Crow’s Nest

Cincinnati is filled with excellent Irish drinking options (looking at you Crowley’s), but perhaps the city’s most unique spot to grab a Cincinnati dive bar Guinness is Crow’s Nest in the city’s West Price Hill neighborhood. Opened in 1895, Crow’s Nest can make a convincing argument for second oldest, continuously operating bar in Cincinnati with downtown staple Arnold’s generally considered the city’s oldest dating all the way back to 1861.

Though some sources contain conflicting information, most recollections of the Crow’s Nest story start with Mike and Mary Crow, who are said to have opened the first incarnation of the bar in 1895. Between 1896 and 1921, the bar was named John Crowe’s Roadhouse, perhaps at that time owned by the eponymous John Crowe. The story coalesces into a bit more certainty with the space was finally christened Crow’s Nest, a name that has thankfully stuck ever since.

Located on Cincinnati’s West Side, the bend in the road outside the Crow’s Nest front door was once the turnaround spot for the city’s Elberon Streetcar Line. Once bordering a large park, amateur baseball field and even a nearby golf course, Crow’s Nest today sits across from St. Joseph Cemetery. The unique location prompted a phrase once inscribed on one of the bar’s doors reading, “Think it’s dead in here? …then look behind you!”

Ownership of the bar changed hands a few times over the years, resting with Charles & Maureen Bonfield for a time before a long stint under the guidance of the O’Dell family. The space is claimed to be haunted (because why not) with multiple accounts picking any number of the bar’s historical owners as likely spirits inhabiting the structure’s residential third floor. Today, brothers Bill & Greg Kuertz own Crow’s Nest and have put considerable effort into restoring and updating what was for a time trending to be a bit divier a bar than originally envisioned.

Historical photos of the Crow’s Nest building compare favorably with today’s exterior, small updates evident but not disruptive to the original allure of the structure. A large shamrock-emblazoned sign sits over the bar’s front door, just one of many shamrock embellishments added to Crow’s Nest to really make clear its heritage. The bar’s original stamped tin roof now depicts the bright colors of the Irish flag and a small stage has been constructed in the Crow’s Nest secondary space to host live music and a Tuesday night open mic event that began in 2006.

In 1996 and a few ownership groups ago, Crow’s Nest was awarded the best fish sandwich in Cincinnati. That spirit lives on today in a classic bar menu that features classic staples like burgers and wings. The kitchen’s offerings are best washed down with a number of available tap beers as well as a deep whiskey selection that stretches slightly beyond typical dive bar stalwarts. A small back patio features the rare combo of covered seating and exterior wooden booths, both thankfully perched next to outdoor televisions.