Dana's is the best dive bar spot. I have been here countless times over the past year being a Xavier student. I love the ambiance and the small inside, yet large and plentiful outdoor spaces. I usually sit in the "Tent" outside when coming here with friends and order from the she shed, but it was closed. That ended up working perfectly because it was so hot outside that my friends and I wanted as much AC as we could get. We got in and there were few people there. It ended picking up a little after an hour there. My friends and I sat at a large table(there were 6 of us) and played Uno for two hours. We shared some fries and fried pickles. Both were very good and came out hot and fresh, although the fries could have used some salt. The drinks are just what you would expect. The bartenders are always friendly and quick to get or make a drink. Dana's is a great neighborhood bar and a cheap and easy place to go on any night. read more

Went with my wife for a Xavier reunion. We were placed on the 2nd floor. This place is a dump! Some people like dive bars. I do not. The only beer on tap was miller light. It looked a little better downstairs. No food was orderable from upstairs. The bar tender didn't know how to make amaretto sours correctly. My wife had 2 and they both tasted drastically different. They have a small parking lot but we got in. They have an outside patio I guess you can eat and drink there. I can't imagine going there if you had nothing to do with Xavier University. read more

I needed a quick sandwich and was headed in XU direction. So I said "Why Not" Dana Gardens is right here and I remembered it as a fun, affordable and it was on my way. Here's what I got: Sandwich with Fries and 2 "WARM" REALLYREALLY "WARM" beers. My Total with Tip: $28.50 WHAT? I asked the bartender who happened to be the chef if all the beers were this warm. He just replied "I don't know"! While I'm sitting there enjoying my sandwich, which wasn't half bad another patron comes in and orders a sandwich and a cold beer. The same bartender goes to the refrigerator and pulls out a frosted mug. I ALMOST GAGED. I needed 2 warm beers to get the sandwich and fries down and this Bartender could have served me a Frosted Mug! Never Again! read more

As far as dive bars go this place is more then a college bar. Location is great, manager is wonderful and they have everything you need at a reasonable price. Food is what keeps me coming back. A lot of original flavors and a couple traditional plates. Great place for everyone. read more

THE Xavier bar. Whether it's a casual beer, wanting to go somewhere for a sports game, or a nice afternoon to eat and drink on the large deck, this dive is tried and true for generations. If you're part of the Xavier community, you know this place well. If you're not, you should wander off Wasson way in a sunny afternoon and enjoy a drink out on the two tiered deck. Helpful to know: Try the Hershel Special. read more

My favorite spot in all of Cincinnati. It is a Xavier tradition!! The bartenders here are what make Dana's so great. Shout out to Pierce, he's the best! If you are in the area, stop by and try a Hershel. One of the best drinks, but beware, they are strong!! Also y'all, they have some DELICIOUS food here. Highly recommend their spicy balls, their Mac and cheese bites AND their fried pickles. I am getting hungry just thinking about it! Such a great spot, every time I am visiting Cincinnati, I always stop by! read more

Dana Gardens is a great campus bar. It's the most popular bar at Xavier. The bar looks like shit on the outside, but it's kind of better inside. It has cheap ass beer and cocktails. There's also some greasy ass food. I got confused the first time coming. It has a front door. This isn't as much of a door as it is part of the wall. It's not possible to enter through it. The entrance is actually on the side. It's right next to the gravel parking lot. The drink menu has some great specials. I had a vodka and tonic to start the evening. This is only about $2, and strong too. Speaking of strong, if you want something that will kick your ass and take your name, then order the Herschel's Special. Try being man enough to chug it, wow. This place is a madhouse for basketball. Make sure you aren't wearing UC gear. They will seriously cut you. read more

Dana Gardens - Vodka - Dive Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Dana Gardens. Quintessential college bar. Writing on the wall. Slanted stairs. Bathrooms like a college bar. It's a classic. The burgers are pretty good. The beers are cheap. It's crowded on a Xavier game night. All ages are welcome. If you're not ready for the true dive bar experience, you might want to try something else, but you'll be missing out. If you say you know BJ, you'll get better service. Haha! The expanded deck a few years back is nice for crowded days when it's nice enough to be outside. If you haven't been, stop in on a game day and see what you're missing. read more

GREAT BAR! Love the environment and mostly everyone who works there. My only problem is your bouncer, Greg, is an absolute a$$hole to everyone for no reason. He absolutely should not be working somewhere like this if someone doesn't give him an attitude check soon. Otherwise, love the place! read more

D - DIVE bar A - AWESOME place to watch games (especially Xavier basketball games) N - NICE off-street parking A - ALWAYS welcoming (but probably not if you're a uc fan). G - GREAT prices on food and drinks - it is a college bar after all. A - A place that always feels like home. R - READING everywhere. Every inch of this place is covered in signatures, phrases, inside jokes, etc from current and past students. D - DECENT outdoor seating. Multiple long picnic tables and plenty of space to stand with friends if you can't get a seat. E - EVEN has an upstairs bar for those super busy nights. And you can rent out the upstairs room for a private party. N - NEED to try a Herschel. It's a drink named after one of the bartenders. Don't bother asking what's in it though - it's a top-secret recipe. S - SPICY balls. Enough said. Order them and thank me later. read more

Dana Gardens - Dive Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Dana's. Phew. Never thought I would ever utter that word. This past weekend I agreed to partake in a Norwood dive bar crawl led by one of my best friends a former Xavier cheerleader. As a UC alum I was horrified, but as the Yelp Community Manager I was up for the adventure and agreed. Of course the with the horrific winter we are having everything was covered in snow, but I have to start by saying this little dive boasts a pretty killer double decker patio. Walking in we were greeted with wall to wall Xavier students, parents and alumni. I was actually surprised to see so many older people here. I thought for sure it would be a bunch of drunk kids. We walked up to the bar and my friend insisted I order "The Hershel Special." Apparently this Hershel dude has been working here for decades and he created his own signature drink. I asked what was in it and he just shook his head indicating that there was no way I was getting this top secret recipe. I ended up ordering one of those and a beer. The drink was $7 which I thought was steep for a dive, but once I watched him make it this thing looks 3/4 of the way full of whatever came out of that secret bottle. It was definitely potent and I ended up pawning it off on my friend. I also want to add that they have a tiny food window that I think is so great. Every dive should have this! Fried food and beer? Yes please. We didn't get a chance to try, but I did get a chance to visit the restroom right next to the window and although this restroom is tiny, every inch of it is signed by former Xavier students. A true nostalgic gem and one heck of a dive bar. Dana's, I gotta tip my hat to you, just don't tell anyone ;) read more

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Last night we ended the evening at Dana's with my friend that goes to Xavier. It was a very chill environment and we got the spicy balls (pictured) which are a must!!! We also got to sign the wall, which is cool! Definitely a chill place to end the night. We love the spicy balls and signing the walls! read more

Dana Gardens - Dive Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

It says dive bar, it looks like a dive bar, especially the disgusting bathroom. But a Budlite draft for $5 (during happy hr). What a ripoff and the bartender was kinda dicky about it UPDATE: they have one dollars shitty beers during happy hr, the hamburger was excellent and the bartender has grown on me. read more

The Xavier dive bar! Prices always great, beer and Herschels always cold. It can be packed or quiet depending what times of day it is and what's happening on campus. Typical wells at a great price, fair selection on draft. They have a great outdoor patio as well. It's not a huge place but it's home. read more

Dana's IS Xavier. We used to go to Dana's just about every weekend senior year of college... as you've probably heard, it's one of 3 bars within walking distance to Xavier and definitely the most iconic. It is a hole in the wall, run down, shot gun place so don't expect anything elaborate BUT the drinks and the food are PERFECT. The Hershel special will knock you on your a**. Hershel and BJ have been there forever and love it. Pitchers are cheap. Games and darts are fun. Patio is awesome when it's nice out. Upstairs is rarely open but when it is, it's packed. I was at Dana's this past weekend with some friends for a Xavier reunion, I graduated in 2011 and NOTHING has changed and that's what makes it Dana's. read more

Dana Gardens - a display of beer bottle caps - Dive Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

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Fat pours and good people. This dive is walkable from the Hilton Midtown. Will come back next time I am in town. Some crafts but not many, lots of TVs, just what I needed when then Hilton bar closed early. read more

Our daughter goes to Xavier university. We love this place . All the parents come with their kids during parent weekends and it's a blast . Get the Hershel . So yummy . But watch it. ADDICTIVE and strong read more

Dana Gardens - a view of the bar and dining area - Dive Bars Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I love a good dive bar, and Dana's is a good dive bar. I haven't tried the food, but the beer is cold and cheap, and really, you can't ask for much more. Since I teach at Xavier, I make it a point to try and go to Dana's when the students *aren't* there. This coincides nicely with Dana's happy hour (I'll update this post with exact details after my next visit), where the normally cheap beer is even cheaper. The student crowd usually rolls in later, from what I can tell, so as long as we're out of there by 9 or 10, we're good. Bottom line: if you ask me if I want to go to Dana's for a beer, the answer is usually yes. read more

Charged me 10 dollar minimum on a card when there are signs saying the minimum is 5. Rude service, shitty bar, makes you want to take a shower when you get home it is so dirty. read more

When I used to work at Xavier University, I always heard my students talking about Dana's. Due to Xavier's location, this was the only real bar for students to go to. And go they did. Every Monday, I always had a handful of students who had a new Danas' story to tell. I knew that this was the place to be every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. I also knew that students, alumni and fans of Xavier basketball would flock here if they were unable to get a ticket to the game. Before and after big events on campus, this was the place where students would gather to pre-party and after-party. Spending your 21st birthday at Dana's seemed to be a rite of passage. I received a number of invitations from students to swing by and have a beer with them. And as nice as that was and as appreciative for the invite as I may have been, given my job, I didn't think it was necessarily appropriate for me to go to a bar with a bunch of students and drink with them. I resigned myself with the knowledge that I would probably never get a chance to sample the Dana's experience. However a few years back we started a summer softball league with faculty and staff. And with no students around, there didn't seem to be any danger of running into any of them. So after one game the decision was made to head over to Dana's and see what all the fuss was about. Since that one day I've been back to Dana's a few times. And I have to admit...I'm still trying to figure out what all the fuss has been about. To say the place is small would be generous. It's tiny. There are a few high tops on the inside and of course you can sit at the bar. I really wouldn't suggest doing either as the stools are all types of uncomfortable. I would actually head outside to the patio where you can sit on good old-fashioned picnic tables. Of course if it rains, then you're stuck having to drink inside. The food is cheap...as is the quality. If you're looking for a meal this is not the place to go. But if you're looking for appetizers, well this is still not the place to go. The drinks are affordable and do the trick. This is most definitely a Xavier bar (in fact the owner is a Xavier alum who decided that he wanted to buy his college bar and so he did), so if you're going to stop in don't be surprised to see the blue and white everywhere. When I first walked into Dana's and had a look around, I remember thinking to myself, "This is Xavier's bar? Wow. This is sad." But I guess if your main goal is to hang out with friends and get drunk off your tidbits, then Dana Garden's is just as good as any other place. Mahalo, and whatever. read more

If you go to Xavier and don't visit this historic, former fire station for either a birthday, basketball game and/or the traditional kegs and eggs for gradation than honestly I can't trust you. Nice community feel here. The Hershel is a must. Was thrown off when I saw someone ordering food the bartender was the cook as well and didn't really clean to my satisfaction. Then the food at Dana's is frozen Kroger brand food that some worker just goes up and drives to the Norwood Kroger. What can one expect when ordering at a dive; don't expect even a 3 star meal (let's be honest 5 is non-existent for a place like this). Definitely find some real estate to sign your name and commemorate your fun day with friends, classmates, family, or just yourself. You'll meet good people and will have a fun time. read more

As a XU alum, I am biased. It really should only be about 3 stars, but I can't do that to beloved Dana's. Dana's is a dive bar for sure. If it weren't for the proximity to Xavier, I don't know if I would have ever gone. It is one of Xavier own though. The only bar within walking distance of the school makes Dana the go to bar. During the school year, it's packed with students! It has two level with a bar on each floor as well as the two level porch as well that is nice when the weather is warm. During the game days, the alumni revisit the bar before games and it's a great place to run into old class mates. They have about 4 beers on tap, a couple old TVs above the bar to show game and a dart board. The bar is overrun with messages and notes carved or written everywhere from students throughout the years. Some interesting reads and some you may not. Definitely gives it character. If you're a Xavier fan, alumni, student or prospective student, this is the place to be! read more

Practically the definition of a college dive, with it's names-carved-in bar, and confiscated fake IDs displayed above the liquor. My parents used to hang here in college. Go Muskies! read more

Dana's is a staple for XU students, which honestly makes me kind of sad. Dana's has a lot of character but I do wish that "Xavier's Bar" was slightly nicer and larger. The owner (BJ) and Herschel are always friendly, but I have met some unfriendly staff members there. Dana's is the go-to spot for Xavier students and fans before and after basketball games. This place is tiny so it gets packed! Their food is standard bar food so you get what you pay for. I highly recommend their cheesy tater tots! Drinks are cheap which is great for a college bar. This is a beer and hard liquor type of bar. I had a friend order a glass of wine there once for some unknown reason. She got lots of ridicule, but all in good fun. My biggest complaint is the bathroom. It is very small and there is often a line. People have written on the walls over the years so that is fun to look at. It's always entertaining when someone finds their mom's signature! Make sure to order the "Herschel Special!" read more

My go-to place when I just want to chill, have good drinks and good food when I get hungry. This place is it! I did not go to UC or XU so I could care less about that part, although I do have some friends who claim to feel "uncomfortable" about being in there. Whatever. Give me a Herschel's Special and I'm happy. The bartenders are great especially the owner who is very attentive and good even when they are busy. In the summer, the place has an awesome patio and there is a bar on the 2nd floor although I've never really been up there as many times as I've frequented this place. The summer is my favorite time to go as there are less students on the weekends. Go here! read more

How can you not love Dana's this place is a great college bar. Staff is always friendly and the food there is pretty good for pub food. If you don't know what to get, Spicy Balls always pair well with whatever the hell you are drinking. My only complaint is the fries, they aren't the greatest and I wish they would switch brands. Burgers are delicious as well, don't forget to get the egg on top. Let's Go X! read more

If you go to Xavier visits to Dana's are a must. While it meets the definition of "dive-bar", it has plenty of specials, decent bar food, and friendly service. The ambiance varies from one to two people to a full house during finals week and Xavier basketball games. They also have a nice out door seating area just in back of the building. read more

I frequented one of the worlds best dive bars from 2010 to 2012 while I attended Xavier. I got kicked out a handful of times and it awesome. Let's Go X. read more

stopped in for a beer before the XU game on 11/26. Happy to have made it to an iconic Xavier hangout

Dana's is an institution. Iconic. It is the epitome of off-campus life for Xavier students. As an alum, I hold Dana's near and dear to my heart. It is a must before or after XU basketball games. The drinks and food are cheap. The food is typical greasy bar food, which is exactly what you need when you're a couple pitchers in. For a real kick, get a Hershel's Special, preferably from Herschel himself if he is working. Man is a walking legend. Be prepared. It's strong and sweet. Live it up and get a tall, not a short! The downstairs is tiny. During games, you will be smushed. When the upstairs is open, you get a little more breathing room. If it's nice, enjoy the patio! It's a good feature, and again, gives you more space. This is a college bar. So if you are over the age of 25, keep that in mind. If you're swinging by because you're going to a Xavier game and aren't familiar with the place, keep in mind it will be crowded. The bathrooms are what you expect - tiny and can get gross. But it's Dana's - will always have my heart and business during basketball season. read more

Danas has a special place in my heart, and it always will. I would argue one of the most consistently good burgers in the City; better wings than you will get almost anywhere, and I swear to God the honey mustard they serve with the Chicken strips is the best; I dream about it. Stop in and say hi to B.J. and the gang; Herch. was like my stand-in father for 9 years. Cheap beer; hardly any college kids before 10. What more could you want? read more

Dana's is a dive bar. It's seriously terrible. Everything is super beat up and dirty. Why 4 stars then? Because it's so bad it's good. I mean, if you're looking for a great dive bar, this is certainly it. If you are not looking for a dive bar, then don't come here. Names carved into everything? check. Terrible bathrooms? check. College kids everywhere? yup. Grumpy old bartender? indeed. Windows? there are some tiny ones, but mostly no. There IS a large deck that's pretty cool in the summer, and everything is fairly cheap. Grilled Mac 'n Cheese bites are on the menu, so all around, pretty cool. read more

What should I say about Dana's? It's the hub of Xavier University's nightlife, for one. Dana Gardens is the largest and most well established of the three dive bars that exist in the area Xavier lives. It features an eclectic decor of Xavier memorabilia and confiscated forms of (fake) identification. For Xavier kids, no night out is complete without a stop at the local watering hole. Drinks are relatively cheap, draft beers are $1.50 and pitchers are $6. Food is available during early evening hours but is difficult to get during the late-night festivities. The site of numerous 21st birthday parties, there is ALWAYS something happening at Dana's, no matter what night of the week. UC and Dayton fans beware, on basketball nights, Dana Gardens bleeds blue and white. On big game nights, Xavier alum ages 23-80 travel from far and wide to revisit their college days while toasting victory with the current students. Long live Dana Gardens! read more

When I interned at P&G and lived at Xavier, this was the bar we went to during the week. Also went here for my 21st birthday that summer, but we won't get into that story. Typical college bar with good 2 levels of outdoor seating. The owner is very chill and food/drinks are reasonable priced. Great 2 levels of outdoor seating as well. Good place to go with friends and have conversation. read more

I have never been treated so badly at an establishment in all my life before even walking into this establishment. I don't know if it was due to my race or gender but I explained to the guy that I was waiting on my date to arrive to patronize this place. To be a young, sober, professional woman that's recently moved to this city and harassed by two men including the manager Pierce for waiting in my car for my date to arrive is just unacceptable. Although this place looked more like a second class sports bar from the outside I was still willing to give it a try. I really was just looking to discover some cool new spots in the city but this is definitely not one. If you expect to be treated fairly and not discriminated against for your race or gender this may not be the place for you. I know I can't recommend or ever see myself trying this place out again. read more

I went here with a group of 20+ friends on a Saturday. This bar is unique in the fact that it has 2 floors. I haven't been to many bars in Cinci that have 2 floors. It gets crowded fast on Saturday nights so I'd advise going early. I did and found a great parking spot right next to the bar. The drinks are reasonable prices and so is the food. It's a little dirty around the stair way. The bathrooms are packed on weekends. I even saw a woman going into the men's because the wait for the women's was long. You will find a lot of Xavier students here as well especially during the later part of the night. I had a good time with my friends...played some pool, caught up with them, and enjoyed the scene. I wouldn't mind coming back here again even if its a little dirty on the stairs and waiting to use the bathroom. read more

Here's the thing about Dana's - it's a Xavier dive bar, plain and simple. If that's the atmosphere you're after (or you're a student at Xavier), then this is the place for you. If you're not a fan of college dive bars, then head somewhere else. For a college dive, they are exactly that - lots of writing on the walls, beat up tables and bar, neon and cheap beer. Dana's does have some tables outside, which can be nice in the summertime if it isn't crowded. So if you're looking for a cheap night out with a younger crowd, and you don't mind a little grungy, this is a great spot for you. read more

Great place for cheap drinks and a laid back atmosphere. I paid only $2.00 for a well drink on a Thursday evening. Additional Perks: nice patio, friendly place, parking lot with free parking read more

Small bar but awesome drinks and really nice staff great place to grab a few drinks with friends.

Well if you go to Xavier, then its the place to be. Wings are awesome. Pitchers are well-priced. Decent atmosphere. Watch out for the locals ;) read more