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The Best Bars for Foodies in Columbus

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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 (1589)
$30 and under
Tapas / Small Plates
Short North - Arena District
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
Eddie
Dined on Apr 19, 2025
Tapas experience was fantastic and ample. Dan was a first class server who held our hand through the entire menu and didn’t lead us astray!
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
Eddie
Dined on Apr 19, 2025
Tapas experience was fantastic and ample. Dan was a first class server who held our hand through the entire menu and didn’t lead us astray!
Bristol Republic
4.8 (600)
$30 and under
Barbecue
Columbus
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
Jimmie
Dined 4 days ago
This Place is Absolutely Phenomenal, service was great. The Waffles and Chicken were presented nice the waffles crisp but soft. The Brisket is great and it was a hair salty today but didn’t take away from the overall taste. Can’t wait to return.
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
Jimmie
Dined 4 days ago
This Place is Absolutely Phenomenal, service was great. The Waffles and Chicken were presented nice the waffles crisp but soft. The Brisket is great and it was a hair salty today but didn’t take away from the overall taste. Can’t wait to return.
1808 American Bistro
4.5 (2059)
$30 and under
American
Delaware
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
Jim
Dined 5 days ago
Everything was amazing the food and the people but the best part was our server Tony this guy was a dedicated server he knew his food and was super pleasent and we enjoyed everything can’t wait to go back again it was our 45 th wedding anniversary
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
Jim
Dined 5 days ago
Everything was amazing the food and the people but the best part was our server Tony this guy was a dedicated server he knew his food and was super pleasent and we enjoyed everything can’t wait to go back again it was our 45 th wedding anniversary
Service Bar
4.6 (669)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Short North - Arena District
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
Bryan
Dined 5 days ago
After a great tour of the distillery, we dined at the Service Bar (which is an impressive space highlighted by a turn of the century bar). Abby, our server, was delightful and guided us through the menu. We began with a smoked trout small plate - simply outstanding. As entrees, my wife had beef neck ragout which she described as very tender with flavorful vegetables. My spring pea gnudi was exceptional, with very fresh peas and delectable gnudi. Our son had the calabrian honey chicken, which he described as flavorful with a balance of savory and sweet spicy. The drinks, as one would expect, were superb as well. The old fashioned and Ireland's call worth the trip in themselves. The Middle West Service Bar, and the distillery tour, are hidden gems.
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
Bryan
Dined 5 days ago
After a great tour of the distillery, we dined at the Service Bar (which is an impressive space highlighted by a turn of the century bar). Abby, our server, was delightful and guided us through the menu. We began with a smoked trout small plate - simply outstanding. As entrees, my wife had beef neck ragout which she described as very tender with flavorful vegetables. My spring pea gnudi was exceptional, with very fresh peas and delectable gnudi. Our son had the calabrian honey chicken, which he described as flavorful with a balance of savory and sweet spicy. The drinks, as one would expect, were superb as well. The old fashioned and Ireland's call worth the trip in themselves. The Middle West Service Bar, and the distillery tour, are hidden gems.
SoCal Kitchen + Bar
4.6 (2330)
$31 to $50
Californian
Columbus
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
Jennifer
Dined 2 days ago
Great atmosphere, great food and great service! Highly recommend.
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
Jennifer
Dined 2 days ago
Great atmosphere, great food and great service! Highly recommend.
Forno Kitchen and Bar
4.8 (2963)
$30 and under
American
Short North - Arena District
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
Danielle
Dined on Apr 22, 2025
Best happy hour around! Half off pizzas apps and sharables.
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
Danielle
Dined on Apr 22, 2025
Best happy hour around! Half off pizzas apps and sharables.
The Avenue - Dublin
4.8 (3891)
$31 to $50
Steakhouse
Dublin
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
Dina
Dined on Apr 21, 2025
Our meal out on the patio tonight was amazing! Everything cooked to perfection and awesome service. Highly recommend!
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
Dina
Dined on Apr 21, 2025
Our meal out on the patio tonight was amazing! Everything cooked to perfection and awesome service. Highly recommend!
The Pearl - Short North
4.7 (5960)
$31 to $50
Gastro Pub
Short North - Arena District
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
OpenTable Diner
Dined on Apr 21, 2025
Great environment and nice vibe. Great service!!!! Food was good.
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
OpenTable Diner
Dined on Apr 21, 2025
Great environment and nice vibe. Great service!!!! Food was good.

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