The Hottest Spots for Your Night Out in Columbus
Buttoned down and business-like by day, Columbus, Ohio is a whirlwind of energy and entertainment by night—if you know where to look for it
From dinner and drinks to dancing and gaming, Columbus nightlife is abuzz in downtown hot spots and clubs. Whether you go fancy or casual, you're sure to find a place to let your hair down.
Party on the Street
You won't need to worry about navigation when you head to the Park Street District for an evening's fun. The thoroughfare is lined with dozens of restaurants, bars and clubs. Head to the Park Street Complex and slip into the Social Room, a suave lounge with private booths and a big dance floor. In the summer, Park Street Patio hosts outdoor parties at the complex with live music, grilled food and dancing into the wee hours. If you love a great DJ, head to Park Street Cantina to check out the whiskey bar—it has the largest selection in the state.
Stop at Short North
Discover the artsy, eclectic side of Columbus in the Short North neighborhood nestled between downtown and the Ohio State University campus. Stop at Brothers Drake Meadery for smooth, honey-based wine and even smoother music. Then kick it up a whole lot of notches at Axis for the full clubbing experience, complete with a cabaret-style male revue, drag queens and vibrant dance music. At Skully's Music-Diner, the DJs tend more toward rock, and you can get a nostalgic diner-style meal and drinks to fuel your next round on the dance floor.
Get Your Game On
There's no need to dance when you've got a room full of old-fashioned arcade games and a bar with 40 craft beers on tap at Barley's Brewcadia. Or find your happy space at 16-Bit Bar and Arcade, where cocktails share the drink menu with craft drafts and specialty beers, and you can play 90s-era video games for free. Perhaps you have a different type of gaming in mind—poker, blackjack, roulette and slots are hot all night and day at Hollywood Casino.
Out with a Bang
Make your night out big, bold and filled with bit of buckaroo two-stepping at Tequila Cowboy Bar & Grill. Get your country western fix with line dancing, take a ride on the mechanical bull and partake in some good Southern cooking with your drinks. At Big Bang Dueling Pianos, expect a show with plenty of music and a touch of comedy, and don't be surprised if you find yourself singing and dancing along with the tunes.
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