The best bars & nightlife in Newark

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

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Nightlife · 40 places · showing the latest additions first

Stylish bar dishing up craft cocktails alongside beer and wine.

3989 Merchants Row (Columbus)

Stylish bar dishing up craft cocktails alongside beer and wine.

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

2808 N High St (Columbus)

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

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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 (Columbus)

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.

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Tex-Mex chain serving mesquite-cooked meats, plus margaritas, amid Southwestern decor.

899 Hebron Rd (Heath)

Tex-Mex chain serving mesquite-cooked meats, plus margaritas, amid Southwestern decor.

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Strong & Co.

Nightlife

Casual grill featuring pizza, BBQ dishes, and other comfort fare, plus an ample selection of beer.

107 E Main St (Somerset)

Casual grill featuring pizza, BBQ dishes, and other comfort fare, plus an ample selection of beer.

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Laid-back sports bar with arcade games, live music, and dancing, plus access to food trucks.

1650 W Church St

Laid-back sports bar with arcade games, live music, and dancing, plus access to food trucks.

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Cocktails and small plates are served at this comfortable spot with a fire pit, Adirondack chairs, and live music.

14675 Zion Rd (Thornville)

Cocktails and small plates are served at this comfortable spot with a fire pit, Adirondack chairs, and live music.

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Comfortable, old-timey cocktail tavern featuring Southern grub, beer, wine and a retail shop.

3430 N Bank Rd NE (Millersport)

Comfortable, old-timey cocktail tavern featuring Southern grub, beer, wine and a retail shop.

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Legend Valley

Nightlife

Paved and grass venue for mega-sized events, including concerts and camping areas.

7585 Kindle Rd (Thornville)

Paved and grass venue for mega-sized events, including concerts and camping areas.

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Island House

Nightlife

Seafood-centric, lakefront choice with a dock and a patio offering burgers, wings, steaks and beers.

2977 Greenlawn Ave (Millersport)

Seafood-centric, lakefront choice with a dock and a patio offering burgers, wings, steaks and beers.

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Relaxed, lakeside bar serving burgers, pizza and comfort grub alongside cold beers and cocktails.

10055 Sunfish Ln (Thornville)

Relaxed, lakeside bar serving burgers, pizza and comfort grub alongside cold beers and cocktails.

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Casual bar and grill serving burgers, wings and breakfast fare all day.

3982 National Rd SE (Hebron)

Casual bar and grill serving burgers, wings and breakfast fare all day.

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Historic European-style Inn with restaurant, pub & biergarten offering rooms with free WiFi.

314 E Broadway First Floor (Granville)

Historic European-style Inn with restaurant, pub & biergarten offering rooms with free WiFi.

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Laid-back watering hole with burgers, wings, beer on tap and a beer-selection wall.

23 W Church St

Laid-back watering hole with burgers, wings, beer on tap and a beer-selection wall.

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Casual bar and grill with TVs serving wings, burgers and pizzas, plus beer and wine.

510 E Broad St (Pataskala)

Casual bar and grill with TVs serving wings, burgers and pizzas, plus beer and wine.

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The Dirty Oar

Nightlife

Relaxed bar beside a lake featuring band performances, beer and food trucks.

11272 Avondale Rd (Thornville)

Relaxed bar beside a lake featuring band performances, beer and food trucks.

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Laid-back brewpub that offers Vietnamese noodle bowls and steamed buns alongside craft beers and cocktails.

133 N Prospect St (Granville)

Laid-back brewpub that offers Vietnamese noodle bowls and steamed buns alongside craft beers and cocktails.

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Local Irish pub offering bar games such as pool and darts, plus karaoke.

682 Corylus Dr SW (Pataskala)

Local Irish pub offering bar games such as pool and darts, plus karaoke.

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Laid-back, lakefront tavern for casual eats such as burgers and pizza.

5171 N Bank Rd (Buckeye Lake)

Laid-back, lakefront tavern for casual eats such as burgers and pizza.

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

1025 W 3rd Ave (Columbus)

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

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The Forum

Nightlife

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

144 N Wall St (Columbus)

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

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

3738 April Ln (Columbus)

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

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

906 N High St (Columbus)

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

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

1816 W 5th Ave (Columbus)

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

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

862 N High St (Columbus)

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

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Law Bird

Nightlife

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

740 S High St (Columbus)

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

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Relaxed cider bar (with beer and cocktails, plus cider flights) with an outdoor patio and fire pit.

126 E Elm St (Granville)

Relaxed cider bar (with beer and cocktails, plus cider flights) with an outdoor patio and fire pit.

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

4230 The Strand (Columbus)

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

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

4640 Wyandotte Dr (Columbus)

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

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

789 N High St (Columbus)

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

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

2134 Britains Ln (Columbus)

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

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

237 King Ave (Columbus)

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

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

734 Oak St (Columbus)

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

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DENMARK

Nightlife

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

463 N High St 2nd floor (Columbus)

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

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The Walrus

Nightlife

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

143 E Main St (Columbus)

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

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Ace of Cups

Nightlife

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

2619 N High St (Columbus)

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

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

200 Georgesville Rd (Columbus)

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

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

892 Oak St (Columbus)

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

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MadLab

Nightlife

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

227 N 3rd St (Columbus)

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

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Bodega

Nightlife

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

1044 N High St (Columbus)

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

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