Looking for a place to watch the Bengals? Try these local bars and restaurants 🏈

Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer
·4 min read
2
Mitchell Brinkdoepke from Northern Kentucky, center, reacts at a watch party at Newport on the Levee as the Cincinnati Bengals play the Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 30, 2022. There are numerous places to watch the reigning AFC champions this season.
Mitchell Brinkdoepke from Northern Kentucky, center, reacts at a watch party at Newport on the Levee as the Cincinnati Bengals play the Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 30, 2022. There are numerous places to watch the reigning AFC champions this season.

Welcome back, football.

The reigning AFC and AFC North champion Cincinnati Bengals kick off their season against their rival, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sept. 11 at Paycor Stadium. Thousands of fans will fill the team's home venue at 1 p.m. to watch Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and company take on the divisional foe, but there are plenty of other terrific places to cheer on the home team in Greater Cincinnati.

In case you don't have tickets to the season-opening contest, we put together a list of local bars and restaurants to watch the Bengals play throughout the 2022 season.

Photos:Ribbon cutting ceremony marks start of Bengals’ first season at Paycor Stadium

Bengals Beat Podcast:Bengals vs. Steelers preview

Sports bars, restaurants in Cincinnati

Kitty’s Sports Grill: This family-owned bar has 12 TVs, including a large projection screen, perfect for game day. Kitty's serves traditional pub food and drinks, like a special "Bengal bomb,” made with orange vodka and Red Bull. 218 W. Third St., Downtown. kittyssportsgrill.bar.

The new mural by Benjamin Thomas on the side of Kitty's Sports Grill. Kitty's has 12 TVs, including a large projection screen, perfect for game day.
The new mural by Benjamin Thomas on the side of Kitty's Sports Grill. Kitty's has 12 TVs, including a large projection screen, perfect for game day.

Knockback Nat's: This fan-favorite bar boasts great food, people and drinks, according to its Facebook page. What more could you ask for? 10 W. Seventh St., Downtown.

Rhinehaus: This local bar and brewery considers itself the “original OTR sports bar,” according to its website. Rhinehaus has 14 55-inch TVs and a projector, making it an ideal place to watch the Bengals and other local sports teams. 119 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine. rhinehausbar.com.

Moerlein Lager House: With views of the Ohio River and Smale Riverfront Park, this microbrewery offers guests a full line of Moerlein craft brews, foods reminiscent of the city’s 19th-century beer gardens and plenty of TVs to watch the Bengals. 115 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown. moerleinlagerhouse.com.

Holy Grail Tavern and Grille: Holy Grail is a popular destination for Bengals and Reds fans to eat and drink before, during and after games. This sports bar features 31 high-definition TVs, a full-service food menu and an outdoor patio with a bar. 161 Joe Nuxhall Way, Downtown.

Bengals fans watch Super Bowl 56 from the Holy Grail Tavern and Grille, at The Banks, in downtown Cincinnati, on Feb. 13, 2022. Holy Grail features 31 high-definition TVs, an outdoor patio with a bar and a full-service food menu.
Bengals fans watch Super Bowl 56 from the Holy Grail Tavern and Grille, at The Banks, in downtown Cincinnati, on Feb. 13, 2022. Holy Grail features 31 high-definition TVs, an outdoor patio with a bar and a full-service food menu.

O’Malley’s in the Alley/Blind Pig: This place calls itself Cincinnati's second-oldest bar. It features approximately 20 TVs and a solid selection of food and beer. O'Malley's is also connected to the Blind Pig, which has an outdoor patio that overlooks Third Street. 25 Ogden Place, Downtown. omalleyscincy.com.

Crowley’s Irish Pub: Although it is in a smaller location, Crowley's offers an extensive beer selection and always seems to be packed with pub regulars. If you're searching for that neighborhood bar atmosphere, this may be your place. 958 Pavilion St., Mount Adams. facebook.com/Crowleysirishpub.

Mount Lookout Tavern: Commonly known as "MLT," this tavern is a legendary neighborhood sports bar on Cincinnati’s East side. MLT offers a wide selection of drinks, food and plenty of TVs for Bengals fans. 3209 Linwood Ave., Mt. Lookout. mtlookouttavern.com.

O’Bryon’s Bar & Grill: O'Bryon's has multiple TVs, a great beer selection and a second-story outdoor patio. 1998 Madison Road, O'Bryonville. obryonsirishpub.com

Wanna bet? Cincinnati Reds approved for Ohio sports betting license, Bengals still pending

Sports bars, restaurants in Northern Kentucky

Game Time Sports Bar & Grill: Whether it's the Reds, Bengals or your favorite college team, Game Time Sports Bar & Grill is a great place to gather before, during or after games. According to its website, the restaurant and bar offers competitively low prices and 50-inch flat screen TVs on every wall. 136 E. Third St., Newport. gametime2012.com.

Dickmann’s Sports Barn and Brew: Dickman's has been around since the 1970s and is considered one of the original sports bars in Northern Kentucky. The spacious bar offers plenty of seating, multiple TVs and a full-service menu. 479 Orphanage Road, Fort Wright. dickmannscafe.com

Riverfront Pizza & Sports Bar: This family-owned restaurant has been in business since 1981. The bar's website says it offers free parking, 50-inch TVs and a “sports-friendly menu.” 617 W. Third St. #2, Covington. rfrontpizza.com.

The 859 Taproom and Grill: This bar has Northern Kentucky’s largest beer wall, according to its website, with over 60 craft beers on tap and a selection of over 150 bourbon varieties. The 859 Taproom also has 17 TVs and a patio open year-round. Last year, the bar hosted Bengals-themed trivia every Tuesday during the NFL season. 8720 Bankers St., Florence. the859taproom.com.

Molly Malone’s Irish Pub & Restaurant: Molly Malone’s is an authentic Irish-owned restaurant and a popular destination for soccer fans. However, the pub has NFL Sunday Ticket and many TVs for watching the Bengals. It also offers a free shuttle to Paycor Stadium for customers attending the game in person. 112 E. Fourth St., Covington. mollymalonesirishpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Best Cincinnati-area bars to watch the Bengals this season