Love this place! Retro music and video games, outdoor patio for the smokers, and loads of room if they want to have a band. This is one of the go-to places for me whenever I want to hit OTR without a plan. The Drinkery does not disappoint! read more

Interesting crowd- mix of 20's hipsters, etc, all the way up to mid fortiesish. Also a great place to hear local bands. I like that you can go into a little alley in the back and the deck is nice. But the place feels a little grimey, and like others have said, maybe it's not sure of its identity. For example, the night I was there, there was some sort of burlesque/pin up girl/retro type show followed by a rock band. This could honestly all be offset by really cheap drinks, but unfortunately, that's not the case. You'll pay pretty much the same as Japps annex and other comparable bars. However based on the recent Mt.Adam-sy clientele at Japps and Neon's, I might be visiting this place more and more for its laid back people. read more

I like The Drinkery. I don't exactly know why I like it, but I do. When I first started going there they used to have fires out back and leave the back door open and the whole bar would smell like smoke and I hated that because then I would have to spend the rest of the night smelling like smoke which meant I probably wouldn't want to go other places downtown. But the last several times I have been there I didn't notice this problem and am very happy about that. It's a big bar and while I feel it is rarely filled to capacity (almost empty during the week) I like this about it. I have described this bar to friends by saying that it makes me feel like when I was younger and we would hang out peoples' basements. I like the brick arches separating the two halves of the bar. They also have a nice outside area and an alley out back that are closed in by other buildings giving it a secluded feel. Sometimes they have an awesome DJ play dance music and it is always a good dance party. I like the DJ because of the variety of music he plays. It's not the played out radio top 40 that clubs play. It's a mix of old and new and different genres, but all good for dancing. They also have live bands play but that can be a little loud in my opinion. The selection of beer is pretty good as well. They have what I consider to be good beers but they also have some cheap beers that if I am in the mood for I am happy to see. They have tall cans of Hudepohl Amber that I can't even find in a store (bottles at the store and not tall, LOL). Multiple styles from Anchor brewing are available and also the Stiegl Grapefruit Radler that I like. I am tempted to give The Drinkery 4 stars because for whatever reason I keep coming back and never feel disappointed when I leave. It's divey and big with some strange types and often empty but I still like it. But overall I think it is A-OK. read more

One of my favorite bars in OTR. It is for sure much more enjoyable even when it is packed. I would pick this bar over any other bar on a Friday night. read more

Formerly known was Jack Potts Tavern (and the old Jefferson Hall) The Drinkery is a good addition to the Main Street district in OTR. On one side you have the bar area, which has a solid beer and liquor selection, on the other side you have a stage for bands and a nice relaxed area with couches to hang out with your friends at. Each time I've gone I have enjoyed myself and plan on returning many times. read more

I can only really describe this place as okay. They have a decent selection of beers and such - and if you like dancing it's good for that some nights. But overall I really only have any desire to bring myself here if the other bars on Main Street are too crowded - which I feel like isn't a good endorsement. However - there are lot of people who really love this place - maybe you're one of them. At the least it's worth trying out once! read more

I don't feel like writing a book, but your bartenders are rude and horribly trained. I'll cut waitstaff slack for being busy, but I draw the line at stealing. I paid for my drink, gave the bartender a $10 bill for a $6 beer, and he never returned with my change. My friend got the attention of another bartender and told him we were waiting for change, at which point he tapped the other one on the back, and he said, "I came back and put it on the bar but you weren't there!" Which was an absolute lie, given that it was too crowded to even move. I will never return, but I assume the owners probably won't mind that, because I'm not really into the hot mess drunk scene. Don't waste your time here, folks - but if you do, make sure you pay with a credit card & check your bank statement so they can't steal your money! I overpaid $10 for a flat tasteless beer and the worst service I've ever had. This is probably a common trick for them, as they don't allow you to rate the business on Facebook and they haven't replied to my message. read more

Lots of awesome shows come through here, which is great. Sadly, for some reason, bands always seem to play SUPER late which means I can't attend most of them, so keep that in mind! Drinks are meh, never really anything special. The sound is usally really good for the music though. read more

This place sucks, they took my real drivers license and now I don't have a legitimate form of ID to even drive home tomorrow morning. Bouncer's randomly pick and choose and don't know what they're doing. Do. Not. Go. Here. Unless you feel like going to the DMV the next morning....!!!!!!! read more

Your security shoved me out, and my family at closing, which occurred not 5 minutes after last call. We had been at the bar, minding our own business getting drinks and had hoped to enjoy them before the bar closed (last call generally means you get a few to finish your drinks, right?), but that prick of a 'bouncer' did that bullshit protester crap where he just used his body to force us out without a word. How can you honestly act that way towards people who are in no way being belligerent, not overly drunk or acting hostile towards anyone? Dude, I just paid for a beer, had a few sips and you literally shove me out with no provocation or words. Absolutely terrible. Look, I get it. I honestly do. It's a shit bar downtown Cincinnati. You deal with pricks and drunks and people who can't think rationally when they've had a few beers. That's the life of a bouncer. But fuck all sorts of things for not having the decency or rationale to think and act like a human being before you try to be a massive and utter piece of shit towards people. Really feels great being sold a drink by a bartender then almost immediately shoved out by some jackass who couldn't be bothered to at least be decent. Bars like this place define 'seedy.' And it's great to feel like fucking cattle that can't be given the time of day. Super awesome. We just bought beers and they kicked us out without regard or even giving half a damn not 5 minutes after last call by the most pathetic excuse for a bouncer I've ever seen. Love getting shoved by some dude after spending $100 for just beer. No words, no reason, no rationale, no belligerence on our part. Just a prick of a bouncer who totally gave up being nice years ago, if he ever was. Feels great. I feel valued. Fuck this place. Assholes. read more

Bartender obviously ignored me while I stood there waiting for a drink. Yes the bar is packed, but when I see 10 other people next to me served before me that came up after, that's just poor service. read more

This pub also doubles are a live music venue with plenty of room at the bar and around the stage to allow for couches/chairs for those who like to lounge. My favorite part of the bar is 80's night by Gerald who now manages the bar. It would be amazeballs to drink, dance and see a huge uprising of deadbeats that once made Jacob's a dream come true. For whatever reason, the Drinkery which attracts far less of a following than Jacobs or the "bar only phase" of Grammers. As a live venue, brunch or stand alone bar, the spunk falls short at Drinkery. Although I have been here on slow nights and unnecessarily waited to receive libation, I'm indifferent on the bartenders. Let's leave it at the bartenders aren't helping my score for the pub. I adore the gritty, urban, brick decor. Similar to my review of the Lackman, when you drink here, you gain the city experience thanks to the historic character preserved in OTR. I like the shell, but there's no pearl inside... unless it's 80's night or a great band is on stage. But, there are more nights than not when their secret sauce is left out, so a 3 star rating fits. read more

This bar used to get a bad rep, but now it is the place to go in OTR. Quick service, fairly priced, good drinks, dancing, live music, chill vibe and cool atmosphere. Can't get much better. read more