Japp’s Since 1879

Great bar with heavy pours. Worth the money to drink here. Great selections at the bar but No food. We got pizza from Lucy Blues and brought it in. They are cool with this, you just cat sit at the bar.
The band was perfect for the space. I would be a regular if I lived in the OTR.

I am not yet tired of the craft cocktail — especially when the experience is unpretentious. This place was comfortable, and the bartender was informed and interested in our satisfaction. Very pleased with the cocktail, and the experience as a whole.

Every time I go here I feel like I just walked into a saloon from the old west. It’s just got this authentic vibe you don’t feel at most places. I went for a moonshine and corn whiskey tasting for Northside Distillery and it turned out to be a pretty legit event. The cocktails they made using the moonshine were so good and I still cant figure out which one I like the most. The Rambler was perfect with the flower adding a hint of sophistication but as I write this I’m thinking I liked the Shake a little bit more because it changed in taste from top to bottom. plus any drink with an egg white gets bonus points. I like that this place makes true cocktails and not «mixed» drinks. I really admire how they value and respect the craft.
Not so humbly submitted,
King Michael C.

I love the live jazz music. High-​end hand crafted cocktails and friendly service. A winning combination.

Great Jazz bar. Live music and relaxing vibe. You won’t find a better jazz place in Cincinnati.

Japps part of the Wellman Brands family in the heart of OTR on Main St an old hair store with character, stepping in the front door, you feel like you’re transported back in Cincinnati a hundred years ago with the classic bar, booths, fixtures, true character in this place.
My recent visit was for a co-​workers surprise wedding shower, she loves cocktails, especially sparkling ones so I contacted the Wellman Brands family to setup an event. Molly created a custom cocktail just for our event, The Christina in our special guests honor with champagne and a variety of amazing handcrafted ingredients. Jeremy was our bartender taking care of our group where we ordered a variety of drinks, he had a special passionfruit cocktail which was my favorite of the night and delicious food from Picnic & Pantry.
Stop by Japp’s while you’re in OTR for a truly one of a kind handcrafted cocktail sit back enjoy the scenery and escape back in time.

Yet another stop on our Wellmann’s brands tour. We had just come from Neons, and were surprised how much more quiet Japp’s was. It was a nice change, as we were able to get a seat at the bar. I love to watch the bartenders work. The cocktails were excellent and I enjoyed the ambiance. One server seemed new and a little nervous, but that happens. The other server was much more engaging and seemed to know what she was doing. She chatted and made eye contact while mixing the drinks. A smile goes a long way to add just a little to the drink! We need to come back with a larger group to enjoy the music and group seating.

First came to Japp’s for a reception hosted by CAC creative conference for designers, OFFF Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Ad Club — fun photo booth with props, crafts and debriefing about the conference. Last night was an entirely different experience.
Started the evening with a classic daiquiri in the bar. Cleverly, the bartender suggested a Hemingway daiquiri. She assured me it’s the classic well-​balanced blend of lime juice and light rum, but with the addition of maraschino cherry juice and grapefruit juice. Couldn’t pass that up.
Hemingway’s «Up North in Michigan Nick Adams Stories» is my favorite short story collection; I love Key West and one of Hem’s six-​toed angora cats sat on my bare feet over breakfast while on a travel writing magazine assignment (stay at Andrew’s Inn off Duval and breakfast in the garden). In short, love Papa, so couldn’t pass up a chance to toast him with his drink of choice.
And it was a great choice. The cozy booths are perfect for a tête-​à-​tête — a deux Left Bank style. Here’s to Hem and his drink of choice.
Side note: It did take more than 15 minutes to get a drink, but it was perfection and just $ 7 for a craft cocktail. Made my way to the event space in the back for a mixology class with Molly — which was an hour of Prohibition tales of hooch through the ages and tasting notes.

Love Japp’s. Go for the cocktails. If your’e a beer drinker, there are plenty of other bars that could meet your needs, including Japp’s. But if you’re going — GET A COCKTAIL. These bartenders are great and actually skilled. If s/​he asks if you want your cocktail with an egg white, say yes!
Drinks are reasonably priced for the quality. Thumbs up, all around.
Dancing in the Annex.

This is one of my favorite bars in Cincinnati. If you’re simply looking for a beer or a glass of wine, they definitely have that but you’re not really taking advantage of all this place has to offer cuz these guys are mixology masters. They make all the drinks you would typically expect at a cocktail bar and then they have all these fun side drinks. Typically, there is a blackboard at the end of the bar with specialty drinks, and if you’re feeling social, I can almost guarantee that every bartender has his or her own drink they’ve created or like to make. And all of this while you get to enjoy a beautiful old bar in a beautiful old building. Life doesn’t get much better than that.
TIP: One of those bartenders knows how to make an «Uncle Al’s Sweater.» I’ve only had it once and cannot for the life of me remember what was in it or which bartender made it, but it was splendid. If you find out who makes it, PLEASE TELL ME!

Some of my best memories after 10pn in Cincinnati have been at Japps! We always take a group with us when we go and we have so much fun together! You have to be a grinch not to love the music they play on the dance floor side. We always gather by the long couches in the front window (it is never crowded there). The bartenders are always sweet, attentive, and not annoyed by the drunks.
The drinks on the calm side are really great! I can tell it takes skill to create those drinks. They come with a price you don’t often see in Cincinnati (high) BUT for what you’re getting, it makes sense.
Every time someone new to town asks me the best places to go out, I recommend Japp’s. Whether you’re wearing jeans or a mini skirt, you’re welcome and you’re going to get great service and have a great time!

Love Molly Wellman’s establishments. These craft cocktails are to die for. I love brining out of town guests here. The mood is circa 1920’s dapper and the bartenders have the image down packed! The interior décor is fascinating and brings classy back.

Another Cincy classic.
Japp’s is a vintage-​y bar with handcrafted cocktails and dancing annex. I have been here every so often, a few times for birthday celebrations. The specialty cocktails never disappoint and there’s always something new to try. The atmosphere can be calm or rowdy, depending on when you go. Of course, weekends are the busiest and dancing starts around 10pm.
We were just here the other night (not knowing about Santa-​Con) and there was a brass band playing. The band was so entertaining and even walked around the bar while playing their trumpets and trombones. They also play some old-​school music in the annex sometimes if you’re not into the more «cluby» music.
You can’t really go wrong with any of the Wellmann bars!

Japp’s is a great place to sit back, relax, and enjoy some specialty cocktails in a vibrant setting. Molly Wellman’s quality brand shines through with the décor, the bartender’s knowledge of drinks, and the overall service one receives when visiting. The place does fill up quickly — so arrive early to snag a seat!
Japp’s has also been great in arranging private smaller events by designating a portion of the bar for guests and even creating a custom drink for the evening — and at a special price! If you are looking for a smaller Happy Hour setting with a personal touch, check Japp’s out for a semiprivate event.

The place is cool, but beware of the bouncers.
Was sitting in the Annex on a huge sofa next to the window and saw an argument between some patrons and the bouncer. The bouncer lost his cool and almost instantly hit/​pushed the guy in his face.
All the other bouncers were kind of laughing. Since when are they there to encourage fights?
Obviously, the tension was building up and the guy who had been hit was getting angry, so the bouncer hits him again. Unbelievable. There are some guys shouting, some girls crying and there is me leaving.
OMG. What an unprofessional juvenile behavior.
Ms. Wellmann, please train your staff properly.

We came here for a few drinks after dinner. It is a cute place with a classy speakeasy type of vibe. It also had a good mix of people.
The bartenders are fantastic. Not only are they very friendly, but they know their cocktails. I was feeling a bit adventurous and wanted to try something different. I told her what I like and didn’t like and she made an awesome cocktail. I wish I would have paid more attention to what it was! It was well balanced, fresh and unique. Trust them — they do not disappoint.

I was out bar hopping with a group of friends and the great music pulled us in. This place plays great music and everyone was dancing. It might take you a couple of minutes to get a drink but no reason to be in a rush just dance away while you wait.
There were a lot of people here I guess they all enjoy the music as I did but let me tell you this place its super hot and I mean temperature wise. They really need to fix this and really get a better AC since this would solve their only con.

Live jazz was playing that was simply incredible.
My drink was seasonal, fresh, and everything I could have ever wanted.
The ambience was something from a parisian café.
The bartender told us the 1879 denotes the date the building was opened as German hair shop. It only has been a bar since the 80’s.
None the less, the most awesome place to get a drink in OTR!

Japp’s is the cool bar you go to when you want to be an adult and drink a damn good cocktail, rather than deal with 21 year old’s taking jäger bombs. It’s got a great speakeasy vibe, with cool clientele, ranging from people in their mid twenties to middle-​aged people that appreciate a good drink.
The bartenders here are truly great at what they do. The cocktail list is always changing, and they come up with their own delightful creations. My brother usually drinks old fashioned’s. He asked the bartender to get creative and make him a drink like an old fashioned. Honestly, it was one of the best cocktails I’ve ever had. My recommendation is to just trust the bartenders… Tell them what you like, and they will impress you. I also noticed that our bartender took a straw, and sampled every drink he made (no germs, he dipped the straw in and took it out, then threw the straw away). He said it was to make sure he did it right every time. That is commitment!
We were here last Friday, and they had a jazz band that apparently plays here almost every Friday from 5:30 to 8pm. The band was fantastic, and the cocktails were even better. I’ll be back for the live music sometime soon!

All of these «classy» reviews must have gone at a different time than me. Also HEA.VY. pours. Prepare yourself. ;)
I have been in here a few times. On the weekends it always seems crowded. Last night (Friday) was no different. If you can make your way through the elbows and bumps, you’ll find a very large bar. Don’t expect to find European beers like Heineken or Baileys; this is a local drink establishment.
Over the course of the night, we ordered:
— Amaretto Sour (wasted 2 eggs while making it but good tasting)
— Kentucky mule (very heavy on the ginger beer)
— Caipirinhia (not great Cachaça and light on sugar)
— Negroni (very tasty, light and fruity)
— Marlboro Man (no tobacco bitters so replaced it with something else; very anise-​y)
— Johnny Walker proper (two ice cubes for two shots; he knows how he likes his Johnny)
Overall the drinks were good. I didn’t mind waiting for them. They are heavy pours though; not for the amateur drinker!
The environment though was more like a hot mess. I have never seen so many drinks (cans, glasses, whatever) drop to the ground in a bar as I did here last night. People were laying on the ground outside and over others in booths inside, and this was at just 12am. People were stumbling everywhere and knocking others. Getting a booth to sit at is your best way to avoid it until someone almost falls on you!
Next time: I’ll go earlier and/​or check out the back dance floor.