This article is a paid promotion sponsored by an SOC advertiser and designed to share valuable info with our readers.
Step through an unmarked door and into the coolest place in Columbus. It’s an art installation. It’s a bar. It’s….both? Welcome to Bar Room.
From the moment you walk in, you can tell that Bar Room is anything but a normal bar. Created by Bahamian-born artist Tavares Strachan, it’s inspired by the neighborhood rum bars that he went to as a young adult. Everything is thoughtfully crafted and intentional, and you can feel it in the atmosphere. It’s moody and low lit, the kind of place to go for a cool date — whether that’s with your boo or your bestie.
Every part of Bar Room is a true celebration of Afro-Caribbean music and the African diaspora in Columbus. There’s reggae music setting the vibe. A billiards table that you can actually play. And the star of the show: a handcrafted cocktail list, with a special focus on cane-based spirits. (They offer over 30 types of rum.) Some drinks are so authentic, they’re served in plastic bags like they would be on the island. Honestly, every cocktail is super Instagrammable, so make sure you have room on your phone to take all the pics.
They even have some light bites, so don’t stress about getting hangry. The food is legit too — the menu is curated by the CMA Executive Chef and artist Tavares Strachan in partnership with two local Jamaican restaurants. Our suggestion? Get hot patties in every flavor—jerk chicken, curried shrimp, and short rib—to share with your date. They’re like little savory flavor bombs, wrapped in a tasty pocket. Just make sure to save room for the pineapple mango rum cake.
Bar Room is a lot more than just a cocktail bar though — they also have an espresso bar, serving locally roasted Ethiopian coffee. They’re open when the museum is open, so come in for your afternoon coffee (or morning coffee on Sundays, when they open at 10 am).
Mark your calendar too, because on the first Friday of most months, they host “Night Shift.” A DJ comes in, and it’s basically a free party all night long.
So if you’re someone that wants to appreciate art but doesn’t quite understand it, this place is for you. Bar Room is a one-of-a-kind immersive experience where you become the art. It’s a super cool experience, and one you don’t get at just any bar. Learning about another culture, enjoying fantastic drinks, and having a memorable date night? Bar Room delivers on all fronts.
So what are you waiting for? Open that unmarked door, and get transported to another place and time. Columbus has never seen the magic of the Caribbean like this.
This article is a paid promotion sponsored by an SOC advertiser and designed to share valuable info with our readers.
