Columbus has dive bars… and then there’s Char Bar.
This isn’t just another cheap-drinks, pool tables, creepy basement type of place. Char Bar is a haunted, history-soaked Columbus legend where Abraham Lincoln got a facelift in the basement before his funeral procession rolled through town.
Yep. You read that right. Honest Abe, facelift, in the basement of a dive bar. And somehow, that’s not even the tip of the iceberg with Char Bar.
A Funeral Parlor Turned Dive Bar
Before it was Columbus’ most iconic dive, Char Bar was a funeral parlor dating back to the 1800s. According to local lore, Lincoln’s body made a stop here in 1865 for some touch-ups before his public viewing in Columbus.
Why? Because he was on his way back to his final resting place in Springfield, Illinois, and had already been dead for over a week…
Long story short: He was looking rough.
That eerie history still lingers. The basement has long been rumored to be haunted, with patrons swearing they’ve heard voices, footsteps, and the totally busted piano in the basement doesn’t help dispel these rumors. Many people (and employees) swear that, despite being completely out of commission in it’s current state, it still plays itself late at night.
But believe it or not, Char Bar’s haunted reputation is just as strong as its reputation for cheap beers.
Chaos Is Part of the Charm
Char Bar’s history isn’t just spooky — it’s chaotic. In 2024, the bar was forced to close after an ~alleged~ drunk driver literally crashed into the front of the building. Because it sits inside a historic structure, repairs for the bar were buried under mountains of red tape, leaving locals wondering if the place would ever come back…
For months, rumors swirled that it was permanently closed. But in true Char Bar fashion, the dive refused to die.
The Big Comeback
In April 2025, Char Bar finally reopened, and Columbus REJOICED. It wasn’t flashy, and it certainly wasn’t trendy. But no one wanted it to be. Char Bar returned as what it’s always been: a pure, no-frills dive bar with history in its walls (and maybe a ghost or two in the basement).
We were at the grand reopening, and the vibe was incredible. People were so pumped to be back, and it was cool to see those who had never been to Char Bar before experience it for the first time with smiles from ear to ear.
In a city constantly chasing the next new thing, Char Bar’s comeback was proof that Columbus still loves a gritty, historic spot where the past feels very much alive.
Why Char Bar Matters
Char Bar isn’t just a bar. It’s a Columbus time capsule. Where else can you sip a cheap beer or a strong Long Island Iced Tea in a building that once doubled as a funeral parlor, possibly share space with a piano-playing ghost, and raise a glass to Abraham Lincoln’s facelift?
Love it or fear it, Char Bar is woven into Columbus’ history — and its haunted energy is part of what makes it so unforgettable.
So next time you’re downtown, step inside. Just don’t go poking around the basement alone.
📍 Char Bar | 439 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
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