OSU football kicks off this weekend. Here are 11 great Columbus bars to watch the game
College football is finally here and the Ohio State Buckeyes will start the season off with a premier matchup.
The Buckeyes, ranked No. 2 in the country in the USA Today Coaches Poll coming into the season, will host No. 5 Notre Dame at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Football, though, has become as big of a social event as it has a sport. Bars across Columbus, and the country, are full on Saturdays for college football and Sunday for the NFL. Luckily, in Columbus there are plenty of places to watch the Buckeyes, but some take game day more seriously than others, especially the first game of the season.
Take Big Bang Dueling Piano Bar, 1516 N. High St., for example.
The popular event space will host a kickoff party on Saturday starting at noon, followed by a pep rally beginning at 4 p.m. featuring dueling pianos. The game will be featured on 20 TVs throughout the main level, upstairs and patio areas, beginning with the pregame show at 7 p.m., and there will be a post-game after party as well. Four projectors on the main level will be showing the game as well, so guests truly won't miss a moment of the excitement. The bar will also feature 16-ounce drafts of Coors Light for $3.
Big Bang Piano Bar isn't the only place to watch the Ohio State football game this weekend, or for the rest of the season, for that matter. Here are 10 other bars that have a great atmosphere to watch the Buckeyes.
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Little Bar, 2195 N. High St.
Located less than a mile from Ohio Stadium, Little Bar is always a good place to watch the game if you want to be near the action. The bar will offer $7 and $8 White Claws, along with a plethora of other drinks. There are 10 TVs inside to watch the game on, but outside is the real draw. With a Jumbotron the size of a trailer — about 150 feet — there's no way you'll miss any of the excitement. You can also sit on the patio and watch on the 65-inch TV there.
Coaches Bar & Grill, 1480 Bethel Road
Want somewhere a little farther away from campus? Coaches Bar & Grill is just under 7 miles from Ohio Stadium, but it's a fun sports bar where fans can watch the game. The TV options inside are good, with more than 50 inside and four on the outside patio, which will keep you updated on the game no matter where you sit. There's also a large pub menu to keep you full throughout the evening.
Roosters, 3370 Olentangy River Road
Let's go back toward campus for this one. The good thing about Roosters is that there are locations all over Columbus. This location, though, is just 2 miles from Ohio Stadium. Good football bars are able to mix TVs, good drinks and a strong food menu, and Roosters does that well. Along with that mix, being so close to campus, you'll also likely be in the midst of a good crowd of Ohio State fans during the game.
Roosters has locations in German Village: 897 City Park Ave.; Northwest Side: 1832 Henderson Road; Polaris: 1041 Gemini Place; near Dublin: 7110 Sawmill Road; and on the Far West Side: 4650 W. Broad St.; Pickerington: 1500 Stonecreek Drive S.; Whitehall: 376 S. Hamilton Road
Short North Pint House, 780 N. High St.
Located in the Short North, you could spend all day at Short North Pint House, if your bank account can stretch that long. This bar does brunch every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., which can get you started with food and drinks early. The drink menu is long, with a beer menu that goes beyond the list on paper. With multiple TVs all over the wallsand a beer garden, it's easy to catch the game and spend time with your friends.
Grandview Cafe, 1455 W. 3rd Ave.
Speaking of brunch, Grandview Cafe also has brunch until 3 p.m., on the weekends. Located about 3 miles from the stadium, Grandview Cafe offers some specials as well, with $4 Captain Morgan, $6 Ketel One and Red Bull, and $12 Bud Light and Miller Light pitchers. It has a game day menu featuring fried pickles, wings and pizza, too. With TVs all over the walls showing the game, the bar will also turn on the sound, so even if you are busy socializing, you will still hear what's going on during the game.
Out-R-Inn, 20 E. Frambes Ave.
You can't have an Ohio State football bar list without Out-R-Inn. The legendary bar has been around since the 1960s and is packed for major sporting events, especially Ohio State football games. It has a dive bar feel with a patio that adds to the atmosphere on game days. This is an Ohio State staple, if you haven't been, you should just for the atmosphere and, of course, to watch the game on the TVs inside and outside of the bar.
Urban Meyer's Pint House, 6632 Longshore St.
Want to watch the game with Urban Meyer? Well, Meyer likely won't be there in person, but there are pictures of him all around this Dublin bar. With Ohio State memorabilia and posters adorning the bar, you'll feel right at home cheering on the Buckeyes on the multiple TVs. It also has a large food and drink menu to keep you full throughout the game.
Land-Grant Brewing Co., 424 W. Town St.
Another option away from campus is Land-Grant Brewing. First, it is hosting a ticketed event by Eleven Warriors, welcoming back the 2002 national championship team, on Friday in the beer garden. Tickets for the event, however, are sold out.
The countdown is on - and there are only a handful of single seat tickets left for @11W's private event with the 2002 National Champs next Friday (9/2) in our Beer Garden.
This is going to be a night to remember; snag yours today! https://t.co/5KhRWG6ACI https://t.co/KRFSNckk4k— Land-Grant Brewing Co. (@LandGrantBeer) August 24, 2022
That's a good way to kick off the season, but as for the actual game, Land-Grant is a great venue with its plethora of beer options and a beer garden. There are plenty of TVs on the walls inside and a big screen that Land-Grant has outside for big games as well. Get to Land-Grant, grab a beer and a seat and enjoy a relaxing atmosphere and the game around other fans. It's a good way to kick off the season.
Gallo's Tap Room, 240 N. Liberty St. A
One more option outside of campus is Gallo's Tap Room located at 240 N. Liberty St. A in Powell. With more than 15 TVs, a wide variety of bourbons and cocktails, more than 20 draft beers and a casual atmosphere, it makes for a good place to sit down and enjoy the game with family without the hustle and bustle of campus. The food menu is a plus as well. You'll have everything you need to enjoy the game at Gallo's Tap Room.
Dempsey's is the place for Notre Dame fans
For the non-Buckeyes fans, folks can head to Dempsey's Food and Spirits, 346 S. High Street, for a Notre Dame watch party. Doors open at 3 p.m. and patrons can enjoy live entertainment from Celtic band the McIans and Shamrock Club Pipes and Drums.
While watching the game, fans can enjoy specialty menu items like the slow braised pot roast and cottage pie, which consists of ground beef, peas, carrots, corn and mashed potatoes and gravy.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 11 Columbus sports bars to watch Ohio State football
