You’re walking along the Newport Levee. The river breeze is hitting just right, and suddenly, the smell of smoked brisket and fried pickles hits you like a freight train. That’s Shiners on the Levee. It’s not just another tourist trap near the aquarium. It’s a moonshine bar with a kitchen that actually knows what it’s doing. Honestly, when people look up the shiners on the levee menu, they usually expect standard pub grub. Chicken tenders. Maybe a dry burger. But Shiners does things a little differently by leaning hard into that Appalachian, Nashville-style comfort food vibe.
It’s loud. It’s rustic.
The menu is a literal roadmap of Southern indulgence. We're talking about a place where "light" options are basically non-existent, and that is exactly why people flock there. You aren't going there for a kale salad. You're going for the smokehouse meats and the kind of drinks that come in mason jars.
The Lowdown on the Shiners on the Levee Menu: More Than Just BBQ
Most folks head straight for the "Kitchen" section of the shiners on the levee menu looking for the heavy hitters. The centerpiece of the food program is undoubtedly the smoked meats. They don't just toss some liquid smoke on a piece of pork and call it a day. The brisket is the real deal—rendered fat, decent bark, and enough salt to make you reach for your beer every three minutes.
But here’s what most people get wrong. They think it’s just a BBQ joint. It’s actually more of a "Southern Fusion" spot. Take the BBQ Nachos, for instance. They don't use those waxy, stadium-style chips. They use thick-cut kettle chips or high-quality torts topped with a massive pile of pulled pork, jalapenos, and a drizzle of their signature white BBQ sauce. That white sauce is a game changer. It’s tangy, creamy, and cuts through the richness of the pork in a way that regular molasses-based sauces just can't.
Appetizers That Could Be Meals
If you’re just stopping in for a quick drink, the "Sharables" are where you’ll spend most of your time. The Fried Pickles are a fan favorite, mostly because they use a cornmeal-heavy batter that stays crunchy even after they cool down. Nobody likes a soggy pickle.
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- Loaded Fries: These are topped with pulled pork or brisket.
- Wings: Smoked first, then fried. This is the only way wings should be made, period.
- Pretzels: Massive, served with beer cheese that actually tastes like beer, not just orange goo.
The wings are a standout because of the texture. Because they’re smoked before they hit the oil, the meat stays tender while the skin gets that glass-like shatter. If you see "Smoked Wings" on any menu, you order them. That's just a rule of life.
The Main Event: Sandwiches and Platters
When you move into the heart of the shiners on the levee menu, you’re looking at the sandwiches. The "Shiner Burger" is a beast. It’s usually topped with something ridiculous like an onion ring or a scoop of pulled pork. It’s the kind of meal that requires about six napkins and a nap afterward.
Then there’s the Nashville Hot Chicken. Now, look, everyone is doing Nashville Hot these days. It’s become a bit of a cliché. But Shiners manages to keep the heat respectable without making it a "dare" to eat. It has that distinctive cayenne-forward oil base that stains your fingers red. It’s served on white bread, as tradition dictates, to soak up all that spicy grease.
The Meat Platters
For the purists, the platters are the way to go. You pick your meat—brisket, pulled pork, or smoked turkey—and pair it with sides like mac and cheese or coleslaw.
The mac and cheese is interesting. It’s not that baked, crumbly stuff. It’s creamy, gooey, and usually has a bit of a kick to it. It acts as a perfect sidekick to the brisket. Speaking of brisket, it’s often served in thick slices rather than chopped. This is a bold move because if the brisket is tough, everyone knows immediately. Thankfully, at Shiners, it usually holds up its end of the bargain.
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Let’s Talk About the Shine
You can't talk about the shiners on the levee menu without diving into the beverage side of things. This is a moonshine bar, after all. Their cocktail list is built around high-proof spirits that are surprisingly smooth.
They do these "Shine Flights" where you can try different flavors like blackberry, peach, or apple pie. If you're skeptical about moonshine—maybe you had a bad experience with some homemade stuff in a basement once—this is the place to give it a second chance. They mix these spirits into "Moonshine Mules" or "Front Porch Lemonades." The lemonade is dangerous. It tastes like something your grandma would make, right up until the point you try to stand up from your barstool.
Signature Cocktails to Look Out For
- The Moonshine Mule: A Southern twist on the Moscow Mule using white whiskey.
- Apple Pie Moonshine: Tastes exactly like dessert, but hits like a truck.
- Seasonal Sips: They often rotate flavors based on what’s fresh, so the menu you see in July might be totally different by October.
The bar staff knows their stuff. If you aren't sure which moonshine to start with, just ask for a recommendation based on what you usually drink. If you like bourbon, they’ll point you toward the aged shines. If you’re a vodka drinker, they’ll put you on the clear, fruit-infused stuff.
The Atmosphere and Why It Works
Newport on the Levee has gone through a lot of changes lately. It’s becoming more modern, more "upscale." Shiners feels like a rebellion against that. It’s got wood everywhere. It’s got live music—usually country or rock—that gets the whole place vibrating.
It’s the kind of spot where you can show up in a t-shirt and jeans and feel perfectly at home. The shiners on the levee menu reflects this lack of pretension. There are no foam garnishes. No tiny portions. Everything is designed to be hearty and satisfying.
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It’s also a great spot for groups. Because so much of the menu is built for sharing, it’s easy to grab a few platters of nachos and wings, a couple of moonshine flights, and just hang out for a few hours. The service is generally fast, though it can get a bit chaotic on Friday and Saturday nights when the band is playing and the crowd is thick.
What Most People Miss
One thing that often gets overlooked on the shiners on the levee menu is the smoked turkey. Everyone goes for the brisket or the pork, but the turkey is surprisingly juicy. They smoke it long enough to get that woody flavor into the meat without drying it out. If you’re trying to be slightly healthier—and I use that term very loosely—the turkey sandwich is a solid play.
Also, don't sleep on the desserts if they have the banana pudding on the menu. It’s the classic Southern style with Nilla wafers. It’s simple, nostalgic, and exactly what you need to coat your stomach after a flight of moonshine.
Practical Insights for Your Visit
If you're planning to head down there, keep a few things in mind. First, the weekends are packed. If you hate crowds, try a Tuesday or Wednesday evening. You’ll actually be able to hear yourself think.
Second, check their social media or website for live music schedules. The vibe changes completely when there’s a band on stage. It turns from a restaurant into a full-blown party.
Third, take advantage of the outdoor seating if the weather is nice. You get a great view of the Cincinnati skyline and the river, which makes the moonshine go down even smoother.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Daily Specials: Shiners often runs specials that aren't on the main printed shiners on the levee menu. Ask your server what the "Pitmaster Special" is for the day.
- Go for the Flight First: If you’re new to moonshine, don't commit to a full cocktail. Get a flight of four different flavors to find what you actually like.
- Park Smart: Use the Levee parking garage, but remember to get your ticket validated if you're doing other things at the Levee.
- Plan for a Walk: After eating a Shiner Burger and drinking a mason jar of lemonade, you’re going to need a stroll across the Purple People Bridge to digest.
Shiners on the Levee isn't trying to win a Michelin star. It’s trying to give you a good time, a full stomach, and maybe a slight buzz. By focusing on the smoked meats and the moonshine-heavy drink list, they’ve carved out a specific niche in Newport that’s hard to beat. Whether you're a local or just passing through, it's worth a stop just to see how well moonshine and BBQ actually play together.