Bob's Bar

Bob's BarBob's Bar
Bob's BarBob's Bar
Bar

4961 N High St
Columbus, Ohio, 43214-1523
United States

(614) 888-9073 | map
bobsbar.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.31
Reviews:
33
Ratings:
50
pDev:
13.23%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 4.79 by themayorkoch from Ohio

Feb 09, 2018
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Reviewed by SGregg from Ohio

5/5  rDev +16%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Don’t let the outside of the building fool you, this is the best bar in Columbus. The whole staff is knowledgeable and friendly. A wide variety of selection with a good amount of specialty beers. A great mix of clientele from blue collar to white collar. I have never left this place and not had an awesome experience.
Oct 07, 2017
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Reviewed by jp32 from Michigan

4.08/5  rDev -5.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.25
This place has a dark, dirty, dive-bar feel. One that doesn't bother me the least bit. About 20 or so beers on tap... some are great, quite a few others are mediocre. You won't see very many (if any) domestic macro's taking up space on these 20, so that's a plus for this place.

We each ordered 2 beers and I bought another bottle to take home. The place was relatively busy, but at some point during our stay I did a head count... 28 guys and 2 girls. It's a very "dude-heavy" bar, don't plan on seeing a girl here.

Bartender was friendly, knowledgeable, and quick.
Dec 11, 2015
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Reviewed by EvanMaldonado from Ohio

4.61/5  rDev +7%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
One of my favorite places to go in Columbus. Atmosphere is always fun, and I love playing pool so their two tables are a major plus for me. Bartenders are very knowledgable and friendly, and treat me as family now that I've become a regular. Beer selection is always solid, with 25+ drafts of pretty unique stuff for the area, and always high ABV.
May 06, 2015
 
Rated: 4.4 by hobbit328 from Ohio

Apr 02, 2015
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Rated by Driver8rws from Ohio

3.72/5  rDev -13.7%
vibe: 2 | quality: 4.75 | service: 2 | selection: 5
Not dirty, but not clean. Total dive bar, dark, small, etc. But amazing beer selection, and decent prices.
NO FOOD. Get some taco bell after...
Mar 24, 2015
 
Rated: 3.96 by Bisco42 from Ohio

Mar 11, 2015
 
Rated: 4.14 by Cynic-ale from Texas

Feb 09, 2015
 
Rated: 4.29 by WesMantooth from Ohio

Jan 30, 2015
 
Rated: 4.43 by Inju

Jan 03, 2015
 
Rated: 4.27 by ScottJWing from Ohio

Dec 30, 2014
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Reviewed by remy28 from Ohio

5/5  rDev +16%
This place is the ultimate dive bar. Has 30+ beers on tap, seemingly hundreds in bottles. Pool tables, dart boards, and beef jerky. This place is the best.
Dec 01, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by BeerMeBro720 from Ohio

Oct 12, 2014
 
Rated: 2 by Well from Ohio

Oct 10, 2014
 
 
Rated: 4 by vrbulldog22 from Ohio

Jun 29, 2014
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Reviewed by j_hollings13 from Ohio

3.08/5  rDev -28.5%
vibe: 1 | quality: 4 | service: 1 | selection: 5
Service and atmosphere were so bad that quality and selection didn't matter. It took me an hour to get served. I was impressed with the ridiculously huge selection, however, the staff were so busy screwing around with the promo checklists of the regulars that I wasn't able to just get a drink.
Jun 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by zimm421 from Ohio

Jun 05, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by MuscleConfusion from Ohio

Apr 29, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by Farky87 from Ohio

Apr 17, 2014
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Reviewed by GreesyFizeek from New York

4.19/5  rDev -2.8%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25
Unassuming place from the outside. Claims to be "cultural hub of the Midwest."

A Saturday afternoon saw about 6 other people in the dimly lit bar. About 25 taps or so, all interesting stuff, although some of the really good stuff was kicked already. Settled on Fat Heads Trail Head, decent price for it. They have a pretty extensive coolers of bottles, which very conveniently can be purchased for carry-out. They don't mark the bottles up much at all- 4 bucks for Siberian Night, and 8 for Deschutes Hop Hendge. Very reasonable.

The bartender was nice, and indulged me asking about if they had any Three Floyds (I must have really looked like a choad this weekend asking for it, but I really wanted to try some), and gave me some good suggestions on other places to go.
Apr 14, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Lynn from Ohio

Apr 13, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by kvnklingler from Ohio

Feb 09, 2014
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Reviewed by dougnboston from Massachusetts

3.68/5  rDev -14.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 2.75 | selection: 4
Terrific bar with a very good selection. The bartender was a bit distracted and kept forgetting my order. They do have a very good selection, you won't be disappointed. One cask, was Jolly Pumpkin on this night, very tasty.

The crowd is a mix of locals just looking for a beer and to play pool along with some beery types tasting though new arrivals.

You can buy bottles to go and their markup is reasonable.

I'll go back.
Apr 09, 2013
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Reviewed by nrbw23 from Ohio

4.58/5  rDev +6.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5
The "cultural hub of the midwest" classic and I love it.

The atmosphere is a home town dive bar no food just great beer and booze. You can however order food from a couple places and they will deliver straight to the bar.

Quality of brew is awesome. Always changing handles and cask. Great selection of bottles on hand and ready to go if you'd like.

Service is awesome. They know what they are talking about and are just plain good people. I love just sitting there and shooting the shit with the staff.

They also have the Bob's world tour that you can sign up for.
Aug 02, 2012
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Reviewed by LabBrewer from Ohio

4.88/5  rDev +13.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Bob's Bar is one of the more unusual beer bars I've been to, but has been the best beer bar I've visited in Columbus so far by a pretty decent margin as well. If you are looking to have a beer in the Columbus area, this is the place I would tell you to go to.

The beer selection is really nice. Probably around 20 things on tap, a good mix of local and east coast beers, some west coast stuff and a few good imports. Things that I have had recently there on tap are Fathead IPA, Troeggs barleywine, Rodenbach Grand Cru, just to give you a taste of the kinds of things they have on tap. They also have a great bottle list. Last time I was in with the Mrs. we had a 2011 Pannepot and that was a fantastic beer. And the beer prices are really reasonable. I think everything on tap is in the $4-5 range.

I like the atmosphere of the place, even if it is non-standard for a beer bar with a great selection. It definitely has the feel of the neighborhood "old man" bar, seems to be a place that a lot of locals stop by on their way home from work, but it is a very welcoming place and everyone gets along. I'd say half the people are drinking craft beer and the other half are drinking BMC, but usually these two groups are intermingling so there isn't a Jets vs. Sharks vibe with craft and non-craft drinkers in the place.

Give it a visit, you won't be disappointed.
Jul 28, 2012
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Reviewed by Shmantha

5/5  rDev +16%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Bob's is truely Columbus's gem for beer lovers young and old. Their selection is outstanding and their service is stellar. Pool tables, dart boards and TVs OH MY!
They also offer a World Tour of their bottles which is very educational for new beginners and always changing with the seasons. The bartenders will quickly win your heart and the regulars will keep you coming back.
I highly recommend the bar which is know for being the 'Cultural Hub of the Mid-West'. You will not be disappointed.
Cheers!
Mar 20, 2012
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Reviewed by mlgraef from Ohio

5/5  rDev +16%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
I've been drinking here for about 8 years, they've seen the best of me and the worst of me and never judged me once for it. This is that bar you bring every good friend who comes to town to, meet your pals after work or stay out all night at. Cozy little unassuming joint in the northern part of the city that have bartenders who can recommend you the perfect beer from the hundreds of choices. They generally have something on cask, always a featured bottle list and over 30 draft choices. I haven't met a person yet who didn't like this joint.
Jan 31, 2012
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Reviewed by CapitalGains from Oregon

4.21/5  rDev -2.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Bob's Bar, the Cultural Hub of the Midwest. Situated in Clintonville, this spot is absolutely worth checking out if you live in the general Columbus region.

To preface, my college friends and I started frequenting this fine establishment about two to three times per week when we were seniors in college about two years ago. It's only about a seven to ten minute drive from OSU's north campus. It was a great escape from the overwhelming mediocrity of most college bars.

The atmosphere of Bob's is contingent on when you show up and the day of the week. On most nights - especially weekends - the place is a total dive. It's a classic bar. The music is loud and patrons are usually obnoxious. However, this place is a gem during the various afternoon hours. Don't get me wrong - it's still a lot of fun during the evenings, but expect to be surrounded by some bros pounding Coors Light. The bar is usually crowded but oddly enough I've never felt overly crowded in the place as a whole. There are somewhere around 20-25 seats at the bar and maybe another 15-20 at the various tables near the entrance.

The service - especially considering how busy it can get - is significantly above par. I've had a good experience with every bartender I've encountered at Bob's (namely Jim and Nate). They are quick, knowledgeable, and friendly. I can't ask for much more than that. In fact, there have been several nights when Jim is the only bartender and he handles it like an absolute champ. It's really a sight to behold. Comparing this service to a spot like Bodega's, it's night and day.

With about 40 tap selections and approximately 200 bottles, you're likely to find something worth checking out here. The tap selections typically won't blow you away but there was always something good on tap (CBC IPA, Edmund Fitz, etc). I never ventured into the bottle selection too much so I can't comment on that in detail. However, Bob's does offer the "World Tour." The World Tour basically means you drink every single one of the offered bottles at Bob's and get a special mug that is effectively a 25% discount. If I had stay and lived in Columbus I would have definitely undertaken this challenge. If you're a transient or a visitor...not so much.

To give you some perspective, even though I no longer live in Columbus, I still visited Bob's on 5 or 6 of the 8 days I visited Columbus during this past Thanksgiving. It's a great place to go and hang-out with friends and enjoy some pretty damn good beer. It's not the best place to delve into the critical merits of a particular beer, but it is a great place to go and enjoy yourself with others. Highly recommended.
Dec 30, 2011
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Reviewed by pBRale from Iowa

4.39/5  rDev +1.9%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5
Bob's bar is a little hole-in-the-wall bar off High Street in Columbus, but it is a great place to find quality craft brews. While there I got my hands on some Great Lakes Christmas Ale, Bell's batch 10,000, Dogfish head hellbound IPA, Chimay White, and a couple other beers I didn't remember.

The selection is great, the service is okay (it was packed on a friday night), but the bartenders know their beer.

Atmosphere was okay, not the best for tasting/critically analyzing a beer, but great for enjoying a good beer. Several flat screen TV's at the bar, and a great area with several dart boards. A good place to have great beer and some entertainment.

Prices are decent, not getting any steals, but they don't gouge you either. A good place to get some quality beer.

Also, I stopped in on a Thursday afternoon when it was dead, and I was able to sample a few beers to select the one(s) I wanted to buy. Really nice, but I don't know if this is a common practice or not... Only one way to find out!
Dec 16, 2011
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Reviewed by brandie from Ohio

4.86/5  rDev +12.8%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
Hope it's ok to post my review from Yelp on here too. :)

I've been thinking about my review of Bob's for a while. To be honest, I doubt if this is an unbiased review, because Bob's is my favorite bar in the entire world. But in the interest of trying to be fair, let's get the bad stuff out of the way first.

The parking situation sucks. Bob's is located in a strip mall. They only have 4-5 spots in their portion of the lot out front, and the other half of the strip mall's lot has lots of signs making it clear that bar patrons shouldn't park there. Parking on the side street next to the bar is discouraged since the residents need to park there too. If it's a busy Saturday night, your best bet might be parking at the south end of the Graceland parking lot and walking over.

Like all bars, Bob's gets crowded on the weekends. It's a pretty narrow space, so you can expect some jostling as you're waiting for your beer or heading to the restrooms in the back. You have to do the whole negotiation with the people playing pool and darts on your restroom journey too.

For me, these minor drawbacks are worth it. I think the only places that rivals the beer selection in town are Bodega and Winking Lizard. Those are both great establishments, but Bob's is what feels like home to me. I usually go during happy hour, and I see the same folks there day in and day out.

I feel like I have friends when I go in there, not just with the patrons but with the employees. Since I'm a happy hour girl, I usually end up hanging out with Flo or Nate. You could tell them I said hi, but they'd just say "yeah, whatever." And that's what I love about this place. They're not trying to kiss your ass, so you know that if they treat you well, they really mean it. I guess there's something rewarding in knowing that these guys are talking to me because they *like* me, not just because they're trying to get a bigger tip. It's also nice that you'll often see the off-duty bartenders hanging out on their days off - another testament that it's actually fun to be there.

What else? Oh yeah - the tour. Like Winking Lizard and lots of other places, Bob's has a World Tour. You pay $10 to start it and get a card listing 88 beers. When you finish that, you get a t-shirt and move on to the second part. The addendum has 44 more beers. If you finish that, you get your very own mug. The mug is awesome. iYou can get it engraved with whatever you want (mine says ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED). It holds 23 ounces of beer, but the cost to fill it is the same as a pint. This means you're getting 7 free ounces of beer each time. (Please ignore the fact that it's not REALLY free since I paid for all those beers that I didn't want just to finish the tour.)

The tour is especially great for folks who are just getting into craft beer and want to get a good sampling of different styles. Since I was already a pro, there weren't a lot of styles on there that I hadn't already tried, but I suppose it got me more well-rounded in my knowledge.

Anyway - at the end of the day, I love Bob's. I really really do. If you want your bartender to be fakely nice to you, if you are incapable of sometimes waiting 5-10 minutes for a beer, or if you're wanting elaborate cocktails, this isn't the bar for you. But since that's not what I'm after, I kinda want to move in here.
Aug 08, 2011
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Reviewed by smithm1970 from Ohio

4.2/5  rDev -2.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 5
A - Bobs is an unpretentious place. Great beer in an atmosphere that won't make you feel people are beer snobs.

Q - Has the feel of a college bar, but a superior selection of beers is always available.

Service- Bob's is usually good service, but it gets busy and sometimes the layout of the place makes its difficult to get to the bar and order readily.

Selection - One of the best selections in Columbus..beer is always fresh.

Value- very good value for the offerings available.

I truly think Bob's is definitely a great place to enjoy some great beers.
Jun 01, 2011
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Reviewed by ChrisPro from Illinois

4.03/5  rDev -6.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
A - this is what I want in a beer bar. Homey but not dirty. Dart boards, pool and a great beer list.

Q - solid place that doesn't feel lik a dump and not exactly trendy.

Ser - this was mixed. First bartender sort of ignored me for a but while talking to another patron, but I think he had a reason. Other bartender was friendly, knowledgeable and speedy.

Sel - fantastic! Best I've seen in Columbus. Great taplist and a solid bottle list for any bar.

V - tough to judge coming from pricey Philly but two pints of CBC were $4.5 each which is simply amazing.
May 21, 2011
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Reviewed by TurdFurgison from Ohio

3.94/5  rDev -8.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Surprisingly close to my place, surprising in that I've never stopped here before now. This is a classic bar in the old school USA sense, long central bar with tons of tall chairs along it, some tables against another wall, and a few pool tables in back. Juke box too, although it looks pretty new.

One strong point is that they have a cask! While I was there they served CBC Dry Hopped Bothi (great DIPA, especially on cask). Another strong point is the plethura of standard taps, strong focus on midwest beers like CBC, Founders, Bells, etc. Reasonable pricing too, something like $5-6 per pour.

The clientelle is more blue color that usual for a high quality beer bar, which I actually like. Nothing blows like hanging with the crowd at Bodega, I hope hipsters move on to other drink styles soon.

I will be back, this was a very nice find in northwest Columbus.
May 18, 2011
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Reviewed by shoney from Ohio

4.6/5  rDev +6.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5
This is one of my favorite bars in the city, and it's a bar in the truest sense of the word. There is no pretentiousness just great beer at great prices. The service is great unless you're a prick, and there is a jukebox, darts, and pool tables to keep you occupied. However, the biggest reason I go to Bob's is for the tremendous draft selection. They have over 20 drafts (Flying Dog, Two Brothers, Heavy Seas) of great and interesting beers to try. Check it out if you're a beer lover in the area, you won't be disappointed.
Jan 10, 2011
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Reviewed by polio from Ohio

5/5  rDev +16%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
I LOVE BOB'S BAR!
i basically live here.
this bar has a very friendly staff (as long as you dont act like and idiot and an ass) and a very friendly environment.
the have a huge selection of bottled beers and beers on draft.
they have something called the "Bob's Bar World Tour" where you can try a ton of beers from around the world and get a shirt and a mug. im about an 8th of the way done with the tour and so far it has been an awesome experience trying new beers and learning about how people drink around the world.

go to bobs
Nov 12, 2010
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Reviewed by jrallen34 from Illinois

4.5/5  rDev +4.4%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Holy hole in the wall! This is a Columbus destination must and can best be described as the non-beer-bar beer bar. From the outside looks totally generic, hilarious sign. Walk in and looks like a complete local place. Sit down at the bar and greeted by some very friendly bar tenders who are not only knowledgable but have good suggestions. A really nice draft list of about 20 beers, local beers and very varied. A big bottle list of regulars and an even better list of seasonal bottles. Got to play some naked photo hunt as well.

I call it a non beer bar because half the people there are just locals drinking miller lite and crushing shots. However, top to bottom the beers stand with most top places. Not as many bottles as Bodega but no d-bag hipsters either so its a trade off win.

Go to this place when in Columbus.
Sep 26, 2010
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Reviewed by DoubleSimcoe from Pennsylvania

4.2/5  rDev -2.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5
WOW! Thanks fellow BA's for reviewing this place- I LOVE it!

I already knew Columbus has some really good beer choices- Bodega, Mellow Mushroom, Gallo's Tap Room, the breweries... this is another great addition. Almost 30 taps! Dogfish Sah'tea, Thirsty Dog Siberian Night, Southern Tier Pumpkin, Bear Republic Racer X, Stone Ruination, Founders Nemesis Black Barleywine, Sierra 30th Anniversary Jack and Ken's Barleywine... nice!

Service is prompt and efficient, no beautiful bartenders here, just two dudes who know their beers.

I love the atmosphere! An old-fashioned bar with dim lights, rock music out of a jukebox, working-class types (and students from OSU) and just a good vibe going on. Refreshingly simple!

No food, alas, but you can go to the gyro place next door, get some yummies and bring them to the bar.

Now for the price- WOW and WOW!!! Pints range from $4.25 to $5.75. A full pint of Siberian Night is $4.25, and a full pint of Ruination is $5.75. Compare to the "premium" beer places like Bodega or Mellow Mushroom where these beers cost six or seven bucks and you got a deal of a bar!

Also, Happy Hour runs until eight, yeah! Great deals here. One thing I do not like is that they serve their beers in chilled, almost frosted glasses. That's a little too cold!

I love the pool tables on the back and the jukebox with nice selections.

All in all, the self-billed "Cultural Hub of the Midwest" delivers. Probably my new fav bar in Columbus!!! Cheers!
Sep 14, 2010
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Reviewed by rlshep from Ohio

4.21/5  rDev -2.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5
I want to preface this review by saying we went there right after a Ohio State Buckeye game day from 7:30pm to 10pm. This may not be a normal experience.

A: This is located on North High St and Morse Rd. Pretty far from campus but, not out of range. There is limited parking directly by the bar, but a big shopping center within walking distance. The bar is one long bar, with two pool tables, a dart board, and 8 or so small tables. Patio for smoking. Mostly mid 20 somethings, but some mix of all age groups.

Q: Everything seemed clean. Didn't notice any off-flavors from dirty taps. They gave us clean glasses every time. They were running short of pint glasses.

S: Service was good and friendly they stopped by and checked on us when our glasses were empty. Knowledge of the beer wasn't great, they didn't know they had two of the beers I asked about. One good thing, they didn't put up with any ass-hattery from drunk customers which made for a nicer experience.

S: Selection was amazing, I've only seen a couple of bars that can match the selection. Ask for a beer list. About 27 taps all craft handles, and over 100 bottles. I got a Columbus Brewing Company Red Rye draft, a Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier bottle. My buddy got a Brooklyn Lager draft, a Goose Island Autumn Ale and we split a bottle of Okocim Baltic Porter. They had a good selection of local Ohio beers including beers from Columbus Brewing Company, Elevator, Great Lakes, Hoppin Frog, Thirsty Dog and Buckeye Brewing. I saw a lot of Dogfishhead being poured and a fair amount of Longbow cider. They have a World Beer Tour where people mark off beers from their list. A common order was, "and whatever off this list." Most of the bar was stilll drinking Miller Light or mixed drinks.

F: No grill here.There is a popcorn maker, but they ran out of popcorn. Small bags of snacks were for sale as well. The Pita Hut is right next door and is a great place to get a gyro or schawarma. Several other restaurants are within walking distance.

V: Expect to pay in $4-6 for a beer. We were able to get some 500mL bottles for under $6 and split between two of us. They do have some 750mL that can run up to $15.
Sep 12, 2010
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Reviewed by movingtrain from Ohio

4.28/5  rDev -0.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
I just visited Bob's Bar again recently, and wanted to review this unique place in the middle of Ohio.

Bob's is located in Clintonville, a small town just North of the downtown area. From the outside, one would not expect such a vibrant taplist and unique atmosphere.

Claimed as being the "Cultural Hub of the Midwest," Bob's features an outstanding, everchanging taplist. I have been visiting this place since 2005 (walking distance from a great friend of mine who lives a few paces away). Each time I visit Bob's they have something new on tap...and it's always good.

They have the usuals, Bud, Miller, etc. But, Bob's goes beyond this. Their taplist is massive, including everything from Dogfish Head to Sierra Nevada to Stone to Columbus Brewing, you are certain to find something excellent running through the lines.

On this particular visit, I started off with a Founder's Red's Rye. After finishing my glass on the intimate front patio, I ventured next door with my friends to the Pita Hut (which Bob's allows you to bring in if you so choose).

Later in the evening I indulged in Sierra Nevada's 30th Anniversary Black Barleywine (exquisite), played some darts, and stepped out again to the front patio to meet some new, interesting folks from the area.

The bartenders here are friendly, and definitely remember the locals. Everything is served in chilled pint glasses, and most beers are served at reasonable prices.

If you are in the area, even visiting Columbus for a game or another event, do yourself a favor and swing up North to check this place out...it is pretty remarkable.
Sep 01, 2010
Bob's Bar in Columbus, OH
Place rating: 4.31 out of 5 with 50 ratings