11 of the Best Bourbon Destinations in Ohio

The Whiskey Bar in Cleveland Heights spans two levels while managing to feel intimate. “The mood is always amber,” their tagline says. Try to snag a seat at the bar so you can eye the veritable wall of whiskeys. The Whiskey Bar features more than 500 varieties of whiskey with specially curated picks, plus expertly crafted cocktails and live music.

With locations in Bedford Heights, Brunswick and Copley, Lizardville, a companion to the Winking Lizard taverns, satisfies your quest to find a wide bourbon selection. Lizardville is known for their massive beer selections (including barrel-aged options for whiskey lovers) along with an expertly curated collection that spans American bourbons, Irish whiskeys, Canadian whiskeys, ryes, single malt Scotches and Tennessee whiskeys. It’s all enjoyed with an easy-to-love pub menu of sandwiches, flatbreads and wings.

Situated in a beautifully renovated Victorian home, House of Spirits in Marysville is a Prohibition-era cocktail bar with more than 250 bourbons, whiskeys, ryes and Scotch, plus a seasonal menu of house-designed libations. Thanks to partnerships with different distilleries, House of Spirits often features special select barrels or bottles you won’t find anywhere else.

The Century Bar in downtown Dayton is regularly ranked as one of America’s Best Bourbon Bars in The Bourbon Review. Open since 1942, the historic bar features remarkably well-preserved details, from intricate woodwork to stained glass lighting fixturfes. It’s the perfect setting to explore their 800-strong whiskey menu, as well as their cocktails and blind tastings led by the owner.

Chesterland’s Oak & Embers Tavern features the best of both worlds: barbecue and bourbon. The pub once made an appearance on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and also earned a nod as one of the country’s best bourbon bars in The Bourbon Review. Guests can sip a wide variety of bourbons alongside burnt ends, brisket and baby back ribs.

In Cincinnati, Hop Scotch Craft Beer & Whiskey is a go-to destination for more than 100 whiskeys, 60 beers on draft and more than 200 beers in the bottle. Located steps from the University of Cincinnati’s campus, Hop Scotch is a favorite watering hole for the neighborhood and those in-the-know. Plan frequent visits to sip your way through their ever-changing whiskey menu.

Drawing on Prohibition-style décor and cocktails, The Bourbon Affair in downtown Findlay features hundreds of top-shelf bourbons and whiskeys. The setting offers an upscale but casual spot to work your way through the bourbon list, sample their curated flights or order up one of their expertly crafted cocktails. The Bourbon Affair also added a 60-seat patio for al fresco hang outs.

Opa Grill & Tavern in Delaware is known for their extensive bourbon selection as well as a vast menu of Mediterranean foods. Long the best kept secret among central Ohio bourbon lovers, their collection of hard-to-find varieties, like Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, keeps bourbon fans returning again and again to downtown Delaware.

Whiskey & The Wolf in Toledo is known for their craft beer selection, whiskey menu and craveable sandwiches. Sample from dozens of bourbons or taste a classic cocktail like an Old Fashioned, a Sazerac or a Manhattan. Enjoy it with a prime roast beef sandwich like a French dip, a spicy Italian or the Bleu, made with sautéed onions and bleu cheese.

Situated on dynamic Gay Street in downtown Columbus, Buckeye Bourbon House is inside the Residence Inn. The restaurant and bourbon bar is fashioned out of a former bank lobby with a soaring ceiling and an equally soaring list of hundreds of whiskeys. One of their signatures is a full menu of Old Fashioned cocktails that incorporate both locally and nationally produced whiskeys.

The Alibi Bourbon & Cocktail Lounge is tucked into the bustling Short North Arts District in Columbus. Their whiskey list spans more than nine pages and features spirits from all over the country, as well as Japanese whiskeys, Scotch and more. If you can’t decide, order from their cocktail menu, organized from approachable to spirit-forward and sweet to tart. 

One More!

Across the Kentucky border, you’ll find yet another must-visit for bourbon lovers. Guests flock to Boomtown Biscuits & Whiskey in Union for their handsome whiskey list and for the dynamic American frontier-inspired fare from chef and owner Christian Gill. Gill has showcased his culinary prowess through multiple appearances on the Food Network, and his menu of poutine and sandwiches pair with more than 50 whiskeys available. Be sure to order the namesake biscuits and gravy. 

Proof Magazine is for Ohio spirit lovers and is produced by Great Lakes Studios. Don’t miss an issue by subscribing to Ohio Magazine. View a digital version of the Proof Magazine Summer 2024 edition here.