Finding an attractive dive bar nestled into a corner of a big city is one thing, but the real dive bar purity is often found a bit off the beaten path in towns like Chillicothe, just southeast of Columbus. Chillicothe in particular specializes in hybrid dive bar-diner hybrids, classic local spots to grab a meal and a beer with a stable set of regulars.
Just south of Chillicothe’s downtown strip, Paint Grill is perhaps the perfect example of this phenomenon, a diner counter nestled in the center of a cinder block-lined building. Across town, Cozy Inn tips the scales a little toward the dive bar side of the spectrum, but the presence of a Friday potato soup special underscores the bar’s dual nature.
Of course, the further out into the more rural parts of Ohio, the more rustic the dive bar drinking options become. The list below features a sprinkling of options in and around Chillicothe for those visiting or just passing through.
We’ve been lucky enough to visit the locations below in Chillicothe. Each location includes a full review and SFG score to help you decide on how to prioritize your travels.
We have not yet been lucky enough to visit the Chillicothe options below, but research, word of mouth and reader submissions have led us to recommend these must-visit options.
Below you’ll find the truly deep cuts, gems in waiting that we have not yet been able to visit. Let us know if you find a particularly potent destination.
What did we miss? Send along your ideas on the dives and neighborhood bars we need to visit next.
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