Sippin' on Sunshine
As the sky turns a familiar Ohio grey and the wind bites with a winter chill, we all crave an escape from the mundane dreariness. We need a portal to paradise. Thankfully, a new portal has just opened: 10th Island Tiki Bar & Grill, located right in Cincinnati's Ziegler Park.
This isn't just another bar; it's a meticulously crafted escape, providing a warm, tropical cure for the cold weather blues.
A Fully Immersive Island Getaway
10th Island Tiki Bar & Grill is a fully immersive themed experience from the same talented group behind the beloved Onolicious. Their goal was to create a true Hawaiian oasis. The owners even stated the windows are covered so you cannot see the city outside, which helps you "forget the city waiting right outside the door."
A Cincinnati CityBeat reviewer praised the transportive interior, describing it as "filled with netting, floral curtains and lanterns." The "ukulele-heavy playlist" completes the vibe, immediately making you feel like you're no longer in OTR, but on island time.
Drinks That Taste Like Sunshine
The tiki cocktails are the main event, and you will find all the classics like the Hokulea Mai Tai, Lava Flow, and Piña Colada. A Cincinnati CityBeat review raved about the Painkiller, with the reviewer loving its "housemade coconut cream" and noting it "arrives in a tiki glass... topped off with a small umbrella (swoon)."
For a winter visit, the menu offers warm solutions like a House-Made Spiked Cider or a Tiki Toddy. A key feature is the traditional Hawaiian shave ice, which you can get non-alcoholic or as a "Spiked Shave Ice."
Food That Is Far from an Afterthought
The food is a delicious destination in itself, featuring a creative menu that blends Hawaiian, Filipino, and Japanese influences. You must try the Fried Manapua Musubi, a savory dish of deep-fried garlic rice and char siu kalua pig.
The Kahuku Shrimp Sando is another highlight. One reviewer's "jaw drops slightly" when the "massive sandwich" arrived, its "fresh bread... soaking up the small pool of garlic butter." Vegan and vegetarian diners also have great options, including King St Tacos made with plant-based beef.
A Niche Monopoly in OTR
10th Island fills a unique, tropical-sized hole in the Cincinnati bar scene. While the OTR and downtown area is famous for its craft breweries like Rhinegeist and packed with historic taverns, 10th Island doesn't try to compete.
Instead, it joins a new trend of immersive, themed cocktail lounges, much like Sundry and Vice's apothecary theme or HomeMakers Bar's retro party vibe. 10th Island is OTR's first and only dedicated tiki destination, providing a true escape.
The grey Ohio winter is long and a trip to Hawaii is expensive, but a trip to 10th Island Tiki Bar & Grill is not. You can find this portal to paradise at 213 Woodward Street. When the temperature drops, your spirits don't have to. Just find the tiki-lit bar, order a Painkiller, and let the ukulele music do the rest.