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Cincinnati, Ohio is Buzzing with Fun!
Nestled on the bank of the Ohio River, the greater Cincinnati area spans the states of Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. It is home to fantastic opportunities for cultural experiences, diverse cuisine, outstanding sports venues, and a vibrant nightlife filled with music and entertainment.
If you are tying the knot, whether you are from Cincinnati or just entertaining here, this is the perfect city for a bachelor party. From top-of-the-line accommodations to a vast array of culinary experiences and choices of entertainment, the Nati has something for everyone!
Gather your friends and family, whether it’s a tight-knit group of old friends or an introduction to a new blended family, and let Cincinnati host your bachelor party.
How To Plan The Best Bachelor Party In Cincinnati, Ohio
The best way to make sure that you have a great bachelor party is to lay out a good plan that accommodates everyone. Take into consideration all of the who’s, what’s, when’s and where’s. Once this is done, there is nothing left but showing up and having a fantastic time.
Trying to just “wing it” at the last minute may result in not getting tickets to an event you wanted to attend, a date that keeps your most important friends away, or even having to change hotels or restaurants because of a lack of tables or rooms.
Cincinnati is a popular city that plays host to many conventions, make sure you book hotels, Air B&Bs, car rentals, restaurant reservations, and event tickets ahead of time to avoid any disappointments.
When: The Best Time To Have A Bachelor Party
As you decide when to have the bachelor party you need to first take into account the bachelor’s schedule and that of the people you hope will attend.
Giving two to three-month advance notice is best because that allows most people the chance to plan to attend, especially if you intend to make a weekend out of it or if attendees are traveling from out of town.
It is also best if you already have a list of places to stay, car rentals, dining options, and the general idea of the main itinerary ready to go when you send out invitations, this will help the guests be better able to plan accordingly.
Who: Creating The Guest List
Creating the guest list is an essential step in planning the bachelor party. For one thing, you need to be aware of who you are planning for when you consider the types of activities that you will want to include as well as many of the other particulars. The general age range and kind of people involved will help you determine which activities are most appropriate.
You will also need a solid and pretty accurate headcount for the bachelor party. This is even more true if you are helping to arrange any of the accommodations, vehicle rentals, travel, or other specifics for the guests.
Check out options in electronic and automated invitations that can do a lot of the tracking for you if you want to simplify your job and avoid any miscalculations.
Transportation: How To Get Around Cincinnati
The Cincinnati beltway, Interstate 275, loops around the greater Cincinnati area making almost every location convenient. Other major highways run through the city like arteries, including I-74, I-75, and US Route 40.
The downtown area of Cincinnati is easily accessed by the freeway system and is filled with options in commerce, dining, entertainment, and culture. Hyde Park, Oakley, Pendleton, Mount Lookout, and East Walnut Hills are all prominent neighborhoods in and around the city.
Most things in Cincinnati are pretty easy to find, but if you are looking for transportation, there is plenty available. For guests coming in from far out of town, it is simple enough to fly into the Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky International Airport, which is a hub for Delta Air Lines, providing convenient flights to destinations all over.
Much of the downtown is incredibly walkable compared to most major cities, but if you want to go for a ride, there is public transportation available. The Cincinnati Metro is a fixed route, a public bus system that has stops at most of the popular and necessary places within the city, going all the way into the suburbs in many cases.
Of course, there are also plenty of rental services available from limousines to car services to taxis and Uber. Cincy Red Bike also offers 50 stations where you can rent a bike to ride for anywhere from an hour to a day. The Cincinnati streetcar, the Bell Collector runs a loop with 18 stops that is also a convenient means of transportation downtown.
There are also plenty of options for renting cars, especially near the airport for guests who will be staying for a few days.
Where To Stay: The Best Hotels For A Bachelor Party In Cincinnati
Cincinnati is a popular destination for travel, conventions, and entertainment. This means that there are ample places to stay from luxurious hotels to outstanding B&Bs and cool options in Air B&Bs as well. Here’s a look at a few of the top choices for lodging in the Cincinnati area.
The Lytle Park Hotel, Autograph Collection
Located in a historic district of downtown, this hotel is situated in a building originally built in 1909 but recently updated with brand new refined rooms. The hotel’s in-house restaurant offers fine northern Italian cuisine and the bar provides award-winning cocktails.
Resplendent rooms offer an amazing oasis in the middle of the hustle and bustle of downtown Cincinnati. If you are interested in holding part of the bachelor party at the hotel itself, aside from the restaurant, there are other terrific areas including the rooftop with a retractable roof.
Renaissance Cincinnati Downtown Hotel
This is a four-star boutique hotel situated in the heart of downtown Cincinnati giving your guests easy access to the best of all of the attractions and events that the city has to offer. Luxury accommodations, a modern casual restaurant, and a fitness center are the top amenities when staying here.
If you want to hold your party at this hotel itself, the restaurant and bar are both fabulous options as they offer great options in food and drink. You can also opt for the fantastic event spaces that can hold up to hundreds of guests and they can even help you out with arranging catering.
The Westin Cincinnati
The Westin Cincinnati is another top-line option for accommodations. Their classic and beautiful rooms offer floor-to-ceiling windows with breathtaking views of the city’s skyline. This hotel is located near many museums, Fountain Square, which is home to a vast array of events and a diverse dining scene as well as the riverside stadiums.
The in-house restaurant is informal and fun with solid options, but located so close to so many amazing restaurants, it would be a shame if you missed going out for dinner to experience at least a few of those.
Hyatt Regency Cincinnati
Sleek rooms and jaw-dropping views highlight the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati. With a reputation for excellence and located centrally in the vibrant downtown of Cincinnati, the Hyatt Regency offers luxurious accommodations with a super convenient location.
Located within steps of Paul Brown Stadium and the Great American Ballpark, the hotel also offers lots of options for spaces for your bachelor party. Some of these spaces include their restaurant, bar, pool, and dedicated event spaces that can hold from a few friends to large groups.
AirBnB and Traditional B&Bs In and Near Cincinnati
Cincinnati has some really cool and unique AirBnBs which include things like a plant-filled abode in Over-the-Rhine, the “Swing House” and an old vineyard. You can also find nice options in traditional B&Bs like the quaint 19th century built Willis Graves Bed & Breakfast, the historic Six Acres Bed & Breakfast with ties to the Underground Railroad or the Weller Haus Bed, Breakfast & Event Center which could actually house your bachelor party as long as it stayed pretty family-oriented and you don’t want to get too loud.
40 Great Activities For Bachelor Parties In Cincinnati, Ohio
Sports-Related Activities
Cincinnati is a sports-oriented city and there is just no denying it. From fun and games to recreational sports to spectator sports, the city on the river has it all. Here are the top activities for groups of active friends and people who enjoy sports.
Archery Arena Cincinnati – Archery Dodgeball
A new spin on an old game, archery dodgeball takes classic dodgeball up a notch by pitting teams against each other with the same standard rules, except instead of a ball, you use foam-tipped arrows. Everyone who tries it loves it! Don’t worry about experience. They teach you how to play in about 15 minutes when you first arrive.
This is a cool and nostalgic activity for old friends and can provide a fun bonding experience while creating new friends. The activity is fast-paced and gets your heart rate up. It can be a welcome break from the dry workweek or hours of traveling. The games are fun and safe as well as easy to learn and everyone will have a great time no matter their skill level. This is perfect for all ages and backgrounds.
Archery Dodgeball gives you something different to do that your family and friends will always remember as a great time at your bachelor party. There are actually eight archery games to choose from and the sessions last for about 75 minutes which gives you plenty of time to include more than one activity in your fun day.
Visit Paul Brown Stadium
Paul Brown Stadium is the home of the AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals football team of the National Football League. Tours of the stadium are relatively inexpensive but must be scheduled and are only available seasonally on weekdays.
You can always take in a Bengals game, tickets range from general admission to private suites. Other events are held at the stadium throughout the year as well.
See a Reds Baseball Game
The Cincinnati Reds play their home games at Great American Ball Park. Going to a game costs a reasonably priced ticket for admission, but you will likely want to visit the concession stands while you are there. You can also tour the ballpark and visit their Hall of Fame, which makes for a wonderful activity for any baseball lover whether it is in-season or not.
Go Ice Skating
Whether you want to just zoom around the ice for fun or you want to have a pickup hockey game, there is ice time available in Cincinnati. Check out UC Health Ice Rink or Northland Ice Center. Both rinks are open to the public most days and have open ice time available. You can even rent your skates if you need to.
This is a fun activity, but you need to check with your group of participants on this one. If most of your group can’t skate, this may not be a ton of fun. Solid ice skating skills can’t really be built up in a day and falling may be too much of a danger for some people.
Watch the Bearcats Play Football
Nippert Stadium is the home of the University of Cincinnati Bearcats. Nothing can quite describe the environment provided by college football in the fall in the state of Ohio. Ohio takes their football seriously and nowhere is that more true than Cincinnati where we proudly cheer on both our professional and college teams all season long.
Tours of the stadium are available, but if there is one activity that you should not miss here it is the tailgating. Tailgating here provides a fun and realistic look into the Ohio River culture and street cuisine.
Take Dancing Lessons
Dance is a lovely marriage of sports and the arts, two things beloved in the city of Cincinnati. You can find literally dozens of dance studios and companies in Cincinnati and there are many types and styles of dance lessons available for everyone from the novice to the expert.
You can take private or group lessons at the Arthur Murray Cincinnati Studio. In fact, there are special lessons just for the pre-wedding jitters. Again whether or not this activity is a good fit will really depend on your group, so make sure you touch base with everyone to see what will and won’t work.
Hit the Batting Cages
With 20 notable sports teams from pros to minor leagues to college, we really do love our sports here. Baseball is almost as big of a deal as football and we don’t just sit around and watch it. There are plenty of games to watch if that is what you are looking for, but what about taking a swing yourself?
Try out the batting cages. You have several local options including Upper Deck Batting Cages, Sports Shack Baseball Facility, and SWOBAT Baseball & Softball Training. Call ahead to schedule your session.
Race Go-Karts
If you feel like getting your adrenaline and competitive juices flowing by racing go-karts with your family and friends, there are several local places that you can choose from. None of them are in Cincinnati proper, but all are within a quick drive. If it’s your kind of activity then the drive is probably worth it.
To get out on the go-kart track, check out Full Throttle Adrenaline Park in Florence, Kentucky, Scene75 Entertainment Center in Milford, Ohio or Motorsports Country Club in Batavia, Ohio.
See a Pro Wrestling Show
Major professional wrestling companies such as All Elite Wrestling, World Wrestling Entertainment, Ring Of Honor, and Impact Wrestling have all had shows in Cincinnati at venues like US Bank Arena. The area also has a vibrant independent wrestling scene with companies like Ascend Pro Wrestling and Northern Wrestling Federation.
Shows are most often held on weekends and vary greatly. Ticket prices can range from a few dollars per person to a few hundred dollars per person depending on the company and show you are seeing.
Catch a Race
Kentucky Speedway hosts NASCAR annually as well as many other races and events throughout the year. Visit them online to see a schedule of upcoming events from races to festivals to concerts. Kentucky Speedway is located less than from Cincinnati.
The Party for Just the Grown-Ups
Aside from multitudes of family-friendly activities, there are also plenty of activities that are for grown-ups only. Check out some of the fun for the party animals. Make sure everyone has a babysitter and in most cases a designated driver!
Hit the Gentleman’s Club
For some people, this element is so traditional it just can’t be left out of a bachelor party experience. There are several decent gentleman’s clubs in Cincinnati to choose from, but if you are here, how could you miss one of the most famous clubs of all?
Visit Larry Flynt’s original Hustler Hollywood, upscale shopping and entertainment experience for gentlemen.
The Righteous Room
Located near the Contemporary Arts Center, widely considered one of the best bars in Cincinnati, the Righteous Room offers a diverse drink menu with a safe and fun environment as well as plenty of live entertainment including a live DJ.
It is an arty nightspot, offers an open-air lounge as well as VIP tables. You and your friends are guaranteed to have a great night.
Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati
The Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati is a premier midwestern casino that offers gaming as well as dining and events such as shows and concerts. Everything you need for the Las Vegas experience right here in Cincinnati!
Even if you aren’t all that into gambling, the casino is gorgeous and is well known for its outstanding food offerings. Come and take in a concert or show and have a bite to eat, no water necessary.
Dance the Night Away
If you love music and love to dance, the city has several nightclubs that you might find interesting. It’s always a great way to blow off some steam and meet new people. If you are interested in the local nightclubs, try checking out Energy Nightclub, Below Zero Lounge, or e19 Lounge Bar & Discothèque located on Elm Street. You must be over 21years of age to attend these clubs.
Go to a Wine Tasting
Wine tasting is definitely on the list of grown-up fun. Best of all it is a sophisticated but enjoyable activity that doesn’t have any of the stigmas some people associate with other forms of going out for your bachelor party.
You can enjoy learning all about winemaking and touring a vineyard and then enjoy a glass of something new. You can even opt to buy a bottle to take home to share or for a keepsake. A few of the local wineries that you might enjoy are Henke Winery, Revel OTR Urban Winery, and Woodstone Creek Winery & Distillery.
Cincy Brew Bus
The Cincy Brew Bus offers different food and spirit-related tours for adults. These tours include beer tours, wine and bourbon tours, specialty tours like custom tours for your bachelor party, special craft brewery tours and the Kentucky Bourbon Adventure Tour, and more. Ask about customizing a tour for you and your specific party.
Rebel Mettle Brewery
Tour the brewery at Rebel Mettle Brewery. Stop in and enjoy beer tasting and the experience of learning about craft brewing. Enjoy fantastic food that pairs well with their craft brews.
Rebel Mettle Brewery crafts specialty beers like Stuben tiger, a session lager, an IPA style Mettle Mayhem and a juniper schwarzbier, Volume. They truly celebrate all people from all walks of life and welcome anyone to come on in and enjoy a freshly brewed beer.
The Cabaret
Cincinnati’s premier drag show is The Cabaret Showgirls. Expect spectacular costumes, beautiful wigs, and flawless makeup as the performers take the stage and wow audiences. No matter who you are, this is a show that will knock your socks off. Weekends only.
Lip Service
If you feel like you need the gentlemen’s club experience for it to be considered a real bachelor party or you are just a flat-out traditionalist, make sure you choose the best club in Cincinnati. A four-and-a-half-star rated establishment, this adult entertainment club will definitely get your heart racing. Don’t take our word for it, see for yourself.
MadTree Brewing
Visit the taproom to try outstanding craft beers produced using quality small batch methods and only premium ingredients. If you love beer then you just have to check this place out.
You might be a beer lover, but this isn’t just about the alcohol! Craft brewing is an art and learning about the science behind it as well as enjoying some of the fantastic food offered by the brewery makes this a fun experience even for those not interested in drinking alcohol. They offer a Mexican Hot chocolate Style Stout, a white IPA, a Hazy IPA, and an Imperial IPA plus many more. Their taproom doesn’t require reservations.
Outdoor Activities for the Nature Lover
The greater Cincinnati area is part of a beautiful natural region in the southern Ohio River valley. There is plenty to do if you want to get out and enjoy nature. Here are some places to consider if you and your friends are outdoorsmen.
Stonelick State Park
Home to 1,058 acres of tranquil woodlands, you can fish and hunt here as well as camp, boat, hike, disc golf, and swim. This is a family-friendly area and there really is something for everyone here.
Also, consider coming here just for amazing scenery in any season and don’t forget to bring a camera.
Great Miami Wildlife Area
About ten minutes from Cincinnati is the Great Miami Wildlife Area. This encompasses 18 acres of protected wildlife in Hamilton County Ohio.
This is a beautiful stretch of the Ohio River and is often used for Kayaking and Hunting. You can rent kayaking gear locally. In order to go hunting, you will need an appropriate hunting license through the state of Ohio.
Winton Woods Campgrounds
Set in a picturesque pine grove nestled along the banks of the Winton Woods Lake is Winton Woods Campground. It is within easy walking distance of the harbor and there are cabins, riding, and other activities and amenities available. There are fees associated with staying at this campground and you will need to bring your own tents and or other equipment if you aren’t renting out one of their rustic cabins. You also need reservations to stay at this campground.
Play a Few Rounds of Golf
Lots of people enjoy the outdoors with a few rounds of golf. The southern Ohio region is a beautiful landscape to play host to your next golf outing. Bring along your friends and hit a few balls at locations like Fernbank Golf Course, Reeves Golf Course, and Neumann Golf Course, just to name a few.
Great Wolf Lodge Water Park
If your plans happen to be during the hot summer months, especially those super hot dog days of summer, then you should consider checking out the Great Wolf Lodge Water Park.
The Great Wolf Lodge Water Park is a good place for family and groups of all ages and sizes but is also good for just a group of friends hanging out, so it can be suitable no matter what the makeup of the bachelor party is. The park includes dining options and there is a fee for entry. This is definitely an all-day activity and is only suitable for the warm weather months.
Mt. Airy Forest Disc Golf Course
Mt. Airy Forest Disc Golf Course is a professional level 18 hole disc golf course. Played just like a regular game of golf except with discs similar to frisbees that are thrown into wire baskets. This course is well known to be one of the best in the tri-state region and is home to several clubs as well as a disc golf pro shop located on-site where you can purchase new and used discs.
You will have to supply your discs but if you choose to purchase one, the cost starts at around $30. There is also a picnic site near the course if you wish to bring your lunch. Make sure you stay hydrated for this activity, especially in the summer months Burnet Woods Disc Golf and Xavier University Disc Golf Course are also located nearby.
Local Entertainment
You can always get together for some local entertainment. Any city has plays, comedy clubs, and other events that you can attend while spending a weekend celebrating a bachelor party. Here are a few of the top entertainment attractions in Cincinnati.
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Having opened in 1873, the zoo is the second oldest in the country. Learn about various types of wildlife and see animals that you wouldn’t have a chance to encounter anywhere else.
This family-friendly environment also has botanical gardens, exhibits, shows, and dining for the whole family. This is a good activity if your bachelor party is filled with many diverse people or if you are all just getting to know each other as a group.
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park is a professional Tony Award-winning theater that has live performances right here in Cincinnati. Established more than 60 years ago, it is nationally known and produces classic and contemporary works.
At any given time you may see a musical drama, comedy, or recent hit grace its stage. Stop by the box office and arrange a night out for your bachelor party.
Cincinnati Music Hall
Home of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Opera, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, the Cincinnati Ballet, and the May Festival, this is the place to be if you are a lover of the fine arts. You can watch any of dozens of fine arts performances at this glorious building which is a National Historic Landmark built-in 1878.
Tickets can be purchased online or through the box office. This is a very nice sophisticated event to add to your bachelor party. It might seriously impress your soon-to-be in-laws.
Go Bananas Comedy Club
Go Bananas Comedy Club has been entertaining Cincinnati for more than three decades with loads of fun and laughs. It is a great place to take a group of friends to spend the evening and there is nothing better to do at a bachelor party than laugh. No matter who’s in your group everyone will have a good time with this one.
Culinary Experiences
Everyone loves food but being a river town, Cincinnati has always had many influences flow past its banks. Here are just a few places where you can find outstanding culinary delights in Queen City.
Sotto
Sotto has an innovative twist on traditional rustic Italian food. It is one of the best-rated restaurants in town and is known for its quirky basement atmosphere. The food is to die for. They host private parties.
Incline Public House
A gastro-pub with breathtaking skyline views, this place has it all. From the atmosphere to amazing eats you will want to bring your bachelor party here if you want to impress. They cater and host private parties. Their food runs the gamut from high-end to pizza, but it all tastes great.
Maplewood Kitchen and Bar
They specialize in Californian cuisine and only serve breakfast. This is the equivalent to a hair of the dog for life. Hit this amazing place the morning after your bachelor party to start the day right and make the most of your entire time in Cincy.
The Eagle
A rustic but chic beer hall and eatery. This is a place where you come to have a great time and eat good food. This is a fun and laid-back place to have your bachelor party. Comfort food and Southern classics will soothe anyone’s cold feet.
Red Feather Kitchen
This is a new American-style restaurant that does a lot of farm-to-table and inventive seasonal cooking and crafted cocktails. Come here for something innovative and different that you can still count on tasting great.
Alfio’s Buon Cibo
Italian and Argentinean fusion in a romantic setting. This is a good eatery for holding your bachelor party if you are doing a more modern-style party where all of the couples are partying together.
Boca
This is a fantastic bar where you would love to have a bachelor party especially if you want to have awesome food along with your outstanding drinks. They serve really well-cooked steak, lobster, and shrimp that pairs well with beer wine, and other cocktails. Bring your friends here for a fun and sophisticated experience.
Mazunte Taqueria
Who doesn’t want to hang out at a fun and casual joint where you can have Cerveza and authentic tacos and other Mexican treats. You can have your party here or just have them supply the food. Either way, your guests will thank you.
Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse
This is a restaurant for real men, at least if you think real men are supposed to enjoy eating high-quality premium cuts of meat prepared by the best chefs around. They offer steaks, chops, seafood in a fantastic art-deco-designed environment.
Salazar Restaurant
Salazar Restaurant Is a high-end American-style bar and restaurant by Chef Jose Salazar. The food is refined and elegant but it is served in a comfortable setting that your friends and family will enjoy. This would make an awesome place to have a bachelor party.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
Is Cincinnati A Good Place For A Bachelor Party?
Cincinnati is a perfect place for a bachelor party. It has a diverse array of activities and types of places to go. No matter what kind of group you are entertaining there is something for everyone here and your whole party will enjoy it.
Who Pays For The Groom’s Bachelor Party?
Unless the groom himself or the best man offers to and can reasonably pay for the entire bachelor party, each attendee should pay for themselves and group activities should be split between the members. If a member of your friend group can not pay for themselves, you may want to come together to work out a solution for this situation.
How Long Should A Bachelor Party Last?
How long a bachelor party should last really depends upon the attendees, the type of party you are having and how close it is in time, and proximity to the bride’s shower as well as the wedding. You will have to make a reasonable choice based on your specific situation. Usually, somewhere between half a day and two days is about right for most people.
Does Cincinnati Have A Good Nightlife?
Cincinnati has a very vibrant nightlife that includes tons of entertainment, venues, and things to do. The city is very diverse and has something that each person will be able to find to enjoy it.