Columbus Dining Guide Feed

Happy Hour: Brazenhead Irish Pub

By John Ross — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 23:39:46 GMT

Opened in 1198, The Brazen Head stands as the oldest pub in Dublin, Ireland. It was a favorite haunt of James Joyce and remains the granddaddy bar in a town that loves some liquor.

Bar: The Pub Polaris

By John Ross — Wed, 05 May 2010 20:42:24 GMT

A stately black front trimmed with iron railings and gold lettering greets patrons of The Pub, which sticks out from the open-air Polaris Lifestyle Center in a most peculiar way.

Bar profile: Bier Stube North

By John Ross — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 14:34:38 GMT

Thirty years ago, Doug Millsap opened a small South Campus tavern in a gravel parking lot. It's since become a legend - a place celebrating the camaraderie of the pitcher, a last vestige of the neighborhood's gritty, carefree past.

Bar profile: Black Horse Bar & Grill

By John Ross — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:49:59 GMT

About five years ago, my buddy rented a flat in Grandview. Before we'd go out and sometimes when we'd come home, he and I would notice a bar very near his Heritage Apartments place.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Mama's Pasta & Brew

G.A. Benton — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 22:51:18 GMT

In my college days, now more years ago than I like to admit, I would leave the High Street hustle, retreat exhaustedly to a small alley just south of E. 15th Avenue and plop into a well-worn booth at one of the smallest, least visible bars in the city.

Lunch review: Ringside Cafe

Shelley Mann — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:26:08 GMT

The basement at Ringside, aka the Rathskeller, has a fascinating history. During Prohibition, back when the teensy Downtown watering hole was more of a speakeasy, the "candle-lit cellar became a Bohemian den for college undergrads and other members of the flapper generation," according to Dispatch archives. Fun!

5 O'Clock Somewhere: The Shrunken Head

John Ross — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 21:51:15 GMT

For years, Victorian's Midnight Cafe was a trusted neighborhood joint - the kind of comfy place where you could grab a few beers, support a buddy during his open-mic debut or enjoy a healthful bite before hitting the town.

Menu: Old Mohawk

G.A. Benton — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 23:06:18 GMT

The extraneous "e" used to spell "Olde Mohawk" on that restaurant's awning is honestly earned (even if it's phased out inside). Open since the 1930s, this perennial German Village favorite is rich in history and a veritable local treasure.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Caddyshack Pub

John Ross — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:36:16 GMT

Caddyshack opened in October. But the Powell pub cemented its cred as a go-to local haunt on Tuesday night, when a good crowd happily found its way inside amid what seemed like a permanent snow emergency.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: The Jury Room

John Ross — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 23:43:17 GMT

Located in the shadow of the courthouses at the south end of Downtown, The Jury Room Pub and Whiskey Bar sees plenty of lawyers, clerks and judges sauntering in after trial. But you don't need to pass the bar to belly-up to this one.

Burger kings: O'Reilly's

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:31:02 GMT

O'Reilly's is a gloriously unshowy neighborhoody haunt, only it's in Clintonville, meaning salt-of-the-city, shot-and-beer types rub bending elbows with scruffy artsy kids and OSU affiliates. Its appeals include possibly the friendliest bartenders in town and pleasure-center-reaching pub grub that O'Reilly's ever-growing stream of eager eaters tells me is no longer the area's best-kept secret.

Menu: Rule 3

G.A. Benton — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:17:16 GMT

A huge windowless box sitting off by itself, Rule 3 looks like a cinema megaplex from the road. Inside this strenuously thought-through, Pickerington-located mall of entertainment, it's another story.

Lunch Money: Bodega

Shelley Mann — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 03:07:03 GMT

Have you ever eaten at Bodega? For a long time, I hadn't, even though I've always heard good things about their food (their $1 grilled cheese Mondays, in particular, I've been meaning to try for some time now).

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Porter's Pub

John Ross — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 23:50:18 GMT

An appetizer of mini tacos and a faintly Spanish-style portico are the only relics from Azteca's, the Mexican restaurant that once occupied the small building at 5225 N. High St.

Mixologist: CJ Ward of U.A. Pub

Jesse Tigges — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 22:27:17 GMT

"Life is too short to be serious all the time. If you come in here and you're not smiling, I'm not serving you."

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Cavan Irish Pub

John Ross — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 22:38:16 GMT

Four flags hang above the entrance to Cavan Irish Pub, the South Side's newest nightlife spot. There are ones for the United States, the Buckeye State and the Emerald Isle.

Menu: The year in dining

G.A. Benton — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:22:19 GMT

As 2009 prepares to hang the "closed" sign on its 365-day notched door and 2010 gets ready to open up shop, I thought it was an appropriate time to take a mini-inventory of some of last year's more prominent restaurant openings and closings. What follows is not an exhaustive list, but it did make me feel exhausted just looking over all the terrific new food I tried and all the old friends I'll surely miss.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Claddagh Irish Pub

John Ross — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:16:18 GMT

Cruel, howling winds are just around the corner. The sleet's there, too, waiting like an assassin. In a month, even walking around will become a chore.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Jack's Corner Pub

John Ross — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:44:18 GMT

Welcome to the friendly, no-frills world of Jack's Corner Pub. It's the last of the Summit Street neighborhood's old-guard watering holes, and it's survived to welcome in a new batch of small businesses.

No-beef burgers: Barley's Ale House No. 1

G.A. Benton — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:28:17 GMT

Barley's Ale House No. 1 is a comfy, brewpubby, beer-hall-like spot positioned right in the crosshairs of the Short North, Downtown and the Arena District.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: The Social

John Ross — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 23:28:17 GMT

Nestled between the frenzied energy of Park Street Patio and the chic electricity of Sugar Bar is a small, inviting club. It's lit dimly and quieter than those around it. In an effort to escape the masses, you decide to check it out. Be prepared for a catch: The district's newest addition is a members-only club.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Bogey Inn

John Ross — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 22:59:16 GMT

During the past several months, it was hard to tell whether the Bogey Inn was open, as the sign outside saying so could rarely be trusted. A call this week to the Dublin standby finally set things straight:

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Rule 3

John Ross — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:04:15 GMT

In the writing world, the rule of three dictates that things in trios are inherently more hilarious, clever or satisfying. This is why we have the Three Stooges, Three Musketeers and Three Little Pigs.

Mixologist: Kristina Plant of O'Manny's Pub

Jesse Tigges — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:03:17 GMT

"Mango vodka is my big thing right now. I like Strongbow a lot. That's about all I ever drink."

5 O'Clock Somewhere: T.T. Murph's

John Ross — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:32:19 GMT

A few weeks back, during our annual Coldest Beer in Columbus competition, staff members started raving about a tiny Irish pub located on the fringes of Bexley.

Coldest Beer: The Pub in Gahanna

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:54:19 GMT

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Wendell's Pub

John Ross — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:45:17 GMT

Westerville once was home to the Anti-Saloon League - enemy No. 1 of fun until 1933.

Mixologist: Chad Daffin of Kickstand Pub

Jesse Tigges — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:44:15 GMT

"The stripper pole here provides numerous stories. We have a "no-guy policy" on the pole, and this bigger gentleman got up there and started taking off his clothes ..."

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Red Brick Inn

John Ross — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 21:19:17 GMT

For a long time, the building that houses the Red Brick Inn was a hardware store on one side, a confectionery on the other. It was a Piggly Wiggly grocery store after that, with a giant advertisement, long sandblasted away, covering the brick wall facing Gates Street.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Flannagan's Dublin

John Ross — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 22:39:15 GMT

Plenty of bars in town offer a place to kick up your feet and relax, but don't expect to get too lazy at Flannagan's Dublin.

First Bite: Dirty Frank's

G.A. Benton — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:24:18 GMT

Ironic T-shirts and tattoos are not required at Dirty Frank's, but they are welcome. Open barely a week, local business whiz Liz Lessner's new hot dog emporium has the built-in cachet of instant hipster hangout.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Roadhouse 66 Bar & Grille

John Ross — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:22:17 GMT

Once running from Chicago to Los Angeles, straight through the American heartland, Route 66 was the highway that best symbolized our desire to head West, explore the unknown and drive around a lot.

5 O'Clock Somewhere: Betty's Bar

John Ross — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:49:16 GMT

The Arena District's transformation into the pro sports capital of Columbus has revitalized the surrounding neighborhood, leading to chic condo projects, new businesses and the city's hottest nightlife district.

Sandwich Guide: The Piasan

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:13:16 GMT

Like most winners on this list, it starts with bread you want to keep biting into. For the Piasan, it's the buttery crunch of a properly made (i.e. smashed, toasted) panini sandwich.

Sandwich Guide: Mother Mohawk

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 22:12:15 GMT

I bow down before the fearless innovator (or wasted, spit-faced chowhound) who, in 1985, decided to combine grilled roast beef and Swiss cheese with the Mohawk's superlative chicken salad.

Bar profile: Jimmy V's Grill & Pub

John Ross — Wed, 13 May 2009 22:47:16 GMT

The southernmost branch of the local Jimmy V's franchise just shouldn't work: an Albanian family serving Greek food in German Village.

Mixologist: Genevieve Anderson of Average Joe's Pub and Grill

Jesse Tigges — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 22:58:34 GMT

"I love getting to meet people from all different walks of life. The idea of happy hour is so American, and everybody participates in it."

Bar profile: R Bar

Bryan Bullock — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 22:41:28 GMT

A quick flick of a wrist and the crowd inside Nationwide Arena was on their feet. Antoine Vermette's overtime goal against Chicago sent Blue Jackets fans into a tizzy, and the buzz carried hordes of them outside, down the brick street and into R Bar.

Mixologist: The Pub Polaris

Brittany Kress — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:01:16 GMT

Samantha Johnson Miller, bartender at The Pub Polaris: "This is really what I want to do with my life - learning how things are made, how to pair liquor, and doing bourbon and Scotch tastings. I'm learning so much about Scotch it's ridiculous, and I love it."

Bar profile: Kickstand Pub

Bryan Bullock — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:18 GMT

You can tell a lot about a bar by its jukebox. Perusing Kickstand Pub's electronic juke A-to-Z reveals some strange bedfellows - The Eagles next to Evanescence, Interpol beside Alan Jackson and Kid Rock nestled by MGMT - but like a good buffet, there's something for everyone.

Nightly Special: Gallo's Tap Room

G.A. Benton — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:31:15 GMT

The basketball Buckeyes play lots of games on Tuesday nights and loyal fan that I am, I feel compelled to watch them all. What's more, I know that on those nights I'm definitely going to have a good time even if Diebler's threes aren't falling, our zone D won't hold water, and our whole team is repeatedly getting beaten to the boards. Why? Well because if it's Tuesday night, I must be in Gallo's Tap Room out on Bethel Road.

Bar profile: The Inn Between

Jesse Tigges — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:28:17 GMT

The Inn Between has the perfect name. It's staked out a nice spot between a charming watering hole and a kitchen filled with home-cooked comfort food - quite a feat for a bar ensconced in the ground floor of a concrete parking garage.

Bar profile: Ringside Cafe

Jesse Tigges — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 23:35:16 GMT

Since taking over ownership of the Ringside Cafe in September, Adrian Rosu has made some changes, but he also made sure to preserve the bar's historic charm. The Pearl Alley staple dates back to 1897 - it was a speakeasy during Prohibition - and today its antique interior still evokes that mystique.

Bar profile: Thirsty Scholar

Bryan Bullock — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:57:16 GMT

When it comes to Campus bars, High Street is a seesaw balanced by glittery Gateway pubs on the south end and charming dives on the north. But wandering just off this wobbly path yields even more discoveries, like the classic, tucked-away hangout Thirsty Scholar.

Bar profile: Panini's Bar & Grill

Bryan Bullock — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 23:07:16 GMT

The crowds regularly huddled beneath Newport Music Hall's luminous marquee make it easy to overlook the seemingly small sandwich shop next door. But those who venture inside Panini's Bar & Grill and scale a few steps will discover a world of skewed proportions: big sandwiches, tall drinks and plentiful gatherings.

Mixologist: Byrne's Pub

Brittany Kress — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:17 GMT

Meet Byrne's Pub mixologist Gary Demshar

Bar profile: Buckeye Bar & Grill

Bryan Bullock — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:39:46 GMT

The cattle-skull sign in front of Buckeye Bar & Grill glows like a giant lampshade in the night air. On any given evening, patrons sport leather boots, oversized belt buckles and even 10-gallon hats. "I think we're the only real country bar in the city," said owner Bryan Balemian.

Cheap Issue: Happier hours

By G.A. Benton — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 23:53:16 GMT

Cheap is good, but free is better. I mention this particularly in light of what's happened to happy hour (and I frequently mention this under the dim lights of a happy hour).

Bar profile: Hampton's on King

By Bryan Bullock — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 23:50:19 GMT

Some people say sequels are never better than the originals. Ted Lawson is not one of them. The co-owner of Hampton's on King, successor of the defunct B. Hampton's Bar and Grill, believes the pub's new location on the edge of Campus is bigger, bolder and more broadly appealing than the original.

Bar profile: Rafter's Bar and Grill

Bryan Bullock — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 01:33:52 GMT

Owner Richard Miller has an intimate knowledge of everything about his small and sleepy Clintonville bar, from the clientele to the nails that built the place. It took them nearly a year, but he and Cynda Search built Rafter's Bar and Grill with their bare hands.

Ultimate Bar Guide: Old Bag of Nails Pub

G.A. Benton — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:24:17 GMT

The locally grown Old Bag of Nails chain began in Olde Worthington, and that original store is still the one I prefer to visit. It's a narrow space seemingly built to accommodate its lengthy pressed-copper bar plus a few tables that are logical extensions of said bar.

Bar profile: Thirsty "I"

Jesse Tigges — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:12:23 GMT

When the owners of Wendell's the Alumni Grill decided to transform their Lane Avenue location, they wanted a new moniker that was steeped in the long tradition of Campus watering holes.

About Town: The Pub in Gahanna

By Jesse Tigges — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:44:27 GMT

The unassuming sign reads merely "The Pub," so it's understandable to think you're visiting a typical sports bar. But the Pub in Gahanna is more than just a traditional place to watch a game and have a beer.

Mixologist: O'Reilly's Pub

Brittany Kress — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:42:30 GMT

The Annmarie Show is on every Thursday at O'Reilly's. The storyline hasn't changed for 16 years, each week chronicling one woman's laughs and relaxation.

Bar profile: Ten Pin Alley & Spike's

Bryan Bullock — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:58:33 GMT

Some pin palaces echo the tired, smoke-stained appearance of bowling's comb-over clientele from yesteryear, but that's not the case at Ten Pin Alley & Spike's.

Mixologist: Brazenhead Irish Pub

Brittany Kress — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 23:09:15 GMT

Some patrons know Brazenhead for their Wednesday hamburger specials. Some know Dustin Chenault for the iPod playlists he puts on there.

Brew pubs: Barley's

G.A. Benton — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 22:21:04 GMT

Before Barley's premiered in 1992, brewpubs were something we could only enjoy in other cities. Well, Barley's is still the benchmark for this burg, and fortunately the intervening years have been quite kind to it.

Brew pubs: B.J.'s

G.A. Benton — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 22:20:32 GMT

Throughout BJ's warehouse-huge three rooms, delicate little chandeliers mingle with disparate elements such as exposed brick walls, a spate of sports-tuned tubes, industrial garage doors, artsy black-and-white photos, a striking backlit bar and even the odd nod to high art from Magritte, Dali and Jasper Johns.

Bar profile: The Garage Bar

Bryan Bullock — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 19:21:15 GMT

Born in the city of rock, The Garage Bar is like that friendly, fist-pumping bad boy you see at every show wearing an AC/DC T-shirt. The Arena District's newest bar, like its original Cleveland location, is fueled by all things rock 'n' roll.

Bar profile: My Bar 161

Bryan Bullock — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:43:26 GMT

My Bar 161 is your bar. You can't have everything your way there - like free drinks or TV remote privileges - but owner Chris Hale earnestly aims to please all types.

Mixologist: Kingy's Pizza Pub

Brittany Kress — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:25:55 GMT

Carrie DeGraff started at Kingy's Pizza Pub more than 13 years ago, a nursing student looking to pay her way through school.

Bar profile: Cushion's Billiards

Bryan Bullock — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:17:52 GMT

Located behind dark windows in the stone, corkboard-like exterior of a Westerville strip center, Cushion's Billiards is unsuspectingly refreshing.

About Town Reynoldsburg: O'Toole's Irish Pub

Jesse Tigges — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:22:47 GMT

Christine Grundey, who owns O'Toole's Irish Pub in Reynoldsburg with her husband Joe, hates to fall into the cliche of comparing her bar to Cheers - a place where everybody knows your name.

Bar profile: Bar 23

Bryan Bullock — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:15:59 GMT

The number 23 stirs various associations - like Jordan in his heyday or Jim Carrey at his lowest - but the Short North's Bar 23 is simply honoring Columbus' backbone, U.S. Rt. 23.