50 Best Cocktail Bars in Columbus

“Food is good, though it is the only place I know where you have to sit at a high top or a bar stool to get discounts on appetizes during happy hour. Not everyone can sit on a high seat.“

“I had an awesome time coming to Alibi, the bartenders are very nice and want to explain drinks and the menu to you, I got to talk with the owner and he is such a good person who truly cares about his employees and his business. Can’t wait to go again!“

“Great old school jazz venue!“

“A group of friends and I had an amazing time at Denmark's Cocktail 101 class! Garry made the craft of cocktail-making fun and approachable, and had great recommendations and tips and tricks -- even for those in the group who like to think of themselves as cocktail aficionados!

Denmark is one of the best cocktail bars in Columbus, and experiencing a class here is a memorable experience! Highly recommend booking a class.“

“I ordered a gift card as a birthday present and there was a mix up (my end) in which they went over and above to correct for me. We don't live in Columbus but I can certainly see why my kids LOVE LawBird and their staff. We'll certainly make it a point to stop in on our next visit down.“

“Oh how could I NOT recommend?! From creative, always changing cocktails and mocktails, I can choose to drink or stay sober EASILY. There are SO MANY fun events here. From painting, poetry, music, karaoke, trivia, ect. It is a bar that can be completely family friendly if you have children. It's like walking into a magical place where you are immediately accepted and loved.“

“Had a great evening. Fabulous food and service. Will be back soon.“

“Okay, so last semester I was going to Columbus State and I discovered this neatly kept, hidden away gem of excellence. I tried the fish tacos. Unfortunately this semester they did not have them on the menu. (I know! Womp, womp, womp!!!) But I found something else that'll take your appreciation for your taste buds to the next level!!! So I chose the Blackened Salmon Club. My oh my, was it delicious!!! I also had the french fries (delicious), the asparagus (fresh), and the house salad. All blew my expectations away. I love the way this restaurant sits on Cleveland avenue in Mitchell Hall very unexpected. Also the natural lighting just sets a unique ambience for not only dinner dates business means branches and lunches but also just a great stop in to get a drink. Extremely pleasant and helpful and informative staff wonderful smiles who do not hesitate to provide very hospitable accommodations. A must visit.“

“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.“

“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!“

“"Be Nice To Each Other" -Sheila Ann SteuberHometown atmosphere with down to earth people. Relaxing and entertaining, known to many as the local Cheers! Everyone knows your name and are happy to see you! My mother loved this place and its owner until the day she died. May the wind always be at your back, may the sun always shine down upon your face, and may the wings of destiny carry you off to see the stars.“

“Love this place. What a hidden gem. Tracked in down on a recommendation from a friend, and glad I did. Bohemian with a hip, homey vibe. If I lived in Columbus, this would be my hangout.“

“A great place to watch a game! The beer was cold, plenty of TVs and I enjoyed the crowd! We had the wings and they were delicious! The service was fast and efficient. The staff seemed super happy and it showed! We also found Renie’s to be very clean! This will be my new hangout for Sunday football! A hidden gem!“

“Such an interesting concept and even more thoughtfully executed. It really is a unique little bar that is built around a fun atmosphere for guests. The staff is also extremely nice and knowledgeable. I got an alcoholic slushies and got to sit next to a porthole I'm not sure many people get to say that's something they've experienced in their life so on experience alone 5/5 and once you add in that the drink I had was also immaculate I wish I could rate them higher ☺️“

“The ambiance of the pub is nice; things are kept clean and pleasant and the lighting is good. However, based on the name you may be under the impression that there is a DnD theme or a English / Irish / Scots influence. There is none. Rather, it's the most upscale you can get a hole in the wall bar to be before you'd end up scaring off the real down and out alcoholics and instead servicing yuppies who know to stop before a third shot. It's the nicest it can get before it transitions from dive to faux-dive.“

“This is a really nice place. We enjoy that it is attached to Donatos pizza, so it smells heavenly in here. Nice drink selection. Clean restrooms. They also have a really nice patio out front. They lady working the night of October 17th 2025, was really sweet & kind. I forgot to get her name.“

“We always try to make it fit the holiday pop-up at Citizens Trust. Drinks are fun and very festive, decorations are glittery and gleaming! Always a fun time with friends!“

“My go-to for decompressing after a hard day at work, they have a wide variety of both alcoholic and nonalcoholic cocktails that tadre great and all the staff are very tolerant and understanding of all walks of life, making it a very inclusive space to be in“

“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!“

“Fantastic dishes. The quesadilla starter is phenomenal. The wild boar sloppy Joe and the octopus are really well prepared as well. Cannot go wrong!“

“simply the best plant based restaurant in the country and probably the world. This is the spot my wife and I go for all of our special occasions even though we live in Indianapolis.“

“Not sure how this doesn't have five stars across the board. We drove from almost ten hours away and after scouring places to eat we decided to stop here. The crust is crisp, not soggy or tough with good flavor and thickness. You can't go wrong with fresh ingredients like the mozzarella and mushrooms (fresh not canned, wowee!) either. We also tried Gina's Gem and between the beautiful focaccia and the dip being creamy while also sweet with a small back burn to it, you really can't go wrong. The bar is a great place to sit, no spoilers, but the walls and shelves are filled with awesome and hilarious things that make good conversation. It's a shame this wonderful place is so far from home but we're hoping to make it a yearly tradition. Thanks for the great food, staff, and atmosphere!“

“Took my brother to the bottling / tasting event last weekend and we had a great time. The two guides were awesome, the bourbon was great, and we learned a lot! 10/10 recommend for a special event or just a fun night out!

Apologies again to the one guide for commenting on his red laser eyes. 😂
All jokes! Good times!“

“I am visiting from Boston and just happen to spontaneously tour the Ohio Statehouse. Here, I lunched at HouseTaco which locates inside the Statehouse itself. The food is quick and fresh. Chef Zach prepared the tacos on-site with passion. They were delicious! What a hidden gem!!!“

“We went for Valentine’s Day and it was very nice! Definitely perfect for a special occasion. We got the bread, king crab pasta, and lasagna rotolo. We finished with the tiramisu. Everything was great and service was exceptional. They also gave us some chocolates for Valentine’s Day. I thought they could’ve had more options as far as cocktails but actually super enjoyed the margarita. We had a great time!“

“Upper class Indian restaurant with classic dishes as well as interesting creations. You can tell that whoever is in charge is passionate about what they do.

There are so many things here that I would like to try, especially their desserts.

My server Chloe B was helpful and quite knowledgeable about the menu.“

“I’ve never had a bad time at Eight and Sand. The food is beyond impressive and it is reasonably priced. You will not catch me missing the $1 wings every Tuesday and the veggie wrap is incredible. Don’t sleep on the weekly food specials they are always a tasty little surprise! Friendly outgoing staff all around, an awesome patio, and a chill vibe inside. It’s my very favorite bar, there isn’t another like it!“

“We love coming here! They have great food, great margaritas, and the staff is wonderful. The service is very quick, but doesn't sacrifice quality meals. Great place for a family dinner or happy hour with friends. They brough back the margarita flight so you don't have to choose just one flavor to try!“

“Great food and karaoke Saturdays are so fun!! You have to have a Mezcal shot at casa mezcal lol!!“

“Garret was great! Recommend a Gran Classico and I loved it!“

“Best sours i have ever had“

“We had the most amazing meal, service, and the attention to detail was phenomenal. We felt the love on our anniversary. Thank you ❤️“

“Best slice of pizza I’ve had in years, maybe ever. The staff were all super friendly and had great energy. Served my slice up fast and was a chill place to eat. I’m glad I stopped in and will for sure be grabbing another slice while I’m in town.“

“Yusuf did an amazing job providing excellent service! He was attentive and our experience was outstanding! My son got the braised short ribs and I ordered the salmon and neither meal disappointed. I would highly recommend! Thank you, Yusuf!“

“Great food , great service clean fun . Hard send“

“Always a lovely experience. This place provides a place for the community to gather and share their love of a variety of music. I usually go to their monthly hosting of the Central Ohio Hot Jazz Society's jam session where SwingColumbus teaches a dance lesson at the beginning and then the floor is open for dancing. It has been a staple for jazz lovers and certainly for our dance scene. We're hoping the next owners do the business justice. Maybe they can fix up the floor so it can be an even better dance space.“

“There was amazing service, it was fast and the waiter was amazing. They were pretty busy when we got here but got seated right away as well as our food was fast and tasted amazing. Definitely a favorite and will come agin“

“There is a lot of average Indian food out there but Rooh is on another level. It is one that we have only experience at restaurants like Deshoom in London. The hostess was so wonderful her personality is the best way to walk into a restaurant. The wait staff was perfection and unlike so many restaurants nowadays the pacing of the 3 course meal for restaurant week was perfection. Each course more tasty and beautifully prepared than the next. We don’t come to Columbus often but I would consider coming back just to eat here, and we will for sure be back next time we are in town. I just wish we would have Indian food this good anywhere near where we live. This place is a gem.“

“The sweet potato crockpot.“

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

“Wonderful experience and great atmosphere“

“We had a delightful Christmas Eve dinner with appetizers and three different entrees. The gnocchi was absolutely delicious and our favorite! The sauce was wonderful!“

“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.“

“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!“

“Went to Speck on a whim tonight after hearing only good things and I wasn't disappointed. The moment I walked in, the atmosphere was upbeat with a good din of conversation, but not overwhelming. I was seated at the Chef's Counter which gave an excellent view of the open kitchen. I started with the focaccia which is served with a delicious herb oil. The bread was super soft and pleasantly salty. For my main I got the Funghi pasta with occhi, white wine & crema, and fresh herbs as well as the Scallops served with a spicy yam risotto. The scallops were well cooked and the risotto was not-too-spicy and the pancetta gave it an addictive saltiness. However, the pasta was absolutely delicious and my top-pick. It was earthy, creamy, and the mushrooms gave it a great texture. The herbs also gave it a vibrant green (which, obviously means the pasta was healthy, right?). As I packed up, I ordered the Lemon Cookies to-go and was surprised with a delectable pair of mini cannoli with chocolate and raspberries as a gift from the kitchen. My waiter, Ethan, was attentive and friendly and gave some great recommendations. The next time I have someone I'd like to impress, I'm definitely keeping Speck high on the list. Can't wait to go back.“

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

“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.“

“Coffee is top notch! Drinks including turtleneck/gold chain and espresso martini equally as great! A new fav spot for my husband and I to chill.“

“I bought 5 kg of tortillas for an event last Sunday and everyone love them !!
the best tortillas we ever had!! the texture was perfect
recommended 100%!! we will definitely buy from there from now on! and the location is so easy to find ! GOOD LUCK TORTILLAS LA REYNA !!“

“Brian catered my daughter’s bridal shower and he was outstanding to work with!! We had a last minute venue change and he stepped up to help even more. He responded quickly to messages and delivered exactly what we were hoping for. He arrived on time for the shower and had everything ready. He is know for his bread and his rolls and cinnamon rolls were incredible and I don’t know what he did to create an egg casserole for our brunch but it was the talk of the day!!! I recommend Brian’s catering for every event!! He went above and beyond to help me and all of the food was top notch!“