614 Magazine - Columbus, Ohio

Hot New Dives

By Kate Liebers & Steve Croyle

1 Comment

Hal and Al's Parsons Project

Alt rock, alt location, alt bar...alt kinds of stuff.
A bright blue pocket of pop culture sits on a stigmatic South Columbus street. The beer selection is vast, the dress is casual, and sirens only occasionally interrupt the alternative music.

The main obstacle for this newly opened bar is the location, yet instead of considering the rough neighborhood a worry, Hal and Al's made it the punch line.

Bar manager Dan Ores, 37, refers to Hal and Al's as The Parsons Challenge. And he is even making promotional t-shirts with the motto.

"Parsons Avenue has a stigma," said Nichole Endicott, 30, Hal and Al's patron. "But this is a great-feeling bar. I think it has a lot of potential."

If Parsons has the potential, Ores has the practice. He has worked at House of Blues for 12 years, opening a venue in Chicago as well as in Cleveland. With the nearby Carabar facing a grim future as highway development plans take place, Hal and Al's is likely to become the next hangout for alternative music fans with cult beer-oriented taste buds.

Hal and Al's "top shelf" beer features Coors cans for "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" fans; Oranjeboom for those curious about Holland's version of Pabst Blue Ribbon; and 6oz pony bottles of Miller High Life, which Ores describes as "Capri Sun for adults."

The top shelf also holds Black Label, Schlitz, and, of course, PBR. Although they sit on the uppermost rack of the beer fridge, these beers are only $1to $2 during happy hour (Tues. - Fri., 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.). Ores said he plans to keep this section a "revolving door" of interesting beers; he is currently seeking the Duff brand of beer inspired by "The Simpsons."

The rest of the cooler is an eclectic collection of imports including Original Sin Cider, Framboise, Arrogant Bastard Ale, Chimay, and various IPAs. At Hal and Al's, beers on tap or in bottles are worthy of a pint glass. Plastic cups are reserved, however, for the liquor and the boxed wine (which is surprisingly delicious).

"It's definitely a whiskey and beer crowd," said Ores.

Regardless of one's drink predilection, Ores encourages an inclusive atmosphere - which is why the bar's entertainment calendar is about as varied as the cooler.

The Hal and Al's week begins Tuesday with acoustic open mic night. Guests get in free; participants can win a $50 cash prize. Sign up starts at 9 p.m., music starts at 10 p.m., and the winner is based on crowd voting.

The crowd votes for the best music again on Wednesday's iPod Night. Anyone with a playlist can participate in this musical battle against the iPod of Ores, who takes his music as seriously as his beers.

He is so protective of his music, in fact, that Ores has refused to install a jukebox at the bar; he describes his iPod soundtrack as "CD101 with more of an edge."

"It's an alternative rock bar," said Ores. "You're never going to come in here and hear Steely Dan."

Unless, of course, you put him on your Wednesday night playlist. Patrons text their votes for their favorite 30-minute iPod deejay and the most popular participant wins a pair of tickets to an upcoming concert at the Lifestyle Communities Pavilion (405 Neil Ave.).

Thursday is Ohio Roller Girls Derby Night, when guests can meet their favorite female fighters on wheels. Fans sporting a Roller Girls t-shirt are treated to drink specials, and some t-shirts are sold at Hal and Al's. Also, PBR Tallboys with a shot of Jameson are only $5.

The music features carry out the weekend, with the Beat Oracle deejaying on Friday and live bands scheduled for Saturday. The Hal and Al's stage is reserved for local original music, and it's booked until September. There will never be a cover, and there will never be a cover band, said Ores.

The week ends with a Sunday Comedy Night hosted by Jennifae. For default smiles, drink specials include $1 Old Style and $2 Beam.

"Some people might think it's too much too soon, but we're just offering variety," said Ores of the weekly lineup.

Ores knows that the crowd around Parsons Avenue is just as varied as what Hal and Al's offers, and he wants everyone to feel welcomed.

"I think it's a good thing," Ores said with a chuckle. "People realize that we actually give a shit."

"The bottom line is: mixing it up is a good thing," said Ores.

Hal and Al's
1297 Parsons Ave.
Columbus, 43205
www.halandals.com

Keeping it on the Level

New bar caters to all walks of life
By now you've probably heard about Level Dining Lounge. When RJ Snappers threw in the towel, speculation about the new occupants of the prime piece of real estate at 700 N High St. was rampant. Then came construction, diverting foot traffic into High Street and sawdust into my Jeni's ice cream.

There's also been controversy. Level is realization of a lifelong dream.

"All our lives," is what Brent Clevidence told me when I asked him how long Level had been in the planning stages. When the property became available, Clevidence and Andre P. Wyatt pounced, but not without stepping on a few toes and bruising a few egos in the GLBT entertainment scene.

I intend to go back. It's obvious that Level plans to cater to the gay community but they clearly don't want to exclude anybody. Too often people hear "gay" attached to a bar and they avoid it. Those folks are going to miss out at Level. It's spectacular.

For guy like me (who thinks that tossing his dress shirt in the dryer for 10 minutes counts as "ironing"), Level is a little intimidating. Much like sitting on the leather seat of a Rolls Royce Phantom, I feel out of place. The place is just so stylish. It looks like an upscale bar that should have beefy body guards out front keeping the likes of me out.

The warm and welcoming staff, however, quickly dispels the initial intimidation.

"We want to have the feel of a neighborhood bar," said Brent Murphy, who presides over the upstairs lounge that overlooks the main floor. "I hate to sound cliche, but we want to have that "Cheers" feel where you could come in next week and I'd know your name is Steve."

Everybody I talked to was exceptional. I realized that, in spite of all my flaws and complete lack of refinement, I deserved to enjoy a fancy lounge with leather seats, glowing tables and big windows, facing High Street, which will be open when the weather demands it.

It's obvious that accessibility was the goal from the start. Level's menu features intriguing dishes (including breakfast on the weekends from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.) delivered by an open kitchen at the back of the house, but at prices far lower than one would expect from the fancy atmosphere. The extensive drink selection is also reasonably priced. The martini menu is impressive, expertly prepared, and too laden with top shelf liquor to properly sample in one sitting. There are a number of specialty beverages that drew favorable responses from the grouchy writers, demanding editors, and sweaty photographers who were invited to get a sneak peek of Level at the media party.

Level Dining Lounge is the sort of place that people are going to try to define with labels, but most of them won't fit, so it's probably best if you stop in and form your own opinions. I have a feeling you're going to be pleasantly surprised.

Level Dining Lounge
700 N High St.
(614) 754-7111
www.levelcolumbus.com

Originally Published: July 1, 2009

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