This post was originally published on May 27, 2022 and most recently updated on September 19, 2022 to reflect updated business hours.
The Athens bar scene is well-known. While Ohio University is nationally recognized for academic excellence, uptown Athens is known for its bars. In particular, Court Street, the main (one way!!!) street through the uptown area, is known for its high concentration of bars. As of this writing, the current count is 12 on Court Street plus another 7 on adjacent streets. Here’s a rundown of the various drinking establishments starting at the northern end of Court Street. This symbol 
indicates that the bar also serves food. Most places have limited hours for food that can vary depending on the time of year and events. Hours listed are hours as of this posting in June, 2022.
Broney’s Alumni Grill – 7 W. Carpenter Street. Broney’s is at the corner of Carpenter and North Court Street. Open Monday to Wednesday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Thursday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Food service includes appetizers such as buffalo chicken dip and fried items like mushrooms, potato skins, and onion rings, plus salads, wings, burgers and sandwiches. Patio. Pool table.
Courtside Pizza – 85 N. Court Street. Opens at 11:30 a.m. Monday to Thursday and 4 p.m. Friday to Sunday with a closing time at 2 a.m. Daily specials including Wednesday night slice night. Pizza delivery available. Menu includes starters like loaded chips, jalapeño poppers, and mozzarella sticks, specialty and build your own pizza’s, subs, and salads. Patio.
North End Kitchen and Bar – 77 N. Court Street. Open Monday to Thursday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. North End serves Mexican flavors including street tacos, burritos, specialty bowls, and chips, salsa, guacamole, and queso dip. Patio. Read our post on a sunny afternoon spent on North End’s patio.
Stephen’s on Court – 66 N. Court Street. Kitchen open until 8:30 p.m. Food options range from salads to pastas to ribs to burgers and flatbreads. Patio.
The Over Hang – 63 N. Court Street. Open Monday to Friday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday and Sunday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Kitchen open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. serving hoagies. Pool table. Karaoke night on Wednesdays.
Tony’s Tavern – 7 W. State Street. Near the corner of State and Court Streets. Open Monday to Saturday 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 12 a.m. Tuesday is Jazz Night with live music and Wednesday features Dart League. Famous for Tony’s Hot Nuts, a shot that’s a mixture of coffee and hazelnut liquor.
The J Bar – 41 N. Court Street. Open Monday and Tuesday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Wednesday and Thursday 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Friday to Sunday 12 p.m. to 2 a.m. Two levels with small upstairs area with bar.
The Pub Bar & Grill – 39 N. Court Street. Open 7 days a week from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Kitchen open Tuesday to Thursday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Consistently voted “Best Burger” in Athens by a reader’s poll in The Athens News. Also known for its Beer Cheese Soup served on Wednesdays and Sundays and aquariums drink specials.
Pawpurr’s Bar – 37 N. Court Street. Open Sunday and Monday 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., Tuesday to Friday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Saturday 2 p.m. to 2 a.m.
The Pigskin Bar and Grill – 38 N. Court Street. Open Monday to Thursday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Friday to Sunday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Kitchen closes at 9 p.m. Food includes fried ravioli and crispy brussels sprouts, burgers, wings, falafel wrap, and salads. Daily food and drink specials. Patio. Pool table.
The Crystal – 34 N. Court Street. Open Monday to Friday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday & Sunday 12 p.m. to 2 a.m. Pool table.
The C.I. – 32 N. Court Street. Open Sunday & Monday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Tuesday to Saturday 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Proclaimed to be the oldest bar in Athens. Basement available to rent for private events. Pool table.
The Red Brick Tavern – 14 N. Court Street. Open Monday 2 p.m. to 2 a.m., Tuesday to Friday 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Saturday & Sunday 2 p.m. to 2 a.m.
The Cat’s Eye Saloon – 12 N. Court Street. Open Monday to Thursday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Friday 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday 1 p.m. to 2 a.m., Sunday 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Browns Backers bar. Pool table.
Lucky’s Sport Tavern – 11 N. Court Street. Open Monday to Thursday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Friday & Saturday 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sunday 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Food options include house made cheese sticks and subs.
The Union – 18 W. Union Street. Open Tuesday to Thursday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m, Friday and Saturday 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Live music. Pool table. Patio.
Jackie O’s Public House – 22 W. Union Street. Open Wednesday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday 11 a.m. t0 9 p.m.., Friday 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Food options include starters like cheese curds, reuben egg rolls, and spinach artichoke dip, with burgers, sandwiches, and pizzas also available. Patio.
Jackie O’s Brewpub – 24 W. Union Street. Next door to the Public House, the Brewpub is a smaller space but also has patio access. Open Monday to Thursday 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Smiling Skull Saloon – 108 W. Union Street. Open 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Live music. Pool table. Patio. Pet friendly.
Cat’s Corner – 11 W. Union Street. Open Monday to Friday 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., Saturday & Sunday 1 p.m. to 2 a.m.
If you read the post Athens Loves Beer, you already know Athens has a love affair for beer.
Here’s a Google Map we put together marking each location. This map is not inclusive of ALL places in the Uptown area that sells alcohol. Rather, it’s the places that we’d consider a bar or a place you could go to only drink – not drink and eat.
