The Outsiders
Patios prove to be popular with the people
By Steve Croyle |
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Patio seating has become quite the rage in Columbus, thanks in large part to a smoking ban that preceded the statewide prohibition which citizens and politicians are still carping over. Rather than rage against an unstoppable machine, Columbus just accepted reality and worked around the problem. Enter patios. Unfortunately for the smokers, the popularity of outdoor seating during warmer weather puts those seats at a premium. The bottom line is that Columbus digs the al fresco scene.
Novak's
479 N High St.
(614) 224-8821
Novak's patio overseeing North Market.
Photo: Christopher Atwood
At first glance, entering Novak's can appear a daunting task. It's a bizarro "Cheers," where you have to climb up a flight of stairs, rather than down, to get to the good stuff. Upon reaching the summit, you'll discover a classic hangout-style bar with a respectable selection of liquors and beers offered at prices you just don't see in that part of town.
And something else Novak's offers that you don't see often: a rooftop patio. Since Novak's is a second-floor operation, outside seating presents a challenge, so Novak's makes use of a sturdy platform anchored into the neighboring roof. On cooler nights the patio is frequented by hardy smokers, but when the weather gets warmer, it's standing room only.
Novak's doesn't offer up any food, unless you count popcorn as food, but as Tom Dini told me: "There's no eating involved with drinking."
No argument here.
Bodega
1044 N High St.
(614) 299-9399
Bodega in the Short North
Photo: Christopher Atwood
"It's all good," said Derek Morris as he smoked his cigarette, standing outside of Bodega's outdoor seating area. "I'd rather be out here, but there weren't any seats open."
I'm reticent to call Bodega's sidewalk seating a patio, but it's too popular to fail to mention. All summer long, patrons are packed into the tiny patch of concrete Bodega managed to wrestle away from the city. Servers skillfully negotiate the crowd, delivering food and drink, taking orders, and bringing out a fresh bowl of water for the occasional four-legged companion.
"I've never been inside," confided a patron who lives just a block away. "I walk down, grab a seat and order a couple of sangrias. I love the place."
When I mentioned the selection of beers on tap, he was stunned. "You're kidding!"
As tiny as it is, Bodega's "patio" might be one of the best in the city, if only because of its location. On the corner of Third Ave. and High St., Bodega is in a high foot-traffic area.
"It's awesome during the Gallery Hop," noted Michelle, who enjoys the social atmosphere. "Everybody walks by here."
Gresso's
961 S High St.
(614) 444-0131
Gresso's in German Village
Photo: Christopher Atwood
Gresso's sees a fair share of foot traffic as well. Gresso's is going into its third summer and has a quaint brick patio that has earned a reputation for being one of the sweetest spots in the city. Unlike most street-side seating areas, Gresso's patio is roomy - although that doesn't stop it from getting crowded when the weather's nice. Tuesday evenings are especially packed, when people are invited to bring their dogs for "Pups on the Patio."
"It's cool when you've got 10 to 15 dogs out here," said Jay, who works all day on Tuesdays, "but it can get crazy when you get around 30."
Gresso's doesn't close its patio to pets during the rest of the week, but extending a special invitation for people to bring their dogs with them in the middle of the week seemed like an interesting way to stimulate business. "It depends on the weather," noted Jay, "but we do get a lot of people out on Tuesdays."
Pets aside, Gresso's is just a few blocks south of downtown in German Village, where the vibe is much different from the Short North. It's a little more laid back. It feels like a neighborhood, and Gresso's is more like a neighborhood bar than a trendy hotspot. There's something refreshing about that.
These are a few patios we found worth checking out, but don't let the fun stop there! E-mail your patio picks to editor@614columbus.com, and see whether your spot ends up in next month's array of outdoor dining attractions!
Originally Published: May 1, 2009
