Gameday

The Banks (and the DORA)

If you’re looking for where the party is before the game, that’s easy: it’s right across the street at The Banks. Depending on who you ask, you may get different explanations of what The Banks is. Officially, it’s the entire area from Great American Ball Park to Paycor Stadium (home of the Bengals). That includes Smale Riverfront Park, the bars and restaurants along East Freedom Way outside of GABP’s west entrance, The Brady Music Center, and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. 

A lot of locals also call it “The DORA”, which stands for “Designated Open Refreshment Area.” Before the kids get all excited for the wrong reason, the DORA is the same area as The Banks, and you’re able to roam freely with your adult beverage, as long as it is in an official DORA cup (sold at every bar).

Right outside of the west entrance to GABP is the start of the DORA, and East Freedom Way will be blocked off on game days to traffic, turning it into a pedestrian esplanade. Within that one block area there are nearly 10 bars/restaurants, almost all with outdoor patios, and on gameday they’ll be full of fans hours before the game (and after the game as well).

We could write about each bar, but the truth is you’re better off checking them out and deciding what works for you. They’ve all got good menus, and prices are reasonable. You also don’t have to choose any of them: you can just grab a drink from any of their to-go bars and just roam around.

TSI TIP: if you’re specifically interested in having brunch before an afternoon game, check out Moerlein Lager House. It’s one block south of Freedom Way (towards the river), and has an extensive brunch menu. It’s also more of a restaurant experience than a bar experience, for those who would prefer that.

Downtown Cincinnati

If you’re looking for something that might be a little less crowded or crazy, there’s the In-Between Tavern right over the interstate from GABP. It’s got a ton of space on the inside, as well as a large patio, and is a good place to hang out. If you’re coming from the Lyte Park Hotel or Residence Inn, you’ll walk right by it on your way to the ballpark.

You can also wander out along Smale Riverfront Park if you’d like to get your steps in for the day. There’s also a splash pad for the kids (not sure you want wet kids before a ballgame, but that’s up to you).

Newport at the Levee

If you’re staying across the bridge in Newport, there are plenty of pregame options there if you want to stick close to your hotel before crossing the bridge to the stadium.

One of our absolute favorite places in Cincinnati is the Hofbrauhaus. For those who don’t know, Cincinnati has the biggest Oktoberfest in the US each year, and the Hoffbrauhaus is an all-year staple of a German drinking experience. It’s got a great beer hall and a large Biergarten, and honestly, we just love it. We’d happily spend a few hours here before making our way over to the ballpark.

Other options on the Newport side of the bridge are:

Velocity Esports Arcade: it’s a lot like Dave and Busters, with bowling, table games, video games, arcade games … all kinds of games. Plus food and beverage. It’s great for kids (and kids at heart) if you’re looking to keep them entertained.

The Levee Plaza: on the Levee esplanade, there are beer trucks offering craft and local brews. This is a good place to hang out in the sun prior to walking across the Purple People Bridge. Very low-key, very chill.

Shiners on the Levee: they’ve got a great outdoor patio with cornhole and beer pong tables set up. Definitely more of a place for those without kids.

Other options: Brothers Bar & Grill is a typical sports bar where you can get an indoor or outdoor table along the river. Plus there are a number of fast food options here, including Tom & Chee, Five Guys, a hot dog stand, and also a few options at the Food Hall (which won’t be determined until March/April, so keep an eye on it).

Best of all, from all of these places you can easily walk across the bridge to the stadium or catch the Southbank Shuttle (see our Transit Chapter for details about that).

Covington

If you’re someone who likes beer, then you may be interested in hitting up Covington before the game. They’ve got a number of cool breweries on that side of the river, and they are close enough to walk from one to the other. Braxton Brewing and Beards & Bellies BBQ are both great beer options, and other good spots are Smoke Justis (BBQ and bourbon), Molly Malone’s (Irish bar), and Covington Yard, which has a huge outdoor patio and food trucks inside the courtyard.

TSI TIP: if you’re going to opt for these spots in Covington, you’ll be best served ordering a rideshare to get to the ballpark. The nearest Southbank Shuttle is a 10-15 minute walk, and you could end up waiting 15 minutes for the shuttle, and then it will take 15 minutes to get to the stadium. It may be worth just shortening that transit time with a $10-15 rideshare.

The Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum

We’re going to say something bold here, so get ready: 

The Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame Museum may be the best team Hall of Fame exhibit in the country … IN ANY SPORT. 

If you’re a Reds fan, you could probably spend three hours there. But even if you’re not a Reds fan, you should set aside a very solid 90 minutes to check this out. It is one of the most polished, expansive, well-organized, and compelling sports exhibits I’ve ever seen, and it made me wish that I knew more about Reds history just so I could appreciate it more.

During baseball season the Hall is open from 10am to 5pm on non-gamedays. On gamedays, the schedule shifts depending on what time the game is:

Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors (60+) and students (13-18 or with college ID), and free for kids under 12 or active military or veterans (with ID). And let’s be clear: it is worth every penny. Not to mention that sometimes there will be a promotion that if you purchase admission to the Hall of Fame, you can get a bobblehead or other special promo item. When we went, we received a free Barry Larkin bobblehead with our ticket.

TSI TIP: the Reds offer a “Pregame Workout Experience” that is definitely worth checking out. You’ll get admission to the Hall of Fame for that day, plus early entry into the ballpark to watch batting practice and pregame workouts from right field (sections 140-146) for both teams (schedule can change, so not always guaranteed). Here’s the schedule for this:

The prices are: $30 for adults, $20 for kids 5-12 and active military or veterans, and free for kids 4 and under. Which is a very reasonable upcharge from the basic Hall of Fame ticket.

Not only is this a great deal, but it’s probably one of the cheapest offerings in MLB. Many stadiums don’t open early enough to catch the home team’s batting practice, and for those that do offer packages like this, they are often significantly more expensive. 

TSI TIP: not only do we strongly recommend purchasing these tickets in advance (because they will sell out), but make sure to visit the Hall of Fame earlier in the day rather than right before the game. Because…

TSI TIP: DON’T DO THE MUSEUM DURING THE GAME. Seriously … you can get lost in this place for hours, and you shouldn’t be missing the game to see the Hall of Fame. We suggest coming to visit in the morning or early afternoon, hours before the game. Not only will the crowds be lighter, but you just won’t feel rushed.

TSI TIP: if you’re going to do the Pregame Workout Experience, it may also be a good day to purchase the All You Can Eat pass. The AYCE stand is located right behind section 144, so you’ll be close by while watching batting practice, and your early entry time will give you maximum value for snacks and soda refills.

Please please please … go to the museum! For baseball fans, it’s an absolute can’t-miss item.

Retail

Of course the Reds have their own team store if you’re looking for gear. And, of course, that store will be expensive, as all team stores are. If you want an alternate option (especially if you’re staying in downtown Cincinnati), you can visit Koch Sporting Goods on 4th between Elm and Race. This place has literally been around forever (since 1888) and has a ton of team gear for all of the local Cincinnati and Ohio teams. This is one of those instances where shopping local is a great idea.

Pregame entertainment

Depending on the day, there may be entertainment happening on the Fan Plaza, which is behind the first base line. There are often bands, and there are also concession stands and benches, so it’s a good thing to do if you prefer to skip the external pregame festivities and get into the ballpark earlier.

Stuff for kids

The Reds have a really fantastic setup for kids. On the Fan Plaza there is a mini-baseball diamond where kids can take turns getting some Whiffle Ball practice, and there are a bunch of other carnival games there as well (but these do cost money). There’s also a playground for the younger kids to work out some energy.

There’s also a kids zone on the 400 Level, all the way in right field, with another playground, plus batting cages (and a nursing and reading room, in case it’s needed).

The Garden Bar for $5 pregame beers

Right around the corner from the Fan Plaza is a small and innocuous-looking bar – the Budweiser Garden Bar. But … from gates open until first pitch, you can get a 24oz Budweiser or Bud Light for $5. 

Let’s say that again: YOU CAN GET A 24oz BUDWEISER FOR $5 !!!! 

Seriously, that’s a deal that you can’t beat either inside or outside of the stadium. So if you’d like to wander around the ballpark before the game checking everything out, stop by the Garden Bar first and grab your cheap beer. And then once you’ve made the loop, stop at the Garden Bar again and get yourself a second cheap beer. Hang out on the Plaza being entertained, and then get yourself a third cheap beer right before the game starts. You’re welcome!

TSI TIP: don’t wait too close to game time to get that last beer. As the stadium starts to fill up, so will the line at the Garden Bar.

The Budweiser Bowtie Bar

This is another good place to hang out and drink, although it won’t be at a discount. Full-price beers are available at this outfield spot, where there are usually a lot of fellow fans mixing and wandering around. And if you’re there early, you can commandeer a rail spot to watch the game from (it’s a GA/SRO area).

The Fioptics District Rooftop

Another excellent place to chill out before the game, especially with a larger group, is the Fioptics Rooftop. It’s located up a flight of stairs from the 400-Level concourse, all the way in left field (behind Sections 408-410). Although there isn’t a view of the field from this spot, it’s a cool rooftop space with a view of downtown. There are big screen TVs, cornhole, and a ping pong table as well. The bar is just down the steps on the concourse, so refills are easy.

Right Field Roof Deck

For those of you interested in a more scenic spot, there is a roof deck just past the kids zone on the 400 Level, all the way in right field behind Section 437, that has plenty of seating, including patio sofas and rocking swings, and an absolutely fantastic view of the Ohio River and neighboring Kentucky. (Note: the view is fantastic, but let’s not confuse the view of the Ohio River with the Seine in France. It’s still Ohio/Kentucky). There’s a bar right there, so it’s easy for you to get drinks and hang out for a while.

For those who want good beers

On the 100-Level concourse behind third base is the Reds Brewery District, where they have an excellent assortment of craft and local beers. The only thing about this is that there’s no specific place to sit here. It’s part of a larger food area (it’s almost a pseudo-food court), so it’s nothing but foot traffic. But if you’re a beer snob, this is the place to come. Grab one and head back over to the Fan Plaza, or you can try to find a spot at Wings & Rings, a seating area behind sections 113-114.

Food Food Food

GABP has no shortage of interesting foods that we can recommend. 

First, there are the local staples: Skyline Chili, LaRosa’s Pizza, and Montgomery Inn BBQ. And each of those is totally fine and will satisfy your curiosity if you’re looking to check those boxes. But there are a couple of things that we would specifically recommend trying:

Glier’s Goetta Sliders: if you don’t know, Goetta is some sort of mystery meat that is seemingly only available in Cincinnati (as scrapple is to Pennsylvania and encased meats are to Wisconsin, Goetta is to Ohio). And we like it. We say give this a try. $12.99

Glier’s Bratter Up: it’s a grilled and skewered bratwurst, with cheese, bacon, and a special sauce on top. Sure, my heart stopped beating for a few minutes, but no regrets. $10.99

Fifty West burgers: if you’re looking for a giant burger that will probably put you to sleep by the third inning, check out Fifty West behind Section 130. It’s $15, but comes with two patties and is about five inches high.

Budget option: there’s a Kroeger’s Hot Dog Value Meal available at select stands, which includes a hot dog, soda, chips, and a “snack” (undefined) for just $9.99. 

All You Can Eat Pass: as we discussed at the end of the seating chapter, any ticket holder can add the Reds All You Can Eat Pass onto their ticket. Just go to the AYCE stand at Section 144 or 428, pay your $25, and they’ll give you a wristband. The food choices are very limited and basic: hot dogs (limit of 5), chips, peanuts, popcorn, and soda. But if you can pound the hot dogs, and aren’t looking to try the more exciting foods in the stadium, then this is an acceptable value option.

And for dessert

Ok, this is a tough one for us, as we happen to love desserts here at TSI more than we love baseball and ballparks. 

The two best options for ice cream in the ballpark are the Reds Helmet Cup ice cream sundae, and Graeter’s Ice Cream.

We do love the ice cream sundae, because it’s made with soft serve, and you can customize it with your choice of toppings. As in-stadium ice cream helmet cups go, dare I say it’s one of the better ones in all of MLB. And at $7.99, it’s a steal (yes, I know … $7.99 for ice cream isn’t cheap. But it’s a decent size portion, AND you get your own toppings! And we’ve seen the prices in other ballparks, which can often be worse).

The other choice is Graeter’s, which we absolutely love, and would put up in a taste test against any ice cream in the country. BUT … getting Graeter’s at the ballpark means A) getting a limited selection of flavors, and B) paying $10 for a modest portion. Before we do this, we’d suggest holding off on dessert and walking to the Graeter’s location in downtown Cincinnati after the game. There you’ll not only get a ton more flavors to choose from, but you’ll also get bigger portions at a lower cost – a double scoop at the restaurant is only $6.70 (2024).

Oh … and you’ll also get to opt for specialties like their awesome sundaes, which are around $8. Seriously … we hate telling people not to get ice cream at the ballpark, but if you can wait, and are willing to walk 8-10 minutes from the ballpark to Fountain Square, this should be your #1 option.

Mascot pictures

If you want a picture with the mascots, they’ll sometimes make appearances at the Fan Plaza during the game. There will often be a sign at the Plaza that says when they’ll be there. Beyond that, you’ll just have to run into them on the concourse.

If you want to guarantee at least some picture with the mascots, there’s a mascot statue on a bench below the Budweiser Bowtie Bar, two more mascot statues on the Fan Plaza, and a cut-out picture stand next to the mini-baseball diamond.

Retail

Aside from the traditional team stores inside the ballpark, the Reds also have an Authentics store on the 100-Level concourse with game-used merchandise. They also offer a “Mystery Bag” for $50. In 2024, each bag contained a baseball autographed by someone on the current roster, a game-used baseball, or an authentic jersey. We’ll report back on what the 2025 version is.