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Arlin's Bar & Restaurant
Categories: Nightlife Bars Restaurants American (New) Bars, American (New) [Edit]
307 Ludlow AveCincinnati, OH 45220
Neighborhood: Clifton
(513) 751-6566
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 2:30 am
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Music:
- Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Dive-y, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
27 reviews for Arlin's Bar & Restaurant
Review Highlights
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"It's a relaxed, no-frills spot with an excellent patio." In 11 reviews -
"i have yet to visit while UC is in session, but so far, I..." In 3 reviews -
"very very nice bartenders." In 4 reviews
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27 reviews in English
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Review from Bill E.
2/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Ah Arlins, the bar where some of us from culinary school would meet after class to have a quick beer and discuss everything that happened in class.
I came here on Friday night with some buddies and we scored bar seats plus there were some cute girls right next to us. While there we noticed and spoke with kitchen crew from La Poste and Biagio's and shared kitchen stories of the night.
I have always been a fan of Anchor Steam Beer so it's great Arlins has it on tap. My buddies had makers and coke and vodka and soda and the prices are fair.
Plus I ran into my cousin up here playing pool.
Just a great neighborhood bar. The older man Roy I think his name is rocks. Plus with a Yelp check in only $3 for well drinks. -
Review from Jackie S.
4/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Alrin's is a busy neighborhood bar: cheap drinks, good selection, loud music, and your motley crew of locals. The best casual bar on Ludlow by default. They are usually pretty crowded on the weekends and often have good drink specials. If you're hungry, I actually recommend eating the bar food because it's quite tasty!
Bathrooms are pretty clean, but you kind of have to take your guess as to which gender you're walking into since there are no signs. *spoiler alert* Ladies- just go straight down the hallway. Gentlemen, turn right.
The real reason why we frequent this bar is for the outdoor patio in the back. It's dog-friendly and there is a second bar sometimes open where you can get drinks without any hassle. Sometimes they light up a fire. It's a very communal atmosphere and we always end up making new friends. -
Review from Denver L.
1/30/2012 1 Check-in Here
this would defiantly be place to go on a normal night of drinking. Cheap beers, dicounts on yelp checkins, $1 jello shots, great happy hour bar food menu, rocking music, great crowd, and a cool looking patio.
Only dislike of the place is that people smoke right in front of the door. So to get to the great bar, you gotta fight through the "smoke screen". also we sat about half way in the bar, and everytime the door opened the bar smelled like ashtray, but after a few rounds of jello shots no one seemed to care. -
Review from Adam H.
12/22/2011
Arlin's has quickly become my go to spot. Cheap beers, great crowd, rockin juke box, cheap beers, nice patio, cheap beers, clean bathrooms, cheap beers, no credit card minimum...did I mention cheap beers?
Arlin's kind of has that folksy Cheers vibe going for it. On any given night there is bound to be some sort of eclectic crowd all drinking together and having a good time. This bar is really for everyone. In fact I think I even saw a baby there one time.
Not to mention they have a great tap selection coupled with a nice bottle selection, always something new on tap when I walk in. Happy hour is also top notch, but what remains constant are the $1.50 Molsons, all day and every day. Nothing better than a beer that costs a buck and a half.
Other pluses included the neato touch screen juke box, very large patio, and some of the most attentive bar tenders around. In addition you are dangerously close to the Skyline, which they let you bring in the bar; however, the bartenders sure do appreciate if you ask if they want some.
With that said, some minuses include just average bar food, the tvs on football days are not the best because only some are HD and that creates a delay depending on where you are sitting at the bar, and the older female bartenders can be less than friendly from time to time.
So if you are on Ludlow and are looking for a casual drink for a good price then step on it to Arlin's. -
Review from Brittany K.
Cincinnati, OH
11/18/2011
Arlin's is pretty terrible but they've got cheap beer. On Tuesday's you can get a $2.50 Yuengling on draft. That is really the only good thing about Arlin's. Its in my neighborhood and I only go here if I want to pregame to go somewhere else. Quickly down a beer and get the heck outta there.
I bet the patio is nice during warmer months.
But the bartenders don't pay much attention and most reviews on here mention the short, round, mean woman who always seems to be there is and is really awful. I ordered two beers (one for me and my date) and she brought us three. Yes, she thought I was drinking two beers to my date's one. -
Review from Devin C.
Updated - 10/16/2011 8 Check-ins Here
I've been there twice since I wrote my review. Since then three things have happened:
1) I discovered $1.50 pints of Molson Canadian all day, everyday. It makes for a very cheap night.
2) I tried a burger. It was cheap and it was delicious. I'll eat here again for sure.
3) The service has improved slightly. My service one Saturday was superb - the bartender remembered my relatively simple order and whenever I was standing at the bar, she instantly grabbed me another one. However, this past Friday, an older lady bartender had a seriously bad attitude when I was closing my tab - and I have no idea why. It was off putting. Though, the service by a different bartender was also much improved.
I'm going to keep coming back. I will grow weary if I do continue to get a little attitude from some of the staff - it's easy enough for me to move to one of the other bars in the Clifton area - but for the moment, my confidence in Arlin's has risen.Listed in: And I tip you why?
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/15/2011
Arlin's is a pretty interesting experience. I have only gone here a few times and for good reason -… Read more »
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Review from Miks S.
Cincinnati, OH
3/2/2012 26 Check-ins Here
This is my go to bar. Whenever a decision can't be made, this is where I end up. They have a good selection of beers on tap. They also have specials on most nights that let you drink cheap which is always a plus. It can get crowed on the most random days, but that is kind of the fun of it. Each night brings a different crowd and a different vibe to the place.
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Review from Sheila M.
11/13/2010 ROTD 7/27/2011
Oh, Arlin's -- the place that I go to engage in buzzed girl talk because Mt. Adams is just a bit too far, Fries is too dive-y and Christie's is too cold on fall and winter nights. It's in a small building right next to the Clifton fire station, with a bar and small outdoor patio and a single pool table in an adjacent room. The beers are cheap enough and so are the ciders. (Yes, I do drink cider. Don't hayte.) I will comment on the fact that I've noticed all the bartenders are middle-aged, and this particularly bitchtastic one with short hair, glasses, and the inability to smile always ends up serving me.
Last time I went to Arlin's, my friend and I asked what the drink specials were. With a furious glare in response to our apparently retarded question, the bartender replied, "There ARE no specials." Then I asked what ciders they had. Without dropping the attitude that was evident in her deadpan facial expression and tone of voice, she said, "Woodchuck," and nothing more. She glared again, as if she was daring us to ask another question so she could hurdle over the bar counter and jump us. At that point, my friend and I decided to each tip $1 total for however many drinks we ordered that night. So at the very least we were able to save some money :)
Another funny thing about Arlin's is that there are always single guys in there, either alone or in pairs, waiting to strike up a conversation. I've been there 3 times and was approached at least once every time, which is something that rarely happens at Christie's or Fries. Thankfully, it's always more entertaining than annoying. The crowd is older (grad students +) and very diverse. If you're looking to catch up with friends, get some beers and appetizers, and maybe shoot some pool, Arlin's has everything you need. No more, no less.Listed in: Barzzz.
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Review from Steph B.
10/27/2011
I've been here a few times with my grad-student boyfriend and his friends. It's definitely a grad student type of place, but I'm a fan. The patio is where it's at. Just make sure you get your drinks from the outdoor bar, otherwise it's a long, awkward walk back out to the patio holding a full beer. Spills could ensue. Not that I would know.
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Review from Jonathan T.
Avondale, Cincinnati, OH
12/14/2011
Fantastic laid back bar. Great outside area . Alway order a quesadilla before the kitchen closes @10pm! Macaroni bites are awesome as well. Beer drinkers will love this place have plenty of great beers on draft.
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Review from Alex W.
Cincinnati, OH
4/26/2011
Arlin's is a average bar, but once you see the outdoor patio it will completely change your perception of the bar. It has average drink prices for a ludlow bar and has a heck of a deal in Molson Canadian.
The nachos are pretty good for bar food. My only criticism is its lack of up-to-date credit card technology. It needs to adopt a faster way to validate cards, no more of this paper tab stuff. -
Review from Karina M.
6/2/2008
I think my review is tainted by the time of day (3 pm on a Saturday) we visited, so I expect this bar has different clientele during more typical bar hours.
Positives:
* Large, two-tier bar that would be a fun for hanging with a big groups of friends.
* Really cool pressed tin ceiling
* Friendly bartender who helped us with directions
* Clean bathrooms
Negatives
* A large group of crackhead patrons who only communicated with each other using F-bombs
* Disconcerting pictures of regulars drinking at the bar with their toddlers -
Review from Allison J.
Cincinnati, OH
6/4/2010
Arlin's is a neighborhood bar. The neighborhood happens to be in UC's backyard, so there's a fair amount of college students when school is in session.
When the weather is nice, Arlin's is good. The patio is excellent, and they open up a second bar on the lower level for big summer crowds. You'd almost forget you're in the middle of Clifton if it weren't for the truck sirens coming in and out of the firehouse next door.
Like any neighborhood bar, Arlin's has its off-nights too. I was on an unfortunate streak this winter when everytime I went, someone was throwing up. I guess that's bound to happen.
I'll keep going to Arlin's, vomit or no. It's a relaxed, no-frills spot with an excellent patio. And it is dangerously close to the Clifton Skyline. -
Review from Christoffer M.
Cincinnati, OH
5/22/2008
Arlin's is what you'd expect from a conjoining of a dive bar and artsy Clifton. Sure, on the surface it's just another bar. No theme, no pretense, just a watering hole. Pretty dingy, even.
But then you go in and find out that you can buy trinkets and jewelry made by some of the staff. And there's that artsy vibe from all the servers. And the people next to you are talking about James Joyce.
In other words, this is a dive bar, but one with a certain clientele. I think you already know if that's you or not. -
Review from Jessica K.
Cincinnati, OH
8/20/2010 1 Check-in Here
As far as neighborhood bars go, this place is run-of-the mill.
Half-decent bar food? Check.
Usual selection of draft beers? Check.
Less than a handful of TVs? Check.
I ordered the black and blue burger with chips to go with my Guinness. I may be a stout snob, but the bartender did not pour the Guinness properly (and yes, there is a proper way to pour it). The burger had good flavor, but they did not ask how I wanted it to be cooked and despite telling them I wanted it medium-rare, it came well-done. The blue cheese that was listed as coming on top was actually a plastic cup of dressing; the chips were definitely a handful of ripple-cut store-brand potato chips from a bag. The price is pretty steep for the quality of food they serve, but I guess going into it with low expectations made it somewhat acceptable.
After we finished our meals and drinks, the bartender/server didn't ask if we wanted another round of beer. They missed out on what could have been another $10 (and a couple of bucks for the bartender's tip). Oh, well. -
Review from Alex S.
Picture this: A warm summer night, a cold beer, sitting outside around a comfortable table with your good friends, just enjoying Cincinnati.
This is how I feel every time I spend a night at Arlin's - at least on their awesome surprisingly giant patio in the heart of Clifton.
When you walk into Arlin's, it feels like a dive bar. Dimmed lighting, wood pannelong, cramped space, loud music (sometimes from the jukebox, sometimes from a terrible band). It's not particularly a great place to be.
But walking outside and all of that changes. They've got wide open spaces on two floor (a deck attached to the bar and a patio below), with a separate bar on the ground. It's quiet, it's calm, it's beautiful. It's one of my favorite places to sit and have a drink.
Don't let the inside of Arlin's fool you - this is the place to be in the summer. -
Review from Doug C.
10/20/2009
Great neighborhood bar for the Clifton area. You've got a mix of UC students and regulars from the adjacent area that make a pretty nice mix.
I'm not sure I've ever ordered food from the menu here (that's what the Skyline across the street is for), but really the key point is the back deck: perfect for a few beers in fall weather. -
Review from Lauren F.
Indianapolis, IN
8/9/2008
I can't say much about the food. As often as I've visited I have no recollection of eating at this establishment. I can say that if you hit it on a good night the crowd is wonderful. Arlin's is the Cheers of the gaslight district in Clifton. The bar is nice and well stocked, the bathrooms are comfortable, seating is plentiful and if you can weasel into a billiards game with a friend it's usually a good game of doubles.
When the outdoor patio is open and full it's lots of fun. Arlin's is a melting pot of musicians, barely legal punks, college boys, local home owners and good friends. Last time I was there it was very late so we sat just outside smoking in a pool of zippers, converse and heavy gauge earrings until they kicked us out to close the bar. -
Review from Sullivan S.
Austin, TX
8/7/2008
I'm a big fan of the Clifton-Corryville-Ludow-meets-Jefferson area. Arlin's Bar is a highlight of that area, and one of my favorites.
I'm not a big fan of crowds, and on a weekend (usually), Arlin's knows how to pack them in. That's not a knock on them - I mean, how can you knock a bar for being popular? it's kind of hard to recommend a bar that no one wants to go to.
"Yeah, this bar is awesome! I love it!"
"Then why are there only three other people in here every time we come here?"
Arlin's doesn't have that problem. It also has a lot of other things going for it.
Like Christopher M. stated in his review, Arlin's loves their employees. Behind the bar you can buy jewelry and other items made by their bartenders and waiters. They, like a lot of other well known local "landmark" bars, also sell t-shirts. Nothing wrong with that - to me, that shows pride, and pride in yourself is a big selling point in a good bar.
Before I forget, and he's going to kill me for saying this, but if you find yourself at Arlin's and Randall is working, order a Bloody Mary. That's all I'll say.
The outside patio, during the warmer months, is a great place to hang out with friends. You won't need to go all the way back upstairs for a drink - the patio bar is fully stocked as well.
They also have a great jukebox. It's one of those electronic ones that, if you're not down with what they have on tap, you can search the internet for your favorite artists.
The food selection is really good, too, although I wish they kept the kitchen open later. While I'm wishing for things, I'd also like a unicorn. Neither is likely to happen and for the same reason - both wishes are kind of unreasonable.
If you want to spend the day in Cincinnati and you start your journey in the Clifton area, take this advice. Grab lunch and a few drinks at Arlin's. Catch the bus downtown and hit a Reds game. Head on back to Clifton for more drinks at Arlin's or Fries Cafe and then stumble back home. -
Review from Mike K.
Cincinnati, OH
3/19/2010
Went with a buddy before a UC basketball game on a Sunday afternoon, pretty empty... no surprise. The TV's showing the 2010 Olympics and college basketball games were pretty terrible to watch on, bad connection on both near the bar.
Very good selection of (10-15) micro-brew beers on tap, went with the Anchor Steam. The food is pretty "meh" for bar food. I'd definitely go back because this place has upside, but wasn't too impressed with it this go around.
Until another time... -
Review from Sooper M.
Binghamton, NY
1/25/2010
This place was pretty cool. Lots of TVs everywhere to watch sports, service was decent, and the food I ordered was good. I had the Fried zucchini at $4.50 - it was of smaller portions than I would have liked, but it tasted good. I asked for a local beer, and the tender brought me a very tasty, very spicy brew. Overall good experience...
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Review from Sarah A.
8/9/2007
In my opinion this is one of the greatest bars in Cincinnati. It offers a diverse crowd with a laid back atmosphere. You can shoot pool, sometimes listen to a band or get a bite. (I have not tried their food). If you are looking for a drama free night out this is definitely the place.
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Review from Valerie G.
Cincinnati, OH
1/7/2008
Cheap alcohol and a great place to hit after a tough exam or class critique. The cheese fries are decent but most everything takes forever to get since service blows. My suggestion - double up on drinks when you go up to the bar so you don't have to get too annoyed with the bitter aging bartender. The patio's great on a nice night.
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Review from Kara K.
Columbus, OH
5/31/2010
Nothing brings me back to my college days than a night at Arlin's. We ordered two pitchers of Magic Hat & sat out back for hours people watching and talking. Word of advice to newbies: there is no sign on the men's bathroom & both doors are kept open, so it's difficult to tell which is which. Womens is straight ahead, Mens is to the right.
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Review from Angela B.
Cincinnati, OH
10/13/2008
Arlin's Bar is a decent place to hang out. They have live music on the back patio throughout the summer and fall; at times it can be annoying. Drink specials run during the weekdays. On Monday and Tuesdays you can get dollar miller light drafts, Wednesday is wing night, and Thursday ladies get $2.75 well drinks. Arlin's bar food is hit or miss. If you really want a snack you should get the artichoke dip or the quesadilla.
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Review from Kiki J.
Covington, KY
5/29/2009
I always tend to go to Arlin's with a big group - a lot of friends live in Clifton and can walk there at a moment's notice. It's a great place for groups because there's a lot of space on the patio, and I never notice loud music out there. Makes it easy to talk to one another! The inside is whatever.
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Review from allie d.
Cincinnati, OH
8/8/2010
if i was introducing a friend to cincy for the first time and they wanted to go for a drink, this is where i'd take them. very very nice bartenders. always a chill atmosphere. i have yet to visit while UC is in session, but so far, I love this bar. one of the best outdoor/deck areas of any bar i've been to. pitchers are a great deal.
