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Our drinks were handcrafted so well. This is not your average run tiki bar. The service was great and the live music was the icing on the cake.
I tried this place during the Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl and was so excited I found it. It's not large, but there's a great outdoor area. The bartenders are top notch. The holiday special, the Sugar Cookie Martini was DELICIOUS! I wil definitely be back.
Pilar's conveniently located on Court Street and they have $5 Happy Hour. Skip the wells and go for the drafts. I came here thinking there was food but luckily there's a restaurant right next door. Next time I'm coming back explicitly for some (deliberate) drinking!
Hemingway was a complicated man. Raised by an overbearing mother, pushed to question his masculinity . . . the man drowned his sorrow in alcohol. But man, he would have been an interesting dinner companion and would have been an interesting drinking buddy. Pilar's menu offers riffs on Hemingway novels and the Hemingway daiquiri. I had the classic Hemingway, which was a little sweeter than what I'm used to, but still very good. Mad with rum, luxardo, lime, grapefruit. I also had the Green Hills of Africa, made with reposado, dolin genepy le chamois, pineapple poblano cordial, lime, and tajin. Lighter and more refreshing than the original daiquiri. I loved how the menu explained how each drink related to a Hemingway story, and I wish I had paid more attention to this while there. Makes me want to go back again. And would definitely be fun to choose your drink according to the literature description rather than the flavor description. For example, I would definitely try the porter, which is described as, "centering on a conversation between a hotel porter and a guest, Hemingway encapsulates themes of loneliness and the longing for understanding in a world marked by social divides." There is a whole section for different daiquiris and pretty much all rum and gin based drinks with a vodka cocktail or two. They also have beers, seltzers, wines, and a mocktail called "Hemingway's last choice." Super reasonable prices. I wish I had gotten more photos of this colorful bar with the large open windows, inviting patio, and tropical wallpaper, but I was with a guest and try not to spend too much time on my phone. Staff is attentive. Wasn't too crowded when we went, but it was a Monday afternoon. I can see this place getting crazy on weekends on game days. But very nicely decorated and beautiful dark wooden bar. I don't visit Cincinnati often, but if I come back, this place is definitely on my list. So much more to explore here and a lot more fun to be had.
I really liked this bar upon my first visit. The nods to Hemingway are really cool. A lot of the drinks are inspired by his books and life. The bartender was very friendly and explained the drinks well. It's extremely clean with a great patio. Good view of Court Street when the windows are open. The happy hour prices are really good. I had the Hemingway daiquiri and it was nice and strong. Good flavors. Lots of traditional daiquiris on the menu to try. Great place to get a few drinks before dinner on Court Street. Will be back.
Pilar is a small cocktail bar with a Hemingway theme. The menu has a number of daiquiris and cocktails with names and descriptions from Hemingway novels. I liked that it was decorated for Christmas. I had the Cafe Papa, which had rum, coffee liqueur, cold brew, and vanilla. This drink was pretty good - kind of like an espresso martini, but not as creamy. Second, I had the Snows of Kilimanjaro, which had Bourbon, rhubarb, tamarind nectar, house made grenadine, lemon, grapefruit bitters, and a flamed luxardo cherry and a lemon peel. This drink was definitely much better than the first. Very tasty.
Had a great time at Pilar! I love a cocktail-focused bar menu and they certainly have their share. Bartenders were really cool and quick with their service. The atmosphere is really cozy and cool. There's outdoor seating for nice days and they host different events often.
Came to Pilar during Santacon this year, LOVE it. It's in such a hole in the wall in OTR, a smaller bar that gets to be pretty crowded, but in the best way. I felt like it was such a great place to go with family/friends because you can still hear each other talk. The drinks are fabulous. They are known for their daquiris, and they will exceed all expectations. I don't quite remember which drink I got but I think it was the "Up in Michigan" cocktail. My whole group was sampling each others' drinks, and not one disappointing. If you're not a fan of mixed drinks, Pilar has a surprisingly extensive tap list, hitting all taste pallets. I would totally come back here with my partner, a group of my girlfriends, or even my family again. The bar is Hemingway theme and was totally hip and perfect for young professionals.
Great service and good drinks! We stopped in over the weekend and thought it was a cool place. It has a Key West and Hemingway theme. It's pretty small but there's a patio and seating along the large open windows. That's where we found a seat, after ordering drinks at the bar, for some fresh air and people watching during the food festival. I had a Manhattan and it was fantastic. The bartender had to look up how to make it but she nailed it perfectly. My husband decided to order a cocktail after he had a beer. I've only seen him drink a cocktail one other time in 14 years and that was in Key West. He ordered a Zombie. The bartender, having never heard of it, looked it up and found it was an old drink. He eagerly made the cocktail and my husband said it was awesome. We'd stop in again when visiting downtown.
Super cute cocktail bar that is perfect for a quick stop before or after going to dinner nearby! The bartenders were friendly and very experienced. We had a group of 5 and we had 4 different types of cocktails among us and we all loved our drinks! They also have a cute patio that I would love to sit on with a couple drinks when the weather is nice.
Location: 56 E. Court Street, Cincinnati Ohio: Website: www.pilarcincinnati.com Great cocktails with Hemingway literary theme. Excellent service and a great place to enjoy great cocktails. We stopped here for some pre-dinner drinks and loved the location, decor, and unique cocktails. By the end of our second round, we had not only planned our next 3 trips but also precisely where the monkey wallpaper would be installed in our homes. Our favorite cocktail: The Old Man and the Sea/$14 Espolón Anejo Tequila, Banane du Brésil, Angostura bitters, and tiki bitters.
This is a very cute bar with a Key West vibe. We went on a Saturday around 5:30 before dinner. At that time there were only three other people in the place. The service was friendly, the drinks are good, and there are many seating options inside and out. Our only complaint would be the music. It was very loud and not a genre we even recognized.
What could make someone put Hemingway and bar together, I have no clue. But I love it!! The atmosphere, the names of the cocktails and the staff all work well together to make your experience awesome. They have a nice variety to keep to pleased and yet the menu isn't so diverse that you get lost in it. The staff were courteous and helpful in their recommendations and the service was well above average and quick. I can not say enough good things about my experience here. Tips to make your visit a success: 1) Order at the bar. This place is quaint in size but robust in talent. They have ample bar staff ready to help and so you can easily go to the bar to order your drinks and then take them to your table and relax there. 2) Don't sleep on their Daiquiris. Are you a daiquiri persons? Maybe you are or maybe you're not, nonetheless you must try one here. They were so good I got several and wrote about it later, literally doing that right now. Need i say more. Check out Pilar and enjoy a great time!!
The energy is always wonderful here. Whether a date or with friends or solo it's always a good time! And with delicious tacos next door it's easy to stay a while and enjoy the city. Service is always friendly and the bartenders remember you! read more
Business owner information
Bob D.
Devena, thank you so much for the wonderful review! We love hearing…
2 months ago
Business owner information
Bob D.
Thank you so much for this fun review, Alistair! We’re glad you loved…
1 year ago
Pilar is one of my favorites and it's not just the cheap happy hour prices. The bartenders are some of the best in the business, not just with their drink creation but their service as well. I don't love the cocktail bars with aloof service that seem to think ignoring you is excellent customer service. The happy hour slaps - the prices are actually really good and it goes until 7pm. My bestie is obsessed with their low price on La Marca. I have tried several of their daiquiris and cocktails and haven't found a loser yet. They don't have food but that just means they are pet-friendly. There is plenty of food in the area (for pete's sake, OTR Kroger is across the street). I wouldn't mind some snack availability but it's fine. I love the Key West/Hemingway-inspired decor. You'll be comfortable no matter how dressed up or dressed down you are. I love when the weather allows for the big windows to be open. The patio is great people watching. There is also several parking options nearby. The meters on Court St, a pay lot on the next block, or if you spend at least $15 at Kroger, you can get three hours of free parking. And that's the perfect amount to spend on snacks! Check out Pilar if you're looking for a laid-back vibe and decor but top-shelf service and cocktail options. Don't forget your dog! read more
4 months ago
Our drinks were handcrafted so well. This is not your average run tiki bar. The service was great and the live music was the icing on the cake. read more
Business owner information
Bob D.
Thank you so much, Tiffany! We’re so glad you enjoyed the drinks,…
I tried this place during the Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl and was so excited I found it. It's not large, but there's a great outdoor area. The bartenders are top notch. The holiday special, the Sugar Cookie Martini was DELICIOUS! I wil definitely be back. read more
1 year ago
Pilar's conveniently located on Court Street and they have $5 Happy Hour. Skip the wells and go for the drafts. I came here thinking there was food but luckily there's a restaurant right next door. Next time I'm coming back explicitly for some (deliberate) drinking! read more
9 months ago
Hemingway was a complicated man. Raised by an overbearing mother, pushed to question his masculinity . . . the man drowned his sorrow in alcohol. But man, he would have been an interesting dinner companion and would have been an interesting drinking buddy. Pilar's menu offers riffs on Hemingway novels and the Hemingway daiquiri. I had the classic Hemingway, which was a little sweeter than what I'm used to, but still very good. Mad with rum, luxardo, lime, grapefruit. I also had the Green Hills of Africa, made with reposado, dolin genepy le chamois, pineapple poblano cordial, lime, and tajin. Lighter and more refreshing than the original daiquiri. I loved how the menu explained how each drink related to a Hemingway story, and I wish I had paid more attention to this while there. Makes me want to go back again. And would definitely be fun to choose your drink according to the literature description rather than the flavor description. For example, I would definitely try the porter, which is described as, "centering on a conversation between a hotel porter and a guest, Hemingway encapsulates themes of loneliness and the longing for understanding in a world marked by social divides." There is a whole section for different daiquiris and pretty much all rum and gin based drinks with a vodka cocktail or two. They also have beers, seltzers, wines, and a mocktail called "Hemingway's last choice." Super reasonable prices. I wish I had gotten more photos of this colorful bar with the large open windows, inviting patio, and tropical wallpaper, but I was with a guest and try not to spend too much time on my phone. Staff is attentive. Wasn't too crowded when we went, but it was a Monday afternoon. I can see this place getting crazy on weekends on game days. But very nicely decorated and beautiful dark wooden bar. I don't visit Cincinnati often, but if I come back, this place is definitely on my list. So much more to explore here and a lot more fun to be had. read more
I really liked this bar upon my first visit. The nods to Hemingway are really cool. A lot of the drinks are inspired by his books and life. The bartender was very friendly and explained the drinks well. It's extremely clean with a great patio. Good view of Court Street when the windows are open. The happy hour prices are really good. I had the Hemingway daiquiri and it was nice and strong. Good flavors. Lots of traditional daiquiris on the menu to try. Great place to get a few drinks before dinner on Court Street. Will be back. read more
Pilar is a small cocktail bar with a Hemingway theme. The menu has a number of daiquiris and cocktails with names and descriptions from Hemingway novels. I liked that it was decorated for Christmas. I had the Cafe Papa, which had rum, coffee liqueur, cold brew, and vanilla. This drink was pretty good - kind of like an espresso martini, but not as creamy. Second, I had the Snows of Kilimanjaro, which had Bourbon, rhubarb, tamarind nectar, house made grenadine, lemon, grapefruit bitters, and a flamed luxardo cherry and a lemon peel. This drink was definitely much better than the first. Very tasty. read more
Had a great time at Pilar! I love a cocktail-focused bar menu and they certainly have their share. Bartenders were really cool and quick with their service. The atmosphere is really cozy and cool. There's outdoor seating for nice days and they host different events often. read more
Came to Pilar during Santacon this year, LOVE it. It's in such a hole in the wall in OTR, a smaller bar that gets to be pretty crowded, but in the best way. I felt like it was such a great place to go with family/friends because you can still hear each other talk. The drinks are fabulous. They are known for their daquiris, and they will exceed all expectations. I don't quite remember which drink I got but I think it was the "Up in Michigan" cocktail. My whole group was sampling each others' drinks, and not one disappointing. If you're not a fan of mixed drinks, Pilar has a surprisingly extensive tap list, hitting all taste pallets. I would totally come back here with my partner, a group of my girlfriends, or even my family again. The bar is Hemingway theme and was totally hip and perfect for young professionals. read more
5 years ago
Great service and good drinks! We stopped in over the weekend and thought it was a cool place. It has a Key West and Hemingway theme. It's pretty small but there's a patio and seating along the large open windows. That's where we found a seat, after ordering drinks at the bar, for some fresh air and people watching during the food festival. I had a Manhattan and it was fantastic. The bartender had to look up how to make it but she nailed it perfectly. My husband decided to order a cocktail after he had a beer. I've only seen him drink a cocktail one other time in 14 years and that was in Key West. He ordered a Zombie. The bartender, having never heard of it, looked it up and found it was an old drink. He eagerly made the cocktail and my husband said it was awesome. We'd stop in again when visiting downtown. read more
4 years ago
Super cute cocktail bar that is perfect for a quick stop before or after going to dinner nearby! The bartenders were friendly and very experienced. We had a group of 5 and we had 4 different types of cocktails among us and we all loved our drinks! They also have a cute patio that I would love to sit on with a couple drinks when the weather is nice. read more
Location: 56 E. Court Street, Cincinnati Ohio: Website: www.pilarcincinnati.com Great cocktails with Hemingway literary theme. Excellent service and a great place to enjoy great cocktails. We stopped here for some pre-dinner drinks and loved the location, decor, and unique cocktails. By the end of our second round, we had not only planned our next 3 trips but also precisely where the monkey wallpaper would be installed in our homes. Our favorite cocktail: The Old Man and the Sea/$14 Espolón Anejo Tequila, Banane du Brésil, Angostura bitters, and tiki bitters. read more
2 years ago
This is a very cute bar with a Key West vibe. We went on a Saturday around 5:30 before dinner. At that time there were only three other people in the place. The service was friendly, the drinks are good, and there are many seating options inside and out. Our only complaint would be the music. It was very loud and not a genre we even recognized. read more
What could make someone put Hemingway and bar together, I have no clue. But I love it!! The atmosphere, the names of the cocktails and the staff all work well together to make your experience awesome. They have a nice variety to keep to pleased and yet the menu isn't so diverse that you get lost in it. The staff were courteous and helpful in their recommendations and the service was well above average and quick. I can not say enough good things about my experience here. Tips to make your visit a success: 1) Order at the bar. This place is quaint in size but robust in talent. They have ample bar staff ready to help and so you can easily go to the bar to order your drinks and then take them to your table and relax there. 2) Don't sleep on their Daiquiris. Are you a daiquiri persons? Maybe you are or maybe you're not, nonetheless you must try one here. They were so good I got several and wrote about it later, literally doing that right now. Need i say more. Check out Pilar and enjoy a great time!! read more
4 years ago
This cocktail bar is incredible! Has a super cool tropical\Hemingway theme that totally works. Love that the bottom of boat is the decor above the bar. Their bar staff is SO friendly and made sure to engage my husband and i and had us laughing for an hour straight! Highly recommend their banana daiquiri! Such a cool spot! They openened last year but im mad that i am just now discovering it. Can't wait to go back! read more
What a welcome addition to the up and coming Court St area! Bar has a casual, fun vibe and Island themed drinks. Would be a definite hit for small groups of friends to gather or a meet up spot to kick off the night. We loved the fact they have TV screens for sporting events and outdoor seating. There really is nothing like this in immediate area of OTR. The bar revolves around a fun "boat" suspended from the ceiling. The cocktails were fun, straightforward, and solid. Welcome to Court St, Pilar! We will be back again. read more
3 years ago
Awesome drinks and great service. Very cute indoor area but even better outdoor space if you catch nice weather. Will be back for cocktail hour again. Dogs are welcome! read more
5 years ago
Everything from the ambiance to the staff to the great choice of craft cocktails and beer is amazing! It's an awesome space and highly recommend having the signature cocktails which all are named after Ernest Hemingway's stories just like in Key West but I say better. Just wish it was as big as Sloppy Joe's in Key West. read more
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