Columbus, Ohio
 

In need of names of good bars in Columbus, Ohio.

I have a group of about 15-20 people coming down and I need a few good places to take them!!

Thanks!!

4 Kegs is always good :)

bump ;)

Try this website...it may be of help?
City Search - Columbus

I don't really need to know about the bars, but I just wanted to announce that I'd be visiting February 24-26. Not a long visit, but if anyone wants to meet, please PM me!

I need to get back home to see my dad, but I don't know what the chances are of it being that weekend. I'm waiting for a great fare...

If it happens then, I'll get in touch.

Wow, someone's coming to Columbus? Cool! Rashid, are you actually going into the city or more the general metro area?

DeltAlum, please do!

AOIIalum, well....I assume I will be in the city the whole time. Two friends go to OSU (PhD and MD) and two others just work in the city. One works for A&F and the other is a community organizer.

I'm there just to visit all my friends and go to a party the med student is throwing.

All my friends who live there can't believe somebody wants to visit....lol.... but I miss them and hey, when else will I be inclined to visit?

I will.

It's funny, when I was growing up and then working there shortly after college, I thought it was pretty "average."

Now, that I haven't lived there in years, it seems like just a pretty nice place.

I have a theory that what makes people think a city is "big time" is (unfortunately) a well known major sports franchise.

Columbus doesn't have an NFL, NBA or MLB franchise -- and the reason for that is the amount of sports dollars available. It is surrounded by major league cities in every direction, (Cleveland, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh) within two to three hours drive, and a big expensive franchise might struggle there. (Taking nothing away from the NHL team, etc)

That being said, there are numerous things about Columbus that make it a nice place to visit.

Ahem - Columbus has the FIRST soccer-only stadium in the United States, and the Columbus Crew of MLS plays there. I've been to a LOT of games there, and it truly is THE way to watch a soccer game!

We normally go to a pub-style bar which name escapes me, but I'm asking on another board what it is - I'll be back with an edit, because it's a great place!

ETA:
The Rose and Thistle
1200 Chambers Rd
Columbus, OH 43212
(614) 486-1990

And a very nice one just off of I-71.

I will point out in very small letters, that the last I heard the team had defaulted and was being sued over the stadium. I don't know if that's ever gotten resolved.

There is talk of a soccer only stadium here in Denver, but I don't know where the plans stand or the timing.

Besides, I was talking about Major League sports.

(I've hidden the staple gun)

Hmmm... I wouldn't be surprised, with the last two seasons that the Crew had, but I hadn't heard. Wait a second, from here, it looks good for them!

BTW, I should let you know that, for some silly reason or another, my daddy made sure we have several staple guns - each!

Plus, soccer is only not quite-so-Major here! There's a little tournament called the World Cup being held in Germany this summer...

Hey, maybe the Columbus Blue Jackets are still the toddlers of the NHL, but they're starting to come on strong. Loyal fans, a decent owner and the best arena I've ever been in for any sport at the professional or collegiate level.

Besides, a NFL or NBA team would take a back seat to Ohio State around here ;)

I'm really not trying to start a fight -- honest -- but the NHL couldn't even get a major TV contract. The two real heavyweight sports are the NFL and MLB -- with the NBA somewhere behind them.

Since I grew up in Columbus, then worked in TV there for six years, I hear what you're saying about Ohio State.

I will just say, though, that when we moved to Denver, the Broncos were the Mile High example of the Buckeyes. They were everything. The Nuggets were popular, but didn't hold a candle to the Broncos. It was almost silly. A lot like OSU.

Now that we have four major sports, plus soccer, arena football, LaCrosse and professional water skiing (well, OK, we don't have professional water skiing), the Broncos are still huge -- but they're not the only story in town.

I suspect the same would be true with Ohio State. But, as I said much earlier, I don't think there are enough sports dollars to support a big ticket team in that region.

Otherwise, there would be one.