Dana Gardens. Norwood, OH.

1832 Dana Avenue

Price for a Guinness: $6 | Overall Rating: 2.15

Figuring out where to even begin with Dana's is tough because there are so many things wrong with this place. Let's be clear here; this is a college bar and I don't think anyone will argue that. One of the owners of the place was tending bar when I arrived and you could tell that the guy has been through the ringer and isn't putting up with anyone's bullshit (I think he's had his fair share of dealing with Xavier University frat boys). Don't get me wrong though, he was actually a very nice and talkative guy.

He poured me a Guinness in a 16oz glass which is always a let down and the pour was not very good. You can easily tell that the guy has no intentions of sprucing up the place because he probably knows the college kids are going to ruin anything and everything he puts in there. The place is probably one or two thunderstorms away from blowing over and collapsing. I felt like I was hanging out in somebody's rickety hot shed in the backyard. There's graffiti on just about every square inch of the bar, walls, and tables, while the bar top itself is quite beat up (to put it nicely).

Behind the bar you'll see about 50 fake IDs from underage students and the biggest collection of different branded "well" liquors I've seen in a while. The whiskey selection is piss poor and the beer choices outside of Guinness and Yuengling include PBR, Bud Light, and Modelo.

Believe it or not this place sells food, and to my displeasure I was unfortunate enough to witness that all of the food is stored inside an old fridge behind the bar that looks like it's been through hell and back. When he opened the fridge the burger patties and wings looked even more freezer burned than Jack Nicholson's face in The Shining. Anyone who orders food from this kitchen must either be completely desperate or just an idiot. They do offer Geotta, though, so that was nice to see.

Dana's is a big hangout for watching college basketball, especially Xavier University. If you visit the place on a weekday afternoon you'll be safe, but once the sun goes down you're going to be standing like sardines surrounded by college kids, the smell of weed, and incredibly loud trap music. Hey, some people are into that sorta thing and that's fine, but as for me; not my cup of tea.

The place has been around since the 1930's so they're clearly getting by just fine and dandy. When it comes to Dana Gardens I wouldn't necessarily say that the place is "so bad that you have to go", it's just not good and not worth a visit if you're either over the age of 25 or someone who values their time. The locals know that this Pub is not going to tickle anyone's fancy, but for anyone outside of the Cincinnati area; now you know. I give the establishment a 2.15, and the only reason it's that high is because the owner/bartender of the place was a nice guy and his Steel Tip dart board was up to date.

Slainte.