
Ballin’ on a budget: A graduating senior’s top Columbus happy hour recommendations
The best places to catch a buzz at OSU when you owe the government thousands of dollars
You’re in Columbus — and you’re dying of thirst. But where’s the place where you’re going to get the most bang for your buck? Here are some happy hour recommendations I’ve developed over my last four years here.
1.Lucky’s Stout House
Lucky’s has to be the king of happy hour on campus. Famously, Saturdays from 7-9 pm (except on game day) are one dollar everything. Whatever you want is just a buck, but make sure to specify what liqueur you want so they don’t break out the Orloff.
The biggest insider tip in order to take advantage of the one dollar deals is to get there as early as possible and order as much as you can on the first round. The lines get pretty crazy and no one likes standing around awkwardly for 20 minutes waiting for a drink.
The best way to stretch a dollar at Lucky’s though, is by going with someone’s parents. People with real jobs, looking to show some college kids a good time, will have some serious big baller cash (s/o Lavar). A friend’s mom once bought so many buckets of beer that we started hanging them from our belt loops. When people who can afford something other than Natty come to Lucky’s, hop on that gravy train baby.
2. Condados
Condados on High St. in Short North, has what has to be the best food deal around. During Happy Hour from 4-7PM tacos are only two bucks a piece, and margs are half off. You can totally stuff yourself for 6 bucks and the food is great.
Menus allow you to custom order tacos by checking off boxes indicating which ingredients you want. I especially love the spicy stuff, but there are options for everyone. Also, the place has great vibes and a modern atmosphere.
Condados is a great destination on Sundays when you want to chill and get a bite with your friends before the weekday grind starts again.
3. 4th Street
4th is the spot for karaoke on Wednesdays. They also have half off all drinks from 3-9 pm.
If you’re like me and love to lay down a little ‘Ignition Remix’ at karaoke night, 4th is great. Make sure you don’t “scream like a white-girl” into the mic, apparently DJs don’t like that sorta thing. I guess I’m a bit of a “woo girl.”
4th street is a really chill bar with some cool outside patio action. If you live out around Summit St., like I did last year, this just may become one of your favorite spots.
4. Out R Inn
Out R Inn is campus’s hottest bar on Thursdays. Its got everything: Cornhole, pool tables, outdoor patio and bar, and dollar-fifty wells/domestics until 8PM.
A dollar and 50 cents is a great deal for a double well. Out R Inn also has a front patio, two levels inside, and and outdoor area in the back with an additional bar. You can play cornhole or pool while simultaneously double-fisting mixed drinks.
Bring a crisp 10 dollar bill and you’re set for the night. Out R Inn is a great way to kick off the weekend, and don’t be afraid to order the cranberry vodka, it’s fire bro.
5. Too’s
I’ll be honest, Too’s Under High isn’t my favorite bar, but it seems to be everyone else’s. They do have some great deals, especially Saturdays with one dollar drinks from 7-9PM and $2.50 32 ounce drafts from 9 to close. Being underground gives Too’s a cool vibe and they always have live music.
Everyone has heard of #savetoos, as the bar will eventually have to close up shop at the current location to make room for new construction projects on campus (RIP Chumley’s, never forget the Red Bull Vodka schooner). On the bright side, the bar will be reopening as Threes Above High, and there may even be a small overlap period with both bars being open.
Too’s is an Ohio State staple with a lot of history. If you go to OSU you have to spend at least a few nights down under high street. Also, a girl at Too’s once walked up to me at the bar, kissed me on the lips, and turned around and left without ever saying a word. So there’s that too.
PS – A friend of mine created the OSU Bar Deals app and it’s pretty awesome for seeing all the deals around campus, check it out.