Salem Gardens

Bar, Eatery

6396 Salem Road
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45230
United States

(513) 231-9666 | map
PLACE STATS
Average:
3.19
Reviews:
3
Ratings:
3
pDev:
17.87%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews.
Ratings by brewdlyhooked13:
Photo of brewdlyhooked13
Reviewed by brewdlyhooked13 from Ohio

3.9/5  rDev +22.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 2.5 | food: 5
This entry to Beerfly is somewhat of an anomaly, yet anyone who lives near, or has visited Salem Gardens with an intent to drink a good beer knows why this entry exists.

Atmosphere is great. Several TV's tuned to a few different sports programs. A friendly, never raucous crowd, typically frequented by opposing teams of nearby rather competitive athletic leagues who afterwards convene together, regardless of who won or lost that evening. I am a member of that mass.

Their Garden Burger is one of the best in Cincinnati, their chili is super (it is not Cincinnati style, btw) and the menu is extensive enough to please most everyone. The staff is friendly and very knowledgeable of what's available to eat and drink.

So why is the Selection rated at a 2.5? Well, here's the deal - while the owner knows his audience and therefore knows what he should stock beer-wise (which is primarily your megabrewers), he also is a fan of craft brewing and as such stocks two draft beers at all times, neither of which will ever be from the big 3. One tap is for the Barrel House and the other is for Goose Island. He keeps the proper seasonal pick for each, making sure to vary the style between the two so as not to have two IPAs, or two Winter Belgians, etc.

So it's not that I'm 'not impressed' like a 2.0 rating would suggest, because in fact I am impressed that he appreciates and purchases the good stuff even in the face of what 95% of his customers would rather drink. He has the heart of a Beer Advocate and deserves recognition for his attempt to educate the masses. Obviously, offering only 2 picks doesn't deserve a high rating, not even average, so I'm hoping 2.5 is a fair compromise, all things considered. And of course I do my best whenever I visit to support him by drinking plenty - for him, you understand, not myself - it's not about me... :-)

So if you're in the Cincinnati area and you want a seasonal Goose or Barrel House, stop by the Gardens. If it's on Thursday during the fall/winter, chances are I'll be up there draining some pints.
Jun 02, 2003
More User Ratings:
Photo of mikesgroove
Reviewed by mikesgroove from South Carolina

2.5/5  rDev -21.6%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 2.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 2.5
I am really not sure why I stopped in here, maybe it was just because I saw it listed and was in the area at some other stops, yeah that probably was it but anyway, it was like late afternoon when I walked in and this place came off as rather unremarkable to me I have to admit. There were some TV’s and a nice normal looking bar but it was really just a normal bar. There were still two taps, but it looked like the goose island was not there, and the tap handle was non descript so I couldn’t tell what it was. There were only a few locals and I really had a ton of other places so I really just walked in and looked around, I got kind of a weird feeling to be honest and that’s probably why I left so quickly, and even forgot to take a picture. This was just a weird stop for me, can’t really describe why, it just seemed kind of off. I do not think I will be going back here anytime soon.
Jan 18, 2008
Photo of AtLagerHeads
Reviewed by AtLagerHeads from Ohio

3.18/5  rDev -0.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 2.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 2.5
A nice local spot with limited selection and a nice after work or play atmosphere. There is little here for a serious BA, but I must admit it has a kind of charm to it for everyone seems to know everyone else (except me, of course, but they'd like to, it is obvious.) The tap choices are Honkers and Barrel House Octoberfest, along with a couple of macros. Limited off-street parking in a decent neighborhood. Quaint.
Sep 21, 2003
Salem Gardens in Cincinnati, OH
Place rating: 3.19 out of 5 with 3 ratings