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Ohio State University - Nightlife - College ProwlerCollege Prowler5.00

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

LaurenJenkins

'15

Psychology

4.2
A-

Fun If You Make Friends.

Ohio State has so many different things going on at night. There are many bars on the main street right off campus, there are also frat parties all the time. Underage nightlife is also fun. The resident halls host fun activities usually every weekend.

Feb 03, 2012

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Nightlife at Ohio State University

jeager11

'14

Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition

4.6
A

High St

Take a walk down high st any night in the summer and you'll find a party easy...or any of the side streets as well. Easy to get into the party scene and forget school work. But I wouldn't recommend doing so.

Jan 24, 2012

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Nightlife at Ohio State University

dbleas

'12

Biological Engineering

5.0
A+

Insomniac's Problems Are Answered

Parties: There are some nights that house parties are all the rage (mirror lake jump, halloween, home game nights) but mostly that's just for those that are incapable of making it out to the bars.

Bars: Most are 21+, but for those able to go they are AMAZING! Just on campus there are numerous bars to go to and Gateway offers a wonderful mix of dancing (Charlie Bear), casual (gooeyz), or just the average bar/pub (ugly tuna). Never fear those on North Campus, they've got Little Bar, Sloppy Donkey, Thirsty Scholar and lots more in between. Word to the wise, if you're using a fake, stay away from Gateway. Best part about Columbus is that it's only a short ride downtown. There's a party bus offered from campus to downtown and back, plus it's FREE. Downtown offers a wide variety of bars that even those under 21 can enjoy on select nights.

Transportation otherwise can be done using COTA, free with your buckid, or by taxi.

BEST PART: there's always something to do, every night! Turning 21 on a week night? NOT A PROBLEM. There's always some bar with a special or that is hopping on a select night, just ask around and someone will fill you in. :)

Jan 12, 2012

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Page 1 of 13

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.

Club ListingsWhat's This?

Red Zone

The best hip hop club in Columbus, Red Zone is popular because of its comfortable lounge seating and its jam-packed dance floors. Red Zone features three different dance floors/lounges, with appearances made by internationally-known DJs. This club is for the young, sophisticated, fabulous crowd.

303 S Front St.

(614) 621-0416

www.redzone-club.com

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

Sloppy Donkey

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

2400 N. High St.

(614) 297-5000

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

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

Too's

Too's on Tuesdays is the day to go!

1880 N. High St.

(614) 299-2962

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

Spice Bar

Formal, classy bar.

491 N. Park St.

(614) 224-7840

www.littlebrothers.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mad Mex

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

1542 N. High St.

(614) 586-4007

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

The Little Bar

Football players' bar.

2195 N. High St.

(614) 291-8887

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

College Prowler guides are in the hands of students throughout the entire process. Because you can't make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who write, edit, and survey their peers for every guide that we publish. Thanks to our most recent student author at OSU

Name: Gilburt L. Chiang

Hometown: Marietta, Ga.

Major: Electrical engineering

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