Went to the Betty Bar for the first time last weekend to check out some friends who were playing acoustic guitar for the evening's entertainment, and the location couldn't have been better for it. Â I am partial to the OTR bars more than the Banks or the trendier spots, and I felt right at home in this place. Â There are couches and lounge chairs spread out with natural wood tables and woven rugs. Â When the live music wasn't playing the owner would put on vinyl records that also suit the space. Â This place would be perfect for a large group of people who want to spread out a little and be able to hear each other. Â I am definitely a fan!
Review Source:Betty Bar is one of the  best kept secrets in all of Cincinnati! A true speakeasy right here in downtown.
The attractive well stocked bar, flirty romantic ambiance (think 50's pin up girls murals on the wals) and music (New Orleans style) was simply perfect. And the wine... oh the wine! Truly a wonderful experience!
Betty Bar you are absolutey the best kept secret in all of Cincinnati.
If you're searching for hidden gems in Cincinnati this should top your list! I was introduced to Betty Bar at the Yelp Trivia Night event and thought it was a neat place that I would have to check out again. And I'm so glad I did as this has become one of my favorite bars!
First and foremost Betty Bar is a wine and music bar. While most people may enter the bar through the downstairs Mainstay, those in the know enter through the unmarked doors located on Plum St. Being above a rock bar means that Betty Bar's hours are limited to Tuesday - Thursday and they close earlier than most bars since the floor vibrates from the music. But please don't let that discourage you from checking this place out.
Each night has either live music or old classic records as the entertainment for the night. This bar reminds me of what I would expect of a speakeasy in the early 20th century: dim lighting, velvet curtains, luxurious red couch, and lots of  fedoras. The music is never so loud you can't hear conversation with your friends but always enough to keep all entertained.
And the wine - it really steals the show! The owner Mick (who is probably the friendliest bartender/owner in Cincinnati) only chooses the best bottles and his stock is ever changing. Not to mention that he's not stingy with his pours. I'm so accustomed to wine bars having pouring spouts that perfectly measure their pours that I was shocked the first time I went back after the yelp event. The wine, the music and the atmosphere have brought me back week after week.
People always tell me I have an old soul, and that I was born in the wrong decade. This place is the rebirth of one of my favorite era's, the 50's.
The Betty Bar or known to the locals "Betty" is a beautiful space above Mainstay Rock Bar, but don't be deceived, they actually have nothing to do with one another. I almost don't want to write this because my favorite speakeasy will now be exposed!! But since I love you guys I am willing to share in this beauty.
They are going for after work/late night wine bar. Â If you watch Mad Men, you know exactly what I am talking about. There is always some type of Jazz, people having good conservation, and even dare I say it, flirting! This place just makes you feel like you are in the 50's. There are very classy pictures of pin up girls all around the room, and the couches are velvet antiques. I don't think there is any other place in the city that feels the way this place does.
Their bar is simple, very good wine, liquor, and a few craft beers. But really, go for the wine here. They really know what they are doing and they have different wines every week. For someone that is kind of picky, this place actually has the right stuff, and the pours, oh the pours! Let's just say they like to make you feel welcome here ;)
I suggest coming here on a weeknight to just unwind. It's one of my favorite things to do in the City. Betty is one classy lady!
This sorta hidden gem in Cincinnati is the kind of bar I wish I had nearby. Â It's a loft above a loud rock bar, but with soft tunes playing or smooth blues and jazz being performed, it's a great place to just sit, and TALK, to someone new, someone old. Â This is what I think our ancestors had in mind when they asked each other out for drinks. Â I could sit here for a while and just let life pass me by. Â The drawbacks are logistic, being a laid back bar means the service might be slow, but it will be personalized, it's hidden, but makes you feel like you found something amazing, Â don't come for a rum and coke, come for a great red or white, or a craft beer, and be prepared to really truly, meet someone. Hey Betty, how you doing?
Review Source:Betty Bar, you are so cute. You absolutely live up to your name.
Plenty of space, which is attractively decorated, and the bartenders are great. It's a perfect spot for a large group or just for a couple of people to go have a drink.
The bartenders are quick, and funny too! I absolutely wouldn't have known about this place had I not gone for the Give Back Cincinnati Holiday Party. I have gone back several times since then and really enjoyed each experience.
The wine and whiskey tastings on Wednesday are awesome. The bartenders are knowledgable about what they're serving and it's a great way to encounter a brand you might not have tried before.
The people frequenting this place are friendly too- the last time I was there, a friend and I met several interesting folks that continued our evening with us. I love making new friends, and any place that makes it easy like this is top notch in my book.
I think I'd give it 5 stars, except for the difficulty finding it, and no beers on draft upstairs...and the stairs. Oh, they are kinda steep, and I definitely DIDN'T FALL DOWN THEM SOBER the first time I was there. I definitely didn't. ;)
Ahh, Betty Bar. Â My weekend now starts on Wednesday thanks to Mick and Jerry and his Betty Bar. Â Yes, that friendly face under the straw hat is both Mick and Jerry, he answers to both, or either. Â Unfortunately, this is not a place that you can just pop into anytime you feel the urge; Betty opens at 5:00 PM on Wednesday & Thursday (and starting on Fridays in July) and is about new experiences. Â Tastings are offered for wine (4 tastes for $8), beer (4 tastes for $5) and liquor (bourbon, scotch, whiskey, vodka, 3 tastes for $10). Â Wine can also be purchased by the glass ($5) or bottle. Â There are no taps here, but a good selection of beer is available by the bottle, with prices varying by the beer. Â This is not a craft cocktail bar and mixers are limited, so this is not the place to come for your Martini or Old Fashioned fix.
The location may be a little confusing; Betty occupies the loft space above the Mainstay Rock Bar on the corner of 5th and Plum and is a work in progress. Â It does not have an exclusive entrance, but is accessed via a stairway at the back of Mainstay. Â Once up those stairs, you enter a whole different world. Â Hardwood floors, huge cantilever windows on the north and east sides and a high ceiling give it an open, airy feel. Â Comfortable chairs and upholstered benches offer options for group or intimate seating, or pull up a stool at the beautiful polished bar and listen to Mick/Jerry wax poetic about your tasting options while live music from a variety of artists provides a backdrop for conversation.
As I mentioned earlier, this is a work in progress; it started with wine tastings, then cheese was added, then other appetizer type items changing on a weekly basis and beer and liquor tastings were added to the line up. Â Things really picked up at the end of May, with the addition of a beautiful Baldwin studio piano, giving Betty a voice. Â Recently an antique Victrola record player was added. Â More physical improvements are also being discussed along with a more extensive menu.
The future looks bright for another unique little spot, just on the edge of downtown. Â This review is a 4 star now, but as Betty continues to mature and find herself, I see a 5 in her future.
Is it Wednesday yet?
I am not a fan of Mainstay. It's loud, it's boisterous, and the crowd doesn't suit me. So it took me a long time, and a lot of hearing about, Betty Bar before I ventured upstairs.
For Betty and I, it was love at first sight. This is my kind of space. Quiet, serene, and quite simply beautiful. If I ever need an event space, this is the place I will book. They do wine and whiskey tastings on Wednesdays and Thursdays (and from what I hear soon to be Fridays), with live music. But unlike downstairs, the music is a backdrop to actual conversation. There is space to settle in and chat, whether at the beautiful polished oak bar, or at a table in front of one of what is a roomful of windows.
This has become my Wednesday Happy Hour destination. I always run into friends. Or make new ones. Because that's just what Betty does. She invites you in and bides you to stay awhile.
For a couple a months I have been seeing ads for events at Betty Bar, the 2nd floor of Mainstay. Â I finally had a chance to go there. Â What a surprise after walking through Mainstay, It is such a different atmosphere than Mainstay. The decoration is based on pinup girls. There is a fair amount of seating. Â Mainstay is loud, but the sound does not make it up to Betty Bar, it is a nice quiet spot after being down in Mainstay. Â There not any draft beers, but a good selection of bottled. Â I imagine the content of the bar varies depending on the event
It is a great space for an event, especially if you want something that is unexpected and there is plenty of parking close by.
I have to admit that I've only been to Mainstay two times. Â And both times, I was just walking through it to get to their upstairs event space known as the Betty Bar. Â Love the Betty Bar. Â It's like an oasis of calm over the craziness that Mainstay can be. Â Sure, the bass from the bands playing below thumps the floorboards at BB, but you can actually have a conversation without having to yell in someone's ear. Â No draft beers available up here, but the bottled beer selection is good (Chimay Blue? Â Delirium Tremens? Â Yes, please!). Â Lots of big windows and even bigger high back booths. Â It's a really great place to have an event. Â Especially since there's a huge parking lot right next door.
Review Source:Here's something surprising - Mainstay has an event space above the bar. And it's called Roxie's. And it's pinup girl themed. And it's a pretty sweet place to be, actually!
I went here for a networking event and had ZERO idea where this place was. They told me the entrance was off of Plum Street, so there I was, standing on Plum Street, looking like an idiot. There's no signs, there's no arrows, there are just two wooden doors that look like they lead into someone's apartment.
But no! These either lead into Mainstay or up the stairs to a lounge. There's a big beautiful wooden bar to your left as soon as you walk in, and passes it, a giant room full of tables and comfortable couches. It's crazy fantastic.
And on the wall are three painted 1950's pinup girls in provocative clothing in provocative poses. It goes very well with the soon-to-be craft cocktail menu, which I was told is not only coming but also being designed by the awesome Mixologist Molly (Wellman).
My only issue was the price. The drinks were CRAZY expensive. It was like $6 for a beer ... and not a good beer. That was kind of disappointing, but not enough to deter me. I would love to throw a party in this space. I hope someday I can.
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