Mecklenburg's Garden

The rectangular brick building features Renaissance Revival and Italianate architectural elements, with outdoor dining areas covered by grapevine-laden trellises and awnings.

Established in 1870 as Mount Auburn Garden Restaurant, Louis Mecklenburg acquired and renamed the establishment in 1886, transforming it from a saloon into a German beer garden.

During the late nineteenth century, the restaurant emerged as a central gathering place for Cincinnati's German community, which represented twenty-five percent of the city's population.

The National Register of Historic Places property contains multiple dining rooms and a central pub area, operating continuously since its 1996 reopening.

During Prohibition, the restaurant maintained legal dining services while operating as a speakeasy, using a ship model's position to signal alcohol availability.

Location: Ohio

Inception: 1870

Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture, Italianate architecture

GPS coordinates: 39.13250,-84.50278

Latest update: March 13, 2025 12:30