Nicholson's Tavern & Pub

This is definitely the place to go if you have lots of cash to burn and also don't mind sampling some of the finer elements of dining such as exotic vermin in your dishes. I know that show Survivor was popular a few years ago, but I did not ask for a cockroach carcass in my meal. This is completely unacceptable. As if that wasn't enough, the soda was flat, and the bathroom was a mess. Toilet paper all over with feces smeared over the toilet seat. I understand it was Friday evening and they are probably busy, but this is disgusting. The restaurant is super narrow and cramped, and we couldn't even get past the bar to the host stand, it was so squished. I read another reviewer who mentioned how none of the servers know about Scotch. I found this to be true also. I've been drinking Scotch for 25 years and what some of these kids were saying was absolute b.s. It was like they memorized a line about a few scotches and called it a day. And yes I also agree with the other reviewer about how the staff seemed sterile and dead. I never saw a single waiter smile. Not once. And that tells you something. As for the bartenders, it was hard to tell whether they hated their job or their life worse. An overall horrendous experience and needless to say, we won't spending our time or money at this ""restaurant"", and you would do well to follow suit. more

We went to Nicholson's about two years ago and we were NOT impressed at all with the food we got. So when we had friends in town from Scotland I was not to sure about giving it another try, but I am so glad we did. The menu had changed somewhat since we had last been there and to say the least it was fantastic. The crab fritters as scrummmmy and the lobster mac an cheese is to die for. The service was great and the staff were real friendly. It really made our night special when the Chef (who is also Scottish) came out and welcomed us and our Scottish friends to the restaurant we were all impressed by this personal touch. Even without our Scottish friends we will be back to try more of this yummy Scottish food and the new friends that we feel we have made. The beer and scotch selection was great to. more

This place has gone way down hill since I was last there a few months ago. The interior, dowdy, drab and boring as it was, has been strangely altered in a disorganized fashion. The charming, entertaining waiters and waitresses have been replaced by a group that appears to be bored and unhappy. In sharp contrast to the waiter who had served my colleagues and I on our previous visit, the staff now appears to be completely clueless regarding the Scotches, wines and beers. The menu has been altered somewhat, and food that was average at best has become plain bad. \r Extremely dissappointing. I have never seen an establishment sink so rapidly. Absolutely not recommended more

I have planned a lot of dinner/cocktail events all over the country during my career and when I ran into a small (actually it was rather large!) reservations snafu with my own cocktail hour the night before my wedding in Cincinnati this spring (with lots of out-of-towners to take care of) Nicholson's, or more specifically, the local owner Nick saved the day. Nicholson's treated our guests so wonderfully, when they really didn't have to - and everyone loved the food (I believe the Scotch Egg was a group favorite!) and the wide beer selection. I can confidently say that I would highly recommend Nicholson's to anyone planning an event in the Cincinnati area, or to anyone who just wants to enjoy a nice dinner out in Downtown Cincinnati. Great customer service is unfortunately hard to come by these days so when you find it, it is such a pleasure! Thank you, thank you Nicholson's! more

The ahi tuna sandwich is th ebest damn sndwich in town. It is served on a toasted bun with wasabi mayo!! Get it with a side of sweet potato casserole and a good beer and you'll be happy. more

The food was so good that I just want to go back for more! The service was fast & friendly. This is definately a place to go with a small group of friends. It can get crowded before a show at the Arnoff, but Monday-Thursday nights aren't quite as crowded. Pros: I wasn't buying, delicious food, great imported beers more

In town on a business trip. Staff was very helpful and courteous. Both the Beer and the Meal were fantastic. Pros: Beer Selection, Friendly People, Great Food Cons: Smoking Bar more

I've been here twice now (I'm from Philly) and this place has good food and good service. Pros: food, flavor more

By far the best resteraunt in Cincinnati. Nicholson's has a great bar with the city's best scotch's. It also has the best prime rib in town Pros: Bar, Atmosphere, Great Food more