Ghost Baby, a retro cocktail bar and live music venue in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, has made USA TODAY’s list of best bars in the country.
The USA TODAY Bars of the Year 2025 list, released July 30, features 29 bars from dives to high-end cocktail bars.
Owner Josh Heuser said he is thrilled his unique vision of a juke joint-meets-jazz bar is resonating nationwide. And he has a good idea why. “Some places serve a drink. Ghost Baby serves a moment,” he said. “We’ve always said that if guests leave feeling transported – even just for an hour – then we’ve done our job. We’re honored that USA TODAY recognized a destination where history and hospitality meet.”
USA TODAY Network food journalists live and work in states across the country. They know their communities, and they pooled their expertise to select the list, which includes the places they spend their time and recommend to readers and friends.
How many have you been to? Check out USA TODAY’s 2025 Bars of the Year.
Why Ghost Baby was named one of the best bars
Ghost Baby was chosen because of its unique underground location and its 1920s-meets-1980s vibe.
Raise a glass: Ghost Baby named one of the best in the US. Everything to know before you go.
Find more about Ghost Baby and how the list came together.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: USA TODAY named its Bars of the Year. This Cincinnati favorite made the list
Reporting by Keith Pandolfi, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
