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Nightlife and Entertainment

The Five on High districts offer endless opportunities for a great night out Entertainment clusters just steps from the convention center and surrounding hotels include the Short North Arts District, Arena District and North Fourth Street, just a block east of High St., all featuring cocktails bars, breweries, gaming opportunities, live music, and even live theaters including Shadowbox Live!, America’s largest resident theater company.

Pint House

Columbus’ historic theaters offer a range of performances, from Broadway shows, to ballet, opera and more. The Columbus Symphony fills the Columbus Commons with its sweet sound during summer months and laughs can always be found emanating from Funny Bone Comedy Club. As the home to musical greats like Rascal Flatts and Twenty One Pilots, it should come as no surprise that live music of every style can be found any night of the week throughout the city. 

Columbus Commons

Columbus’ distilleries are an alternative to the popular Columbus Ale Trail, with Brother’s Drake Meadery offering a distinctly different taste from the more traditional Middle West Spirits and Watershed Distillery offerings. Also worth visiting for a drink is the Short North's Denmark, where craft cocktails are a science.

cocktail

LGBTQ bars and clubs are prominent in the Short North and German Village. Local celebrity drag queen and entertainer Nina West can often be found either performing or just hanging out at Union Café or Axis.

LGBT dancing

It’s easy to get your game on in Columbus with any number of game bars across the city. TableTop Game Café offers a traditional gaming experience while lovers of arcade games can get a fix at any number of places such as 16-Bit Bar + Arcade, Brewcadia or Old North Arcade, all allowing free play with drink purchases. Pins Mechanical Co. has a variety of different activities such as foosball, duckpin bowling, ping pong and more.

 

Explore more options for entertainment and nightlife.