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Ohio State University - Nightlife - Nightlife - College ProwlerCollege Prowler4.62

Nightlife

A
Where does this grade come from?View all Nightlife rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

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Quick Stats

Primary Areas with Nightlife
  • Brewery District
  • Downtown Columbus
Student Favorites
  • Lodge Bar (on Thursdays and weekends)
  • O Patio
  • Out-R-Inn (on Mondays)
  • Sugar Bar
  • Too's (on Tuesdays)
Favorite Drinking Games
  • Baseball
  • Beer Pong
  • F*ck the Dealer
  • Flip Cup
  • Kings
  • Landmines
  • Power Hour
Useful Resources for Nightlife U Weekly, the school newspaper, usually advertises about the nightlife specials.

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

The demolition of the South Campus bars by Campus Partners, a University-affiliated non-profit civic association in 2002 has really hindered the “Animal House” appeal of the area. This should change when their urban revitalization project is completed, however. The only bars and small clubs which are left around the campus can be found on the North Side. Many students frequent local bars such as Four Kegs and Red Zone. Because of the diminished scene, those who frequent these clubs and bars are a little more united. Larry’s, a bar that recently celebrated it 70th anniversary, enjoys a devoted following, as well.

The main attraction, as far as clubs and bars are concerned, resides in downtown Columbus. The Brewery District, along with various other clubs, has transformed downtown into a perennial hotspot. This area is mostly 21 and up, however, which makes it off-limits for a lot of students at OSU. If you’re underage or can’t make it downtown, your best bet is a house party off campus for drinks and dancing. The club scene is definitely not big on weekends. Follow the loud noise and packs of freshmen traveling together, and you’re likely to run across at least one or two big parties.

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Ohio State Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Nightlife at Ohio State University

mfortson10

Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences '16

2.7
C+

Too Routine

If you like doing the same things over and over with your weekend OSU is for you! There is always a party to be found, but depending on who's there you may not want to be found if the police show up. Columbus has very few attractions, but it's in the progress of changing that reputation.

May 01, 2012

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Nightlife at Ohio State University

fairypower1234

Business '14

5.0
A+

Wow Great Clubs and Hangout

Nightlife is great. There are a lot of places to hang out and socialize everyday and they are easily accessible.

Apr 13, 2012

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Nightlife at Ohio State University

solbi48304

International Studies '15

4.6
A

Nightlife!

The nightlife at Ohio State is very good. There is always something to do, whether that be see a movie at the conveniently located theater (The Gateway Film Center), or go downtown to Columbus, or walk down greek row. There seems to always be a party. The bars are close and are good about hosting events such as sorority and fraternity date parties and themes parties. Campus dining halls close way too soon (except Sloopy's) and would probably make more money if they stayed open later. High street is usually very crowded with people during the weekends, so you do not feel unsafe. There are plenty of taxis and busing services that will take you downtown, or simply across campus. I have only used the buses to go downtown for sporting events because most everywhere else is within good walking distance.

Apr 10, 2012

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Page 1 of 15
User rating for Ohio State University - Nightlife is 4.6 out of 5 based on 43 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate the off-campus bar and club scene on the following topics

What is the party scene like on campus?

What’s the best way to get to the popular nightlife spots?

Facts

Club Crawler

Having so many clubs so close to a college campus means that they get much more packed than a regular town’s clubs. College students mainly fill them, but there is also a handful of non-students, too. Most places are 21 and up only. This excludes a lot of minors from even entering the bar let alone get served a drink.

Bar Prowler

The Brewery District in downtown Columbus is overrun by bars. The Gateway project on South Campus promises to bring new nightlife to the area, if and when it is ever completed.

Closing Time

2 a.m.

Cheapest Place to Get a Drink

Larry’s

Organization Parties

Individual organizations have get-togethers at different times during the year. If you’re interested, check out one of the meetings.

Bar ListingsWhat's This?

Out-R-Inn

Only blocks from Ohio Stadium and Value City Arena, sports fans flock here, especially to root the Buckeyes on. This bar has two outdoor patios, four dart boards, six pool tables, a few basketball games, and $1 drafts on Sundays.

20 E. Frambes Ave.

(614) 294-9259

Sloopy's

This bar is farther north, but the karaoke, dancing, and great deals attract people.

2619 N. High St.

(614) 263-9650

The O Patio & Pub

By far the most popular bar on campus, it can be packed almost any night of the week. Greek central.

12 E. 15th Ave.

(614) 298-8000

McFadden's

One of the 3 popular Gateway bars. It gets ridiculously packed on Wednesdays.

1576 N. High St.

(614) 294-2200

Nyoh's Buckeye Bar & Grill

A little far from campus, but a fun country bar with square dancing. Popular on Thursdays.

2871 Olentangy River Rd.

(614) 261-1970

Sloppy Donkey

Newly renamed (formerly Larry's). Very chill place with pool tables and darts.

2400 N. High St.

(614) 297-5000

Ugly Tuna Saloona

One of the most popular bars in Gateway. Trendy and creative.

1546 N. High St.

(614) 297-8862

Varsity Club

Wondering where you will be pre- and post-gaming on Ohio State game nights? Uh, that’ll be the Varsity Club. Forget who you’re rooting for? No worries, because the place is packed with OSU memorabilia.

278 W. Lane Ave.

(614) 299-6269

Too's

Too's on Tuesdays is the day to go!

1880 N. High St.

(614) 299-2962

Sugar Bar

An upscale luxury bar with a dance floor.

525 Park St.

614-224-7840

www.highfivebar.com

Thirsty I

Sports bar. Great for themed gatherings and sports games.

300 W. Lane Ave.

(614) 424-6718

Mad Mex

Mexican restaurant in Gateway with a bar. Great for drinking and dinner.

1542 N. High St.

(614) 586-4007

Callahan's

A good bar, but not as popular as others.

520 Park St.

(614) 223-1200

Dionysus (Apollo's)

Small outdoor bar opened by Greek fastfood joint Apollo's.

2608 N. High St.

(614) 294-4006

Blue Danube

One of the only places to get some grub after midnight, Blue Danube is a popular hang out for OSU students, and it would be a rare night to go here without knowing a handful of people. What we love most about the “Dube” is that it’s cheap, and it gives us what we want: beer and finger foods. Hipsters and jocks alike will agree that this is the place to be—music preferences aside.

2439 N. High St.

(614) 261-9308

Bar Louie

Nice bar and club with an older crowd.

504 N. Park St.

(614) 220-0900

The Bier Stube

A hidden treasure with great deals.

1479 N. High St.

(614) 299-5467

The Distillery/Bernie’s Bagels

Indie rock started here—no, not exactly, but Beck did play here back in the day. Students come here in the daytime for coffee and bagels, and come back at night for live local bands, as well as nationally touring bands seven days a week.

1896 N. High St.

(614) 291-3448

The Lodge Bar Columbus

An upscale, ski lodge-themed, and extremely popular bar.

165 Vine St.

(614) 221-2824

Lucky's Stout House

An Irish pub, similar to Out-R-Inn. Outdoor tables.

1475 N. High St.

(614) 299-5825

The Little Bar

Football players' bar.

2195 N. High St.

(614) 291-8887

Gaswerks

Nice bar with a pool room.

487 Park St.

(614) 228-1988

www.larrysbar.com

Library Bar

A less popular, but very chill, hangout spot.

2169 N. High St.

(614) 299-3245

What to Do if You're Not 21What's This?

My suggestion for those that are not 21: Turn 21! The bar scene is popular, and the only alternatives are to go to house parties or to try and get into a fraternity party. On certain days of the week, bars will have 18-and-up nights for those that are not of age. Many freshman and sophomores who are not of age like to attend house parties.

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Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Gilburt L. Chiang
Hometown
Marietta, Ga.
Major
Electrical engineering

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

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How do we get our information? Find out here or report an error here. The statistics on our site are from the National Center for Education Statistics IPEDS database.
We update this information twice annually, most recently in May 2012, but it may not be the most recent information available for a particular school.
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