The Best Bars for Foodies in Columbus

by The OpenTable Team

Updated February 26, 2020

From the student population of Ohio State University to thirsty tourists, Columbus has no shortage of people looking for a great place to drink. Thankfully, Columbus also has no shortage of amazing bars, from live music joints to chilled-out lounges. But where are the best bars in Columbus? Welcome to our Tastemaker List bar edition. Our expert team have tried and tested the top drinking spots in the city and whittled them down to a list of “must-try” venues. From High Street Honey to Ernest Hemingway’s favorite, Death in the Afternoon, cocktails are a must in Columbus. It comes as no surprise that in such a foodie city, plenty of these concoctions come alongside small plates worthy of big restaurants. Enjoy olives in Italian Village, sweet stuff in Short North or burgers washed down with craft beer down High Street. Book now and reserve a comfy seat at one of the best bars in Columbus tonight.

Fireproof Restaurant

4.6

4.6 (1531)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Short North - Arena District

About the restaurant

Fireproof’s owners designed it to be a one-stop destination where guests can enjoy a great meal, then finish off their night working through the cocktail menu at the bar. The food focuses on tapas separated out into snacks, soups and salad, meat, seafood and veggies. Customers come back time and again for treats like the octopus in orangecello vinaigrette, and the Hamachi tacos. Enjoy the chic surroundings whilst finishing off with a prickly pear margarita; plenty of new flavors to experience at Fireproof.

Top review

Zacharyvip

Dined 1 day ago

The updated menu items and cocktails are great! Energetic and attentive staff! The chorizo mussels and flaming cheese are amazing!

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Popular dish

Bananas Foster French Toast

Popular dish

Wagyu Dumplings

Bristol Republic

4.5

4.5 (576)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Columbus

About the restaurant

An after-work favorite, Bristol Republic is a Nashville-inspired bar with an eye-watering range of whiskey and bourbon. Sundays are for BBQ buffet, and with the Nashville theme going strong, expect competition level ribs, wings and pulled pork. Drinks wise, for those not tempted by the hundred or more whiskeys, there are plenty of signature cocktails plus draft beer and cider. Join them at the weekends for Live Music Brunch, an event not found anywhere else.

Top review

Locals

Dined on Jun 30, 2024

Enjoyed our brunch. Food was excellent. Service was excellent. Would highly recommend.

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Experience

All You Can Eat BBQ

Experience

Bourbon, Beer and Cocktails

1808 American Bistro

4.7

4.7 (1968)

$30 and under

American

Delaware

About the restaurant

Head out to Delaware for the day and book a table at 1808, a bright and warm restaurant redolent in wood and bare brick. There's a huge beer selection, complemented by unusual additions like mead, plus a three-category whiskey menu. Food here is all about combining the classics with local, seasonal ingredients. Enjoy melt-in-the-mouth beef carpaccio followed by wild-caught shrimp and grits, then finish off with a unique Boozy Popsicle. A huge hit in the Delaware dining scene.

Top review

Chuck

Dined 5 days ago

Pork chop was amazing - super juicy and the accompanying sauce complemented the dish well. Wife got the walleye - sauce was perfect and the fish was cooked to perfection. We always love the atmosphere here - it’s the right vibe and energy to enjoy an elevated date night, but it’s not over the top, fussy, or pretentious. The staff and waiters are always attentive and very down to earth - they’re not crazy fancy, but yet they’re certainly professionals in their craft, have good timing, and understand how to make your meal and experience enjoyable in the setting.

Service Bar

4.6

4.6 (637)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Short North - Arena District

About the restaurant

Middle West Spirits Distillery has its own on-site showcase for its spirits, in the shape of Service Bar. Service Bar is as much as top restaurant as a favorite drinking spot, regularly appearing at the top of “best of” lists. A bustling and vibrant atmosphere is the backdrop for some astonishingly good looking dishes. Cheese & Poof is their take on pork rinds, under a tower of puffed pork skin. "Rachel" is their unique twist on Pastrami on Rye, with a touch of Kimchi. The restaurant's website encourages diners to follow Service Bar on Instagram to discover what the chef’s specials are- thoroughly embracing the digital generation. Booking recommended.

Top review

mike

Dined 7 days ago

Exceptional, ambience, service and food — thank you!

SoCal Kitchen + Bar

4.7

4.7 (2229)

$31 to $50

Californian

Columbus

About the restaurant

California comes to Columbus in the shape of the Del Mar SoCal Kitchen. SoCal stands for Southern California, which is the inspiration for the menu here. Diners can watch as their food comes together in the open kitchen, or sit and enjoy premium cocktails at the bar. Happy hour includes plenty of drinks offers, plus a huge selection of dishes including octopus, shrimp ceviche, and tuna poke. Good vibes, served daily.

Top review

Heathervip

Dined 5 days ago

Thank you for making our Birthday celebration special!! We had a great time!

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Forno Kitchen and Bar

4.8

4.8 (2806)

$30 and under

American

Short North - Arena District

About the restaurant

Forno is a Short North hot spot for pizza, drinks, and weekend brunch. Sit at the long, marble bar and indulge in local craft beer, a superb wine or one of their handcrafted cocktails. Dinner is all about contemporary cuisine finished to perfection in a stone-fired oven. As well as the signature pizzas, dishes include baked lobster rotini, salmon with red pepper coulis, and eggplant parmesan. Soak up last night’s alcohol with a hearty brunch of biscuits and gravy or the breakfast BLT. Elegant décor with a fun menu makes this one of the best bars in Columbus.

Top review

Ciann

Dined 3 days ago

I had the best time at Forno! Our waitress was Eden and she was awesome!! Our food and drinks came so fast and it was all delicious. They have the best happy hour in Short North for sure!

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Popular dish

Hawaiian

Popular dish

Nutella Stuffed French Toast

The Avenue - Dublin

4.7

4.7 (3646)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Dublin

About the restaurant

Low lit and intimate, the restaurant has a cool 1920s vibe which is only accentuated by the red leather booths. Right on the fast-developing Grandview Avenue, this Steak Tavern is fast becoming the place to be. Valet parking is available at certain times, and the service is excellent. Enjoy a classic shrimp cocktail, followed by a hot chicken biscuit, or an 8oz top sirloin. Then relax at the bar and discover pre-prohibition cocktail recipes, reconstructed as faithfully as possible. A classy yet relaxed night out.

Top review

Amy

Dined 3 days ago

The Avenue is one of my favorites! A must try for locals or out of towners. Food and service is always awesome.

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The Pearl - Short North

4.8

4.8 (5826)

$31 to $50

Gastro Pub

Short North - Arena District

About the restaurant

Short North is home to many great eating and drinking spots. Not too many of them, however, claim to be a restaurant, tavern and oyster room all at the same time. The Pearl has an extensive drinks list including ales, lagers, stouts, wines, and unique cocktails. They focus on food for people who love to eat, from people who love to cook. Brunch is a laid back yet flavorful affair, with two types of Bloody Mary, rollmops, bacon-wrapped dates, oysters in the shell and, of course, amazing Eggs Benedict.

Top review

Deannavip

Dined 1 day ago

Another great experience! Dinner or brunch, The Pearl is always fantastic!

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