Over the Rhine Cocktail Tour: 4 Bars, Local Guide, History

The tunnels under Over the Rhine hold a centuries-old secret that's now a top American bar.

A guided cocktail tour of Cincinnati's Over the Rhine neighborhood with a local guide, 4 cocktails, food tastings and stories about the German historic district's architecture and past. The tour starts in Washington Park and includes stops at working bars and a converted 1800s brewing tunnel. Minimum age is 21. The tour runs 2–3 hours on foot with one flight of steps to climb.

Step-by-step itinerary

Over the Rhine cocktail and walking tour

• Begin tour at Washington Park
• Pass by Cincinnati Music Hall
• Visit Ghost Baby lounge
• View Cincinnati murals with guide
• Receive streetcar map and tips

The experience

Over the Rhine is built on beer. In the mid-1800s, German immigrants turned this neighborhood into a brewing powerhouse, and the tunnels they dug four stories under the street to store lager still exist. Ghost Baby, now listed among Esquire's top 10 must-see bars in America, sits inside those same cellars. Your guide will walk you through the neighborhood's past, from Washington Park, originally built as cemeteries and now a Victorian green hosting 300 events a year, to Cincinnati Music Hall, the 1878 concert hall that anchors the district. Along the way, you'll pass story-high murals, each one telling the story of a Cincinnati resident or moment.

The tour hits four different bars, and at each one you'll taste a cocktail and learn the bartender's approach to their craft. Between stops, you'll get one or two snacks to keep pace with the drinks. Your guide is a local who knows the neighborhood like a friend and can point out why each building matters, why each bar chose its spot, and what the streetcar lines meant to the district when they ran. You'll also get a streetcar map and tips for exploring the city by the free Cincinnati Streetcar if you want to venture further after the tour ends.

The walk covers the neighborhood at a relaxed pace, though you will climb one flight of steps to reach Ghost Baby. Public transit is nearby if you need it, and the tour wraps in time for dinner or a longer night out.

What’s included

• Four cocktails and three lighter food tastings.
• a local guide leading the entire tour.
• a food and drink guide and streetcar map for exploring the city.
• all fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday and SaturdayDeparts at 17:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (21 and older) · Under 21: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Riverside Food Tours LLC

Is this one for you?Book this if you're without a car: the tour walks entirely through the neighborhood starting from Washington Park, so public transit gets you there and your guide navigates the route.

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Top questions

What is Ghost Baby and why is it inside a tunnel?

Ghost Baby occupies the lager cellars of a German brewing company that stopped production in the 1850s. The tunnels sat empty for over 160 years until 2019, when they were converted into a lounge four stories below street level. Esquire magazine lists it among the top 10 must-see bars in the country.

How many cocktails and snacks do I get on the tour?

You'll taste 4 cocktails at four different bars and receive one or two food snacks along the way to balance the drinks. Additional drinks can be purchased at any of the stops if you want more.

What's included in the price?

The tour includes all fees and taxes, the 4 cocktails, 3 lighter tastings, a food and drink guide, and a streetcar map showing how to explore Cincinnati by the free streetcar. Gratuities for your guide are not included and are left to your discretion.

Do I need a car to get to the starting point?

The tour begins in Washington Park in Over the Rhine, and public transportation options are available nearby. If you're staying in Cincinnati without a car, you can reach the park by bus or the free streetcar, and your guide will give you tips on using the streetcar to explore the neighborhood before or after the tour.

How long is the tour and what's the walking like?

The tour runs 2–3 hours and covers the Over the Rhine neighborhood on foot at a relaxed pace. You will climb one flight of steps to reach Ghost Baby. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for pregnant travelers.