Not Your Average Watering Holes: Check Out the Best Bars in Columbus
When it comes to taking in the sights, Columbus doesn’t disappoint—just check out Ohio Stadium or the Scioto Mile, the city's scenic riverfront park
But there are a few indoor attractions you won’t want to miss either, especially if you’re feeling thirsty. From beer to whiskey to creative cocktails, Columbus bars will give your taste buds a tour of what makes the city’s pub scene so special.
Best Place to Sip a Cocktail: Curio
Head to Curio (495 S. 4th St., Columbus), one of the best bars in downtown Columbus for artisan cocktails. The seasonal menu gives you new concoctions to taste each time you visit. Try Roses & Rye to savor sparkling rose wine shaken with rye whiskey and orange blossom water. Order off the Standards & Classics menu to find hand-crafted takes on your favorites like Moscow Mules, John Collins and Rob Roys.
Best Neighborhood Hangout: The Old Mohawk
The Old Mohawk (819 Mohawk St., Columbus) has been the neighborhood bar since (or possibly even before) Prohibition was repealed in 1933. The long-time following of locals make the Mohawk one of the best bars in Columbus. Belly up to the horseshoe-shaped bar to sip a Nighthawk, a mixture of peppermint schnapps and dark rum. If you're hungry, order a Mother Mohawk sandwich—a rich combo of roast beef and chicken salad with Swiss cheese on marble rye.
Best Place to Party Like a Buckeye: Out-R-Inn
If you’re going to root for Ohio State University's football team, but you don’t have a game ticket, join the party at Out-R-Inn (20 E. Frambes Ave., Columbus). The bar has a frat house feel complete with large-screen TVs, pool tables and dartboards that appeal to students and alums alike. Lose yourself in a sea of scarlet and gray, sip beer, and cheer the team on to victory.
Best Whiskey Bar: Barrel on High
Delve into Barrel on High (1120 N. High St., Columbus) extensive menu of more than 100 whiskeys. Enjoy your selection served up in a craft cocktail or pair it with a beer for a boilermaker. If you’re hungry, sink your teeth into a Dirty Hippie, a flatbread appetizer slathered with roasted garlic spread, and topped with portobello mushrooms, sweet peppers, and basil under a blizzard of Parmesan cheese.
Best Place for Sipping a Brew: The Pint House
Order a draft at the Pint House (780 N. High St., Columbus) and you’ll get more than you bargained for. Choose from more than two dozen beers, lagers, ciders and ale on tap in 21-ounce and 32-ounce sizes. If you prefer your favorite in a bottle or can, chances are good they have it. Beer’s not the only thing on the menu, either. Savor more than a dozen types of wine, craft cocktails and pub grub.
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