Northside Yacht Club in Cincinnati made USA TODAY’s list of the best bars in the country.
The USA TODAY Bars of the Year 2026 list, released July 29, features 38 bars from dives to high-end cocktail bars.
"We're come as you are," said Stuart MacKenzie, owner of Northside Yacht Club, which is known for its nautical atmosphere and take-no-prisoners menu. "We're just trying to be a relaxed place. We don't take ourselves too seriously, but we take our food and drinks really seriously."
How many have you been to? Check out USA TODAY’s 2026 Bars of the Year
Why Northside Yacht Club was named one of the best bars
Northside Yacht Club, celebrating its 11th anniversary in August, was chosen for its quirky landlocked nautical theme and handcrafted menu, which has been featured on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-ins
and Dives.”
The bar theme was inspired by the Ohio River flood of 1937. There's nautical decor and knick-knacks to discover throughout the multi-level, indoor-outdoor layout. The drink menu boasts beach-inspired cocktails, including a seasonal slushy and the Caprise & Desist Son of Anarchy, an adult version of the Capri Sun.
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The food menu highlights house-smoked meats and hand-cut fries, with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options available. Northside Yacht Club even has a deep-fried cheese coney filled with Cincinnati-style chili — one the restaurant's most popular rotating offerings.
Find more about Northside Yacht Club, the other bars that made the list and how it all came together.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: USA TODAY named its Bars of the Year. This Cincy favorite made the list
