 bucks). For me I was happy about the live Dj in the yard and the sweet reggae vibes (my only suggestion to the DJ is to play more classic reggae as opposed to the modern dancehall songs). Otherwise I enjoyed every moment of sitting under the lights under open sky rocking to the tunes. This bar reminded me NYC hippie Williamsburg during its gentrification glory days. Art is everywhere on almost all of the walls, they also converted barrels into chairs for the outside bar. I appreciated each visual element of the different presented in this bar. Anywhoo, if you're used to upscale bars and not open minded about the unconventional this may be a miss. For everyone else I highly recommend you go, and when you do converse with someone from the area or just enjoy the music or drinks, while taking in the artwork. Who knows, maybe this will allow your own artistic juices flow. :) read more

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Went to Mecca Saturday Evening May, 1st after work from my industry job. To be disrespected by Bartender (Patrick). In result I did not leave a tip for their poor service. An I made note of how much I paid and they have ended up forging a tip on to my receipt. I love this bar and have meet the Owners they're amazing people but Patrick and any other bartender involved should be terminated immediately. read more

Hipster Heaven. Like others have said, it's not easy to find the door, isn't that bad feng shui? Add in the construction to the west with the street blocked off and you pretty much have to go on a scavenger hunt to get in. The inside is not really my jam and the bathrooms are just plain odd, but the outside patio is a find. Plenty of room outside for everyone and cool artwork to boot, I could see passing some time out there. Of course we had the chunker, which was fun and on sale for happy hour. Great people watching, cool patio, and inventive house drink make this a must see if you're up this way. read more

HOT NEW BIZ ALERT: In my best Stefon voice... Cincinnati's hottest bar is MECCA. This place has EVERYTHING! Creepy murals, FERNS, fire pits, and clunkers. What's a chunker? It's that thing when you stab a hole in a sparkling Pellegrino and insert a mini bottle of liquor. Bookmark this new psychedelic spot and give it a try. -- The reasons for the -1 star. I really enjoyed the chunker idea actually but I can't stand Smirnoff. Is there another option for mini liquor toppers? Tito's perhaps? There is no drink menu. "It's kind of just like, what you see here (hand gesture)." I'm fine with a minimal style, in fact I prefer it, but a menu with prices would be nice. read more

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For someone who loves going out and exploring new places, I have not ventured out to the many northern OTR bars that are popping up. I thoroughly enjoy spending time and trying new restaurants, but when it comes to bars/lounges, I have a few I like in the cities I frequent and stick to them. I was out with a friend group that insisted we hit different bars in the area, so off to Mecca we went. I had heard of Mecca and knew at some point in my life I'd end up checking it out, but I didn't know upon entering where I was. Someone had to tell me before I knew. As other reviews will tell you, Mecca has a super psychedelic/natural vibe it's trying to hit and does so. The different lights are a bit aggressive for my taste, but I understand and appreciate what they were aiming for. Luckily, there are spots of normal lighting throughout that has ample sitting if you're looking for a tame experience. There's also a pool table in the back if you're a billiards fan. When my friends and I went, there was only one bartender working. Apparently they were a lot busier than they typically are at the time we came in, but dude was hauling ass trying to serve everyone in a timely manner. The area I really enjoyed was difficult to take advantage of because of the weather. They have a large outdoor seating area that I'm sure is the place to be in the summer. It looked like there was one heater outside, but the area could really benefit from a few outdoor fireplaces/heaters. The inside isn't that large and it could definitely help with crowd control if there were some viable year-round options for the outside. I'm glad my friends took me to Mecca so I could cross it off the bookmarks list. Between the drink prices and outdoor patio, I wouldn't be opposed to coming back. read more

I visited Mecca for the first time this past weekend. Unfortunately, it was raining so we couldn't enjoy the awesome outdoor patio space. When I walked inside I was pleasantly surprised by the number of plants in the bar. It almost felt like you were inside a greenhouse, and the vibe was definitely unique from your typical bar. The beer choices were limited, but I was able to find one that I liked. It was a Saturday afternoon, and they were a decent amount of people there but it was not crowded. It was a great place to be able to just relax, have a drink and conversation. I've heard it's a really fun place to hang out late night, so I definitely want to check that out in the near future. read more

I went to check out Mecca with a couple friends last Friday around 7pm. Overall, this is a cool new bar in OTR, and definitely a chill place to hang out early in the night. I hear it gets packed after 11pm, but early on it was basically empty (which is fine by me). First off, we had a hard time finding this place. Google maps says this is on Walnut, but the entrance is really on 15th street I think. You go in through the courtyard, which is a really nice outdoor space with a firepit. If it weren't so cold we would be spending more time out there! Inside, it's super bright and colorful (which I love!), with crazy art, hanging ferns, and various high top tables for seating. The bartender was really friendly and poured us a beer and a couple of Chunkers. The Chunkers are something I've never seen before...basically a San Pellegrino (various flavors) with a mini-bar liquor bottle stabbed in the top and a lime wedge. I got the whiskey (Jim Bean) with blood orange and it was surprisingly good, though I'm not sure it's worth $10. I was a little disappointed that they don't have a larger cocktail menu, but the Chunkers were good and they'll get you there for sure. For food they have FREE popcorn (get it spicy!) and corn dogs and pretzels for purchase. I really liked that this place is attached to the cutest vintage store (past the bathrooms). We ended up talking to the owner of the store for a bit while we sipped our drinks on his couch. We went home with the cutest hand made vintage wool mittens for $8, so if you like shopping and drinking at the same time, this is for you. read more

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A place like you have never been before. Mecca is situated in a manner you almost have to know where you are going otherwise you won't find it. The inside has cool art and plants everywhere including the ceiling, almost feels like having a party inside your high school botany class with a ping pong table. The outside is a very nice spot and would be a great spot in the Summer. The staff is nice and the drinks are reasonably priced. The signature drink is The Chunkster which is a can of flavored sparking water w/ your choice of rum, vodka, or whiskey added via mini bottle. read more

Mecca is a very cool, very hipster, very chill bar. It's not in the midst of the chaos of OTR, but just outside of. When we walked in through the courtyard I was amazed by the beauty of it! It's large and welcoming, having long picnic tables for bigger groups, or comfy chairs for a more intimate feel. The drinks are great, but the specialty shots were expensive. Other than the 7 dollar lemon drop I bought, everything else was cool! They have a drink that is your flavor choice of San Pellegrino and liquor... I'll be back for that often. The bartenders were kind (and encouraging of straw reusage!) and were very laid back. But while you're hear, don't forget to use the restroom! They are all uniquely painted and lit, and it's a neat part of your Mecca experience. read more

They don't follow COVID guidelines and and consistently open after state mandated curfew. Do not recommend.

Super laid back, relax bar. Have nice bar with plants everywhere along with a pool table in another room surrounded with cool LED lights. You're constantly surrounded by art. Very aesthetically pleasing & very picturesque in creativity. read more

Mecca - When you first walk in, this is to the left. Bar area, small tables with chairs & a couch along with a ping pong table. - Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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My friend asked the dj here to change the music. We Were the only people in the bar. He asked all of of to leave, and when I asked him why we had to leave, he pushed me. I told him to stop touching me and that I would leave peacefully if he stopped putting his hands on me. He wouldn't stop and so I knocked him out. I was then assaulted by multiple bouncers for defending myself and standing up for a friend who had done nothing wrong. This bar is great and the bartenders and bouncers were very kind, but I can't overlook a shitty dj that couldn't take the truth that we didn't like the music he was playing. I feel that being assaulted by multiple people while trying to find out why they wanted us to leave warrants a one star review, and they will be lucky that I don't press charges on a dj for assaulting me simply for the reason that I didn't like his music. If u plan to be a person that doesn't have fun, come here. read more

Good food and drink. Very chill atmosphere. I don't like that they let people smoke openly. Dog friendly, so that's a plus.

Mecca is absolutely one of my favorite bars in Cincinnati, and somewhere I never forget to bring guests from out of town. With one of the most unique vibes in OTR, its hard not to love the lush and exotic interior draped in ferns, and plastered with interesting and artsy murals. Their large outdoor area features a firepit surrounded by picnic tables for groups to enjoy the casual atmosphere. In the summer you simply can't leave without trying a slider from their truck, but the Chunker (Pelligrino w/ a mini alcohol bottle) is what you need to order all year round. If you're looking for an apologetically cool bar, bring your friends to Mecca- you wont be disappointed. read more

Loved the unique drinks here as well as the large enclosed outdoor area with plenty of seating and a fire pit.

Donovan (not sure how to spell it) made a point not to talk to, acknowledge, or serve me but went to everyone else at the bar. Then proceeded to type in tickets. Used to love this place. read more

This place wouldn't let my friend in because he was gay. They let 5 people in ahead of him without cover charge and then wouldn't let him in without a 20$ cover despite the fact that we were already in the bar and no one else needed a cover. Our friend is gay and that was clearly the reason the bouncer wouldn't let him in despite reasonable cover charge attempts. We even asked at the bar if the charge a cover fee and they said no. Clearly the bouncer just had a prejudice and wouldn't let our friend in the bar. read more

This is a cool place the only thing here is they sorta steal your money , if your going for drinks ladies have singles and 5s only don't hand them a 20 or any type of big bills they will take out what they want . They never tell you how much your paying for drinks so you don't know and they don't have a sign either . Just be careful it's a nice atmosphere though . One of the bartenders tonight tried to literally not give me my money back . read more

With the closure of Neon's, Cincinnati's finest are constantly looking for the next patio to hang out in. I will say that Mecca has captured a lot of that business. It's definitely more of a quirky, hipster bar that "doesn't care if you like it or not," but at the end of the day it's similar to any other OTR patio bar. I like the chunkers a lot and will order them every time. What's not to love about boozy Pelegrino? My dislike comes from the packed nature at night and the fact that 75% of the space is outside. It leads to big crowds inside when it's cold out. The bathrooms are amazing. Definitely take a picture and try a new one each time to get a different experience. My other tip is that the door inside is located on 15th Street: don't try to enter on Walnut Street. read more

What a super cool space! Love the large outdoor space with pretty plants. We only went inside for our drinks, but that was really cool/artsy too... as far as drinks go, it really wasn't anything crazy - mostly just beer and the chunker (grapefruit, lemon, orange San Pelligrino with airplane bottles of whiskey, vodka or tequila-- I think)... it's delicious but just something you could make at home. Definitely worth coming for the venue! read more