The best bars & nightlife in Columbus

28 bars & nightlife we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

Browse another shelf: all of Columbus’s best · Restaurants · Shopping · Bakeries & Sweets · Antiques, Thrift, & Vintage · Beauty · Hobbies, Books, & Crafts · Entertainment · Arts & Culture · Home & Garden · Health & Wellness · Cafes · Services · Sporting Goods · Parks & Outdoors

Pinned in Columbus today

This spot is open today.

Two pinned places a day in Columbus — $10 here, $25 adds the newsletter. List your business →

Paid placements are always marked.

Nightlife · 28 places · showing the latest additions first

House Wine

Nightlife

Laid-back wine shop featuring 20+ styles of wine from around the world along with craft beers.

644 N High St (Worthington)

Laid-back wine shop featuring 20+ styles of wine from around the world along with craft beers.

Website ↗

Spirits, burgers and other familiar options served in a warm, contemporary space, along with brunch.

28 S State St (Westerville)

Spirits, burgers and other familiar options served in a warm, contemporary space, along with brunch.

Website ↗

Meadery featuring unique flavors of honey-based wine and flights, plus games.

480 E Wilson Bridge Rd F (Worthington)

Meadery featuring unique flavors of honey-based wine and flights, plus games.

Website ↗

Stylish bar dishing up craft cocktails alongside beer and wine.

3989 Merchants Row

Stylish bar dishing up craft cocktails alongside beer and wine.

Website ↗
Run a Columbus business? Two pinned spots a day — $10 here, $25 adds the newsletter. Advertise →

Draft ales & lagers offered in an industrial-chic brewpub turning out pizzas, burgers & bar bites.

2808 N High St

Draft ales & lagers offered in an industrial-chic brewpub turning out pizzas, burgers & bar bites.

Website ↗

Savor Pint

Nightlife

Cozy neighborhood bar serving a wide selection of craft beers on tap and in growlers, plus a large list of wines and whiskeys to go.

4440 Indianola Ave

Cozy neighborhood bar serving a wide selection of craft beers on tap and in growlers, plus a large list of wines and whiskeys to go.

Website ↗

Modern, upscale brewpub with house craft beers, a European-style deli, wine & a roomy patio.

41 N State St (Westerville)

Modern, upscale brewpub with house craft beers, a European-style deli, wine & a roomy patio.

Website ↗

Producer of locally sourced, honey-based wines, with an on-site bar known for mead-based libations.

1025 W 3rd Ave

Producer of locally sourced, honey-based wines, with an on-site bar known for mead-based libations.

Website ↗

The Forum

Nightlife

Dance club, event space and live music venue featuring R&B, hip-hop and EDM.

144 N Wall St

Dance club, event space and live music venue featuring R&B, hip-hop and EDM.

Website ↗

Cozy cidery featuring multiple flavors on tap in a casual tasting room.

3738 April Ln

Cozy cidery featuring multiple flavors on tap in a casual tasting room.

Website ↗

Retro-themed spot for beer, wine, cocktails, a dance floor and 70s/80s music.

906 N High St

Retro-themed spot for beer, wine, cocktails, a dance floor and 70s/80s music.

Website ↗

Wine merchant featuring a large selection of premium and fine wines from across the globe, plus craft beers.

1816 W 5th Ave

Wine merchant featuring a large selection of premium and fine wines from across the globe, plus craft beers.

Website ↗

Convivial hangout with lots of exposed brick, local beers & a menu of gastropub favorites.

862 N High St

Convivial hangout with lots of exposed brick, local beers & a menu of gastropub favorites.

Website ↗

Law Bird

Nightlife

Casual, modern, hip bar for thoughtfully crafted cocktails, plus wine and beer.

740 S High St

Casual, modern, hip bar for thoughtfully crafted cocktails, plus wine and beer.

Website ↗

Upscale chain serving New American fare paired with house-label wines in a contemporary setting.

4230 The Strand

Upscale chain serving New American fare paired with house-label wines in a contemporary setting.

Website ↗

Wine tastings & light snacks are offered at this family-owned winery. Tours are also available.

4640 Wyandotte Dr

Wine tastings & light snacks are offered at this family-owned winery. Tours are also available.

Website ↗

Sophisticated shop selling wine & craft beer, with a loft bar featuring flights & small plates.

789 N High St

Sophisticated shop selling wine & craft beer, with a loft bar featuring flights & small plates.

Website ↗

Easygoing taproom serving seasonal, local house ciders & a few snacks in snug surrounds.

2134 Britains Ln

Easygoing taproom serving seasonal, local house ciders & a few snacks in snug surrounds.

Website ↗

Cool & cozy bar & bottle shop with clever cocktails & craft drafts, plus a patio with a food truck.

237 King Ave

Cool & cozy bar & bottle shop with clever cocktails & craft drafts, plus a patio with a food truck.

Website ↗

Bratwurst, schnitzel & other German fare in a classic brewhouse with happy hour & a beer garden.

734 Oak St

Bratwurst, schnitzel & other German fare in a classic brewhouse with happy hour & a beer garden.

Website ↗

DENMARK

Nightlife

Handcrafted cocktails & European-style small plates offered in a chic, convivial atmosphere.

463 N High St 2nd floor

Handcrafted cocktails & European-style small plates offered in a chic, convivial atmosphere.

Website ↗

The Walrus

Nightlife

Industrial haunt providing burgers & clever bar bites, plus lots of craft brews on tap & live music.

143 E Main St

Industrial haunt providing burgers & clever bar bites, plus lots of craft brews on tap & live music.

Website ↗

Ace of Cups

Nightlife

Hangout for craft beers, house-infused liquors & live music, serving wings & BBQ on weekends.

2619 N High St

Hangout for craft beers, house-infused liquors & live music, serving wings & BBQ on weekends.

Website ↗

Casino with game tables, slots, a stage for bands & restaurants, including a steakhouse & buffet.

200 Georgesville Rd

Casino with game tables, slots, a stage for bands & restaurants, including a steakhouse & buffet.

Website ↗

Stand-up, improv, and other comedy acts take place at this club with a schedule featuring local and national performers.

892 Oak St

Stand-up, improv, and other comedy acts take place at this club with a schedule featuring local and national performers.

Website ↗

MadLab

Nightlife

Intimate theater with a resident company that produces original plays, including shorts & improv.

227 N 3rd St

Intimate theater with a resident company that produces original plays, including shorts & improv.

Website ↗

Bodega

Nightlife

Hip gastropub serving more than 150 beers & an inventive American menu in a lively atmosphere.

1044 N High St

Hip gastropub serving more than 150 beers & an inventive American menu in a lively atmosphere.

Website ↗

Cozy bistro with a rustic wine-country ambiance serving Mediterranean-inspired fare.

1750 W Lane Ave (Upper Arlington)

Cozy bistro with a rustic wine-country ambiance serving Mediterranean-inspired fare.

Website ↗

Listed here?

You’ve earned the mark — get the BaseLocal’s Best badge for your site →. Want in? List your business →