The past several years have seen the revitalization of one of Columbus’ oldest neighborhoods. Tucked between downtown and Bexley, Olde Towne East is a community replete with historical architecture and charm. Its vintage buildings, still structurally sound, make ideal restoration projects for businesses and home buyers looking for a community with easy access to the city. Oak Street alone has had three new businesses move in just steps from each other: Yellow Brick Pizza opened in 2009, The Angry Baker in 2011, and its most recent resident, The Tavern, set up shop earlier this year.
The Tavern sits on the corner of Oak and 18th Streets occupying the storefront that was once home to the Oak Street Pharmacy. Owners Krista Sparks Hobbs, Brad Hobbs, and Kevin Burns have done a magnificent job renovating the space and preserving the building’s aesthetics, such as the original brick wall and tin pattern ceiling tiles. They’ve also added a spacious patio to the back of the building, allowing patrons to experience the ambiance of Olde Towne East. The bar’s vintage look and feel give the impression that the neighborhood’s latest addition has always been part of the community.
The charm of The Tavern is further elevated by its impressive beer list. With 20 craft brews on tap and more than 80 varieties of bottled and canned beer, The Tavern has several local options in their lineup. While their draft selection is regularly updated, the owners work closely with their distributors to ensure Columbus breweries are well represented. In addition to their beer offerings, The Tavern’s cocktail menu features classics such as the Manhattan and the Sazerac, as well as several of their own concoctions. The bar also boasts a respectable (and growing) selection of single malt Scotch.
Their food menu features a wide array of appetizers, soups, salads, some really decent pizza (made locally by the Pizza Pi Company), and a nice variety of sandwiches. Updated and creative versions of traditional bar fare, such as their Baked Chicken Wings, Beet Sliders, and Bartlett Pear Grilled Cheese, will appeal to omnivores and vegetarians alike. Supplemented with daily specials, the food choices are a nice compliment to the beer selection and make a fine choice for lunch or happy hour.
The Tavern, located at 889 Oak Street, has been open for less than a year and has already established itself as a mainstay in Olde Towne East. With its neighborhood feel, relaxed atmosphere, central location, and large selection of craft brews, The Tavern makes an inviting destination for beer enthusiasts throughout the city. Their Happy Hour, which runs Monday through Friday from 4pm–7pm, features half-priced drafts, as well as specials on wine and well drinks. The Tavern is open Monday through Saturday 11am–2:30am and Sunday 12pm–2:30am.
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This is a guest post by John Schumacher. John is a graphic designer who loves to eat out. His propensity for exploring new places to eat and drink in Columbus often prevails over his introverted and reclusive nature. You can follow his discoveries at jarsloth.wordpress.com
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