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Fizzy, often fruity, and just a little bit sweet, hard seltzer is quickly becoming a favorite drink among those who prefer a lighter flavor profile when indulging. Cincinnati seltzer lovers are in luck: The city is home to some of the most popular hard seltzer producers in the state, and many of its bars serve at least one brand. The following nine bars are some of the best places to enjoy a happy hour hard seltzer in and around Cincinnati. 

Sundry and Vice

18 W. 13th St., Over-the-Rhine, OH, 45202

Full of gleaming glass and sophisticated wood paneling, Sundry and Vice is a small old-fashioned bar with a classy, almost academic atmosphere. Its front window looks almost like a curio cabinet. Inside, patrons can sit atop the tall leather-covered bar stools and order drinks with captivating names like the Clover Club, the Jade Effect, and the Miracle Finnish. 

In addition to their cocktail menu, Sundry and Vice also serves a pair of highballs made with classic New York Seltzer. You can choose from either mezcal mixed with Root Beer seltzer or vodka mixed with Peach Soda seltzer.

March First Brewing

7885 E. Kemper Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45249 

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Named for the day Ohio was founded (March 1, 1803), the March First Brewery is extremely proud of their state and heritage. This company produces the locally beloved Astra Hard Seltzer line of products, which was named to celebrate Ohio's under-recognized contributions to the field of space exploration.  

You can visit the brewery and stop by the on-site bar to sample a few flavors of Astra seltzer drinks, including Bomb Pop, Red Cream Soda, and Crush. March First also serves plenty of food to accompany their drinks, including sandwiches, chips, and delicious fresh pizzas straight from the stone ovens of their pizza kitchen.

Fowling Warehouse

2940 Highland Ave. #230, Cincinnati, OH 45212 

Part bar and part bowling alley, Fowling Warehouse might just be the best place in Cincinnati for hard seltzer lovers. In spring 2021 they hosted Cincinnati's very first Seltzer Fest, a celebratory exhibition with nearly a hundred different types of hard seltzer from local and national brands on tap.  

Fowling Warehouse also offers a wide selection of hard seltzer from local partners year-round. One particularly fun menu offering is their Mystery Seltzer, an order which will get you one random can of hard seltzer from a selection of over 30 flavors. This can be a fun way to get your hard seltzer fix without limiting yourself to the same old standby flavors you always go for.

The Rooftop (Braxton Brewing Company) 

27 W. 7th St., Covington, KY 41011

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Prefer to sip your drinks in the cool, refreshing night air? The Rooftop is an open-air bar that has recently opened on top of the Braxton Brewing Company building. With 5,000 square feet of space and plenty of on-site amenities to enjoy (including lounge-style seating, umbrellas and canopies, a grassy lawn area, and more), this establishment offers a relaxed setting and an incredible view of Cincinnati's skyline.  

The Rooftop's extensive drink menu includes four flavors of VIVE hard seltzer, including Sunrise Punch and Southern Punch. The fruity profiles of these picks matches perfectly with the bar's breezy atmosphere. Be sure to visit when the weather is good for the best possible experience!

Woodburn Brewing 

2800 Woodburn Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45206 

Woodburn Brewing is a modern bar with a deep respect for its historical roots. The company chose to use phoenix iconography in its branding to celebrate the resurgence of Ohio's brewing culture in recent years. Now, they have become an integral part of this thriving sub-culture. The owners have gone the extra mile to create a diverse entertainment experience to complement their enticing array of drinks. The bar regularly hosts events like trivia nights, live performances, and even yoga classes on the premises. 

On top of their artisan beer, this bar also serves several flavors of Astra hard seltzer, including Pink Lemonade and Baja Blast. They also offer Blackberry Breeze hard seltzer from Ohio's own FigLeaf Brewing Company.

The Comfort Station 

793 E. McMillian St., Cincinnati, OH 45206

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Thanks to its offbeat location, The Comfort Station is one of the most distinctive bars in the Cincinnati area. The building was originally built as a public restroom and bathhouse back in the early 1910s and was recently converted into a commercial bar space by the same team that founded Sundry and Vice, another bar on this list. Patrons still enter the bar using the original Women's room door, an excellent touch that makes your visit feel unique from the moment you walk in.

This bright and intimate bar is all about fostering connections, and patrons are encouraged to bring outside food and stay a while if they want to. As for drinks, most are handcrafted cocktails that you won't find anywhere else. For instance, the bar's signature Mass Communicatin' hard seltzer cocktail blends the fruity flavors of strawberry and citrus with more complex notes of ginger and amaro.

Samuel Adams Cincinnati Taproom 

1727 Logan St., Cincinnati, OH 45202

The Samuel Adams Cincinnati Taproom is a relatively recent addition to the Samuel Adams Brewery, but it has already grown a considerable local following. With both indoor and outdoor spaces for mingling and a growing clientele, this is an up-and-coming social spot for the city's younger crowd.  

The bar's menu is largely focused on promoting their fresh-brewed Samuel Adams beer, but they also offer some Truly Hard Seltzer (one of the other brands owned by their parent company, the Boston Beer Company) and other drinks. Try a few different options as you relax in one of their leather-upholstered armchairs or admire the rustic barrel wall that pulls together their dark wood décor.

Anjou

2804 Woodburn Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45206

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Anjou is a very new bar that the owners decided to open after seeing so many of their favorite hangouts close during the 2020 pandemic. While it is still working to establish itself as a recreational venue, its bright, airy atmosphere gives it a unique appeal that should help it to stand out from the local competition. 

Anjou serves Braxton Brewing's VIVE Dragonfruit and Mango hard seltzers as part of their lineup of local beers and spirits. The light fruity taste of these drinks goes perfectly with the cheery surroundings, but make sure you don't visit too late – the bar's doors close by midnight at the latest.

Millions Café 

3210 Linwood Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45226 

If you prefer a casual atmosphere while you're out on the town, Millions Café is the place for you. This modest-looking dive bar serves an impressive selection of hard seltzers from both local and national brands, including Astra, Truly, and White Claw.  

You can sip your drink while listening to music from the live DJ, participating in the bar's weekly trivia night, or just chatting with your fellow patrons. This bar is known to be very laid-back, so it's a great hangout spot for people who don't usually spend much time in Cincinnati's nightlife scene.

Get Your Fizzy On 

Which Cincinnati bar will you be sipping hard seltzer at next Friday night? 

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Parts of Northeast Ohio are known as Amish Country, and the area is a wonderful place to enjoy the quiet atmosphere along with delicious food. Amish food is simple, filling, and tasty, with hearty meats featured prominently.

The following eight restaurants are worth a stop if you want to try home cooking around Amish Country in Northeast Ohio.

Amish Door Restaurant

1210 Winesburg St., Wilmot, OH 44689

The Amish Door Restaurant will celebrate its 45th year of being in business this year, and over time, the restaurant—as well as its surrounding area—has grown. You can now visit the nearby Hasseman House Bed & Breakfast, the Banquet Center, and The Inn at Amish Door. Dishes like the broasted chicken—the restaurant's special recipe of hand-breaded pressure-fried chicken—are popular, as is the creamed chicken served over biscuits and accompanied by mashed potatoes. Delicious soups like tomato basil, ham and bean, and stuffed pepper are great ways to warm up and start your meal.

Mary Yoder's Amish Kitchen, Bakery, and Gift Shop

14743 N. State St., Middlefield, OH 44062

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Opened in 1987, Mary Yoder's Amish Kitchen features good, old-fashioned Amish cooking for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For breakfast, try the buffet that's offered on Monday, Friday, Saturday, and holidays and get your fill of favorites like scrambled eggs, home fries, cornmeal mush, and fresh bakery items. Or order off the menu and try the Dutch Scrambler, which has two eggs, home fries, and your choice of bacon or sausage scrambled together. For lunch or dinner, order an Amish favorite, noodles over mashed potatoes, and add a trip to the salad bar. Or try the buffet, which lets you enjoy homestyle meats, authentic Amish mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and more. If you have your family or group dining together, family-style meals are available for everyone to share.

Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen

8101 OH-241, Mt. Hope, OH 44660

Located across from the Mt. Hope Livestock Auction, Mrs. Yoder's Kitchen does a brisk business from auction attendees as well as locals and tourists. The restaurant is best known for its fried chicken, which is marinated, hand-breaded, and pressure fried according to Mrs. Yoder's special recipe. Other popular items on the menu include pork chops, roast beef, lake perch, and local, seasonal homemade pies. Vegetables like steamed broccoli or cauliflower, seasoned green beans, and whole kernel corn are local and seasonal.

Hartville Kitchen, Restaurant & Bakery

1015 Edison St. NW, Hartville, OH 44632

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Hartville Kitchen has served up great home cooking for 55 years and has daily "meat and three" specials that are sure to fill you up. Order the tenderized seasoned beef cooked in the restaurant's beef gravy, or juicy whole turkey cubed and served with stuffing. The baked boneless chicken served in a creamy sauce is also a customer favorite, and the chicken is delivered fresh daily from Gerber's Amish Farm. Care is taken throughout the menu, from the real mashed potatoes to the salad dressings, which are made at the restaurant.

Dutch Kitchen

14278 E. Lincolnway (US 30), Dalton, OH 44618

Dutch Kitchen centers around an original 1858 farmhouse, beautifully restored and decorated. An addition was built in 1998 to house a larger event room, expanded bakery, and a gift shop. For breakfast, try the grilled or fried French toast made with homemade bread and served with warm syrup. The make-your-own omelet option is also a popular choice. Lunch and dinner options include various chicken and fish options like broasted chicken and grilled orange salmon. For more variety, try the Dutch Kitchen Sampler with broasted chicken, ham, your choice of roast beef or roast turkey, noodles or dressing, corn or green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, a side salad, and homemade bread.

Der Dutchman

4967 Walnut St., Walnut Creek OH 44687

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Genuine Amish kitchen cooking is what makes meals at Der Dutchman so tasty, whether you're stopping by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You'll find meat-and-potatoes meals along with made-for-scratch pastries and pies you can take home and enjoy later. Start your day with a hearty breakfast buffet with options including pancakes, scrambled eggs, potatoes, and fried cornmeal mush. You can also order off the menu with dishes such as Amish Scramble with scrambled eggs with home fries, mushrooms, bacon, onions, or cheese sauce or sausage gravy. For lunch or dinner, the Sampler Plate echoes a traditional Amish potluck and lets you try the restaurant's most popular items, including your choice of two meats, real mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, green beans or creamed corn, tossed salad, and homemade dinner rolls.

Boyd & Wurthmann Restaurant

4819 E Main St, Berlin, OH 44610

Boyd & Wurthmann had its beginnings as a grocery store in 1938. In the 1950s, Boyd & Wurthmann separated the market from a new restaurant specializing in Amish-style home cooking. The original green countertop is still used every day in this cozy restaurant. It remains small, so you might have to wait a bit for a table, but the food is worth the time. Check out the soup of the day, which might be ham and bean, white chicken chili, or broccoli. Entrees include smothered meatloaf, ham loaf, and chicken, and on most days, you'll have about 15 to 20 different pies to choose from, depending on what fruits are in season.

Simple Goodness

Which Amish Country restaurants are you most excited to try? 

Chocolate and mint pair together so well! This must be a pretty popular opinion because there's actually a whole holiday dedicated to the flavor combination. February 19th is National Chocolate Mint Day. If you want to celebrate, all you have to do is enjoy your favorite chocolate mint treat. There are a few great places in Columbus serving chocolate-mint creations too.

Graeter's Ice Cream

1534 W. Lane Ave., Columbus, OH 43221

If you prefer your chocolate and mint fix in ice cream form, Graeter's is the place to go. This veteran-owned ice cream parlor has been a vibrant part of the community for decades. They make their ice cream by hand in small batches, and it is incredibly creamy and delicious. 

The obvious choice at Graeter's is the Mint Chocolate Chip. It has Oreo cookie crunchies for a unique touch. Another option is the Peppermint Chip Wheelies. These are ice cream sandwiches made with chocolate chip cookies and pink peppermint ice cream. 

Simply Rolled Ice Cream

968 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43201

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Simply Rolled Ice Cream is a modern ice cream shop that uses locally sourced ingredients and prepares each ice cream treat to order. You choose your ingredients, and they freeze your ice cream on a large, chilled flat-top surface, adding in toppings as desired.

Rolled ice cream is a whole other way to experience the chocolate and mint combination. Their Mint Chocolate Mania signature roll, made with mint ice cream, hot fudge sauce, peppermint patties, and chocolate chips, is incredibly delicious. Of course, you can also custom-create your own minty ice cream treat by selecting mint ice cream as the base and adding various chocolate toppings as desired.

Bruster's Real Ice Cream

1515 Gemini Pl., Columbus, OH 43240

Bruster's Real Ice Cream makes their ice cream fresh in-store. They've been around since 1989, and they take pride in their premium flavors, which have been carefully developed over the years.

The obvious choice for National Chocolate Mint Day is their Chocolate Peppermint. The red peppermint candies make it unique. Their Mint Chocolate Chip is also delicious and quite classic, and of course, you can't go wrong with the Mint Oreo. If you want something a bit different, you can ask them to make a milkshake out of any flavor.

Anthony-Thomas Candy Shoppe

5040 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43214

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Anthony-Thomas Candy Shoppe is a family-owned candy company with several locations in the Columbus area. They've won numerous awards over the years, including a CBUS Top Pick in 2020. 

Anthony-Thomas is best known for their buckeyes, which are an Ohio staple. But they do also make some chocolate-mint creations. Their Peppermint Bark, made with dark and white chocolates, is a top choice and suitable for sharing. Customers also love the Milk Melt-A-Way Mints, which feature creamy, whipped chocolate centers with a hint of mint.

Colonial Candy

3620 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43214

Colonial Candy has been serving the Columbus area for more than 50 years, and it's a great place to get your chocolate and mint fix—candy style! Their Peppermint Cream candies are coated in smooth, milk, or dark chocolate. The interior is white, creamy, and oh so minty.

You can purchase the Peppermint Creams by the 1/8-pound, so you can order as few or as many as you like. While you're there, you may want to try some of the chocolate-covered pretzels. No, they're not minty, but they're so munchable and addictive.

Chocolate Café

1855 Northwest Blvd., Columbus, OH 43212

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Chocolate Café is a bright, welcoming cafe where you can enjoy anything from a freshly made sandwich to a hot cup of mocha. The obvious choice on National Chocolate Mint Day is the Thin Mint Martini. It's rich and creamy with just the right amount of mint.

If you're in the mood for dessert, then try one of the mint truffles. They're creamy and so satisfying. Or, if you want to bring a mint chocolate treat home to the whole family, you could order an 8" or 10" Thin Mint Cake. Add an espresso filling for something totally unique.

Schmidt's Fudge Haus

220 E. Kossuth St., Columbus, OH 43206

Schmidt's Fudge Haus, as the name suggests, is known for its handmade fudge. You have to try it, but you should also explore their selection of gourmet chocolates. The Mint Meltaways are creamy and delicious—the perfect choice for a National Chocolate and Mint celebration.

Schmidt's is also a great place to pick up some snacks. Their Bridge Mix, Animal Crackers, and Yogurt Pretzels are good to munch on if you need a break from chocolate and mint.

Stauf's Coffee

1334 Neil Ave., Columbus, OH 43201

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Stauf's Coffee is a pristine, modern coffee shop with a minimalist vibe. They offer a great selection of coffees, including a Chocolate Mint coffee that's well worth a try. They'll brew some for you in-house, and they also sell the beans, so you can take more home for later. In the mood for something lighter? Try a mug of peppermint tea. Pair it with a chocolate dessert, and you'll be fully celebrating National Chocolate Mint Day.

Stauf's also has delicious chocolate cookies, which are worth pairing with your Chocolate Mint coffee. If you're really craving chocolate, the Espresso Fudge Brownies are incredible. Guests also love the Chocolate Croissants and the Chocolate Chip Scones. 

Sweetwaters Coffee and Tea

15 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, OH 43201

Sweetwaters is known for serving delicious coffee, tea, and pastries. Their cafe is airy and open, making it a great place to relax as you sip your minty beverage and maybe even read the newspaper.

A unique option would be to order the Greek Mint Tea, which comes straight from Greece, paired with a chocolate pastry. The Chocolate Croissants are perfectly flaky and delicious, and the OMG Chocolate Cake is truly indulgent. You really can't go wrong with a simple Chocolate Cookie, either. Sweetwaters puts pretzel pieces in them to add an incredible crunch.

Better Together

Which one of these Columbus businesses will you visit on National Chocolate Mint Day?

Ohio is filled with amazing destinations where you can explore history of all types, including some excellent museums and fascinating historical sites that highlight Black history. With places like the Cleveland African American Museum in Northeast Ohio, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, and the National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center near Columbus, there are so many informative, inspiring places to visit during Black History Month in February. Today, we're going to take a closer look at 9 of the best places to explore all around Ohio for Black History Month this year.

John Mercer Langston Historic Home

207 E. College St., Oberlin, OH 44074

John Mercer Langston was a fascinating figure in African American history and a trailblazer who achieved many firsts as a Black man. He was the first known Black elected official in the country and the first Black congressman elected from Virginia. John Mercer Langston spent more than a decade living in Oberlin during the mid-1800s, and his historic residence has been preserved to the present day. You can still visit the home today, and it has been included on the National Register of Historic Places.

The African American Museum of Cleveland

1765 Crawford Rd., Cleveland, OH 44106

One of the earliest independent museums on African American history and culture, the Cleveland African American Museum was founded by Icabod Flewellen in 1953. It moved to its current location in Cleveland's Hough neighborhood in 1984 and has continued its mission ever since. That mission is to raise cultural awareness, provide education about Black history, organize community events, and exhibit artifacts that tell stories about the African American experience. The museum is currently open on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Saturdays, with fundraising underway to reopen full-time in the future.

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

50 E. Freedom Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202

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Located in downtown Cincinnati since it first opened in 2004, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center is an award-winning museum and educational center that tells the story of the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad was a network that helped escaped slaves reach free territories, and quite a few of the destinations on our list played a role in the Underground Railroad. Along with helping share the Underground Railroad story, this museum also works to pay tribute to all who worked to abolish human enslavement and secure freedom for all people. There are also some great virtual programs available for Black History Month and all year long if you can't make it to the museum in person.

John Parker House

300 N. Front St., Ripley, OH 45167

One of two destinations on our list located in Ripley, a small town southeast of Cincinnati along the Ohio River, the John Parker House is both a museum and the current home of the John P. Parker Historical Society. As a young man, John Parker escaped from slavery and dedicated his life to helping other slaves reach freedom. He was an inventor and was also very active with the Underground Railroad. The museum is open from Friday through Sunday during select times of the year, so be sure to check the schedule before visiting.

John Rankin House

6152 Rankin Hill Rd., Ripley, OH 45167

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Also located in Ripley is the John Rankin House, one of the most active stops along the Underground Railroad in Ohio. The home of Reverend John Rankin was built in 1825 and was home to Rankin, his wife Jean, and their 13 children. The home, which overlooks the Ohio River, was recently restored and includes many unique artifacts from Rev. John Rankin's life as an abolitionist. You can stop by for a guided tour to learn all about this fascinating figure, his family, his work as an abolitionist, and his role in helping escaped slaves reach freedom.

Paul Laurence Dunbar House

219 N. Paul Laurence Dunbar St., Dayton, OH 45402

2022 marks the 150th anniversary of the birth of celebrated African American author and poet laureate Paul Laurence Dunbar, who spent many years living in Ohio. The Paul Laurence Dunbar House is now a museum and cultural center, where you can learn all about the prolific writer who produced 20 books, including novels, poetry, and short stories during his short lifetime. He purchased this home for his mother in 1904 and lived there with her while he produced some of his final literary works. The home is also the location of the Dunbar Literary Circle, which meets on the second Sunday of every month.

National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center

1350 Brush Row Rd., Wilberforce, OH 45384

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Dedicated to helping visitors learn more about African American contributions to history and culture in America, the National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center is an excellent place to visit during Black History Month. Exhibits scheduled to run through 2022 include Rhythm of Revolution, Queens of the Heartland, Behind the Mask: Black Power in Comics, African Americans Fighting for a Double Victory, and more. There are also many permanent exhibits, including more than 8,000 artifacts.

John Gee Black Historical Center

48 Pine St., Gallipolis, OH 45631

Housed in the John Gee African Methodist Chapel, which held church services for nearly 200 years from its founding until its final service in 1997, the John Gee Black Historical Center is a cultural and educational center. The center works to preserve the culture, tradition, crafts, art, and music of Black Americans in southeast Ohio. In addition to the many exhibits on display, the John Gee Black Historical Center often hosts lectures where you can learn more about Black history and culture.

King Arts Complex

835 Mt. Vernon Ave., Columbus, OH 43203

Art, music, and culture play such a vibrant, vital role in telling the story of Black history. The King Arts Complex includes galleries that showcase painting, sculpture, photography, graphic design, and decorative arts. Many events are happening at the King Arts Center all year long, including the Heritage Music Festival, First Tuesday Tea, and a wide variety of youth arts education programs. The King Arts Complex is a place where you can learn about the many contributions that African Americans have made to the culture of Ohio and of the entire country.

Remembering the Past Makes for a Brighter Future

Whether you visit during Black History Month or at any other time of the year, all of these museums tell important stories that deserve to be heard. Which places will you explore to get in touch with history in Ohio this year?