Photo by John Schumacher
There are few bars in Columbus with as devoted a fanbase as St. James Tavern – though relatively small inside and not exactly in the ideal neighborhood, regulars rave about St. James beer selection, bartenders, jukebox and fellow patrons – and this Thursday, September 29th, St. James is celebrating 15 years in the bar biz.
For the occasion, owner Michelle Hill has lined up several rare and delicious beers, most of which will be priced at $3.50 a pint and include Bells Quinannon Falls Lager, Victory Old Horizontal, Avery 18th Anniversary Ale, Ommegang Abbey Ale, Southern Tier Pumking, Rogue Russian Imperial Stout, Brewkettle’s Old 21 and Founders Breakfast Stout and a cask of New Holland’s Ichabod Pumpkin Ale. These will be available in addition to regulars offerings Bell’s Two Hearted, Chimay White, Duvel Single, Barley’s Raspberry Wheat and Guinness (which will be a throwback price of $2.50/pint.)
The Anniversary celebration kicks of this Thursday, September 29 at 6pm. St. James Tavern is located at 1057 North 4th Street. You can RSVP on Facebook.
Q: Why do you think people love St. James so much?
Michelle: In a world that is increasingly full of phony people and places where everyone is posturing to be this, that or the other, some people want an escape. People like hanging out in a place that feels genuine… I think there will always be a desire for the place you can go have a pint with your pals while listening to your favorite tunes and not leave broke at the end of the night.
Q: What are some of your favorite St. James memories?
Michelle: My memory is just filled with all the great people I have met who I feel lucky to have known. Some became best friends if only for a few years. Many became good acquaintances and patrons. Some became lunch buddies and fellow concert goers. A few became employees even. I love that after some move away they come back to visit and it feels like they never left. Sometimes I will even blurt out, “Where have YOU been?!” in a playful scolding tone. They answer, “Michelle, I moved to New York two years ago.” Then we laugh because time is deceiving like that and we realize it doesn’t matter because everything is still as it was and is supposed to be. They are back home and I know their drink and they can still play their favorite song on the juke. We really are simple creatures. Maybe THAT is why people like the James…
