This article is outdated. Please see this article for the full story (spoiler… CHAR BAR IS COMING BACK!)
It seems that one of the most iconic staples of the Columbus bar scene, Char Bar, has quietly closed its doors for good. Despite no formal announcement, Google results now list the beloved Short North dive bar as “permanently closed.”
For anyone familiar with Char Bar’s storied history and unpolished charm, this news hits like a gut punch — and raises a lot of questions.
The Crash That Shook the Short North
Back in early September 2024, Char Bar faced an unexpected and devastating challenge. An alleged drunk driver smashed into the front of its historic building, forcing an abrupt closure. A GoFundMe campaign was launched shortly thereafter to support the staff during the temporary shutdown and help fund repairs. At the time, the community rallied, hopeful that Char Bar’s comeback was just a matter of time. But now, with the dawn of a new year, there’s still no word on when — or if — the bar will reopen.
A Ghostly History, Gone Quiet?
Char Bar isn’t just any bar. It’s a cornerstone of Columbus history with a backstory that borders on the unbelievable. Before it became a dive bar legend, the building served as a funeral parlor. And not just any funeral parlor… It was the one tasked with giving President Abraham Lincoln’s body a touch-up during his funeral parade from Washington to Illinois. Yes, that Lincoln.
The bar’s spooky basement, originally the main floor of the funeral parlor, added to its unique character. It’s home to a creepy, broken piano that allegedly plays itself during the wee hours of the morning, even though it’s missing most of its keys. Add dim lighting, slightly decrepit walls, and an atmosphere that felt like a time capsule, and you had a dive bar that was as much an experience as it was a watering hole.
Signs of Closure
While Char Bar’s social media and website remain silent, the signs are hard to ignore. When we reached out to the bar via phone, the line rang for about a minute before a Verizon message confirmed the phone had been disconnected. For a place so steeped in history and local lore, its apparent closure feels eerily anticlimactic (and unbelievably sad).
A Heartfelt Goodbye
Char Bar was more than a bar; it was a community. It was the place you took friends visiting from out of town to give them a taste of Columbus’s grittier, quirkier side. It was the spot for late-night drinks and spontaneous conversations with strangers. And now, all signs point to the fact that it’s gone.
If anyone has further information, or if there’s a way to help raise awareness or revive Char Bar, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us here.
For now, we’ll pour one out for a Columbus dive bar icon that will never be forgotten.