If someone told me I had to pick one block in the city to spend the rest of my life in, I would simply walk over to High Street between Hubbard and West 1st and say, cool, I live here now. This strip has everything. Coffee. Cocktails. Great food. Amazing shopping. Even a tiny tattoo studio that looks like it was pulled out of a Pinterest board.
It is the part of the Short North I visit the most, and honestly, I’m not sure another block in Columbus can compete. So let me walk you through the greatest little corner of the city.
Food & Drink
Roaming Goat Coffee
849 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Something about Roaming Goat fires me up the second I walk inside. Probably the caffeine, but still. They make some of the best iced lattes in the city, and yes, I’m aware saying that makes me basic. I do not care. The vibes are cozy enough to hang out in, but it is also perfect if you just need a quick grab and go cup that hits like a truck in the best way.
Arch City Tavern
862 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Arch City is one of my happy places. They have one of the best burgers in Columbus. They are big and juicy, and the vibes inside are always top tier. You cannot go wrong with the Market Burger or the Arch City Burger. If you are (for whatever reason) trying to be healthy, get the Caesar salad with grilled chicken. It is everything a Caesar should be and nothing it shouldn’t. Also, it is massive. I love this spot way more than any normal person should love a tavern.
The Alibi Bourbon and Cocktail Lounge
843 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
I am not really a nightlife guy anymore. My New York East Village era is long gone. But The Alibi is the one cocktail lounge I still actually go to when I want a night out. The menu has this cool flavor chart that helps you pick the drink that matches your vibe for the night. If the Billy Corgan is on the menu, order it. No hesitation. It is my favorite cocktail in the entire city. Period.
Shopping on the Best Block in the Short North
Short North Outfitters
867 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201
This place rules. The clothes are great, the store is fun to browse, and the best part is the complimentary beer they hand you while you shop. I mean, come on. That is elite customer service.
Sole Classics
846 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
I have been buying shoes here since high school. My first pair from Sole Classics had an air pump in the tongue. I peaked early. Most recently I bought a pair of Jordans, and the staff had me dangerously close to buying a second pair. Their selection is unreal, the service is great, and it is not just shoes. If someone gave me an unlimited shopping budget, this is where I would accidentally spend all of it.
Prologue Bookshop
841 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Right next to The Alibi, this shop is perfect for a slow walk through the shelves. If you are a reader searching for something specific, you can order through them and they will call you when it arrives. The staff picks section is great if you, like me, sometimes forget how to choose a book like a functioning adult.
Smartypants Vintage
815 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Located inside the beautiful Greystone Court Apartments, this vintage shop has some of the cutest pieces you will find in the city. The staff is helpful, the layout is charming, and it is the only vintage store where I have actually found multiple things I loved. A true miracle.
Everything Else That Makes This Block the Best
Blossom Tattoo Co.
815 N High St G, Columbus, OH 43215
This is maybe the tiniest and cutest tattoo shop you will ever see. It is a two artist studio, but the talent level is off the charts. I have never been tattooed here, but my friends swear by it, and honestly, it is probably time I stop being a coward and book an appointment.
Snap Fitness 24/7
14 E Hubbard Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
My home gym for more than a year, so I may be biased. But it has everything you need whether you are training alone or wanting to work with a personal trainer. Phil, one of the managers, is one of the friendliest humans alive and is always trying to make the place better. Great gym. Great people.
Koulian Jewelers
861 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201
I have only window shopped here, but the reviews are glowing and the displays look incredible. People rave about their custom ring design and resizing work. If I ever get my life together enough to buy high-end jewelry, this will probably be the place.
Red Giraffe Designs
847 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
I have actually bought gifts here for my Mom, and they were a huge hit. Humble brag. The jewelry is handcrafted, personal, and affordable. The shop is small and cozy, and you can tell how much love goes into everything. It is a great place to find something thoughtful that does not destroy your bank account.
Why This Really Is the Best Block in the Short North
You can start your morning with coffee, get a workout in, shop for clothes, buy a book, grab a burger, browse some jewelry, get a cocktail, and end the night with a tattoo if you are feeling brave. Not many neighborhoods in Columbus can do that in a single stretch of sidewalk.
This block is fun, walkable, and full of personality. It is basically a cheat code for a perfect day in the Short North.
Things To Do
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