Happy Hour means a lot of different things to different people. For some it’s a way to unwind after work. For others it’s cheap drink without breaking the bank. No matter what your reason may be, it’s hard to beat the happy hour specials at Bodega, who soared to the top of our reader’s poll as the best happy hour deal in 2009. Their 50 beers on tap is one of the largest selections in town, and when they run them all at half price from 4 to 8 pm every weekday, it’s no wonder they stay as busy as they always are. [Read More]
For many people, picking a “best” bar is a tough decision, as there are many different establishments throughout Columbus to fit just about any mood you might be in. In the end, one bar must stand out above all of the rest as the number one place that you can go on just about any occasion, and that number one bar of 2009 was The Surly Girl Saloon. Opened in late 2005, Surly Girl has quickly become a Short North favorite. They keep 24 beers on draft along with a variety of custom-made cocktails to keep you coming back for more. [Read More]
The economic recession hasn’t prevented Ohioans from spending money on booze. In fact… it sounds like it’s actually helping that sector of our economy.
According to an announcement released today by the Ohio Department of Commerce, liquor sales have reached a record high for the 2009 fiscal year. A total of $729.9 million was spent on spirits throughout the state of Ohio, a 4.6% increase over 2008 sales figures.
A total of 10.6 million gallons of spirtous liquor was sold in Ohio in 2009. Congratulations to everyone involved in helping to set this new record!
One of the most frequently requested COTA upgrades on Columbus Underground would have to be the addition of a late night weekend bus route serving High Street that runs until the bars close down. It sounds like COTA has been listening to your requests.
On September 11th, COTA will be launching a new route (numbered appropriately as the #21) that will run a loop from the Clintonville area down High Street to the Arena District from 8pm to 3am on Friday an Saturday nights. Buses will run every 30 minutes.
The only thing the line needs now is a catchy nickname. Any suggestions?
Update (7/31/09) - The #21 bus route will officially run every 30 minutes from 8pm to 3am (previously reported as 7pm to 2:30am). The route will run from the Park of Roses to Downtown on High Street where it loop clockwise at Spring, Front, and Nationwide before heading northbound again. The new route will begin running on Friday, September 11th.
Update (8/24/09) - The #21 bus route is going to be starting service early, as requested by the SNBA. The first weekend of service will take place on September 4th and 5th, in time for Gallery Hop.
Earlier today I was alerted to some disturbing news by local beer journalist Michael Paull. A new Senate Bill (S. B. No. 62) has been introduced that would restrict liquor permits within 500 feet of schools, churches, libraries, playgrounds and parks. State Senator Nina Turner sponsored the bill along with the support of co-sponsors Senator Ray Miller and Senator Sue Morano.
NBC4 also featured the story tonight which highlights a lot of the gray area in the wording of this bill. It’s very loosely written and doesn’t fully explain if existing businesses would be grandfathered into exemption, or if the bill would have an effect on liquor permits for restaurants or grocery stores.
Scott Heimlich, owner of Barcelona, was interviewed in the NBC4 piece and expressed concerned that without the proper wording, the bill could close his restaurant and put him and his 60 employees out of business because of their proximity to Schiller Park.
If you’d like to share your opinions on this proposed legislation, you can find contact info here for State Senators Turner, Miller, and Morano.
This is the tail end of our liquor value discussion that took place in Episode 37. This short, unplanned segment that is somewhat lacking on specifics so head over to Infusions of Grandeur for a more complete primer. Dave Rarick also tells us a little bit about homemade wines. For anybody in Columbus who is interested in making their own wine, Camelot Cellars offers on site fermentation.
You can use the player below to listen to the podcast, click here to download an mp3, click here to subscribe via iTunes, or click here to subscribe to the rss feed.
Bear, Rockmaster Mike, and Heather join the Foodcast crew at Details to discuss some hidden bottom shelf gems. Extra Special Guest, Chris Dillman, of Details and The Vino Files, joins us late in the show to act as an expert witness.
You can use the player below to listen to the podcast, click here to download an mp3, click here to subscribe via iTunes, or click here to subscribe to the rss feed.
St. Patrick’s Day is tomorrow, which in Columbus mostly means a day of getting pinched and a night of drinking green beer. If you’re not sure where to go, Columbus has a variety of Irish Pubs as well as regular bars with Irish-sounding names. There’s Brazenhead and Byrne’s near Grandview, Mac’s Cafe in the Short North, O’Shaughnessy’s in the Arena District, Callahan’s on Park Street, Claddagh’s and Tommy Keegan’s in the Brewery District, Patrick J’s at the southern tip of Clintonville, Fado at Easton, and McFadden’s at the South Campus Gateway, just to name a few.
Oh, and if your wardrobe is lacking in the green department, then you can always swing by Skreened in Clintonville and pick up a last minute St. Patty’s Day T-Shirt. Have fun, and be safe!
Downtown, suburban spots pegged for Wine Guy break-out By Dan Eaton
Craig and Laura Decker started the Wine Guy Wine Shop Wine Bar and Bistro in Pickerington in 2005. By early 2010, that portfolio is expected to grow to six stores, including one downtown in the former North High Street home of Experience Columbus, the city’s convention agency.
What happens when you mix one part “subjective survey question” with one part “unlimited answers”? Well, you end up no real clear winner in our category of Best Drink of 2008. Although one thing is for sure… people in Columbus sure do like to drink.
In 2006, Forbes ranked Columbus as the Third Drunkest City in America, but they don’t seem to have published an updated list in subsequent years. Probably not the type of attention most cities are looking to brag about.
While both “water” and “beer” stood above the rest of the answers, we thought it would be more fun to provide a detailed look at what people in Columbus were drinking in 2008 instead. [Read More]
Happy Hour means a lot of different things to different people. For some it’s a way to unwind after work. For others it’s cheap drink without breaking the bank. No matter what your reason may be, it’s hard to beat the happy hour specials at Bodega, who soared to the top of our reader’s poll as the best happy hour deal in 2009. Their 50 beers on tap is one of the largest selections in town, and when they run them all at half price from 4 to 8 pm every weekday, it’s no wonder they stay as busy as they always are. [Read More]
For many people, picking a “best” bar is a tough decision, as there are many different establishments throughout Columbus to fit just about any mood you might be in. In the end, one bar must stand out above all of the rest as the number one place that you can go on just about any occasion, and that number one bar of 2009 was The Surly Girl Saloon. Opened in late 2005, Surly Girl has quickly become a Short North favorite. They keep 24 beers on draft along with a variety of custom-made cocktails to keep you coming back for more. 
The economic recession hasn’t prevented Ohioans from spending money on booze. In fact… it sounds like it’s actually helping that sector of our economy.
One of the most frequently requested COTA upgrades on Columbus Underground would have to be the addition of a late night weekend bus route serving High Street that runs until the bars close down. It sounds like COTA has been listening to your requests.
Earlier today I was alerted to some disturbing news by local beer journalist 
This is the tail end of our liquor value discussion that took place in Episode 37. This short, unplanned segment that is somewhat lacking on specifics so head over to 
Bear, Rockmaster Mike, and Heather join the Foodcast crew at Details to discuss some hidden bottom shelf gems. Extra Special Guest, Chris Dillman, of Details and The Vino Files, joins us late in the show to act as an expert witness.
St. Patrick’s Day is tomorrow, which in Columbus mostly means a day of getting pinched and a night of drinking green beer. If you’re not sure where to go, Columbus has a variety of Irish Pubs as well as regular bars with Irish-sounding names. There’s 
Downtown, suburban spots pegged for Wine Guy break-out
What happens when you mix one part “subjective survey question” with one part “unlimited answers”? Well, you end up no real clear winner in our category of Best Drink of 2008. Although one thing is for sure… people in Columbus sure do like to drink.
