
Ohio Club
The Ohio Club, established in 1905, is a legendary bar and restaurant in Hot Springs, Arkansas, known for its rich history, mobster past, and live mus...

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Ohio Club

Highlights
Must-see attractions
The Ohio Club, established in 1905, is a legendary bar and restaurant in Hot Springs, Arkansas, known for its rich history, mobster past, and live music.
"Step into history at The Ohio Club, where every corner tells a story and the ambiance is as captivating as the drinks are strong."
Avoid Crowds
Visit during off-peak hours or on weekdays to avoid the busiest times.
Unique Drink & Appetizer
Try the smoked old fashioned cocktail and fried pickle appetizer for a unique experience.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
American
Price
Mid-range
Phone
(501) 627-0702
Address
336 Central Ave, Hot Springs National Park, AR 71901, USA
Website
theohioclub.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

A Step Back in Time
Dine amidst a museum-like atmosphere filled with vintage photos of legendary figures like Al Capone.

Gangster & Baseball Hangout
Experience a historic bar once frequented by notorious figures like Al Capone and baseball legends.

Unique Speakeasy Ambiance
Immerse yourself in the feel of a 1930s speakeasy with a stunning mahogany bar and live music.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Avoid Crowds
Visit during off-peak hours or on weekdays to avoid the busiest times.
Unique Drink & Appetizer
Try the smoked old fashioned cocktail and fried pickle appetizer for a unique experience.
Explore the Bar's Story
Check out the back of the bar for interesting artistic elements and stories.
Speakeasy Vibes
Enjoy the 1930s speakeasy feel with a great selection of craft beers and specialty cocktails.
Tips
from all over the internet
Avoid Crowds
Visit during off-peak hours or on weekdays to avoid the busiest times.
Unique Drink & Appetizer
Try the smoked old fashioned cocktail and fried pickle appetizer for a unique experience.
Explore the Bar's Story
Check out the back of the bar for interesting artistic elements and stories.
Speakeasy Vibes
Enjoy the 1930s speakeasy feel with a great selection of craft beers and specialty cocktails.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The Ohio Club offers an iconic atmosphere steeped in history, making it a unique dining destination. While many praise the ambiance, live music, and specialty drinks, some diners found the food to be just average, with specific dishes like the Reuben receiving mixed reviews. Despite culinary critiques, the historical charm and friendly service consistently draw visitors.
"Really cool place! A lot of history and old gangster/casino memorabilia to see. The live music was good. The drink menu has something for everyone.
The burgers are HUGE! Very simple but sophisticated at the same time. The staff has a great time and it shows that they love their jobs."
Chris Thornton
"A really neat place that gives you the feel of a 1930's speakeasy. We are from Ohio and once I saw the sign outside, I had to stop. We did not order food but just stopped for drinks. I was impressed by the number of local craft beers on tap, around a dozen. They have quite a few specialty cocktails as well. The atmosphere is great. Our bartender was friendly as well."
Steve Karl
"The food was okay... nothing to write home about, but the atmosphere? Absolutely iconic.
I will note the spicy green beans were SO GOOD. The Ohio Club is dripping with history, and if you're even slightly into vintage charm, mobster lore, or old barroom vibes, you'll be hooked.
From the massive hand-carved mahogany bar that was hauled here by barge and horse (yes, really), to the wild stories of gangsters, gamblers, and even presidents hanging out here...this place is a living time capsule. Every corner has something cool to look at, and you can feel the stories in the walls.
Drinks were solid and definitely worth the price, staff was friendly, and even though the food didn’t blow us away, it’s still a great lunch stop just for the ambiance and the conversation starter it is. You don’t just eat here
... you step into history."
Rochelle Abbott
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Established in 1905, it's considered Arkansas' oldest bar and was a popular hangout for gangsters like Al Capone and baseball players.
Yes, they feature live music Thursday through Sunday, with different genres depending on the night.
Burgers and sandwiches like the Reuben and Patty Melt are frequently mentioned, along with appetizers like spicy fried green beans.
Yes, they offer a wide selection of local craft beers and specialty cocktails, including a notable Bloody Mary.
Yes, a statue of Al Capone is located outside the Ohio Club, memorializing his visits.
Reviews are mixed; while some find it delicious, others describe it as dry and disappointing.
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The Best Restaurants In Hot Springs Arkansas
Bar, Pub Grub, $ A building with a colourful history, The Ohio Club dates back to 1905 when it was opened as a bar and casino. Since then, it has been an illegal speakeasy masquerading as a cigar store, a hangout for gangsters including Al Capone and Lucky Luciano and a jazz and blues venue. Thought to be the oldest bar in Arkansas, The Ohio Club’s interior is decorated in a stylish nostalgic fashion with vintage pictures, slot machines and other antique items nodding to the venue’s history.
Best Things to Do in Hot Springs National Park
And don’t sleep on The Ohio Club, the oldest bar in Arkansas: dating back to 1905, this place has “Capone” written all over it. It originally acted as a whiskey-soaked casino, serving patrons like Babe Ruth and Al Capone (oh, to be a fly on the wall!). The gambling may be gone, but the live music and strong cocktails have proven timeless.
A weekend getaway itinerary for visiting Hot Springs, Arkansas
(Don’t miss brunch at the in-house restaurant, Eden, the bath house’s one-time bathing room which now boasts a soaring skylight and spring-fed plant wall.) Once you’re settled, head across the street to the Ohio Club. Widely considered to be the oldest continually operating bar in the state, it was a favorite watering hole for the likes of Capone and Charles “Lucky” Luciano. Pull up a stool by the 1880s-era mahogany back bar and order a Madden’s No.1, a Superior Bathhouse Brewery beer based on gangster Owney Madden’s Prohibition-era recipe.
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
We found out about the Running of the Tubs when we were at the Ohio Club one night having some appetizers and a drink. It’s an annual event where people decorate actual bathtubs, put wheels on them and race them down the main street of town. The event was to be held over two days, Friday night would be the displaying and judging of the tubs and then Saturday would be the parade and actual races.
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One of the most notable gangsters in history frequented Hot Springs for the baths, the gambling, the libations, and to generally lay low in the Spa City. It's said he spent a large portion of his time in Hot Springs at the oldest bar in Arkansas, the Ohio Club. He still spends his time at the Ohio Club, memorialized in statue form sitting outside of his favorite bar in town.
Culinary hot spots: Hot Springs
Said to be the oldest bar in Arkansas, the Ohio Club has been open since 1905 when its patrons included the likes of Al Capone and Mae West. Upon entering you will be greeted with a view of a beautiful 19th-century mahogany bar that has hard carved features and a well stocked bar. On the menu here is made-from-scratch burgers and an assortment of bar food to enjoy.
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Arkansas’ oldest bar, The Ohio Club has been in business since 1905, when its patrons included the likes of Al Capone and Mae West. The club is open seven days a week and features live music Thursday-Sunday. Thursday is jazz night 7-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday’s band features music from the ’60s to current day 8 p.m.-midnight; Sunday is a solo artist 6-9 p.m.
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Dinner: The Ohio Club is Arkansas’ oldest bar and, boy oh boy, if those walls could talk!. The likes of Al Capone, Major League Ball players (spring training started here) and entertainers including Al Jolson and Mae West spent time there. You can still enjoy live music, along with a vast cocktail, beer, and wine menu and a something-for-everyone food menu.
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The Ohio Club is the oldest bar in Arkansas, but known for great food thanks to the owner Saddiq Mir who once managed food and beverage at both the San Francisco and New Orleans Fairmont Hotels (now Waldorf-Astoria). Ohio burgers are standouts, though the house Reuben is also excellent. Desserts include shoestring funnel cake fries dusted in powdered sugar.
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Our favorites were the Ohio Club, www.theohioclub.com/ which is the oldest bar/restaurant in the State dating back to 1905. They have life music seven days a week. Another favorite was Fisherman’s Wharf Restaurant which is located right on the lake, www.facebook.com/5101spacity/ just to the south of downtown and Rolando’s, http://rolandosrestaurante.com/ .
'Take the waters' and soak up the history in Hot Springs
Check out the Ohio Club when you’re thirsty for a libation or just want to get a look at the famous mahogany back bar. The Ohio Club is the oldest bar in Arkansas, dating back to 1905, and it also served as a speakeasy, cigar store and casino in its time. Everyone from celebs and gangsters to baseball greats and well-known musical acts graced the place.
A Foodie's Guide to the Best Restaurants in Hot Springs, Arkansas
Established back in 1905, Ohio Club in Hot Springs is not just a restaurant but a piece of living history. A former haunt for gangsters and baseball players, this spot has stood the test of time and continues to delight patrons with its unique charm. Indulge in their legendary burger, crafted with a special blend of meat that keeps customers raving.
Best Food in Hot Springs: A Culinary Journey Through Arkansas
Nestled in the historic Ohio Club Building, this award-winning restaurant exudes elegance and sophistication. The menu features classic American dishes with a modern twist, highlighting locally sourced ingredients. Signature dishes include the pan-seared filet mignon with truffle mashed potatoes and the roasted rack of lamb with mint demi-glace.
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Ohio Club is a historic bar in Hot Springs originally established in 1905. As a former gangster and baseball hangout spot, Ohio Club has a rich history of gathering friends and neighbors to enjoy delicious food and drinks. This bar has an extensive beer and cocktail menu, nightly live music, and a diverse food menu with something for everyone.
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The Ohio Club has bragging rights as Arkansas’s oldest continuous bar, dating back to 1905, that was originally a bar and casino. If walls could talk, this historic downtown building would have a LOT of stories to tell!. The Ohio Club was a popular spot for gangsters and Major League baseball players during spring training in the early 1900s.
Hot Springs, Arkansas
Owner, Mike Petty, explained to me that other clubs were named for states, like The Texas Club , The Tennessee Club, etc. The Ohio Club has a great menu for lunch or dinner, and live music in the evenings. Be sure and notice the bar back. It’s gorgeous, and so large, the entire front of the building had to be demoed to move the bar in place.
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While the hot springs are what most visitors come for, Hot Springs also has a big gambling and mobster history. Bugsy Segel, Bugs Moran, Lucky Luciano, and countless other mobsters came here throughout their mafia careers and a great place to learn about Hot Spring’s mobster history is at The Ohio Club. The Ohio Club is hard to miss.
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Everyone mingled with jazz musicians and movie stars at The Ohio Club, a 1905 casino that’s now a lively bar and restaurant with whiskey-infused wagyu burgers. Look for the holes in the floor about 6 feet from the entrance; they’re all that’s left of the false wall installed during Prohibition to hide the speakeasy in back.
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The Ohio Club has been a stop- off place for many a celebrity. Al Capone, Bugsy Siegel, Bugs Moran, Lucky Luciano, just to name a few of the gangsters, and it was also visited by many Major League ball players since they had spring training in Hot Springs in the early 1900’s. Babe Ruth was the most famous to visit.
December Weekend in Hot Springs, Arkansas – 2022
It’s pretty surreal to know that you’re sitting in the same place as celebrities of the past including gangster Al Capone and baseball phenom Babe Ruth. During Prohibition, the restaurant became a speakeasy and casino fronting as a cigar store and you can see where the former fake wall of the store stood.
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Why not stop for your morning coffee at Kollective Coffee and Tea, then head over to Mueller’s Bistro and Bakery for a freshly prepared lunch, have a gourmet Italian dinner at Luna Bella, and then top the night off at Arkansas’ oldest bar the Ohio Club. Sounds like the perfectly delicious (and full) day!
Hot Springs, experience the charm of the early 1900s surrounded by nature
Among the most notorious restaurants in downtown Hot Springs, The Ohio Club is still standing after 100 years with an extraordinary Mahogany back-bar, where dozens of celebrities from the first half of the 20th Century used to gather, including Al Capone, Lucky Luciano and Major League Ball players.
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The Ohio Club (in my personal opinion) has the best cheeseburger on the planet. It’s one of the oldest pubs in Downtown Hot Springs, the jaunt of gangsters and ruffians, and it still retains all its original charm. Make sure to ask about the original mahogany bar and come at night for live music!
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
Did you know that Hot Springs, Arkansas was a hot-spot for gangsters and baseball players?!. People like Al Capone and Babe Ruth would hang out at the Ohio Club, making this a super cool place to check out. It’s small but it still has the old charm to it, and it’s the oldest bar in Arkansas.
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We’re in Fayetteville, where there’s always great energy with the University of Arkansas,” says Brian Crowne, an Arkansas native who played at the lounge before buying it in 2004. “As a performing musician, I felt a kinship with this place. Generations have come through this old joint.
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Opening in 1905, the Ohio Club is the oldest bar in Hot Springs!. It was a popular hang-out spot for notorious criminals Al Capone, Bugsy Segel, Bugs Moran, and Lucky Luciano. In addition to mobsters, several Major League baseball players frequented the Ohio Club, including Babe Ruth.
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Originally opened in 1905, the Ohio Club is the oldest bar in Arkansas. In the early 1900s, the bar was frequented by numerous gangsters and celebrities. Al Capone, Lucky Luciano, and Bugsy Segal were just a few of the well-known bad guys who regularly stopped by the club.
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So much so, that we stopped in each day that we were in town. The Ohio Club was a bar and gambling establishment to greats like Babe Ruth, Mae West and even Al Capone himself. During prohibition, the bar turned into a cigar store as a front for their illegal operations.
The Best Things To Do in Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
The Ohio Club is a historic bar located right across from the national park. It is Arkansas' oldest bar and has been open since 1905. In the early 1900’s, it was a popular hangout spot for notorious gangsters like Al Capone, along with Major League Baseball players.
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Established in 1905, The Ohio Club is the oldest bar in Arkansas. This historic bar was a former gangster & baseball player hangout back in the day. The Ohio Club has been visited by almost every well known gangster of the 1900’s, most famously Al Capone.
Hot Springs, AR: Where to Eat and Other Travel Recommendations, Part 2
All the restaurants I visited for lunch (reviewed in Part 1) — including Angel’s in the Park, The Ohio Club, Rolando’s, Copper Penny Pub and Kollective — are also open for dinner. Here are additional restaurants to try and some other suggestions and info.
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Learn all about age-old debauchery at the Gangster Museum and visit their stomping grounds at the Ohio Club, Arkansas’s oldest bar, and a former speakeasy. Snap a selfie with the statue out front and marvel at a true “if walls could talk” destination.
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A must-stop when visiting Hot Springs National Park, just across from Bathhouse Row, is the Ohio Club!. This eatery has a colorful history and is the oldest bar in Arkansas. Built in 1905, the bar has served everyone from Babe Ruth to Al Capone.
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Known as the best night in town to many, the Ohio Club offers a romantic and beautiful atmosphere with classy drinks and a high quality menu. The bar is also a venue which features live music three nights a week, as well as a jazz night.
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Established in 1905, the Ohio Club features a hip bar with nightly live music. The historic bar used to be a major gangster and baseball player hang out. It’s a great place to grab a bite after a visit to the Gangster Museum of America.
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Just across the street from Bathhouse Row, a statue of Al Capone, who was one of Hot Springs’ most famous visitors, can be found reclining on a bench outside The Ohio Club. Once a bar and casino, it now has food, drinks, and live music.
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Nearby, the world-famous Ohio Club is a hold out from Hot Springs’ gangster era and boasts Arkansas’ oldest bar (like, the actual bar you sit at). Sit on Al Capone’s lap on the bench out front. Look for bullet holes in the ceiling.
Local Attractions
Ohio Club and Bar is the oldest bar in Arkansas that still operates today. Known to have the best burgers in town and sure to intrigue anyone interest in learning about the hub of what historical events flooded Hot Springs, AR.
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But, just to the north, there is the familiar green and white façade of one of the city's oldest institutions. Inside, the décor hasn't much changed since the 1950s. Several small barstools crowd a diminutive bar on the right.
Review Top 5 Food & Drink in Hot Springs Recommended | by Jbakgalvan | Nov, 2024
Stepping into The Ohio Club feels like stepping back in time. Established in 1889, it’s one of the oldest continuously operating bars in the United States. Its history is as rich and captivating as the cocktails they serve.
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The Ohio Club is filled with history and a fun place to eat right on Central Avenue. It has a long and colorful history, dating back to the early 1905. As a matter of fact, it is the oldest bar still operating in Arkansas.
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Before Robert Kennedy called Hot Springs “the largest illegal gambling operation in America” and worked to shut down this aspect of the town’s business, mobsters considered Hot Springs neutral territory.
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The Ohio Club is one of the oldest bars in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The place is a perfect blend of historic charm with modern activity. Couples can indulge in entertainment and enjoy fine dining.
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Nestled in the heart of Hot Springs, AR, The Ohio Club invites visitors to step into a rich tapestry of history. Established in 1905, it holds the honorable title of the oldest bar in Arkansas.
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The Ohio Club has been the bar in Hot Springs for more than 100 years. Al Jolson and Mae West have headlined there, and a series of blues and jazz artists still perform seven nights a week.
Highest-rated Fine Dining Restaurants in Hot Springs by Diners
- Rating: 4.2/5 (642 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 336 Central Ave. Hot Springs, Arkansas - Categories: Music Venues, Cocktail Bars, American- Read more on Yelp
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For drinks, the only bar we experienced was the historic Ohio Club, the most classic of all places to grab a drink in Hot Springs. If those walls could talk…
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Just across the street, the oldest bar in the state, the Ohio Club, which has served famous gangsters and celebrities, has been in operation since 1905.
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You’ll enjoy live music on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Jazz Night is Thursdays from 7-10 pm. It’s closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Gangster Museum of America Reviews
End your tour with a drink at the Ohio Club, Arkansas’ oldest bar and a former popular hangout for Al Capone and others. – Justine Harrington
Things To Do in Hot Springs Arkansas
Established in 1905, this hip bar features nightly live music. The historic bar used to be a major gangster and baseball player hang out.
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Experience the charm of The Ohio Club – Hot Springs' historic bar offering delicious American cuisine and vibrant live music.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit