You’ve just finished a session at the tables or slots, maybe your luck wasn’t in tonight, and now you want a proper drink in a real glass without the casino’s fluorescent glare. Or maybe you won big and want to celebrate somewhere with a bit more local flavor. Finding a good bar near a casino can feel like a gamble itself—you don’t want to end up in a dingy spot with overpriced, watered-down drinks. The good news is, most Hollywood Casino locations are strategically placed in areas with solid nightlife options just a short walk or quick ride away. Let’s cut to the chase and find you a great place for that next round.
Hollywood Casino Aurora, Illinois
Situated on the Fox River, Hollywood Casino Aurora offers more than just the casino floor. The immediate area has a handful of reliable spots, but you’ll find the best variety by heading into downtown Aurora, about a 10-minute drive south. This historic district has seen a revival, with several breweries and cocktail bars now calling it home.
Top Picks for Drinks in Aurora
For craft beer, Two Brothers Roundhouse is a must-visit. Housed in a stunningly restored 1850s railroad roundhouse, it’s an experience. They brew their own beers on-site and have a massive selection on tap. If cocktails are more your speed, La Quinta de los Reyes offers excellent margaritas and a lively atmosphere. Right next to the casino, Ballydoyle Irish Pub provides the classic pub feel with a great whiskey selection and live music on weekends. It’s the closest true bar to the casino doors.
Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, Grantville, PA
This is a massive gaming and racing complex, but it’s a bit more isolated. Your best bets are the bars and restaurants within the casino itself, like Final Cut Steakhouse’s bar for a high-end cocktail, or the sportsbook bar for a game. For off-property options, you’ll need to drive. Head into Hershey (about 15 minutes away) where you’ll find The Warwick Hotel & Conference Center has a popular lounge, or Houlihan’s for a reliable chain bar scene. In nearby Middletown, Boneshire Bar & Kitchen is a local favorite with a strong craft beer list.
Hollywood Casino Toledo, Ohio
Located right on the Maumee River, the casino’s immediate surroundings are industrial, but downtown Toledo is just across the river—a 5-minute drive or a 15-minute walk across the Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge. This is where your night truly begins.
Downtown Toledo’s Bar Scene
The Adams Street District is your destination. Mancy’s Ideal Bar & Grill is a Toledo institution, known for its burgers and a classic, no-frills bar atmosphere. For something more modern, Inside the Five is a sports bar with a huge tap list and great wings. If you’re looking for a rooftop view with your drink, The Heights offers panoramas of the river and city skyline. For a dive bar with character, The Attic on Adams is a short Uber ride away and is a beloved local haunt.
Hollywood Casino Columbus, Ohio
This casino is in the westside neighborhood of Hilliard. While there are chain restaurants with bars nearby (like Roosters), you’ll find more unique spots by venturing into the historic downtown Hilliard area, less than a 10-minute drive from the casino.
Hilliard and Beyond
In Old Hilliard, Starliner Diner is famous for its funky decor and surprisingly strong, inventive cocktails—don’t let the "diner" name fool you. Crafty Pint is exactly what it sounds like: a taproom focused on Ohio craft beers with a rotating selection of 30+ drafts. For a more upscale cocktail, consider heading closer to downtown Columbus (a 20-minute drive) to areas like the Short North, where options like Lincoln Social Rooftop or the speakeasy-style Antiques on High await.
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, West Virginia
This is a resort destination, so many visitors stay on-site. The casino has numerous bars, including the Track Side Bar and the Vault sports bar. However, the historic town of Charles Town, just a mile down the road, has some gems that offer a break from the casino buzz.
Charles Town Local Favorites
Summitra Thai Restaurant & Sushi Bar has a sleek lounge perfect for a sake or cocktail. Old Opera House Coffee & Tea Co. often has live music in the evenings in a cool, historic setting. For a true local dive bar experience, regulars point to Mountain View Tavern, a no-nonsense spot with cheap drinks and pool tables. It’s about a 5-minute drive from the casino property.
Hollywood Casino Lawrenceburg, Indiana
This was the first Hollywood Casino and sits right on the Ohio River, about 30 minutes west of Cincinnati. The immediate area is fairly quiet, but you have two great directions to go: into the rising MainStrasse Village in Covington, KY, or into downtown Cincinnati itself. Both are roughly a 20-30 minute drive.
Covington and Cincinnati Bars
In MainStrasse, Wunderbar offers German beers and a great outdoor biergarten. Molly Malone’s Irish Pub is always a good time. Cross the river into Cincinnati and the options explode. The Over-the-Rhine district is packed with award-winning cocktail bars like Japp’s Since 1879 and Ghost Baby. For sports fans, Holy Grail Banks at The Banks district is a massive bar right near the stadiums.
Hollywood Casino Bangor, Maine
This northern outpost is part of a larger complex with a hotel and event center. Bangor’s downtown area, about a 5-minute drive away, has a cozy but vibrant bar scene that caters to both locals and visitors.
Downtown Bangor Watering Holes
Paddy Murphy’s Irish Pub is the heart of the scene—an authentic pub with live Irish music, great food, and a wide whiskey selection. For craft beer, Mason’s Brewing Company has a fantastic brewpub with river views. Blaze is a modern bar known for its craft cocktails and stylish interior. If you’re staying late, Ipanema Bar & Grill is a late-night spot that stays busy into the early hours.
FAQ
Are there any bars you can walk to from Hollywood Casino?
It depends entirely on the location. At Hollywood Casino Aurora, Ballydoyle Irish Pub is right next door. At Toledo and Columbus, you can walk to nearby spots, but the best bars are a short drive away in the downtown districts. At more isolated locations like Penn National or Charles Town, walking options are very limited, and driving or taking a rideshare is your best bet.
What’s the best bar near Hollywood Casino for craft beer?
For a huge, historic setting, Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora is unbeatable. In Toledo, Inside the Five has an impressive tap list. At Hollywood Columbus, head to Crafty Pint in Hilliard for a focus on Ohio breweries. In Bangor, Mason’s Brewing Company is the top choice for beers made on-site.
Do the casinos themselves have good bars?
Yes, most do. They typically have a main central bar, a sportsbook bar, and often a higher-end cocktail lounge attached to their steakhouse (like Final Cut). These are perfect for a quick drink without leaving the building, but they often lack the character and local pricing of an independent bar off-site.
I won a jackpot—where should I go celebrate with a fancy cocktail?
Congratulations! For upscale cocktails, bypass the casino bars. In Toledo, The Heights rooftop bar has the views. Near Hollywood Columbus, make the trip to Lincoln Social or Antiques on High in Columbus. Near Hollywood Lawrenceburg, head to Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine district for world-class cocktail bars like Japp’s or Ghost Baby.
Are there any 24-hour bars near Hollywood Casinos?
Very few true 24-hour bars exist anymore. Your most reliable option for a very late-night drink is often the casino’s own bar, as most casino floors operate 24/7 and serve alcohol for most of that time. Off-site, some bars in areas like downtown Cincinnati or near the casinos in larger cities may stay open until 2:30 AM, but it’s always best to check current hours before you head out.
