BEST BAR EVER!!!!!!!

Cultural Heritage. Many years ago, Hap's Irish Pub, previously known as the "Tin Front", was a famous traditional irish pub in America. Started by the legendary Gordon Thomas, it became the local hangout for the students from the University of Cincinnati School of Music.They were led by an amazing hammer dulcimer player Malcome Douglish and friends. Search for them on the net. Live folk music and folk songs from early evening to late night. If you arrived late on busy nights you had to wait outside in the rain. During music and sing along sessions this pub was often packed tight! Many international vistors and musicians dropped in. Gordon's daughter, Tracy Thomas, became a celebrity and legend at Hap's for her beautiful songs and strong voice. Her frequent and beautiful rendition of "The Parting Glass" caused many tears. It was a small hole in the wall pub, with old black paneling, previously located in the small barbershop nextdoor. Gordon Thomas purchased the present building next door, where the bar is now, because he wanted to expand, and that then became the present Hap's. Live traditional music every wednesday and weekends continued and attracted irish celebrities, such as the famous traditional singer Mary Black and classical music flutist James Galway. Search for them on the net. You can see their pictures proudly posted near the dartboard and back door. It was also a popular meeting place for intellectuals. Probably the most verbally skilled person to frequent the pub was Lars Olson. You will see his picture proudly posted third from the left above the bar. He is the one with the red beard. He could complete the NY Times crossword in minutes and could speak several languages. He was a good friend of Gordons. Gordon's photo is the center picture with the words "Time Out". Lars died at a young age of cancer. Jokes and stories never stopped flowing when Lars was at the bar. Cultural Decline. The pub took a serious cultural turn for the worse when it was sold to a corrupt lawyer/politician from Norwood called William Tepe. Tepe got into financial trouble and Hap's was returned to the Thomas family, but Hap's never recovered it's irish cultural tradition. Now there is a loud computerized juckbox. Juck as in yuck! The present owner, manager and bartenders are unable to regulate what is played on the new box because of the new "internet options" and this has greatly contributed to the cultural decline. If you like Rap and Hip-hop there is plenty playing. Because of the juckbox, lack of maintenance and lost interest in irish culture, Hap's is now attracting, what is in my opinion, "the wrong crowd." Maintenance is a serious problem. Torn seats and grubbyness prevails. Unfortunately, very little of the budget goes towards repairs and improvements. The old pictures and decorations speak of the days gone by and there is a nostalgic ambiance that arouses the curiousity of some new customers Hap's is in the very nice neighborhood of Hyde Park, is a decent and fun pub, and is often very busy. But sadly, irish culture here is almost extinct. This is a rowdy bar's bar, not a restaurant. There is no menu. Frozen supermarket pizza heated in an electric grill is available. Decent draft beer selection. Very good pints, and the first bar in Cincinnati to serve Guinness on tap. Sports. The second bar in Cincinnati to get a real dartboard. Zip's was first. I think Hap's started the Cincinnati Dart League. Hap's was a strong supporter of rugby, hurling and soccer. Back in the 80's rugby teams from Ireland visited Cincinnati every year because of invitations arranged by Hap's. Hap's has a long tradition of great bartenders. Just My Point of View.

The people are friendly. The bar tenders are wonderful. The owner Danny drinks often with his customers and knows them most by name. His son even bar tends at Haps. It is a family business with a true pub atmosphere. Plus they know how to poor the best Guinness in Cincinnati, Ohio. I love Haps!

When the rugby is on TV you will not find a better place to watch the games. Great atmosphere, plenty of Guinness flowing and sometimes the singing is good too. Feels like your home in Britain. What a pub should be not the fake theme pubs you will find everywhere else.

Fun bar but can get overly crowded.