Lodge Bar

My inugaration into this establishment was for the CYP Beer Game night. The interior puts in me mind of a cross between dive bar meets old western saloon. The atmosphere is much more relaxed and laid back, a lot less of feeling uppity or having to impress people. The music was a wide range between classic rock, southern rock and country.
Being in a more relaxed bar, I was able to hold conversation with people rather than feeling like I was trying to impress them or being judged. Some of the more club type bars I have patronized seem to have a standard.
You had to love the beer games, who does not enjoy making new friends over a highly competive round, or two, or three, or too many you lose count of flippy cup???
As a new person to Columbus and from a smaller town, The Lodge seems to have the atmosphere in a bar that I am used to and will definately make sure to patronize.
Now can someone tell me where the aspirin is???

First off the DJ isn’t that bad, I have heard worse! I do know for a fact that he does not work at a strip club. Even though they do have stripper poles at the lodge.
I always have a good time when I am here.
You get all kinds of ladies here, crazy, trashy, sexy, young, milfs.
DO NOT go here during arnold weekend, it is full of meat heads!
The live bands they have here are a hit or miss.

I have to get this off my chest — WORST. DJ. EVER. An insult to the art form. Horrible. Never shuts the f**k up. Plays a shitty combination of radio-​friendly hip-​hop and lame 80s tracks that were recorded before 99% of the clientele was even born. Probably doubles as a strip-​club DJ. Go away. Please.
OK, that feels better. Now, on to the actual review. I was dragged to the Lodge Bar last weekend for the first time by friends who were dragged here by other friends — so I was «twice removed» from actually wating to step foot inside here. I must say that the place is massive. Super huge, «red giant» massive. I hadn’t been in here since the Brickyard days and seeing Digital Underground in concert, so I was shocked by the transformation into what appears to be an authentic hunting lodge. But the size of the place just means that the douchebag quotient can increase a hundred-​fold, and Saturday night didn’t disappoint.
Lots of baseball caps, 21^st birthday parties, and giant fish bowls full of liquor called «Bucky Bowls» that sell for 13 bucks a pop. Lots of cougars were on the prowl as well, creating a very bizarre vibe — I even saw one young gentleman (who happened to be celebrating his 21^st birthday) grinding on what appeared to be his mother.
I’ve already touched on the music, and we were all mercifully, albeit momentarily, saved from the pure suckage of the DJ by a live musical act who performed for all of about 45 minutes. Then it was back to «This Is How We Do It» and «Yeah!» (which we’ve all NEVER heard before, right?)
The place was jammed to the rafters, so there is obviously a demographic that finds this place appealing. If your lone goal for an evening out is getting shitfaced, and either being a grinder or grindee on the dance floor with your pick of drunken, on-​the-​verge-​of-​vomiting young folks, the majority of whom just turned 21 today, with not much atmosphere or ambiance to speak of, while a dude in a bear costume surreptitously feels up your significant other, then this is the place for you.
I’ll pass.

Same ol’ thing. College kids dancing on stripper poles and bar tops. Lots of people packed into a tiny room. Crowded bars with typical beer prices. Not my scene typically.

Place is terrible. I’m sure there’s an era of time for a fresh 18 – 20 year old to enjoy this place by getting in with a fake… but if you’re over 21, go somewhere that has class & management who gives a shit.

If you like a big room full of college kids and loud music, this is for you. Obviously, I’m not a huge fan of this type of place, so I might not be totally objective.
I was dragged along to Lodge Bar by some female friends who wanted to drink and dance, and they seemed to have a good time. The DJ was more than a little on the annoying side, though, and I wasn’t terribly impressed by the music.
There is only one thing which saves Lodge Bar from a one-​star rating: they have an above-​average assortment of draft beers. I had a Leinenkugel Fireside Nut Brown (seasonal), highly recommended, so my night wasn’t a total waste.

I have a lot to say about this one, I will make it worth your time though ;)
Pros:
Enormous, with a whole separate side they can open up for crowded nights and private events, an expansive back porch area, several huge bars, enjoyable live bands, a huge dance floor and stage that appeals to girls, a rustic theme/​décor that seems to appeal to guys on some sub-​conscious level, and a great happy hour party for those who get one (which I am pretty sure is anyone if you want it). It can also be a really great, chill place to hang out, especially on the patio, during earlier, non-​peak hours. Perhaps my favorite physical features of this bar are the multiple women’s bathrooms, typically well kept, each with several stalls. It is something that can only be appreciated by my fellow females, who are often cruelly subjected to ridiculously long lines after breaking the seal, thanks to puking and/​or crying girls, the infamous «potty party» mentality, and, at it’s most basic, simply having to sit down to pee and the time and precautions to do so sanitarily.
As far as the crowd goes, it is a mixed one, and seems to attract a lot of graduates/​young professionals. From a girl’s standpoint, it is a good place to meet guys other than the ones that are 20 Nati Light pounds heavier since joining the frat that you meet at Too’s and The O (though they do show up, and for the sake of diversity, I am glad they do, as I just described half of my guy friends). I would imagine from a guy’s standpoint, anytime you have girls dressed up for a night on the town, drinking and dancing with their friends, it is a good thing. Also seems to be popular for bachelor/​bachelorette parties and b-​days.
Cons:
A weird guy in a bear suit, Cover charges, expensive drinks when there aren’t any specials, someone always hounding you to sign up to win a happy hour, and women who sit in the bathroom to offer you perfume and the paper towel that was sitting in front of you then think it deserves a tip. The coat check in the winter is a joke and costs $ 5 if I remember correctly, and it’s a trial at 2am to get up there and get the right coat. I had an experience once when a guy half again my size came out of nowhere and pushed me out of line to get to his coat (until my guy friends quickly swarmed) but the catch is that there are few seats to claim and settle your things at. Even though it doesn’t take too much pushing to get to one of the bars, it can take an eternity for someone to realize you are standing there and get you a drink, then you deal with the occasional bartender who thinks they are god’s gift to the world. And finally…
…The End Of The Night:
Always an epic S***show on the weekends to say the least. Those cute girls are now belligerently drunk and wilted like little flowers/​laughing/​puking/​crying/​falling all over themselves. Those decent guys are now belligerently drunk and have turned into douche bags that are circling the frantic crowd like lions, trying separate the weakest drunk girls from their herd as they exit, and hoping the promise of a cab ride home will work out in their favor before her friends notice. Meanwhile, the fratty’s that have managed to escape the campus bars for a night are going for quantity over quality and attempting to lure her and all her friends back for after hour drinks at the frat. Thankfully, there always exists a small percentage of protective guy/​gal-​friends who are pulling their hair out preventing fist fights and rounding up/​holding up/​consoling their more inebriated cohorts as the mass exodus through the doors and onto vine street takes place and the fight for taxi cabs commences (for those who aren’t fetching their cars out of the parking lots across the street). There are also those of us who are still having a good time and are in limbo somewhere between the worriers and the ones being worried about… like I said, it is a mix!
Summary:
All that said, I have thoroughly enjoyed almost every night I have spent at Lodge Bar. I struggle to explain it, but even when the place spins into chaos at the end of the night, especially as a people watcher and (too often) a participator, it is part of the allure of this bar… something you could liken to the fascination some people hold for the Wild West, I suppose. I gave it 3 stars because even though I am a fan I know it isn’t for everyone. Still, if you are up for it I definitely encourage you to go and be the judge of that for yourself!

The Lodge Bar played host to my fantasy football draft last weekend and I’ve got to go w/​the ‘A-​OK’ ranking. Nothing spectacular but they played a good host. My friends and I were able to secure our own private area and bartender as long as we spent $ 250 on drinks. Needless to say that is not hard to achieve with a group of seasoned drinkers.
I would have given four stars if we could have secured some sort of drink or food deal but instead we were given the happy hour prices. Let’s be honest though, there was pretty much nobody in this place to begin with and happy hour prices applied to anybody who walked in the door. Guess I’m just used to Chicago’s bar scene that would be more than happy to group food/​drinks together for a flat rate between $ 20 – 40 per man.
We all ordered various pizzas which were very good and the bartender was cool (and hot) so 3 stars it is!

Ugh. That’s how I sum up my feelings about Lodge Bar. I’ve tried to like it, I really have, but it just hasn’t happened.
First of all, Lodge Bar is down on Vine St. close to downtown, near similar bars like Brothers and Gaswerks. One good thing is that you can leave Lodge Bar and other options are closeby. But if for some reason you decide to go to Lodge Bar, parking isn’t very fun. There’s a big parking lot right across the street with plenty of spaces, but you have to pay to park there. Somewhere between $ 3 – 5. Or find a place on some side street and walk.
Then, you go into Lodge Bar and you’re greeted (most of the time) by an unfriendly tough guy and a cover charge at the door. Usually $ 5. Now why on Earth would you want to pay that when you know that Brothers and Gaswerks, just around the corner, are free to get in? Beats me. And that’s why I’ll choose those places over Lodge Bar. I hate paying cover charges at bars. I’m going there to pay for drinks already, I resent spending my money before I even get a drop of liquor. Maybe I’m just really cheap, but I really hate it. (One time I came here with a friend who had passes to get in for free from another friend that worked at Lodge Bar. It was cool, but I’m not sure how easy it is to come across those.) I suppose the reason the Lodge Bar has a cover charge is because of the live bands that are randomly there. But I’ll get to that in a minute.
Inside the place looks like a lodge. Obviously the person who named the place was original and creative. It kinda looks like a log cabin and there are deer heads on the wall. Definitely not my kind of scene. I could do without the dead animals watching me drink, thanks. But this place does a very poor job of reflecting the look of the place with the overall atmosphere. It looks like it should be cozy and laid back, but instead it’s just sleazy.
Now, the live music is awful. Not usually very impressive. Some band will be up there playing nothing but cheesy cover songs, and they encourage girls to dance on stage and sing along. Then, when the band isn’t playing and they’re off taking a break somewhere, they’ll blast that R&B booty music that makes my ears bleed over the speakers. This place is all about girls dancing like hookers or something. It can get pretty skanky in there. Lots of Woo girls. (If you know what I’m talking about, you’re way too cool for this bar.) The whole area in front of the stage becomes a dance floor. A very sticky one, as beer is all over the floor causing your shoes to stick to the ground. I don’t think that I’ve ever managed to leave this bar without having beer spilled on me. Somebody always bumps into me and I either spill mine or they spill theirs on me. People here are always extremely drunk and kind of stumble around and can get way rude and obnoxious.
I can deal with all that, though. What I can’t deal with at Lodge Bar are the drink prices. They charge way to much for a bar that’s not even slightly upscale. Plus, they charged you to get in! You don’t get a break here! I just don’t understand why anyone would want to come here over other bars because you spend so much more. I think they have some kind of happy hour, but I’ve never been here for that. And the service is not with a smile. The bartenders act like you’re bothering them when you order.
I’m going to try to think of some positives about Lodge Bar. The place is really big, there are usually tables available if you want to sit down, there is a little side room where there are several pool tables, the bathrooms are decent, and the back patio isn’t so bad. In fact, the back patio is pretty big and it’s not bad to hang out here when there’s nice weather. It’s out the back of the bar and at least out there you get a break from the music. But people out here are either smoking or screaming at each other for some reason. There is always so much drama there.
I just usually can’t stomach the Lodge Bar crowd for very long. It’s full of frat boys and the sorority girls that love them and they kind of take over the place. Every single time I’ve been to Lodge Bar has been because I was dragged there by friends. I don’t think I’ve ever stayed for that long because we’ve always ended up leaving it for another bar. And usually when I’m here I see someone get in a fight. One time when I was here I even saw a very drunk guy get all pissed off and punch a mannequin in the face. He clearly wanted to fight this mannequin. I don’t know what that was all about, but it was pretty damn funny to see. So I guess if nothing else the Lodge Bar can be somewhat entertaining.
Most of the time that I’ve ever been to Lodge Bar has been a Friday or Saturday night, so perhaps they are better on other nights. And I know they don’t always charge a cover but I’m not sure their schedule on that. It’s just never been a good time for me, and I often regret coming here in the first place. So I’m definitely not planning on going back here anytime soon.

It surprises me that The Lodge Bar gets such a bad rap in Columbus. It truly surprises me that, for the odd and quirky town that Columbus is, and considering that its still a big Cow-​Town, The Lodge Bar wouldn’t be more of a happening place. I guess people are way too into their martini bar scene to think of degrading themselves to the low that is The Lodge Bar.
I was introduced to The Lodge Bar by a former DJ that used to work there, and said it was a chill place to hang out during the middle of the OSU-​Troy game earlier this year. After catching a cab from in front of the stadium to the Lodge, I was surprised when I walked in. I, for one, really enjoyed the Lodge Bar’s rustic, lodge-​type look. But then again, I would — I was that trashy reality star from the trashy reality show nobody watches who just happened to like the Cowboy Bravado.
The big screen to watch the game was definitely in working order, and the band that was warming up to play after the game wasn’t half bad. Then again, they weren’t half good either. The bar is very proud of their Wednesday College Night… which I have never experienced, but would like to sometime before the end of the collegiate school year. The bar had great deals on drinks during the game… at night, I wouldn’t know — I’ve never been.
I make it no secret that I avoid drinking in the Arena District like I avoid fleas — its too trendy, too overbuilt, and its one of two areas where the overstuffed college kids who are living on mom and dad’s money go to do the traditional college drinking binge. That being said, I would be glad to go back to the Lodge Bar to have a couple drinks with some friends, and even ride their mechanical bull (What’s an urban cowboy without a mechanical bull? Come on!). Because it fits my taste and I enjoy what it has to offer, I give it a good recommendation. Because its down in the Arena District… I can’t give it a great recommendation.

I feel bad for some bars, almost as if they deserved a better rep and/​or fate than they end up with. As long as Lodge Bar is open it will not be one of those bars. From the moment I saw the hideous inside of that place I couldn’t wait for it to get shut down so someone else could come in and renovate. Alas, it still stands.
I can’t tell you how many times someone has come up to me and said «[insert trashy reality ‘star’ i’ve never heard of] from [trashy reality show I don’t watch] is going to be at Lodge Bar!» One time I allowed my crazy lesbian friends to talk me into going to see some girl they love from the Brett Michaels reality show. They loved every second of it, but it could have been held anywhere and they would have been just as happy. i wanted to gauge my eyes out. The pool table in the back has been my one solace almost every time I have ended up here.

Boy, I almost forgot about Lodge Bar in the midst of the rage that began to course through my veins the minute I started thinking about Gaswerk’s and Brothers. The crowd here is just as fratty, the bar is just as crowded, and the drinks are just as overpriced. But here’s where Lodge Bar rakes it in: it’s decorated like… wait for it… A LODGE! Whooda thunk it? Not only do you get to hang out with a herd of subhuman Neanderthal drunkards and the females they prey on, but you get to do so in their natural habitat! With really really REALLY loud rap music! Yes!
There’s really not much else I can say about this place. If I’m being too obtuse for you to make sense of what I’m saying, then I’ll be blunt: this is where lowest common denominator idiots come to drink themselves stupid and act like they’ve never been drunk in public before. Have fun!

I was the last of my friends to turn 21, and Lodge Bar is one of only a few bars in Columbus that is 21+. I remember hearing my friends constantly say how awesome it was and was excited to go. Upon visiting it for the first time, I was really disappointed. I thought that this bar would be nicer with less filthiness than others. Instead, I was faced with a huge space that people crowded into. I had to wait forever just to get a drink and what I had was not even strong.
There’s a lot of other bars I’d go to first in Columbus, and steer clear of here if you’re not in school anymore– everyone’s a student.

VINCE NEAL IS COMING TO LODGE BAR!!!
Now I don’t know if that is a really good thing for Columbus. or a really bad thing for Vince Neal’s career.
Lodge Bar is known for college hack DJ’s who get paid 150 bucks and free Heinekens during the show, or wannabe karioki singers who happen to miss half the strings on their guitars after drinking said Heinekens.
One thing I know it for is cute girls dancing to any random singer and really cheap shots. If you can get past paying the cover charge of 10 on some weekend nights (get the password off their listproc also for free entrance I hear) then you will have a good time. Everyone here is pretty sauced up by 1am and I always have a good college time.