Pilar — Restaurant in Cincinnati

I came here on 2/15 to grab a drink before a show. I asked the bartender for a cocktail recommendation and they said the Green Hills of Africa. It was the second most expensive cocktail on the menu at $13, but at the time, I thought nothing of it and trusted them. The drink was just just okay. It was overpoweringly sweet. I should have noticed this when it came out, but studying the menu while having my drink, I realized that the glass was supposed to be rimmed with tajin but wasn't. I asked about this when paying my bill, and the bartender said "Yes, it's supposed to have it but we're out" and didn't say another word. After giving me a direct recommendation on what to order, why would you fail to mention that you don't have one of the key (in my opinion) ingredients before allowing me to order it? I understand just forgetting to mention it, everyone makes mistakes. But recommending one of your most expensive menu items and failing to mention you're out of one of the key ingredients seems slightly suspicious to me. I understand if it was something like salt, where it's more basic and possibly doesn't impact the overall drink, but to me, the tajin on the rim would have been essential to this...

Pilar has become my favorite watering hole since moving to this neighborhood (OTR) in July -- partly for it's thematic atmosphere, but mostly for it's exceptionally welcoming bar staff, management, and the kind of patrons in attracts. It's not uncommon to find myself in a good, impromptu conversation (which, IMHO, is why one would go to a pub for). In short, a great place to become a "regular."

The place is Ernest Hemmingway themed, named after the American author's boat. There is, in fact, a cut-out of the author in the back corner bedecked with Hawaiian leis. The music both within the place's outdoor seating, is a steady playlist of laid-backed Carribean beats, reminiscent of my city of origin: Miami.

To the extent that a spot in Cincinnati can be "tropical," this is it.

It has unbelievably affordable happy-hour beer prices, a regular bingo night, and small ensembles of live music every...

Update: Nice selection of booze-free cocktails and they update the list regularly.

First review: Great bar with a patio and nice open air seating. The atmosphere is friendly and chill. I love the tropical themed decor and cocktails.

Fast service, decent prices. They have a large selection of beers and seltzers plus good daily drink specials (their music playlist is solid too).

It's in a convenient location at Court St & Walnut St near parking and good restaurants on...