Cocktail Bar
Unclaimed profileNorthside Yacht Club
Cincinnati, OH · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Northside Yacht Club's beverage program is a playful, well-executed mix of craft cocktails, local beer, and affordable wine. The cocktail list leans into house-made infusions and quirky concepts, from the Nitro Espresso Martini to the pickle-centric section. Beer drinkers get ten rotating taps with a emphasis, and the program has earned CityBeat's Best Beer Selection. Wine is simple and seasonal, and non-alcoholic options are thoughtfully available. Prices stay reasonable, with cocktails in the $10-$13 range and wines at $11 a glass.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Nitro Espresso Martini, a vodka and coffee liqueur blend with house cold brew, served nitro-cold. For something refreshing, try the Nature's Bomb Pop Slushie or the Pineapple Creamy Marg. The pickle section offers a unique Pickle Collins. Beer-wise, look for local taps like Urban Artifact Capy Snacks or Rhinegeist Cidergeist. Don't miss the Peanut Butter Tequila Shooter, a house specialty.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Cocktail enthusiasts seeking inventive, reasonably priced drinks will find plenty to like. Beer lovers, especially those interested in breweries, will appreciate the rotating local taps. The playful pickle cocktails and the Peanut Butter Tequila Shooter add a fun, unpretentious vibe. Non-alcoholic drinkers have options, from N/A cocktails to a range of non-alcoholic beers.
- When should I go?
- The seasonal slushie and rotating specials suggest visits throughout the year to catch new offerings.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Craft cocktails run $10-$13, with house specials in the $11-$12 range. Wine glasses are uniformly $11. Draft beers are typically $7-$8. Non-alcoholic iced tea is $3. Happy hour offers $1 off drafts.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- Northside Yacht Club stands out for its creative, almost irreverent cocktail program—house-made infusions, a dedicated pickle cocktail section, and the cult-favorite Peanut Butter Tequila Shooter. The beer program, a CityBeat Best Beer Selection winner, emphasizes local breweries. The rotating seasonal wine list and extensive non-alcoholic options round out a program that's both playful and practical.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
A creative, well-priced cocktail menu with house infusions, a dedicated pickle section, and clever twists on classics. Standouts include the Nitro Espresso Martini and the award-winning Peanut Butter Tequila Shooter.
Menu strengths
- — Inventive house features like the Nitro Espresso Martini and seasonal slushie.
- — Unique pickle cocktail section with Dr. Pickle, Pickle Martini, and Pickle Collins.
Standout selections
- — Nitro Espresso Martini – vodka, coffee liqueur, house cold brew, oat milk; nitro-poured.
- — Nature's Bomb Pop Slushie – vodka, cherry, fresh lemon, house cherry-blossom simple, prosecco finish.
- — Pickle Collins – dill-infused vodka, kosher dill pickle juice, simple syrup, lime, soda.
- — Islay Manhattan – Old Overholt Rye, Angostura, Carpano Antica, Laphroaig rinse.
Pricing: Craft cocktails priced $10-$13; house specials $11-$12.
Wine
A straightforward, rotating seasonal wine list with one wine per style, all at a uniform $11 glass price. Includes common reds, whites, and a California Brut Champagne.
Menu strengths
- — Rotating seasonal selection keeps the list fresh.; Affordable uniform glass pricing.
Standout selections
- — California Brut Champagne – sparkling wine at $11/glass.
- — Pinot Noir – red wine at $11/glass.
Pricing: Wines priced at $11 per glass.
Beer
Award-winning beer program with ten rotating taps leaning heavily on breweries, plus a wide package selection including non-alcoholic options. Winner of CityBeat Best Beer Selection 2024.
Menu strengths
- — Ten rotating taps with a strong local focus.
- — Winner of CityBeat Best Beer Selection 2024.; Extensive package beer list including non-alcoholic options.
Standout selections
- — 3 Floyds Zombie Dust – Pale Ale, 6.5% ABV.
- — Urban Artifact Capy Snacks – Fruit Punch Ale, local 5.0% ABV.
- — Rhinegeist Cidergeist – fermented from Pacific Northwest apple juice, local 6.2% ABV.
Pricing: Draft prices range from $7 to $8 for listed beers; happy hour offers $1 off drafts.
Nonalcoholic
A thoughtful non-alcoholic program with N/A versions of cocktails made on request, a variety of non-alcoholic beers, and in-house brewed iced tea.
Menu strengths
- — Almost any cocktail can be made non-alcoholic upon request.
- — Wide range of non-alcoholic beers including athletic and heineken 0.0.
Standout selections
- — Fresh Brewed Iced Tea – in-house brewed, with a crazy straw.
- — Athletic Free Wave IPA – non-alcoholic IPA.
Pricing: Fresh brewed iced tea priced at $3.
Spirits
A solid but unremarkable spirits program, with a diverse range used in cocktails and a signature house shot. No dedicated spirits list or bottle pricing available.
Menu strengths
- — Diverse spirit selection including vodka, gin, tequila, bourbon, and rye.
Standout selections
- — Peanut Butter Tequila Shooter – house specialty, winner of CityBeat's Best of.
- — Islay Manhattan – showcases rye and a Laphroaig rinse.
Pricing: Craft cocktails using spirits priced $10-$13.
How it sits with the food
The menu's house-smoked meats and pub fare pair naturally with the robust cocktails and local beers. The pickle cocktails, with their briny acidity, could cut through rich, smoky dishes. The Nitro Espresso Martini might serve as a counterpoint to sweet or savory bar snacks. While specific pairings aren't documented, the program's range offers flexibility.
Inebrious does not score kitchens, food or the restaurant overall. We review the beverage program only.
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