The nightlife in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the most vibrant in the world. The state of Ohio is situated west of the Appalachian Mountains, and is bordered by five other states, Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Ohio is known for its beautiful state parks, lively cities, and historic museums. Oh, and not to mention, Ohio is home to a large amish community.
One of the best cities Ohio has to offer is its capital, Columbus. It is where you can find tourist attractions like the Leveque Tower, Ohio Theatre, Franklin Park Conservatory, Botanical Gardens, Ohio Stadium, and more. When the night falls, Columbus shows off its impressive lively scenery and is a dynamic spectacle for locals and tourists.
In this article, we will present the best nightlife attractions in Columbus, Ohio, with areas you can visit and activities you can try. There will never be a dull moment when you arrive in this thrilling city in Ohio.
Contents
- Brothers Drake Meadery
- Gateway Film Center
- Lincoln Social Rooftop
- Funny Bone Comedy Club
- Short North Arts District
- Land-Grant Brewing Company
- Skully’s Music-Diner
- 16-Bit Bar and Arcade
- The Grandview Hop
- LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus
- A Distinct Way to Immerse Yourself into the Nightlife in Columbus, Ohio
Brothers Drake Meadery
The first on our list of the best nightlife in Columbus is Brothers Drake Meadery. This meadery was founded in 2007, with its name referring to the Drake brothers, Eric and Woody, who created mead before stumbling upon home brewing kits. This fate has led Brothers Drake Meadery to develop into what it is today, a full bar with live music and the best mead in the Short North Arts District.
They offer a wide selection of meads, brewed with a vast array of different fruits and honeys’. The crowd favorite is Bourbon Barrel Battle Axe, a brew made up of cranberry, vanilla, honey, and juniper berries. This is just one of many incredible and tasty meads you can try, and of course they also offer your favorite beers and wines.
Gateway Film Center
If while you’re in Columbus you want to see the latest film, then you can visit the Gateway Film Center with your friends, family, or loved ones. Each week Gateway Film Center updates its line-up of blockbusters, documentaries, indies, and films. But that’s not all this movie theatre has to offer. After watching the movie, you can head down to The Torpedo Room, a beautiful bar located inside the movie theatre. The perfect place to talk about the movie while enjoying craft beers and cocktails.
Looking to have a memorable night out within the renowned Short North Arts District of Columbus? Go check out Lincoln Social Rooftop. This urban rooftop lounge serves cocktails, bubbles, and platters with a sophisticated ambiance that features a fire pit, upscale patio decors, and lush greenery. Situated nine stories above High Street, giving you an amazing view of the city to pair with your drinks. The cocktails are created and handcrafted by their expert mixologists, with a talented and award-winning culinary team making the flavorful choices on the menu.
Funny Bone Comedy Club
A night out in Columbus offers more than just your classic drinks, music, and food. You can have an entertaining night out at Funny Bone Comedy Clubs. Hosting stand-up comedy shows throughout the week, featuring local talents and premier names. This is a great place to have a relaxing evening filled with laughter.
Known as the premier comedy club in Columbus, Funny Bone Comedy Club features comedic artists such as Damon Williams, Josh Blue, and Jess Hilarious. This comedy club and restaurant started in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, with co-founders Mitch Kutash and Gerald Kubach. During its three decade lifespan it has welcomed numerous celebrities comedians, including Gabriel Iglesias and Dave Chapelle. Alongside great comedy, the restaurant serves hand-cut fries, glazed pepper bacon, buffalo chicken sandwich, tender chicken platter, and more.
Short North Arts District
If you love art, spend your night discovering the Short North Arts District. Known as the art and soul of Columbus, this culturally rich area is primarily located on North High Street. This popular area is known for its beautiful art and great dining. Alongwith hosting the nationally acclaimed Gallery Hop every first Saturday of the month.
Short North has also been featured in various media sources. The Huffington Post named it the “artistic hub of Columbus,” Ohio Magazine calls it the “best art event in Ohio,” and the New York Times dubs it the “Columbus cool.”
Land-Grant Brewing Company
Nightlife in Columbus is not complete without visiting one of their local breweries. One of the best is the Land-Grant Brewing Company, situated inside an old factory built in the 1920s. With the factory getting a full overhaul, this brewery has a modern feel. Producing 10,000-15,000 barrels every year, you can come take a tour and check out the brewery for yourself.
But what makes this a perfect place to spend your night is its taphouse and beer garden. Their taproom offers a selection of seasonal, limited, year-round, and rotating beers while also offering food trucks on the premise to provide great food to pair with the beer. Their anchor food truck, Ray Ray’s Hog Pit, has been named by Food & Wines Magazine as the best BBQ in Columbus.
Skully’s Music-Diner
Travel back in time and dance to the beat at Skully’s Music-Diner, one of the best clubs and diners in Columbus. The renowned diner and club is a winner of many prestigious awards. Such as being named as the Best Diner in America by Tabelog. Offering a fantastic food selection, such as their famous Skully Burger and all-day breakfast, this is the perfect place if you want to enjoy a throw-back atmosphere with great food and dancing.
16-Bit Bar and Arcade
What better way to spend your evening out than by reliving your childhood alongside your favorite drinks. 16-Bit Bar and Arcade is the perfect place to have a bit of nostalgia as you enjoy their selection of over 40 vintage arcade games. To make it even better, when you drink, you get to play for free! Come here with some friends and enjoy a game of Donkey Kong, Street Fighter, Frogger, and NBA Jam. They offer a full menu of drinks, offering cocktails, cold drafts, and canned beers, so don’t get too lost in the games and forget to order another drink.
The Grandview Hop
If you are in the mood to spend the night with the community, one of the recommended events to check out is The Grandview Hop. Hosted on the last Saturday of each month during the summer from 5-9 p.m. The Grandview Hop is an event filled with live music, art, and delicious food. Thousands of attendees join in and it is open for all ages. So make sure if you’re in Columbus during the summer months to come visit with the whole family.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus
Last but certainly not least on our list is the LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus. You got it right; it is a theme park featuring one of the world’s favorite toys, LEGO. LEGOLAND is where you can get to know your favorite LEGO stars on-screen and in person at the Discovery Center. You can also take pictures together with the LEGO characters. This is the perfect venue to spend the night hanging out with the entire family after touring Columbus. It is especially great for those that prefer to have a more family-oriented night out away from the bars and clubs.
At the LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus, you can have a blast watching LEGO movies in an immersive experience that includes bursts of snow, rain, and wind while you watch the film. You can also shop at the LEGO store for souvenir items plus more of your favorite LEGO toys. LEGOLAND is also for the child at heart as it hosts the Adult Night on the first Thursday of each month and is open for guests ages 18 and above, allowing them to explore the themed discovery center.
A Distinct Way to Immerse Yourself into the Nightlife in Columbus, Ohio
When looking for the best nightlife in Columbus, Ohio, there is a lot to discover, and there are even more nightlife experiences you can stumble upon. Be prepared to be amazed. If you think it’s just your average city comparable to any other state, think again. It is home to various areas and venues that turn into energetic and vibrant landscapes as the sun sets and the night falls.
Take advantage of your trip to Columbus, and search for the best vacation rental properties in the city at RentalTrader. Whether you are looking at heading over to the Schottenstein Center or the Pins Mechanical Company, RentalTrader offers a platform where you can find affordable vacation rental properties throughout the city. If you want to know more about these accommodations, visit our website and contact us with any questions you may have.
