Scooter's Bar Journal » Ohio

Maumee Bay Brewing Company

scooterj — Sat, 26 Nov 2022 18:10:00 +0000

(Downtown, Toledo, OH)

Scooter’s 1602nd bar, first visited in 2022.

We stopped in here for lunch before heading back to Kansas City with the car-load of beef we had just bought from a Pennsylvania farmer that we rendezvoused with at a truck stop just outside Toledo.

I had a massive strip of fried walleye and their Total Eclipse Breakfast Stout.

As it wasn’t too busy only the main level was open, but as I explored the space I found there’s an even larger dining room upstairs that also had a full bar. There’s also outdoor seating in the courtyard.

The men’s room had a single urinal mounted only inches above the floor, I opted to not use it out of fear of making a terrible mess.

27 Broadway St, Toledo, OH 43604
Toledo, OH 43604
United States
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+14192431302
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Ruckmoor Lounge

scooterj — Sun, 20 Nov 2022 18:10:00 +0000

(Crosswoods, Columbus, OH)

Scooter’s 1587th bar, first visited in 2022.

We almost cut this from our itinerary because we were running an hour behind, but we are so glad we didn’t because this was a fantastic dive bar to visit.

Straight out of the 1960s or so (ignoring the flat screen TVs, anyway), the front lounge area features plush leather furniture facing a large stone fireplace. The long bar wraps around the center of the space, flowing around to a billiard room in the back.

I had a Columbus Brewing IPA, served in a frosty cold mug because why not?

7496 N High St
Columbus, OH 43235
United States
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+16148854468
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Callahan’s

scooterj — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 18:14:00 +0000

(Downtown, Columbus, OH)

Scooter’s 1586th bar, first visited in 2022.

Because it was so cold/windy and everyplace we had tried while walking back was way too crowded, we had decided to return to the hotel early. But just as we reached the east entrance, we noticed that one of the bars across the street seemed pretty quiet so we decided to go check it out. Turned out we got lucky, a large party had recently left leaving behind a mostly-empty bar. Score!

I had a Murphy’s Irish Stout, a Pioneer Ohio Pilsner by Homestead Beer Company, some shots, and a cocktail.

There was a second level but neither of us bothered to go up the stairs to look around.

520 Park St.
Columbus, OH 43215
United States
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+16142231200
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Char Bar

scooterj — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 18:13:00 +0000

(Downtown, Columbus, OH)

Scooter’s 1585th bar, first visited in 2022.

We had been excitedly looking forward to this bar all day, but we were unaware of the hockey game that had gotten out nearby and stepped in to find a bar so crowded it was nearly impossible to move. The only open space was unfortunately in front of the dart boards. I think there was a patio, somewhere, but we couldn’t move around enough to find it. (It was bitterly cold and super windy anyway.) We just had one quick drink and left. I had Guinness. We’d love to come back on a future visit when it’s not so crazy.

439 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43215
United States
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+16142259439
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Lumin Sky Bar

scooterj — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 18:12:00 +0000

(Downtown, Columbus, OH)

Scooter’s 1584th bar, first visited in 2022.

This cocktail bar sits atop the AC Marriott Hotel and has studding views of the Columbus skyline. A large patio lines the east side of the bar offering about 210 degrees or so of view.

I had a steak dinner, a couple of cocktails, a shot, and a Phase 2 (American IPA) by Nocterra Brewing.

517 Park St.
Columbus, OH 43215
United States
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+16146075960
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Elements

scooterj — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 17:15:00 +0000

(Downtown Square, Newark, OH)

Scooter’s 1362nd bar, first visited in 2019.

This is the hotel bar for the Doubletree in downtown Newark, though it has a separate entrace so it’s mot necessary to go through the hotel lobby to get to it.

This is also probbaly the best hotel bar I’ve experienced in terms of : good food, good beer lineup, fun bartender, and fun patrons. In fact the bartender working here tonight was a hoot, We loved her.

I had Lake Erie Monster (Imperial IPA) by Great Lakes Brewing Company and Yuengling Traditional Lager.

50 N 2nd St
Newark, OH 43055
US
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(740) 322-6516
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Trek Brewing Company

scooterj — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 17:14:00 +0000

(Newark, OH)

Scooter’s 1361st bar, first visited in 2019.

We arrived just moments after they had done last call, but after learning we had come all the way from Kansas City just to try their beer, they agreed to let us order ONE.

So I had the Solo Hike (IPA).

Since it was closing and we were infringing on their time, I didn’t really get to learn much or explore the place, other than to find a new contender for the title of Coolest Bathroom Sinks Ever.

1486 Granville Rd
Newark, OH 43055
US
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(740) 281-3394
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DankHouse Brewing Company

scooterj — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 17:13:00 +0000

(Newark, OH)

Scooter’s 1360th bar, first visited in 2019.

This is a very cool tap room, and in addition to having good beer of their own, they have several guest taps as well.

There was outdoor seating in the back, and a food truck around the side. Interesting discovery: the men’s room is neat and clean while the women’s is absolutely covered in graffiti.

I had their Super Fantastic (IPA) and Super Duper Fantastic (Inperial IPA). From the guest taps I also had Likewise Lager by Wolf’s Ridge Brewing, Nimble Giant (Imperial IPA) by Tröegs Independent Brewing, and Scenario (Porter) by Melvin Brewing

The bar top is made of “All of the buckshot Walmart had available that day.”

161 Forry St
Newark, OH 43055
US
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(740) 915-6413
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Homestead Beer Company

scooterj — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 17:12:00 +0000

(Heath, OH)

Scooter’s 1359th bar, first visited in 2019.

This brewery is located on a former military installation (Air Force, I think?) and consequently was rather tricky to find. Even the GPS was tripped up.

The taproom is small but works well, and the outdoor seating area doubles the available space. You have to walk through the tank room to get to the restrooms, just follow the path.

I had their Tenpenny Ale and their Galactic Heroes: West Coast IPA

811 Irving Wick Dr W
Heath, OH 43056
US
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(740) 522-8018
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Buckeye Lake Brewery

scooterj — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 17:10:00 +0000

(Buckeye Lake, OH)

Scooter’s 1358th bar, first visited in 2019.

This was the first stop of a mini brewery crawl. Having a restaurant attached next door (accessible through the brewery as well) made this a good place to start out and get a base layer of food down.

I had their Coffee Stout and Strong Scotch Ale

The next picture has noting to do with the brewery, I just liked how this house down the street had a lighthouse incorporated into it.

5176 Walnut Rd
Buckeye Lake, OH 43008
US
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(740) 535-6225
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Barley’s Brewing Company

scooterj — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 17:13:00 +0000

(Downtown, Columbus, OH)

Scooter’s 1136th bar, first visited in 2016.

Large downtown brewpub with a second floor arcade. I had the Alexander’s Russian Imperial Stout.

467 N High St
Columbus, OH 43215
US
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614-228-2537
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Hoof Hearted Brewery & Kitchen

scooterj — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 17:12:00 +0000

(Italian Village, Columbus, OH)

Scooter’s 1135th bar, first visited in 2016.

If the name makes you think, “Who farted?”, it’s apparently not by accident.

Very large, ultra-modern looking brewpub in an apartment complex. Far later hours than most. Lots of rather interesting art on the walls.

I had the We’ll Do It Live! (Belgian Tripel)

850 North 4th Street
Columbus, OH 43215
US
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614-401-4033
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Seventh Son Brewing Company

scooterj — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 17:11:00 +0000

(Italian Village, Columbus, OH)

Scooter’s 1134th bar, first visited in 2016.

Like the previous places, also a former service station. Food trucks out front. The indoor seating are was crowded and far too noisy, but the patio was spacious and much more enjoyable. Doesn’t serve food, but has food trucks parked out front daily.

I had the Dark Horse Future Boss Stout.

1101 N 4th St
Columbus, OH 43201
US
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(614) 421-2337
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Lineage Brewing

scooterj — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 17:10:00 +0000

(Old North Columbus, Columbus, OH)

Scooter’s 1133rd bar, first visited in 2016.

Shared two flights with family, between the two sampled everything they had. There’s a small patio out front. It’s hard to see it, but apparently this used to be a service station.

My flight included Surf’N Cow (milk stout), Shoot-the-Chutes (cream ale), and Arm Buster (oatmeal stout).

2971 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43202
US
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614-461-3622
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Brews Cafe

scooterj — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 18:17:00 +0000

(Downtown, Granville, OH)

Scooter’s 1127th bar, first visited in 2015.

This two level restaurant & bar focuses primarily on craft brew, with dozens (hundreds?) of options available. Most are also available to go.

We’ve heard great things about the burgers, but we opted for pizza and found it to be good, too.

116 E. Broadway
Granville, OH 43023
US
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(740) 587-0249
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North High Brewing

scooterj — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 18:16:00 +0000

(Downtown, Columbus, OH)

Scooter’s 1126th bar, first visited in 2015.

You can’t go wrong with a beer called Filthy McNasty, so it’s lucky we got in here just as they were taking the final orders for flights for the evening.

This place has a pretty cool concept. Sure, the main area is a brewpub, not online many others. But in the back room is a magical area, where people of any skill level can reserve time to go in and brew up 15 gallons of their own beer, any style of flavor you like! Once it’s done fermenting, you and your friends get to have a private tapping in one of the several small bar areas in the back.

This is a concept we really need back home!

1288 N High St,
Columbus, OH 43201
US
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(614) 407-5278
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Brothers Drake Meadery & Bar

scooterj — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 18:15:00 +0000

(Downtown, Columbus, OH)

Scooter’s 1125th bar, first visited in 2015.

Most of our group had not tried mead before, so half of us went with the safe bet, the Apple Pie, while the rest of us were idiots and went straight into the Hot Shot, their habanero mead. Several minutes of hiccups and tears later, those of us with the Hot Shot cooled off with some Apple Pie as well!

26 E 5th Ave
Columbus, OH 43201
US
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(614) 388-8765
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Grass Skirt Tiki Room

scooterj — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 18:13:00 +0000

(Downtown, Columbus, OH)

Scooter’s 1124th bar, first visited in 2015.

What a lot of fun this place was! We spent well over an hour here, enjoying appetizers and multiple rounds of drinks. With all the last of the tiki bars back home in Kansas City having closed a few years ago, our opportunities to enjoy fruity cocktails served in human skulls is very rare, so it was delight to get to do that tonight!

105 N. Grant
Columbus, OH 43215
US
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(614) 429-3650
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Wolf’s Ridge Brewing

scooterj — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 18:12:00 +0000

(Downtown, Columbus, OH)

Scooter’s 1123rd bar, first visited in 2015.

We joined up with one of my cousins and her husband to visit a few Columbus bars. We started out with a very nice, upscale brewpub right on the edge of downtown.

I got a flight of five (pictured below) and enjoyed each of them in their own ways. There wasn’t a dud among them.

The street address brings you to the restaurant portion, but if you’re interested in just the beer you can save some indoor navigating by entering from the Hickory Street side. That’s the entrance I used for the map marker below.

215 N. 4th St.
Columbus, OH 43215
US
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(614) 429-3936
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Donerick’s Pub & Grill

scooterj — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 18:12:00 +0000

(Grove City, OH)

Scooter’s 1122nd bar, first visited in 2015.

Hung out here with male relatives while the women we were all with were enduring a nearby baby shower.

Though it’s your basic suburban strip mall bar, it’s actually pretty decent. Not too expensive, a good beer selection, and not bro-obnoxious like a lot of sports bars can be.

5919 Hoover Rd
Grove City, OH 43123
US
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(614) 801-1055
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The Center Pub

scooterj — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 18:10:00 +0000

(Downtown Square, Newark, OH)

Scooter’s 1121st bar, first visited in 2015.

The Center Pub is a genuine dive bar located i n Newark’s downtown square, in the front corner of a “mall” of mostly antique shops and boutique shops called The Arcade.

We were the first customers of the day, and had a delightful conversation with a really nice bartender as we enjoyed our drinks.

Entering from the street, you find yourself in a carpeted room with two pool tables and lots of natural lighting. If you enter from inside the Arcade you arrive at the back half of the venue — the hardwood-floored main bar with a back wall covered in dollar bills.

The Center Pub is everything you should expect a dive bar to be, and even had a few surprises — I noticed some imports and specialty beers including a few I had not seen before.

We were invited to return in the evening when it would be busier and there would be a band, but unfortunately we didn’t make it after a long, exhausting day in Columbus. But this will be my new hangout on future Newark visits.

33 N. 3rd St.
Newark, OH 43055
US
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(740) 349-9544
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Handlebar Saloon

scooterj — Fri, 27 May 2011 17:10:00 +0000

(Sugar Grove, OH)

Scooter’s 862nd bar, first visited in 2011.

Basic little dive bar and grill in a small town. There’s a basic menu of burgers and various other items that can be cooked in a griddle or in an autofryer. There’s a pool table and a nice long porch out front.

Be sure to use the door closest to the steps, I used the second door since it was propped open and found myself in the employee area.

201 South Main Street
Sugar Grove, OH 43155
US
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(740) 746-9609

Village Tavern

scooterj — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:10:00 +0000

(Waldo, OH)

Scooter’s 529th bar, first visited in 2008.

Established in 1840, this is by far the oldest bar I have been to so far.

The front area did not look anything like a bar at all, more like a snack shop. But it served a limited supply of beer and liquor, along with friend walleye sandwiches and other bar food. Hidden away in the back was a much larger room with three pool tables and several booths. The Village Tavern hosts area pool leagues.

104 S Marion St
Waldo, OH 43356
US
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(740) 726-9622

Tristan’s

scooterj — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 18:18:00 +0000

(Newark, OH)

Scooter’s 528th bar, first visited in 2008.

Part sports bar, part night club. The exterior looked more like an air conditioning repair business than a bar, but thee inside was nicely done. The staff was friendly, the drinks were good, and the bathrooms were the largest and nicest of any I saw in Newark.

370 W Church St
Newark, OH
US
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(740) 349-1700
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Somewhere Else

scooterj — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 18:17:00 +0000

(Newark, OH)

Scooter’s 527th bar, first visited in 2008.

This as divided into two rooms. The front room was the bar, which like it’s neighbor Tony’s had a lunchcounter feel only more rustic. The back room was a large dance floor. During my visit the bar was being decorated for a bartender’s 30th birthday party the next day.

386 W Main St
Newark, OH 43055
US
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(740) 345-0967
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Big Mike’s

scooterj — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 18:16:00 +0000

(Heath, OH)

Scooter’s 526th bar, first visited in 2008.

Formerly a sports bar and now a night club, Big Mike’s is technically the hotel bar for the Quality Inn. However it’s isolated enough from the motel to give it a standalone feel like it’s for the locals as mucch as it is for the tourists.

I enjoyed the spherical goldfish bowl at the end of the bar. Unfortunately is was so cloudy it was hard to see the fish inside.

733 Hebron Rd
Heath, OH 43056
US
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Tony’s Bar

scooterj — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 18:15:00 +0000

(Newark, OH)

Scooter’s 525th bar, first visited in 2008.

I sought this place out specifically because of an online review I found that made this out to be the absolute worst bar in town. Because part of me enjoys seeing a bar that’s really that bad, but mostly because 9 times out of 10 the bar turns out to actually be perfectly find and the reviewer is in fact one of those uptight snobbish types who wants everything cleean, pristine, and high-dollar. That’s the way it turned out to be with Tony’s.

The front part of Tony’s very much resembles a 1950s style diner, down to the booths, the bar stools, and the photos on the walls. The back room has pool tables and is occasionally used for bands.

The selection of beer on tap, while limited, is more varied than most dive bars. This was the only place in town where I had Guinness from tap.

392 W Main St
Newark, OH 43055
US
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(740) 345-8657
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Elbow Lounge

scooterj — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 18:14:00 +0000

(Newark, OH)

Scooter’s 524th bar, first visited in 2008.

When we arrived the place had just opened and we were the first customers. They were waiting for a DJ to arrive and expecting a big crowd later.

This is a pretty old building, but I liked the way they put in a modern ceiling without completely hiding the 100+ year old original ceiling.

While this place is easy to find, it’s tricky to figure out how to get to. Your best bet is to park in the paved lot at the SW corner of 1st & Canal and then walk down the alley (Scheilder St.) around to the front of the building.

76 S 2nd St
Newark, OH 43055
US
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(740) 349-7312

Nick’s Saloon

scooterj — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 18:13:00 +0000

(Newark, OH)

Scooter’s 523rd bar, first visited in 2008.

This was a classic, rustic dive bar. The bar was covered with photos of the regulars, an internet juke box provided tunes, and pool tables were available in the back.

The bartender was a really nice guy. I asked how late they would be open as it was a pretty quiet night. “2:30,” he replied. “I live alone and I have everything I need here, so I’ll just kick back and watch TV if no one is here. I don’t want anyone coming by and not be able to get a drink.”

191 S 2nd St
Newark, OH 43055
US
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(740) 349-7713

Dew Drop Inn

scooterj — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 18:12:00 +0000

(Newark, OH)

Scooter’s 522nd bar, first visited in 2008.

Big space divided into 2 main areas. Two pool tables, DJ booth and small dance floor. The wall behind the bar is decorated with a jungle scene and lined with stuffed animals.

64 Union S
Newark, OH 43055
US
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(740) 344-5024

Draft House

scooterj — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 18:11:00 +0000

(Downtown Square, Newark, OH)

Scooter’s 521st bar, first visited in 2008.

Dive bar with VERY loud internet jukebox. In business as Draft House since 1973, but has been a bar far longer.

15 W Main St
Newark, OH 43055
US
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(740) 345-9380

Sparta

scooterj — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 18:10:00 +0000

(Downtown Square, Newark, OH)

Scooter’s 520th bar, first visited in 2008.

Established in 1900, recently refurbished. Popular Italian-themed bar on the square.

16 W Main St
Newark, OH 43055
US
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(740) 345-6040