Whether you’re visiting Columbus for the Ohio State Fair, catching a Blue Jackets game, or just soaking in the vibrant arts scene, the city’s bar-restaurant hybrids deserve top billing. From historic German Village taverns pouring local craft brews to sleek cocktail dens serving elevated pub fare, these spots will elevate any night out in the Buckeye State capital.
Fitzwillys Pub
$ | (614) 794-1237 | WEBSITE
Fitzwilly’s Pub is part neighborhood watering hole, part sports bar, part community gathering spot, and the best place to unwind after a long day in Columbus. The drinks are reasonably priced, but with everything from cold brews to specialty cocktails like the ‘liquid Marijuana’, it doesn’t feel trapped in typical pub clichés. After a few rounds, join the regulars catching a game on the screens for a better-than-staying-home evening.
Club 185
$ | (614) 228-3904 | WEBSITE
Find Club 185 by spotting the warm glow spilling from its open storefront in downtown Columbus—no need to hunt for hidden entrances here. Step inside to a bright, airy space with gleaming surfaces and an inviting bar that runs the length of the room, like you’ve walked into a modern tavern that’s polished but still approachable.
The cocktail list here is consistent, anchored by classics like their expertly-crafted espresso martini, which the bartenders, like Terry, can whip up with friendly efficiency while offering great suggestions. It’s also one of the spots Downtown where you can grab a highly-praised smash burger with perfect fries, making it ideal for lunch, dinner, or kicking off a night out.
Rumba Café
$ | (614) 268-1841 | WEBSITE
Visit Rumba Café for one live show and it’ll become your regular haunt. Whether you’re catching a Friday night headliner or a random Tuesday opener, there’s nothing like craft cocktails poured over ice and the electric buzz of a packed crowd to seal the perfect night out. Exposed brick walls and string lights that look like they were strung up for a backyard party only enhance the vibe, and the fantastic sound system means every guitar riff and drum fill hits with crystal clarity.
Arrive early, because everyone is trying to squeeze into Rumba Café, even for a quick pre-show drink at the bustling outdoor patio.
The Thirsty Scholar
$ | (614) 298-9805 | WEBSITE
The Thirsty Scholar serves a classic dive bar experience so authentic that you won’t mind heading near campus in Columbus. By the time you settle onto a worn wooden stool and notice the friendly bartenders working behind the bar, you’ll have already been offered a welcoming smile. The most popular move here is grabbing a cold beer and watching the bartenders cook up food right there in an old-school manner.
But prioritize coming for trivia night, which takes the regular chill vibe and adds in the energy of regulars and large groups having a great time.
Sweeney’s Walnut Street Tavern
$ | (614) 378-1914 | WEBSITE
Sweeney’s Walnut Street Tavern is undeniably popular with Columbus locals—there’s usually a crowd spilling onto the sidewalk on any given evening. A classic example of a neighborhood bar, the focus here is on Sweeney’s signature appeal, the cozy, cramped indoor space. But our choice is the welcoming outdoor seating with added cool drink options to make it a true hangout experience.
You’ll have time to settle into the friendly vibe while waiting for a spot, preferably involving a couple of beers and meeting new people.
Sports & Spirits
$ | (614) 272-9020 | WEBSITE
Well into its third decade, Sports & Spirits functions as the reigning elder Westside bar-restaurant. Sort of like the neighborhood anchor, they opened and Columbus’s reliable comfort food scene found its home. Staff here take orders lightning fast and are somehow both no-nonsense and welcoming. They know every regular by name, as well as the menu’s standout items containing anything from classic wings to late-night breakfast bites.
This place is packed with just about every Westsider that exists: factory workers debating wing sauces, stray nurses comparing shifts, local sports fans cheering games, at least one dude in a Buckeyes jersey, and a handful of people who just look overwhelmed by the worn-but-cozy charm that makes this Mom and pop spot a hidden gem.
Burnzie’s Old Trail
$ | (614) 878-9315 | WEBSITE
After a long day at the convention center, dealing with office politics, or just navigating Columbus’ suburban sprawl, unwind at the welcoming bar Burnzie’s Old Trail. Beyond the surprisingly elevated food and more affordable prices than similar spots, Burnzie’s has genuine neighborhood charm. Partly because, unlike Columbus’ tendency toward sterile new developments, this place feels like it opened in 1978 and never needed to change.
Enjoying a Burnzie burger with fresh-cut fries and wings with Carolina Gold sauce with a local craft beer just tastes better here, especially after battling I-70 traffic.
Pins Mechanical Co
$ | (614) 831-0033 | WEBSITE
No visit to Columbus is complete without stopping at Pins Mechanical Co, a lively entertainment hub in the Brewdog New Albany location. Classics like the all-you-can-eat wings on Wednesdays are excellent, but you’re going to want to focus on the more distinctive offerings like the Cajun fries, refreshing slushies, or cider beer pairings.
The atmosphere is also worth whatever crowd has gathered around the arcade games, with a space featuring a beautiful top-floor patio, a slide from top to bottom, and multiple bars. All of Columbus is represented here, so arrive ready because Pins Mechanical Co almost always fills up.
Level One Bar + Arcade
$ | (614) 681-0518 | WEBSITE
Level One Bar + Arcade is a no-fuss, welcoming spot you instantly feel at home in, like your favorite neighborhood hangout or a friend’s game room. If your plans take you through Columbus, this is a perfect stop for your evening fun. One feature you’ll likely notice right away is the massive, glowing wall of pinball tables, a constantly rotating collection of classics that requires quarters to play.
While it’s entertaining enough to share with friends, you can also tackle a game alone if you need some distraction. You should also try the creative drink menu—a solid selection of cocktails and mocktails for those under 21 or designated drivers.
Eldorado’s Bar Food & Spirits
$ | (614) 785-0030 | WEBSITE
Eldorado’s Bar Food & Spirits is where you go when you’re ready to take down approximately one metric ton of bar food. It’s a Columbus institution, a spot that could only really exist in a neighborhood like this. Everyone is donning OSU gear and comically large smiles like cartoon fans while frantically cheering touchdowns. Mountains of nachos and wings waft up from plates of FABULOUS Italian subs, alongside endless bowls of crispy fries, frosty beers, and batter-crusted onion rings.
Come with a crew of people for your football takedown and tell the tale of your karaoke night to whoever you’re sitting next to on the flight home.
The Spacebar
$ | WEBSITE
Whether you’ve come here for the 80s New Wave night, a beer-fueled evening with friends, or a quick drink at the bar, The Spacebar will deliver with gritty, authentic energy. If there was a Venn diagram of everything you’d want in a dive bar—attentive bartenders, lively atmosphere, great drinks—The Spacebar would be at the center.
The beer selection here is always balanced between classic staples and up-and-coming local brews, and themed nights like the rowdy and raucous Punk Rock Karaoke are worth fighting for a spot in the back room.
Little West Tavern
$$ | (614) 607-6681 | WEBSITE
If you want to experience everything that makes Columbus dining special at one welcoming spot, head to Little West Tavern. Dinner here is all hits and no misses. Small plates, like the notable hummus appetizer, the exceptional scallop ceviche, and wings that are pure perfection, look and taste like cross-sections of the city’s vibrant food scene.
Plus one bite of the exceptional ribeye with Brussels and grits here could turn anyone into a cartoon cat, with only a perfectly cleaned plate as evidence. Make a reservation before any trip to Columbus (at least a week in advance) for a knockout experience at their lively rooftop bar.
Turtle Creek Tavern
$ | (614) 476-8836 | WEBSITE
The wait for a table at Turtle Creek Tavern on a Monday night is practically guaranteed—just know that the karaoke and drinks on the other side are worth it. The wings will be crispy, the pickle fries will be perfectly briny (they’re committed to the crunch), and the pumpkin cider is on tap right next to the beer. Even when it’s buzzing with regulars, Turtle Creek Tavern feels welcoming—it’s the sort of place a friendly trivia night would be held.
The food comes out astonishingly fast, so you’ll spend most of your time diving into a juicy burger and spooning creamy tomato soup while making the occasional stop for a cider refill.
Canabar
$ | (614) 253-7644 | WEBSITE
Canabar is that friend who says ‘let’s just grab a drink’ and ends up being the most perfectly unplanned night of your week. Nothing at this neighborhood spot feels overthought—everything from the Sunday live music to the straightforward cash-only policy will make you feel right at home. The drinks are consistently strong, but make sure the 2for1 special and a round at the pool table land in your evening.
Reservations aren’t needed at Canabar (it’s first-come, first-served), but if you want the full experience, come early to claim a spot near the food truck and split some laughs over a $15 cocktail and the comforting hum of family chatter.
Bernards Tavern
$ | (614) 223-9601 | WEBSITE
Bernard’s Tavern, a downtown Columbus spot that’s been serving drinks and comfort food for years, doesn’t try too hard. Sports memorabilia and neon signs cover the walls, pool tables give the entire place a relaxed vibe and the bartenders work with the easy confidence of people who know their regulars by name. The pasta is so satisfying you could eat it with just a fork and the drinks are best enjoyed with an extra order of bar snacks, so nothing feels missing.
We have no idea how this place isn’t always packed, but that means you can walk right in at any time for a meal and drinks that’ll have you planning your next trip back to Columbus.
Wine on High Bar & Retail
$$ | (614) 294-8466 | WEBSITE
Kind of like craft breweries and college football, Wine on High Bar & Retail is part of what makes Columbus, well, Columbus. There are plenty of wine bars across the city (those pours are both satisfying and habit-forming), but we like the High Street location not only because it’s the original Wine on High, but it also has the most space for private gatherings, in case you arrive with a date night crew or every member of your book club.
Just make sure you order as many glasses of wine, cheese plates, and bowls of that must-try mac and cheese as possible.
Slammers
$ | (614) 221-8880 | WEBSITE
Slammers is a lively spot where you can make your craving for a fun night out a reality by grabbing a slice of that famous pickle pizza straight from the kitchen. The atmosphere is pleasantly energetic, the menu is satisfyingly straightforward, and the staff is warm. Stay long enough and you’ll probably find yourself ordering another round of those amazing pretzel sticks, just to keep the good times rolling a little longer.
Dick’s Den
$ | (614) 268-9573 | WEBSITE
We’d like to officially submit the Tuesday night bluegrass pick at Dick’s Den for the best live music in Columbus. The decor here is simple, save for a few historical touches, but the ambiance isn’t why you’re here. The bluegrass, a neighborhood staple, is authentic and lively, with a heap of talent from local musicians.
It’s like somebody gathered the best pickers in Ohio, and then made a show out of it, with whole tender notes from banjos and fiddles, soulful harmonies, and a melody of sharp rhythms. Grab a reasonably priced drink, settle into the homey darkness, and have your evening transformed.
Good Night John Boy
$$ | (614) 800-5067 | WEBSITE
Columbus is one of the best cities in the Midwest for bar culture, so if you’re looking for a great time with friends, a visit to Good Night John Boy should be on your list. Any place that offers an impressive happy hour on Saturdays from 2 pm to 8 pm knows how to party, making this our current weekend it-spot. They specialize in extensive cocktails—hence the knowledgeable bartenders like Dana and Michael.
The welcoming and lively atmosphere gets loaded up with energy during games and is perfect for socializing with friends over drinks. Note that this place is highly recommended for its exceptional service.
Park Street Tavern
$ | (614) 221-4099 | WEBSITE
Hanging out at Park Street Tavern, a literal dive bar, feels more like stepping into a decades-old jukebox, which is probably why the live music is so incredible. They specialize in jazz jams, but you can catch karaoke, too, if you’re some kind of purist. Dress it up with a local beer, a game of pool, or an entire pinball session if you really want to embrace the Columbus.
Visit Park Street Tavern for a late evening after taking a million selfies at the patio or getting in some private party planning to avoid getting trapped in the weekend crowds. Plus, you’ll have the rest of the night to relax, which will be necessary.