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Mecca

3.7 (82 reviews)
InexpensiveBars
Closed 5:00 pm - 2:00 am (Next day)

Mecca Photos

MECCA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Live music
Hipster
Trendy
Moderate noise

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Recommended Reviews - Mecca

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Reviews With Photos

Maggie D.

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

Kevin K.

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!

Interior
Kimberly M.

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.

Chunker!
Rebecca M.

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!

Alistair K.

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.

Chunker--travel size liquor bottle in a pellegrino.
Taylor M.

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!

Sal P.

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.

Tyler M.

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.

Bar area
Heather L.

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.

A burger from the food truck! We wished that cheese was an option, but no such luck.
Lainie L.

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!

Brock S.

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 !!

Reggea Thursdays in the yard.

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1 year ago

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1 year ago

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

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8 years ago

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2 years ago

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

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6 years ago

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8 years ago

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5 years ago

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

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7 years ago

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2 years ago

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8 years ago

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

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4 years ago

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

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Review Highlights - Mecca

To drink I had the chunker, which was gin in a San Pelegríno it was a very refreshing drink!

Mentioned in 11 reviews

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Overlook Lodge: A Rustic Watering Hole

Overlook Lodge: A Rustic Watering Hole

(161 reviews)

$$

Pleasant Ridge

I came out in December for their Miracle pop-up in 2025…read more As someone who has gone to a ton of holiday cocktail bars and pop-ups over the last 10 years, Overlook Lodge's is probably the best I've ever been to. Be aware it will be FAST. Look at the order ahead of time if you're a picky eater/drinker. They run your appointment like clockwork, and you'll be in-and-out, gulping down cocktails, through the entire experience. Your two drinks are included (this year, anyway), and I'd honestly be surprised if you managed to have time for a third. Time zips by fast. That being said, because they do it this way, you essentially have constant service, there's "events" that happen at the end of your reservation time, (I don't want to spoil it, but cover your drink!), and then they kick you out. Service was friendly, though, and I saw the server make time to take group photos for all of the tables (including ours) with someone at the table's camera. (No bullshit "group photo" upsells here) It's kinda loud, though, and I wouldn't recommend this as a chill meet-up-and-socialize spot. (If you wanna talk, they have an addendum, Christmas-themed laid-back bar next door.) It's more of a "get blasted in the face by Christmas for an hour and then leave" experience. It's pretty loud, and talking can be a bit difficult over the music and constant interruptions (more drinks? Photos? Cute Christmas video montage?) But this works in its favor as it feels the most Christmas, over-the-top, and seasonal out of all the holiday bars I've ever been to. It also keeps it from feeling too crowded as reservations are required, so you for-sure have a seat and you don't have to stand forever in line to wait for drinks. I'd probably guesstimate that bar staff is making all of their seasonal drinks, constantly, and servers just pick one up to deliver. With the capacity in here, it would make sense. No idea what the bar is like the rest of the year; this is just a review for the Miracle pop-up which, again, is probably the best I've been to in the Midwest. Cincinnati, you're spoiled down here. (Sidenote, I was absolutely taken aback by their TV presentation on the wall. It's hard to describe, but it isn't just a projector showing a giant rectangle. It's specifically slotted into the holes in-between holiday decorations. Staff told me that had to hire special technicians to get it to show up that way and that's seriously a level of detail I am so amazed by.)

Oh my! Merry Christmas on overdrive! Couldn't be more excited to share this unique experience with…read moremy adult children. We started with a shot and then the two cocktails. Such an amazing experience

Mecca - bars - Updated May 2026

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