Sign Up Login
Icon

LOOKING FOR THE

Best Dive Bar in Columbus

Best days for Best Dive Bar in Columbus

Map My Location
Char Bar
439 N High St Columbus, OH 43202
(614) 225-9439
Unchanged for about 30 years, the Char Bar is a rock of dive bar consistency in the trendy Arena District. The pool table, dart boards, and bathroom chalkboards date back at least to the 80's, just like the bartenders themselves. Keep an eye out for Chuck, the bar's apparition-like owner (ever see Phantasm 2?) who appears from the ether every night around midnight. Sure, the smell might make you nostalgic for the days when smoking was legal in Columbus bars, but one long island iced tea will adequately numb your senses. Sliding into a barstool at the Char is like pulling on your favorite jeans, and neither goes out of style.
The Bier Stube
1479 N High St Columbus, OH 43201
(614) 299-5467
The Bier Stube is a rare cheese-free bar on Ohio State's south campus. The bar has a grand total of nine inches of window, all of it in the door. "The Stube" is dark and pungent, and the bathrooms are downright scary. All of this deters the Abercrombie-clad greek crowd, instead attracting 21-and-over students and grads who appreciate a little classic rock on the jukebox and a cheap beer. Many a good story begins "One night I was at the Bier Stube..." so stop by late night and craft your own.
St. James Tavern
1057 N 4th St Columbus, OH 43201
(614 294-0064
It's not really fair to call the St. James a "dive bar." No, it doesn't have disco balls or Watermelon Appletinis or deejays, but we consider that a good thing. Maybe it's the dim lighting, dangerous bathrooms, or raw fixtures that earn the St. James a spot on this list, but the bar oozes neighborhood charm and boasts one of the best jukeboxes in the city. The beer selection is top-notch and astoudingly cheap. There was much gnashing of teeth when pints of Guinness were recently raised from $3.00 to $3.25. If that extra quarter is a problem, go eff yourself! The bar is pretty small, but we prefer to call it "cozy" and bartender/owner Michelle Hill is a riot. The neighborhood is actually getting nicer instead of dumpier thanks to the nearby Jeffrey Place development, so time will tell if the St. James stays on our list of top dive bars or graduates to something trendier.
Andyman's Treehouse
887 Chambers Road Columbus, OH 43212
(614) 299-3245
Andyman's is co-owned by local radio deejay Andy "Andyman" Davis, so music is at its core. Well, that and some obscure B-movie posters. The joint is hard to find, but your efforts are rewarded by cheap beer and a seat next to the live tree that grows through the middle of the performance space. Andyman's ain't pretty (Davis has a bad habit of screaming at everyone to get the f*ck out shortly after last call) and almost every patron is in a band, but this place has hosted some of the most spirited gigs from Columbus' burgeoning local music scene, including X-Rated Cowboys, Daddy's Fuzzy Luggage, and Electric Grandmother.
Mickey's Bar
1230 W Fifth Ave Columbus, OH 43212
614-488-3566
Formerly known as "Mickey's Oldtimers Tavern," this converted grocery store now hosts a steady stream of regulars. And when we say "regulars," we mean 365-days-a-year regular (366 on leap years)! If the pool table or bartop trivia game doesn't hold your attention, stop by most weekend nights for karaoke. If karaoke conjurs images of American Idol-eque caterwauling, Mickey's also features bands of the more professional variety...assuming you consider "Shaving Nancy" to be professional.
Change Location