Nicholson's Pub
Cincinnati's first and finest gastropub, built in the style of a genuine Scottish tavern with inspiration from public houses throughout Great Britain. Located downtown across from the Aronoff Center with the largest selection of single malt scotch in the region -- over 100 varieties. Shows Premier League matches and serves classic British pub fare including scotch eggs and fish and chips.
About
Nicholson's opened in 1997 as Cincinnati's first gastropub, establishing a new category in the city's dining scene by combining the casual comfort of a traditional British pub with elevated, chef-driven cuisine. Located in the historic Provident Bank Building at 625 Walnut Street — directly across from the Aronoff Center in the Theater District — Nicholson's was built in the style of a genuine Scottish tavern, with much of its design strongly inspired by Edinburgh's Cafe Royal Circle Bar. The majority of the furniture and fixtures were imported from Great Britain, and the interior features dark wood, tartan accents, and servers dressed in kilts.
The Scotch Collection
Nicholson's houses one of the most extensive single malt scotch whisky collections in the region — over 200 varieties from Scotland, Ireland, and around the world. This is not a decorative shelf of bottles; the staff is trained to guide patrons through flights and pairings, making it a destination for whisky enthusiasts as much as for soccer fans. The bar also carries a wide selection of local craft beers, European ales, wines, and cocktails, but the scotch is the crown jewel.
Premier League and Football
Nicholson's shows Premier League matches on screens throughout the pub, and the British tavern setting makes watching football here feel more authentic than at most American sports bars. There is something about settling into a booth surrounded by imported British fixtures, ordering scotch eggs and a pint of cask ale, and watching a Saturday afternoon Premier League match that comes closer to the actual UK pub experience than almost anything else in Cincinnati. The pub's location downtown makes it a convenient option for fans heading to FC Cincinnati matches at TQL Stadium as well.
The Food
The gastropub menu bridges British pub classics and modern American fare. Signature dishes include their golden, perfectly seasoned scotch eggs, beer-battered fish and chips, shepherd's pie, bangers and mash, and even haggis — making Nicholson's one of the few places in Cincinnati where you can order traditional Scottish fare. More contemporary offerings include bourbon-glazed wings, steaks, and salmon, with sticky toffee pudding anchoring the dessert menu.
The Nicholson's Network
Nicholson's shares a management group with The Pub at Rookwood in Hyde Park, meaning the same commitment to British pub authenticity extends across two Cincinnati locations. Where The Pub at Rookwood skews more casual and family-friendly, Nicholson's downtown occupies a more refined space — a place where a pre-theater dinner and a Saturday morning Premier League viewing coexist naturally. For soccer fans who want to combine quality food, serious whisky, and genuine British atmosphere with their football, Nicholson's is the benchmark in Cincinnati.
Sources
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Details
- Category
- Cincinnati
- Location
- Cincinnati , Ohio
- Last Researched
- February 22, 2026
