Columbus Happy Hours for Foodies, Recommended by Foodies
We asked some local food writers and Instagram tastemakers to share their go-to happy hour spots in Central Ohio.
Looking for Great Happy Hour Food? We Asked Some Experts
Compiled by Bethia Woolf
Columbus may love a happy hour as much as any city in the country (maybe more?), but happy hour isn’t just about cheap drinks. Across the city, a growing number of restaurants are using the 4-6 p.m. window to show off elevated, kitchen-driven food at a fraction of the price, going well beyond the usual bar snacks.
To find the best happy hours for serious food lovers, we asked some of our favorite local foodies, food writers and Instagram tastemakers to share their go-to spots. Between all of them, we ended up with more than 20 happy hour recommendations worth building your evening around.
A note before you go: Most restaurants limit happy hour pricing to the bar or lounge area, so plan to grab a seat there rather than a dining-room table.
Lindsay Ronneberg (@cbusfoodie614) picked Rooh in the Short North.
Rooh
“It’s the perfect way to experience one of the city’s best upscale restaurants without the upscale price tag. The happy hour menu features shareable small plates ranging from $7-$11, while handcrafted cocktails are just $10. Some of my must-orders are the pani puri, lamb keema Hyderabadi, sweet potato chaat and the Mango Mule, which is easily one of my favorite cocktails in Columbus.”
Rooh Happy Hour | Monday-Friday, 5-6 p.m. | 673 N. High St., Short North | roohcolumbus.com
Recommended by Lindsay Ronneberg — @cbusfoodie614
Donnie Austin of Aardvark Wine & Beer picked his favorite happy hour spot near work.
Subourbon
“I’m a huge fan of Subourbon’s happy hour, as their food menu reminds me of my old favorite, G. Michael’s. If you’re ordering plates to share, include the pork belly, fried green tomatoes, KFC bites and BBQ shrimp—and if they happen to have the catfish and okra, that’s my favorite. They have a bourbon slant on the beverage menu, but the team dreams up great cocktails, too, alongside wine by the glass and draft beers.”
Subourbon Happy Hour | Monday-Saturday, 4-6 p.m. | 2234 W. Dublin-Granville Road, Linworth | subourboncolumbus.com
Recommended by Donnie Austin, Aardvark Wine & Beer — aardvarkwineandbeer.com
Wing Kwong (@takowing.eats), who focuses on Columbus’ Asian food scene, picked two happy hour spots.
Fukuryu Ramen
“Fukuryu Ramen has an unbeatable deal for happy hour ramen. Select bowls are under $8.99. Happy hour runs every day with half off all cocktails and draft beers.” Picks: Japanese fried chicken and shio ramen.
Fukuryu Ramen Happy Hour | Daily 3-6 p.m. | 1600 W. Lane Ave., Suite 160, Upper Arlington; 4540 Bridge Park Ave., Dublin | fukuryuramen.com
Domo
“For sushi, Domo in Short North would be my pick. Their happy hour menu has a great variety, from sushi and appetizers to donburi and udon bowl options. Plus, it’s available on Sundays, too.” Picks: agedashi tofu, spicy crab panini and tiger roll.
Domo Happy Hour | Tuesday-Thursday, 4-6 p.m.; Sunday, 3-5 p.m. | 976 N. High St., Short North | domoskb.com
Recommended by Wing Kwong — takowingeats.com
Nick Dekker (@breakfastwithnick) picked two spots, starting with Cobra.
Cobra
“Cobra is so effortlessly cool and easygoing. You’d almost not know this casual neighborhood bar has drawn national attention for its Asian-inspired food and drink. Their happy hour showcases favorites like the Cobra Old-Fashioned and the Amber by 311 Negroni. If you’re going with a group, order all five food items; I’m partial to the Shanghai Noon Burger and Mama Chien’s Dumplings with pork filling.”
Cobra Happy Hour | Monday, Wednesday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. (closed Tuesdays) | 684 S. High St., Brewery District | cobrabarcolumbus.com
Worthington Tavern
“As Worthington residents, the Worthington Tavern is our go-to for a quick drink or an easy night out. It’s hard to beat happy hour on the back patio at sunset. It runs Monday-Friday and features $2.50 oysters, $12 pizzas, half off drafts and $9 specialty cocktails. My order is the soppressata pizza with hot honey and the Blacksmith Smoked Old Fashioned.”
Worthington Tavern Happy Hour | Monday-Wednesday, 4-6 p.m.; Thursday-Friday, 2-6 p.m. | 671 N. High St., Worthington | worthingtontavern.com
Recommended by Nick Dekker, Breakfast with Nick — breakfastwithnick.com
Jeremy Quam (@thatsandwichdude) picked Barcelona, the German Village institution celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
Barcelona
“Barcelona has one of the best happy hours in Columbus with $8 tapas and drinks at the bar, and it’s available on Saturdays, too. Grab a filete de hierro plano, patatas bravas and a famous housemade sangria!”
Barcelona Happy Hour | Tuesday-Saturday, 4-6 p.m. | 263 E. Whittier St., German Village | barcelonacolumbus.com
Recommended by Jeremy Quam — @thatsandwichdude
Julie Miller of What Should We Do Today Columbus picked Sidebar.
Sidebar
“Sidebar’s menu is mainly tapas, so it’s a great place to meet a group of friends and share small plates, available no matter where you sit with $9, $10 and $11 tapas plates, $16 pizzas and $11 cocktails. My favorites are the beef empanadas and the spicy potatoes, with an $8 glass of sangria. Great spot for dinner before a show Downtown.”
Sidebar Happy Hour | Tuesday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. | 122 E. Main St., Downtown | sidebarcolumbus.com
Recommended by Julie Miller — whatshouldwedotodaycolumbus.com
Alina Antonyuk (@tastingcolumbus) picked the Sycamore in German Village.
Sycamore
“The food is flavorful, bright and rotates seasonally. Whenever we go for happy hour, we order one of everything. You can’t go wrong with the burger, Cuban, meze plate or roasted carrots.”
Sycamore Happy Hour | Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. | 262 E. Sycamore St., German Village | sycamoregv.com
Recommended by Alina Antonyuk — @tastingcolumbus
Nicole Seeley picked Cameron Mitchell’s The Avenue Steak Tavern, with locations in Grandview and Dublin.
The Avenue Steak Tavern
“The Avenue feels like a true gem—the perfect place to meet friends, sneak in a date night, or grab a good bite after a busy day. I’m obsessed with the baked cheese fondue, the steak bites and the short rib toast — the kind of dish you order and immediately tell the table to try. I especially love the Mai Tai for a fun, sweet tropical twist.”
The Avenue Steak Tavern Happy Hour | Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. | 1307 Grandview Ave., #3013, Grandview; 94 N. High St., Dublin | theavenuesteaktavern.com
Recommended by Nicole Seeley — @sweetlyseeley
Melanie Bange (@ohiogirl.travelingworld), one of our Columbus Food Adventures tour guides, offered several recommendations. We’ve always known she’s an overachiever!
Cameron Mitchell Restaurants
“The deals and quality are elite. Most restaurants offer appetizers half off and drinks several dollars off. My 11-year-old stepson always requests the braised veal meatball from Marcella’s. My 3-year-old adores the blue cheese chips at Cap City Diner. My 15-year-old stepdaughter enjoys the mozzarella bar at Valentina’s. My partner loves the pub burger from The Pearl, and I appreciate everything at The Guild House.”
Cameron Mitchell Restaurants | cameronmitchell.com
Lani Rooftop Lounge
“Lani, the only rooftop spot in downtown Powell, fuses Asian bites into high-end small plates. We’re fans of the 24-hour pork belly with marble potato salad, the Caprese martini and the sunset view. Time it right and you can catch a Golden Hour cocktail during golden hour.”
Lani Rooftop Lounge Happy Hour | 4-6 p.m., bar and soft seating | 50 E. Olentangy St., Powell | lanirooftop.com
Hank’s Low Country Seafood & Raw Bar
“Hank’s, on the corner of High and Gay streets, is one of our go-to seafood spots in Central Ohio, but only for High Tide Happy Hour, available Tuesday through Sunday. Come for the Downtown view with a side of dirty martinis and stay for the fried green tomatoes with remoulade sauce.”
Hank’s Happy Hour | Tuesday-Sunday, 4-6 p.m. | 6 W. Gay St., Downtown | hanksseafoodrestaurant.com
FYR Short North
“Since Chef Warn took over the kitchen, FYR has crafted a menu of relatable comfort foods. It has my favorite crab cake in the city, tender crudo, and a grilled gem lettuce salad I could eat daily.”
FYR Social Hour | Tuesday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. | 404 N. High St., Short North | fyrshortnorth.com
Flour
“The Polaris Fashion Place location may seem unexpected, but that’s what sets it apart—nothing like watching the line at The Cheesecake Factory while you enjoy a higher-quality bite. Every visit, the caramelized pear and prosciutto is on my order.”
Flour Happy Hour | Sunday-Friday, 4:30-6 p.m. | 1540 Polaris Pkwy., Polaris | flouramodernpastabar.com
Recommended by Melanie Bange — @ohiogirl.travelingworld
Malini Swank (@lakesandlattes) called out the Polaris location of Marcella’s as her family’s current favorite.
Marcella’s
“Happy hour is available at the bar, lounge and patio, and the service is fantastic. I love the sangria, and my husband loves the Milan Manhattan. We always get the meatball and the spinach dip and assorted flatbreads. It’s kid- and family-friendly, especially on the patio.”
Marcella’s Happy Hour | Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m. | 319 Polaris Pkwy., Polaris | marcellasrestaurant.com
Recommended by Malini Swank — lakesandlattes.com
Food photographer Jordan Posner had two picks for East Siders, starting with Bexley’s The Top Steak House.
The Top Steak House
“Social Hour at The Top Steak House in Bexley is such a treat—a small menu, but everything is made from scratch. My favorites are the crab dip and the prime rib sliders, made with in-house chips and cold-sliced prime rib. There are drink discounts, too, but I’m here for the food.”
The Top Social Hour | Monday-Wednesday, 4-5:30 p.m., at the bar | 2891 E. Main St., Bexley | thetopsteakhouse.com
Mastro’s Steakhouse
“Social Hour at Mastro’s has such a fun vibe with a great selection from the regular menu plus a few Social Hour exclusives. We were obsessed with the cantaloupe martini and the oysters, three for $6. Also, the maguro lime roll and wagyu sliders were both excellent. The prices are super reasonable for a fancy-schmancy steakhouse.”
Mastro’s Social Hour | Monday-Friday, 4-6 p.m., at the bar/lounge | 3965 New Bond St., Easton | mastrosrestaurants.com
Recommended by Jordan Posner — foodfestmedia.com
Erin Vasicek (@spiffycolumbus) picked one of two pizza recommendations, GoreMade in Italian Village.
GoreMade Pizza
“The happy hour at GoreMade Pizza may not be the most extensive, but the vibe is more conducive to focusing on your company. They sling some of my favorite pizza in town. It’s hard to beat a 12-inch cheese or pepperoni wood-fired pizza for $11, paired with a $5 Ohio craft beer or seltzer, or $7 wine, cider or cocktail.”
GoreMade Pizza Happy Hour | Tuesday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. | 936 N. Fourth St., Italian Village | goremadepizza.com
Recommended by Erin Vasicek — @spiffycolumbus
Abby Valencic (@daytripscbus) another Columbus Food Adventures tour guide, picked Harvest Pizzeria.
Harvest Pizzeria
“Harvest Pizzeria’s happy hour fits the bill with roughly $7 small plates plus drink deals. Some plates are on the regular menu, while a few are exclusive to the 4-6 p.m. weekday window. The Buffalo cauliflower has a kick, and the arancini are filling without being too heavy. The Front Porch cocktail is refreshing without feeling too boozy.”
Harvest Pizzeria Happy Hour | Weekdays, 4-6 p.m. | Multiple Columbus-area locations | harvestpizzeria.com
Recommended by Abby Valencic — @daytripscbus
From upscale small plates to bargain oysters, Columbus’ happy hour scene proves you don’t need to spend big to eat well. Have a favorite foodie happy hour we missed? Drop it in the comments or tag us on Instagram. We’re always looking for the next great deal.