Ace of Cups  

Barbecue and indie rock is a match made in the hog heaven of Old North Columbus. That’s Ace of Cups—the hip music club—which partners with Ray Ray’s Hog Pit, the OG food-truck outlet of the city’s top barbecue outfit. Stationed beside Ace’s big patio, Ray Ray’s makes top-notch ribs and brisket, but also terrific Texas-style sausages, pulled pork and deliciously distinct jerk chicken. All that and more comes in the colossal “Meatsweats” box. 2619 N. High St., Old North 

Atlas Tavern  

Atlas Tavern occupies a moderate-sized space, but little else is moderate in the stylishly rustic place. That seems fitting for an establishment named after the gigantic mythological dude who held up our planet. So expect a party-time pub that can get loud and crowded with revelers enjoying beverages. And expect immoderate, garnish-happy, elevated tavern fare like wonderfully over-the-top,Ohio-beef burgers, high-flying wings, decked-out nachos enhanced by house chili, loaded chicken sandwiches, crispy fries and hearty salads. 8944 Lyra Drive, Polaris 

Eight and Sand Tavern  

This insider’s dive bar attracts mainstream-averse bartenders and—as described on server T-shirts—“artists, misfits and scoundrels.” Patrons dig the vibe at this funky but tidy, wood-bedecked little spot and its spicy-sweet, juicy-crunchy fried Railyard Chicken sandwiches; homemade pimento cheese smashburgers whose crispy patties taste smoky from bacon blended into the beef; garlicky, addictive mac ’n’ cheese; and confit wings with falling-off-the-bone meat detonated by fiery but nuanced Lil D’s Hot Tongue sauce.76 E. Innis Ave., Hungarian Village 

Gallo’s Tap Room  

A sports bar that’s fun even for sports scoffers? And whose food outscores most of the competition’s? Welcome to Gallo’s Tap Room, where sports pub cliches are ignored and scratch-made dishes are cooked with care—like good soups du jour, one of the better Caesar salads around, killer wings with Sriracha-based house Cockfight sauce, plus serious New York-style pizzas (whole pies and slices), like the standout Sistine Chapel with pepperoni, ricotta, spinach and roasted garlic. 5019 Olentangy River Road, Northwest Side 

Gemüt Biergarten  

Retro-chic Gemüt Biergarten operates an impressive, German-leaning brewery inside a refurbished 1890s-era brick firehouse with kaleidoscopic stained-glass windows and custom-built tables. As its name relates, this Olde Towne East brewery also features a beer garden—a popular gathering  space with warm-weather greenery and cold-weather outdoor heating. In other words, trendy Gemüt is gushing with both charm and delicious beers. The kitchen holds up its end with German-style jumbo pretzels, cheesy dumplings (käsespätzle), sausages, schnitzels and sweet-and-sour red cabbage. 734 Oak St., Olde Towne East 

Huli Huli Powell  

Wildly entertaining Huli Huli is worth visiting just for its amazing tiki lounge décor, which is more enchanting than kitschy. But Huli isn’t just a visual stunner: It has a great soundtrack and marvelous tiki cocktails that live up to the transporting setting. Ditto for dishes conducive to imaginary island getaways like little lemony lobster rolls; bao buns with seared Spam and tropical pico de gallo; plus Hawaiian “plate lunch”-style platters featuring kalua pork. 26 W. Olentangy St., Powell 

Jackie O’s on Fourth  

Jackie O’s stands alone amid taprooms. The massive, multilevel complex with crisscrossing pathways, splashy murals, vintage brickwork, three bars and numerous attractive drinking spots—including a rooftop patio—might appear chaotic, but it runs like a top. And it hosts Goood Friends, a Wario’s Beef and Pork spinoff that earns the extra “o.” The carryout window offers scratch-made, mammoth Oklahoma-style onion burgers plus other gloriously indulgent sandwiches starring walleye, thick bologna, great bread and seasonal ingredients like ripe tomatoes. 171 N. Fourth St., Downtown 

Olde Towne Tavern  

The vintage brick walls, black chandeliers, brash art, SiriusXMU-style soundtrack and bohemian patrons might evoke a fashionable bar in Brooklyn. But items on the diner-meets-bistro menu (served until 1 a.m.)—like Brier Hill pizza, monkey salad (with cheese, salami, canned tuna) and wedding soup—indicate a rarer influence: Youngstown. The go-to items not inspired by Y-town are the spicy Buffalo Bleu chicken sandwich and the BLT-esque Tavern Turkey—two toasted triumphs starring juicy, house-roasted poultry. 889 Oak St., Olde Towne East 

Short North Tavern  

Short North Tavern is a no-nonsense saloon that predates the commercial makeover of its neighborhood. In addition to a break from the hustle and bustle just outside, the welcoming place offers a classic wooden bar, wooden booths and terrific Detroit-inspired pizzas courtesy of Pie of the Tiger, a Yellow Brick Pizza spinoff. Tiger’s crispy, focaccia-based sensations include the overachieving Just Cheese Please and Just Pepperoni pies plus the mustard-streaked, deli-inspired Tiny Panther. 674 N. High St., Short North 

Woodlands Tavern  

Woodlands Tavern is like the Swiss Army knife of bars. The convivial place is a neighborhood watering hole (with a nice, big patio) that also functions as a taproom with 30 draft beers; a sports pub with multiple TVs; a music club with two stages; and an eatery, called Blackbird Kitchen, that makes destination-worthy Mexican fare like delectable birria tacos and fish tacos. Blackbird also makes great burgers, wings, fries and other pub-grub delights. 1200 W. Third Ave., Grandview, 614-299-4987 

This story is from the Top Bars feature in the November 2023 issue of Columbus Monthly.