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.“

“Great old school jazz venue!“

“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!“

“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.“

“One time I had a little too much fun here. Bartender politely cut me off and gave me coffee for free. He also made sure I had a ride home. I’ve only been here a few times but every time ive been the atmosphere was very lax and entertaining. If I were to start drinking again… I would be here every night. Amazing service!“

“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!“

“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.“

“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“

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

“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!“

“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.“

“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!!!“

“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.“

“Overall our experience here was fantastic. Our server was excellent (I wish I could remember her name but I'm terrible with names), most of the food was incredible and the ambiance was so lovely. For appetizers we did the focaccia and tomato bread, bruschetta, arancini, and ricotta spread - these were all amazing. We also did a Caesar salad and it was the best I've ever had. It had house made dressing with a hint of lemon, so refreshing and delicious. Our mains were good, but they were not outstanding or incredible. The lasagna rotolo was soft and the sauce was flavorful, however the dish was not very filling as it did not have much meat. If you order this know that it doesn't come prepared as a traditional lasagna, in my opinion Valentina's lasagna is far superior to this dish and we would not order it again. The bolognese was very meat filled however it was very salty which I dislike, not a bad dish but not my preference. We also tried a special dish of the night which was a truffle pasta with mushrooms and it came with a hefty price tag but was delectable and worth it in our opinion. This was our favorite main dish. We ordered dessert to go and Nutella gelato to eat in the restaurant. The gelato was the worse I've ever tasted, it was gritty and had an almond flavor as opposed to hazelnut. We could not eat it and the server removed it from our bill. The tiramisu was great as was the panna cotta. I also tried an amaretto sour with house made sour mix, this drink was delicious and definitely an elevated version of this cocktail. The wait staff was so quick to refill our water, remove dirty dishes and bring out our next dishes. Again, overall our experience here was fantastic but I would try different main dishes next time or stick to appetizers and drinks!“

“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!“

“The sweet potato crockpot.“

“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“

“From the time we walked in to when we walked out, it was an excellent first experience! Our server Aubrey was friendly and knowledgeable, providing great recommendations based on a few questions she asked to learn about our preferences. I had a filet and lobster tail - exquisite! My mom had the veal - delicious! The drinks from bar were unmatched. I'm already planning my next trip. Thank you!“

“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 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.“

“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“

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

“Wonderful experience and great atmosphere“

“It's been a while since we've been to The Rossi and we are so glad we dined there yesterday. First, they have one heck of a Happy Hour both for their food and beverage offerings were fantastic, I mean how often do you see French 75s and Palomas on a Happy Hour menu. Second, their staff, front of the house, bartenders and servers all have the impeccable timing as far as knowing when to check-in which made the whole experience relaxing & leaving us truly happy! Finally, the restaurant itself has character in a good way... the rays of sunlight dancing thru the windows and the sparkle off of the lighting fixtures leaves patrons with the impression the owners of this bar care about the ambience! We'll be back for sure!“

“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!“

“Took my mother there for her birthday last Saturday evening and I just love the service and the food. Our server was outstanding and was very attentive to our needs. He was very knowledgeable about the menu as well and was able to recommend good options for us to choose from. My mother was quite late to the restaurant, but he always assured me that it was no rush and had a great attitude. They even let us stay a bit past the 10pm closing time without rushing us out the door.

I had been here once before, and the food was consistently delicious both times I went. The fresh-baked focaccia is a must-try for all newcomers, and the broccolini we tried was also spectacular. The pasta was delicious (I ordered the pumpkin filled bowties) but I found the portions a little lacking (in contrast to the sausage ragu I ordered in my previous visit which was heaping). Do note that depending on the pasta dish, you will get either a hefty portion or a very small portion so make sure to ask the server for details before ordering.

The cocktails are interesting and quite nice as well, so this is a great spot to get some drinks and a light appetizer to kickstart a night on the town.

My only gripe with that night I had was that I had mentioned multiple times (In the reservation) and to the server that this was a birthday celebration. The server noted that they would bring out a little dessert for us, but it never came (though this was probably in part due to my mother being quite late and perhaps maybe the server had forgotten, we are all human after all)

Regarding the atmosphere: Some other reviewers have mentioned a clash in the dark-lit room and the clothes of the staff, and I can see those as legitimate critiques. The dining room isn't really that spacious and the design on the walls is very minimalist. The menus and the servers' aprons match (flowers) which was very cute, but there are little rips and scuffs on the pillars near the back of the dining room which kind of seems a bit unprofessional. Overall, a great experience and phenomenal food, would certainly come back for a quick bite or for a more formal occasion without thinking twice.“

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

“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!“

“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 !!“

“It’s the best cocktail bar in Grandview“

“Beer and games you cant go wrong!!!“

“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!“

“The food is great! Micheal was fantastic. Add all those ridiculous service charges in to the price of the food. We tip the waiter, so you can either hide the fees or eat it. We enjoyed the brunch, it was a lovely experience. Just hide the extra fees!“