SFG City Guide
Columbus Dive Bar Guide
An unexpectedly strong dive bar destination to visitors, the tight knit neighborhood fabric of Columbus has produced countless unique dives.
Modern Midwestern Capital
Columbus Dive Bar Map
Quick Links
Bars By Neighborhood
Reviewed Dive Bars
Recommended Not Yet Reviewed Dive Bars
Other Dive Bar Recommendations
Ohio Dive Bar Guide
All Dive Bar City Guides
Columbus Neighborhood Guides
German Village
3 Dive Bars
Grandview Heights
4 Dive Bars
Old North Columbus
3 Dive Bars
OSU Campus
6 Dive Bars
Short North
3 Dive Bars
Reviewed Columbus Dive Bars
SFG Rating
10
Grandview Heights
Johnnie's Glenn Avenue Grill
Perfect Midwestern dive.
SFG Rating
10
Lisska Bar & Grill
Columbus 1930s classic.
SFG Rating
10
Ruckmoor Lounge
Drunk ring game dive.
SFG Rating
9
German Village
Beck Tavern
The perfect size Columbus pub.
SFG Rating
9
OSU Campus
Dick's Den
Why not?
SFG Rating
9
Dolphin Lounge
Grandma's house with karaoke.
SFG Rating
9
Bob's Bar
Cultural Hub of the Midwest.
SFG Rating
8
Short North
Char Bar
Beware the haunted basement.
SFG Rating
8
Old North Columbus
O'Reilly's Pub
Sunken bar Columbus gem.
SFG Rating
8
Grandview Heights
Meister's Bar
Columbus deep-dish dive.
SFG Rating
8
Johnnie's Tavern
Low ceiling burger dive.
SFG Rating
8
Ruby Tuesday Live
Off-campus live music hub.
SFG Rating
8
OSU Campus
Bier Stube
Ohio State campus stalwart.
SFG Rating
8
Betty's Bar
Thursday is the day to go.
SFG Rating
7
OSU Campus
Out-R-Inn
Brick & wood plank palace.
SFG Rating
7
St. James Tavern
Wood paneled purity.
SFG Rating
7
Short North
Short North Tavern
Short North dive holdout.
SFG Rating
7
Grandview Heights
Mickey's Bar
Karaoke that fogs the windows.
SFG Rating
7
German Village
High Beck Tavern
Ping pong and free coneys.
SFG Rating
7
Grandview Heights
Byrne's Pub
Celtic music Saturday nights.
SFG Rating
7
Rehab Tavern
Sneaky reclaimed patio dive.
SFG Rating
7
Zeno's
Irish-themed corner spot.
SFG Rating
7
Old North Columbus
Ledo's Tavern
Campus darts & pizza vibe.
SFG Rating
7
Eldorado's Food & Spirits
Debbie & Nebbie's pride & joy.
SFG Rating
7
Old North Columbus
Dirty Dungarees
Beer, laundry and hardcore.
SFG Rating
6
German Village
Hey Hey Bar & Grill
Sauerkraut ball destination.
SFG Rating
6
Brew-Stirs Clintonville Tavern
Clintonville's friendly gathering place.
SFG Rating
6
Short North
Mike's Grill
Jello shots & 40's in Columbus.
SFG Rating
6
OSU Campus
The Thirsty Scholar
Definitely try the basement.
SFG Rating
6
OSU Campus
The Library Bar
The best kind of pun.
SFG Rating
6
Oldfield's North Fourth Tavern
Craft beer campus dive.
SFG Rating
6
Pointe Tavern
Disc golf and a strip mall made a baby.
SFG Rating
6
Clintonville
India Oak Bar & Grill
A slice of vintage Clintonville.
SFG Rating
6
Brew-Stirs Beechwold Tavern
Renovated ex-dive.
SFG Rating
4
The Main Bar
All walks of all lives. Drinking.
SFG Rating
7
Rendezvous Lounge
Strip mall cozy dive.
Recommended But Not Reviewed Dive Bars
We have not had the great pleasure of getting to every possible dive bar (life goals), so inevitably there are great bars that we simply haven't been able to get to yet. The list below includes noteworthy dive bars that by all accounts look amazing but do not have a review associated with them just yet.
Varsity Club
Other Divey Drinking Options
The bars listed here are the best of the rest, great local drinking options that may not quite be classified as must-visit dive bar destinations (in our rudimentary estimation). There is no doubt a hidden gem or five in the list below. Happy hunting.
Bullshotz
Cafe Bourbon Street
Double Happiness
Dub Pub
Lovell's Tavern
Mugsy's
Planks on Parsons
Slick Whiskers
Spoonz
The Filling Station
The Garden Inn
Front Row Sports Bar
Woody's Corner Pub
Candlestick Lounge
The Rack
Contact Us
What did we miss? Where should we go? We'd love to hear your ideas, your favorite spots, your profound disappointments and anything in between.
