Looking for the coziest bars and coffee shops in Columbus? Here are six can’t-miss spots around Central Ohio to settle into this fall.
Cocktails
When the Occasion Calls for More Than an Ordinary Dinner, Go to Vittoria in Powell
When you’re planning a birthday, anniversary, or just a dinner that feels a little more special, you want a restaurant you can count on. The kind where the food is consistently good. The atmosphere feels special. And you leave already thinking about what you’ll order next time.That’s Vittoria in Powell.
Pineapple Whip Cider, Live Music & Food Trucks — Dalton Union is the Summer Hang Worth the Drive
Sometimes the best weekend plans aren’t downtown. Sometimes they’re out in the countryside with a cold drink in your hand, live music playing, and no one rushing you to leave.
The Spot That Finally Solves the “Where Should We Eat?” Date Debate: Ella’s Kitchen & Wine Bar
One couple wants a nice dinner with wine. The other wants burgers and somewhere that doesn’t feel too fancy. Meet: Ella’s Kitchen & Wine Bar.
Cobra in Columbus Just Beat Out Every Restaurant Bar in America for This Award
Cobra just won “Best U.S. Restaurant Bar” at the 2026 Spirited Awards, one of the spirits industry’s top honors. Here’s the story behind Columbus’s biggest bar win yet.
Flaming Cheese? Say Less. Nomad is Bringing the Heat (Literally) to Polaris Date Nights
Fine-dining food. Flaming tableside cheese. Sneakers welcome. Listening yet? Welcome to Nomad, where date nights get a little fiery.
No Sitter, No Problem: Wine Slushies for You, Frozen Lemonade for the Kids at Echo Spirits on the Vine
A family-friendly AND pet-friendly destination in Powell, Echo Spirits is a vineyard bar with drinks (for both those over and under 21), yard games, and, above all, the kind of laid-back atmosphere that makes you want to stay awhile.
The Most Secretive (and Coolest) Speakeasies in Columbus Ohio
Discover the best hidden bars and speakeasies in Columbus, Ohio, from secret spots behind pizza joints to a post office basement-turned-cocktail lounge. Here’s where to find them.
This Hidden Gem Cocktail Bar in the Short North Has The Best Drinks In Central Ohio
Tucked away in the heart of the Short North, The Alibi Bourbon & Cocktail Lounge is a hidden gem that even the most seasoned Columbus bar-hoppers miss.
This Ohio Bar Feels Like You’re Drinking in Your Grandpa’s Basement
Nostalgia, cocktails, and a little bit of sports history all wrapped up in one cozy package? That’s the vibe at Homage Bar in the Short North.
Dalton Union Winery & Brewery: The Adult Hangout in Marysville Bringing Back 2000s Push Pops and Karaoke Nights
If you’re ready to meet the place that’s about to hook you up with a.) drinks b.) atmosphere c.) fun, text the crew and make a plan to stop in at Dalton Union.
Brass Eye’s Columbus Rooftop Just Got a Secret Garden Makeover Perfect for Summer Date Nights
Brass Eye in Downtown Columbus has become one of the top rooftop bars in the area thanks to the skyline views and impressive menu. But their new Secret Garden concept is elevating their game to the next level!
Vittoria: The Columbus Restaurant Drawing in Out-of-Towners for House-Made Pastas & Famous Limoncello
People are driving hours for this Columbus Italian restaurant.
You’ve Got Mail: This Ohio Speakeasy Hidden Inside a Post Office is the Most Surreal Date Night Spot
P.O. Box 21 is a hidden speakeasy behind a secret door inside High Bank Distillery in Westerville, Ohio. Here’s why its name, its location, and its cocktails all connect to one of the most important chapters in American history.
Behind This Unmarked Door is One of the Coolest Bars in Columbus
From the moment you walk in, you can tell that Bar Room is anything but a normal bar.
Westerville’s Most Satisfying Cantina: Margs, Fajitas, and a Dessert You Won’t Forget
There are two kinds of strip-mall restaurants: the ones you forget immediately, and the ones that serve cheesecake in a deep fried tortilla topped with chocolate, whipped cream, and cinnamon sugar. Las Margaritas is the latter.
This Columbus Bar Is Embarrassing Downtown’s Absurd Prices (And No One Is Talking About It)
Knockout Pub & Grill is one of those places that reminds you bars don’t have to be expensive to be great.
Pizza Up Front, Bourbon in the Back: The Short North Spot Delivering an Unbeatable, 2-for-1 Experience For Your Tastebuds
Sitting right on High Street, this killer Short North spot is half New York pizza shop, half cocktail lounge… literally.
If Your Perfect Night is Whiskey, Snacks & Talking Trash Over Pac-Man, Noble Cut is Calling
Noble Cut is bringing the whiskey, bar bites, and pinball to the table… you just have to show up. And trust us, you won’t regret it.
Powell’s Welcoming Tuscan Hideaway Serving Steaks, 1-lb Lasagna, & Authentic Italian Vibes You Can’t Help But Love
When you dine at Vittoria, you eat well (obviously), you feel looked after (naturally), and you leave with the rare combo of full, relaxed, and a little smug you picked the right spot.
Haunted Mirrors, Ouija Boards & Getting Slapped by a Bartender. All in a trip to Bossy Grrls.
If you’re looking for a bar that’s way more than just drinks and music, let me introduce you to Bossy Grrl’s Pin Up Joint in the Old North.
