This is the best place to go get a drink in the clifton area. There is such a chill atmosphere here, catering to old college students and locals alike. The owner is such a kind lady who tries to make sure this is a safe space for students, and I can say it definitely was! Free hot dogs and popcorn? Um...yum!! I love how they started to do live music on Wednesdays, they just need to get the sound balancing figured out for those rock bands lol! read more

Murphy's Pub - Starting to decorate for St. Patrick's day! It's definitely a day you dont want to miss. - Pubs Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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I sat at the bar and ordered a drink. I had been there on a few occasions and was treated well and always left a tip. I was told by the bartender that the manager said not to serve me. No reason given. No problem dude....me or my friends will ever go back to that dive! After reading the other reviews it doesn't surprise me that the place is always empty. read more

i wish i could give it zero stars to be honest. the service is awful. staff is so rude. i came in with a few friends on a thursday night for the cheap drinks. mind you, it's EMPTY in there. maybe like 2 other people at the front bar. the front bartender, and older man, was making our drinks. we have been here previously and as we ordered shots from this man, my friend sets up their phone to record our drinks and he rudely SLAMS the phone down on the bar. knowing that he's always in a bad mood, the second time we came my friend made sure to over tip, hoping that he would treat us better this time. if you have to over tip just to be treated kindly there is an issue here. the last time there we show up around 10pm on a thursday. EMPTY. we order our drinks from him and hang around at the bar. he asks us to move so that other people can order. we look around, as i said, EMPTY. there's 2 other people at the bar who have already been helped. we ask my we should move because there is no one he needs to serve and this upset him. he asked us to leave. the bouncers push us out of the bar. again, we were paying customers. why can't we hang around your empty bar??? not even a free hot dog is worth the rudeness we were met with at this bar on THREE occasions. read more

This is by far my favorite pub that I have been to for the amenities they have. For a college pub right near campus this is the place to be. They have popcorn and hotdogs for free for tipping customers and a $10 minimum when using a debit or credit card for drinks. They have darts, pool and a couple of outside court yards. They host a whole day of events on Saint pattys day and give out a ton of free merchandise. It is not the cleanest or nicest pub ever but that's what gives it its charm. During school it is filled with college students with their friends and during the week it's just older locals/regulars and a couple of college students. They have specials every now and then that they advertise on their Instagram. I utilize that to get all of their awesome deals like Moscow mules on Monday and you get to keep the fancy copper cup. The cost is very reasonable, the atmosphere is dependent on when you go regarding the noise level/how much energy you can feel, the bathrooms are not the best but the overall pub is amazing. Don't miss out on this pub if you are nearby. read more

Murphy's Pub - Saint pattys day in the Murphys courtyard. Green beer for Saint pattys day. - Pubs Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

From the beginning the bartender Luke was rude, condescending, dismissive and forgetful. We've never been there before and will never go back. After ordering our drinks, my wife asked what's down the hall as we later discovered the bar is sectioned into three areas. His response was "More bar I guess, I don't know how to answer that!" If you're a bartender and patrons you don't recognize ask a question about the bar, you should be more informative and accommodating instead of rude and dismissive. He then had to verify what my wife ordered because he forgot, and after handing her the drink, looked at me and said you're good Christopher. I asked him "Can I have my beer?" as it was still sitting at the tap station, 3/4 poured. After about 6 times of ordering another round, getting change for the pool table or asking for darts, he still had to ask my name every time. I was the only bald, white male in the bar during this time and my last name has three letters, it couldn't have more more easy to remember. My last name could have been Smith and he may have still forgotten it. When cashing out we discovered that they auto bill in gratuity, which would explain why he didn't care about being polite, respectful, helpful or even accommodating as anyone who works for tips is. I generally tip 22-25% anywhere I go because I have family who are servers. I also only had two light beers so it wasn't like I was being drunk and rude. This was my wife and I first trip to Cincinnati and every place we went received a 5 star review except here. read more

We've been twice. The first time for a running club meeting, and we had the place to ourselves. The second time for Saturday night Last Call Trivia, and we did not have the place to ourselves! It's very much a college bar. We were basically the parents in the room, or, the professors. Even so, the crowd was friendly and we felt welcome. Actually, we ended up having a blast. It's a dive with lots of personality. It's a labyrinth of rooms and rooms that lead to patios. The parking can be a pain, depending on when you arrive. We were lucky enough to score a parking lot spot because we got there early. And I definitely want to try some of the Murphy's signature drinks, which sound, well, original. Like the Mini Guinney, Irish Breakfast, and Green Tea. They offer all this at great prices and with friendly bartenders. read more

My favorite Clifton bar hands down. But lately the DJ addition is not it. There should never be a DJ blocking dart boards. Also just get rid of the DJ all together because people want to relax with hotdogs and popcorn and be able to hear each other talk #MAKEMURPHYSGREATAGAIN read more

My last name is murphy and there is no respect in that manner. This is my favorite bar but i have never received a free drink for sharing the name with the bar. A hell yeah would do at least but like no response is just degrading. Do better ~ Jayson Murphy read more

Murphy's is a dive bar for sure - it's dirty, crowded with college students, has a bunch of Irish swag cluttering the walls. Despite my initial knee jerk reaction to hate it, it was actually a place I'd return to. The bar staff was super friendly, none of the patrons ended up being obnoxious, and the prices were decent. They have free popcorn and hotdogs if you tip (but really, why would you not tip?) Parking is a bit tricky in Clifton Heights, but it sure beats one of the new cookie cutter bars the huge development companies are pushing to college students on Calhoun/McMillan (RIP Moerlein/Goetz Mansion, never forget). Murphy's isn't the cleanest or newest, and the building isn't a new construction, mass market plywood box. Murphy's is an authentic part of a Cincinnati history with genuine character and for that I respect it. read more

Had a great night at Murphy's. Reasonably priced drinks. Great patio. Was fun to hang out with friends for a few drinks.

I've never been treated so terribly at a bar in my life. The bouncer said my ID was fake, and wouldn't give it back until I called the police to have them verify it was real. I did not fight or retaliate, I knew he was doing his job but he got hostile and belittled my friends who just trying to vouch for me. I sat outside in the freezing cold for over an hour waiting for the cops to arrive. The police showed up and immediately told the bouncer my ID was real and gave it back to me. I tried to walk into the bar and the bouncer did not apologize but instead told me to get IN THE BACK OF THE LINE and wait to get in. Mind you I had already waited in line for 45 mins prior to this incident AND sat in the cold for over an hour. Thank goodness a second bouncer came out and let me get in front of the line. I have never had someone publicly make me feel so awful for doing absolutely nothing wrong. Once I got into the bar there were about 3 underage people who somehow got in. I don't know what made this bouncer decide to be an absolute jerk to me, but he not only ruined me and friends night he also wasted the time of the SIX POLICEMAN who showed up to simply verify my ID. Ridiculous just absolutely the worst time I have ever had at any bar. read more

Listen. Murphy's is a timeless Cincinnati Classic. I spent more hours here than on UC's campus and only one of them gave me a degree. Murphy's is a hidden cincinnati gem and selfishly I need it to stay that way. Please pick some where else if you want to have a low key fun night because I don't want everyone to know about it but it's also so lit I love it so much. Maybe I will host my wedding here. Murphy's is 365 days a year of awesome and this is literally the best bar in Cincinnati so stay away because the best part about it is that it is a hidden gem and you will come here once and fall in love. Come to Murphy's for the ambiance and stay for the cheap drinks, great friends and free hot dogs. (But also stay away because I hate big crowds...) read more

I randomly ended up at this bar and it reacquainted me with crazy college kids. Within a minute of being there, a guy I just met handed me a shot of tequila and then myself and 4 others with him downed them. Not a bad start. It is much larger than I thought and has tons of rooms where you can roam through, just don't breathe too deeply as the Axe Body Spray might get ya dizzy. :) The outdoor patio reminded me of Arnold's as it is enclosed on all 4 sides. Unlike Arnold's, smoking is allowed (at least everyone around me was) and it was a little offputting. Oh well. The highlight (or lowlight to most people) included a guy chugging from a pitcher, stopping for about 10 seconds, and then regurgitating right back into the pitcher. Ah, the future of America.... I was able to try some of the popcorn, and while it can't hold a candle to Knockback Nat's corn, it's still a nice treat and can soak up a little of the alcohol. I did see a few people eating some of the hotdogs too, but I wasn't about to add a dog to my belly. I am certainly not a college kid anymore, but it was fun to dip my toe back in the water and see that pretty much nothing has changed as far as college bars and how people party. If I was back in college, I would probably be at this place at least 2 or 3 times a week. read more

Murphy's Pub - Pubs Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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A college bar that welcomes a guy that was drinking before today's college students were born? Sign me up. This is a bar in Clifton, so you can count on most of the patrons being younger, but anyone is welcome in Murphy's, from medium hardcore drunks to serious hardcore drunks. Haha. I'm kidding. Mostly. It is a drinker's bar though, not a place to be seen, so it's safe to assume that there will be people in there drinking. That's my way of saying that if you don't like true dive bars, you won't like Murphy's. A quirky layout of several small rooms attached to each other and two bars, there's a spot for everyone here. Poke around and discover a new place to hang out. I've never encountered a staff member here that was anything but friendly. They have free hot dogs on the rollers. I'm a bit past my bar-hot-dog eating days, but I bet I would have scarfed plenty of those in my college days. I have partaken in the free popcorn though! Nothing better to go with a frosty cold local draft beer. If you're in search of the higher points of culture in the city, Murphy's probably isn't on the top ten list. Stop in Murphy's on a tour of the best dive bars in the city, spend a Sunday Funday here or pop in on a UC game day for pre-game cold ones. read more

Quintessential College Bar. Darts, pool, Foosball, juke box, smoking patio, cheap drinks, you know the drill. Be prepared to deal with collegiate patrons and the associated scuttlebutt. In the heart of UC's southern residential district is nestled the Irish pub that is Murphy's. They do a fantastic job of checking ID's, as occurred to me last night for the first time in roughly a fully bearded eon. Free hot dogs! That's pretty awesome. The staff is very kind. Men's bathroom has no mirror so remember to look goOoOoOod before you get out there, not that you have to impress anyone here. This is a casual place with a bunch of Frat boys and Sorority sistas. read more

Murphy's Pub is my Thursday-Friday happy hour hangout. I'm about to graduate so I don't foresee myself coming here afterwards, but I've lived right around the corner for two years so I know it pretty well. I still find it funny that they ask for ID after all this time...either I look like a child to this day or they remember everyone in my friend group but me. :( I've only come here on a non happy hour time maybe twice, and there's usually no one here. You come here because you're poor, the wells are 1.50 during happy hour, and they give you free hot dogs and popcorn. Maybe you also come to play pool and darts. This is not a cool urban hipster bar, and this is not a snooty upscale tavern with a view. This is the literal definition of a dive bar. It's not fancy, but it will get you through, as it's done for me many many times. read more

The best bar in Clifton for sure! Love the staff they are always so friendly, not the mention funny. I love playing darts and they have at least four different boards to play at, as well as two pool tables and a claw machine! They also have free hot dogs and popcorn (for tipping customers)!!!!!! :) read more

Great bar, I love it. The drinks are a great price, and the atmosphere is good. Legitimate dive bar, in the best way possible.

A totally decent dive bar. It's got an easy to miss, nondescript front just like I like. From what I could tell, it was a real dive bar; not the kind overran with hipsters, but the kind overran with old people. I love that. It is conspicuously larger than it looks, with three rooms that snake around through the back. Being that it's a true dive bar, the restrooms are in the sort of shape one would expect. There are pool tables, two areas to play darts, foosball, as well as a touchtunes jukebox. And you know how some places have free popcorn and you're like, "awesome!" Well, so does this place. BUT THEY ALSO HAVE FREE HOT DOGS. FREE. HOT. DOGS. read more

Best bar around campus, hands down. CHEAP drinks, FREE food, fun and games, smoking patio, tons of TVs, and students on students on students. Murphy's was a bit of a hidden gem a few years back but has gained a whole lot of momentum and has become one the trendiest and most happening bars in Clifton for the student population to cram into. Murphy's always offers a good time, and you can't beat their "happy hour" (essentially all day) on Fridays. Check it out! read more

Murphy's is a very special place for college students. Every night they have free popcorn and free hot dogs. Granted, they are not the best quality foodstuffs, but who cares? Some nights the bar orders pizza for everyone, and on Wednesday nights they have $1 mystery bottles. The bottle changes every week and can range from generic bottles of crap to decent beers I would pay several dollars more for. Really any bottle for $1 is a pretty good deal. This is one of the two best bars in Clifton Heights (the other's being Christy's). There is an outdoor patio for people who like to smoke cancer sticks. The bathroom is small and dirty, but it's a college bar so I cut them some slack. The bar has darts that are free if you trade in your ID. There are 5 dart boards, a foosball table, and a pool table. Also they have a skeeball set (is it called a skeeball set? I guess I should say "they have skeeball") and maybe a pinball machine or something. The establishment has two bars so people in the back can still get drinks. The only complaint I have is that the bar often gets really crowded and it takes a while to get drinks (so I usually get pitchers or two bottles at a time). Since they don't let in people under 21 like many other bars do (Woody's and Mac's do) it isn't the scene of fraternity parties very often. Good place to drink lots so long as you stay away from the dart boards. read more

One of my favorite bars! I used to live within walking distance to Murph's, and I have yet to find another bar that compares. It has all of the qualities I want in a bar--cheap beer, free food, darts and pool, and most importantly a lack of douchey clientele. My friends and I would usually go on Mondays for the free pizza and Wednesday for $1 specials. I think on the weekends the bar gets pretty packed, so I would say weekdays are when Murphy's really hits its stride. The bar staff is friendly as well, and they're good to their regulars. read more

Murphy's is the Narnia of Clifton bars. But like with no white witch or lion. Thank you, that's all.

well all I can say its my regular place so I am going to say that I love it but really its got everything thing you need. One its over 21 which is good in a college town, even though you still get the "wooohooo its my 21st birthday" people but we have all been there. The point is you dont have to deal with underage partiers that get annoying, there are plenty of other people there to chat and hangout with. Two there are 7 or so dart boards, one foosball table, two pool tables each with there own special qualities and an outdoor patio. Three the company good patrons, good bartenders(cheep drinks) and normally good music though sometimes as a few of us like to call it, it turns into "club murphs" and that can get a bit annoying but a little price to pay for another goodnight at the pub. read more

Murphy's Pub - Murphys back bar during Clifton Heights Music Festival. - Pubs Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

If you come in to this place and find the front room full of withered old barflies, make sure that you check out the several back rooms before your write this place off as a horrible crap-dungeon. It is indeed a crap-dungeon, but it is a crap dungeon with a lot to offer if you just give it a chance. We closed this place down many, many times. At 1:45am, they start pushing people out from the furthest room in the back towards the front. If you see this coming, you can usually get 2 or 3 more drinks from the front bar (can may not equal should) before they really and finally kick everybody out. Watch yourself when you actually do leave this place inevitably intoxicated: the neighborhood is a lot more dangerous than you might think. Even though you feel invincible in your beer armor, criminal assfucks mug Murphy's patrons on their way home from time to time. Also, this place was home to the all-time best bathroom graffiti: "The momen in here are home weckers." The Immortal Bard lives on. read more

The bouncer said as we left, "Hope you enjoyed the entertainment!" That we did. College bar. Dude bros. Drunk girls hollering at each other in the bathroom. Stumble-drunks yelling at each other. Big bouncers throwing people out. It's 8pm. Then we realize. Free food. Cheap crappy beer and well specials. Hilarity ensued. We enjoyed the scene for a beer or two, then hit the door. read more

My favorite bar in Cinci. This probably has a lot to do with me being located in Clifton, but I still love the feel. You can often find it very relaxed, with low light, free hot dogs and popcorn, and some awesome bartenders. As for the complaints about it being a college bar, that can be true. This is mainly limited to Friday nights, but as a college student, it doesn't bother me entirely. Plus the 5-8 happy hour with $1 well-drinks makes it totally worth it. However, I am more of a fan of the other nights that are more relaxed. Just go in and play a few rounds of darts without worrying about getting bumped. That's the most fun. But all in all, this is a great place with good prices and good spirits. Enjoy Murphy's soon! read more

This is one of the best bars there is - I was a regular when I lived in Clifton and love going back whenever I'm in the area. There's many things that I love about Murphy's... Dylan is a bartending god! He makes a great drink and puts on a great time. Also, free hot dogs and popcorn, and sometimes pizza and chili. There were more than a few times in college that my dinner consisted of a hot dog, popcorn, and a few beers. They have great monthly and daily drink specials. It's a great place to play some darts, play some songs on the jukebox and throw back some drinks. They have a few arcade games, pool tables, and many dart boards. Murals of the Bearcat through UC history, and just has a great laid back feel. Definitely a place you can roll into any day of the week in whatever you like and have a good time with friends! read more

A great chill bar for college students in the Clifton area. Got lots of activities like pool and darts to keep people entertained. Super cheap drinks because it is a college bar. Music is pretty good. The best part is free hot dogs and popcorn! 5 star rating! read more

Hands down my favorite bar in Clifton! Why? You ask.. 1. Cheapest drinks in town with different deals every day! 2. Free hot dogs and popcorn every night! 3. There's always something to do: Darts, Pool, Trivia, Giant Jenga, Cook-Offs, 2 Bars, Patio, Free Wifi 4. Strict 21+ policy 5. 3 St. Patrick's Day celebrations: Halfway to St. Patty's Day (9/17), St. Practice Day (2/17), St. Patrick's Day (3/17) 6. The staff has fun, loves their jobs, and really connects with their regular customers Clearly I could go on and on but you just need to go. Now. read more

The best dive bar in Clifton. Just enough off the beaten path that it isn't packed, but just big enough that there's room if it is. Consisting of about 4 different rooms and a small, outdoor courtyard, there's a place for whatever you're looking for. Lots of dart boards, a pool table and free hot dogs / popcorn. There's even a small parking lot (which is super rare in Clifton). It's just perfect. read more

Met up with some yelpers here after an event. It's a pretty normal bar- expected beers on tap, good for loud groups. They have free popcorn and hot dogs, which I didn't partake in. We DID try to play darts, and got darts from the bar and then started playing at one of the four dart boards before another patron came up and informed us that it was "dart league" night/time/whatever and could we please "give them some space." The board was free- there wasn't anyone waiting to play on it, and the bar loaned us the darts, so I'm guessing it wasn't an official bar dart league, so I'm really not sure why we couldn't play? We didn't finish our game, and didn't feel like the "regulars" were very welcoming because of that. read more

Murphy's Pub is exactly what it is and you either love it or hate it. I'm not much of a get crazy super drunk kinda person but if this place wasn't crawlin with them I think I would have enjoyed my time here a little more because the bar itself is great! It seems tiny from the outside but it's actually like 3 or 4 rooms back. Each with a different feeling. The front of the bar is typical dive bar feel. The drinks are cheap. They had some good craft beer on tap which was again a pleasant surprise. They even had free hot dogs! Which after seeing hot drunk people get, this is def a good thing. I enjoyed one myself and it was delish. The next room back is darts, and some open tables, tv's etc. The third room back is a pool table and other bar games. There's actually a lot of do here! Since there was a dart tournament going on (yeah idk) but we kinda got shafted. Oh well, we still made it fun! The bartender was kind of annoyed at the dart people but was nice to me. I think we just came on an odd night where people were getting rowdy. If I'm ever over this way I wouldn't mind stoppin in for a game of darts, or a nice cold one. Solid dive bar for sure. read more

Dive bar extraordinaire!!!! We went with a group of seasoned bar crawlers and they were very welcoming. For a dive bar this place is upscale on the space..a tiny bar in the front is misleading as there are about 4 rooms, a second bar, and a nice patio in the back. Cheap drinks, friendly staff (we got a free t-shirt), free hot dogs (BONUS!) and popcorn. Dark and kinda dingy! What's not to like in an Irish themed campus bar. Even some local barflys! read more

introduced to this great bar by a friend's son that was a senior at u of c. it was his hangout and now i know why. definitely a college bar, but not as bad as those closer to campus.....the crowd at murphy's is a little more mature. not a huge place, walk thru the front door and the bar is immediately on your left. the bar itself is a black laminate with a beat up wooden rail. wooden bar face and a round steel foot rest. maybe 12 or so traditional square stools with padded seat and back support. opposite the bar are a couple small lower tables and of course the free popcorn machine. down the hallway is a game room with darts, pool, etc. fun atmosphere even for a person out of college. helps to be there as a "dad" with a good group of college kids. not sure i'd hang here later than 10-11pm if by myself or just with one other friend, but a great place when you're there. read more

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My favorite place to stop by for a beer. Been coming here for years. Great dive bar, if you want to classify it. Pretty decent variety of beers, both on tap and bottles. Never a cover at the door. And the best part if they don't let in anyone under 21, so all the underage/immature kids stay away (Thank God). You can enjoy a good time with friends, meet new people, play darts, shoot pool, foosball even, or just chill outside in the back patio. And if you get a little hungry while there, they have free popcorn, and on occasion (Reds games) free hotdogs, and pizza on mondays. They are open 365 days a year, and save for St. Patty's day, there is hardly ever a problem getting in b/c its too crowded. Wed is a pretty nice day to go too, its $1 import night. read more

Favorite bar in Clifton! Free hot dogs, free popcorn, a rocking music selection (self selected by customers) and deals on drinks every night! I am a college student and I love my Friday night happy hours, but as expected with such a great deal (double wells for $3 from 5-8pm) it is always packed. On its most popular nights (beginning or end of school semesters) there is even a line outside with a one person out one person in system. It can be overwhelming and not always worth it, but plan ahead and get their early and you will have a great time. read more

I love Murphy's! I love the atmosphere and the bartenders and the great prices on drinks. Free hotdogs and popcorn are a plus. Happy hour on Fridays get crazy, but it's always a blast. read more

If anyone ever asked me what my favorite bar was I would always say Murphys. Not only do they have the best bartenders and bouncers who feel like family, but the best happy hour, and free hotdogs and popcorn is always a plus! I normally come here at least once a week when I'm in town because I just can't stay away. It's also just the go-to stop for all of my friends. I have had a huge amount of friendships begin here as well. Basically BEST BAR EVER read more

I normally don't enjoy bars that are frequented by almost exclusively college students, but something about Murphy's makes it much easier to tolerate. The drink selection is good, and while the prices aren't rock bottom drinking here certainly won't break the bank either. They also have free popcorn, which tastes sublime when one is tipsy. I'd say the atmosphere and layout are what make Murphy's worthwhile in my mind, because there are several rooms which all have their own vibe. This allows people who want a more intimate setting to escape to one of the more secluded areas, or you can post up at the bar and mingle with the crowd. The only negative is that a few times I've gone the parking lot has been full and I've had to find street parking, other than that Murphy's is a very fun place. read more