Ona

The cocktails were great and the vibes are awesome! It’s got a cozy and dark interior. There is outdoor and indoor seating. It may have trouble accommodating a larger crowd, but it felt to be enough seating on the night I was there! The service on the night I visited was actually very bad. I felt talked-down-to a few times, which caught me off guard and I felt really uncomfortable and upset. I’m a bartender so I don’t usually expect too much from people in the service industry because I understand the feeling of “being on” all the time, so if someone is not, I don’t mind that they take a break with me. However, the bartender was actually dismissive and rude, and even acted arrogant at times. I had been wanting to try this place for a while and I was pretty bummed to be made to feel this way. There was also a time that the bartender (the only one there) was gone chatting with people for at least 10 minutes, closer to twenty, and two people at the bar were trying to close out. I thought when he returned, he would come over and help us and offer a quick apology, but instead, he started by just talking to another person just standing at the bar for a few minutes. This sort of thing on its own wouldn’t usually upset me, but I think paired with the initial experiences of feeling judged and unwelcome, it just stuck out in my mind a lot. I think the cocktails were yummy, but the experience wasn’t good enough for the price I paid. There are other places in Lexington that I feel are more my speed. I hope it was just a weird night for me! :)

Super hip bar in downtown Lex, with excellent cocktails. The beer selection is fairly bottom shelf (PBR, Miller Lite, Coors Banquet, etc), which I’m fine with - but the cocktails are the way to go at Ona. We got a bourbon cocktail and a gin cocktail and both were perfect. The atmosphere and vibe is pretty hipster-y, but again, that’s something that pulled me into this bar. It’s clean, nostalgic, and all-around a good hang. If I lived in Lexington I would be here weekly.

Terrible service all around.. as someone in the service industry, the bartenders here are rude and pretentious, and unfortunately last night the bouncers were homophobic as hell. Do better

Perfect speakeasy-dive joint if there ever was such a thing. Excellent cocktails and service, comfy space to spend the holidays. $5 cocktail-of-the-day is pretty clutch too.. the daiquiri was perfect.

Hands down my favorite bar in town. Great vibe, drinks are good and affordable. Bartenders have always been nice and deliver good service. Just a great place to spend a night.

Fantastically curated cocktail menu, but also cheap cans/shots. Ona's a pretty great spot.

Ever since the first time I've been here, Ona has been my go to bar in Lex. Unlike most bars it has an indie vibe that makes it seem more inviting. The staff are really nice and if you get there earlier in the day, you can have some good conversation. The drinks run on the pricier side, but it's for a reason. Of course they serve cheap drinks like beer and basic cocktails, they even have daily deals, but their specials are why I come to drink here. I have found that Ona makes really good and unique specials. I had the Press Play which was a gin seltzer with rosemary and parsley. I loved it and would want it back on the menu. I've only had one special that I wasn't too keen on. It was a sake seltzer with MSG in it. I knew I was getting into strange territory picking that one, but I enjoyed the adventure nonetheless. Ona is one of the cooler bars I've been to, and I go there when I especially don't want to be in a large crowd of college students. Keep up the good work, Ona

This is a superb spot to grab cocktail drinks with a friend or for a date. I love how it is so cozy inside, and all the plants make it even more inviting to grab drinks here. I love coming here for pre-game with my friends. I love ordering their cocktail drinks, and they're so delicious. One of my favorite drinks is called Press Play.

Quick service, friendly staff, reasonable prices. Honestly a steal deal if you're a beer drinker, inflation has not heard of this bar apparently!

You might miss the door if it's your first time; I've seen many newcomers nearly miss it. But if you're lucky enough to find your way in, you'll instantly feel like you've stepped into another time & another place. Bar Ona is a mix of art deco & new world, complete with a backgammon set for the adventurous & learned. Bar Ona has all of the ambiance, *all* of the liquors (and then some), but none of the pretentiousness you find in some cocktail bars. They only ever play good music. The cocktail menu is fresh & daring. The drink-makers are kind & attentive, but not too chatty. I never have a bad experience at Bar Ona. And neither will you.

Ona is a really great spot for a cocktail: reasonable prices, great seating, chill ambiance, and the cocktails are delicious! The service was friendly and efficient-we had a couple friends who didn't want an alcoholic beverage and on the spot they made a citrus mocktail that was refreshing and delicious! They also have daily specials in which they have a discounted cocktail (different ones for each day of the week) and they are $5! We got the Friday special which was a Dark N Stormy (a rum based Moscow mule sort of cocktail!) and it was great!

Super unassuming place. Excellent cocktails, interesting yet approachable. We went on a weekend and the line for drinks moved so much faster than we thought. The crowd tends to be normal, mostly early 30s and later 20s artsy crowd. Good music, too. Probably the best cocktail bar in Lex.

This is a superb spot to grab cocktail drinks with a friend or for a date. I love how it is so cozy inside, and all the plants make it even more inviting to grab drinks here. I love coming here for pre-game with my friends. I love ordering their cocktail drinks, and they're so delicious. One of my favorite drinks is called Press Play.

Ona continues to be one of my favorite bars in Lexington! The bartenders are incredibly and make amazing cocktails. The ambiance is wonderful and I'm rarely there when there isn't a really interesting crowd. Definitely one of the standout bars in Lexington!

If you are a fan of dive bars with craft cocktails, this is the place for you. We went here on a Friday night around 7. The place was not so busy yet. We were able to grab a couple seats at the bar and chat with the bartender about what drink to order. We decided on the coin and oil. It was tasty and strong. As it seems with all craft cocktails, the prices can be a bit high. Think around $10 for each drink. After a couple, we thanked our bartender and assured him we would be back.

My friend and I stopped by Ona for drinks after dinner last night. And we had a great time! $5 palomas all night?! And they were good! The service was also great. The bar wasn't so full as to be crowded but people were there having a good time as long as we were there! Definitely a cool spot for drinks! I'd go back!

If I'm here it's usually a weeknight meeting with a friend for a chat and a drink or two. The outdoor seating is very cute but not the most comfortable. Very tiny wooden chairs on a wooden slat "porch" situation that the chairs sometimes fall into. But the plants outside and inside are gorgeous. It's a vibe-y joint. The interior has plenty of hidey holes and good places to tuck into for intimate or group affairs. The menu is more extensive than you'd think it'd be. As far as service, it really just depends on who's tending bar. Sometimes it's awesome and quick and super easy. Other times it takes much longer than it should because the bartender is holding a chat with a friend or just ignoring that you're there. I've had both experiences in the same week, even when it's slow, so *shrug*. Just a heads up to anyone who might flit a temper over that sort of thing. They're pretty doggone casual there.

Love this place. Get the Boat Drinks: it's fruity and frozen and comes with an umbrella. There's plenty of seating at the bar and around the room, with a cute little nook in the back. Folks are always friendly and the vibe is always laid back but vibrant. Definitely one of my favorite newer spots in Lexington.

It was a fun atmosphere. The drinks were fabulous. Very artsy. And I was in good company. Highly recommend

Ona has quickly become my favorite bar in town. I am now something of a regular, and make a point to bring friends here when I want to impress them. The atmosphere is hip and unique, with huge potted plants all over and separate rooms in the back. It has a very different vibe than any other bar I've been to in Lexington. In fact, when I'm here, it feels as though I'm in a different city entirely. The bartenders are friendly and accommodating - last time I went, one of them let me use their phone charger behind the bar. The drink specials here are great, with a different $5 cocktail offering each day of the week no matter what time it is. The frozen Boat Drink is tropical and refreshing, and the $5 Soju shot + Miller Lite combo is perfect if you're trying to get the most bang for your buck. They don't offer Diet Coke for mixed drinks, but that's a minor complaint. It's a hipster bar, why would you expect any response to that request other than "oh, we only have Mexican Coke"? The first time I came here, I left a negative review and I feel like a total asshole about it. I must have been riding the high of having just turned 21 and created a Yelp account. I got an Underberg and hated it, and yeah, maybe the bartender could have explained that it's a bottle of bitters with a straw in it, but ultimately it was on me for ordering blindly. Sorry, Ona. You rock. This review is my penance.

Love the atmosphere of the place and all of the beautiful plants just add to the chill vibe. Super hip. The service was amazing and handled my mom, who is more novice with cocktails, perfectly and helped her step out of the box. I had the boat drink, which was a frozen run drink, and it was so good. A HUGE perk is they have a $5 cocktail special every night. Y'all that's unheard of for a good cocktail. The only reason I gave it 4 Stars was because when we asked for a menu we were told they were "all destroyed" and they would come out with a new one in two days.

Was wondering around downtown lex waiting for our table to be ready at a restaurant around the corner. Great atosphere! Great little cocktail menu with interesting flavors and good conversation with the bartender! Loved all the beautiful plants in the windo! Will definitely be back!

This is an odd space, but cool vibe. One of the bartenders made GREAT craft cocktails. They other one followed the recipe but didn't quite come up with the same great drinks. I guess it's the luck of the draw? Either way, worth a try I think!

On a Friday night at around 7pm, this cozy hole in the wall on Church Street was not too packed. We easily found three seats at the bar, and could have sat around the wall if we had needed to. It's nice to find a place with a reasonable bourbon selection and craft cocktails that wasn't standing room only. I started with a Stagg Jr., neat, and it was a generous pour. My companions tried a variety of craft cocktails, and were pleased. For my second drink, I asked the bartender for a recommendation for a bourbon to drink neat. He suggested Elmer T. Lee at first, which is a spot-on recommendation, but since I have a couple of bottles at home, I redirected him. His next suggestion was James Pepper 1776, which I had not tried before. I enjoyed it, and appreciated the recommendation. The two bartenders on duty were more than happy to answer silly cocktail questions, and were quite friendly. I'll probably try this place again.

For someone who is not from Lexington and lives in a city somewhat larger I was impressed. The bartender, Coleman was attentive, attractive and aware of the audience. Check it out!

Ona is by far my favorite bar in Lexington. The atmosphere is moody and comfortable, the bartenders are super fun, and a rotating drink menu full of amazing and creative cocktails.

Cool, dark, intimate spaces galore. Delicious, creative, intriguing cocktails galore. Top notch squishy stools.

Great music, great drinks, great people. Would be neat if it was also a casino and each nook had a different game in it.

Do you like good drinks? Go to Ona. Do you appreciate a lush yet unpretentious environment? Go to Ona. Do you want prime rib? Go to a restaurant. For real, the bartenders are talented and creative and the atmosphere is beautiful. Try the nightly drink special. A+ all the way.

The County Club guys have brought you Ona, a bar with two cozy nooks, the best thing about it. An odd little menu with the ubiquitous craft cocktails that have become de rigueur in Lexington. I had an Aviation, perfectly chilled as it should be, but served incorrectly in an on the rocks glass. It was neither the best, nor the worst I've had. I'm not a fan of the place. I think you either like its vibe or you don't. Head to Church and see what you think.

Very cool spot blending the atmospheres of corner bar and hipster bar together nicely. Not a huge selection of beer or wine, but it's clear that cocktails are their specialty. I had one from the specials board - the Sake Slushie - which was delicious, albeit incredibly sour (good thing I love sour things). All cocktails are expensive, so that's to be expected. Decor is very urban feeling, and the space is huge. It was pretty empty and I visited during Thursday Night Live because I was curious and they had A/C. I'm giving it 4 stars because as I write this, I'm not incredibly compelled to return, even though there's nothing wrong with the place. Might be a good place to go if you can't decide where to go.

This place is a true gem. Truly hand-crafted cocktails down to the bitters. I have not experienced a bar in town with staff that can create drinks so expertly and consistently with a laid back-ness that makes you feel like you're at a friend's house and not a bar. The drinks are so good here I would expect the crew to have an ego that only craft bartenders tend to have (you know, that pretentious smugness I'm talking about); but these guys don't at all. IMO, it's the BEST place to hide out for an expertly made drink or even cheap canned beer, whatever mood suits you.

I had high hopes for Ona after seeing an Esquire review listing it as one of the best cocktail bars in America. We went there early on a Friday night when it was almost empty. Even so the bartender didn't seem particularly interested in talking to us. Too cool for school. The cocktails were OK - good but not amazing. However, what spoiled it for us was the misogynistic music playing loudly, surprising in a town full of BLM signs and rainbow crosswalks. Definitely not cool.

First time visit. Out of way, and fun vibe in Lexington. Bartender was masterful and informative. Bourbon drinks of course were excellent. I unknowingly dropped a $20 on the floor when paying and bartender found us at Dudley's! what a guy!

A unique location for Lexington. It feels like a bar in Chicago or New York. Great place to go with friends or a date.

Arguably the best craft cocktail bar I've been to in Lexington. Great atmosphere and the bartenders rock!

This place was super chill, the bartender made us really delicious drinks and he was really nice. The atmosphere is cool but not stuffy.

Great place to grab a drink after work with a relaxing atmosphere. The Friday special, Dark and Stormy, is a must try.

9.8/10 - I deeply miss the days when I lived in the same city as Ona. My friends and I would go on any night of the week, but our favorite was on Friday nights when they had the drink special, Dark and Stormy...couldn't beat it. It's mid century modern vibe was too good to not just sit back and admire at times.

Fresh mint and Lillet Blanc available for cocktails. Not to be found in the average bar. Highly recommended.

The refined elegance of a beefy Côtes du Rhône artfully meshed with the nonchalance of a loose Pinot noir. The idea of brass, leather, musk and the tropicalia record that you found in your uncle's basement pervade the senses during your (hopefully) extended stay. It's easy to get lost in the Bacchanalian labyrinth of iniquity (not complaining); do not fret though, you will be back. Take a trip through space and time all while forgetting that either exists. However, take heed: they do not cater to the incompetent. Also, literally every time I go there the same two guys are singing Que Sera in perfect harmony. C'est la vie!

Ok love love love this bar. So laid back. Love the mid century modern lay out. They have drink specials every night. This has become our new go to place.

I don't understand the "dive bar" moniker. The decor is fabulous. The vibe is upscale cool, and the cocktails are very tasty and priced reasonably. Plus the service was very friendly and welcoming. This bar is very much up my alley and I'm a fan.

Awesome spot. Great contribution to the bar scene in Lex- cool ambiance + good drinks + reasonable prices. Forms a great triumvirate with Green Lantern and Best Friend Bar. Love the on the rocks glasses.

I'm a little confused as to why this is listed as a dive, and that the reviews refer to it as a dive...Ona is a cool, sexy little cocktail bar with the comfiest seating and a cool vibe. Far from my definition of a dive bar. The Urban Cowboy is a must have bourbon cocktail.

Great cocktails at a very reasonable price. My personal favorite is forever the Boat Drink, a pink frozen cocktail perfect for warm weather. Drink deals throughout the week, Tuesday's wine bottles are 1/2 off! Very chill and cool environment, part fancy part laid-back. My favorite bar in Lexington since it opened & still remains my fav!

Came here on a Sunday night, and I noticed how chill and unique the atmosphere inside the bar was. From the lighting to the seating, it was all very cozy and relaxed. My drinks were superb, and it was a great place to just unwind, have a drink, and talk with friends. I recommend this place to others all the time.

I went here for the first time tonight and enjoyed the drink specials and atmosphere of the bar. However when I ordered a vodka soda, which is a usual order for me, I got a drink with an interesting flavor, not what I was expecting or a taste I liked (basically dirty dishwater) but let's be honest I was going to drink it anyway. I was expressing my dislike of the taste to my friend when a woman came up to me and told me that they did something with the lime that gave it that flavor. I said okay, but I ordered a vodka soda not a vodka soda lime so the lime flavor was unnecessary. This person then went behind the bar. I honestly did not care about the drink and was planning to continue enjoying my time at the bar when the attached note was "anonymously" thrown at our table, telling us the "proper" way to order a drink. The note obviously came from the person who heard me and commented on my complaints about the drink and who clearly worked at the bar or at the very least has an in at the bar. I had been excited to continue visiting this bar but receiving this note definitely changed my opinion.

Worst drink ever. I ordered the Americano. It did not have a description so I didn't actually expect a coffee drink. This drink tasted like bitter dog biscuits. I think it had more to do with the bartender than the location but still that's a 1 Star in my opinion since I like enjoying my $8 drink.

attention to detail and refined environment make this place. the atmosphere offers an opportunity to dress your best or be comfortable in a t-shirt. the drinks are on point. the phrases "craft cocktail", "business casual", and the classic "upscale" are all pleasantly dismissed in lieu of actually being able to enjoy the company of one's friends. this is rare and has not been realized in the recent development frenzy downtown. While Middle Fork still towers above all regarding excellence in food and drink, they also close at 10. Ona is the first real competition to that goliath, and even without serving food, should always be considered before, after, or- dare i say it- instead of dinner.