50 Best Bars in Columbus

“Dueling Axes made for an awesome double date night! It was our first time throwing axes and knives but John gave us a great intro and coached us girls through it! He was hilarious and so approachable, willing to give more tips when I was struggling miserably LOL. We loved the variety of games, including a cornhole-style scoring game (1st to 21 or 51). The bar is very nice, and they serve an excellent peach mint mule- great work, Dan. We will definitely be going back!“

“Fantastic new spot in Short North. Exceptional staff, great food and great vibes for dancing all night!“

“We are from Kentucky and were in Columbus for a concert. I’ve always wanted to try a place that has been featured on Triple D, and this was the best decision ever! High Bank exceeded all expectations! We left with a full belly and A bottle of whiskey to remember them by. Food was incredible. Service was incredible. From now on, every trip to Columbus will include a stop at High Bank Distillery!“

“Awesome atmosphere! Service at the patio bar was exceptional. comfortable, friendly and just an all around great time.“

“pros and cons. CONS.. If you were to base your visit on first checking out the cleanliness of the bathrooms before you eat, you'd turn around and leave. The men's room in the basement needs so much work and the multiple colonies of gnats was like visiting the basement of college kids from a party and cans and spilled beer have never been cleaned up. Horrible condition. The ladies refused to even look at theirs. Booths are small and tight. Definitely an old building, but it's kind of cool with its history. PROS... Those were some really really good burgers. Wife got the Ali and I got the Old School. Burgers are huge and easily splitable. We tried this after friends suggested the burgers and we were not disappointed. Onion rings were too greasy for us, but the fries and homemade chips were great. Alll and all, it's definitely an option to eat again when in town.“

“Amazing food and desserts!“

“Stopped in for a quick bite, before a show at the Shottenstein Center. Was drawn to a wide tap selection, menu, and good reviews. Overall great experience. Ordered at the bar and food was brought to our patio table. Potato wedges were probably the best I’ve had. Would recommend to anyone, and stop in again.“

“Me and my friends experience was so nice in here! Such friendly vibes and great customer service! The bartender was so nice and explained so much to us and had such a great attitude! Such a vibe! 🫶🏻 The drink was amazing but this place should be called Full Baked because after a drink and a half I was gone. 😜 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️“

“Enjoyed the “Daily Double” - two cheeseburgers and fries. Delish!“

“Went to the Blu Note for the first time for my birthday in August. One of the waitresses was being trained by another waitress so we had two waitresses waiting on us (: and they did a great job!!! The live music was lively and the food was excellent , lamb chops were off the chain and the chicken wings were seasoned just right! They gave me complimentary New York Style Cheese Cake for my birthday as well ! In my Arnold Schwarzenegger impression “I’ll be back”.“

“Wine on High was the perfect spot for our company ladies night. Leading up to the event, Tina made the process seamless & easy. Her communication was great. The evening of our event, Eric took the best care of us. We did a wine tasting before dinner & he was so knowledgeable about the wines he was serving us. Dinner & drinks were loved by all. They even personalized the menus with our company logo which I thought was a sweet touch.“

“They don't sell food so I didn't rate them on that. This is an excellent, dark, small, sticky, homey, old, jazz club dive bar. Great music, lots of local history, cheep beer. Would recommend, but only if you are polite and like music.“

“The people here are truly the kindest. It’s a quick walk from my place. Their food is good. It’s never too long of a wait to get a beer even when it’s busy. Never seen a person here without a smile on their face. We’re lucky to have it here in Columbus.“

“One of the greatest storytellers in Columbus runs this spot. Frequented by kind people with weird hobbies. Bring a friend or make one.“

“We love this place! But didn't check my order before we left tonight and it was wrong. Bad me. Didn't get the sub I ordered and all was cold. Just check your order before you leave.“

“very elegant, stunning views, reasonable prices for the luxury you get“

“Fun eats and drinks with board games and music! Geek out and roll a d6!“

“This place is a great small bar, live entertainment,owner and daughter are top notch! There is something going on all the times. It is safe, no need for fights,family oriented when the beautiful women with black hair,nicely dressed and has a heart of gold sits near the bar had a wonderful life as a little girl her stories are amazing! Please keep this place in business.“

“Wonderful experience and great atmosphere“

“Great place to spend time with friends. Friendly staff and creative drinks!“

“the blonde bartender Kat will nickle and dime you $1.10 for a tomato on a sandwich. She's padding her register with your money while she's sneaking shots. Sad was a great place to go“

“Bodega is one of those places that knows exactly what it is and leans into it. A low-key, no-frills neighborhood dive with just enough charm to make you want to hang out longer than you planned.

The funnel cake fries are the real surprise hit. Crispy, fluffy, perfectly dusted with sugar and dangerously easy to keep eating. I honestly came in for a drink and left thinking about those fries.

Huge shoutout to Salim behind the bar. Super friendly, attentive, and bringing just the right mix of smooth and playful energy that makes you feel welcome the moment you sit down. He made the whole experience better.

Bodega may not be trying to be fancy, and that’s part of its appeal. It’s a relaxed, easygoing spot with good vibes, great service, and snacks that punch way above their weight.

Would come back, especially for those funnel cake fries and Salim’s hospitality.“

“Buy a drink and play for free! Great place for Gen X to bring their kids & grandkids“

“Great place for drinks and dogs!“

“This establishment is family owned, with live music on the weekend, great happy hour along with very nice service. I have been a customer of the Canabar for a very long time, definitely would recommend meeting your friends there!!!“

“The outdoor bier garten also offers a wide variety of live music weekly spring thru fall…“

“its a smallish dark divine dive bars! just how I like it! bands are right there...BAM! in ur face. awesome back patio with tables and lots of room for a conga line, if you so wish! I ❤️ Rumba🤘🌟🌙 ~Juba Moon“

“Great music and service. Eric poured some great drinks.“

“Went to Columbus, Ohio with my friend and we play duckpin bowling. It was so much fun. We enjoyed it.“

“This is such a hidden gem“

“Great band, beautiful spot. Great drink prices. It just takes to long to get a drink, no waitresses bar service only.“

“Absolutely love this place. The service is awesome. The owners are some of the nicest people ever. This bar has themed nights like bingo and trivia and karoke. The prized for bingo and trivia are soooooo worth it and amazing. My favorite bartender is Chloe! So ask for her when you visit!!! Go to fives !!!!!!“

“A really cute spot we just stumbled up a few months ago and just recently went back. They make some really awesome cocktails and have pretty much all the classics you would expect along with a solid selection of beer. Honestly its just a hella cute bar, nice little patio with a fire pit and really awesome inside with exposed bricks and a lot of plants and retro decor everywhere. Wish I found this spot sooner!“

“Bob’s was my Cheers when I lived in Columbus. Super chill, bartenders are all cool af with magnificent vibes. 100% will always stop in when I’m in town.“

“Nicole, Jonah and Matt are my absolute favorites!!! amazing vibes, great service!! the best dive bar in the brewery district 🙌🏽!! Kitchen open till 1am always a plus 🤌🏽 and if you can catch Tommy he's best gem of the whole place ❤️“

“I've been going there for years love this spot, Friendly atmosphere“

“I decided I was going to do a night out in this area of short North one night randomly and I heard good things about this place so I was hungry and I decided I’d stop by and get some Pizza and a good ol draft to wash it down . My Bartender was Junior and he was very accommodating and helpful with the menu as well and suggested some really good choice items!! They gave great service, great people, great atmosphere!!! All around A + experience I’d recommend to everyone!“

“Food is from the pizza place next door and is OK, but subs were tiny and expensive. Go to India Oak for great subs and get double meat, take half home. The Oak has good bands every weekend night. Bands outside at Gabby's and in August, Iron Cross is having a 40th reunion gig on Gabby's patio. THE BROTHERS GRIMM will open and graying Northland High School alums will ROCK! I can't find the date on the Iron Cross website! Stupid hippies. And Gabby's website doesnt list entertainment or dates? Come on people! Get it together!? The characters who are regulars ARE entertaining though! Watch your car and park by the patio entrance...... cars have been stolen in front of Gabby's and the old Northland hood is sketchy!“

“This bar epitomizes the home town old school vibe(this bar has been in business since the 1930's)! Punky and Aggie behind the bar are pure awesomeness! I am from Cleveland and always look for old school bars when I travel. This bar is one of the best I ever stopped into. Aggie today (has been here 13+ years) had homemade deviled eggs and pickled eggs with beets. Amazing! Literally one of the best bars I have ever been into during the day! Holler!!!“

“We came in from Cleveland, looking for a more "local" stop for a few drinks before the night started. Bartenders were super friendly and attentive, even the customers made the place very welcoming!“

“awesome place. owner friendly and welcoming. he supports veterans!“

“Great atmosphere and service bartenders are great. I had them mix me up something cute. I don’t remember what it was but it was good. Whatever makes drink it was it cost me $14 and then Tito‘s and something my friends drink so like quickly $24 and two drinks which I guess it’s fine. You know we went to go listen to the reggae with Pete Funkso good times.“

“Walking around the convention center area on a Wednesday 9:30pm (no NHL game night) and, while a couple of places already had chairs piled up on tables, the Char Bar bar area was packed and high energy. I had in mind the place caught up on fire, thus the name, but it actually had a drunk driver just crashing into the bar and damaging everything. Now became a story to tell (nobody hurt) and a picturesque place in town.“

“We celebrate a friends birthday here. It was great, good drinks, staff is friendly and fun environment.“

“If you want a place where you and your friends can go out, have reasonably priced drinks, be in a lively environment with some characters, and actually hear each other speak without massive TVs plastered on every wall, this is your spot. Some friends and I were in town for a Blue Jackets game a few weeks back, and we found ourselves coming back here each night we were there. Good times.“

“Our first time there was great and we will be back! One of our favorites for sure!“

“Great owner great food great place“

“found a rare bottle 👍 ✅ 😁“

“I would like to see the bartenders to be able to control or at least have some type of control over patrons that come in they’re arguing and making threats to the person they’re arguing with. Last night there was two people in there and they were in the middle isles when you come closer to the front door. One of the two people that were arguing was making threats to the other person, saying that he will kill him. He will shoot him. The bartender does nothing at all nothing. The bartender called out the wrong person loudly thought that called the police. Police came in and everybody got quiet. Safety should be number one at all times if somebody’s gonna argue, making threats and threatens to shoot the person that they are arguing with in the bar be put out and or the police called . The bartender has a responsibility to the bar and protect the patrons. This did not happen, there should be some type of protocol in place that all the bartenders need to adhere to when something of this nature happens. There was also two killings last year at two close bars we don’t need to have it at The Rock!!!!“