We went to Hap's after dinner at Ruthai (already did a review there. Go eat some Thai food). Our friends had been but it was a first time for us. It certainly looks like a "neighborhood bar", a little cramped, a little run down, but friendly and with strong drinks. We were able to enjoy some darts and the other people playing next to us were friendly as well. We were there a little early (for a bar), around 830pm, so it was only starting to get crowded with 20-somethings when we left around 1030pm. Overall, a good time and we would go there again.
Review Source:Hap's Irish Pub thank you for coming into my life.
This place is great. I love places where you get what you are expecting (McDonalds is the same every time). So is Hap's. You come here to drink cheap beer and play darts and that is exactly what you get.
The atmosphere is an authentic Irish Pub feel. I haven't been to a place in Cincinnati that feels quite like this. The floor is dirty, and the stools are sturdy. The bartenders are friendly, and if your looking for a rum and coke hold the coke, this is your place. Holy cow the drinks are strong, in a good way ;)
I love the fact that you can come here in jeans and a t-shirt  and feel right at home. Another note, it's cash only. All in all one of my favorite places to relax and drinks some brewskis.
Haps is exactly what an Irish bar should be - a bar with cheap strong drinks that's a bit hole-in-the-wall. I have a hard time leaving the bar sober, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I love that there are dart boards in the back room to keep me occupied while drinking. Most important thing to know: they only accept cash. I would love the patio but it's always extremely smoky, which I hate. Overall a solid establishment when drinking is the goal!
Review Source:Its a Cheviot bar on the East Side. Â I am in heaven!
A friendly bartenders, ridiculously strong drinks, and cheap prices made me feel right at home on a Friday night at Hap's. Â My friends quickly took up residence at the dart boards. Â I quickly took up residence at the bar. Â By the end of the night, all of us had thoroughly enjoyed our evening.
They don't serve food, but even better they let you bring in any food from the outside. Â A quick trip to Bangkok Bistro made the night complete! Â
There are no-frills at this bar. Â It is clean, but showing wear. Â Bathrooms are only ok. Â
I look forward to a return trip with my East Side friends!
I don't really have a lot to say about Hap's that everyone else hasn't said. Â This bar doesn't belong on the Eastside, it's almost exactly what you might find on the Westside which is why I'm only giving this 3 stars. Â Nothing too special here, there's a bar with a bartender and liquor. Some chairs, bar stools, tables, dartboards....yep it's a bar.
Playing old fashioned darts was fun. What I mean by old fashioned is they still have cork dartboards, you have to keep score on chalkboards and ask the bartender for the darts. Love it!
I also like the fact that they let you bring food in. We were all hungry so we went right next door to Bangkok Bistro for some food, brought it back, drank our beers and ate!
I did have a good time here but if I venture out to the Eastside this won't be my bar of choice but if my friends say "Let's go to Hap's" I'll say "ok!"
It's as if they picked up a typical westside bar that I frequent and cherry picked it right smack dab in the middle of the eastside! Ha. I had one of those moments where immediately upon walking in I knew that this place would suit me well. Everyone was friendly, which is mostly because of the stiff pours but also due to the relaxed nature of the the place. I dig it. Darts are a serious activity here and plenty of space is reserved for this potentially dangerous activity. (Maybe they'll have a summertime Lawn Jarts league?) ha ha.
If you can get a table, this place is great for groups, although I could easily see this place completely filling up on a busy weekend night. All in all, I had a great first time visit to this bar and look forward to future visits.
Pretty typical Irish pub in the middle of a small strip of restaurants just outside the main square of Hyde Park. Â Two rooms make up this drinks-only establishment with a full room dedicated to darts. Â Average price for drinks in Hyde Park. Â We were able to get takeout from the restaurant next door and bring it in, which is pretty awesome. Â The crowd seems to made up mostly of people who don't have to travel very far to hang out here and the feel is very casual. Â For a few drinks in a casual atmosphere that's close to home, this place fits the bill.
Review Source:Kind of just your average Irish pub.
I've been here a couple times and have both few complaints and accolades.
Sample Accolade: This is a great place to watch the World Cup. Â Lots of animated locals cheering for one team or the other.
Unlike some other bars, the dartboards are located where you won't get a dart thrown into your head as you walk in the front door, which I contend is a definite plus for Haps. Â Plenty of dartboards as well, so you don't have to worry about someone else running them the whole night or feel bad about shooting darts throughout your stay - if you're into that.
When I asked if there were any beer specials for the night, I was told that all the beer prices were very reasonable. Â I was promptly handed a $4 Smithwick's. Â I'll leave the value estimating up to you all on that one.
I found the presence of a draught Smithwick's very comforting and would not protest if someone wanted to return to this location.
This spot is about a five minute walk away from my house. That's thing one in its favor. It is completely unpretentious: thing two. And thing three? REAL dart boards. I mean, REAL. Not that I'm any sort of dart afficionado. In fact, don't stand too near me when I am playing...especially if I've got a pint in one hand. But I really do enjoy a game of cricket at a quality local watering hole.
Now, Haps isn't for everyone, and it isn't even for me every day. Around 11pm, it gets crowded and noisy with a younger, sloppier crew. On the weekends, it can be downright zoo-like. And on St. Pat's....well, you'd have to be crazy. But, when I want a pint or two, a few games of darts, or just a roaring good time at a local spot, this is my favorite.
Warning: CASH ONLY. I have no problem with this, but you do have to plan for it!
So, my first pub review... Well... What can you do..? There are only a handfull in Cincy that impress me enough to merit a review... And, so I'm not doin' this arseways an we don't have any Arthur Guinness talkin' see I'm sayin' "Pub", not your precious "Night Clubbin'"... so, be dog wide not to be tryin' to prove you're as small as a mouse's diddy... Just sayin'... 'cause that's about as useful as a chocolate teapot... and, I haven't got a baldy what your choices would be... This is about mine and it's bang on...
The only destination for a brilliant pint of the Black Stuff, you've got to be travelin' to Erie... Erie Ave, that is... The Pub's called Hap's and there's none better... It's bleedin' deadly and that's no blarney...
There's always bog ball on the many screens and if you scream at 'em loud enough, they'll turn on the most brilliant team on the islands, Manchester United..!!! Â
You'll not find any bowsies in this pub and no bibes, but there are plenty of BOBFOC and buckos...
And, REAL felt dartboards..!!!
This is truly a brilliant Pub and it is, most likely, the only one I give a coodle about... Try it, you'll have a craic..!! Undoubtedly... Just sayin'...
Ok, so you want to be mistreated like a local, but don't have time to nurture a relationship with a bar? haps is the place to go, from the minute you walk in, you feel like it's your home bar, and if you savor the guiness long enough, you'll want to come back to challenge the Guiness to a duel the following weekend. Â A bar with a great European feel, where everyone is game to a good conversation, or a game of darts, Â a great place to come alone, or with friends, Â to have a drink, or 10. Â Hap's is Happening...
Review Source:Hap's is the only actual "Irish" irish pub in town. Â But aside from coming with a stamp of authenticity, it is also just a really solid, fun bar. Â No food, no waiters, and not much space. Â Although there is a back patio that can expand (meaning people just spill into the alley) for big events like St. Patrick's Day or World Cup matches.
I've been to this bar in sweatpants, which should tell you something.
Hap's is one of those places where what you see is what you get.
A relatively small bar but bursting with character. From the well worn bar to all the Irish paraphernalia hanging on the walls. The bartenders are friendly and accomodating, albeit not without giving you some grief if you deserve it (like ordering a Smith-wicks instead of a Smiddick's).
The biggest draw for me is the dart boards. They have 4 set up and most nights there are quite a few people playing and you have to watch where you're throwing.
They have a nice big patio too but frequently too smoky for my taste.
Best part about this place is its connection to Europe via the Irish heritage. With that connection comes a love for football. Not the transformer-armor-wearing type but honest to God, kick a ball with your foot football (ok... Â soccer if you must). This past summer, they showed every game of the World Cup and the bar was packed for all of them, including the ones that started at 8am EST. It managed to even draw in some foreigners and I got to meet several people from Europe. By the end of the USA's wins, everyone was half deaf and hoarse from screaming, but nothing that a few more pints of Guinness wouldn't fix.
Atmosphere is what makes this one of the best Irish pubs in the area.
If you are looking for a good quality Irish bar, look no further than Hap's. It is fantastic and even though it is technically in Hyde Park, it definitely lacks the the pretension of some Hyde Park bars. It has four dart boards, because nothing says a good time like alcohol and sharp projectiles! There is a great outside sitting area if you want to enjoy a nice night too. Only downside is the bar is cash only and there is an ATM but if you don't want to pay the fee you better stop before you get there.
Review Source:Super-cute place a few blocks away from my boyfriend's parent's house.
The type of place where everybody knows your name--especially if your name ends with O'Connor, McDonald, or Ryan.
The type of place where it's ok to be your drunken slobby self in public because everyone else is too busy being a drunk slob.
The space itself is pretty small, which makes for bumpage and drink spilling. Â One guy 'accidentally' grabbed my ass, and when I turned around the give him the stink eye, he blamed it on the lack of room.
He's lucky I didn't 'accidentally' shove a bottle of Maker's up his ass.
Hap's is the legit irish pub if you're looking for something real and down to earth among the upscale fusion restaurants and stuffy clothing shops of Hyde Park.
2 small rooms plus a back patio for when it gets warm, lots of wood, plenty of beers from across the pond on tap, and a spot of footy on the tele (sorry, i had to)
I would imagine that this place gets super packed just because it's so small. If i lived in the neighborhood, i'd definitely make it out often.
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the two biggest downsides are that it's cash only, and parking can be a bitch.
I love Hap's because it's very laid back and friendly. Â I've found that I almost always run into someone I know there and if not I'm just as likely to get into a coneversation with a stranger. Â They've got four dart boards and we can usually get one on all but the most crowded nights. Â The prices are good and they've got Harp on tap (as well as Guiness and others obiviously). Â The bartenders are great if sometimes overbusy. Â It's definitely the place to be on St. Patrick's Day, but Hap's is also a great anytime bar.
Review Source:This is the first place that I ever threw darts. Can't say that I've gotten any better over the years, but at least the Irish gents who taught me were patient. While every other bar in Cincinnati is setting up corn hole tourneys, Hap's sticks to classic pub games and devotes ample space to the potentially dangerous game. The dart throwing space is clear of obstacles (and most importantly tables where patrons might sit), so only dart-thrower is at fault if someone gets impaled. If you fancy a challenge, sign up for Hap's dart league.
While Hap's is fun year round (best place to catch Premier League "football" game), it's hands down the best pub on St. Patty's Day. Other bars celebrate the holiday with green beer, while Hap's is serving up the perfect pint of Guinness.