Pulse
Best of Columbus: Nightlife
BEST PLACE TO ROCK 'N' ROLL
Little Brother's
1100 N. High St., Short North
614-421-2025
Web: littlebrothers.com
Little Brother's is something akin to music venue utopia: Cheap beer, a setting small enough to be intimate, yet big enough to draw an eclectic group of artists (and fans) inside its delightfully dive-y walls. Thankfully, there's no VIP bull here—everything's general admission. Local artists and musical legends pass through in equal measure, with frequently memorable results.
Runners-up: Skully's Music Diner, Carabar
BEST PLACE FOR LIVE JAZZ
Dick's Den
2417 N. High St., Campus
614-268-9573
How about a wild jazz scene where actual jazz ax-men love hanging out on weekends and belting out the smokin' jams? There's a place like that just north of Campus. It's called Dick's Den, and it's a classic divey bar that seems transplanted from the Frisco beat scene. But Dick's also has super-cheap drinks, a low-dough cover charge, a vintage jukebox and something called a "spider"—order a drink that finishes off a booze bottle and it's free (plus a topper-offer). You might ask why. As any jazzhead enamored of Dick's downbeat mood will tell you... Why not?
Runners-up: Park Street Tavern, Brownstone on Main
BEST PLACE FOR HIP-HOP (Tie)
Bernie's Distillery
1896 N. High St., Campus
614-291-4127
Web: cringe.com/bs
High Five Bar & Grill
1227 N. High St., Short North
614-421-2998
Web: highfivebar.com
Readers, you couldn't decide. You love that the Sunday night hip-hop tradition at Bernie's has been carried on, but you also get down with Urban Fridays at High Five. Luckily, you can get to both events on a weekly basis, experiencing a broad range of this city's vibrant hip-hop happenings.
Runners-up: Cove Lounge, Skye Bar
BEST DANCE CLUB
Skully's Music Diner
1151 N. High St., Short North
614-291-8856
Web: skullys.org
As far as nightclub schematics go, the layout of this Short North watering hole is nearly perfect for footloose fanatics looking to dance the night away. Two full bars allow easy access to booze. A front space with ample seating provides a place to cool down. And the large dance floor in the back has enough room for energetic crowds to jive to techno, '80s hits, punk rock and other sounds booming above. Soul Glo Sundays, Mixtape Mondays and Ladies Eighties every Thursday all attract hip crowds looking to groove first and ask questions later.
Runners-up: Bar of Modern Art, Outland
BEST JUKEBOX
St. James Tavern
1057 N. Fourth St., Italian Village
614-294-0064
Web: stjamestavern.com
The St. James Tavern has a great selection of bottled imports plus all-day $3.50 pints of high-quality stuff. That takes care of your tongue. To amuse your ears, the St. James has a jukebox holding some local color (Jenny Mae, Moviola), lots of ballsy '90s faves (Pavement, Sonic Youth, P.J. Harvey) but also a tendency to go dark (Leonard Cohen, American Music Club, plenty of Nick Cave, Tom Waits and Nick Drake). If this sounds like moodiness can prevail, fear not, because as soon as the tunes drift that way it seems somebody will play "Groove Is in the Heart" by DeeLite and all will be bright again in the eclectic St. Jamesian world.
Runners-up: Surly Girl Saloon, Carabar
BEST KARAOKE
High Five Bar & Grill
1227 N. High St., Short North
614-421-2998
Web: highfivebar.com
Most karaoke playlists include only the sappiest love songs and the cheesiest oldies for people to imitate during a guilty night out. Not so with "Punk Rock Karaoke," the Monday night entertainment of choice at this Short North rock bar. Patrons forgo the Dan Fogelberg and Chicago for the Clash, Ramones, the Sex Pistols and other underground favorites. Expect all the standard kitschy fun and can-do spirit with a unique edge that might make even Johnny Rotten proud.
Runners-up: Red Rock Pub, Mickey's Old Timers
BEST OPEN MIC NIGHT
Thirsty Ear Tavern
1200 W. Third Ave., Grandview
614-299-4987
Web: www.thethirstyear.com
For the past nine years, music fans have looked to this Grandview standby for an eclectic mix of tunes from the up-and-coming performers who populate the acoustic open stage every Wednesday. Sign-up starts at 7:30 p.m. and soon after names are drawn from a hat, the bar is awash with blues, bluegrass, beat poetry, rock and other genres. The great sound system (complete with in-house engineers) and knowledgeable host (local bluesman Billy Zenn) have helped many artists get their start and inspire impromptu visits from established players like Willie Pooch and Colin John.
Runners-up: Writers Block, Black Pearl Poetry
BEST BEER SELECTION
Surly Girl Saloon
1126 N. High St., Short North
614-294-4900
Web: surlygirlsaloon.com
The riotous Surly Girl Saloon wears its blue sense of humor on a fringey strand of its second-hand bustier. And on its MySpace page too, where, as "Fist City" by Loretta Lynn plays, the all-female-owned Short North place brashly claims to put the "ho" in "Sho No." But the Girl is deadly serious about beer. At last count, we noted 24 draughts—one for every thirsty hour of the ever-lovin' day. Ranging from fancy Belgian brews to discounted PBR, the Girl's got something hoppy for everyone—and a nice description of each sip on its comprehensive suds menu.
Runners-up: Thirsty Ear Tavern, Winking Lizard
BEST WINE LIST
The Burgundy Room
Multiple locations
Web: burgundyroom.net
The Alive staff just had a little party at the Burgundy Room's Short North location on the company dime, giving us carte blanche us to investigate the tapas bar's much-heralded wine selection. After carefully inspecting and ingesting numerous varieties of red, white and champagne, we can confirm that we are huge winos. Also, the Burgundy Room has a whole lotta whine. Get it? Like the Zeppelin song! I (hiccup) love you guys!
Runners-up: The Refectory, Mitchell's Steakhouse
BEST MARTINI
Bristol Bar
132 E. Fifth Ave., Short North
614-291-0552
Web: bristolbar.com
This is a great idea: Take a nondescript building at the corner of Summit and Fifth, at the edge of the Short North, and turn it into an upscale martini bar. It sounds farfetched, but it works. The contemporary cocktails and cool atmosphere have been keeping people coming back to Bristol Bar for a few years. And the drink list is often tweaked with a few new and seasonal choices to keep patrons from getting bored with the bar's old favorites.
Runners-up: Dub Pub, Havana
BEST BAR FOOD
Surly Girl Saloon
1126 N. High St., Short North
614-294-4900
Web: surlygirlsaloon.com
The menu at Surly Girl earned big points with Alive poll respondents, but if we had to guess at one reason for its popularity, it could be the saloon's hand in raising the culinary profile of the Frito. Served with every sandwich, from the roasted turkey melt to the meatless Italian sausage hoagie, and used as a base for chili and cheese in Frito pie, Frito-Lay's oily, corny goodness blends with Surly Girl's fine home cooking for a taste sensation that's trés délicieuse.
Runners-up: Betty's Fine Food & Spirits, Thirsty Ear Tavern
BEST GLB BAR
Union Station Video Café
630 N. High St., Short North
614-228-3740
Web: columbusnightlife.com
If you've never been to the Short North mainstay before and you get that Tupac-esque feeling that all eyes are you, just remember that with the dozen or so mounted televisions tuned to the latest dance anthems, you're bound to be in someone's field of vision, honey—so get over yourself and have a little fun. Or at least that's the unspoken vibe you can expect at this popular hangout for the GLBT crowd and the hetero friends who love them. Union Station is geared towards anyone requiring a decent casual meal and a stiff drink or two before (or after) hitting the clubs.
Runners-up: Wall Street Nightclub, Havana
BEST IRISH PUB
Byrnes Pub
1248 W. Third Ave., Grandview
614-486-4722
Web: byrnespub.com
In a city where all Irish pubs seem to be built on excessive collections of authentic décor, one bar rises above the rest with simplicity. Byrnes is known for pouring a lot of Guinness in a fun atmosphere that's reminiscent of what the Irish would want. With St. Patrick's Day just around the corner, this place is starting to gear up for one of the biggest parties in town.
Runners-up: Brazenhead, Claddagh Irish Pub
BEST HOOKAH BAR
The Shisha Lounge
2369 N. High St., Campus
614-299-2434
With the Ohio smoking ban in full effect, tobacco-friendly places have become a hot commodity, and the cozy confines of this Campus hookah bar are at the top of list for many Columbus smokers. Shisha had to stop selling some of its food items to comply with the state law, but they've kept right on providing numerous flavors of tobacco from exotic places. Smokers often say that smoking makes everything more fun, and this joint is perfect for puffing away with a book, a homework assignment or that special someone.
Runners-up: Gypsy Café, 1001 Nights
BEST BAR STAFF
Dub Pub
5736 Frantz Rd., Dublin
614-761-2728
Web: dub-pub.com
This Dublin sports bar is known for having the "best looking bar staff in Columbus," and Alive readers have seconded the motion by declaring it this year's Best Bar Staff. With head-turning appeal, the ladies of the Dub Pub are certain to make a few jaws drop—and, just as important, keep the booze flowing all night.
Runners-up: Thirsty Ear Tavern, High Five Bar & Grill
BEST PICK-UP SPOT
Brother's
477 N. Park St., Arena District
614-232-9020
Web: brothersbar.com
What more can you say about Brother's? This is one of the hottest pick-up spots in the city. The mixture of moderately priced drinks, energetic dance floor and huge patio provide plenty of opportunities for a lonely someone seeking companionship: buy her a drink, get in close on the dance floor, or just offer a cigarette. Chances are if you go to Brother's alone you won't leave without a phone number, at least.
Runners-up: Skully's Music Diner, Red Rock Pub
BEST PLACE FOR FIRST DATE (Tie)
Betty's Fine Food & Spirits
680 N. High St., Short North
614-228-6191
Web: bettysfoodandspirits.com
Red Rock Pub
7167 E. Broad St., Blacklick
614-856-9347
Web: myspace.com/redrockpub
Surly Girl Saloon
1126 N. High St., Short North
614-294-4900
Web: surlygirlsaloon.com
Three establishments lay claim to the top spot for first dates. Betty's is a pin-up-themed bar that offers many tasty creations (for both eating and drinking) that are sure impress your guest. Red is known to be the color of passion, so where better to explore those feelings than within the vibrant walls at the Red Rock Pub? And with a draught list of more than 20 beers, the Surly Girl Saloon is great because if your date ditches you, there are plenty of choices to help you get over the heartache.
BEST BOWLING ALLEY
Columbus Bowling Palace
5707 Forest Hills Blvd., North Side
614-895-1122
Web: palacelanes.com
Columbus's big, bad bowling center has just about everything a strike-seeker could want: open bowling and varied leagues, a bar and restaurant, a pro shop and 24-hour access to 64 lanes. Plus, even at its size, the place fills up on an almost nightly basis, and 64 lanes' worth of people can't be wrong.
Runners-up: Holiday Lanes, Capri Lanes
BEST PLACE TO WATCH HOCKEY
Nationwide Arena
200 W. Nationwide Blvd., Arena District
614-246-2000
Web: nationwidearena.com
The action never stops inside Nationwide Arena during a Blue Jackets game. Naturally, there are the streaking Jackets gliding on ice and ramming it into the opponents' crease. But the Arena also offers local puck-heads a constant influx of rockin' tunes, fan giveaways and comedic scoreboard videos showing the visitors to be the clueless losers we all know them to be. If you're present on a well-chosen evening, maybe right after a Nasher goal or a Shelley knockout, you might see a massive fat guy do a stripper dance. All this, plus imported beers, comfy seats, plenty of restrooms and a concession stand every few feet. Hint: For cheap and available parking, try the lot behind Brother's.
Runners-up: Frog Bear & Wild Boar, Champps
BEST PLACE TO WATCH FOOTBALL
Ohio Stadium
2054 Cannon Dr., Campus
614-292-6446
Web: ohiostatebuckeyes.cstv.com
Duh? This hallowed temple to football worship is not just the top local spot for watching gridiron, it's possibly the best anywhere. Built in 1922, the 'Shoe underwent a pretty serious facelift a couple years ago but manages to retain plenty of its old-school character. Only now you have a viable shot at grabbing a concession or using a bathroom during the game—a considerably less likely proposition back when Woody stormed the sidelines. Packed to its teeming rafters with 101,000-strong chanting out "O-H," "I-O," on a brisk Saturday afternoon... there's simply nothing like it.
Runners-up: Dub Pub, Red Rock
BEST PLACE TO WATCH SOCCER
Crew Stadium
1 Black & Gold Blvd., North Side
614-447-2739
Web: crewstadium.com
Whether or not you think the local pro soccer mascot (that lurpy Sylvester the Cat-looking Crew Cat dude) should be neutered without anesthesia does not matter. On a nice Ohio evening, you cannot beat the sun setting on Crew Stadium as footballers grapple to gain a GOOOOAAALLL! A fairly impressive scoreboard, two-for-one brats most Wednesdays and bragging rights to the country's first soccer-specific stadium don't hurt either.
Runners-up: Gypsy Café, Tommy Keegan's
BEST CONCERT VENUE
The LC Pavilion
405 Neil Ave., Arena District
614-461-5483
Web: promowestlive.com
Runners-up: Newport Music Hall, Little Brother's
BEST PATIO
High Five Bar & Grill
1227 N. High St., Short North
614-421-2998
Web: highfivebar.com
Runners-up: Brazenhead, Spice Bar
BEST HAPPY HOUR
Dub Pub
5736 Frantz Rd., Dublin
614-761-2728
Web: dub-pub.com
Runners-up: Ravari Room, B. Hampton's Bar & Grill
BEST WHISKEY LIST
High Five Bar & Grill
1227 N. High St., Short North
614-421-2998
Web: highfivebar.com
Runners-up: Red Rock Pub, Wing's Restaurant
BEST NEIGHBORHOOD BAR
Dub Pub
5736 Frantz Rd., Dublin
614-761-2728
Web: dub-pub.com
Runners-up: Red Rock Pub, Thirsty Ear Tavern
BEST DIVE BAR
Bernie's Distillery
1896 N. High St., Campus
614-291-4127
Web: cringe.com/bs
Runners-up: Larry's, Dick's Den
BEST SPORTS BAR
Dub Pub
5736 Frantz Rd., Dublin
614-761-2728
Web: dub-pub.com
Runners-up: Red Rock Pub, Eddie George's Grille 27
BEST LADIES NIGHT
Skully's Music Diner
1151 N. High St., Short North
614-291-8856
Web: skullys.org
Runners-up: Dub Pub, Red Rock
BEST PLACE TO DROWN YOUR SORROWS
Bernie's Distillery
1896 N. High St., Campus
614-291-4127
Web: cringe.com/bs
Runners-up: Surly Girl Saloon, High Five Bar & Grill
BEST PLACE FOR A LAST DATE (Tie)
Surly Girl Saloon
1126 N. High St., Short North
614-294-4900
Web: surlygirlsaloon.com
Bernie's Distillery
1896 N. High St., Campus
614-291-4127
Web: cringe.com/bs
February 15th, 2007
Copyright ? 2007 Columbus Alive, Inc. All rights reserved.
