Columbus is HOT!
From time to time we’ll be sitting with East or West coast friends and mention that we are planning to go to Columbus Ohio. If we tell them that it’s a really fun, hip and happening city their eyes seem to glaze over in instant disbelief. Well, we’re here to say that it’s time for “coasters” who only do “flyovers”, to stop being so blinkered, and check out what is really happening in America and specifically in Columbus
To start with, if you think the rust belt is uniformly rusting, you’re wrong: Columbus is actually booming and its development is thoughtful and intelligent. What makes Columbus an especially attractive place to visit is the coming together of several factors. First, it’s a college town, a big college town. Ohio State University brings all the fun of youth and vigor to the city. Second, it has a large, vibrant LGBTQ+ community and this brings another aspect of dynamism to the city. Third, it’s a capital, and that always brings drama to a place. Fourth it is a center of medicine and high tech; and that brings money and money brings lots of other good things! And fifth, it has (not to be corny) kind, friendly, genuine and outgoing “Buckeyes”! Mix these folks with a great restaurant, club, shopping and cultural scene and you’ve something way better than all the “too cool for school” East and West coast snob-villes.
WHERE TO STAY
LE MERIDIEN
This hotel is our favorite place to stay in the city as it is smack dab in the center of the Short North District, in our opinion, the most fun neighborhoods (gayborhoods) in the city. The common areas are sleek and elegant, the bar’s a good place to start an evening, the spa is probably the best in the city, the rooms are warm and comfortable, your key card gets you into one of the most exclusive galleries in town, and the staff is pretty nice too!
THE GRADUATE
When in Rome….and all that, well it is a college town, and this hotel chain takes its cues from a retro chic University vibe. It’s also in our favorite area in The Short North Arts District, so you’re right between downtown and the University. The decor is punchy and eclectic with lots of plaids and scarlet and there is a focus on the actual area with nods to John Glen and Jesse Owens. The Graduate is “pet friendly”, even to the point of having an in-house dog, although they tag on a $35 fee to bring Fido. So maybe we could term this “lukewarm friendly”.
BIG RED’S LODGES
Okay, this place may not be for everyone, but we liked the feeling of being out in the country in a cottage while being a five minute drive from downtown. The inn is not pet friendly. Each room is a large comfortable suite, complete with fireplaces (gas) kitchenettes and handsome craftsman style decor. Guests have access to a huge state of the art fitness center within walking distance.
HOTEL LeVeque
One of our favorite buildings in downtown Columbus is the LeVeque tower, a tour de force deco skyscraper that is visible from all over the city. The building has been completely restored in the last five years with condos and an elegant hotel. The rooms are luxurious and packed with technology. The Keep Liquor bar is the hotel's take on a French brasserie. While it doesn’t quite deliver in the food department, it’s a pleasant room and a good place to wind down the evening.
WHERE TO EAT
The food scene in Columbus is hands down a lot of fun with everything from sophisticated celebration spots to trendy ethnic places. Service, since we are talking the midwest tends to be outgoing and friendly. There are so many places to try, that trying several places in one evening can be fun! Below are a few of our “tried and true” favorites.
THE PEARL
You won’t find a more sophisticated take on the oyster bar meets gastropub anywhere in the U.S. This is just one of the many creations of restaurateur Cameron Mitchell, the most prolific of Columbus restaurant entrepreneurs. He certainly knows his craft. The atmosphere is spot on, the menu classic and the service (on pre covid visits) was friendly and efficient.
BRASSICA
We’ve traveled extensively throughout the Middle East and North Africa and the food of these lands is hands down one of our favorites. And yes, at this place they create great food from the region. In fact we love it so much we go every time we’re in town! It’s casual, you order from a board when you first arrive and cafeteria/Chipotle style you proceed through a series of stations. The design of the place is hip and trendy, they have several locations (all good) and the food will knock your socks off!
NORTHSTAR CAFE
This place is another favorite of ours! Again, patrons order at the counter, but here food runners take it from there. The decor is modern and comfortable, the kitchen open and they even have a lounge area with hip magazines. All the food is supposedly organic and American, but whatever it is, it’s consistently delicious.
HIGH BANK DISTILLERY CO.
This place is a great place to drop in, have a well mixed craft cocktail created with the distilleries own liquor, and watch the scene. The place is a huge warehouse space and the crowd is young and fun and really gives you a sense of what’s happening in this city. The menu is a bit overly long (translation, overly ambitious) so we recommend noshing on a few appetizers or a pizza and then moving on.
JENI’S SHORT NORTH
Very creative, well made and delicious ice cream, what more could one want? Although it’s a chain now, they opened in Short North in 2007 and ever since then they’ve been serving ice cream with vibrant flavors and a taste of “soul” that one rarely encounters in other ice cream stands. We highly recommend this place for your last stop on a night of restaurant hopping!
NIGHT LIFE
Columbus is a young city with a plethora of what we used to call “Yuppies” and now seem to call Millennials and tons of students. Mix these two together, add plenty of money and you’ve got a pretty stellar nightlife scene.
MUSIC
There is plenty of live music in this town! Big name acts can be seen at The Newport Music Hall, Kamba Live, The Schottenstein Center and Nationwide Arena. Local musicians can be found playing at cool local clubs most nights of the week at Notes, Little Rock, Ace of Cups and Big Roo Bar.
THEATERS
Columbus has a real theater district with four large theaters and three smaller ones. Did you hear that, San Francisco? In these theaters you will see great ballet, opera and stage. During the summer months the Columbus Symphony brings plays out of doors, presenting popular pops concerts.
BREWERIES
Columbus is hip to the brewery scene too! The city actually boasts over 30 breweries. Near downtown you can find Hoof Hearted, Wolfs Ridge, North High, The Elevator, Wolfs Ridge and Land Grant all clustered together.
CRAFT COCKTAILS
If you’re into creative mixed drinks stirred by a hipster in a cool apron and poured over a single ice cube, head to M downtown or try Denmark or Mouton in Short North. The great thing about this town is your bartender might even be friendly as well as cool!
NIGHT CLUBS
THE BIG BANG
If you like to sing along at a classy piano bar this is your ticket. And there is the added touch of real professionals who play two grand pianos on stage. Check it out, it’s unlike any other place.
DAHLIA BAR AND LOUNGE
If you’re looking for something a bit more swanky, look no further than the Dahlia. They bill themselves as “the only true nightclub in the Arena District”. Expect top level DJs and VIP bottle service, yeah, just like Miami!
LGBTQ+ NIGHT LIFE
LGBTQ+ bars, and clubs are centered in The Short North and German Town neighborhoods. The vibe here in general is pretty friendly, after all, as we’ve said before. This is Ohio where people still tend to say hello, talk and say thank you!
UNION CAFE
Since 1997, this Cafe and cocktail lounge with a terrific outdoor patio has been a consistent place to start or spend an evening. Its location, in the center of Short North makes it a popular meeting place and the service is always good.
TREMONT LOUNGE
Another, laid back LGBTQ+ bar with a patio. This is the sort of place where you’ll actually meet the neighbors: need we say more?
LOCAL BAR
This is a fun, energetic neighborhood bar near Short North. Be sure to check out the Hermit crab racing!
AXIS NIGHTCLUB
This is the cities’ largest dance club, has an all male revue cabaret and features terrific drag shows. You may even see Nina West, Columbus’ favorite drag queen perform as she did on RuPauls’ season 11
THINGS TO SEE AND DO
FRANKLIN PARK CONSERVATORY AND BOTANICAL GARDENS
We love this place! We first visited the conservatory when they had a Chahulli exhibition. In the dead of winter we felt like we had been dropped on an exotic planet. It was easy to see though, that even without the master of glass’s art, the gardens would be spectacular.
NORTH MARKET
This historic market has been serving the city since 1876. Although it’s similar to a lot of markets around the country Ghirardelli and Pikes Place, and suffers from being a bit over touristed,it’s still a great place to start one’s exploration of Columbus.
SHORT NORTH ARTS DISTRICT
Everyone loves the Short North, including us. In fact it’s our favorite part of the city. We’ve watched this area go from decayed and forgotten to hip and happening. Just walk down the street and experience the best independent shops, galleries, restaurants, clubs, coffee shops etc. that this city has to offer.
GERMAN VILLAGE
German Village is a quaint part of Columbus with beautifully restored homes and retail shops. The German population in Ohio exploded in the mid 19th century, when by the way, Mark’s family emigrated to the state. The influence of German culture is still indelible here. Be sure to check out Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Book Loft.
COLUMBUS MUSEUM OF ART
Yes, there is even high culture in the Midwest believe it or not, and this museum is here to prove it. This museum will impress you with its fine display of Ohio artists as well as a nicely curated collection of artists such as Rodin and Evan Gruzis.