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The Comet
Categories: Nightlife Bars Dive Bars Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Dive Bars, Music Venues [Edit]
4579 Hamilton AveCincinnati, OH 45223
Neighborhood: Northside
(513) 541-8900
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 4 pm - 2:30 am
Sun 11 am - 2:30 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- Live, Juke Box
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Sun, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Ambience:
- Hipster, Dive-y, Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
100 reviews for The Comet
Review Highlights
"The food fantastic, and the beer selection rock solid."
(in 36 reviews)
"Their award winning jerk tofu burrito is "where it's at."
(in 6 reviews)
"The recently added Sunday brunch is really good too."
(in 11 reviews)
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100 reviews in English
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Review from Missy L.
11/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Holy guacamole (ya see what I did there?) The Comet has some mighty tasty burritos! Seriously Chipotle has NOTHING on this place. Why it has taken me so long to have one of the infamous Comet burritos I honestly can't tell you, but I am ashamed of myself for it.
Located in Northside right on the Hamilton The Comet is a unique mix of dive bar, restaurant and concert venue. I formally knew The Comet as just a bar, but it is in fact much much more.
The set up is a bit confusing...if it wasn't for the chalkboard menu items you probably wouldn't realize it's a restaurant at all. Your order is placed at the bar, and you then take your ticket back to the kitchen where you are given a number that you put at your table and they bring you your food once it's prepared.
What they bring you is nothing short of delectably magnificent! I had the jerk tofu burrito and...wow I'm not sure I even have words. Not only are they cheaper than Chipotle while still being the same mammoth size, but they also come with chips. A comet burrito could easily feed a person for two meals (though I will admit I finished every last bit of mine...and then promptly went into a food coma).
The Comet also offers local music on most nights. I've seen bands like Shadow Rapture and The Turkey's here. If you go in the evening there is almost always someone playing.
They offer a large selection of bottled beers, as well as several draft options and the occasional signature drink. I went right before Thanksgiving and they were offering a homemade Cider cocktail that sounded pretty tasty.
The only draw back to The Comet is how popular it is! We had a lot of trouble finding a table and this was on a week night. We had all actually gotten our food, before we were able to grab a table. It's worth the wait though folks!
I will without a doubt be back for music, burritos and hopefully someday for their Sunday Brunch. The Comet is a real Northside treat! -
Review from Kristin R.
Cincinnati, OH
1/23/2012
Ya know, its quite a thrill to pack my yuppie friends in to their Nissan Murano and head over to the "hipster" part of town! Being that one of them has lived in the Cincinnati area her ENTIRE life and has NEVER ventured out of the Eastside, I consider heading over to the Northside neighborhood for bar burritos a complete victory not only for me, but also for The Comet.
I love a good dive, and the fact that their juke box is the houses Wanda Jackson's greatest hits makes this place all the better. The food was absolutely delicious. I had a chicken burrito and the salsa sampler. Both were on point. They have an incredible beer selection as well. Service is minimal here, being that you order at the bar and literally walk your order ticket to the kitchen yourself. Honestly, who needs the middle man?
Me and my gang were obviously from the polo/khaki side of the tracks, and it didn't go unnoticed by the incredibly hip and tattoo'd staff and patrons. We definitely got a few side-eyed glances and the bartender was insanely annoyed with the fact that we were excited to be there. For these reasons and these reasons alone, The Comet is not getting my coveted 5 star review... (who am I kidding? I am a 5 star whore... I really am quite easy to please.)
Over all, it was great. I would love to return for Bluegrass Sundays. -
Review from Leisa W.
1/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
Three stars...I'm saying 2 stars for the Comet, and and 5 stars for the Comet Bluegrass All-Stars. Since TCBAS are only there on Sundays, and Sunday is only 1 of the 7 days of the week, 3 stars is being generous.
The Comet isn't really my kind of place. They DO seem to have an amazing beer selection, but I don't really like beer. (Dark & Stormys were pretty good, though). They have food, which I generally appreciate in a bar, but although people rave about the Mexican food here, I don't think it's all that. In fact, I really don't think it's great at all. Ordering food it kind of a pain...you have to order it from the bar, then turn it in to the "kitchen", and if you don't know this already you just have to stand around and look stupid until someone tells you. The space isn't really much to look at, and I've never been there for brunch, so I can't speak to that.
BUT...
They host the Comet Bluegrass AllStars on Sunday nights...like every Sunday night for the past 15 years or something. And the Comet Bluegrass AllStars are AMAZING. The opportunity to listen to this band, for free, while enjoying a beverage and having food available--well, that transforms this bar into a 5-star place. It's intimate, enjoyable, and I plan to go back often. But without the music...for me, it's like Cinderella at the stroke of midnight -
Review from Catherine O.
Cincinnati, OH
11/27/2011 12 Check-ins Here
I love this place. Low key, laid back, a good selection of beers for the beer folk, and always happy to top off my Rose's and soda. The music is never so loud that you can't socialize, but often so good that you'd rather just listen. You'll find me here many a Sunday night for Bluegrass, which I never really new I liked until I paired it with another obsession: salsa.
What keeps me coming back is the amazing homemade salsa. Each month (or so) a new specialty selection is added to the already impressive array of mild (sweet sweet onions), medium (jalapenos are our friends), and hot (fire in the hole!). The burritos being simply too much for me, I often order up the salsa sampler, which gives me a serving of all three heat levels, the specialty of the month, guacamole and a little sour cream to mellow out the hot hot salsa. A giant pile of warm (not homemade, but still so good) chips to ferry the delicious sauce to my lips and I'm a happy camper.
Sunday brunch is also very enjoyable, but tends to not come with Bluegrass. -
Review from Monica W.
11/19/2011
I really like this bar a lot. It is located in Northside. I find the comet to be a very friendly dive bar.
They always have some sort of music such as bluegrass going on here.
The drinks are reasonably priced here.
Nice atmosphere here a little hipster like though. -
Review from Hyatt G.
Cincinnati, OH
11/18/2011
Super bar! Decent selection of beer. Kind of a neighborhood joint.
Food's mexican. The burritos rock. The Nachos are huge. Both times I've gotten them though, there about a gajillion jalapenos on there. Maybe that's their tactic for selling more beer. Other than that, I'm really impressed with the food considering it's a bar.
Update: Sunday Brunch rocks! Go. Eggs Benedict rocks! It was served on top of a cheese quesadilla! I guess I would describe some of the brunch items as trad brunch fare with spice. And I have heard amazing things about their French Toast. Will be back ASAP. -
Review from Erin O.
Cincinnati, OH
11/10/2011
Hmmm. I don't think of the Comet as a dive bar. I equate dive bar with dark and dirty. Comet is not dirty. To me, it's more of a neighborhood/music joint. Kid friendly during the late afternoon, rocking live music at night. Yes, yes, I've heard the grumblings of subpar service, but I have yet to experience this. I've visited for brunch, dinner, and late night. It can get packed as the evening goes on and forget about going on Bike Night. But, I've found this is one of my favorite after work hangs - a plate of nachos and a microbrew pint end the work week on a high note.
People will tell you to get after those burritos. I tend to disagree, but, in full disclosure, I'm not a burrito person. The nachos, however, are where it's at. A beautiful pile of chips, toppings, salsa, and FRESH jalapenos make this girl smile and eat like hawks are hovering nearby. Topped off with a cold brew, your taste buds will thank you (once they cool off, of course).
Speaking of brews, the Comet likely has whatever your little heart desires, from PBR in a can to fancy pants beer in a serving bottle. My husband can (and does) spend a bit of time perusing the cooler on each and every visit, and always finds something that meets his highfalutin beer tastes. Which brings me back to the service issue - once served a beer gone bad from the tap, it was quickly and most kindly replaced with a different selection (no charge, of course).
Also, brunch is an important factor in this review. Brunch in and of itself is an amazing thing. I love it, and the Comet aims to please. Portions are large, and they are yum. I do recommend getting in there on the earlier side, if you're not inclined to wait for scrumpdilliuptiousness. -
Review from Jeremy O.
9/28/2011
Having been to The Comet twice now, I can honestly say I have no idea what the big deal is about this place. The first time I came here was on a Sunday at about noon with a friend who told me they had the one of the best burritos in town. Of course we weren't aware they serve brunch on Sundays. Anyways, we decided to stay and we both ordered the french toast. Although it was good, it was extremely sugary and I ended up only being able to eat half of it.
The second time I visited The Comet was at night when they were actually serving burritos. Two of us ordered chicken burritos, myself included, and the other being vegetarian ordered the tofu burrito. Although the woman working the bar and the guy in the kitchen were both polite, they did end up getting our burritos mixed up and my veggie friend ended up getting a nice mouthful of chicken, which she was anything but happy about. Other than that however the meal was good, not great, but good.
Even with mediocre food however, The Comet does have some saving points. The biggest one being the amazing selection of beer available, many I had never even heard of. Secondly, the bar is definitely divey/hipsteresque in nature and if that's your scene this place is for you. Last, although the music can be loud it does give off a nice atmosphere.
Come here to drink, not to eat. Not the other way around. -
Review from S C.
New Orleans, LA
9/9/2011
Dear Comet,
I wish I could pick you up and pluck you smack-dab in my New Orleans front yard. Alas, I will settle for visiting you when I visit my folks in the 'Nati.
This bar saved my life when I was living in Cincy for a couple months after Hurricane Katrina. The sweetest bar staff and owners, great beer selection, awesome prices, and amazing live music.
Thanks for keeping me sane. xoxo -
Review from Strea T.
Dayton, OH
9/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
The jamacian jerk tofu was pretty bad the last time I was there (last week). It used to be awesome. Maybe the recipe changed or someone got lazy, but it was missing lime juice and several other spices. The guacamole is not fresh and it tastes like preservatives.
The waitress overcharged me too, something I realized after I paid. The food guy was a real jerk to me once many years ago. He was nice this time. I'll go back but I'm not in a hurry. -
Review from Alicia S.
Cincinnati, OH
7/17/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Thank GOD the Comet exists and it's in Cincinnati! Love the decor, atmosphere, crowd, choice of beers and the food is pretty tasty too. I recommend the Jerk Tofu Burrito --really good (and I'm not a vegetarian).
I usually only go on Sunday nights to see The Comet Bluegrass Allstars because they are a great bluegrass band. Wonderful musicians!! Seriously, if you live in Cincinnati and you haven't checked them out --what are you waiting for?!! Go already! -
Review from Kiarash Z.
Lima, OH
5/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm glad I'm not the only Yelper to notice the absolutely crap attitude of Comet's bartender and cook. And if you've ever had decent Mexican food, you'll know Comet's burritos and tacos are a bad joke.
Listen, jerk tofu is a great idea ... maybe over white rice, maybe in a salad ... not in a burrito.
As the only diner in the bar, I was given a menu and sat at my table. After a while, I realized no one was coming to take my order. So I walked to the back kitchen window and asked the cook, who was doing nothing, how a first-timer goes about ordering food.
"Order at the bar."
"Will they give me a ticket to bring back to you?"
"Order at the BAR. They will GIVE you a TICKET. Bring the TICKET back to me!"
Listen dude, I'm a newspaper editor with two college degrees. You're scooping refried beans in the back of a dive bar. Don't insult my intelligence.
So I played nice and ordered at the bar, took the ticket back and waited.
My order was supposed to have chips and salsa included. I saw no salsa. Thinking it was an oversight, I saw the cook walking buy and politely asked if I might have some salsa.
"It's IN the BURRITO."
If you're giving me chips, why would you put the salsa in the burrito?
"May I have some salsa for my chips?"
"Order it at the bar!"
So I had to leave my lunch with my girlfriend, go over to the bar, have the bartender write down "med. salsa" on the ticket, then walk that back to the cook. Then I walked back to me table and sat. The salsa arrived a few minutes later. Again, I should stress there were 10 patrons in the bar, tops.
So Comet gets two stars for carrying Wittekerke on tap. Other than that, avoid this den of rudeness. Also, a $1 charge for using a credit card isn't terribly classy. -
Review from Célèste B.
Cincinnati, OH
7/6/2011
My boyfriend and I recently went here with friends and fell in love with the place. We went back almost immediately, and I'm already itching to return again.
Why it's great:
-Good jukebox
-Amazing selection of drinks (one of the only places I can find Lindemans framboise lambic, which is my favorite thing ever)
-Very good burritos for a good price. I recommend the jerk tofu. -
Review from Anthony M.
Cincinnati, OH
8/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
The Comet is very Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. When it's good it's great but when it's bad it's miserable. Going here is always a crap shoot and you will know if it is going to be a good night or a bad night within the first 5 minutes of being there.
The Good: The Comet has a very cool vibe to it, very chill, and it's a place where you can sit and chat unless bands are playing. The burritos are great and the jukebox is loaded with good tunes. Any place I can go and listen to Black Flag gets a thumbs up from me. And if you want beers, they have them, lots and lots of them. They also rotate what they keep in stock so if you are into discovering new micro brews, this is the place for you.
The Bad: The service really depends on who is working and that affects everything else. The last time I went there I left after waiting close to 10 minutes to order dinner while 2 bartenders were working and there was less than 20 people in the place. This is not an isolated occurrence either. Again, if the service is on that night, it's good, but if it's off, it is way off.
The Ugly: Although the two rooms look big, the place fills up quickly and can be hard to move around. Also the bathrooms are super small, so you might have wait or have a drunk stranger walk in on you and have an awkward foot touching foot moment.
The Comet is a well known institution and is normally a fun night out but like I said you figure out which way it is going go within the first 5 minutes there. -
Review from Corbin C.
San Francisco, CA
3/1/2011
1) The Comet's in a terrible location outside of Northside. No, it's not in Northside--no matter how bad they want it to be.
2) The food isn't all that great. Plus, you have to pay extra for pretty much ever topping on a burrito or quesadilla. Dumb.
3) The bartenders are always jerks. For no reason. Without fail.
The only reason to ever visit the Comet is if they have a decent act playing, which is a rare occurrence. -
Review from Becky R.
Best Feature: Great drink selection + VERY unique! Good food, too!
Worst Feature: Live music can be a bit overwhelming.
I had never even heard of The Comet until I went there with my boyfriend many months ago. We've stopped in several times and each time I have a great time! The first thing I discovered that I loved about it was the drink selection - what a great variety! A lot of common and also unusual beers to choose from.
I love the interior - very cozy and intimate with interesting decor. They have live music from time to time and a jukebox you can always choose music from - the live music has occasionally been a bit too loud for my taste when I am trying to have conversation, but I LOVE the ambiance and the option to have real bands and musicians play!
The food is also good - I had never tried anything until my boyfriend highly recommended the burrito. Dear god - a packed burrito that is quite delicious! I absolutely enjoyed very bite and will gladly order it again!
I love this place - it's a bit of a drive from our current location but it is totally worth it!! :-) Lot of great times and great food/drink! -
Review from Mike W.
Park Hills, KY
2/7/2011
Do you know what your cumin tolerance is? You're about to find out.
I got a chance to check out the famous Comet this weekend, with high hopes that it's going to blow me away. I had read several of the reviews here prior to going, and was ready to enjoy a delicious burrito with an overwhelming selection of beer.
I will say the beer they got right. There were lots to choose from, and the shot in the dark I took turned out to be a winner. I also got out of The Comet for about $8, not bad considering that's a beer, dinner, and a tip. Unfortunately, that's where everything good about The Comet ends.
I'm wondering if my fellow Yelpers went to a different Comet, because the burrito was one of the worst I've had. I got a beef burrito, shying away from the highly-recommend tofu. But the beef was really the least of my worries. Comet makes their burritos to be eaten sideways I believe, because each of the ingredients were completely separated. The result was the first half of the burrito being nothing but bean paste, the next 25% being the beef, and the last 25% rice. Everything was completely saturated in cumin, to the point where I thought the bean paste was actually cumin paste. Don't get me wrong - I like my cumin. But the lid must have popped off the shaker for this one.
You also get a side of tortilla chips, but there was nothing to dip them in. I found this confusing. I started using the burrito filling, but then at the end I was left with unused burrito shell. There's really no winning here, unless they'd give you some salsa and make them proper chips.
One final point about The Comet that kind of put me in awe was that people queue. This was quite the culture shock to me, and I had to make sure I was in the same country. (Fun fact: You can perform this test by shouting U-S-A, U-S-A! and seeing if people join in) But seriously, the queueing. Whats up with that? This is a bar, you drunkenly stumble up to the front and flail about like a civilized person.
If The Comet was lesser renowned I'd brush it off and never go back there again. Maybe I was unlucky that night, and everything transpired into a perfect storm of suck. I'll give it another shot, just with less lofty expectations. -
Review from Brieanne S.
Cincinnati, OH
4/19/2011
We have been to the Comet on several occasions. The first time we went a friend had suggested the Burritos. It was big enough for us to split-which was nice. Their Guacamole is excellent!!! We have also been there on Sunday evenings for the Bluegrass, which was fantastic!!
Most recently, we went with a group for Sunday brunch. Seating was a little tough but we were able to slide some tables together so it all worked out. The food was great, priced a little high but good none the less.
Now-lets talk about the brunch Bloody Marys....AAAAAMAZING!!! I honestly don't think I've had a better Bloody Mary, even when I make them myself. They definitely get 5 Stars for those!! They have a great selection of beers too, as others have reviewed!
If you're looking for a unique, Hipster-esque place to hang out, this is the place to go!!! Oh, and dont forget to check out the photo booth!!! -
Review from John M.
2/15/2011
The Comet?? ...well, as a whole, its alright.
The beer section is fantastic. I mean seriously, they have a great selection of bottles and usually some tasty treats on tap! The support local music which is another significant plus in my book. They definitely have live, local music on the weekends and I'm fairly certain throughout the week, as well.
The food??? ...well, its sub-par. If you want really good Mexican food, see one of my other reviews on Taqueria Mercado. The food at The Comet isn't really bad, but as far as "Mexican" food goes, its just not that good. Its fine. It will make you feel better if you are hungry or have had too many beers, but its never something I desire.
Basically, the Comet is a cool joint to have some good beer and check out some good local music. I've been and I'll go again, but I'll probably stop for a bite to eat on my way. -
Review from Rob K.
Cincinnati, OH
3/24/2011 4 Check-ins Here
And it ends with a thank you to the Comet, and the Sunday bluegrass group.
Fun show, great entertainment. Unlike many many places, the volume was sociable; not deafening, making the entertainment enjoyable.
The food fantastic, and the beer selection rock solid. My guest and I wound up with a table, and I understand my rating is probably somewhat higher than the ratings would be of the girls that were sitting on the floor for the show (yes, that would be sitting on the floor of a dive bar, but to each their own, right?).
Thank you, Comet. -
Review from Pat F.
9/15/2010 ROTD 7/3/2011
The Comet is exactly what every neighborhood bar should be. It has the biggest beer selection of any bar I know without being pretentious about it. It has the best jerk tofu quesadillas I've ever had (or even heard of) and great burritos as well. The food sometimes takes a while, but that's because they make everything to order. Don't worry, it's worth it, and you can drink any beer you want while you wait for it.
The Comet has a pool table and a photo machine and a killer jukebox. It has super nice bartenders, a little bit of outdoor seating, rock and roll during the week and the best bluegrass band in town (The Comet Bluegrass All Stars) every Sunday evening. Now they even have Sunday brunch.
I've gone to the Comet for celebrations. I've gone there on dates. Heck, I even studied for the bar exam there (true story. I passed it too.). They have free wifi. They have good food. They have good beer. They have good music. They have my favorite wooden Cincinnati sign inside by the pool table.
Basically it's like if heaven were a dive bar. Do yourself a favor and go.Listed in: Whirlwind 'Nati Weekend (for…
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Review from Julie B.
11/8/2010 4 Check-ins Here
the Comet is the place to go on Sunday nights for Bluegrass. Home of the Comet Bluegrass Allstars the Comet may also have one of the best beer selections found in a bar in Cincy.
The brunch is OK but not my fav. And don't go to the Comet expecting to be able to carry on a conversation - this is a music joint and has been for many years. It's also a dive and frankly I would be enormously upset if it wasn't because that is apart of its charm.
the Burritos are killer - and often we will go just to get one regardless of who's playing the room. Fantastic juke - and some decent pool if you can get the table.
The Comet is just a very decent dive bar in Cincy and the crowd mix is varied which in my book is good. If take it for what it is then you will enjoy it. -
Review from Jon A.
8/8/2010
Along with many things in life... I agree with Alex S on basically everything he has to say about The Comet.
The Comet isn't a dive... I mean... think about "Jazz Club" on Vine... that's a Dive... or even Fries that's dive-y-er. The Comet is a neighborhood bar; a lighthouse signaling my palate far away from Indianapolis -- making sure I return more often than I do for the Jerk Tofu Burrito. Yeah... The Comet is crammed most of the time... however if you're clamoring right when they open at 4 (like we were as lunch-less road trippers) then it's totally empty.
I gotta say... I can't stand it when I have to take the initiative when I'm standing right in front of them to get a bartender's attention for everything from a can of suds to a burrito, and I'm the only there. Yea... that's what happened. I'm just some scruff from the other side of the border, ya know? Oh, and lookey there the skinny-jeaned hipster got a warm welcome... shocker! Whatever... awkwardness aside... that damn burrito is the most edible arrangement inside anything within 100 miles of the Ohio.
That burrito is all that matters.
Props to having Pabst in a Can and premium micros on draft at the same time. To serve all. To serve the world that burrito. New mission in life? -
Review from Benjamin B.
Cincinnati, OH
7/2/2011
Not the worst bar in the world, but not nearly as great as most people make it out to be. The burritos are edible but I personally thought they kinda sucked, super bland. The beer is all over priced. Cool vibe, I guess, sorta. It's generally full of the kind of people who move to Northside and then just never leave it, and they all look like they should be in a period piece. Also the location sucks.
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Review from Alex S.
7/3/2010 4 Check-ins Here
My friend The Panda (not his real name) swears by The Comet. He and his wife come here every Sunday for brunch, every weekend for music, all the time for food. It's his favorite place in Cincinnati.
It is pretty good. I don't have devout dedication to it, but when I want a burrito (and I don't want to go to Chipotle), this is my spot.
Let's start there. The burritos are fantastic. Cheap and big and full of veggies and meat and phenomenal sauce. The last time I was there, I was encouraged to get the Jefk Tofu Burrito, and award winning dish. I'm not a big tofu lover but this was amazing. Absolutly amazing! Personal recommendation.
Ordering food is semi-annoying. You get drinks from the bar at the front and food from the window in the back and then take both to your table. That is, if you can find a table. Even though this is a pretty big space, it seems to be always crowded.
The Comet has live music pretty much all the time at night, and it's usually excellent. They've got their house band (The Comet Bluegrass All-Stars, who are great) as well as a rotation of other bands. They keep the music at a decent level (not too loud of quiet) and it's a pretty decent space to rock out.
Many people call this place a dive bar, and I can see why. It's always dark and it never feels particularly clean. But I wouldn't call it a dive bar myself. I've never felt sketched out here. It's always been a welcoming, delicious, fun kind of place.
Plus, The Panda's there, so there's always that.Listed in: Group Spots, Cincy Eats, Places to Stay Cool, Dive Bars, Brunch Time!
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Review from Meg G.
7/23/2010 5 Check-ins Here
I once spent an entire day at The Comet. You heard me right. I arrived at 11:00am when they opened for Sunday brunch. Enjoyed a leisurely meal with some good friends. Soon, some other friends joined us. We sat and chatted as friends came and went for the better part of the afternoon. By 5:00, we were hungry again. So we had dinner there before reluctantly heading home.
The Comet is just that sort of place. While some would call it a dive bar, it is anything but. Sure, the looks of it leave a lot to be desired, but it is a comfortable place to relax. The beer selection is fantastic; the bartenders friendly and helpful. The atmosphere is welcoming. The food menu, while limited, is good. I usually go for the black bean quesadilla and have never been disappointed. Their salsas are delicious. They always have a salsa of the month, and if it happens to be Tomato Curry, try it. I'm not typically a tomato person, but I'd eat this stuff with a spoon.
There are live bands most days of the week. If you are a bluegrass fan, be sure to come on a Sunday night. The Comet Bluegrass Allstars are top notch, and always entertaining.
I could go on and on about this place. I don't want to love it, but it's so hard not to. Go ahead, take a drive on up to Northside and see for yourself. -
Review from Mike C.
Upper Arlington, OH
1/17/2011 2 Check-ins Here
We got taken here for Sunday brunch when visiting friends in Cincy. Truly a dive bar by definition and exactly what I was looking for.
The sign outside said espresso. They don't have espresso. Fine, whatever, it doesn't really suit this place anyway. I drank the coffee and didn't worry about it.
Oh but then moments later the food arrived. The glorious, oversized, delicious food! I got some kind of eggs benedict on a quesadilla with chipotle hollandaise, or something like that. There was some ham in there as well. Too complicated to remember, too amazing to forget. My wife got some of the best damn biscuits and gravy I have had at a restaurant. Bob Evans, eat your heart out!
In conclusion: yum. -
Review from Rita E.
Brooklyn, NY
5/29/2010
Hate to break this to everyone, but The Comet is not a dive bar. Dive bars, while fun, are skanky, dirty and grimy, filled with intimidating lowlifes and the stench of failed dreams; their bathrooms are unmentionable in their unseemliness and often don't have doors.
The Comet, on the other hand, is a really cool hang out for a really mixed crowd. What, so they have checkboard flooring, a pool table and loads of beer taps lining the walls. This makes it a dive bar? The fact that the sink is located outside of the individual bathrooms makes it a dive bar? Really? I found this place to be clean and pretty upstanding, for a bar.
My friend and I had a blast here on a recent Friday night. There was live music in the lounge, which has retro early 60s-ish wallpaper and a photobooth, several tattooed and pierced 20-somethings milling around, and dozens of great beers by the bottle. (For some reason the Comet is heavy on the Green Flash brews out of California. Good call.) I dug this place. I'd come back for sure. -
Review from Matthew F.
Chicago, IL
2/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Outstanding beer selection.
Delicious burritos and quesadillas.
One of the best jukeboxes on earth.
Typically Cincinnati's most diverse crowd.
The "dive bar" label is misused here - they clearly give a damn.
I really miss the Comet. They should open a Chicago branch. -
Review from Kristin C.
New York, NY
7/3/2010
I was back in Cincinnati last weekend and went to The Comet for the first time in about seven years. And I still love it.
They have a wonderful beer selection. However, just like when I lived there, I often forget to check to see what they have on tap since I am first assaulted by the fridge cases displaying all those (mostly) interesting bottled beers.
And the burritos...yum! They are still yummy, mission-style goodness (although i get mine without beans). I love the salsas and had to go get more from the guy at the window (who didn't charge me for it) for my chips (of which they give me so many that I can't eat them). The guac is just OK...it needs more cilantro and peppers. But still, yum!
The only drawback (which was also an issue when I used to come more often) is how utterly loud it can get when a band is playing. Even on the bar side, you still have to scream to be heard. I can suffer for a burrito and a beer...but then I leave.Listed in: Anywhere but here
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Review from Leigh K.
9/26/2010 1 Check-in Here
All right, so my betrothed and I fell prey to Groupon-syndrome and had heard tell of The Comet's tasty Mexican dishes and large beer selection and decided to check it out. (Side Rant: Groupon, either stop telling users it's okay to just use the app on our phones to redeem, or tell venues that they HAVE to accept non-printed Groupons. I'm getting sick of showing up at places that won't accept my Groupon on my phone, when it clearly states in the Groupon T&C that they should be acceptable. Long story short: The Comet will only accept printed Groupons.)
My initial impression was not super great, to be honest: the bizarre ordering system is not explained anywhere, and the bartender ignored us for several minutes despite any real lack of a crowd. We apparently just weren't standing in the right spot. However, once we did finally manage to get our beers from their impressive selection of draughts and bottles, and our food order in, I will admit that it was worth the minor annoyances.
My chicken tacos were super-fresh and overflowing with cilantro, cheese, and their salsa of the month, an amazing curry-based creation. My fiance, an avowed carnivore, got the blackened tofu burrito on word-of-mouth recommendation, and we hoovered those things up in a matter of minutes. It's not hard to make good, fresh, delicious Mexican food, and it's becoming slightly easier to find it, but it's still a rare occurrence to find it done as well as the Comet has done it, and in such a random dive bar locale.
And a dive bar it is. The jukebox is clearly priceless, rattling out old 45s with reckless abandon at cash-only rates, and they have a majorly old-school photo booth set up where young hipsters in love can mark their magic moment of burrito-sharing for posterity. The mod, flocked velvet wallpaper is pretty sweet too.
I wish I could give 3.5 stars here, because I really did enjoy the food and drink of the Comet, after we got settled in and made it clear that we weren't interlopers out to gentrify everyone's favorite seedy joint (that would be the gaggle of 40-somethings tricked out in their J Crew finest who came in after us). The overall vibe wasn't all that friendly when we came in, and it hadn't much changed by the time we left. But if it's fresh burritos and plenty of beer you're after, then you've come to the right place.
We'll be back, for sure, printed Groupon in tow, and I'll make sure I haven't washed my hair in a few days, just to be safe. -
Review from Megan G.
5/12/2009
Things overheard in one short hour at The Comet:
1. One man's plan to capture a feral cat in his neighborhood using cheap sardines from Kroger - the kind "not fit for human consumption."
2. A discussion of classic Jan-Michael Vincent films.
3. Another man lamenting how he never plans to wind up drunk and how he still does even after having a few sodas. Followed by a few shots of Jager.
4. Tonight's bands were Teenage Mayors and The Prayers of Super Awesometown.
So yeah, I kinda love this place. If I lived in Cincinnati I'd be here all the time. My jerk tofu burrito was excellent and super cheap and the atmosphere was, clearly, awesome(town?). Sooooo close to 5 stars except I thought the bartenders could have been a little friendlier.Listed in: I put the Sin in Cincinnati!
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Review from Penny S.
4/8/2009
The beer selection at the Comet and the quesadillas alone are worth a hefty five stars, but what makes it an annual destination (aside from the WKRP scooter rally) is their friendly, welcoming style. They have a great space for groups, lots of street parking which they generously block off for our scooters, a freakin amazing photobooth, a basement to get away from the more crowded upstairs and a back yard with a fire pit to get some air.
The music is great from what I hear, though I've never sampled the juke personally. The staff puts up with our huge, boisterous group with aplomb for which we are very grateful. I imagine The Comet is a great place to hit on a Sunday afternoon with a book (and perhaps minus 200 scooterists).
Thanks again, y'all. Another great time for the memory book. -
Review from Amber A.
5/31/2011
Certainly a dive bar. The food is not good. I don't know how they got voted best burrito but whatever at least there is something to eat. We like to come for the Comet All-Stars but always forget to go early enough for a seat. It fills up fast. Great beer selection. Overall fun place to go.
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Review from Rachel F.
New York, NY
10/20/2009
THIS IS THE BEST BURRITO IN CINCINNATI. and quesadilla for that matter. and chips actually.
Don't talk to me about Chipotle, Currito, Habanero, La Mexicana - anywhere else is obsolete. Just stop. Don't argue, I'm not listening, this is it. Ultimate.
I can't talk about the bar-aspect, as I am a minor. But I worked next door at Avant Garage for years and it was a bad week when I didn't get a chicken quesadilla with sour cream. The bartenders are always super nice and super hot, as well as David Cunningham, the owner. Hey I'm just saying what we're all thinking.
If you've never ordered here, you have to go up to the bar, at the end that is closest to the door and ask for a menu. The bartender will take your order, if you want water, get it now. They'll give you a number and you take it to your table. You are also in charge of delivering your ticket to the kitchen. Do not expect the bartenders to leave the bar to take your ticket for you, OR refill your water for that matter. The cooks will bring your food out to you and if you feel like tipping, there is a jar at their window.
Just watch out if you don't like garlic, because the salsa here is laced with at least a pound per ounce. Figure out THAT math. -
Review from Melanie B.
Brooklyn, NY
6/24/2010 1 Check-in Here
Sometimes you just need to go on a long drive alone to clear your head. And sometimes that drive takes you to Cincinnati. And sometimes, you end up at The Comet. Wait, is this just me? Prolly.
I showed up at The Comet around 430pm. No one was inside, but a bunch of regulars were hanging around outside. This bar isn't really a dive - it's too nice, and has too many fancy beers on tap - but it does have the regulars/locals aspect down. It's sort of like a cross between Columbus's Carabar and O'Reilly's.
Eventually, a family, two businessmen, and a crazy chick came in. The crazy chick attempted to talk to everyone and I skillfully managed to ignore her (honestly I couldn't tell if she was drunk or crazy until she wrote me a note that said, "My name: J_____ from Cincinatti" in 5-year-old-ish handwriting) until... Waterloo Sunset came on the jukebox and she kept screaming "Who sings this?!" and when no one would talk to her, I mumbled, "The Kinks." And thus I had a new BFF for about 45 minutes, until I firmly told her I had to get back to work (writing in my notebook... hard work indeed) and proceeded to ignore her - to which she just turned the other way and began to pester the family. Anyway, it's a pretty weird local crowd.
I ordered some PBRs and a chicken burrito with pineapple salsa. The burrito was 4-stars, I've had better - but too not many. It comes with gross chips that I did not eat - minus one star, blech. The service was decent, and the bartender apologised for random crazy lady taking over my quiet time. It wasn't a big deal, it was actually a bit amusing, but after about 45 mins and her offering for me to sleep over ("Not that I'm hitting on you") and meet her dog ("he's supreme"), I had had quite enough.
So, interesting times at the Comet. I stayed until about 7, when I headed down to Shake It Records for the win! -
Review from Christoffer M.
Cincinnati, OH
4/8/2008
The Comet looks terrible. The door is dingy, the tables are worn, and the people are never what you would call fashionable. The bands are mediocre, the sound system is painful, and screechy feedback is common. The pool cues are warped, the bathroom is a joke, and the entire place is fantastic but I don't know why.
Sure, I could cite the great beer refrigerator and regularly rotating taps or the widely known burritos or the homey ambience fostered by the disrepair, but those really don't explain it. It's just a great place.
You know how you have this sandwich that makes no sense at all - peanut butter and pickles, perhaps - but you love it? That's how the Comet works. It has an elite beer lineup, yet it looks like a dive. It has really good food, yet the tables wobble and might give you a splinter. It's completely isolated, yet it draws a crowd (a peculiar crowd, but a crowd nonetheless).
Sundays epitomize the Comet - a generally non-nightlife night but they feature their house bluegrass band. Why would this be appealing? Why would I put salt on my watermelon? Why can I not stop going to the Comet? -
Review from Chelsea V.
Erlanger, KY
5/16/2010
Burritos!!!!!
Yes, a bit obvious since this delicious bar at the top of the hill is known notoriously for it's massive, tasty quick to order burritos. The line may be long to get your order in but, your first bite will prove it was worth it. The tofu, the chicken, the beef, it is all good! And if you are not in the mood for a massive, tortilla rolled bundle of Mexican goodness, the Comet also provides great quesadillas and chips with queso or salsa.
Everything is good - especially the beer selection. While waiting to order your food, don't be afraid to gaze, I mean literally GAZE at the beer selection waiting for you in the massive grocery store-esque fridges. Everything from Ciders to IPA's to Lagers to Pilsners, of all types and selections. At the Comet - you aren't just limited to the tap (although that is pretty choice in and of itself...). The tenders will be quick to the draw though, if you aren't ready - in soup Nazi form, you will get a 'Next!!!' or simply walk away to the next customer. This could be deemed as rude, but it is part of the experience at the Comet. They are about quick service and getting customers served quickly is one of their specialties.
Not only is this a bar with food of epic proportions, but a venue too. Don't forget to check out what is next on the playlist and you can always count on the Comet Bluegrass Allstars on Sundays! Don't miss it! -
Review from Karina M.
5/1/2008
Add this review to the ever growing list of accolades.
Though I'd been to the Comet for several shows, I'd never managed to try one of their famous burritos. So this Wednesday, my friend and I trekked up to Northside with our appetites primed for some much acclaimed grub.
For all of the hype, the burrito was even better than I expected. At first we were confused ("Tortilla chips without salsa?"), but soon realized that these chips were there to scoop up any sloppy spillover from our ginormous burritos. Some how I ended up with a medium salsa on mine instead of mild like I ordered, but the added heat didn't prevent me for devouring my entree.
Wednesday night is karaoke night. Unlike every other karaoke event I've ever been to, these singers actually left me impressed, with one chick wailing an Etta James song so phenomenally she gave me goosebumps. I would go back to the Comet again just to hear the karaoke performers. -
Review from Sean B.
New London, CT
One of my favorite bars/burrito joints in the city. Casual atmosphere with an extensive beer selection and absolutely fabulous burritos (which, as mentioned, are the size of your head).
Unlike other bars where ordering can be a grueling exercise in trying to get the bartender's attention, at the Comet customers simply queue up at the end of the bar to order their food and drinks.
Bands play here almost nightly and it can get kinda loud as control of the sound seems to be left up to the band.
