There’s nothing quite like watching the Buckeyes with a cold drink in hand, surrounded by fans who bleed scarlet and gray. Whether you’re dodging overpriced stadium beer or just prefer a place with better food (and shorter bathroom lines), Central Ohio has no shortage of bars ready to host your Ohio State football Saturdays in style.
From divey campus icons to massive sports lounges with 100+ TVs, here are 10 of the best bars to watch Ohio State football in Columbus and Central Ohio.
The Best Bars to Watch The Ohio State Buckeyes 🌰
1. Adriatico’s Pizza
📍 1618 Neil Ave, Columbus, OH 43201
If you could bottle the essence of Ohio State and serve it with a side of Sicilian-style pizza, you’d get Adriatico’s. This campus staple has been feeding students and fans for decades and feels like a rite of passage on game day. The thick-crust pies are iconic, the beer is cold, and the TVs are plentiful. Bonus points for the gelato bar and relatively chill vibes, perfect if you want to avoid rowdy crowds but still be in the heart of the action.
2. Out-R-Inn
📍 20 Frambes Ave, Columbus, OH 43201
If Adriatico’s is chill, Out-R-Inn is a chaotic good. This bar is a full-blown Buckeye madhouse on Saturdays, packed with students, recent grads, and the occasional alum reliving their glory days. Cheap drinks? Check. Greasy post-game pizza next door? Check. Game day energy that slaps you in the face as soon as you walk in? Absolutely. It’s not for the faint of heart… but if you’re looking for a wild time, this is it.
3. Gallo’s Tap Room
📍 5019 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH 43214
Gallo’s is a no-nonsense sports bar with a menu that delivers and a TV setup that’s straight-up elite. With 30+ TVs and 23 draft beers, every seat in the house is a good one. Whether you’re rolling deep with a big group or sneaking in solo to stress-eat a burger during the 4th quarter, Gallo’s has the space, the screens, and the nachos to keep you happy.
4. Varsity Club
📍 278 W Lane Ave, Columbus, OH 43201
For over 66 years, Varsity Club has been ground zero for game day near campus. This place is classic, with old-school charm, solid food, and a front patio where you can actually hear the roar of the Shoe before it hits your screen. Burgers, subs, pizza… it’s everything you need to fuel up before, during, and after the game. Whether you’re pregaming or parking yourself for all four quarters, Varsity Club delivers the full OSU experience.
5. Short North Pint House
📍 780 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Short North Pint House’s Website
If you want to be in the middle of the Columbus nightlife scene on game day, Pint House is your move. With more than 75 beers on rotation, an open-air front patio, and all the Young Professional Ohio State fan energy you can handle, it’s a buzzing hub for fans who are too old for campus bars but too fun for their living room couch. It gets packed, so show up early or prepare to do that awkward hover-and-hope for a table.
6. Parlay Sporting Club + Kitchen
📍 570 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
This Short North newbie is going all-in on the sports bar experience. We’re talking private booths with TV control, a game room, and over 100 TVs, including MASSIVE screens for full visual overload. The food is a serious step up too: Wagyu Brisket flatbreads, jumbo wings, and an absolutely satisfying chicken caesar wrap. Whether you’re looking to casually watch or post up like a Vegas VIP, Parlay has you covered.
7. Gresso’s
📍 961 S High St, Columbus, OH 43206
German Village charm meets football mayhem. Gresso’s has low-key become one of the best game day bars in town, with the biggest patio in the area, TVs all over, and a shockingly good food menu. The building was once the mayor’s mansion (seriously), and it’s full of secret rooms and hidden nooks. Pro tip: rent out the upstairs if you’re rolling with a crew. And order the mozzarella sticks. They’re… unreasonably good.
8. Zeno’s
📍 384 W 3rd Ave, Columbus, OH 43201
A true neighborhood gem tucked away in Victorian Village/Harrison West, Zeno’s might not be the flashiest spot on this list, but it’s one of the most beloved. This cozy, no-frills bar has been serving up good vibes, cold drinks, and dependable sports viewing for years. With TVs well-placed throughout the space and a regular crowd of locals who know their football, Zeno’s is the kind of spot where you can actually watch the game (and maybe even have a real conversation during halftime). The prices are great, the food is solid, and there’s zero pretense. Just beer, Buckeyes, and good company.
9. The O on Lane
📍 352 W Lane Ave, Columbus, OH 43201
After The O Patio closed its doors during my undergrad years, we didn’t know what to expect out of The O on Lane. But they have more than filled the void. Located directly north of Ohio Stadium, this place has location on lock. Whether you’re posting up for all four quarters or just pregaming before heading into the Shoe, it’s got the energy, the pizza, and the proximity you’re looking for. It’s the kind of bar where you can feel the turf from your barstool.
10. Woodlands Backyard
📍 668 Grandview Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
If you need more than just beer and football to keep you entertained (we see you, ADHD warriors), Woodlands Backyard is your dream. Duckpin bowling, pool tables, sand volleyball, arcade games… it’s like someone handed a college football fan the keys to a grown-up playground. Add in tons of TVs and killer tacos and burritos, and you’ve got one of the most fun (and underrated) Buckeye watch parties in town.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking for chaos or comfort, campus or craft beer, there’s a bar in Central Ohio ready to host your next Ohio State football watch party. So gear up, grab your friends, and remember: it’s not just football… it’s The Ohio State Buckeyes football.
Go Bucks.