Mr Pitiful’s

This place changed ownership early 2016 and reopened in March. Unfortunately, the feel has totally changed. It used to be one of the few places where you could find good music in OTR, but that’s changed now. DJ told me he wouldn’t play any Drake because the owner doesn’t want rap to be played. Really? It’s a problem if your dance floor is filled with people who are awkwardly standing around to the poor music you’ve chosen.

I love this place. Don’t get me wrong, it’s possible to go on the ‘wrong night’ but most often it’s the right night. And when it’s really the right night, it can really set off a great evening. My fave nights are when DJ Perry Simmons spins or when Natural Progression shows out. Both shut it down. Definitely for the grown and sexy. No riff raff invited. For sure, this is a ‘Cinci authentic’ spot!

I had a really great time at Mr. Pitiful’s. At the end of a long night out on the town, a friend suggested that we go dancing. This is how we ended up at Mr. Pitiful’s. A great time was had by all.
The night that we were here, they were playing hip hop from the 90’s and early 2000’s. It was fairly crowded and people were cutting loose! The drink prices were very good and it was over all a really fun atmosphere. This is definitely a change from the other establishments in OTR, but is a great spot when you just want to dance!

How am I just now finding this place???
Came to Mr. Pitiful’s with some friends who are regulars and know most of the staff which meant we were well taken care of by the bar. The crowd was pretty diverse as well.
It was a Saturday night so there was a cover ($ 5) to get in which I think isn’t too bad. There were a good amount of people there but we weren’t fighting to breathe or standing shoulder to shoulder like what I saw at Japp’s down the street. The DJ wasn’t the best, however, he played a lot of slow songs at first but he did eventually get better and we even moved to the room next door for dancing.
I’m a fan. This is one of the few places in OTR that doesn’t feel like it’s been taken over by «hipsters» and you don’t have to fight just to get a good drink. I will definitely be back.

It was our first time here from outta town and My gf and I were greeted by the owner that was very friendly and offered taking care of our first couple drinks and told us about the history of the bar, area and best places to visit. Good drinks, good people.

I’ve heard of Mr. Pitiful’s and been wanting to check this place out. Especially at night when they have live music.
I would describe this joint as a” touch of Chicago nightlife” atmosphere.
Unfortunately my husband and I came here on a Sunday afternoon during the «Second Sunday On Main». We noticed that it was open so we went for a drink (I asked and they are closed Sunday through Tuesday but serving spirits the rest of the week). Got two small draft Hudy Delights for $ 3.00 a piece. Not bad!
Bar was very laid back and very open/​spacious. Loved the old hard wood floors and vintage music memorabilia/​décor. Not only does this bar have live entertainment (at night), but there is also a pool table and touch tunes to play requested music of your choice.
Bartender was very nice and attentive.
I would definately return and check out the live music.

Went here after going to Mike Epps concert and had a blast. There was a live band there and everything was great. The women bartenders made great drinks!

This is one of my favorite bars and clubs in Cincinnati. Everyone has been unquestionably friendly and accommodating, and the music excellent. There is no pretension at Mr. Pitiful’s, and young and old, rich or poor, trendy and uncool, hipster or tipster, are all treated uniformly the same. This can’t be said about many of the bars and clubs within the vicinity of Mr. Pitiful’s. I just wish there was a website, so we could know when music is on.

Seriously, I love it here. This is my new go-​to bar… it helps that is two doors down form my apartment. Drinks are cheap, there’s a variety and the bar is gorgeous. It looks tiny but is awfully roomy, and other than the decorations (which I don’t love) I have no complaints. The staff is fun and friendly. But more importantly, they’re quick, and that’s all that really matters, right?
During the week it’s quiet and the TV will be on to watch the game. Later at night on the weekends they host a DJ and it’s a free for all dance floor.

A fun bar with a fun atmosphere. It is more for adults. IT doesn’t have all of the just 21’s there. It is a bit more chill with jazz. It is a bar that you can actually talk to somebody in. No way to loud music or screaming college kids. It is just a great bar in OTR.

Mr. Pitiful is one mister that always makes sure there’s a drink in his ladies hand. Other Mister’s around these parts that shall not be named try to prevent drinking with long lines, and too cool for school approaches. Mr. Pitiful keeps it classy with jazz bands, or other laid back music. Swanky couches and dim lit romantic atmosphere. Welcome to the big time boys, this is where the adults play.
You may feel like you’ve stepped back into the 50’s when you come here and the drinks will surely feel that way. They’ve got all the men you name it, they’ll pour it, and they will pour it strong!

Nice local bar, nothing that set it apart from any other bar but it was far less crowded than any other the other bars on that street and not because of the service.

Great (stiff!) drink prices, two rooms– one with a huge bar and seating areas to hang out, the other with a stage/​concert space. Mr. Pitiful’s is the one bar that has survived a decade on Main Street in OTR, which has gone through it’s share of struggles and waves of revival, which makes it extra cool. Good spot for some casual drinks or to catch some live music.

As Paige M’s review notes: This is a bar for adults.
It’s also my new go-​to place.
If you want a good urban bar that’s not going full bore sports, not going full bore dance/​rave club, not going full on $ 11 cocktails, not going for the guys in skinny jeans and interesting eyewear crowd, not going for the twinkie 20-​somethings in stripper heels crowd, this is your place.
We sat, we talked, we even talked to other patrons who weren’t patronizing to me.
If you want music, there’s a juke box. You want to sit comfortably there’s a lounge area.
Bobby behind the bar can make a great Sidecar. The bar does have quite a few vodkas behind the counter but not too many. No bubble gum flavored.

so if you’re short on cash and looking to get wasted… this is your spot!
in the words of my friend «he put a little bit of tonic in your vodka». yes, yes he did.
i actually came here for midpoint music festival to see a band and it was the first time i’d ever been in (or heard of) the bar. i’d like to come back under non-​music festival circumstances and see what it’s like then, too! i really enjoyed the set-​up — even with the crowd from midpoint there was still room and i didn’t feel claustrophobic (which i often do in crowded bar scenes).

It’s the OTR bar for adults!
That’s right. No college kids going «Woo!» No mass crowds of drunkards. Mr. Pitiful’s is where grown ups go to have a drink and enjoy conversation with friends.
Two gigantic rooms with hardwood flooring and classic OTR architecture give Mr. Pitiful’s plenty of room for guests. With lounge couches and dozens of tables and chairs, this place can be full and still have room to comfortably move around. A fully-​stocked bar and friendly staff keep your whistle wet at a reasonable price. They have many craft beers on tap too. I enjoyed a pint of my favorite Pumpkin Ale, which Mr. Pitiful’s had in stock long before any of the other bars got their autumn beers.
With billiards, a jukebox, complimentary pretzels, and pristine bathrooms, I’ll definitely be back to this oasis on the otherwise packed strip of Main Street bars.
Price per drink: $ 4.00

Mr. Pitiful’s — it ain’t so bad!
First off, this bar has been on Main in OTR for as long as I’ve been able to drink, which is perhaps a bit longer than I’m willing to admit. Its longevity alone, in an area that has been known for some pretty short-​lived business ventures, is a testament to its overall quality.
However, there is a bit of a champagne room to the left when you enter that does creep me out a bit — red light special and whatnot. Also, they do charge cover from time-​to-​time.
I was fortunate enough that one night I paid the cover, entered, realized that nobody I was expecting to be there was there and was able to get my money back on the way out. Give these guys some credit for being reasonable!
This is definitely not the busiest bar in town, nor the most popular or cutting edge. I’ve been here on some pretty quiet nights, but I’ve always had a great time.
Jukebox — check
Pool table — check
Booze — check
Who needs anything else?

Cool laid back kind of spot with a nice lounge area.
As everyone has mentioned Bob is a great bartender. He knows how to pour the drinks and makes your feel welcome immediately.
No music the night we showed up but still a great spot to hang out with friends, have a good drink and sand the floor.

Mr. Pitiful’s has been open on Main Street for at least 15 – 20 years. Maybe longer. Others will have to chime in on their history but I believe the owner also owns the building and is a HUGE supporter of OTR and Main Street. They remained open through the riots and in the tough years after and are still operating today.
Yes there is a cover but this might be mostly to offset the lack of patrons the bar has seen in the last few years. When patrons start frequenting the place again, the cover might go away. The band has to get paid somehow… and many of the regulars are not requested to pay the cover.
Mr. Pitiful’s focuses on mostly on jazz but I’ve also seen some hip hop and roots rock. He has always supported independent music in Cincinnati and was one of the first venues for MPMF.
The space is very beautiful and I like the accoustics. The bar is gorgeous and they have good taps and an excellent top shelf. The demographic that freqents the place is older due to the music they feature and the drinks follow suit.
Mr. Pitiful’s has a very long history in Cincinnati; we are lucky to have a strong, well run business which also supports and is active within the community.

Mr. Pitiful’s isn’t so much pitiful as it is… well… just ok.
First of all, during prime hours, they charge a cover — which is a fail. Yes, a cover does weed out some of the jerks who are coming to get drunk on cheap beer — but sometimes, it’s fun to be around those people. They make life a little interesting. Plus, this isn’t New York or San Francisco where cover bars are the norm. They’re rare in Cincinnati and have to be something special.
But fine, you don’t want to be around those idiots and you pay the cover. So is it worth your money? Um… No. Sure they’ve got music (which, like all bars can be great or could be terrible) and a solid selection of drink specials and beers upon beers — but it’s really no anything you couldn’t find at another bar. A free bar.
The beauty of this having a cover is it’s never going to be packed, unlike the other bars in the downtown/​OtR area. You know you’re going to go in, get a drink fast and not have to fight your way through anything. There is something to that.
Still, this is not my bar of choice. It’s not bad, per say, but it’s not great enough for me to go out of me way for — or to hand in some money to get through the door.