In a commercial neighborhood almost completely saturated with pubs and fancy eateries, it takes an entirely different type of concept for a new bar to stand out on the mean and competitive streets of the Short North.

Local Bar, stashed since Labor Day slightly off the High Street drag next to Salon Lofts, certainly fits the “different” bill. Where else in Columbus can one sip a pint of the capital city’s finest while lounging in an inoperative hair dryer chair circa 1972? Where else can 25 taps and row after row of delicious high-end spirits collide with Galaga, Ms. Pac Man, eggshell chairs and the largest collection of kitschy ’70s artifacts outside of Joe Paterno’s living room?

“We wanted a neighborhood bar, something comfortable that focused on local breweries and (distilleries),” said part-owner Jeff Rinehart, the man also behind the popular Mexican joint La Fogata.

The retro theme, he said, was purely the work of Columbus vintage shop and fellow Short North merchant Flower Child. “(The owner) came down to take a look at the place, and from that point on, went crazy” Rinehart said.

Whatever “crazy” was, exactly, it certainly worked. On a recent Saturday evening, bar lines were three customers deep, but quick service kept the cocktails coming. Music on the open jukebox ranges from the Rolling Stones to modern pop, and the young, fun vibe is evident from entrance to exit.

Currently, 25 beers are on tap, with 25 more to follow in the coming months. The bar area has room to expand to offer up to 75 taps in the future.

The bar’s carefree spirit resonates with more than just the 20-something crowd, however. Couples nearing retirement age mesh with young professional types and hipsters alike, a combination that proves good beer, free popcorn and excellent service could be the bridge for even Red and Blue political reconciliation.

Because Local Bar brings in such varied crowds, the watering hole has yet to be defined with a label. Is it a hipster bar? A gay bar? A Polynesian dance bar?

“We don’t want a label, we really don’t,” Rinehart said. “We get a huge variety of people; throughout the night, we’ll see a change in the type of people who come in.”

“There’s nothing like it in the Short North.”

Local Bar
913 N High St.
(614) 670-8958
Open 4 p.m. – 2 a.m. daily