Columbus, Ohio

The auditorium of the historic
Ohio Theatre
(photo courtesy Columbus Arts)

The Ohio State University March Band in action at the OSU Stadium during a Buckeyes game.
(photo: Andy Harley)

The original Wendy's
at 257 East Broad St.
(photo: Wendy's)

GAY LINKS

LGBT website for Columbus.
Has chat rooms

Columbus, Ohio
Telephone area code 614  (from UK, dial 001-614)
(Currency mentioned on this page is US Dollars, with approx UK Pounds)
XE.com Personal Currency Assistant for current conversions

"Columbus is a town in which almost anything is likely to happen, and in which almost everything has."
- James Thurber, Born December 8, 1894 in Columbus

Updated: January 1, 2010

HIV restrictions on visitors entering the USA have now been lifted.

Climate:  Average temperature in July and August is about  27 degrees (80F).  Mean temperature for January is 1 degree (34F). Frequent rain (like UK) and snow in winter

Tourist Office:  Visit Columbus Centers.  Port Columbus International Airport, Easton Town Center, Greater Columbus Convention Center and Columbus City Center.  Postal Inquiries to Experience Columbus, 90 North Night Street, Columbus, OH, 43215.  (  221-6623.

Best Shopping Area:  Easton Town Center. 

Three Historical Theatres.  They say that if you have got it, you should flaunt it.  Alas, Columbus does not "flaunt" their three truly historical theatres - they are just not open for tourists to admire, unless you attend a performance.  A great pity this, because no where in the world can you find three such theatrical gems all within a short walk of each other.  All have been lovingly restored.  Oldest is the Southern Theatre, which opened in 1896.  Since then, anybody who was anybody has trodden the boards of the Southern -  the Barrymores, Sarah Bernhardt, Lillian Russell, Al Jolson, Pavlova, W.C. Fields, and George M. Cohen.  Legend has it that dancer Isadora Duncan would refuse to appear in Columbus, unless it was at the Southern.  The Palace Theatre opened in 1926 as a variety theatre and cinema with over 2,800 seats.  The likes of Bing Crosby, Nat "King" Cole, Louis Armstrong, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Jackie Gleason, Jack Benny, Mae West, Tommy & Jimmy Dorsey, Burns and Allen, Eddie Cantor, Bill Robinson, Glenn Miller, Gypsy Rose Lee, and Harpo and Chico Marx all played there.  And while the Palace is now the home of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra and Opera Columbus, the popular stars of today continue to play there.  Finally, the "youngster", The Ohio Theatre.  A 2,700-seat masterpiece of Spanish Baroque, it opened as a cinema in 1928. [Note: new links to the three theatres - January 2, 2007 ]

TheaterPro (USA) writes:  "The remarks [above] are so true! The three theaters are indeed "gems", perhaps the best kept secret in town.  Working in the theater biz, I managed to talk my way into the buildings.  Surely they could open up for tourists occasionally - say once a week for a couple of hours. 

Thurber House,  77 Jefferson Avenue.  (  464-1032  website
The house where James Thurber, the cartoonist and humourist grew up.  Open to the public between noon and 4pm, with volunteer guides on Saturdays and Sundays.  The house was thankfully saved from demolition 20 years ago and restored with furnishings typical of the early 20th century. 

Glosterguy (England) writes: An absolute gem and absolutely fascinating literary museum.  Admission is free for "self-guided" tours ($2 for a tour with guide at weekends).  About the only thing missing is Muggs, the dog that bit people.

Wendy's:  Dave Thomas opened the first "Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers" restaurant in Columbus on November 15, 1969.  The original Wendy's at 257 East Broad Street is still there. These days, Columbus has 46 other restaurants in Columbus, not to mention the 6,000 others around the world.  Corporate headquarters is in Dublin, Ohio - a suburb in northern Columbus.  Why the name Wendy's?  Wendy was Thomas' daughter.

Beer.  Who said that Americans could not brew decent beer?  As Ben Franklin observed a long time ago:  Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.  But that was back in the days BB (before Budweiser).  Columbus Brewing Company's brewery is at 476 S. Front St., in the heart of Columbus' historic Brewery District.  You can sample the lovingly brewed ales (by master brewer Ben Pridgeon) at their Restaurant ("Come for a beer, stay for the food") located at 525 Short Street and operated by Cameron Mitchell Restaurants. The Columbus Brewing Company operates a Pub at Columbus Airport which sells their range and most large supermarkets and "carry out" stores in Columbus sell their bottled ales.

Glosterguy (England) writes:  Columbus Pale Ale at $3.75 a pint.  Now by my calculation, that is  £2 a pint.  What a bargain for a good real ale.  This particular brew won a bronze medal at the World Beer Championships.  My favourite, though, is Columbus 1859 Porter, brewed to the specification of a 19th century English brewer.  Columbus Brewing Company imports hops from Kent to get the brew as "English" as possible.  Yet, it is only $3.75 a pint.  There is hope for America yet ...  Food is good as well, and you don't need to get an over draught arrangement with your banker.  The local habitués love discussing beers while sat at the bar.  And when they realise you are a Brit, your knowledge of UK breweries and their products will be severely tested.

Sports:  Columbus is "football mad".  That's American college football.  If you are in town on a Saturday between September and December, check the schedule and if the OSU Buckeyes are at home, steer clear of the campus area  if you don't have a piece of gold dust called a game ticket!  The stadium holds over 100,000, and all of them appear to know more about the rules than the referees. Well worth trying to get a ticket just of the "buzz" of a game and the atmosphere.  If you want real football (the Americans call it soccer), try the Columbus Crew - a professional major league club.  The city also has a NHL professional ice hockey team, the Bluejackets - home games in the Nationwide Area downtown.

Famous natives of Columbus:  Humourist/cartoonist James Thurber,  golfer Jack 'The Golden Bear' Nicklaus, World War One fighter pilot Eddie Rickenbaker,  USAF General Curtis LeMay, pro former world heavyweight boxer James "Buster" Douglas and US Senator Prescott Bush (grandfather of President George W. Bush).

Have you anything to say about Columbus?  Perhaps you have knowledge of one of the listing below and would like to give your view, or suggest a new listing.  Send us an email and we will include your thoughts

Gay Information
(2006 Pride: ?)

  Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organisation (BRAVO),   PO Box 82068, Columbus, OH, 43202.  (  268-9622   website
BRAVO works to eliminate violence perpetrated on the basis of sexual orientation and/or gender identification, domestic violence and sexual assault through prevention, education, advocacy, violence documentation and survivor services, both within and on behalf of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender communities.

  Columbus Pride and Festival,  1160 North High Street   (  299-7764   website
The Pride Festival in Columbus is one of the larger events in the USA.  This year's Pride Festivities promises to be bigger and better than ever! 2004 is election year.  "It's critically important that we show our unity, our strength," organisers say. "We are a positive civic, social and economic force in this community and this is our chance to show it!".  And with Ohio a "swing state" in the presidential election ...

  Stonewall Columbus,  1160 North High Street.  (  299-7764  website
Situated in the Short North gay area of Columbus, Stonewall is a useful place for the visitor to go for specific information on the gay/lesbian "scene".

Local Gay Magazines

  Outlook (OLN),  406 East Wilson Bridge Road.     (  268-8525  website
Weekly gay/lesbian newspaper that covers Columbus and country-wide "serious" news.

  Outlines Magazine,  4472 West 160th Street, Cleveland, Ohio.  (  (216) 433-1280  website
Fortnightly small-format magazine covering the gay club/bar scene in the Akron, Cleveland, and Columbus areas of Ohio.

Hotels

Drury Inn & Suites,  88 East Nationwide Blvd.    (  221-7008  website
Highly rated reasonably-priced downtown hotel, attached to the Columbus Convention Center, that gives good value. Gay-friendly.  Included in price is breakfast (cook your own waffles) and evening snacks and beverages between 5.30 and 7 pm (not Sundays).  Spacious rooms with fridge, microwave,  free high speed internet access and TV with cable channels (including HBO) from from $89.99 (£50) a night.  Hotel has indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a whirlpool and exercise room for free use by guests. Gay-friendly

Glosterguy (England) writes:  Indeed a very comfortable place to stay.  The staff are very friendly and helpful.  I stayed for 10 nights in winter and there was a considerable discount!  The room was indeed spacious and contained just about everything you needed.  It is all the little extras that make this hotel really good value for money.  As in many hotels in USA, there is always "serve yourself" coffee available at no charge in the reception area at all times (plus of course tea/coffee making facilities in rooms).

Clubs/Bars

  Axis,  775 North High Street.  (  291-4008   website
The largest gay/lesbian dance club in Columbus.  Two floors.  Open Friday, Saturdays and Sundays.  If you look under 30, make sure you have photo ID.  Some of the USA's top DJs play gigs here.  For the younger set who like the latest in lighting effects and sound systems.

  Columbus Eagle,  232 North 3rd Street.  (  228-2804   website
Open daily from 8pm to 2.30am. Take your passport and, as a visitor from overseas, you will be given a friendly welcome in addition to proving you are 18 or over.  Popular with the younger crowd, but a reasonable mix of all ages.  Celebrated it's 20th anniversary in November 2003

Glosterguy (England) writes:  The club says it is the most uninhibited and unpretentious place in town.  They are right!  They don't see to many Brits here, so there was indeed a warm welcome.  The bar staff were most welcoming and efficient.  The only thing "cheap" in the Eagle is the price of the drinks.  Definitely  recommended.

  Havana,  862 North High Street.  (  421-9697   website
A gay "upmarket" bar with may video screens.  Open seven days a week from 5pm to 2.15am.  Thursdays in "Martini & cigars" night (One martini is all right. Two are too many, and three are not enough. - James Thurber).  Music, but no dance floor.  Occasional floor shows.  On Sundays there is an "all-male revue" show.

Glosterguy (England) writes:  While I passed on the cigars, I have to say that the Martinis were very good.  Bartenders know how to mix a drink here. 

  Union Station,  630 North High Street.   (  228-3740   website
A smart bar/café/video lounge close to the Columbus Convention Center.  Large projection TV screens will show such programmes as QAF and Queer Eye, so there's no need to stay home.  Sunday evenings is "Showtunes" night.

Glosterguy (England) writes: This place is unique in the world for me.  It's the only place where I have been asked for ID to prove I am over 18 - and I'm a "fifty-something"!  So be sure you take photo ID with you in case the officious female bartender is on duty.  Other staff are OK, though.  Food here is superb and cooked to order.  Remember to order "fries" if you want English-style chips!

  Wall Street,  144 Wall Street.  (  464-2800  website
A dance club open to 2.30am.  Things liven up around 11.30pm, though the club opens at 9pm.  Don't expect to hold a conversation here!  Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Bookshops/Video

  Metro Video,  685 North High Street.  (  291-7962.  website
Adult videos, books and magazines.

  The Garden, 1186 North High Street.  (  294-2869.  No website
Retail "sex" shop.  100s of gay and lesbian videos/DVDs in stock.  Also clothes etc.

An Open Book,  685 North High Street.  (  291-0080.  No website
Ohio's largest selection of gay and lesbian literature.
[Note - We have heard that this bookshop might have gone out of business - any information would be appreciated]
 

Saunas/Bathhouses

  Club Columbus, 793 West 5th Avenue.  (  291-0049   website
Open 24/7.  Full range gym, whirlpool, private rooms, steam room, sauna and outside swimming pool.  This is a private members club, but guest memberships are available at $8 (£4.50) plus lockers from $10 (£5.50) or private rooms from $18 (£10).

  Flex,  1567 East Livingston Avenue.  (  252-0730   website
Open 24/7.  Private members club.  Photo ID (passport) required.  24-hour guest membership is $5 (£2.75).  Locker $5 (£2.75). Room $10 ($5.50). Video Room $14 (£7.75).  Prices are for a maximum of 8 hour stay.  Facilities include a Turkish bath, sauna and video lounge.