Pirate’s Cove Tropical Bar & Grill
4609 Kellogg Ave, Cincinnati, OH, 45226
Pirate’s Cove Tropical Bar & Grill Menu
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Address :
4609 Kellogg Ave
Cincinnati, OH, 45226 - Phone (513) 871-1820
- Website https://www.piratescovetropicalbar.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:30 am - 11
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Music : Live
Good For Dancing : Yes
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Thu, Sat, Sun
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Peter B.
I like the location and it is a great place for a drink and to relax. However, If your looking for decent food or service forget it. Overpriced and took over an hour for pub food I could have had at bw3s.
(1)Chris C.
We ate here for the first time, on a Wednesday night. On the plus side, the waiter did a very good job providing service for my table of 6. Also, it was nice to sit outside but undercover - even though there is really not much view except of lots of docked boats. You can't see the river, only a little of the water in the inlet. On the negative side, the band had some of its members who were smoking, and the smoke was drifting over our table - stinking things up and making it unpleasant for those who are allergic to tobacco smoke! Also, the martini's that we ordered were so small that it was laughable! It looked like 3-4 ounces - served in a tiny plastic cup that was barely half full. My raspberry martini tasted like cough medicine! My food was mediocre and pricey. My 2 crab cakes were deep fried instead of pan fried - a disappointment. No one thought that their food was either great or terrible, just meh. The bathrooms are downstairs in a deserted hallway that was kind of creepy. I don't know what they do for the handicapped accessibility?
(2)Kayla S.
I went here for my first time on Sunday. Once you are in the restaurant it does not feel like you are in Ohio anymore, which is pretty nifty. The food is overpriced (I got BBQ flatbread for $11) and it was a 6 inch piece of flatbread.
(3)Mason W.
The atmosphere is great and feels like a vacation; however, the food is not the attraction and is very overpriced. Four of us went for the first time and we loved the whole tiki-like setting, our server was amazing, and the music was very good. The grouper tacos were good, but the other order sandwiches were not tasty. The fruit plate had a few pieces of fruit, watery cottage cheese and not tasty at all. But, we'd definately return just for appetizers and the location.
(2)Jason R.
Fun place to play. Service is great. I enjoy seeing all the boats around me. I like the burgers, wraps, quesadillas, they serve a great breakfast burrito.
(4)Angela H.
After seeing the reviews of Pirate's Cove come up on Yelp (thanks, previous reviewers!) I knew that the restaurant would be a place that my boyfriend would absolutely love. So, yesterday, after he had a particularly bad day at work, we headed over to Kellogg Ave and found the Four Season's Marina with a little help of my GPS. I was wholly unfamiliar with the area and we were astounded by the number of marinas we passed on the way! We easily found Pirate's Cove by following signs that are installed throughout the marina's grounds after laughing at the driving range where golfers drive directly into the water. It is a really casual restaurant, "seat yourself," so we grabbed a table facing the yacht yard and took a look at the menus. It was incredibly humid last night so neither of us was in the mood to drink, opting for Iced Teas instead. This was a mistake on our part. Never order Iced Tea in a bar-you end up with the Nestea kind instead of fresh brewed. Yuck. We ordered dinner (Crab cakes and a side tossed salad for me, Grouper Fingers with fries and salad for him) and within minutes our food was brought to our table. The restaurant wasn't very crowded at 6pm so our service was quick. My crab cakes were fried, which was a little disappointing, but this joint is all casual so I should have expected it. They were still good, though I found shells in the second one...not fun to chew. My guy loved his Grouper Fingers and said his fries tasted "Just like Wendy's" which, for him, is a good thing. We said no to dessert in favor of getting back into the air-conditioned bar but did listen to the live music that had started at 6:30pm for a bit. Atmosphere is really what you're paying for here...it is a Tiki Bar and you do feel incredibly removed from the city. Relatively good and cheap eats.
(3)Chrissy S.
It's a cool place, neat view and all. I enjoyed my beer at the bar while waiting for my group to arrive, and that was as good as can be expected. However, once we sat down, I was not impressed. The service was not particularly great, and my food was a big disappointment. My fried fish sandwich was more fried breading than fish. I couldn't stay that long, so I didn't bother sending it back or anything. Take this review with a grain of salt, though - I had really high expectations for this place. One of my friends described it as a "pirate tiki bar" ... which sounds super awesome. It was alright, a fine enough place to go and chill if you're in the neighborhood, I would say. But not worth the trip to an area I never go. Also, it was kind of tough to find. If you do decide to check it out, as you're going down Kellogg, look for the Four Seasons Marina sign in the picture posted here. Turn there, then go allllll the way down. My Garmin did not take me to the right place when I entered the address, so I had to stop and ask someone.
(2)Scott L.
The view is super. You think if a person starts out a review of a restaurant talking about the view it doesn't say much about the food. Umm...yeah...you'd pretty much be right. The food isn't bad. But, for the price...it's really not that good. I got a burger and fries with a diet coke. The wife got some quesidilla appetizer (that we got for half price) an order of sweet potato fries and a water. The total bill was $30...really? I know $30 isn't a crazy amount for food...but, for what we ate..Blah. The service was good. We got our food quickly. The view of the marina was very pretty. But, for what it was...it's not really worth the price. I recommend you go at least once because it is pretty. But, I wouldn't be a regular.
(3)Dwight S.
Pretty pricey for not so average food. We wanted a nice atmosphere with boats etc......and they definitely have that. We ordered an $11.50 appetizer which consisted of some pretzel loaves and cheese. The wife then ordered a Cobb salad and I opted for the Gumbo soup. So our meal was basically soup and salad that we shared. I had soda and the wife had 2 plastic cups of house red wine. The Gumbo tasted like it was fresh out of a can (bleeeech).....and the Cobb Salad was brought out with wilted lettuce. CHECK PLEASE!! $50.75 !!!!! WTH?
(1)Cindy G.
The food here is way overpriced and it is not quality ingredients for what you are paying for which sucks, however if you want a $12 turkey club and an amazing atmosphere on a weeknight this is your place. They do have drinks specials which is nice also. I have always enjoyed myself here, but the menu is lacking and so is the execution.
(3)Andrew H.
Ahoy mateys! Me be seeing treasure or will ye be walkin the ol' plank? I had the opportunity to visit Pirates Cove last Thursday (9-4) with some friends. I'm not a fan of seafood at all, but I heard that they had other items so I figured, why not give it a try? I've been there, done that and won't be doing it again. The only good thing about the experience was the Coke that I had with grenadine. That's it. I had the pulled pork sandwich- it came with fries for an overpriced $12. Ouch. The quality of the barbecue was similar to a tub of Curly's that I have sitting in my fridge right as I type this. One other person in our group ordered the ribs. $16. And for that price, did he get a full slab or even a half slab? Nope, not even a half slab. He ended up sending them back due to them being tough and grisly. I would have sent them back as well. Next time I'm on Kellogg Avenue and hungry, it'll be full speed ahead to Terry's Turf Club or another establishment close by. Sorry, Pirates Cove, I won't be dropping anchor at your establishment again. Hoeter
(1)Cincy F.
I'd give it 5 stars for what it is. I went in having low expectations based on the reviews I read online beforehand. The service was above average (The waiter came over several times to refill our drinks). The food was pretty good, but the portions are SMALL for the price you pay. The coleslaw and seafood soup were the best items ordered at our table, but everyone said their food was pretty good, but that it was just in smaller portions than we expected. The restaurant has great views of the marina (You can't see the river from the restaurant), plenty of seating around the bar and they even have a section of tables on sand, where you can feel like you're on the beach. Not my favorite restaurant, but I would return.
(5)Sarah F.
This place is pretty unique in Cincinnati: very laid-back, relaxed feel with a large patio right on the marina. You don't come here necessarily for great food, although the blackened tilapia sandwich I had was pretty darn good, but it makes for a highly enjoyable weekend afternoon hang-out spot. There is smoking allowed on the patio, which is a negative, but it's pretty well spaced out so not terrible. Service is a bit scattered, so don't go when you're in a hurry, but that's really the while point of this place anyway, to just kick back and enjoy the river breeze. Mediocre draft beer selection, primarily the standard domestics, but a larger selection in bottles. Pretty varied menu. The aforementioned blackened tilapia was very tasty, but the white, mushy hoagy bun could use an upgrade. The small side of coleslaw was sweet and creamy and the fries were a solid average. Despite having a dive-y feel, it's actually not that cheap, Nonetheless, a fun, chill location for a summertime beer and casual meal right on the river.
(4)Janet M.
My advice is don't go. Food is way over priced and poor quality. The grouper fingers are good but very few and the sides pitiful. Shrimp skewers were overdone small shrimp that are over salted. How does one do shrimp this badly? Not to mention you have to put up with smokers wherever they want to sit. Even the kids menu is poor and the kids dessert? A two pack of Oreo cookies. There are too many choices to bother with Pirates Cove unless they improve. The boaters have to go there but everyone else should avoid it.
(1)Zack F.
4 stars? Well sure, if you take it for what it is, the place is very enjoyable. If you expect it to be something it isn't, you will, most likely be disappointed. This is a casual joint that serves inexpensive drinks, has a Margaritaville feel to it, and some decent music to go along with the good people. They won't have your snooty drinks, the food comes in plastic baskets, but from the responses around me, it appeared to be satisfying. Don't expect a lot from the servers. You have to grab their attention to both order and cash out. The band that was playing when I went was a lot of fun and had a blues vibe even though they were singing the usual crowd-pleasing, easily recognizable, popular songs. The older crowd arrives early and the younger crowd starts to show up when the sun goes down from what I could tell. It's technically on the water and with the pier look and boats all around, it's easy to conjure up those warm feelings of lazy Summer weekends gone by, spent with old friends. It can get a bit humid though, so don't plan to wear a ton of clothing. A good bit of people were coaxed into dancing and a good time appeared to be had by all.
(4)Adolfo N.
Yea, the view is nice, but the beer is average and the food is passable. I only drop in if I'm playing at the Sandbar and have a long layover in between games. So the evening weeknight scene is slow at best. Not the kind of place to go out of your way to, but a decent place to enjoy a beer or two.
(2)Rosie D.
This place's service is terrible. The atmosphere (the marina/river) is great. The food is pretty good. It's unfortunate that the wait staff can't be bothered to notice that you've sat in their section (first problem is a restaurant this big being seat yourself), bring you a menu, and ask if you'd like to order. Also unfortunate that the bar tender can't be bothered to ask if you'd like a drink (when you've been sitting at the bar for 10 minutes), or cash out your tab in a timely manner (or at all actually).....especially when they are not busy. Once we went up to the server station and asked if we could have a waiter and order food...the waitress we did have did a great job...the best she could I guess. Probably won't be going here again. Bummed that it was so disappointing.
(1)J K.
Over 2 hours here and only half the table has gotten their meal. We waited another 45 min and still didnt get all of our food. Further, our waitress didn't take the undelivered meals off our check after two requests.
(1)Karina M.
Drinking a nice cold beer and chowing on seafood dip at Pirate's Cove, I can almost smell the ocean. Too bad it's hundreds of miles away and the Ohio River is a sad replacement. Nonetheless, Pirate's Cove is a great substitute for those tropical bars and eateries usually only found along the coastline. The tiki bar really captures the essence of nautical themed bars, replete with bartenders in Hawaiian shirts and ceilings decorated with flotation devices. The cover band was not at all annoying (because to me most of them are), playing cool blues jams at an enjoyable volume. Because Pirate's Cove is located at the Four Season's marina complex, don't be surprised if you see people docking their boat and stopping in for a drink. I saw so many boats (yachts, actually) that I'd love to cruise around in, but then I realized where I was and took it back. Me no swimmo in the Ohio (nor should anyone else for that matter). The clientele ranged from well-shoed regulars to volleyball players, who'd finished their game at Sandbar up the hill from Pirate's Cove. Dress is definitely Key West casual. We tried the Island Seafood dip, which was described as "a blend of shrimp, fish, and lump crab in a mild Wasabi cream cheese." The appetizer was served with flatbread crackers (think the Crispini kind). Though we were pleased with the amount of seafood in the dip, overall the dish was a bit bland. Could easily have added more Wasabi for a zestier taste. At $10.95, I wasn't overly impressed. Pirate's Cove is so unlike any other bar in Cincinnati, because it pulls off its imitation of a distant, exotic locale while addin its own regional flair. Overall: 4 1/2 stars
(4)kelly k.
We were intrigued by the marina setting. The atmosphere is fun and tropical, right on the water surrounded by boats. They had live music on a Tuesday night, a nice surprise. But... The food was disappointing and overpriced. The service was sub-par at best. I ordered a mediocre basket of sweet potato fries that were overcooked and greasy. We also ordered an Italian hoagie which was OK, but not great. It took a long time to get served, and we were ignored for drink refills. We almost went up to the bar to get our own drinks. Overall, I won't go back and wouldn't recommend this place unless you want to sit at the bar and enjoy the view of the water and boats.
(2)Will M.
I'll get the positive out of the way first: this place absolutely has a Florida feel. Not quite Key West, too inauthentic for that, but it would not be out of place near almost any beach in Florida. It's not tiki, as some reviewers say. Tiki is Polynesian, and awesome, and full of amazing drinks like Zombies, and Cincinnati is wholly lacking in tiki. This is Florida. If you want a tiki bar you'll be more disappointed than anyone else (and everyone will be disappointed.) That's the good, now how about the bad? Let's start with the atmosphere, since that's what everyone rates highly. Yes, you're on the water, but it's a marina so that water is the inky, oily kind motorboats create. And yes, you're surrounded by some cool boats, but there's a locked gate between you and them, which is good for owners but bad for you - most ocean marinas I've been to aren't locked, allowing you can view the boats. There are giant spiders everywhere, which is understandable to a point and it's interesting to watch them spin webs as you drink beer but they're absolutely everywhere, and I saw at least two mummified baby birds in the place that had clearly been dead for years. That was disturbing. One was at foot level, and my eyes had been going over it for at least half an hour before I noticed the beak and put together what it was, and once I saw it I couldn't stop seeing it. How about the food? In a word: terrible. First time I went (Summer 2011) I had a chicken fajita wrap. The chicken had no flavor, the rice in the wrap had no flavor, the cheese (I think there was cheese) had no flavor, etc. The only part of the wrap with flavor was the wrap itself, which was problematic because it was one of those herb wraps made for chicken ceaser wraps, not for something southwest/mexican. It was entirely the wrong flavor, and it was the strongest flavor. A terrible waste of calories. The next time I had a burger and, well, it wasn't any better. Then there are the prices. Everything is at least 25% too expensive. Sure, sandwiches top out at $15, but they're terrible sandwiches. Lastly, the beer selection is ok (don't expect anything less mainstream than Bud, but it's an adequate selection of all the major beers), the margaritas are sweet (like, sugary sweet), and there's no drink menu with specials to inspire you. No reason to go here.
(1)Matt A.
THE WORST. 45 mins for a sloppy bowl of sour cream called nachos. We were going to eat dinner but didn't. We went somewhere else. No stars. Full ashtrays and birdshit on every table. Dollar for dollar, the absolute worst restaurant in the tri state. Health inspector please stop here! By the way, reviewers like "Cindy F." Who gave this place 5 stars and have 1 review, no tips, and no friends should be put in the "not recommended"tips section. This is obviously a ghost account owned by the restaurant and aimed at saving its diving reputation. Was a good place a few years ago. For shame.
(1)Jack W.
Really great atmosphere. Super casual: given it is part of a marina. I had the Grouper Fingers and calamari. The fingers were unique and awesome. I would definitely recommend for a low key, relaxed experience with friends!
(4)Dan R.
Great location on the water. Cold draft beer. Too bad bartenders would rather be elsewhere. Been here several times over the years. Every time I state it's my last time. Expensive for what it is.
(1)Keith K.
Music was nice, casual and laid back which is what we like. Good atmosphere. Food was absolutely terrible, i will never eat there again and not recommend to anyone. Without a doubt the worst fish tacos I have ever put in my mouth. If you go drink bottled or canned beer and expect to pay more than most bars. The draft beer was flat and not cold enough even with ice in the pitcher. Do not order mixed drinks. Either they short pour or water down the liquor. A double tall should be a 16 oz glass with two shots. They serve no more than one shot in a 12 oz plastic cup for $12.50. Are you kidding me? Server was ok, but not friendly and did not engage. We told him that we thought the drinks were weak and he just turned and walked away. His tip reflected his service too.
(1)Justin M.
Don't eat here. Come here to drink. And when I say to drink I mean to drink beer. And when I say beer I mean Bud Light or Budweiser because that's all you'll find that is actually a good deal. There are some craft beer choices but nothing to write home about. The other "alcoholic" beverages are simply ridiculous. I think you could serve their 10 oz. Pina Colada (which may have come out of the Banana Slushie machine) to a 5 year old and they wouldn't feel tipsy. Not to mention its way over priced. Which is a common theme at this place because the food is over-priced as well considering the kitchens sole purpose is to dump whatever you ordered into the fryer and then dump it back onto a plate and garnish it with lettuce. Seriously though, I guess this is a convenient location for boaters to stop in a enjoy a meal and a drink. And the view is decent enough, not the best riverfront view but it gets the job done. Take my advice though, unless your willing to spend $16 bucks for a "Rueben" sandwich, just don't come here. There are so many better options.
(2)Michelle S.
Nice Atmosphere but horrible food, service and overpriced drinks!! This establishment needs to get real and step it up a notch if they are going to charge those kind of prices for weak and small drinks.
(1)Scott M.
Pirate's Cove at the Four Seasons Marina has to be one of my favorite open air seating locales in the city. Enjoy the cool summer breeze that flows through the wall-less dock dining and bar. On the weekend you can nab a bucket of mini-beers, which are perfect because they never get warm. Coconut shrimp is a must, but is only one of many beach inspired concoctions. Live music performances are part of the daily routine at Pirate's Cove, as well as a newly installed sand-bottomed dining area. Have a seat where you like, kick off your shoes and enjoy the atmosphere!
(5)Chelsea C.
Absolutely terrible. I brought my mom here on Mothers Day and will not be back. It took 10 minutes for a waitress to greet our table. Bar drinks took another 10 minutes and were not served with any garnishes. It took an hour for our food to come out, while other tables who arrived after us got their food and finished eating before we even got ours. Our food wasn't warm when we got it, we were given the wrong side items, and our special requests were incorrect (no tomatoes, no avocado). Getting our check took another 30 minutes. Our waitress completely disappeared. Another server brought our check, and did not comp any part of our meal. When we asked about it he shoved our credit card back in our faces and said he'd take care of it and left. The worst service I've ever experienced. Don't waste your time or money.
(1)B m.
Was a nice atmosphere. At the marina. But being considered an outdoor restaurant, the smokers gravitate. Many birds nest in the rafters. Present Management doesn't seem to do anything about that. Lastly the price points have gotten ridiculous over the past couple of years. I guess if you own a yahtt, its no big deal.
(1)Alissa S.
I was stoked to try this place because pirates arrrrr cool and because I actually didn't even know that there was a marina here (I'm new). I walked in like a ten year old, with a huge, nerdy grin on my face. I love being on water and the sand was a cute touch that made other patrons' kiddos go nuts. We started off with beer and the Cove Appetizer Platter which consists of chicken tenders, cheese bites, onion rings, and buffalo shrimp. Oh man, this hit the spot. It was a hot day and sometimes fried food just calls your name. A few beers and more friends joined us and we decided we should eat real food. I ordered a burger and it was awful! The patty was thin and unappetizing. We were all pretty nauseated by our meals but agreed that we'd probably return and have the appetizers again. Another disappointment was that our friend was drinking Coronas on draft and discovered later that they were $6 a piece. That was probably his mistake for not asking but that definitely hurt when we got the bill. All in all, none of us felt like what we ate was worth the cost.
(2)Jason M.
Like someone else said, come for the drinks and atmosphere, but not the food. The food is pretty bad, and even the Coca-Cola tastes weird. That being said, this is a pretty cool place to hang-out. If you're lucky enough to get an outside table, you'll be able to enjoy views of the dock on both sides of the bar. The air feels cool and crisp coming off the river. They also have live music here many nights (not sure of the schedule). The music is usually really good. So I would definitely recommend doing an appetizer thing with drinks, and you'll definitely have fun!
(3)Amanda H.
I've heard about Pirates Cove, my step mom had been there before, and it was on our way to Riverbend so we decided to stop there. It was crowded, but that was to be expected before a concert. The place was really cool. It sits right on the water in a marina, so you're surrounded by boats. The decor is really fun and tropical, there is even some tables that are in sand to give it that beach feel. I LOVED the atmosphere and decor. That being said; the service and food were just plain bad. I'm not trying to be mean, but our server was seriously the dumbest person I've ever met in real life. The ditzy blonde stereotype didnt do this girl justice. I asked her if there were any specials and she just stared at me. So I asked her again "Do you have any drink or happy hour specials." no joke she said "whaaat? like things on special? like deals?" I was trying so hard to not show emotion on my face. "yes" her response "i don't know". Then she just stood there. Didn't go ask, or anything, just stood there. So we sent her away to give us a minute. About 20 minutes later she came back and got our order. Then she didn't write down our order. I hate that. Memorizing doesn't impress me when you screw it up. (But more on that later.) Our drink order finally came after about a 10 min wait. My step moms cosmo came in a plastic water cup instead of glass and was the size of a small shot. Do not buy one, not worth the price!! Draft Shandy's you cant really go wrong with and at $5 that's a pretty standard price. We sipped on our drinks and waited for our food. I about choked on my drink when I watch our ditzy waitress did next. She went to the table next to us, didn't say a word to them about what she was doing, jumped up on a chair, (standing over their food as they are trying to eat) and tried three times to put their umbrella down. Finally the gentleman asked her what the hell she was doing and put it down himself. My jaw was on the floor. I would have been livid if she had her foot on my table with my foot on it. WHO DOES THAT?! We got our food, and it was just ok. For the price I would have expected way more! I got the Fish Tacos because the menu said that is what they are famous for. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't $15 good either. The fish was soggy, and the taco was cold. The mango sauce was good and reminded me of Quaker Steak and Lubes Thai Chili Sauce. For my side I got sweet potato fries and they were awesome! The part I got mad about was the avocado. It was old, so old it was hard and brown. Why as a chef would you put this on top of a taco. My waitress kinda looked at me and sat it down anyway. I was going to ask for different pieces but it took her a hot 15 minutes to come back and we were looking for her. Remember when I said, write stuff down- this is why. She messed up orders. My sister didn't get any mushrooms on her mushroom burger. (And by the time we found our waitress again it was cold. She ate it anyway.) I asked for no lettuce and obviously there's a bunch. My step mom liked her quesadillo though, and my dad said his sandwich was good. I would come back for beers and sweet potato fries before a concert just to sit outside for the ambiance and live music. As far as food, do yourself a favor and go 5 minutes up the road to Swampwater Grill. WAY BETTER!!!
(2)A J.
This is a fun place. I see the negative reviews, but I think those are based in misguided expectations. If you go for the Jimmy Buffet feel and just enjoy a few beers and average bar food, you'll have a good time.
(4)Cathy R.
A tiki bar in Southwest Ohio?! Yes, the Pirate's Cove is just that...you'll feel like you're in Key West (if the weather cooperates). On a recent, cool Sunday afternoon, the bar/restaurant area was moderately crowded, with plenty of staff to attend to the customers. Some folks were enjoying a drink and the live band, while others were enjoying an early dinner/late lunch. It's a relaxed atmosphere with a great view of the marina and lots of nice boats. On another visit we tried some appetizers along with our beers. The grouper fingers were excellent. The lump crab meat cocktail was good, not great. The place opens at 11 a.m. each day, weather permitting, from May to October. Most days have a drink special; on Sundays it is $4 Bloody Mary's after 1 p.m. Pirate's Cove serves appetizers, sandwiches, salads, burgers and more. The bartenders and servers are friendly and there's plenty of parking. It would be a great location for a summer birthday or just to meet friends.
(5)Marga J.
Food was pretty good but the service was some of the worst I've had in a long time...not enough wait staff and since it is open to the environment, it has smoking (Yuck!!!!!)
(3)Heather J.
The food is mediocre - I mean - it's all fried - so how bad can they screw it up. But they give you tartar sauce in a packet - how hard is it to make your own? The atmosphere is great and it's fun. Went on the last night with my friends that were in town for a few days - fun time.
(3)Chrissy S.
It's a cool place, neat view and all. I enjoyed my beer at the bar while waiting for my group to arrive, and that was as good as can be expected. However, once we sat down, I was not impressed. The service was not particularly great, and my food was a big disappointment. My fried fish sandwich was more fried breading than fish. I couldn't stay that long, so I didn't bother sending it back or anything. Take this review with a grain of salt, though - I had really high expectations for this place. One of my friends described it as a "pirate tiki bar" ... which sounds super awesome. It was alright, a fine enough place to go and chill if you're in the neighborhood, I would say. But not worth the trip to an area I never go. Also, it was kind of tough to find. If you do decide to check it out, as you're going down Kellogg, look for the Four Seasons Marina sign in the picture posted here. Turn there, then go allllll the way down. My Garmin did not take me to the right place when I entered the address, so I had to stop and ask someone.
(2)Scott L.
The view is super. You think if a person starts out a review of a restaurant talking about the view it doesn't say much about the food. Umm...yeah...you'd pretty much be right. The food isn't bad. But, for the price...it's really not that good. I got a burger and fries with a diet coke. The wife got some quesidilla appetizer (that we got for half price) an order of sweet potato fries and a water. The total bill was $30...really? I know $30 isn't a crazy amount for food...but, for what we ate..Blah. The service was good. We got our food quickly. The view of the marina was very pretty. But, for what it was...it's not really worth the price. I recommend you go at least once because it is pretty. But, I wouldn't be a regular.
(3)Jason R.
Fun place to play. Service is great. I enjoy seeing all the boats around me. I like the burgers, wraps, quesadillas, they serve a great breakfast burrito.
(4)Angela H.
After seeing the reviews of Pirate's Cove come up on Yelp (thanks, previous reviewers!) I knew that the restaurant would be a place that my boyfriend would absolutely love. So, yesterday, after he had a particularly bad day at work, we headed over to Kellogg Ave and found the Four Season's Marina with a little help of my GPS. I was wholly unfamiliar with the area and we were astounded by the number of marinas we passed on the way! We easily found Pirate's Cove by following signs that are installed throughout the marina's grounds after laughing at the driving range where golfers drive directly into the water. It is a really casual restaurant, "seat yourself," so we grabbed a table facing the yacht yard and took a look at the menus. It was incredibly humid last night so neither of us was in the mood to drink, opting for Iced Teas instead. This was a mistake on our part. Never order Iced Tea in a bar-you end up with the Nestea kind instead of fresh brewed. Yuck. We ordered dinner (Crab cakes and a side tossed salad for me, Grouper Fingers with fries and salad for him) and within minutes our food was brought to our table. The restaurant wasn't very crowded at 6pm so our service was quick. My crab cakes were fried, which was a little disappointing, but this joint is all casual so I should have expected it. They were still good, though I found shells in the second one...not fun to chew. My guy loved his Grouper Fingers and said his fries tasted "Just like Wendy's" which, for him, is a good thing. We said no to dessert in favor of getting back into the air-conditioned bar but did listen to the live music that had started at 6:30pm for a bit. Atmosphere is really what you're paying for here...it is a Tiki Bar and you do feel incredibly removed from the city. Relatively good and cheap eats.
(3)Rosie D.
This place's service is terrible. The atmosphere (the marina/river) is great. The food is pretty good. It's unfortunate that the wait staff can't be bothered to notice that you've sat in their section (first problem is a restaurant this big being seat yourself), bring you a menu, and ask if you'd like to order. Also unfortunate that the bar tender can't be bothered to ask if you'd like a drink (when you've been sitting at the bar for 10 minutes), or cash out your tab in a timely manner (or at all actually).....especially when they are not busy. Once we went up to the server station and asked if we could have a waiter and order food...the waitress we did have did a great job...the best she could I guess. Probably won't be going here again. Bummed that it was so disappointing.
(1)J K.
Over 2 hours here and only half the table has gotten their meal. We waited another 45 min and still didnt get all of our food. Further, our waitress didn't take the undelivered meals off our check after two requests.
(1)Karina M.
Drinking a nice cold beer and chowing on seafood dip at Pirate's Cove, I can almost smell the ocean. Too bad it's hundreds of miles away and the Ohio River is a sad replacement. Nonetheless, Pirate's Cove is a great substitute for those tropical bars and eateries usually only found along the coastline. The tiki bar really captures the essence of nautical themed bars, replete with bartenders in Hawaiian shirts and ceilings decorated with flotation devices. The cover band was not at all annoying (because to me most of them are), playing cool blues jams at an enjoyable volume. Because Pirate's Cove is located at the Four Season's marina complex, don't be surprised if you see people docking their boat and stopping in for a drink. I saw so many boats (yachts, actually) that I'd love to cruise around in, but then I realized where I was and took it back. Me no swimmo in the Ohio (nor should anyone else for that matter). The clientele ranged from well-shoed regulars to volleyball players, who'd finished their game at Sandbar up the hill from Pirate's Cove. Dress is definitely Key West casual. We tried the Island Seafood dip, which was described as "a blend of shrimp, fish, and lump crab in a mild Wasabi cream cheese." The appetizer was served with flatbread crackers (think the Crispini kind). Though we were pleased with the amount of seafood in the dip, overall the dish was a bit bland. Could easily have added more Wasabi for a zestier taste. At $10.95, I wasn't overly impressed. Pirate's Cove is so unlike any other bar in Cincinnati, because it pulls off its imitation of a distant, exotic locale while addin its own regional flair. Overall: 4 1/2 stars
(4)Cathy R.
A tiki bar in Southwest Ohio?! Yes, the Pirate's Cove is just that...you'll feel like you're in Key West (if the weather cooperates). On a recent, cool Sunday afternoon, the bar/restaurant area was moderately crowded, with plenty of staff to attend to the customers. Some folks were enjoying a drink and the live band, while others were enjoying an early dinner/late lunch. It's a relaxed atmosphere with a great view of the marina and lots of nice boats. On another visit we tried some appetizers along with our beers. The grouper fingers were excellent. The lump crab meat cocktail was good, not great. The place opens at 11 a.m. each day, weather permitting, from May to October. Most days have a drink special; on Sundays it is $4 Bloody Mary's after 1 p.m. Pirate's Cove serves appetizers, sandwiches, salads, burgers and more. The bartenders and servers are friendly and there's plenty of parking. It would be a great location for a summer birthday or just to meet friends.
(5)Marga J.
Food was pretty good but the service was some of the worst I've had in a long time...not enough wait staff and since it is open to the environment, it has smoking (Yuck!!!!!)
(3)Heather J.
The food is mediocre - I mean - it's all fried - so how bad can they screw it up. But they give you tartar sauce in a packet - how hard is it to make your own? The atmosphere is great and it's fun. Went on the last night with my friends that were in town for a few days - fun time.
(3)Anne R.
How many times do we have to come here and say we aren't coming back....:... If the band wasn't so much fun I know we would not have stayed to finish our beer
(1)A-Aron G.
I'm a huge fan of this place mostly due to the ambiance, live music, and full bar. I wouldn't go here for the food or to save money. Drinks are around $6-8/beer and my wife's cocktails were around $10 each (usually around $7). Bring bug spray with you!
(4)Dan R.
Great location on the water. Cold draft beer. Too bad bartenders would rather be elsewhere. Been here several times over the years. Every time I state it's my last time. Expensive for what it is.
(1)Keith K.
Music was nice, casual and laid back which is what we like. Good atmosphere. Food was absolutely terrible, i will never eat there again and not recommend to anyone. Without a doubt the worst fish tacos I have ever put in my mouth. If you go drink bottled or canned beer and expect to pay more than most bars. The draft beer was flat and not cold enough even with ice in the pitcher. Do not order mixed drinks. Either they short pour or water down the liquor. A double tall should be a 16 oz glass with two shots. They serve no more than one shot in a 12 oz plastic cup for $12.50. Are you kidding me? Server was ok, but not friendly and did not engage. We told him that we thought the drinks were weak and he just turned and walked away. His tip reflected his service too.
(1)Alissa S.
I was stoked to try this place because pirates arrrrr cool and because I actually didn't even know that there was a marina here (I'm new). I walked in like a ten year old, with a huge, nerdy grin on my face. I love being on water and the sand was a cute touch that made other patrons' kiddos go nuts. We started off with beer and the Cove Appetizer Platter which consists of chicken tenders, cheese bites, onion rings, and buffalo shrimp. Oh man, this hit the spot. It was a hot day and sometimes fried food just calls your name. A few beers and more friends joined us and we decided we should eat real food. I ordered a burger and it was awful! The patty was thin and unappetizing. We were all pretty nauseated by our meals but agreed that we'd probably return and have the appetizers again. Another disappointment was that our friend was drinking Coronas on draft and discovered later that they were $6 a piece. That was probably his mistake for not asking but that definitely hurt when we got the bill. All in all, none of us felt like what we ate was worth the cost.
(2)Jason M.
Like someone else said, come for the drinks and atmosphere, but not the food. The food is pretty bad, and even the Coca-Cola tastes weird. That being said, this is a pretty cool place to hang-out. If you're lucky enough to get an outside table, you'll be able to enjoy views of the dock on both sides of the bar. The air feels cool and crisp coming off the river. They also have live music here many nights (not sure of the schedule). The music is usually really good. So I would definitely recommend doing an appetizer thing with drinks, and you'll definitely have fun!
(3)Reba M.
We have been here 3 times since we moved to the area on June 27, 2015. Each time the food has been incredible! My favorite is the grouper dinner and grouper tacos. The atmosphere is fun and tropical, the bands are top notch, and the waitstaff very friendly and prompt. We will be regulars here!
(5)Shon M.
Very disappointing. Food was extremely overpriced. Service was slow. Ordered blackened chicken - got Cajun chicken. Ordered grilled onions - got raw onions. Had to track our waitress down every time we needed a drink. Definitely not worth it!!
(2)Ron B.
Terrible food and service. Over charged our bill. Our server Sean was rude, arrogant. Manager refuse too see us. Don't waste your money. Does not deserve even one star!!!!
(1)Tonya W.
Enjoyed our first visit here. Very casual atmosphere with actual sand in the bar area. Live music on certain nights. Food is average and whoah I paid $7.50 for a super tiny root beer drink in a plastic cup that tasted like Nyquil. Still you can't beat the atmosphere right on the river. Check 'em out.
(3)Tom O.
We went to Pirate's Cove before a concert at Riverbend and had a mixed experience. It's definitely not a place that you would expect to see in Cincinnati. It has a Florida, beach bar feel. It's a little bit off the road and we had some trouble finding it. FInally, a small yard sign staked into the ground along Kellogg pointed us in the right direction. We sat right by the railing and had a nice breeze off of the water and view of the marina/boats. However, if you sit by the railing, you can fully expect most of the kitchen staff to come out during your meal to smoke on the dock below. Since we went before a concert, we were mostly there to have a few drinks and an appetizer. The draft beer that I had came in a cheap plastic cup, and the margarita was arguably the worst that I have had - made with some really bad, cheap mix, and I dont know if there was any tequila in it. Again, in a cheap plastic cup. My wife had a strawberry daiquiri that she liked. I had the SW Chicken Egg Rolls app which was ok. It served the purpose...pretty basic bar food. Would I go back? If I were going to Riverbend, I would stop there for a few drinks, enjoy the open air bar, being on the water, and the live entertainment. If I'm looking for a good-quality, full meal, I'm not sure this is the place.
(2)Chelsea C.
Absolutely terrible. I brought my mom here on Mothers Day and will not be back. It took 10 minutes for a waitress to greet our table. Bar drinks took another 10 minutes and were not served with any garnishes. It took an hour for our food to come out, while other tables who arrived after us got their food and finished eating before we even got ours. Our food wasn't warm when we got it, we were given the wrong side items, and our special requests were incorrect (no tomatoes, no avocado). Getting our check took another 30 minutes. Our waitress completely disappeared. Another server brought our check, and did not comp any part of our meal. When we asked about it he shoved our credit card back in our faces and said he'd take care of it and left. The worst service I've ever experienced. Don't waste your time or money.
(1)B m.
Was a nice atmosphere. At the marina. But being considered an outdoor restaurant, the smokers gravitate. Many birds nest in the rafters. Present Management doesn't seem to do anything about that. Lastly the price points have gotten ridiculous over the past couple of years. I guess if you own a yahtt, its no big deal.
(1)Kayla S.
I went here for my first time on Sunday. Once you are in the restaurant it does not feel like you are in Ohio anymore, which is pretty nifty. The food is overpriced (I got BBQ flatbread for $11) and it was a 6 inch piece of flatbread.
(3)Cindy G.
The food here is way overpriced and it is not quality ingredients for what you are paying for which sucks, however if you want a $12 turkey club and an amazing atmosphere on a weeknight this is your place. They do have drinks specials which is nice also. I have always enjoyed myself here, but the menu is lacking and so is the execution.
(3)Scott M.
Pirate's Cove at the Four Seasons Marina has to be one of my favorite open air seating locales in the city. Enjoy the cool summer breeze that flows through the wall-less dock dining and bar. On the weekend you can nab a bucket of mini-beers, which are perfect because they never get warm. Coconut shrimp is a must, but is only one of many beach inspired concoctions. Live music performances are part of the daily routine at Pirate's Cove, as well as a newly installed sand-bottomed dining area. Have a seat where you like, kick off your shoes and enjoy the atmosphere!
(5)Peter B.
I like the location and it is a great place for a drink and to relax. However, If your looking for decent food or service forget it. Overpriced and took over an hour for pub food I could have had at bw3s.
(1)Matt A.
THE WORST. 45 mins for a sloppy bowl of sour cream called nachos. We were going to eat dinner but didn't. We went somewhere else. No stars. Full ashtrays and birdshit on every table. Dollar for dollar, the absolute worst restaurant in the tri state. Health inspector please stop here! By the way, reviewers like "Cindy F." Who gave this place 5 stars and have 1 review, no tips, and no friends should be put in the "not recommended"tips section. This is obviously a ghost account owned by the restaurant and aimed at saving its diving reputation. Was a good place a few years ago. For shame.
(1)Jack W.
Really great atmosphere. Super casual: given it is part of a marina. I had the Grouper Fingers and calamari. The fingers were unique and awesome. I would definitely recommend for a low key, relaxed experience with friends!
(4)Justin M.
Don't eat here. Come here to drink. And when I say to drink I mean to drink beer. And when I say beer I mean Bud Light or Budweiser because that's all you'll find that is actually a good deal. There are some craft beer choices but nothing to write home about. The other "alcoholic" beverages are simply ridiculous. I think you could serve their 10 oz. Pina Colada (which may have come out of the Banana Slushie machine) to a 5 year old and they wouldn't feel tipsy. Not to mention its way over priced. Which is a common theme at this place because the food is over-priced as well considering the kitchens sole purpose is to dump whatever you ordered into the fryer and then dump it back onto a plate and garnish it with lettuce. Seriously though, I guess this is a convenient location for boaters to stop in a enjoy a meal and a drink. And the view is decent enough, not the best riverfront view but it gets the job done. Take my advice though, unless your willing to spend $16 bucks for a "Rueben" sandwich, just don't come here. There are so many better options.
(2)Michelle S.
Nice Atmosphere but horrible food, service and overpriced drinks!! This establishment needs to get real and step it up a notch if they are going to charge those kind of prices for weak and small drinks.
(1)Amanda H.
I've heard about Pirates Cove, my step mom had been there before, and it was on our way to Riverbend so we decided to stop there. It was crowded, but that was to be expected before a concert. The place was really cool. It sits right on the water in a marina, so you're surrounded by boats. The decor is really fun and tropical, there is even some tables that are in sand to give it that beach feel. I LOVED the atmosphere and decor. That being said; the service and food were just plain bad. I'm not trying to be mean, but our server was seriously the dumbest person I've ever met in real life. The ditzy blonde stereotype didnt do this girl justice. I asked her if there were any specials and she just stared at me. So I asked her again "Do you have any drink or happy hour specials." no joke she said "whaaat? like things on special? like deals?" I was trying so hard to not show emotion on my face. "yes" her response "i don't know". Then she just stood there. Didn't go ask, or anything, just stood there. So we sent her away to give us a minute. About 20 minutes later she came back and got our order. Then she didn't write down our order. I hate that. Memorizing doesn't impress me when you screw it up. (But more on that later.) Our drink order finally came after about a 10 min wait. My step moms cosmo came in a plastic water cup instead of glass and was the size of a small shot. Do not buy one, not worth the price!! Draft Shandy's you cant really go wrong with and at $5 that's a pretty standard price. We sipped on our drinks and waited for our food. I about choked on my drink when I watch our ditzy waitress did next. She went to the table next to us, didn't say a word to them about what she was doing, jumped up on a chair, (standing over their food as they are trying to eat) and tried three times to put their umbrella down. Finally the gentleman asked her what the hell she was doing and put it down himself. My jaw was on the floor. I would have been livid if she had her foot on my table with my foot on it. WHO DOES THAT?! We got our food, and it was just ok. For the price I would have expected way more! I got the Fish Tacos because the menu said that is what they are famous for. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't $15 good either. The fish was soggy, and the taco was cold. The mango sauce was good and reminded me of Quaker Steak and Lubes Thai Chili Sauce. For my side I got sweet potato fries and they were awesome! The part I got mad about was the avocado. It was old, so old it was hard and brown. Why as a chef would you put this on top of a taco. My waitress kinda looked at me and sat it down anyway. I was going to ask for different pieces but it took her a hot 15 minutes to come back and we were looking for her. Remember when I said, write stuff down- this is why. She messed up orders. My sister didn't get any mushrooms on her mushroom burger. (And by the time we found our waitress again it was cold. She ate it anyway.) I asked for no lettuce and obviously there's a bunch. My step mom liked her quesadillo though, and my dad said his sandwich was good. I would come back for beers and sweet potato fries before a concert just to sit outside for the ambiance and live music. As far as food, do yourself a favor and go 5 minutes up the road to Swampwater Grill. WAY BETTER!!!
(2)A J.
This is a fun place. I see the negative reviews, but I think those are based in misguided expectations. If you go for the Jimmy Buffet feel and just enjoy a few beers and average bar food, you'll have a good time.
(4)Chris C.
We ate here for the first time, on a Wednesday night. On the plus side, the waiter did a very good job providing service for my table of 6. Also, it was nice to sit outside but undercover - even though there is really not much view except of lots of docked boats. You can't see the river, only a little of the water in the inlet. On the negative side, the band had some of its members who were smoking, and the smoke was drifting over our table - stinking things up and making it unpleasant for those who are allergic to tobacco smoke! Also, the martini's that we ordered were so small that it was laughable! It looked like 3-4 ounces - served in a tiny plastic cup that was barely half full. My raspberry martini tasted like cough medicine! My food was mediocre and pricey. My 2 crab cakes were deep fried instead of pan fried - a disappointment. No one thought that their food was either great or terrible, just meh. The bathrooms are downstairs in a deserted hallway that was kind of creepy. I don't know what they do for the handicapped accessibility?
(2)Dwight S.
Pretty pricey for not so average food. We wanted a nice atmosphere with boats etc......and they definitely have that. We ordered an $11.50 appetizer which consisted of some pretzel loaves and cheese. The wife then ordered a Cobb salad and I opted for the Gumbo soup. So our meal was basically soup and salad that we shared. I had soda and the wife had 2 plastic cups of house red wine. The Gumbo tasted like it was fresh out of a can (bleeeech).....and the Cobb Salad was brought out with wilted lettuce. CHECK PLEASE!! $50.75 !!!!! WTH?
(1)Andrew H.
Ahoy mateys! Me be seeing treasure or will ye be walkin the ol' plank? I had the opportunity to visit Pirates Cove last Thursday (9-4) with some friends. I'm not a fan of seafood at all, but I heard that they had other items so I figured, why not give it a try? I've been there, done that and won't be doing it again. The only good thing about the experience was the Coke that I had with grenadine. That's it. I had the pulled pork sandwich- it came with fries for an overpriced $12. Ouch. The quality of the barbecue was similar to a tub of Curly's that I have sitting in my fridge right as I type this. One other person in our group ordered the ribs. $16. And for that price, did he get a full slab or even a half slab? Nope, not even a half slab. He ended up sending them back due to them being tough and grisly. I would have sent them back as well. Next time I'm on Kellogg Avenue and hungry, it'll be full speed ahead to Terry's Turf Club or another establishment close by. Sorry, Pirates Cove, I won't be dropping anchor at your establishment again. Hoeter
(1)Cincy F.
I'd give it 5 stars for what it is. I went in having low expectations based on the reviews I read online beforehand. The service was above average (The waiter came over several times to refill our drinks). The food was pretty good, but the portions are SMALL for the price you pay. The coleslaw and seafood soup were the best items ordered at our table, but everyone said their food was pretty good, but that it was just in smaller portions than we expected. The restaurant has great views of the marina (You can't see the river from the restaurant), plenty of seating around the bar and they even have a section of tables on sand, where you can feel like you're on the beach. Not my favorite restaurant, but I would return.
(5)Sarah F.
This place is pretty unique in Cincinnati: very laid-back, relaxed feel with a large patio right on the marina. You don't come here necessarily for great food, although the blackened tilapia sandwich I had was pretty darn good, but it makes for a highly enjoyable weekend afternoon hang-out spot. There is smoking allowed on the patio, which is a negative, but it's pretty well spaced out so not terrible. Service is a bit scattered, so don't go when you're in a hurry, but that's really the while point of this place anyway, to just kick back and enjoy the river breeze. Mediocre draft beer selection, primarily the standard domestics, but a larger selection in bottles. Pretty varied menu. The aforementioned blackened tilapia was very tasty, but the white, mushy hoagy bun could use an upgrade. The small side of coleslaw was sweet and creamy and the fries were a solid average. Despite having a dive-y feel, it's actually not that cheap, Nonetheless, a fun, chill location for a summertime beer and casual meal right on the river.
(4)Janet M.
My advice is don't go. Food is way over priced and poor quality. The grouper fingers are good but very few and the sides pitiful. Shrimp skewers were overdone small shrimp that are over salted. How does one do shrimp this badly? Not to mention you have to put up with smokers wherever they want to sit. Even the kids menu is poor and the kids dessert? A two pack of Oreo cookies. There are too many choices to bother with Pirates Cove unless they improve. The boaters have to go there but everyone else should avoid it.
(1)Zack F.
4 stars? Well sure, if you take it for what it is, the place is very enjoyable. If you expect it to be something it isn't, you will, most likely be disappointed. This is a casual joint that serves inexpensive drinks, has a Margaritaville feel to it, and some decent music to go along with the good people. They won't have your snooty drinks, the food comes in plastic baskets, but from the responses around me, it appeared to be satisfying. Don't expect a lot from the servers. You have to grab their attention to both order and cash out. The band that was playing when I went was a lot of fun and had a blues vibe even though they were singing the usual crowd-pleasing, easily recognizable, popular songs. The older crowd arrives early and the younger crowd starts to show up when the sun goes down from what I could tell. It's technically on the water and with the pier look and boats all around, it's easy to conjure up those warm feelings of lazy Summer weekends gone by, spent with old friends. It can get a bit humid though, so don't plan to wear a ton of clothing. A good bit of people were coaxed into dancing and a good time appeared to be had by all.
(4)Adolfo N.
Yea, the view is nice, but the beer is average and the food is passable. I only drop in if I'm playing at the Sandbar and have a long layover in between games. So the evening weeknight scene is slow at best. Not the kind of place to go out of your way to, but a decent place to enjoy a beer or two.
(2)kelly k.
We were intrigued by the marina setting. The atmosphere is fun and tropical, right on the water surrounded by boats. They had live music on a Tuesday night, a nice surprise. But... The food was disappointing and overpriced. The service was sub-par at best. I ordered a mediocre basket of sweet potato fries that were overcooked and greasy. We also ordered an Italian hoagie which was OK, but not great. It took a long time to get served, and we were ignored for drink refills. We almost went up to the bar to get our own drinks. Overall, I won't go back and wouldn't recommend this place unless you want to sit at the bar and enjoy the view of the water and boats.
(2)Will M.
I'll get the positive out of the way first: this place absolutely has a Florida feel. Not quite Key West, too inauthentic for that, but it would not be out of place near almost any beach in Florida. It's not tiki, as some reviewers say. Tiki is Polynesian, and awesome, and full of amazing drinks like Zombies, and Cincinnati is wholly lacking in tiki. This is Florida. If you want a tiki bar you'll be more disappointed than anyone else (and everyone will be disappointed.) That's the good, now how about the bad? Let's start with the atmosphere, since that's what everyone rates highly. Yes, you're on the water, but it's a marina so that water is the inky, oily kind motorboats create. And yes, you're surrounded by some cool boats, but there's a locked gate between you and them, which is good for owners but bad for you - most ocean marinas I've been to aren't locked, allowing you can view the boats. There are giant spiders everywhere, which is understandable to a point and it's interesting to watch them spin webs as you drink beer but they're absolutely everywhere, and I saw at least two mummified baby birds in the place that had clearly been dead for years. That was disturbing. One was at foot level, and my eyes had been going over it for at least half an hour before I noticed the beak and put together what it was, and once I saw it I couldn't stop seeing it. How about the food? In a word: terrible. First time I went (Summer 2011) I had a chicken fajita wrap. The chicken had no flavor, the rice in the wrap had no flavor, the cheese (I think there was cheese) had no flavor, etc. The only part of the wrap with flavor was the wrap itself, which was problematic because it was one of those herb wraps made for chicken ceaser wraps, not for something southwest/mexican. It was entirely the wrong flavor, and it was the strongest flavor. A terrible waste of calories. The next time I had a burger and, well, it wasn't any better. Then there are the prices. Everything is at least 25% too expensive. Sure, sandwiches top out at $15, but they're terrible sandwiches. Lastly, the beer selection is ok (don't expect anything less mainstream than Bud, but it's an adequate selection of all the major beers), the margaritas are sweet (like, sugary sweet), and there's no drink menu with specials to inspire you. No reason to go here.
(1)Mason W.
The atmosphere is great and feels like a vacation; however, the food is not the attraction and is very overpriced. Four of us went for the first time and we loved the whole tiki-like setting, our server was amazing, and the music was very good. The grouper tacos were good, but the other order sandwiches were not tasty. The fruit plate had a few pieces of fruit, watery cottage cheese and not tasty at all. But, we'd definately return just for appetizers and the location.
(2)Anne R.
How many times do we have to come here and say we aren't coming back....:... If the band wasn't so much fun I know we would not have stayed to finish our beer
(1)A-Aron G.
I'm a huge fan of this place mostly due to the ambiance, live music, and full bar. I wouldn't go here for the food or to save money. Drinks are around $6-8/beer and my wife's cocktails were around $10 each (usually around $7). Bring bug spray with you!
(4)Reba M.
We have been here 3 times since we moved to the area on June 27, 2015. Each time the food has been incredible! My favorite is the grouper dinner and grouper tacos. The atmosphere is fun and tropical, the bands are top notch, and the waitstaff very friendly and prompt. We will be regulars here!
(5)Shon M.
Very disappointing. Food was extremely overpriced. Service was slow. Ordered blackened chicken - got Cajun chicken. Ordered grilled onions - got raw onions. Had to track our waitress down every time we needed a drink. Definitely not worth it!!
(2)Tonya W.
Enjoyed our first visit here. Very casual atmosphere with actual sand in the bar area. Live music on certain nights. Food is average and whoah I paid $7.50 for a super tiny root beer drink in a plastic cup that tasted like Nyquil. Still you can't beat the atmosphere right on the river. Check 'em out.
(3)Ron B.
Terrible food and service. Over charged our bill. Our server Sean was rude, arrogant. Manager refuse too see us. Don't waste your money. Does not deserve even one star!!!!
(1)Tom O.
We went to Pirate's Cove before a concert at Riverbend and had a mixed experience. It's definitely not a place that you would expect to see in Cincinnati. It has a Florida, beach bar feel. It's a little bit off the road and we had some trouble finding it. FInally, a small yard sign staked into the ground along Kellogg pointed us in the right direction. We sat right by the railing and had a nice breeze off of the water and view of the marina/boats. However, if you sit by the railing, you can fully expect most of the kitchen staff to come out during your meal to smoke on the dock below. Since we went before a concert, we were mostly there to have a few drinks and an appetizer. The draft beer that I had came in a cheap plastic cup, and the margarita was arguably the worst that I have had - made with some really bad, cheap mix, and I dont know if there was any tequila in it. Again, in a cheap plastic cup. My wife had a strawberry daiquiri that she liked. I had the SW Chicken Egg Rolls app which was ok. It served the purpose...pretty basic bar food. Would I go back? If I were going to Riverbend, I would stop there for a few drinks, enjoy the open air bar, being on the water, and the live entertainment. If I'm looking for a good-quality, full meal, I'm not sure this is the place.
(2)