The south wall of the interior features a lattice-work Christmas light display that provides the trademark glow to the space. Underrated is the front booth built into the windowed wall that looks out onto High Street, a cramped space for more than two, but probably worth the experience to wedge a few more into the narrow wooden seats. Nearly hidden behind the bar is a small kitchen that cranks out typical dive bar staples like burgers, sandwiches, subs and pizza. On occasion (usually a Tuesday), the kitchen in back also provides free hot dogs or coneys to the assembled crowd as a means of drawing in visitors on slow evenings.
A handful of low tables sit across from the bar, the space curling into a second room that doubles as the path to the basement bathrooms. An area best described as a dart board hallway lives along that same path, the bar’s best graffiti scrawled over the brick and board area. The bathrooms are worth the visit, the doors of which have long been labeled “Nasty Women” and “Bad Hombres.” Do take care on the steps, as they are steep and seem even more so after a long evening.
The part of Columbus that surrounds High Beck Tavern is one of the city’s most compelling, the combination of the Brewery District and German Village providing an attractive backdrop to perhaps Columbus’ best walking area. A free coney doesn’t hurt, of course, but the draw to High Beck Tavern is that classic corner neighborhood vibe that fits perfectly with its surrounding neighborhood, a bit of ping pong and graffiti mixed in for good measure.
