ACE OF CUPS
First opened in 2011 by Columbus musician Marcy May, the Old North bar transformed a former bank into one of the city’s premier small music venues for regional and national acts. 2619 N. High St., Old North
BLU NOTE JAZZ CAFE
Thanks to owners Derrik and Tiffini Pannell, the preservation of jazz culture is alive and well at the Blu Note. On any given Saturday night at this 4-year-old jazz lounge, you can catch the room’s blue lights reflecting off the jazz clarinet while the bassist plays, eyes closed, and musician James Gaiters keeps time on the drums. It’s a relaxing night out, whether sitting at the small bar, at a cozy table near the band or on the patio. The full-service lounge also offers comforting fare like shrimp and grits, lamb chops and Mo’ Butta Blu cake. 2882 E. Main St., East Side
BOSSY GRRL’S PINUP JOINT
With its own house burlesque troupe (Sex Kitten Purrlesque), drag shows, karaoke and an open stage, this decade-old Old North bar serves up cocktails (regular and nonalcoholic), never-dull entertainment and community. The quirky, queer-friendly bar features its own housemade infusions (think: ghost pepper tequila) and hard seltzers on tap. And with a triple focus on sex-positivity, body-positivity and safety, it’s a perfect place to explore your wild side. Read our Q&A with Bossy Grrl’s bartender Marla Hicks here. 2598 N. High St., Old North
DICK’S DEN
The faded wooden sign over High Street marks “The One and Only Dick’s Den,” an Old North dive that’s beloved both as a cramped neighborhood bar and a haven for jazz and bluegrass music in Columbus. “Why Not?” beams the neon sign in the window. Even one visit to the intimate bar for a Tuesday night bluegrass jam or any show from local and regional touring acts will have you saying, “Why not, indeed?” 2417 N. High St., Old North
GINGER RABBIT JAZZ LOUNGE
Restaurateurs BJ Lieberman and his wife, Bronwyn Haines, have the golden touch when it comes to creating interesting gathering spaces. Ginger Rabbit, the second of their three local creations, has thrived since opening in spring 2022, living up to its “La La Land” inspiration. The subterranean joint offers nightly jazz, an emphasis on gin cocktails and elevated small plates. Reservations are a must. 17 Buttles Ave., Short North
THE KEE
How to define the Kee? You just have to experience it to believe it. The 33,000-square-foot former warehouse, which opened in May, invites its diverse clientele to choose their own adventure. You can (takes deep breath) grab a cocktail at one of the two bars, stroll through the art gallery or grab a bite in the pastel Foodbar. There’s also ping-pong, cornhole, an arcade, golf simulators, large patio and frequent DJs and live music sets. 225 Neilston St., Downtown
OLD NORTH ARCADE
Whether you’re a Gen Xer or a current kiddo (under supervision until 8 p.m.), Old North Arcade might be your spot. The arcade bar offers a wide selection of retro cabinets, from Ms. Pac-Man to Mortal Kombat. Pinball, Skee-Ball, air hockey and consoles like Nintendo and Sega are all here, too, as well as a “Tron room” in a bank vault. And you never know who might show up: After a recent show at the Mershon Auditorium, singer Janelle Monáe partied with her crew at the arcade bar. It doesn’t get cooler than that. 2591 N. High St., Old North
PINS MECHANICAL CO.
One of the city’s first adult playgrounds, Pins’ Downtown location offers fun like duckpin bowling, pinball and yard games in a converted tire repair shop. While you fling bowling balls down the alley or compete in jumbo-sized Jenga, you can sip on the bar’s Ohio-heavy, 40-strong beer list, specialty cocktails or shareable punch bowls. However, the days are numbered for the original Pins: The Downtown location will move to the Scioto Peninsula development around mid-2025, along with fellow Rise Brands concept 16-Bit Bar + Arcade. 141 N. Fourth St., Downtown; 6558 Riverside Drive, Dublin; 4117 Worth Ave., Easton
STUDIO 35 CINEMA & DRAFTHOUSE
More than just a bar attached to a movie theater, Studio 35’s lobby hangout is a legit neighborhood watering hole. A full cocktail menu (with specials inspired by what’s showing on the two screens), 40 craft beers on tap, favorite movie snacks and excellent pies from in-house Fibonacci’s Pizzeria make it the ideal setting to kick back whether you’re catching a flick or not. 3055 Indianola Ave., Clintonville
This story is from the Top Bars feature in the November 2023 issue of Columbus Monthly.