SBNation.com User Blog: Josh Stivers

An Ohio State guide as to where to go to hear live music in Columbus

Josh Stivers — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 04:16:04 -0000

As the debates have raged on about the top pizza and non-pizza restaurants near Ohio State's campus, one thing is for certain: people are passionate about their food. The discussions were fantastic. It was great to see such strong opinions on something as trivial as where to eat near Ohio State. So, this led us to seek out another topic in which people hold in such high regard: music.

Where are the best places to hear live music in Columbus? Don't worry, Ohio State campus area denizens and Land-Grant Holy Land faithful, we've got you covered:

A&R Music Bar

Located on Neil Avenue in the Arena District of downtown Columbus, A&R Bar is nestled in between Huntington Park (home of the Columbus Clippers) and Lifestyles Communities Pavilion. According to the website, the "A&R" in A&R Music Bar has two meanings: Artist and Repertoire as well as Art and Rock. A&R Music Bar is a fantastic place to see up-and-coming artists trying to make a name for themselves, but also a spot where you can see nationally-established artists as well. Also, the sound has improved over the last several years, so A&R is dedicated to making your experience the best it can possibly be. One of the things that makes A&R Music Bar such a desirable destination is the location. Not only is it within a hundred feet of Huntington Park, the LC, and Nationwide Arena, but A&R is just a 5-10 minute walk from the heart of Columbus nightlife: Park Street. We highly recommend this place for an awesome experience.

Newport Music Hall

If the fact that the Newport is located directly next door to Chipotle and just across High Street from the new and impressive Ohio Union isn't enough to make you want to go here, then let us give you some other reasons. Newport Music Hall is the longest continually running rock club in the nation. The building that the Newport is in was originally opened in 1923 as a movie theatre and later became Newport Music Hall in 1984. Like A&R Bar, the Newport hosts up-and-coming acts, but has also hosted some giants in the music industry (usually before they are super famous). Some of these artists/bands include The Black Keys, The Killers, Kid Cudi, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kings of Leon, and several others. The Newport is always a great time. From the crowd, to the performers, to the venue itself, you can never go wrong with attending a concert at the Newport, a true Columbus institution.

Skully's

Skully's Music-Diner is located just south of 5th avenue on High Street in the Short North. Although many patrons head to Skully's for the concerts, the food is certainly another reason to swing by, as they crank out some pretty great diner food. On top of that, they have happy hour every Monday-Saturday 4-8PM. Skully's is mainly known for the performances of up-and-coming artists -- typically in the hip-hop, rock, and techno scenes -- but they also host nationally-recognized artists from time to time. What makes this place pretty cool is the fact that local artists have gotten to open up for the headliners.If you want to grab a bite to eat with you tunes, Skully's is worth a visit.

Rumba Cafe

Rumba Cafe, located on Summit Street just south of Hudson Street, is another fantastic, and underrated, venue for live music in Columbus. Being that Rumba is just a mile or so from Ohio State's campus, it makes for the perfect way to start your evening before heading out into the night. Rumba Cafe features indie acts that are trying to make a name for themselves. They host a variety of acts, but they also have regulars that perform on a weekly basis. For example, The Hoodoo Soul Band performs at Rumba every Sunday night at 10PM, for one of the biggest parties in town. Unlike some of the other venues on this list, you're not going to find nationally-established artists performing here, but it's really a cool place to watch live music being performed by some talented, passionate artists trying to burst their way on to the music scene. Plus, no national acts mean cheap covers! If you're looking to step outside of the box, check out Rumba.

Woodlands Tavern

Another live music favorite in Columbus is Woodlands Tavern in Grandview. Like the other joints on this list, Woodlands is in a prime location. For those of you who haven't been to Grandview, is has that small town, local feel to it -- while being in the heart of the largest city in Ohio. On Mondays, Woodlands Tavern hosts what they call "Monday Funday,"which is $2 drafts all night after 4PM. Also, Wednesday nights are the "Open Mic" nights at Woodlands Tavern, where you can see some great talents trying to make a name for themselves. You might remember Woodlands by their old name, The Thirsty Ear, which was the prime location to catch blues music. Woodlands brings in a variety of genres, while still maintaining that neighborhood bar feel.

We realize that there are a plethora of live music establishments in Columbus, and obviously, we aren't able to list them all. But, if you feel we made an error in omitting one of your favorites, let us know which and where in the comment section below.

Five restaurants worth hitting up near Ohio State's campus

Josh Stivers — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 05:32:29 -0000

Finding something good to eat near Ohio State's Columbus campus isn't exactly a chore. One can't walk 15 feet on High Street without reaching some type of food place; whether it's Hispanic, American, Greek, Asian, or another type of cuisine, the Ohio State campus area is littered with choices. And fortunately for those students that stay up until all hours of the night "studying," the restaurants stay open with them.

When we tossed out there some of the best pizza places near Ohio State, we learned pretty quickly it's impossible to please everyone. Almost every comment on that article told us we erred greatly by omitting Adriatico's. We understand; Ohio State has a plethora of nostalgic staples, but in the interest of time, we just wanted to spitball a few that particularly did it for us.

And although many on staff do enjoy the modern cuisine choices near OSU and think that they deserve equal consideration on a list such as this, with kickstarting conversation in mind, here's a diverse, quick take on a few places that whether you're jamming out at the 18th Avenue Library or half a dozen shots deep at Too's, you'd do well by hitting up. There'll be plenty of time for debate with a long offseason ahead of us, but before we get into counting down the elite of the elite, let's take a look at a few of the stronger places you can't go wrong with.

GOOEYZ

This restaurant, located in the South Campus Gateway, is all about the sandwiches; mainly grilled cheese. Not just any grilled cheese, though. Gooeyz loads their grilled cheese sandwiches with meat, veggies, and of course, cheese. One can choose from contents such as chicken, bacon, feta cheese, and chipotle mayo-along with many others. They have their own creations that they sell, but they also have a make-it-yourself portion of the menu that is certainly the way to go at Gooeyz. It's fairly new to the Ohio State area; so for those of you who haven't tried this grilled cheese paradise, I recommend you do so next time you visit OSU.

APOLLO'S

Apollo's Greek Kitchen is located on High Street directly across the street from the Ohio Union. If you are fond of Greek cuisine and late night food fast, Apollo's is the place to go. It's an order-at-the-counter type of restaurant that doesn't have a bad thing on the menu. I highly advise you to get a lamb gyro and the jalapeno poppers if you do indeed venture to Apollo's during your visit to Ohio State. There are only a couple booths and some counter seats at Apollo's, so the seating is limited, but you need to try Apollo's if you never have, especially if you're partaking of High Street's late night scene.

FUSIAN

One of the newer additions to the restaurant landscape near Ohio State, Fusian is best described as a Chipotle-style sushi restaurant. You choose everything. From the wrap, to the meat, to the vegetables, toppings, and sauces, you make it how you like. I must say; I wish they had Fusian when I lived on campus. I absolutely love this place. It's located on 11th avenue across the street from Barnes and Noble. Fusian has only been open for a couple weeks now. There is only one in Columbus, but there are 2 other locations in Ohio: Cincinnati and Dayton. If you like sushi, Fusian is definitely worth hitting up.

BUCKEYE DONUTS

Open 24/7, 365 Buckeye Donuts is easily the most convenient place to get food near Ohio State. They are known mostly for their choice donuts (as shown in the restaurant name), but the rest of the food is pretty damn good in its own right. They pretty much only serve gyros, but I recommend the chicken fingers – although, you can never go wrong with the Philly cheesesteak gyro. Buckeye Donuts, similarly to all restaurants on this list aside from the one below, is not a sit-down style restaurant. Their only seating options are counter seats either facing the kitchen, or out the window looking onto those walking and driving down High Street. Buckeye Donuts is an Ohio State staple. You can't visit OSU without at least stopping in here either first thing in the morning or late at night to grab a donut.

THE BLUE DANUBE

An Ohio State institution, The Dube (as its known to locals) is a diner style American restaurant con gusto. Going back to the 1940's, the Dube started out as a Greek restaurant before metamorphosing into what we know and love it as today. Whether you're pre-gaming for a night on North Campus, or simply looking for a solid place to take your folks when they visit for Parent & Family Weekend, you could do a lot worse than a C-Bus staple like the Blue Danube. The Dube Deluxe (ground steak burger with bleu cheese and bacon) is a strong choice, as is the venerable "Cobb" Sandwich: grilled chicken, sliced avocado, bacon, bleu cheese, tomato, and chipotle mayo.

So what are some of your favorites in and around the campus area? What's your go-to at 3 p.m. and 3 a.m. alike? Let us know in the comments below.

Where to find the best bars near Ohio State

Josh Stivers — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 16:51:17 -0000

When visiting The Ohio State University in search of college nightlife, High Street is at the center of late nights and questionable decisions. However, finding the best bars in a lineup that stretches over a mile isn’t easily done without some assistance. And what about the bars that aren’t on High Street? There are numerous variables that go in to finding the best bar in any town or city; Ohio State is no different.

To me, atmosphere is of uttermost importance. I typically don’t like the ultra-quiet, laid back bars, but I also don’t like the crazy, techno-crazed scene you find at most dance clubs. I prefer my bar atmosphere to be in middle. Location is a close second for me. Like many places, High Street has less-traveled stretches that are not my cup of tea, if you will. I enjoy the more populated locations that you’ll find in the South Campus Gateway area of High Street. To each his (or her) own, I guess. That’s what makes lists like this so fun. Certainly there are more than five bars that deserve mention, but here are a few of my favorites.

5. UGLY TUNA SALOONA Located in the South Campus Gateway area of High Street, Ugly Tuna has become somewhat of an Ohio State University staple. The bar commonly referred to as just “Tuna” is a popular destination for many students as they venture out into the Columbus night. It’s a casual bar that plays today’s hits and has great drink specials daily. Ugly Tuna is the perfect mix between club and bar. There’s some dancing, but there is also ample room to sit and talk with the people you came. Unlike most campus bars, Tuna is usually filled with an older crowd. When it is warm here in the capital city, the second-level patio at Tuna is always a solid choice. It sits right on High Street and overlooks South Campus Gateway. It’s certainly a unique view.

4. EDDIE GEORGE’S GRILLE 27 EDD-IE! EDD-IE! EDD-IE! This restaurant/bar would make our list solely because of who owns this restaurant, but, Eddie George’s Grille 27 is cranking out some killer food and the atmosphere is unmatchable when it comes to hanging out near Ohio State. This is an Ohio State sports fan dream bar with OSU memorabilia covering the walls, flat screen TVs wherever you look, and directly across High St from The Ohio State University. It doesn’t get much better than this, Buckeye Nation. Eddie’s is a relaxing place to be after a long day. It’s relatively quiet, and easy to hear the people talking around you. Also, they have a great beer selection. This is certainly a must-try.

3. THE LITTLE BAR Just north of Lane Avenue on High Street, The Little Bar is just that: little. The atmosphere here is what makes this one of the best bars at Ohio State. Even if you’ve never been here, it has the feeling of a bar you regularly visit. It has that MacLaren’s-esque home feel to it (for those of you who watch How I Met Your Mother). The Little Bar has awesome daily specials, an extensive beer selection, and clever shot creations. When looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of campus life, The Little Bar is the perfect place to unwind.

2. FOURTH STREET BAR AND GRILL As the suggests, this bar is located on Fourth Street and 16th, just east of Ohio State and High Street. This is the definition of a college bar. Fourth Street is in the heart of the area made up almost entirely of off-campus student housing. This is one of the newest editions to OSU nightlife and has already made quite the splash. On Tuesday nights, Fourth Street Bar and Grill has half off all of their drinks, but Wednesdays, however, may be the best night here; that’s when karaoke happens. I’ve been several times for this and believe me, it gets more enjoyable each return trip. Along with great theme nights, Fourth Street has a good menu and a wonderful craft beer selection. They also sell beer by the 6-pack in the front. Fourth Street could have easily been number one on this list, but the location isn’t as desirable as Kildare’s.

1. KILDARE’S IRISH PUB Like Ugly Tuna, Kildare’s is located in South Campus Gateway. In fact, they are facing each other in the Gateway corridor/walkway. Kildare’s is Ohio State’s newest bar. Kildare’s was formerly McFadden’s, another Irish-themed restaurant. This two-story bar has phenomenal wings (all-you-can-eat on Sundays), reasonably priced drinks, great atmosphere, and the location is unbeatable. Also, it has a small dance floor, plus plenty of room to sit. Which, in my opinion, is a perfect combination. Kildare’s also features two patios, one upstairs and one downstairs. If you haven’t been here yet, what are you waiting for?

If you think we made a mistake or we left one of your favorites off, let us know in the comments below!

Where to find the best pizza near Ohio State

Josh Stivers — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:20:16 -0000

When visiting a new town, city or college campus, a quick Google search will tell you the best places to stay, eat, visit, see, and do. But it’s a little trickier to find a specific thing such as the best pizza, the best craft beer, or the best view in the new place that you happen to be visiting. The same can be said about Columbus, Ohio – more specifically, the area surrounding The Ohio State University.

Although it originated in Italy, pizza has become an American staple. Pizza shops, restaurants, and cooks all over the country have come up with thousands of variations to a dish that has become so popular in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Pizza is a food that is easy to make, it’s fairly inexpensive, and it’s incredibly difficult to make it taste bad. Each and every place cranking out the delicious Italian pie knows that, so, they do whatever they need to do to stand out above the rest. The Columbus restaurants preparing this cheesy treat are no exception. Some of the best pizza that I’ve had here in Columbus can be found just minutes from Ohio State University.

We'd be kidding ourselves if we said there were only five worth partaking of; Columbus is a secret pizza mecca and even draws high marks from those hailing from New York City and Chicago alike. But just as a starting point, here are a couple that should really do the trick.

5. HOUND DOGS Hound Dogs, located on High Street just north of Hudson St, leads us off. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any pizza that Hound Dog makes, but personally, I think the bacon cheeseburger pizza is the way to go. I mean, who doesn’t like bacon cheeseburgers? And the fact that it’s on a pizza just makes it that much more phenomenal. Along with their killer pizzas, Hound Dogs produces some great subs and side dishes. This area of High St isn’t as well traveled as the strip south of Lane Avenue, but if you’re into the older-than-college-students crowd, Hound Dogs is highly recommended.

4. VARSITY CLUB If you’ve ever tailgated before an Ohio State football game, you’ve undoubtedly seen the Varsity Club. Opened during the Woody Hayes era at OSU, the Varsity Club has been servicing their Columbus customers since 1959. They are known mainly for there pizzas and for good reason. Any pie you choose will certainly be tasty, but the deluxe pizza has to be the choice when heading to VC for some pizza. The deluxe pizza contains pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, green peppers, and cheese. Along with pizza, the Varsity Club is turning out some outstanding burgers and appetizers.

3. TOMMY’S PIZZA Maybe the most famous of Ohio State University pizza parlors is Tommy’s Pizza on Lane Avenue (2 locations). With limited seating and an old-school pizza joint feel, Tommy’s Pizza has a homey quality about it. You have to go with a classic here, folks. The pepperoni pizza is the best choice at Tommy’s. The pepperoni pizza resembles that of Donato’s. It’s cut in rectangles, covered in crispy pepperonis, and super greasy. Tommy’s has been an Ohio State constant since its doors opened in 1952. While in Columbus and you’re in the mood for good pizza, Tommy’s is definitely a very good option.

2. SICILIA True Italian-style pizza can be found here at Sicilia Fine Italian Specialties. Large slices, thin crust, and lots of cheese, Sicilia has one of the best pizzas in the University District. Sicilia is located next to Out-R-Inn on E. Frambes Avenue. Like Tommy’s, getting a classic at Sicilia is the correct play. This time, though, the simple, Kevin McCallister-preferred pizza type is cheese. If just plain cheese isn’t satisfying enough for you, I highly recommend the supreme steak pizza. Basically, it’s a Philly cheesesteak in pizza form. Sicilia is open late and also offers pizza by the slice for a reasonable rate of just 2 dollars per slice.

1. PIZZA RUSTICA Pizza Rustica has locations outside of Ohio and Ohio State. Hell, they even have locations outside of the United States is countries such as France and Dominican Republic. Though Pizza Rustica is a chain, its only location in Ohio is on High Street in the South Campus Gateway area of Ohio State, so, it’s fairly unknown among residents of Columbus and Ohio State. This should be no more. Pizza Rustica, like Sicilia, sells pizza by the slice and is an ideal nightly ending point after an evening of enjoying the campus nightlife. The BBQ chicken pizza is my recommendation. It’s sweet, salty, and surprisingly, the chicken is cooked extremely well. If you're in the 614, I encourage you to head out to one of these 5 places and try them for yourself.

As we mentioned, it'd be next to impossible to make a list inclusive of all the best places out there. If we missed your personal favorite, let us know which and why in the comments below.