Knockback Nats — Restaurant in Cincinnati

Never coming back — unsafe, unprofessional, and frankly shocking behavior

We came to Knockback Nat’s on 7/11 with high hopes after a wedding. The bride and groom of our group literally met at this bar three years ago—after another wedding. We were excited to end the night in a meaningful place. What unfolded was bizarre, disappointing, and honestly concerning.

A group of us (all in our 30s, with IDs) had already ordered drinks and shots when we noticed half our party was outside. The bride and groom, who had forgotten their IDs, were waiting for the maid of honor to return from the hotel (about 15 minutes max). There were a group of people waiting with the bride and groom until they could enter the bar. There was a cop at the door, so we understood the ID policy—no problem. But the vibe quickly shifted.

Without warning, the bouncer kicked out our entire group from inside the bar—people who were quietly seated and already drinking. No explanation.

Because I was standing apart from the group, I hadn’t been spotted yet. I calmly approached the bouncer and explained what was going on: it was the bride and groom’s wedding night, they met here, and we just wanted to close out the night at a place that meant something. Inside, he seemed to listen—spoke in a neutral tone, maybe even slightly understanding, while still seeming a bit aggravated.

But then he said, “Let’s step outside.” I assumed he wanted to de-escalate or talk more privately. Instead, he walked me to the front of the bar, turned to face the police officer, and—without even making eye contact with me—started yelling. Loudly. As if performing some bizarre scene to get me in trouble. The best way I can describe it is that he was having a temper tantrum in front of the officer and was yelling and stomping his feet. It was manipulative, aggressive, and so far beyond the line of professional conduct that I was stunned. I was calm and respectful the entire time. He never once addressed me directly—just launched into this unhinged rant about me, not to me. It was performative, like he was trying to build a case in real-time to the officer, and it felt deeply unsafe.

I didn't respond to the bouncers rant, and instead, spoke to the police officer about it.

I’ve worked in nightlife—I know what actual unruly behavior looks like. This was not that. We weren’t causing issues. We weren’t drunk or disorderly. We were trying to support a local spot with a sentimental tie. Instead, we were treated like a threat.

The officer at the door seemed to understand my concerns and even said he’d speak to the owner, but the damage was done. We left shaken, disappointed, and totally baffled. What could’ve been a night of celebration turned into a situation where I—an adult woman—felt completely unsafe simply for asking what happened.

This bar turned away a large group of respectful patrons and thousands of dollars in business because one bouncer chose ego over professionalism. I hope management seriously reconsiders who they place in charge of handling guests. For me, Knockback Nat’s is no longer a nostalgic favorite. It’s...

It's a bad rendition of Queen Anne's from back in da day, that serves food🤷🏾‍♀️ It's not terrible. They serve you free popcorn, just like the peanuts you got at Queen Anne's. Drinks are definitely not Queen Anne's tho'. His supply is a bit exotic... no straight gins, vodkas... Everything is flavored. I had a ketel one and cranberry. Wife had to settle for somebody's citrus vodka, and cranberry. Third person had a cola. They weren't very strong. I don't even imbibe much because of chemo, but I felt nothing from it🤷🏾‍♀️ I am not a smoked wings type of person, however I am glad to hear they fry them as well. I only ordered the quesadilla. It was dry, but seasoned. The Pico de Gallo was just tomatoes with a little vinegar. I definitely had to eat it and the pieces of q'dilla together. Y'all need to give more🤨 I refused the sour cream. It wouldn't have helped. My wife and friend ordered wings and waffle fries. The waffle fries were crispy, and seasoned. I just am traumatized from being in and out of hospitals fighting cancer. MERCHANTS: Don't SERVE WAFFLE FRIES🤬🤣 My companions enjoyed their wings immensely. Pro tip: order the sixteen and pay the $1.00 for two sauces, buying two eights are not cost effective. The atmosphere is eh, the music is 80's rock ballads. You're either there cheating, or you have no friends🤷🏾‍♀️ It's not a place to have fun. There is a security guard. Not sure what for... 🤔 He noticed my tattoo, but not the razor in my mouth, nor the dagger strapped to my ankle🤷🏾‍♀️ All in All, I'd go back. for the food and any clandestine...

I've read & heard their wings are awesome. Been wanting to try them for a while. So 10/3 I decided to go with some fellas to try for myself and watch SNF. Got there and liked what I saw, good old neighborhood bar. But then sat down, the female bartender had attitude. She took our drink order, brought drinks and then took my food order (16 wings and basket of waffle fries), we then asked for some of the free popcorn. Then we asked again and again. Then we asked one of the two guys behind the bar with her. As it turns out perhaps she was doing us a favor by not bringing the popcorn, as it was the worse we have ever had. We instantly push the popcorn away from us. Not even sure how to describe it, but perhaps they should clean machine, or change the butter/oil they use when popping. The kitchen was on top of their game, my order came out of kitchen minutes after we got the popcorn. But that's about all I can say about the kitchen, waffle fries were soggy and the wings weren't anything special. So out of the popcorn, fries and wings I left the basket of popcorn, half of the fries and 1/3 of the order of 16 wings.. Can't blame any of this how how busy they were (maybe 15 customer)or being under staffed (3 bartenders).. My wife was there on previous Thursday with co-workers and she had the same experience with the "servers". I hope that this was just an OFF evening for Knockback, but even if, I doubt myself or group I was with will...