Columbus cocktail bars often hide on Mondays, leaving you stranded with mediocre pours. But the city’s finest mixologists don’t all take the night off—some of the most inventive bars actually welcome you when the weekend crowd has vanished. Skip the grocery store run and discover where the real magic happens after dark.
Soul at the Joseph
$ | (614) 227-0100 | WEBSITE
Set in a welcoming space that feels like it was designed for Columbus’s best date nights, Soul at the Joseph occupies that sweet spot between casual drinks and elevated cocktail culture. Get there on a Thursday so you can catch the live music while sipping a Blood Moon Rising. Eventually the promise of their Mezcal Old Fashioned—or the convenience of nearby street parking—will keep you coming back.
The Eagle Short North
$$ | (614) 745-3397 | WEBSITE
On almost any night of the week, The Eagle Short North is one of the liveliest restaurants in town. The dining room is boisterous, the service is friendly, and the fried chicken is phenomenal. Their delicious Southern dishes, like the signature fried chicken and beloved macaroni and cheese, are best when shared among a small group eager to tackle as much of the menu as possible.
The Rossi Kitchen & Bar
$$ | (614) 525-0624 | WEBSITE
During our last trip to The Rossi Kitchen & Bar, we found ourselves surrounded by groups celebrating birthdays and a few tables of friends catching up over happy hour drinks. The Columbus spot isn’t as formal as that might suggest, however. Some menu items can be on the pricier side, but nothing will leave you feeling shortchanged. The highlights are the rich short rib ragu and perfectly cooked chicken parmesan.
Rossi is a comfortably sized venue, and getting a table is rarely a hassle, positioning it as a reliable pick for a satisfying meal that doesn’t require planning weeks in advance.
Degrees Restaurant at Columbus State Community College
$ | (614) 287-5578 | WEBSITE
If you want a last-minute reservation at Degrees, Monday is the day to try your luck. Ideally, though, you’ll want to plan ahead to get a table during prime time. Not a lot of Columbus restaurants still book out weeks in advance after years in operation, but this educational dining institution has shown no signs of slowing down since it first opened in a hidden away spot on Cleveland Avenue in Mitchell Hall.
Paulie Gee’s Short North
$$ | (614) 808-0112 | WEBSITE
Paulie Gee’s Short North comes from the same folks behind the original Brooklyn location, where scoring a weekend table can be a challenge. This Short North spot, just a few blocks from the action, trades its sister restaurant’s urban grit for warm Edison bulbs, exposed brick walls, and cozy neighborhood charm. The menu skews Neapolitan, but square pizzas are the centerpiece.
They share the stage with the crispy Cacio e Pepe square pizza, delightful salads, vegan ricotta creations, and dough pillows that practically melt in your mouth. It’s a solid option for casual dates, happy hour deals like $20 square pizzas, and other laid-back gatherings.
Comune
$$ | (614) 947-1012 | WEBSITE
Columbus doesn’t have a lot of places with refined vegetarian fine dining, but we do have Comune. It’s a little bit industrial modern, a little bit unpretentious charm, and every bit a place where you come to celebrate special occasions in exchange for a bill you’ll try to avoid thinking about until the next day. It’s a classy restaurant where creative vegan dishes occupy half of the tables, next to seasonal sharing plates, beautifully presented desserts, and a welcoming staff.
Dueling Axes – New Albany | Axe Throwing Bar
$$ | (614) 221-1600 | WEBSITE
Dueling Axes is from the same crew that brought us other unique entertainment spots around Columbus, and it feels like the perfect blend of bar and activity venue—basically, a social hub with axe-throwing thrills. Both of the other places have great drinks too, but neither of them has a space where you can hurl axes while sipping cocktails.
You’ll find friendly staff like Kierstyn and Shanda guiding you through the throws right next to bartenders like D and Josh mixing up excellent drinks like the peach mint mule, with games like cornhole-style scoring adding to the fun.
Renie’s Lounge
$ | (614) 431-0148 | WEBSITE
Renie’s Lounge is good for Sunday Fundays, friend hangouts, game-watching sessions, or whatever other reason calls for a chill night out. This welcoming bar’s drink specials get rotated at a steady pace. From week to week, game to game, the deals are always shifting, either because of the season, the bartenders’ creativity, or how the crowd’s feeling. It’s the kind of place you return to again and again—their lemon pepper dry rub wings never get old.
The Avenue Steak Tavern
$$$ | (614) 485-9447 | WEBSITE
Dark wood paneling and soft leather booths set the scene at The Avenue Steak Tavern, and there’s a cozy fireplace that adds warmth to the upscale yet relaxed atmosphere. This is a classic American steakhouse with a menu centered on perfectly cooked cuts and expertly crafted cocktails. Start with the filet and an espresso martini, then save room for dessert to make your special occasion truly memorable.
Rooh
$$$ | (614) 972-8678 | WEBSITE
Many of Columbus’s best Indian spots treat Sunday as their sabbath, but not the ones at Rooh. Our favorite modern Indian restaurant in town rests on Mondays instead, and dining here on a Sunday means avoiding the bustling weekend crowds. This is not a casual meal, but the downtown spot has a cool, elegant feel that some of its more traditional Indian counterparts don’t.
As for the food, the Avocado & Green Chickpea Bhel shares a playing field with the Beef Short Rib Koftas and the most tender short ribs you’ve ever had.
Law Bird
$$ | (614) 636-1053 | WEBSITE
Law Bird stands out like a vibrant cocktail oasis in a neighborhood full of late-night spots, because that’s exactly what it is. It’s breezy and creative, and a night here feels like you’re in the background of a stylish Tokyo pop-up. Japanese-inspired cocktails take center stage, but it’s the seasonal bar food—hotdog sliders, spam sliders, Scandinavian small plates—that are worth Ubering across town for, even when all you want to do is binge your favorite show.
The friendly servers guide you through the inventive drink menu with engaging explanations, and though service can slow during peak hours, the consistently excellent cocktails and amazing vibe make every visit feel new and exciting—from cherry blossom themes to Galactic Disco pop-ups, each drink is a little work of art.
Echo Spirits Distilling Co. & The Bar at Echo Spirits
$$ | (614) 725-1955 | WEBSITE
When we’re in Grandview and craving a serious cocktail, we head to Echo Spirits. It’s from the same team behind the distillery operation, and much like their spirits, the drinks here are some of Columbus’s best. Of course, this isn’t just a cocktail bar. There’s a full experience of excellent offerings as well, many of which are made with premium ingredients like their own distilled spirits and house-made syrups.
You probably won’t have a hard time finding a seat, but Echo Spirits does offer cocktail classes with Derek.