Skully’s Music-Diner

Okay, so online the show said that it would be $ 17.we get here and are told its $ 20…next the guy checking ID’s rudely pushes my boyfriend after putting an ‘X’ on his hand thinking he was okay and then tells my boyfriend he has to pay $ 5 more dollars to get in because he’s 20. EXTREMELY pissed off about how we were treated. NEVER coming back here. Worst bar I’ve ever been to.

This past weekend my boyfriend and I went out for my 21^st birthday and decided to try Skully’s first. First off-​love the setup and décor. Three different bars and a large dance floor? Yes, please. It was, as many other reviewers put it, «dingy in a good way»; it looked kind of divey and cheesey in the best way possible. Loved the atmosphere-I’d never been to a bar and had no idea what to expect; but their was such a large array of people and everyone just did their own thing; it felt very welcoming and judge free. The drinks-​All my boyfriend had to tell the bartender was, «she wants something fruity» and he hit it spot on. The music-wasn’t really a big fan of Friday nights selection of songs. It was 80’s night and since I was born in 1995, I didn’t really connect with the music. We went back the next day and their was a band playing 90’s hits. That set resonated much better with me because I knew most of the songs; making Skullys much more fun for me. All in all, I really enjoyed myself at Skully’s. The only thing I didn’t really like with the 80’s theme. The millennial’s are entering the scene now and I feel like they should gear it slightly more toward the younger crowd. But I’ll definitely come back to Skullys.

My husband and I had tickets to see Lucero last night and it was our first visit to this funky venue. It’s a bar/​restaurant up front, and the live music area/​stage in the back. There is a second level with a bar, and it appeared to have a private radio station group there. The bar actually wraps around, ends, and begins again, leading to the back.
Since the cool red leather booths and the tables were all taken, we found two seats at the bar and ordered beer, and two entrees. Per the website, the Skully Burger and Garden Veggie Burger, with fries, are Tuesday specials for $ 6.95, but the bartender told us the special was not available due to the event. We ordered the regular price Fiesta Black Bean burgers and a large order of fresh-​cut fries.
I’m not sure if the online menu prices are outdated, or if they jack up the prices on show nights, but our burgers were $ 10.95 each and the large order of fries was $ 6. We were both pleasantly surprised at how good the burgers were. The fries were fresh-​cut. Awesome. We want to return on a Tuesday for the $ 6.95 special, because someone in the kitchen knows how to make a good veggie burger, and that is a great price.
We relaxed with our beers at the bar until the opening act finished, then made our way up closer to see the main act. It was pretty packed, but but we were able to get close enough for a great view of the stage. FYI: They do have a big screen in the front bar so the patrons can see the acts.
All in all, this is a cool place, with great food, and the band sounded great. Our bartender/​server was pleasant.
Tip: A friend advised us to pay cash (which we did) and not run a tab, because they take your driver’s license and it takes forever to get it back at the end of a busy event.

Went to Skully’s for a concert. Arrived a few hours early, and decided to order food. Something happened with the printer in the kitchen and our ticket didn’t print. We waited 2 hours for food while everyone else around us got theirs. We asked to speak with a manager who came over a short time later and gave us each of us a free shot (of patron) to compensate for the wait. Food finally came, tasty but nothing spectacular. Concert was amazing and staff was helpful. I would visit again for a concert or a meal during the day. I’m sure our experience with the wait was an anomaly.

I like this place!!! The food is just diner/​bar food, but the place is cool. Relaxed. Very casual. It’s chill!

Had a great time. Nice staff. Great sound in the venue. Met some cool folks. Great outdoor area. Didnt try the food but look forward to it.

NO matter what I am here for aka a casual drink or to see a band I love a stop at Skully’s. The atmosphere is always great, the beer selection stellar. I have never eaten here oddly but here the grub is pretty darn good too.
The sounds for live music is damn good for the size and setup. I have been to similar venues where the sound just doesn’t cut it and I find my self being overwhelmed but highs or bass. Skully’s is where it is at for local to touring acts.

I have been to a select few music venues in Columbus, but this one has been my favorite so far. I walked in and really, it felt like home (I grew up going to concerts in Detroit).
Sure, it’s a little dingy, but it’s the right kind of dingy. As a music venue, this place is exactly what I was looking for. There is a nice space around the stage with a bar backing up pretty close to it (but not too close). There is a balcony area that you can look upon the stage or look out the other side and people watch at the main entrance.
There was a great crowd and everyone seemed to have a good time. The front of the place feels more like a «music café» if you will, with a bar and some food. Whereas, you head toward the back and you know you’re at a concert.
My only complaint is that I’d like to see more nationally known acts, but maybe that’s my own problem. I am not familiar with the local music scene here. There are a lot of acts I would see that would fill this place up but not be able to fill up someplace like the Newport.

I was reading the other reviews and thought some of the things people were complaining about was pretty funny…
Loud music? — its a DANCE club!
Homeless people in the lot? — you’re DOWNTOWN
Sweating? — again, its a DANCE club, that is usually packed
Long story short, this is a great place to come especially on the weekends, there is always something going on, good music, and a great event every gallery hop night. They have a lot of other themed nights too, check the website. There is sometimes a cover, and it is a higher cover if you are 18 – 20 for 18+ events. I’ve never had the food I usually just come for the music, a local show, and the drinks I have had were good.

par for the course, in terms of college-​town music venues. the A/​C didn’t cover the middle section, we were sweating until we could crowd our way into the main section.

I had the best time ever at ladies 80’s night at Skully’s. It was a fun late night atmosphere, tons of energy/​sweaty dance party, my friend and I danced for hours and didn’t have a care in the world!
I don’t remember much (thanks for those strong drinks, bartender!) but I will defiantly be back!

Fun spot for live music. We saw The Flex Crew over Memorial Day weekend. Not a fan of giving them my license AND credit card to keep our tab open but it seemed to work ok (just made me nervous). Sound and lights were good and the people watching was OUTSTANDING!!!

Rudest staff in town, so at least they have that going for them. Also they serve shots of whiskey in plastic cups, and that is not ok.

Skully’s is a mixed bag of a venue. I’ve never had the food because I only come here for shows, so this review is solely for the customer service and the establishment.
Let’s start with the bad news: customer service. Skully’s is one of those bars where they know they are in a prime location and will always get customers for events at least, so the staff feel they can act as they will. I’ve dealt with straight up, unnecessary rudeness. I’ve seen door boys (maybe if they looked intimidating we could call them bouncers) make over the top, disrespectful cat calls and objectifications of patrons bodies. I’ve come in for a show in mid February with 15° temps out to be told that there is no coat check, and they blocked off the top floor so people wouldn’t set their coats down up there. Who wants to dance in their winter coat? The last instance was while I brought a friend here who is a prominent figure in the short north and Columbus businesses, and she was extremely disappointed in her first and last time here.
For the good news: the establishment. A bit shorter of a list, but here’s your two stars. Skully’s has a nice sized venue, frequently has shows worth seeing, and has great potential. Yeah, the drinks and event prices are as over priced as other music venues that are actually in the short north. Yeah, the customer service is terrible. Yeah, the bathrooms are indescribably filthy. But maybe you can manage to come, avoid the door creeps and the customer service, sneak in your own drinks, enjoy the show and leave before you have to use the restroom and you’ll have a great night! Heres to hoping.

My gals and I used to venture to Ladies 80’s at Skullys almost every single week. We’ve gone a few times recently and the music was just not as good. The last time we were there, there were 3 separate songs that were all played TWICE. «Safety Dance» (which I actually love) was played twice within 10 minutes, as well as «Modern Love» by David Bowie and one more I can’t remember. They used to have so much variety (hence the name «Ladies 80’s AND MORE») but now all they play are the cheesey, over played typical 80’s songs. I don’t know if they have a new DJ or something, but it’s just not much as fun anymore.

Honestly, if you haven’t been here for a meal, you’re missing out. Delicious sandwiches and seasoned fries — almost makes you forget your last drunken Ladies’ 80s evening (if you were able to remember it at all).

Sign on the door says it opens at 11 am. We went in and sat down at 11:45 and the bar tender kicked us out. She said they don’t open till noon. When asked about the hours on the door she simple said its wrong. She was rude and disgruntled. The cook came out and even tried to help us but she still kicked us out.

First I will say I’ve been going to Skully’s for years because, honestly there just isn’t much else around sometimes when you want to dance and Ladies 80s is a crowd pleaser. But it’s been a while since I’ve been there and recently I revisited my old stomping grounds for the 80s dance partay! I had a great time, but it wasn’t because of the leopard booths, or the cement patio with broken chairs, and it certainly wasn’t the remodeled bathroom (which was sort of nice-​ish) or the swaying drunk guy in cargo shorts whispering unwanted one liners in women’s ears, it was my awesome friends’ dancing powers!
BUT I did notice something about Skully’s … this place is SLEAZY I must say! And, it makes you feel like people in hell who want ice water when you are in there!!! They will not give you an ice water after 10 pm at all, (bartender told me so) even with an alcohol purchase. They force you to buy a $ 3 bottled water every time you are thirsty and dancing, which I think is horrible. I was reduced to picking up a dirty glass and washing it with hand soap and filling in the sink. Also the alcohol pours are minuscule. I’ve been a bartender for over 8 years, I know what a shot looks like, the pours we were getting were less than a 3 count, should be a 4 :-(the well liquor is sick. This place is not as great as I recall it being.
My advice, bring a flask and a Camelback or skip Skully’s all together.

We were the only people eating. We were a little early for happy hour. That’s okay as we weren’t drinking anyways.
I got onion rings and breaded mushrooms with garlic aioli. The mushrooms were great the breading was very light and flaky. The aioli was interesting, not my favorite. They would have been just as good served with ranch dressing. The rings were good even had a couple that had more than one onion in them.
My man got the Skulky burger…“the best burger in town” with seasoned curly fries. The fries were good even without ketchup. He said it was «excellent and a damn good burger».

Started coming here for Ladies 80s Thursday nights nearly a decade ago. Great scene — people from all age brackets, income levels, and parts of town come here to listen to DJ Chuckstar’s musical stylings, which, of late, have included way too much non-​eighties, but I am straying from the point.
Excellent food served before 9 or so — brunch, lunch, and dinner. I have had burgers, hummus, french toast, nachos. One gal I worked with swore by the steak and eggs before dancing the night away.
We’ve seen bands here on other nights. Good stage/​dance floor, patio out back for smokers, and cool little upstairs bar area for crowd watching.
A Columbus gem.