I've been here twice. Once as an attempt to drink late-night and wasn't let in because Bf's attire didn't match the dress code. Super lame. The second time was a much more recent Sunday lunch visit, at the suggestion of one of my friends. Parking was pretty annoying. There were meters, but they were all full. The open lots are $5 and only accept exact change (no cards) so I was out of luck there. I ended up parking at the meters on Goodale. A slight walk but not terrible. When I walked through the front door I was hit with a wall of stale beer odor from the night before. Not really what I want to experience before eating, but it either faded or I got used to it by the time I sat down. There are lots of TVs and there was a decent crowd for watching the game. Our server was great - attentive, got our order exactly right and had a pleasant demeanor. She also had to apologize for the kitchen multiple times because they were "down to one oven", whatever that means. It took forever for our food to come out. The food was okay. I got a chicken sandwich and garlic fries ($10). The chicken was seasoned with nothing particularly recognizable but it tasted fine. The bun was a bit bready and I ended up taking the top off. I was excited to treat myself to some garlic fries and while they had good flavor, they were SUPER oily. Kind of ruined it for me. I had a glass of house champagne for $5, it was as expected. I can't say what a night out here is like but lunch was just meh.
(2)
Will P.
2 more tries, 2 great experiences I've had 2 restuarant.com coupons here and used them in the last 2 weeks. I have to say The food experiences have been pretty amazing. The atmosphere itself is a chill as you want it to be. If you want action sit at the bar, if you want peace sit at a table. Both times our waitress was good. Had the wings and mac and cheese the first go-around. Very tasty, expecially the mac and cheese. Dynamite. The second time around I had the burger with sweet potato fries. Fries were very good and came with a cinnamon sauce that made them kind of like a dessert. The burger was amazing. Juicy and all the toppings complimented it. The brownie bites were also good to finish things. Nice warm chocolate center in each of them, very rich chocolate taste. Considering this is in the arena district/park street party area, their food really blows me away.
(4)
Will K.
Stopped here afyer an event in Columbus at the convention center. The stuffed jalapeños would make me go back alone! Awesome place, great deals. The staff was nice, the place was clean and the all around atmosphere was super chill. I will def stop back here for the stuffed jalapeños if I am ever in columbus again!
(4)
Larry H.
Its disappointing to give BBR this rating - but the best I can say about BBR is "hit and miss." And today was a big miss. I probably average having lunch at BBR 2 times every 3 weeks. The food is average to slightly above average - and some items are very good. The service is spotty - but not because of the servers, but because of the kitchen. Today I and a group of 3 others went for lunch and sat at the bar. The young man working the bar is very good - in fact, the last time we were there he gave us a solid recommendation on sandwiches. Fifth minutes later - yes 50 - we got up and left without being served. There was literally a stream of unhappy people leaving without being served any food. Not the servers fault - he did all he could do, and kept refreshing our water and apologizing. There was not a single manager in sight - I would recognize him having gone there often enough. Here's a pretty good business insight - if you are going to run a half price lunch special everyday to kick start your lunch business, make sure you are prepared to prepare the food. This place is definitely getting the lunch traffic. I would rather pay full price and actually eat in a timely manner. Its going to be quite a while before we go back - too bad, because I generally enjoy this spot.
(1)
Kimmy S.
I am appalled at the horrible service me and my friends received today. We waited over 15 minute to place our order. I ordered the taterchips which is a pile of chips with Gorgonzola cheese on top. The waitress reached over my chips (which is rude in itself) and knocked over some of the chips with her elbow! She then looks at me and says "oh u can totally still pick them off the table. Remember 5 second rule!" She scoops her hands together as if she was going to pick them up herself! I said NO! That's okay. I mean how insulting is that?!? To think your customer is desperate enough to even make the suggestion to eat food that fell on a filthy table! She never apologized or offered to replace the food that she touched. My face probly said it all. I then gained the courage to eat a chip. The cheese and everything was cold. Another disappointment! I then just didn't eat anything. I figured instead of wasting my money, I would just take the chips home and warm them up myself in the oven. I asked for a box. She comes over to say they don't have any of the big boxes to fit my food. I then suggested she give me 2 small boxes... I mean how brainless can someone be?!? We asked her to separate our checks (we had 3 people) she then couldn't understand that we all wanted to pay for our own meals. She kept suggesting it be split evenly... What?!? She definitely needed better training. Also, good waiter or waitress would refill your drink w/o asking him/her for it multiple times. This by far was the worst food service experience I had. Good luck if you decide to eat here. It's better for drinking and partying.
(1)
Paul G.
As a bar it's alright. Nice inside. Good set up. But most of the bartenders are incredibly arrogant and unenthused, and if you leave your card by accident they will run charges up on it and tip themselves out an insane amount. To the tune of an inexplicable $60+ extra on my account. Wonderful. I won't be back.
(1)
Jonathan K.
Extremely poor service. Our server never bothered clearing any dishes. Actually had to move plates to sign the check. Food is mediocre. Should have known better when we walked in and were the only table at 6 pm. This place is more of a night club than a restaurant. Plenty of other choices in the area. Won't be back.
(1)
Lisa R.
The menu has been down graded, bigger in physical size but less items. Happy hour menu, for both drinks and food is no longer awesome. Seems they are cutting costs in ingredients and going for a more bar food not so fresh menu
(2)
Jen G.
We were in town for a Blue Jackets game and wanted some place to eat on the way to the game. We ordered nachos and were blown away! They were very good. We ordered half chicken and half beef. Both were great. One of the other servers (not ours) even stopped by to chat and brought some extra chips for us. The place filled up pretty fast once it got closer to game time but we were very satisfied.
(4)
Brandy J.
Oh but wait. After a despicable interaction with the GM and being charged $6 for a Corona Lt. I would like to edit this. Still a 2 (not a 3-4) for this... Service is always solid and the food is very consistently good but c'mon guys you have a beautiful bathroom...just clean it. Please.
(2)
Shannon M.
The man and I made a stop here before seeing the terrible Blue Jackets play. We sat at the bar and the service from beginning to end was top notch. We were never ignored, drinks refilled promptly and food brought quickly. And they were pretty busy with OSU game fans and us delusional Jacket fans filing in. TONS of TVs above the bar so would be hard pressed not to find something to distract you. Any time I get to see the New Zealand National Rugby team take their shirts off and do that crazy stamping around dance is Aces for me. We ordered burgers as they are half off on Sundays, which is a pretty good deal! Nice burger with good fries. Nothing to complain about. I could see how this place could fill up with posers and douche bags but our Sunday Funday was a great experience.
(4)
Herb O.
Went there before a Bluejackets game and loved the place. Food was wad really good and the beer selection was pretty decent. Place fills up fast before game so get there early.
(5)
Geoff V.
Was at the convention center and headed out to the Garage Bar. The place was open but empty so I stopped at Brothers on the way back. I sat at the bar. Good: good tap beer selection, quick service, friendly staff. Food was good and hot. Bad: the bar was wet with drinks. I didn't see anyone wipe it down when people left. I left with wet sleeves but generally a good experience.
(4)
Alan R.
I went here on a Friday night and my ears have not stopped ringing. I'm not joking. They have been ringing for a solid 4 days. The music was ear piercing and painful at some points. Call me old, call me sensitive I don't care, it was loud as shit! Even if I was 22 again it would loud. I was in there maybe 45 min and the group all wanted to leave. The 5 bartenders of the evening were 3 hot tattooed chicks and 2 dudes. The drinks were fast and cold. I have no idea how they heard my orders, but they were exactly what I wanted. On one of the walls is nothing but mirrors and it made the space look HUGE! When I went to the bathroom there was a guy dressed as Elvis working in there. I HATE it when bars do this. (hiring bathroom attendants) Listen I am not helpless and the bathroom is already crowded enough, I am able to get my own soap, turn on the facet myself and get my own paper towel and no I will not tip you if you do these things for me without me asking for assistance; HOW DARE YOU give me the stink eye when I do all that shit myself and I don't tip you! RIDICULOUS! (sorry for my rant). There is also a ton of TVs to watch anything one could think of. Good times.
(3)
Amy S.
A couple friends and I were headed somewhere to watch the game and decided to go here instead- what a great last minute decision! BBR has TONS of TVs...everywhere you sit you'll be able to see one...or two or three. We walked in to a packed place, but that's okay- the more, the merrier! Unfortunately, that meant sloooow service. It was probably halfway through the half quarter before we had somebody take our orders. I guess it was worth the wait though! We got the fried cheese sticks, buffalo chicken dip, and sweet potato fries. Although nothing came out at the same time, that was okay because we all shared. The sweet potato fries, which came out first were pretty good and came with a cinnamon butter to dip with. They weren't the best I've had, but I did like the fact that they weren't covered with breading. The butter went untouched after the first dip, as I opted for ketchup. The cheese sticks were awesome. They definitely weren't bought frozen, as each piece was a different kind of cheese, and they were all shaped differently. It was fun trying each one and guessing which cheese it was! The buffalo chicken dip was served with a few pieces of sliced up pita, chips, carrots, celery, and green onions (as in long pieces of the white part to dip- weird?). There seemed to be plenty of dip to use up all of the "dippers," which was nice. The dip itself was really good- as other who have written reviews, I'd recommend it! It was really creamy and not very spicy...I couldn't stop trying to sneak a few bites from my friend! This is basically a bar with upscale food and prices to go with it. I didn't have any drinks that night, but my friend said hers were really expensive. The appetizers were decently priced, but the entrees were a little high. Regardless of the prices, the food was above par for a bar and we are planning to go back to sample some of their other menu items! I think BBR definitely has the potential for 4 stars.
(3)
Ka T.
This place has a real nice staff. I haven't seen a bar run so smoothly in a while. Everyone seemed to take pride in the place. The appearance of the bar seemed very important to the waiters and managers as i saw numerous attempts to pickup trash off the floor. I don't think i have seen any bar that does that throughout Columbus particularly on a Saturday night. The food was very good as well, the wings are GIGANTIC! Definitely a place to try if you haven't already.
(5)
Andrew C.
It's like if Bernards decided to quintuple their TV's, get ridiculously hot servers, and have a superb menu that hovers just above pub food and below sit down restaurant food. Nice customer service as well with changing channels for games and staff service. A definite upgrade for the Short North
(5)
Ray M.
The food is pretty good here, and at half off lunch its a must do place. In fact I have been there 3 times in the past month. Even before this special, they always have some sort of lunch speciula that is pretty good deal. The serice has alwys been good and the manager stops by quite often to make sure yoou are taken care of and if your drink is low, he wil go ahead and fill it. This is probably one of my favorite places to go at lunch time. One word of caution though. I had the Burger with an egg on it the last time there and when I took a bite, it sort of exploaded onto my shirt sleeve. Totally my fault, but still not a good look
(4)
Augie W.
Very good bar to watch the Buckeyes on the gridiron. Lots of monitors, hustling staff, decent beer selection, and many friendly and rowdy patrons! O - H ...
(3)
Luke T.
The more my coworkers drag me here, the less I dislike it. I still don't like the typical clientele, but the staff, waitresses and food runners/busboys alike, are all really nice and friendly. The food has improved in previous visits, some of it downright good (the chips for example), and their happy hour continues to impress. Not a huge microbrew selection, but $2 domestics and $3 imports/microbrews, plus half off most appetizers. I don't mind so much when we go now.
(3)
Dr R.
Great staff and good food. I usually do happy hour mid-week, as it isn't as slammed and I can get some good food while catching a match/game/etc.
(4)
Dave R.
My favorite place to eat and drink downtown! I used to just go here on weekend night outs and never really tried the food until recently. They have a great lunch deal during the week (1/2 off all food) and the drink prices are very reasonable! I had the Cajun burger with chipotle ranch fries my last visit, and have had the buffalo chicken dip on another occasion. Both were delicious! The staff is always friendly and ready to help with whatever you need. It has become my new go-to lunch spot!
(5)
Meredith J.
This place is fantastic! My husband and I went there for the first time a couple days ago and we were skeptical because of some of the reviews on here, but we were very pleased with our experience. When we were ordering a beer when we sat down I wasn't sure what I wanted. The server made a recommendation so that's what I ordered; I really liked it! We got the taterchips as an appetizer and they blew us away! It was cheesy, crispy, and so full of flavor! I would come here just for those. I ordered the American Burger and my husband ordered the Queso Burger. Both were delicious. The Queso Burger was such a unique combination of flavors; I think I would get something like that next time. But for my first experience I wanted to go with the good ol' classic cheeseburger. The server was attentive and helpful. The restaurant and bathrooms were very clean. And the prices are good considering the amount and quality of food you're getting. Check this place out and don't forget to get the taterchips!
(5)
Tim C.
I ordered the queso dip, it wasn't hot, salsa didn't arrive with the dish. I asked, they gave me a ketchup size thimble of salsa. The pita bread that came with it was chewier than cardboard might be. Bartender wrang me up for beer, brought change, no beer.
(2)
Thomas S.
I'm not going to take the time for a full review. I read through some below, and you can too. I went on a Thursday for lunch and the place was not busy at all. The food was good and the service was excellent. This is the bar I have been looking for. Finally a group of bartenders that professionally and friendlily engage the patrons. Thank you.
(4)
Frank L.
The service here is deplorable. Waited over an hour for a sandwich. One of the bartenders mocked me when I asked about my food. Pathetic.
(1)
Ryan J.
I met up with some friends for the OSU bowl game and was pretty sure I'd end up hating the place, based on the concept alone. I didn't hate it, but I don't see myself there for any other reason that it's a central location and close enough to Harrison West. I was super suspicious of the food, but I ordered the BBQ Bacon Sliders w/ seasoned fries. The sliders were surprisingly good, the lettuce and bun could have been a tad bit fresher, but when you're ordering food at a bar, you can't expect artisan bread and local beef. I did enjoy the food, though. The fries were cooked perfectly, not too greasy and well seasoned. I guess if you have BURGERS in the name of your shop, you better execute that aspect well and I guess they did in my experience. The meat was cooked just as I asked and the white cheddar, grilled onions and BBQ sauce were a nice combo. I only drank a few Heineken Lights, so I can't really comment on the drink menu. I did see a bartender preparing some kind of girly martini with Pop Rocks on the rim. Umm, hmm. The bartender that helped us was good and took the time to shoot the shit with us and regaled us with some funny stories. Everyone I came into contact with seemed nice enough. If you're there to watch a sporting event, you can do better, but you can do worse. There were plenty of TV's and the viewing angles from most of the seats seemed good enough. The decor is pretty awful, huge photos of Slash, Madonna, Kurt Cobain and other "icons" of the music industry, same stone walls as Tyfoon, but the whole "rock" concept is pretty lame. I know there are probably a TON of folks in Columbus that dig that sort of thing, but it seems pretty lame to me. The playlist the bar played after the game was pretty shitty as well, typical at best; Nirvana, Guns N' Roses, MGMT, Muse .. not exactly "hip" but I can see a night here being ruined by drunk folks singing Sweet Home Alabama and Don't Stop Believing with their BFF's. That being said, I know that if they started playing music I love, folks would probably walk out in droves, so I'm not being all elitist and stuff, you know? And don't sit too close to the front doors, you'll freeze your ass off anytime someone enters or exits the bar. I joined some friends after they had already found seats, so I'll just have to chalk that up to my buddies lack of experience in making responsible decisions; like hanging out in the Arena District in a city full of really awesome and unique spots. --- Had to update: I've ventured back to BBR a few times since my initial experience. I was pretty impressed that the bartender remembered my beer of choice from my first visit back in January. The service was stellar and I will definitely be back to watch some of the upcoming March Madness games.
(3)
Lauren F.
The food at BBR is the BEST you're going to find in the arena district. Not what you would expect from a bar off Vine St. The burgers are amazing, the macaroni and cheese (more like chicken Alfredo) is to die for, steaks are always perfect! The GM, Mark, is always so nice and really cares that customers have a great experience. I don't spend too much time in BBR hours. The happy hour special is awesome and they have great packages for bachelor/bachelorette parties! Check this place out! It will not disappoint!
(5)
Keith R.
If there was ever a scenario at attempting to overshadow an older cousin and failing, BBR would be a prime example. I get the vibe that they are trying to be a "classier" Buffalo Wild Wings in the sports bar genre, but just can't make it to the top rung of the ladder. After two visits here, I can't get a good feel for this place. The service was good, the beer was cold, and the food was stellar, but the atmosphere for some reason just doesn't seem to combine together for the sports rocker image the bar wants to be known for. It's was just hard to get into a sports bar mode when the office folks are sitting around the bar in suits. Aside from the atmosphere, the food and service are pretty good. I ordered the Gorgonzola mushroom burger with a cup of the Beer Cheese Soup. Both were swamps of ooey, gooey, cheesiness. The burger was thick and cooked to medium-well as requested. The burger is a two hander to eat. The bar service was efficient: quickly taking orders, pouring drinks and making sure we were well taken care of. Overall, this was not a bad experience, BBR just needs some time to figure out it's identity and what type of crowd it wants to attract.
(3)
Nijole T.
I went here for dinner with my husband and son and we loved it! I never thought I would give bar food 5 stars, but it was better than most expensive restaurants and you can clearly tell there is a creative chef in the kitchen that loves his job! We went during happy hour which lasts till 8pm during the week and got the cheesesticks and pepperoni flatbreak for $3 and $4, both were amazing! The 4 cheesesticks were each completly different, innovative and yummy! I had the mushroom swiss veggie burger with parmesan fries and a house salad with the best honey balsamic dressing ever! The veggie burger was house made and unlike any other! It was spicey and flavorfull. The parmesan garlic fries also fresh and delicious. My husband the cajun burger with cajun fries and a salad with lemon basil dressing, all also very good. We shared the the mac n cheese which was also the best we have ever had! In all an excellent meal and we will be back for more!
(5)
Marissa R.
I went for the first time on a Saturday night and while the food I ordered was good (I ordered the macaroni and cheese), it has ended up being too much of a hassle. I was double charged (after I closed my tab and was long gone) and have been jumping through all kinds of hoops to get my own money back. This is an incredible hassle for something that wasn't even my mistake and the level of incompetence here is beyond astounding as no manager who actually works there seems to be "authorized" to refund me and no one will call you back like they say they will. Bottom line: try the mac and cheese but bring cash unless you think it's worth an extra $60.
(1)
Amy C.
I love this bar. And oddly enough, not for the drinks. I love the food and the service. No matter how loud it is or where you're sitting, the service is always very attentive. Prices are little steep for your basic beer, but it's worth it. And their blue cheese is so yummy!
(5)
H H.
What a great find! This is a new place on Vine St. in the Arena District located where Typhoon used to be. BBR stands for Burgers, Beer, Rock. I met some friends for happy hour there yesterday. They have great happy hour specials: $2 domestic bottles, $3 draft imports (including stella), $4 wines, and $5 martinis and cocktails. I tried 2 martinis before finishing my evening with a glass of Stella. I think I may have found my new favorite martini in Columbus. It is Cumfortable Numb. It is effen cucumber vodka with cucumber puree. It is a delicious summery cocktail that goes down very, very smooth. This was top notch and everyone at my table who took a sip said positive things. I also tried the Wild Thing martini. It is louder, slightly sweet...This is another one that goes down very easy. I commented on the drinks and the waitress told me one of the guys is an actual mixologist who competes across the country. It shows. These were very good and at $5 for happy hour, very fairly priced. My group also had a few appetizers...Buffalo Chicken dip, Calamari, Crab Cakes, and the Tater Chips. My favorite was the calamari. It was very tender, batter was not overly salty, and the sauce added to the end product. The crab cakes were also good. You get 2 with the order and the sauce is pretty delicious. The tater chips need some help. There just wasn't enough "stuff" to cover the chips. I'd be a fan of a cup of sauce to go with the chips. BBR was not too loud at all for me. In fact, we all had conversation with ease. The wait staff also told me they could lower the music if I wanted. The employees were very good looking and personable. It was not an intimidating arena district place at all. The inside of the bar is actually put together very well. I liked the decor a lot. There are blown up pictures of famous artists. There is a huge window at the front of the bar that you can sit near. There is outdoor seating. The bar is a big oval with seating all around. There are also high tops toward the back. Every seat has several large TVs in view, including a huge projector screen in the back. I don't just hand out 5 stars. This is a nice place and I will be back.
(5)
Neil R.
Great place to catch your favorite sports! The food is great, people are cool, drinks are a bit pricey but the venue is A+. I had 2-3 different burgers and loved them all! Also somehow I scored a free beer from the nice bartender.
(4)
Megan S.
I'm a hesitant to write a review lest the rest of Columbus finds out that this might be the best place to watch OSU away games. Or, so I think. I'm way too old to be in the Arena District without irony, yet I'll head that way to enjoy the inviting ambience and great happy hour at BBR. It's expansive, bright (by the windows!), has a decent sized patio (great for watching people on their way to making soon-to-be-bad decisions at Brothers), and while I didn't have the food while I was there, my friends did and I heard them moan a few times (at least, I hope it was from the food). The ultimate sports bar, it's got TVs everywhere, a huge round bar and may just end up being my favorite new place to head after work.
(4)
Jessica G.
Went here for a Columbus Crew watch party, and went ahead and got the Yelp! Deal because I knew I was going. The only negative of the whole night was that there were a couple private parties going on so seating could have been an issue, luckily for us some nice gentlemen at the bar were getting ready to leave so offered us their seats. Once seated the bartender greeted us with their specials (they had a Crew special for a bucket of 5 beers and 2 take home Columbus Crew mugs for $15 which was great) We ordered our food which came out much faster than I expected with the crowd. We had the buffalo chicken dip, garlic parmesian cheese fries, and the white flatbread. All were EXCELLENT! The buffalo chicken dip not only came with tortilla chips, like most restaurants, but in addition had veggies and pita bread also! Our bartender was great, never had an empty glass, and super friendly. I will definately be back (still dreaming of the buffalo dip)!
(4)
Ariel B.
BBR is just okay. There is nothing about the service, food, or drink that you can't get elsewhere in a classier setting for a comparable or cheaper price in Columbus. They are marketed as a rocker bar, but I have never met a rocker that would proudly proclaim BBR as their haunt and not be concerned about losing street cred. With so many options of cool trendy bars, dive bars, sports bars etc in Columbus, BBR's night life blends in with the genre of other bars in the same general vicinity. They do have a moderately respectable drink list, but not one that I would call competitive with some of the best bars in Columbus. I would have been compelled to give them three stars because I like their concept, but I had to take a star off for dressing their waitresses/bartenders in a black and red version of the hooters girls costume which cheapened the experience for me.
(2)
Paul R.
Great happy hour. Lots of big tv's. Food is decent. I don't know if I'd go here when you aren't receiving happy hour prices.
(4)
Kevin R.
We snagged one of the fabulous Yelp Deals for this place and figured we'd check it out before we went to witness yet another Blue Jackets loss. So if you're curious about the nightlife here, you probably want to read another review. I'll get the not so great out of the way first. We never ended up using the Yelp deal on the first visit because half of our meal ended up being comped and it wouldn't have been worth it too burn it off on what was left of our bill. Part I: Opportunity On our first trip to Burgers, Beer & Rock we came in at about 5pm on a weeknight to a mostly empty house. I will say that the place has a nice modern rockstar decor to it, but the first thing you actually noticed was that the music was approaching bleeding ears levels and that is coming from someone who listens to his iPod at full blast most of the time. After being sat we were greeted by our server who appeared to not be having a good day. Everyone else in the place was all smiles and friendly, she on the other hand was pretty much sulking. No biggie, we all have bad days, and she wasn't actually rude to us at all. Ordering was a challenge due to the excessively loud music. My wife (who used to be a server) remarked at how amazing it was that she could hear anything to take people's orders. Well...turns out she couldn't. When she brought our food out to us she had my wife's food right, but my order mixed up (she did bring the right side, more on that in a bit). She was apologetic and said they'd have my order out to me promptly, which they did. The food the first time was a mixed bag. We started with the calamari, which is one of my favorite appetizers, and I made the mistake of just seeing the dish and ordering without reading the description. This was a bad move. They ruin it by pre-tossing it in the same sweet chile sauce that everyone and their brother uses. I have nothing against the sauce (it's tasty!), but it should be on the side so the calamari stays light and crisp. The next uh-oh is also kind of a "shame on me situation" for coming to a place that's name stands for Burgers Beer & Rock and not ordering a Burger. In my quest to eat healthier I went for the Shrimp Kabobs with green beans, while my much wiser wife ordered a burger. Her burger was large, tasty and most importantly cooked the way she had asked. Major points for it being done right because nothing riles me more than places that will ask you for a temperature on your burger and just cook it however they want anyway. Aside from the fact that I was brought the wrong item to start, my food was ok. The shrimp kabobs were excellent, but the green beans were overcooked and soaked in an overly vinegary vinaigrette and nearly inedible. Part II: Redemption We came back on another game night some weeks later during the Holidays. This time there was a decent crowd going and right off the bat when we walked in you could tell that the music was turned down a tad. Still nice and loud, but reasonably so. This time we sat at the bar, service was friendly and checked on us often even when it started to get busier closer to game time. As for food, both of us went for burgers this time and we were not disappointed. I opted to indulge and got the garlic parmesan fries, which are paradise soaked in grease and garlic. We had a little hiccup using our Yelp Deal, as they didn't want to honor it via my phone, but with a little prodding they accepted it. Bottom Line: Not an out of this world place that I'm dying to go back to, but if burgers are what we crave for our pre CBJ game meal it's where I'm going to go and I'm going to work out extra hard at the Gym that day to justify the delicious garlic parmesan fries.
(3)
Walt S.
BBR Columbus seems to have set its sights on being a casually cool modern rock bar with a secondary theme of sports pub. You'll have to tell me when you visit which it is, which it might be. BBR is on Vine, the Arena District, where there once sat a sushi restaurant. It has a large, airy spacious patio outdoors which should work great in Summer and Fall (think OSU post-game or Clippers). BBR (beer, burgers, rock) will become recognized for a menu of food items that one might call gourmet American favorites. I tried the Caesar Wedge salad along with the Tequilla Shrimp Tacos. SUPERB on both fronts and a nice marriage of tangy tastes. I believe I saw/read while there for my first visit the slogan, " ... a place to play all day, and rock all night." I think I counted over twenty-five HD Flat Screen TV's. My night was USA vs. Mexico in a soccer friendly (lots of soccer fans so World Cup and Crew fans - unite) and the Tribe vs Tigers (Indians Win!!). Most of the ambient music ranged from alternative to classic rock & roll. Behind the bar was Sarah and Grant who were friendly and attentive. The night manager, Brianna, is a classic beauty that has smarts and smashing good looks - Wow! For one night, one meal and two Grey Goose and tonics..... I thought BBR Columbus served up exceptional - my hope is for an encore and a boost to 5-stars. Give it a whirl.
(4)
Erin M.
This place is so much different than any other bar in the Arena District. The DJs are excellent, playing a mix of new songs, old songs, and "wow I love this song. Haven't heard it in so long!" with a good beat to it. It is decorated with cool pics of famous singers and aritsts and another wall that is dedicated to only sports teams. For the men, you have the pleasure of going to the bathroom on a Michigan "M" in your toilets. They all seem to enjoy that one! Lol. They have awesome tables for a big group of friends and a fun dance floor. They also have a large patio. It doesn't seem big from the outside, but it's got everything you want in a good bar for the weekend.
(5)
Claire B.
Sports bars aren't my usual kind of hangout, but this one ranks lower than most. Went on a friday night. The food was pretty subpar - mushy tacos and mushy calamari. The staff was nice though. Don't think I'll be back.
(2)
Zack R.
Cheapish beer for its location, and outstanding food. The service was frequent and friendly, but she was a bit slow at first. I have to say, all the food was top notch. BBQ sliders, chicken tacos, shrimp, Philly sliders....ALL recommended.
(4)
Dana P.
I had my 30th party at this bar during a 7:00 away OSU football game. I called about three months in advance to ask about reserving tables and was able to talk to Mike M. who was very helpful. He offered me the section immediately to the right which was perfect for the 30-35 people I was inviting. A few weeks before the birthday I spoke to another manager (I wish I could remember his name!) who walked through the menu with me and offered half-off appetizers, wings and pizza (thanks!). The night of the party went just as I had planned and our server Cara? was fantastic. It was a great set-up with the open windows and plenty of seating and TVs. Cara and the other servers kept the food and drinks coming and we all had a great time cheering on the Buckeyes! This was an easy 5 out of 5 stars and I would definitely recommend BBR to anyone looking to book a party.
(5)
Jessica K.
Mostly solid. Like others, work dragged me here and I was skeptical, but the food, service and drinks are solid and they have good deals - what else does one demand? Go here if you're in the Arena District, it's a good bet. Then ignore the rest of this cathartic rant. Ine more demand: we often come here as a larger group. A larger, transient, annoying, "I need one beer in 3 minutes so my dog doesn't poo in the kennel"/"I need 6 beers in 10 minutes to forget I work with these people" group. Regardless, YES, you absolutely CAN transfer a check from the bar tab to a table, and if you really don't want to transfer it, you can at least run my card and drop it off, rather than denying multiple people at a table service because they mistakenly grabbed their first beer at the bar while lingering awkwardly. Totally over reacting, but I hate when servers lie to me because of a lazy policy. I know how the option works on your system and it's about 5 finger taps.
(4)
Heather D.
First time here. Had to use my Groupon. The only day we could make it was Tuesday which was St. Patrick's Day. They have live music playing and it is mostly covers. There are ton of people wearing green clothes and accessories. We just had a beer each while we were waiting for our to go order of full slab of ribs and chicken. By the time we got home everything was still hot and tasted good. It was very busy and loud due to the fact that it was St Patricks Day, we will come back on day that is not so loud and busy.
(3)
Gus W.
You could really write two different reviews for BBR. One would be the Friday and Saturday nightlife scene, and the second would be every other time. If you're used to going to BBR during the workday for lunch or on Sundays for the food deals, you wouldn't recognize the place on a weekend night. As far as weekend nights go, I'd probably give them a 3. It used to be a bit better a year or so ago, but now that Endzone is closed, the lines are ridiculously long, and it's jammed pack inside. Luckily, they did end up putting a DJ on the patio, or at least there was one the last time I was there, to draw some people from the inside to the outside. I actually enjoyed the guy out there, because the guy inside usually just plays the same shit over and over. The crowd there can be off-putting to say the least. I'd say the pricing is a little cheaper than the clubs down the street like Diesel and Sway but pricier than every other bar in the Park St. area. The bartenders are pretty cool depending on who's working. I see myself here once in a blue moon. On the other hand, I've stopped in here several times during the day or around happy hour to grab a drink and some food. It's close enough to Nationwide Arena, Huntington Park, and the LC that it makes it a convenient spot for some patio drinking and eating. It looks like the menu has been revamped, but I've always thought the food was pretty good. I had the buffalo chicken wrap the last time I was here with whatever the hottest sauce is, and it was delicious. That sauce is pretty hot though! The fries were very tasty too. I'd probably round up to a 4 if the service wasn't so bad the last time we ate here. We did have a decent sized group on the patio, but the girl waiting on us was gone for long spans of time, and when she did come back, she'd grab a couple people's orders and peace out again without checking on the rest of the table. I'd say if you're interested in a place to go out to dance, you could check them out, and if you don't like it, then just head on down to another bar in the area. If you're just looking for a place to grab a beer and a bite to eat, you really can't go wrong here.
(3)
Charles H.
To the owner(s), manager, whomever it concerns. Please keep up your level of service, quality of food, and reasonable prices. I do not know how long you've been in business or how long this level of quality has existed but as long as you keep it up you'll be a regular stop for me and my usual band of lunch goers. By the way, congrats on being my first 5 star review. :)
(5)
Amy P.
Happy hour = awesome! The daily special helps cut costs as well. Personally, this place reminded me of Brother's, the cement floor, seating, and clientele are all very similar. Prior to my visit, I took a look at the website, which has a HUGE dress code section....I didn't realize the place was as swanky as the dress code made it out to be (it isn't swanky, that's what stumps me). For my visit, the waiter was attentive up until the point that the bar became busy, and at that point, it was a nightmare trying to track him down. Parking was also a bit of pain, but that is to be expected in that area.
(3)
Angie K.
So I have to admit... I judged this place on its looks and location. The staff here, yes the attractive meathead guys and pretty tatted up girls were extremely nice and offered great service while we were sitting at the bar. The flat bread pizza was pretty good and the happy hour pricing is very cheap. The pizza was 4$. Everyone was watching sports on TV and the crowd was pretty good for a Friday at 5:30. I would go back for day drinking again.
(4)
Alicia S.
This was a great find! We stopped in for a few drinks and dinner before the hockey game. They had an awesome happy hour with half off appetizers (try the taterchips) and a nice beer selection. All of the food was delicious (Mac and cheese & Hawaii 5-0 pizza) and the bartenders were friendly and attentive! If we ever find ourselves in Columbus again, we will definitely stop back here.
(5)
Mika T.
I've been here many times for both food and drinks and I've never been disappointed. The food seems to be a step above all the other bars I usually dine at. I highly recommend the Mediterranean Chicken Kabobs and the veggie hummus wrap (add chicken). Even the flatbread and cheese sticks are better than average in my opinion. Although the drinks are expensive, the prices also reflect the good service they give. When you dine in, you always get a cloth napkin and the servers are super attentive even on weekend nights. To get a good deal, come on Sundays and tell the bartender when you cash out that you are in the service industry and your drinks will be half off.
(5)
Jessica R.
Came here on a Friday night in the mood to do some DANCING! Place wasn't that crowded, and the dance floor hadn't been "set up" yet, meaning there were tables still on it. The dance floor really isn't that big honestly. Thought it would be bigger. But I guess since this place is more a restaurant during the week. The music they were playing was your standard dancey-club music, so no complaints there. Was nice because they played some oldschool stuff. Just a warning, they do sometimes authorize money from your account. I noticed an extra $30 was taken out of my account. I called, and they explained to me it would go into my account after 3-5 days. Since I only use my debit card, that was a bit of an issue, because that was money in my actual checking account. If it were a credit card, it wouldn't have been such a problem. SO, if you open a tab with a debit card, be sure to make sure they didn't hold any of your funds..... that could cause some issues! Overall, I liked this place. I would come back to check out their dinner menu
(3)
Brian W.
Well our first thought was to go in for lunch on Saturday, checked hours on their website (open at 11:00), and walked over from our house (about a mile). Apparently the hours have changed and website not updated. Got some lunch at nearby North Market and did some errands. Came back for an early dinner. Nice basic sports bar. Lots of screens arranged well and a consistent theme of classic rock. Ordered burgers and the beer special ($3). Both burgers and fries were nicely done. Lots of other, fancier options we may try next time. Staff was friendly and helpful. Note Restaurant.com typically has some great deals for this place, like $3 with the code for $25. Staff were familiar with the deal and handled it without a hitch.
(3)
Eli I.
Recently I went to BBR with a group of 9 or 10 for a Friday happy hour. Perhaps half full, we didn't have much trouble finding a place to gather... Now this is your classic good news / bad news scenario.. On the one hand it wasn't that busy, but on the other hand it wasn't that busy... So in that respect, if you're looking for a quiet pint or a place to meet a friend for the game, then there you go. If you're into the crowded / loud / stuff going on / etc. scene then BBR (at least earlier in the night) likely isn't the go-to. Empty barstools aside, the happy hour is solid. $3 Guinness, half price appetizers, bingo bango bongo.
(5)
FreshTake '.
First time going with some friends and we did not have any food so I can't comment on that. But it was a Saturday night abs they had a live dj who was pretty decent and got better as the night went on; didn't play to much country which i don't care for, he had some good mixes and was changing it up a lot. Our waitress was very good, I think her name was Ginger, she was so attentive and friendly, alsoi helpful with our drink choices and willing to change them if we didn't like them , I always appreciate that :) The drink special was a whiskey well drink, Bullit, which was also petty good with ginger ale and a lime. Other good things about the service is that they have a FREE coat check and the girl working was super friendly, very trustworthy add I left my expensive purse with 2 friends wallets in it as well, lots of valuables and it was all safe and sound the whole time we were dancing it up :) on fact when my husband went to get it for me she grilled him to make sure he was the right guy to give it to since he didn't drop it off lol. Also they were on point with cleaning off the tables and even cleaning up the dance floor when people happened to spill drinks etc. All the e staff w was very polite and attentive the whole night. They have a pretty cool dance floor area, good size with fog machines, lights/disco ball effects which was fun. The crowd is pretty good too, they have a bouncer who checks dress code to keep it "rifraff"... All in all, highly recommend it and I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Derek H.
We have gone a couple of times with Living Social vouchers. Really good bar food and OK service.
(4)
Brieanna H.
I like BBR. I liked Tyfoon better, but nothing can stay the same, especially in this area. The food is good, the drinks are strong, and it's a pretty good place to watch a game in the Vic Village/Short North area where sports bars are few and far between.
(4)
Jessica D.
A perfectly acceptable sports bar. Happy hour: 3-8 pm with $1 PBRs (I stopped looking for deals after I saw $1 PBRs), 33 cent wings, and half off apps. Wasn't expecting my kamikaze shots to be $7 each though... Our server, Rachel, rocked pink hair and won first place in the prompt service category. Go Bucks!
(3)
Danny F.
The operations manager was in tonight. He got mad while he was drunk, and slurring words. A friend of mine and I made a joke about how water "off the soda gun" was always dirty because it's from the Scioto river, and he yelled at us to "get out of my bar, you don't know ****." His name was apparently Mike Mercer. So rude. Too bad. Service was great, manager tried to calm him down, but he wouldn't. Poor form, getting wasted at your own job. Apparently regulars/good tippers aren't welcome if the management has been drinking. Wish it was not a hostile atmosphere. Everyone else that works there is so nice.
(1)
Pete S.
Stopped in on Sunday to catch a little football, burn a Groupon and have some guilty pleasure food... Probably will never be back. The Good: Half off burgers were pretty good, $3 well drinks... The Bad: Our waitress didn't tell us either of those things, even after being asked about specials (she did tell us about $3 Bud Light...) Nachos say real cheese, but are covered in the liquid stuff. The Ugly: Vomit from the previous night in both the men's and women's restroom, door ripped off one of the stalls in the ladies' room. Also, they seem to think football games need an additional MC on top of the commentary, so every time there's a big play on the game (which already has the sound on...) you can expect someone to pop on the microphone and yell something like "Oh Yeah!!!" over and over and over. Finally, the check comes with two blanks for tip: one for the server and one for the busser. This is just uncomfortable. It doesn't seem like my place to determine how those are split up. That said, since our waitress didn't bring our food, drinks or clear empty glasses... I only tipped the busser. Could have been a new Sunday Funday spot... but I don't think I'll be back.
(1)
Joseph P.
Me and my three co-workers spent a few hours at BBR on a Tuesday night. Jessica, the hottest woman on staff (grin to Jess), was fantastic and provided exceptional service and attention to our group. Awesome tap selections and all the food was great.
(5)
Nicole W.
This place is pretty solid. You get what you come for and that works for me! If you cone at midnight on a Friday or Saturday, you are going to get exactly what you expect. Scantily clad ladies and their frat men dancing to the latest Rihanna beats. Lots of vodka crans and bud lights for everyone! But sometimes, don't you just want to break down? If you come here at an earlier time, this place will deliver. Pretty decent food (I love the buffalo dip) and seats all around the house where you can see every football game your heart desires. The staff is really great, which probably takes this place from an OK bar to a great experience. Servers are constantly walking around with smiles on their faces and taking any unused dishes off all tables. The bartenders are happy to put on a different game on a different TV if you would like. Plus, Sunday Funday (my favorite day?) comes with some great deals - one of the better $3 Bloody Marys I've had!
(4)
Christina G.
Went to BBR this week since we had a groupon that was going to expire soon. I've been here for the night scene and was told that their food is good, so when the groupon came out I figured it was fate. After a long work week, a Thursday night date night at a place that I know has a great alcohol list seemed like a good idea. We arrived at 7pm and walked into a semi-rage party. Guys in affliction Tshirts and girls in neon hello kitty and everyone taking shots like there was no tomorrow. I kept thinking, guess Thursday nights are college party nights, then realized the Arnold Classic and Tiesto invaded Columbus at the same time, hence the fabulous people watching. Dinner and a show? Unexpected but ill take what I can get. We started with the queso which came with tortilla chips and veggies. Uncooked broccoli and cauliflower in cheese sauce? Not my thing, but it did make me feel healthier when the chips ran out. I got the buffalo chicken wrap and for someone who isn't a huge buffalo sauce fan, it was perfect. Not too hot and tasted great. I got the steamed veggies (two veggies in one sitting - at a bar?) and they were awesome. My guy had a burger and fries and was very pleased. Due to happy hour our drinks were ricidulously cheap and the app was 1/2 off, so after the groupon it was a whopping $5 meal. Our server was great and made sure to check in just enough, even with the half dressed shot takers pulling her in all directions. It wasn't the dinner I was expecting, but overall we left satisfied and feeling a lot older. May try dinner again on a more calm night.
(3)
Grant C.
BBR is one of my favorite places to watch sports. Their drink prices can be a bit high sometimes when I go in and other times they have specials going that workout well. I guess this can be expected any where, but the food is well above (in quality) what you would expect at a sports bar. Great apps and burgers. The place is nicely decorated in a very slick way. A lot of good looking servers/bartenders with plenty of ink if thats your thing. I recommend it for you next sporting event.
(4)
Audrey H.
Came here on a Monday night with a friend to use her $35 coupon, which actually ended up being a difficult feat because almost everything was half price (I believe it was because burgers are half off on Mondays, and apps/wings are half off during happy hour). The place was fairly empty, but I can see how it'd be a great place to watch sports. We sat by the window and enjoyed the throwback music. It seems like there's a review somewhere below complaining about Cara. If it's the same person, I thought she was perfectly fine. Friendly, attentive, recommended the Wild Thing (raspberry vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry and pineapple juice), which was decently delish. Friend got the rock'n rita, which was also good. We got the calamari, cheese sticks, teriyaki wings, honey ancho chipotle wings, and rockin cajun burger. It was all great for bar food; we were pleasantly surprised. I wouldn't go out of my way to initiate a trip here, but I can totally see myself coming again with a group of people if there's a game on.
(4)
Jill T.
Boyfriend and I stopped in to BBR to try a local establishment. We travel a lot and like to try places other than chains. Our waitress, Cara, was horrible. Not busy, not overworked; just bad. The only thing that saved our experience at BBR was the food. It was good. We had the nightly special of fish tacos and ribs. Nightlife patio was good , but definitely would request a different server.
(3)
Nadine P.
I live out of town but have eaten here twice in the past year. The food was excellent and the drinks were awesome. I love the sleek decor and the service was great. I'm looking forward to the weather warming up so I can go again and sit on that huge deck they off of the side of the building. I highly recommend this place.
(5)
Tom M.
I upgraded my rating from 2 to 3 stars based on the beer being cold, faster service, less loudness, and better food. The happy hour deals cannot be beat. We had $1 sliders and I highly recommend any of them even off the regular menu. The cheese sticks are very good. You a good amount with a variety of cheeses.I need to go back and try a burger.
(3)
Julie J.
VERY poorly prepared food. Veggies that taste like lemon pledge, crappy burnt beef. YUK! Never again. NEVER again.
(1)
Tim Y.
I went to BBR Saturday night to find a place to watch the OSU vs. Michigan basketball game. I got there about 45 minutes before tipoff (9PM) and could not find a seat. An employee helped pull up chairs for a friend and I at the bar. This does not happen often! The decor appeared to professionally decorated. Strategically-placed flat screen TV's are on the walls and above the bar, providing a great space to watch a game. The game volume came on at tipoff and the semi-loud music subsided until halftime. Mirrors and black and white prints of local sports logos and 80's rock stars fill up the exposed brick walls. Food and drinks are a high-focus for this bar. Dozens of micobrew handles and bottled beers are available. A $3 special for Labatt Blue and Miller Lite was on Saturday, with regular priced microwbrews in the $6-$7 range for 16oz-20oz drafts. The menu is relatively high end, perhaps approaching a "gastropub" feel. Not really too hungry, I ordered a cheese and vege plate. A Bento box shortly arrived with a huge portion of swiss, pepperjack, boursin, and smoked gouda cheese. Vege's included tomato wedges, broccoli, red peppers, cauliflower, carrots, cucumber, and squash. Warm pita was also included in the low $8 price. The silverware has high quality and even polished! Definitely a surprise for a sports bar! The bathroom also was above-average. TV's with volume on the high ceilings, the usual Michigan decals in the urinal, and a bathroom attendant. The real bonus was the mini field goal with oscillating football crossing the uprights in some urinals. As the night progressed and the game came to an end, the bar continued to get more crowded. The clientele became better-dressed as the the time elapsed, attracting mostly a 20-30ish crowd. The guy sitting two down from me didn't seem too surprised at his $342 bar tab. It wasn't a win for the Buckeyes, but definitiely one for BBR Columbus!
(5)
Ryan J.
I met up with some friends for the OSU bowl game and was pretty sure I'd end up hating the place, based on the concept alone. I didn't hate it, but I don't see myself there for any other reason that it's a central location and close enough to Harrison West. I was super suspicious of the food, but I ordered the BBQ Bacon Sliders w/ seasoned fries. The sliders were surprisingly good, the lettuce and bun could have been a tad bit fresher, but when you're ordering food at a bar, you can't expect artisan bread and local beef. I did enjoy the food, though. The fries were cooked perfectly, not too greasy and well seasoned. I guess if you have BURGERS in the name of your shop, you better execute that aspect well and I guess they did in my experience. The meat was cooked just as I asked and the white cheddar, grilled onions and BBQ sauce were a nice combo. I only drank a few Heineken Lights, so I can't really comment on the drink menu. I did see a bartender preparing some kind of girly martini with Pop Rocks on the rim. Umm, hmm. The bartender that helped us was good and took the time to shoot the shit with us and regaled us with some funny stories. Everyone I came into contact with seemed nice enough. If you're there to watch a sporting event, you can do better, but you can do worse. There were plenty of TV's and the viewing angles from most of the seats seemed good enough. The decor is pretty awful, huge photos of Slash, Madonna, Kurt Cobain and other "icons" of the music industry, same stone walls as Tyfoon, but the whole "rock" concept is pretty lame. I know there are probably a TON of folks in Columbus that dig that sort of thing, but it seems pretty lame to me. The playlist the bar played after the game was pretty shitty as well, typical at best; Nirvana, Guns N' Roses, MGMT, Muse .. not exactly "hip" but I can see a night here being ruined by drunk folks singing Sweet Home Alabama and Don't Stop Believing with their BFF's. That being said, I know that if they started playing music I love, folks would probably walk out in droves, so I'm not being all elitist and stuff, you know? And don't sit too close to the front doors, you'll freeze your ass off anytime someone enters or exits the bar. I joined some friends after they had already found seats, so I'll just have to chalk that up to my buddies lack of experience in making responsible decisions; like hanging out in the Arena District in a city full of really awesome and unique spots. --- Had to update: I've ventured back to BBR a few times since my initial experience. I was pretty impressed that the bartender remembered my beer of choice from my first visit back in January. The service was stellar and I will definitely be back to watch some of the upcoming March Madness games.
(3)
Lauren F.
The food at BBR is the BEST you're going to find in the arena district. Not what you would expect from a bar off Vine St. The burgers are amazing, the macaroni and cheese (more like chicken Alfredo) is to die for, steaks are always perfect! The GM, Mark, is always so nice and really cares that customers have a great experience. I don't spend too much time in BBR hours. The happy hour special is awesome and they have great packages for bachelor/bachelorette parties! Check this place out! It will not disappoint!
(5)
H H.
What a great find! This is a new place on Vine St. in the Arena District located where Typhoon used to be. BBR stands for Burgers, Beer, Rock. I met some friends for happy hour there yesterday. They have great happy hour specials: $2 domestic bottles, $3 draft imports (including stella), $4 wines, and $5 martinis and cocktails. I tried 2 martinis before finishing my evening with a glass of Stella. I think I may have found my new favorite martini in Columbus. It is Cumfortable Numb. It is effen cucumber vodka with cucumber puree. It is a delicious summery cocktail that goes down very, very smooth. This was top notch and everyone at my table who took a sip said positive things. I also tried the Wild Thing martini. It is louder, slightly sweet...This is another one that goes down very easy. I commented on the drinks and the waitress told me one of the guys is an actual mixologist who competes across the country. It shows. These were very good and at $5 for happy hour, very fairly priced. My group also had a few appetizers...Buffalo Chicken dip, Calamari, Crab Cakes, and the Tater Chips. My favorite was the calamari. It was very tender, batter was not overly salty, and the sauce added to the end product. The crab cakes were also good. You get 2 with the order and the sauce is pretty delicious. The tater chips need some help. There just wasn't enough "stuff" to cover the chips. I'd be a fan of a cup of sauce to go with the chips. BBR was not too loud at all for me. In fact, we all had conversation with ease. The wait staff also told me they could lower the music if I wanted. The employees were very good looking and personable. It was not an intimidating arena district place at all. The inside of the bar is actually put together very well. I liked the decor a lot. There are blown up pictures of famous artists. There is a huge window at the front of the bar that you can sit near. There is outdoor seating. The bar is a big oval with seating all around. There are also high tops toward the back. Every seat has several large TVs in view, including a huge projector screen in the back. I don't just hand out 5 stars. This is a nice place and I will be back.
(5)
Neil R.
Great place to catch your favorite sports! The food is great, people are cool, drinks are a bit pricey but the venue is A+. I had 2-3 different burgers and loved them all! Also somehow I scored a free beer from the nice bartender.
(4)
Megan S.
I'm a hesitant to write a review lest the rest of Columbus finds out that this might be the best place to watch OSU away games. Or, so I think. I'm way too old to be in the Arena District without irony, yet I'll head that way to enjoy the inviting ambience and great happy hour at BBR. It's expansive, bright (by the windows!), has a decent sized patio (great for watching people on their way to making soon-to-be-bad decisions at Brothers), and while I didn't have the food while I was there, my friends did and I heard them moan a few times (at least, I hope it was from the food). The ultimate sports bar, it's got TVs everywhere, a huge round bar and may just end up being my favorite new place to head after work.
(4)
Kevin R.
We snagged one of the fabulous Yelp Deals for this place and figured we'd check it out before we went to witness yet another Blue Jackets loss. So if you're curious about the nightlife here, you probably want to read another review. I'll get the not so great out of the way first. We never ended up using the Yelp deal on the first visit because half of our meal ended up being comped and it wouldn't have been worth it too burn it off on what was left of our bill. Part I: Opportunity On our first trip to Burgers, Beer & Rock we came in at about 5pm on a weeknight to a mostly empty house. I will say that the place has a nice modern rockstar decor to it, but the first thing you actually noticed was that the music was approaching bleeding ears levels and that is coming from someone who listens to his iPod at full blast most of the time. After being sat we were greeted by our server who appeared to not be having a good day. Everyone else in the place was all smiles and friendly, she on the other hand was pretty much sulking. No biggie, we all have bad days, and she wasn't actually rude to us at all. Ordering was a challenge due to the excessively loud music. My wife (who used to be a server) remarked at how amazing it was that she could hear anything to take people's orders. Well...turns out she couldn't. When she brought our food out to us she had my wife's food right, but my order mixed up (she did bring the right side, more on that in a bit). She was apologetic and said they'd have my order out to me promptly, which they did. The food the first time was a mixed bag. We started with the calamari, which is one of my favorite appetizers, and I made the mistake of just seeing the dish and ordering without reading the description. This was a bad move. They ruin it by pre-tossing it in the same sweet chile sauce that everyone and their brother uses. I have nothing against the sauce (it's tasty!), but it should be on the side so the calamari stays light and crisp. The next uh-oh is also kind of a "shame on me situation" for coming to a place that's name stands for Burgers Beer & Rock and not ordering a Burger. In my quest to eat healthier I went for the Shrimp Kabobs with green beans, while my much wiser wife ordered a burger. Her burger was large, tasty and most importantly cooked the way she had asked. Major points for it being done right because nothing riles me more than places that will ask you for a temperature on your burger and just cook it however they want anyway. Aside from the fact that I was brought the wrong item to start, my food was ok. The shrimp kabobs were excellent, but the green beans were overcooked and soaked in an overly vinegary vinaigrette and nearly inedible. Part II: Redemption We came back on another game night some weeks later during the Holidays. This time there was a decent crowd going and right off the bat when we walked in you could tell that the music was turned down a tad. Still nice and loud, but reasonably so. This time we sat at the bar, service was friendly and checked on us often even when it started to get busier closer to game time. As for food, both of us went for burgers this time and we were not disappointed. I opted to indulge and got the garlic parmesan fries, which are paradise soaked in grease and garlic. We had a little hiccup using our Yelp Deal, as they didn't want to honor it via my phone, but with a little prodding they accepted it. Bottom Line: Not an out of this world place that I'm dying to go back to, but if burgers are what we crave for our pre CBJ game meal it's where I'm going to go and I'm going to work out extra hard at the Gym that day to justify the delicious garlic parmesan fries.
(3)
Claire B.
Sports bars aren't my usual kind of hangout, but this one ranks lower than most. Went on a friday night. The food was pretty subpar - mushy tacos and mushy calamari. The staff was nice though. Don't think I'll be back.
(2)
Jen G.
We were in town for a Blue Jackets game and wanted some place to eat on the way to the game. We ordered nachos and were blown away! They were very good. We ordered half chicken and half beef. Both were great. One of the other servers (not ours) even stopped by to chat and brought some extra chips for us. The place filled up pretty fast once it got closer to game time but we were very satisfied.
(4)
Brieanna H.
I like BBR. I liked Tyfoon better, but nothing can stay the same, especially in this area. The food is good, the drinks are strong, and it's a pretty good place to watch a game in the Vic Village/Short North area where sports bars are few and far between.
(4)
Jessica D.
A perfectly acceptable sports bar. Happy hour: 3-8 pm with $1 PBRs (I stopped looking for deals after I saw $1 PBRs), 33 cent wings, and half off apps. Wasn't expecting my kamikaze shots to be $7 each though... Our server, Rachel, rocked pink hair and won first place in the prompt service category. Go Bucks!
(3)
Danny F.
The operations manager was in tonight. He got mad while he was drunk, and slurring words. A friend of mine and I made a joke about how water "off the soda gun" was always dirty because it's from the Scioto river, and he yelled at us to "get out of my bar, you don't know ****." His name was apparently Mike Mercer. So rude. Too bad. Service was great, manager tried to calm him down, but he wouldn't. Poor form, getting wasted at your own job. Apparently regulars/good tippers aren't welcome if the management has been drinking. Wish it was not a hostile atmosphere. Everyone else that works there is so nice.
(1)
Jonathan K.
Extremely poor service. Our server never bothered clearing any dishes. Actually had to move plates to sign the check. Food is mediocre. Should have known better when we walked in and were the only table at 6 pm. This place is more of a night club than a restaurant. Plenty of other choices in the area. Won't be back.
(1)
Lisa R.
The menu has been down graded, bigger in physical size but less items. Happy hour menu, for both drinks and food is no longer awesome. Seems they are cutting costs in ingredients and going for a more bar food not so fresh menu
(2)
Jessica K.
Mostly solid. Like others, work dragged me here and I was skeptical, but the food, service and drinks are solid and they have good deals - what else does one demand? Go here if you're in the Arena District, it's a good bet. Then ignore the rest of this cathartic rant. Ine more demand: we often come here as a larger group. A larger, transient, annoying, "I need one beer in 3 minutes so my dog doesn't poo in the kennel"/"I need 6 beers in 10 minutes to forget I work with these people" group. Regardless, YES, you absolutely CAN transfer a check from the bar tab to a table, and if you really don't want to transfer it, you can at least run my card and drop it off, rather than denying multiple people at a table service because they mistakenly grabbed their first beer at the bar while lingering awkwardly. Totally over reacting, but I hate when servers lie to me because of a lazy policy. I know how the option works on your system and it's about 5 finger taps.
(4)
Heather D.
First time here. Had to use my Groupon. The only day we could make it was Tuesday which was St. Patrick's Day. They have live music playing and it is mostly covers. There are ton of people wearing green clothes and accessories. We just had a beer each while we were waiting for our to go order of full slab of ribs and chicken. By the time we got home everything was still hot and tasted good. It was very busy and loud due to the fact that it was St Patricks Day, we will come back on day that is not so loud and busy.
(3)
Alicia S.
This was a great find! We stopped in for a few drinks and dinner before the hockey game. They had an awesome happy hour with half off appetizers (try the taterchips) and a nice beer selection. All of the food was delicious (Mac and cheese & Hawaii 5-0 pizza) and the bartenders were friendly and attentive! If we ever find ourselves in Columbus again, we will definitely stop back here.
(5)
Charles H.
To the owner(s), manager, whomever it concerns. Please keep up your level of service, quality of food, and reasonable prices. I do not know how long you've been in business or how long this level of quality has existed but as long as you keep it up you'll be a regular stop for me and my usual band of lunch goers. By the way, congrats on being my first 5 star review. :)
(5)
Gus W.
You could really write two different reviews for BBR. One would be the Friday and Saturday nightlife scene, and the second would be every other time. If you're used to going to BBR during the workday for lunch or on Sundays for the food deals, you wouldn't recognize the place on a weekend night. As far as weekend nights go, I'd probably give them a 3. It used to be a bit better a year or so ago, but now that Endzone is closed, the lines are ridiculously long, and it's jammed pack inside. Luckily, they did end up putting a DJ on the patio, or at least there was one the last time I was there, to draw some people from the inside to the outside. I actually enjoyed the guy out there, because the guy inside usually just plays the same shit over and over. The crowd there can be off-putting to say the least. I'd say the pricing is a little cheaper than the clubs down the street like Diesel and Sway but pricier than every other bar in the Park St. area. The bartenders are pretty cool depending on who's working. I see myself here once in a blue moon. On the other hand, I've stopped in here several times during the day or around happy hour to grab a drink and some food. It's close enough to Nationwide Arena, Huntington Park, and the LC that it makes it a convenient spot for some patio drinking and eating. It looks like the menu has been revamped, but I've always thought the food was pretty good. I had the buffalo chicken wrap the last time I was here with whatever the hottest sauce is, and it was delicious. That sauce is pretty hot though! The fries were very tasty too. I'd probably round up to a 4 if the service wasn't so bad the last time we ate here. We did have a decent sized group on the patio, but the girl waiting on us was gone for long spans of time, and when she did come back, she'd grab a couple people's orders and peace out again without checking on the rest of the table. I'd say if you're interested in a place to go out to dance, you could check them out, and if you don't like it, then just head on down to another bar in the area. If you're just looking for a place to grab a beer and a bite to eat, you really can't go wrong here.
(3)
Larry H.
Its disappointing to give BBR this rating - but the best I can say about BBR is "hit and miss." And today was a big miss. I probably average having lunch at BBR 2 times every 3 weeks. The food is average to slightly above average - and some items are very good. The service is spotty - but not because of the servers, but because of the kitchen. Today I and a group of 3 others went for lunch and sat at the bar. The young man working the bar is very good - in fact, the last time we were there he gave us a solid recommendation on sandwiches. Fifth minutes later - yes 50 - we got up and left without being served. There was literally a stream of unhappy people leaving without being served any food. Not the servers fault - he did all he could do, and kept refreshing our water and apologizing. There was not a single manager in sight - I would recognize him having gone there often enough. Here's a pretty good business insight - if you are going to run a half price lunch special everyday to kick start your lunch business, make sure you are prepared to prepare the food. This place is definitely getting the lunch traffic. I would rather pay full price and actually eat in a timely manner. Its going to be quite a while before we go back - too bad, because I generally enjoy this spot.
(1)
Emma L.
I've been here twice. Once as an attempt to drink late-night and wasn't let in because Bf's attire didn't match the dress code. Super lame. The second time was a much more recent Sunday lunch visit, at the suggestion of one of my friends. Parking was pretty annoying. There were meters, but they were all full. The open lots are $5 and only accept exact change (no cards) so I was out of luck there. I ended up parking at the meters on Goodale. A slight walk but not terrible. When I walked through the front door I was hit with a wall of stale beer odor from the night before. Not really what I want to experience before eating, but it either faded or I got used to it by the time I sat down. There are lots of TVs and there was a decent crowd for watching the game. Our server was great - attentive, got our order exactly right and had a pleasant demeanor. She also had to apologize for the kitchen multiple times because they were "down to one oven", whatever that means. It took forever for our food to come out. The food was okay. I got a chicken sandwich and garlic fries ($10). The chicken was seasoned with nothing particularly recognizable but it tasted fine. The bun was a bit bready and I ended up taking the top off. I was excited to treat myself to some garlic fries and while they had good flavor, they were SUPER oily. Kind of ruined it for me. I had a glass of house champagne for $5, it was as expected. I can't say what a night out here is like but lunch was just meh.
(2)
Will P.
2 more tries, 2 great experiences I've had 2 restuarant.com coupons here and used them in the last 2 weeks. I have to say The food experiences have been pretty amazing. The atmosphere itself is a chill as you want it to be. If you want action sit at the bar, if you want peace sit at a table. Both times our waitress was good. Had the wings and mac and cheese the first go-around. Very tasty, expecially the mac and cheese. Dynamite. The second time around I had the burger with sweet potato fries. Fries were very good and came with a cinnamon sauce that made them kind of like a dessert. The burger was amazing. Juicy and all the toppings complimented it. The brownie bites were also good to finish things. Nice warm chocolate center in each of them, very rich chocolate taste. Considering this is in the arena district/park street party area, their food really blows me away.
(4)
Will K.
Stopped here afyer an event in Columbus at the convention center. The stuffed jalapeños would make me go back alone! Awesome place, great deals. The staff was nice, the place was clean and the all around atmosphere was super chill. I will def stop back here for the stuffed jalapeños if I am ever in columbus again!
(4)
Amy P.
Happy hour = awesome! The daily special helps cut costs as well. Personally, this place reminded me of Brother's, the cement floor, seating, and clientele are all very similar. Prior to my visit, I took a look at the website, which has a HUGE dress code section....I didn't realize the place was as swanky as the dress code made it out to be (it isn't swanky, that's what stumps me). For my visit, the waiter was attentive up until the point that the bar became busy, and at that point, it was a nightmare trying to track him down. Parking was also a bit of pain, but that is to be expected in that area.
(3)
FreshTake '.
First time going with some friends and we did not have any food so I can't comment on that. But it was a Saturday night abs they had a live dj who was pretty decent and got better as the night went on; didn't play to much country which i don't care for, he had some good mixes and was changing it up a lot. Our waitress was very good, I think her name was Ginger, she was so attentive and friendly, alsoi helpful with our drink choices and willing to change them if we didn't like them , I always appreciate that :) The drink special was a whiskey well drink, Bullit, which was also petty good with ginger ale and a lime. Other good things about the service is that they have a FREE coat check and the girl working was super friendly, very trustworthy add I left my expensive purse with 2 friends wallets in it as well, lots of valuables and it was all safe and sound the whole time we were dancing it up :) on fact when my husband went to get it for me she grilled him to make sure he was the right guy to give it to since he didn't drop it off lol. Also they were on point with cleaning off the tables and even cleaning up the dance floor when people happened to spill drinks etc. All the e staff w was very polite and attentive the whole night. They have a pretty cool dance floor area, good size with fog machines, lights/disco ball effects which was fun. The crowd is pretty good too, they have a bouncer who checks dress code to keep it "rifraff"... All in all, highly recommend it and I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Derek H.
We have gone a couple of times with Living Social vouchers. Really good bar food and OK service.
(4)
Kimmy S.
I am appalled at the horrible service me and my friends received today. We waited over 15 minute to place our order. I ordered the taterchips which is a pile of chips with Gorgonzola cheese on top. The waitress reached over my chips (which is rude in itself) and knocked over some of the chips with her elbow! She then looks at me and says "oh u can totally still pick them off the table. Remember 5 second rule!" She scoops her hands together as if she was going to pick them up herself! I said NO! That's okay. I mean how insulting is that?!? To think your customer is desperate enough to even make the suggestion to eat food that fell on a filthy table! She never apologized or offered to replace the food that she touched. My face probly said it all. I then gained the courage to eat a chip. The cheese and everything was cold. Another disappointment! I then just didn't eat anything. I figured instead of wasting my money, I would just take the chips home and warm them up myself in the oven. I asked for a box. She comes over to say they don't have any of the big boxes to fit my food. I then suggested she give me 2 small boxes... I mean how brainless can someone be?!? We asked her to separate our checks (we had 3 people) she then couldn't understand that we all wanted to pay for our own meals. She kept suggesting it be split evenly... What?!? She definitely needed better training. Also, good waiter or waitress would refill your drink w/o asking him/her for it multiple times. This by far was the worst food service experience I had. Good luck if you decide to eat here. It's better for drinking and partying.
(1)
Paul G.
As a bar it's alright. Nice inside. Good set up. But most of the bartenders are incredibly arrogant and unenthused, and if you leave your card by accident they will run charges up on it and tip themselves out an insane amount. To the tune of an inexplicable $60+ extra on my account. Wonderful. I won't be back.
(1)
Ray M.
The food is pretty good here, and at half off lunch its a must do place. In fact I have been there 3 times in the past month. Even before this special, they always have some sort of lunch speciula that is pretty good deal. The serice has alwys been good and the manager stops by quite often to make sure yoou are taken care of and if your drink is low, he wil go ahead and fill it. This is probably one of my favorite places to go at lunch time. One word of caution though. I had the Burger with an egg on it the last time there and when I took a bite, it sort of exploaded onto my shirt sleeve. Totally my fault, but still not a good look
(4)
Augie W.
Very good bar to watch the Buckeyes on the gridiron. Lots of monitors, hustling staff, decent beer selection, and many friendly and rowdy patrons! O - H ...
(3)
Luke T.
The more my coworkers drag me here, the less I dislike it. I still don't like the typical clientele, but the staff, waitresses and food runners/busboys alike, are all really nice and friendly. The food has improved in previous visits, some of it downright good (the chips for example), and their happy hour continues to impress. Not a huge microbrew selection, but $2 domestics and $3 imports/microbrews, plus half off most appetizers. I don't mind so much when we go now.
(3)
Dr R.
Great staff and good food. I usually do happy hour mid-week, as it isn't as slammed and I can get some good food while catching a match/game/etc.
(4)
Dave R.
My favorite place to eat and drink downtown! I used to just go here on weekend night outs and never really tried the food until recently. They have a great lunch deal during the week (1/2 off all food) and the drink prices are very reasonable! I had the Cajun burger with chipotle ranch fries my last visit, and have had the buffalo chicken dip on another occasion. Both were delicious! The staff is always friendly and ready to help with whatever you need. It has become my new go-to lunch spot!
(5)
Meredith J.
This place is fantastic! My husband and I went there for the first time a couple days ago and we were skeptical because of some of the reviews on here, but we were very pleased with our experience. When we were ordering a beer when we sat down I wasn't sure what I wanted. The server made a recommendation so that's what I ordered; I really liked it! We got the taterchips as an appetizer and they blew us away! It was cheesy, crispy, and so full of flavor! I would come here just for those. I ordered the American Burger and my husband ordered the Queso Burger. Both were delicious. The Queso Burger was such a unique combination of flavors; I think I would get something like that next time. But for my first experience I wanted to go with the good ol' classic cheeseburger. The server was attentive and helpful. The restaurant and bathrooms were very clean. And the prices are good considering the amount and quality of food you're getting. Check this place out and don't forget to get the taterchips!
(5)
Tim C.
I ordered the queso dip, it wasn't hot, salsa didn't arrive with the dish. I asked, they gave me a ketchup size thimble of salsa. The pita bread that came with it was chewier than cardboard might be. Bartender wrang me up for beer, brought change, no beer.
(2)
Brandy J.
Oh but wait. After a despicable interaction with the GM and being charged $6 for a Corona Lt. I would like to edit this. Still a 2 (not a 3-4) for this... Service is always solid and the food is very consistently good but c'mon guys you have a beautiful bathroom...just clean it. Please.
(2)
Pete S.
Stopped in on Sunday to catch a little football, burn a Groupon and have some guilty pleasure food... Probably will never be back. The Good: Half off burgers were pretty good, $3 well drinks... The Bad: Our waitress didn't tell us either of those things, even after being asked about specials (she did tell us about $3 Bud Light...) Nachos say real cheese, but are covered in the liquid stuff. The Ugly: Vomit from the previous night in both the men's and women's restroom, door ripped off one of the stalls in the ladies' room. Also, they seem to think football games need an additional MC on top of the commentary, so every time there's a big play on the game (which already has the sound on...) you can expect someone to pop on the microphone and yell something like "Oh Yeah!!!" over and over and over. Finally, the check comes with two blanks for tip: one for the server and one for the busser. This is just uncomfortable. It doesn't seem like my place to determine how those are split up. That said, since our waitress didn't bring our food, drinks or clear empty glasses... I only tipped the busser. Could have been a new Sunday Funday spot... but I don't think I'll be back.
(1)
Mika T.
I've been here many times for both food and drinks and I've never been disappointed. The food seems to be a step above all the other bars I usually dine at. I highly recommend the Mediterranean Chicken Kabobs and the veggie hummus wrap (add chicken). Even the flatbread and cheese sticks are better than average in my opinion. Although the drinks are expensive, the prices also reflect the good service they give. When you dine in, you always get a cloth napkin and the servers are super attentive even on weekend nights. To get a good deal, come on Sundays and tell the bartender when you cash out that you are in the service industry and your drinks will be half off.
(5)
Neil R.
Great place to catch your favorite sports! The food is great, people are cool, drinks are a bit pricey but the venue is A+. I had 2-3 different burgers and loved them all! Also somehow I scored a free beer from the nice bartender.
(4)
Megan S.
I'm a hesitant to write a review lest the rest of Columbus finds out that this might be the best place to watch OSU away games. Or, so I think. I'm way too old to be in the Arena District without irony, yet I'll head that way to enjoy the inviting ambience and great happy hour at BBR. It's expansive, bright (by the windows!), has a decent sized patio (great for watching people on their way to making soon-to-be-bad decisions at Brothers), and while I didn't have the food while I was there, my friends did and I heard them moan a few times (at least, I hope it was from the food). The ultimate sports bar, it's got TVs everywhere, a huge round bar and may just end up being my favorite new place to head after work.
(4)
Jessica G.
Went here for a Columbus Crew watch party, and went ahead and got the Yelp! Deal because I knew I was going. The only negative of the whole night was that there were a couple private parties going on so seating could have been an issue, luckily for us some nice gentlemen at the bar were getting ready to leave so offered us their seats. Once seated the bartender greeted us with their specials (they had a Crew special for a bucket of 5 beers and 2 take home Columbus Crew mugs for $15 which was great) We ordered our food which came out much faster than I expected with the crowd. We had the buffalo chicken dip, garlic parmesian cheese fries, and the white flatbread. All were EXCELLENT! The buffalo chicken dip not only came with tortilla chips, like most restaurants, but in addition had veggies and pita bread also! Our bartender was great, never had an empty glass, and super friendly. I will definately be back (still dreaming of the buffalo dip)!
(4)
Ariel B.
BBR is just okay. There is nothing about the service, food, or drink that you can't get elsewhere in a classier setting for a comparable or cheaper price in Columbus. They are marketed as a rocker bar, but I have never met a rocker that would proudly proclaim BBR as their haunt and not be concerned about losing street cred. With so many options of cool trendy bars, dive bars, sports bars etc in Columbus, BBR's night life blends in with the genre of other bars in the same general vicinity. They do have a moderately respectable drink list, but not one that I would call competitive with some of the best bars in Columbus. I would have been compelled to give them three stars because I like their concept, but I had to take a star off for dressing their waitresses/bartenders in a black and red version of the hooters girls costume which cheapened the experience for me.
(2)
Paul R.
Great happy hour. Lots of big tv's. Food is decent. I don't know if I'd go here when you aren't receiving happy hour prices.
(4)
Nadine P.
I live out of town but have eaten here twice in the past year. The food was excellent and the drinks were awesome. I love the sleek decor and the service was great. I'm looking forward to the weather warming up so I can go again and sit on that huge deck they off of the side of the building. I highly recommend this place.
(5)
Erin M.
This place is so much different than any other bar in the Arena District. The DJs are excellent, playing a mix of new songs, old songs, and "wow I love this song. Haven't heard it in so long!" with a good beat to it. It is decorated with cool pics of famous singers and aritsts and another wall that is dedicated to only sports teams. For the men, you have the pleasure of going to the bathroom on a Michigan "M" in your toilets. They all seem to enjoy that one! Lol. They have awesome tables for a big group of friends and a fun dance floor. They also have a large patio. It doesn't seem big from the outside, but it's got everything you want in a good bar for the weekend.
(5)
Claire B.
Sports bars aren't my usual kind of hangout, but this one ranks lower than most. Went on a friday night. The food was pretty subpar - mushy tacos and mushy calamari. The staff was nice though. Don't think I'll be back.
(2)
Andrew C.
It's like if Bernards decided to quintuple their TV's, get ridiculously hot servers, and have a superb menu that hovers just above pub food and below sit down restaurant food. Nice customer service as well with changing channels for games and staff service. A definite upgrade for the Short North
(5)
Julie J.
VERY poorly prepared food. Veggies that taste like lemon pledge, crappy burnt beef. YUK! Never again. NEVER again.
(1)
Angie K.
So I have to admit... I judged this place on its looks and location. The staff here, yes the attractive meathead guys and pretty tatted up girls were extremely nice and offered great service while we were sitting at the bar. The flat bread pizza was pretty good and the happy hour pricing is very cheap. The pizza was 4$. Everyone was watching sports on TV and the crowd was pretty good for a Friday at 5:30. I would go back for day drinking again.
(4)
Jessica R.
Came here on a Friday night in the mood to do some DANCING! Place wasn't that crowded, and the dance floor hadn't been "set up" yet, meaning there were tables still on it. The dance floor really isn't that big honestly. Thought it would be bigger. But I guess since this place is more a restaurant during the week. The music they were playing was your standard dancey-club music, so no complaints there. Was nice because they played some oldschool stuff. Just a warning, they do sometimes authorize money from your account. I noticed an extra $30 was taken out of my account. I called, and they explained to me it would go into my account after 3-5 days. Since I only use my debit card, that was a bit of an issue, because that was money in my actual checking account. If it were a credit card, it wouldn't have been such a problem. SO, if you open a tab with a debit card, be sure to make sure they didn't hold any of your funds..... that could cause some issues! Overall, I liked this place. I would come back to check out their dinner menu
(3)
Brian W.
Well our first thought was to go in for lunch on Saturday, checked hours on their website (open at 11:00), and walked over from our house (about a mile). Apparently the hours have changed and website not updated. Got some lunch at nearby North Market and did some errands. Came back for an early dinner. Nice basic sports bar. Lots of screens arranged well and a consistent theme of classic rock. Ordered burgers and the beer special ($3). Both burgers and fries were nicely done. Lots of other, fancier options we may try next time. Staff was friendly and helpful. Note Restaurant.com typically has some great deals for this place, like $3 with the code for $25. Staff were familiar with the deal and handled it without a hitch.
(3)
Joseph P.
Me and my three co-workers spent a few hours at BBR on a Tuesday night. Jessica, the hottest woman on staff (grin to Jess), was fantastic and provided exceptional service and attention to our group. Awesome tap selections and all the food was great.
(5)
Nicole W.
This place is pretty solid. You get what you come for and that works for me! If you cone at midnight on a Friday or Saturday, you are going to get exactly what you expect. Scantily clad ladies and their frat men dancing to the latest Rihanna beats. Lots of vodka crans and bud lights for everyone! But sometimes, don't you just want to break down? If you come here at an earlier time, this place will deliver. Pretty decent food (I love the buffalo dip) and seats all around the house where you can see every football game your heart desires. The staff is really great, which probably takes this place from an OK bar to a great experience. Servers are constantly walking around with smiles on their faces and taking any unused dishes off all tables. The bartenders are happy to put on a different game on a different TV if you would like. Plus, Sunday Funday (my favorite day?) comes with some great deals - one of the better $3 Bloody Marys I've had!
(4)
Christina G.
Went to BBR this week since we had a groupon that was going to expire soon. I've been here for the night scene and was told that their food is good, so when the groupon came out I figured it was fate. After a long work week, a Thursday night date night at a place that I know has a great alcohol list seemed like a good idea. We arrived at 7pm and walked into a semi-rage party. Guys in affliction Tshirts and girls in neon hello kitty and everyone taking shots like there was no tomorrow. I kept thinking, guess Thursday nights are college party nights, then realized the Arnold Classic and Tiesto invaded Columbus at the same time, hence the fabulous people watching. Dinner and a show? Unexpected but ill take what I can get. We started with the queso which came with tortilla chips and veggies. Uncooked broccoli and cauliflower in cheese sauce? Not my thing, but it did make me feel healthier when the chips ran out. I got the buffalo chicken wrap and for someone who isn't a huge buffalo sauce fan, it was perfect. Not too hot and tasted great. I got the steamed veggies (two veggies in one sitting - at a bar?) and they were awesome. My guy had a burger and fries and was very pleased. Due to happy hour our drinks were ricidulously cheap and the app was 1/2 off, so after the groupon it was a whopping $5 meal. Our server was great and made sure to check in just enough, even with the half dressed shot takers pulling her in all directions. It wasn't the dinner I was expecting, but overall we left satisfied and feeling a lot older. May try dinner again on a more calm night.
(3)
Grant C.
BBR is one of my favorite places to watch sports. Their drink prices can be a bit high sometimes when I go in and other times they have specials going that workout well. I guess this can be expected any where, but the food is well above (in quality) what you would expect at a sports bar. Great apps and burgers. The place is nicely decorated in a very slick way. A lot of good looking servers/bartenders with plenty of ink if thats your thing. I recommend it for you next sporting event.
(4)
Audrey H.
Came here on a Monday night with a friend to use her $35 coupon, which actually ended up being a difficult feat because almost everything was half price (I believe it was because burgers are half off on Mondays, and apps/wings are half off during happy hour). The place was fairly empty, but I can see how it'd be a great place to watch sports. We sat by the window and enjoyed the throwback music. It seems like there's a review somewhere below complaining about Cara. If it's the same person, I thought she was perfectly fine. Friendly, attentive, recommended the Wild Thing (raspberry vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry and pineapple juice), which was decently delish. Friend got the rock'n rita, which was also good. We got the calamari, cheese sticks, teriyaki wings, honey ancho chipotle wings, and rockin cajun burger. It was all great for bar food; we were pleasantly surprised. I wouldn't go out of my way to initiate a trip here, but I can totally see myself coming again with a group of people if there's a game on.
(4)
Jill T.
Boyfriend and I stopped in to BBR to try a local establishment. We travel a lot and like to try places other than chains. Our waitress, Cara, was horrible. Not busy, not overworked; just bad. The only thing that saved our experience at BBR was the food. It was good. We had the nightly special of fish tacos and ribs. Nightlife patio was good , but definitely would request a different server.
(3)
Eli I.
Recently I went to BBR with a group of 9 or 10 for a Friday happy hour. Perhaps half full, we didn't have much trouble finding a place to gather... Now this is your classic good news / bad news scenario.. On the one hand it wasn't that busy, but on the other hand it wasn't that busy... So in that respect, if you're looking for a quiet pint or a place to meet a friend for the game, then there you go. If you're into the crowded / loud / stuff going on / etc. scene then BBR (at least earlier in the night) likely isn't the go-to. Empty barstools aside, the happy hour is solid. $3 Guinness, half price appetizers, bingo bango bongo.
(5)
Shannon M.
The man and I made a stop here before seeing the terrible Blue Jackets play. We sat at the bar and the service from beginning to end was top notch. We were never ignored, drinks refilled promptly and food brought quickly. And they were pretty busy with OSU game fans and us delusional Jacket fans filing in. TONS of TVs above the bar so would be hard pressed not to find something to distract you. Any time I get to see the New Zealand National Rugby team take their shirts off and do that crazy stamping around dance is Aces for me. We ordered burgers as they are half off on Sundays, which is a pretty good deal! Nice burger with good fries. Nothing to complain about. I could see how this place could fill up with posers and douche bags but our Sunday Funday was a great experience.
(4)
Herb O.
Went there before a Bluejackets game and loved the place. Food was wad really good and the beer selection was pretty decent. Place fills up fast before game so get there early.
(5)
Geoff V.
Was at the convention center and headed out to the Garage Bar. The place was open but empty so I stopped at Brothers on the way back. I sat at the bar. Good: good tap beer selection, quick service, friendly staff. Food was good and hot. Bad: the bar was wet with drinks. I didn't see anyone wipe it down when people left. I left with wet sleeves but generally a good experience.
(4)
Tim Y.
I went to BBR Saturday night to find a place to watch the OSU vs. Michigan basketball game. I got there about 45 minutes before tipoff (9PM) and could not find a seat. An employee helped pull up chairs for a friend and I at the bar. This does not happen often! The decor appeared to professionally decorated. Strategically-placed flat screen TV's are on the walls and above the bar, providing a great space to watch a game. The game volume came on at tipoff and the semi-loud music subsided until halftime. Mirrors and black and white prints of local sports logos and 80's rock stars fill up the exposed brick walls. Food and drinks are a high-focus for this bar. Dozens of micobrew handles and bottled beers are available. A $3 special for Labatt Blue and Miller Lite was on Saturday, with regular priced microwbrews in the $6-$7 range for 16oz-20oz drafts. The menu is relatively high end, perhaps approaching a "gastropub" feel. Not really too hungry, I ordered a cheese and vege plate. A Bento box shortly arrived with a huge portion of swiss, pepperjack, boursin, and smoked gouda cheese. Vege's included tomato wedges, broccoli, red peppers, cauliflower, carrots, cucumber, and squash. Warm pita was also included in the low $8 price. The silverware has high quality and even polished! Definitely a surprise for a sports bar! The bathroom also was above-average. TV's with volume on the high ceilings, the usual Michigan decals in the urinal, and a bathroom attendant. The real bonus was the mini field goal with oscillating football crossing the uprights in some urinals. As the night progressed and the game came to an end, the bar continued to get more crowded. The clientele became better-dressed as the the time elapsed, attracting mostly a 20-30ish crowd. The guy sitting two down from me didn't seem too surprised at his $342 bar tab. It wasn't a win for the Buckeyes, but definitiely one for BBR Columbus!
(5)
Alan R.
I went here on a Friday night and my ears have not stopped ringing. I'm not joking. They have been ringing for a solid 4 days. The music was ear piercing and painful at some points. Call me old, call me sensitive I don't care, it was loud as shit! Even if I was 22 again it would loud. I was in there maybe 45 min and the group all wanted to leave. The 5 bartenders of the evening were 3 hot tattooed chicks and 2 dudes. The drinks were fast and cold. I have no idea how they heard my orders, but they were exactly what I wanted. On one of the walls is nothing but mirrors and it made the space look HUGE! When I went to the bathroom there was a guy dressed as Elvis working in there. I HATE it when bars do this. (hiring bathroom attendants) Listen I am not helpless and the bathroom is already crowded enough, I am able to get my own soap, turn on the facet myself and get my own paper towel and no I will not tip you if you do these things for me without me asking for assistance; HOW DARE YOU give me the stink eye when I do all that shit myself and I don't tip you! RIDICULOUS! (sorry for my rant). There is also a ton of TVs to watch anything one could think of. Good times.
(3)
Amy S.
A couple friends and I were headed somewhere to watch the game and decided to go here instead- what a great last minute decision! BBR has TONS of TVs...everywhere you sit you'll be able to see one...or two or three. We walked in to a packed place, but that's okay- the more, the merrier! Unfortunately, that meant sloooow service. It was probably halfway through the half quarter before we had somebody take our orders. I guess it was worth the wait though! We got the fried cheese sticks, buffalo chicken dip, and sweet potato fries. Although nothing came out at the same time, that was okay because we all shared. The sweet potato fries, which came out first were pretty good and came with a cinnamon butter to dip with. They weren't the best I've had, but I did like the fact that they weren't covered with breading. The butter went untouched after the first dip, as I opted for ketchup. The cheese sticks were awesome. They definitely weren't bought frozen, as each piece was a different kind of cheese, and they were all shaped differently. It was fun trying each one and guessing which cheese it was! The buffalo chicken dip was served with a few pieces of sliced up pita, chips, carrots, celery, and green onions (as in long pieces of the white part to dip- weird?). There seemed to be plenty of dip to use up all of the "dippers," which was nice. The dip itself was really good- as other who have written reviews, I'd recommend it! It was really creamy and not very spicy...I couldn't stop trying to sneak a few bites from my friend! This is basically a bar with upscale food and prices to go with it. I didn't have any drinks that night, but my friend said hers were really expensive. The appetizers were decently priced, but the entrees were a little high. Regardless of the prices, the food was above par for a bar and we are planning to go back to sample some of their other menu items! I think BBR definitely has the potential for 4 stars.
(3)
Ka T.
This place has a real nice staff. I haven't seen a bar run so smoothly in a while. Everyone seemed to take pride in the place. The appearance of the bar seemed very important to the waiters and managers as i saw numerous attempts to pickup trash off the floor. I don't think i have seen any bar that does that throughout Columbus particularly on a Saturday night. The food was very good as well, the wings are GIGANTIC! Definitely a place to try if you haven't already.
(5)
Thomas S.
I'm not going to take the time for a full review. I read through some below, and you can too. I went on a Thursday for lunch and the place was not busy at all. The food was good and the service was excellent. This is the bar I have been looking for. Finally a group of bartenders that professionally and friendlily engage the patrons. Thank you.
(4)
Frank L.
The service here is deplorable. Waited over an hour for a sandwich. One of the bartenders mocked me when I asked about my food. Pathetic.
(1)
Ryan J.
I met up with some friends for the OSU bowl game and was pretty sure I'd end up hating the place, based on the concept alone. I didn't hate it, but I don't see myself there for any other reason that it's a central location and close enough to Harrison West. I was super suspicious of the food, but I ordered the BBQ Bacon Sliders w/ seasoned fries. The sliders were surprisingly good, the lettuce and bun could have been a tad bit fresher, but when you're ordering food at a bar, you can't expect artisan bread and local beef. I did enjoy the food, though. The fries were cooked perfectly, not too greasy and well seasoned. I guess if you have BURGERS in the name of your shop, you better execute that aspect well and I guess they did in my experience. The meat was cooked just as I asked and the white cheddar, grilled onions and BBQ sauce were a nice combo. I only drank a few Heineken Lights, so I can't really comment on the drink menu. I did see a bartender preparing some kind of girly martini with Pop Rocks on the rim. Umm, hmm. The bartender that helped us was good and took the time to shoot the shit with us and regaled us with some funny stories. Everyone I came into contact with seemed nice enough. If you're there to watch a sporting event, you can do better, but you can do worse. There were plenty of TV's and the viewing angles from most of the seats seemed good enough. The decor is pretty awful, huge photos of Slash, Madonna, Kurt Cobain and other "icons" of the music industry, same stone walls as Tyfoon, but the whole "rock" concept is pretty lame. I know there are probably a TON of folks in Columbus that dig that sort of thing, but it seems pretty lame to me. The playlist the bar played after the game was pretty shitty as well, typical at best; Nirvana, Guns N' Roses, MGMT, Muse .. not exactly "hip" but I can see a night here being ruined by drunk folks singing Sweet Home Alabama and Don't Stop Believing with their BFF's. That being said, I know that if they started playing music I love, folks would probably walk out in droves, so I'm not being all elitist and stuff, you know? And don't sit too close to the front doors, you'll freeze your ass off anytime someone enters or exits the bar. I joined some friends after they had already found seats, so I'll just have to chalk that up to my buddies lack of experience in making responsible decisions; like hanging out in the Arena District in a city full of really awesome and unique spots. --- Had to update: I've ventured back to BBR a few times since my initial experience. I was pretty impressed that the bartender remembered my beer of choice from my first visit back in January. The service was stellar and I will definitely be back to watch some of the upcoming March Madness games.
(3)
Lauren F.
The food at BBR is the BEST you're going to find in the arena district. Not what you would expect from a bar off Vine St. The burgers are amazing, the macaroni and cheese (more like chicken Alfredo) is to die for, steaks are always perfect! The GM, Mark, is always so nice and really cares that customers have a great experience. I don't spend too much time in BBR hours. The happy hour special is awesome and they have great packages for bachelor/bachelorette parties! Check this place out! It will not disappoint!
(5)
Keith R.
If there was ever a scenario at attempting to overshadow an older cousin and failing, BBR would be a prime example. I get the vibe that they are trying to be a "classier" Buffalo Wild Wings in the sports bar genre, but just can't make it to the top rung of the ladder. After two visits here, I can't get a good feel for this place. The service was good, the beer was cold, and the food was stellar, but the atmosphere for some reason just doesn't seem to combine together for the sports rocker image the bar wants to be known for. It's was just hard to get into a sports bar mode when the office folks are sitting around the bar in suits. Aside from the atmosphere, the food and service are pretty good. I ordered the Gorgonzola mushroom burger with a cup of the Beer Cheese Soup. Both were swamps of ooey, gooey, cheesiness. The burger was thick and cooked to medium-well as requested. The burger is a two hander to eat. The bar service was efficient: quickly taking orders, pouring drinks and making sure we were well taken care of. Overall, this was not a bad experience, BBR just needs some time to figure out it's identity and what type of crowd it wants to attract.
(3)
Nijole T.
I went here for dinner with my husband and son and we loved it! I never thought I would give bar food 5 stars, but it was better than most expensive restaurants and you can clearly tell there is a creative chef in the kitchen that loves his job! We went during happy hour which lasts till 8pm during the week and got the cheesesticks and pepperoni flatbreak for $3 and $4, both were amazing! The 4 cheesesticks were each completly different, innovative and yummy! I had the mushroom swiss veggie burger with parmesan fries and a house salad with the best honey balsamic dressing ever! The veggie burger was house made and unlike any other! It was spicey and flavorfull. The parmesan garlic fries also fresh and delicious. My husband the cajun burger with cajun fries and a salad with lemon basil dressing, all also very good. We shared the the mac n cheese which was also the best we have ever had! In all an excellent meal and we will be back for more!
(5)
Marissa R.
I went for the first time on a Saturday night and while the food I ordered was good (I ordered the macaroni and cheese), it has ended up being too much of a hassle. I was double charged (after I closed my tab and was long gone) and have been jumping through all kinds of hoops to get my own money back. This is an incredible hassle for something that wasn't even my mistake and the level of incompetence here is beyond astounding as no manager who actually works there seems to be "authorized" to refund me and no one will call you back like they say they will. Bottom line: try the mac and cheese but bring cash unless you think it's worth an extra $60.
(1)
Zack R.
Cheapish beer for its location, and outstanding food. The service was frequent and friendly, but she was a bit slow at first. I have to say, all the food was top notch. BBQ sliders, chicken tacos, shrimp, Philly sliders....ALL recommended.
(4)
Amy C.
I love this bar. And oddly enough, not for the drinks. I love the food and the service. No matter how loud it is or where you're sitting, the service is always very attentive. Prices are little steep for your basic beer, but it's worth it. And their blue cheese is so yummy!
(5)
H H.
What a great find! This is a new place on Vine St. in the Arena District located where Typhoon used to be. BBR stands for Burgers, Beer, Rock. I met some friends for happy hour there yesterday. They have great happy hour specials: $2 domestic bottles, $3 draft imports (including stella), $4 wines, and $5 martinis and cocktails. I tried 2 martinis before finishing my evening with a glass of Stella. I think I may have found my new favorite martini in Columbus. It is Cumfortable Numb. It is effen cucumber vodka with cucumber puree. It is a delicious summery cocktail that goes down very, very smooth. This was top notch and everyone at my table who took a sip said positive things. I also tried the Wild Thing martini. It is louder, slightly sweet...This is another one that goes down very easy. I commented on the drinks and the waitress told me one of the guys is an actual mixologist who competes across the country. It shows. These were very good and at $5 for happy hour, very fairly priced. My group also had a few appetizers...Buffalo Chicken dip, Calamari, Crab Cakes, and the Tater Chips. My favorite was the calamari. It was very tender, batter was not overly salty, and the sauce added to the end product. The crab cakes were also good. You get 2 with the order and the sauce is pretty delicious. The tater chips need some help. There just wasn't enough "stuff" to cover the chips. I'd be a fan of a cup of sauce to go with the chips. BBR was not too loud at all for me. In fact, we all had conversation with ease. The wait staff also told me they could lower the music if I wanted. The employees were very good looking and personable. It was not an intimidating arena district place at all. The inside of the bar is actually put together very well. I liked the decor a lot. There are blown up pictures of famous artists. There is a huge window at the front of the bar that you can sit near. There is outdoor seating. The bar is a big oval with seating all around. There are also high tops toward the back. Every seat has several large TVs in view, including a huge projector screen in the back. I don't just hand out 5 stars. This is a nice place and I will be back.
(5)
Tom M.
I upgraded my rating from 2 to 3 stars based on the beer being cold, faster service, less loudness, and better food. The happy hour deals cannot be beat. We had $1 sliders and I highly recommend any of them even off the regular menu. The cheese sticks are very good. You a good amount with a variety of cheeses.I need to go back and try a burger.
(3)
Kevin R.
We snagged one of the fabulous Yelp Deals for this place and figured we'd check it out before we went to witness yet another Blue Jackets loss. So if you're curious about the nightlife here, you probably want to read another review. I'll get the not so great out of the way first. We never ended up using the Yelp deal on the first visit because half of our meal ended up being comped and it wouldn't have been worth it too burn it off on what was left of our bill. Part I: Opportunity On our first trip to Burgers, Beer & Rock we came in at about 5pm on a weeknight to a mostly empty house. I will say that the place has a nice modern rockstar decor to it, but the first thing you actually noticed was that the music was approaching bleeding ears levels and that is coming from someone who listens to his iPod at full blast most of the time. After being sat we were greeted by our server who appeared to not be having a good day. Everyone else in the place was all smiles and friendly, she on the other hand was pretty much sulking. No biggie, we all have bad days, and she wasn't actually rude to us at all. Ordering was a challenge due to the excessively loud music. My wife (who used to be a server) remarked at how amazing it was that she could hear anything to take people's orders. Well...turns out she couldn't. When she brought our food out to us she had my wife's food right, but my order mixed up (she did bring the right side, more on that in a bit). She was apologetic and said they'd have my order out to me promptly, which they did. The food the first time was a mixed bag. We started with the calamari, which is one of my favorite appetizers, and I made the mistake of just seeing the dish and ordering without reading the description. This was a bad move. They ruin it by pre-tossing it in the same sweet chile sauce that everyone and their brother uses. I have nothing against the sauce (it's tasty!), but it should be on the side so the calamari stays light and crisp. The next uh-oh is also kind of a "shame on me situation" for coming to a place that's name stands for Burgers Beer & Rock and not ordering a Burger. In my quest to eat healthier I went for the Shrimp Kabobs with green beans, while my much wiser wife ordered a burger. Her burger was large, tasty and most importantly cooked the way she had asked. Major points for it being done right because nothing riles me more than places that will ask you for a temperature on your burger and just cook it however they want anyway. Aside from the fact that I was brought the wrong item to start, my food was ok. The shrimp kabobs were excellent, but the green beans were overcooked and soaked in an overly vinegary vinaigrette and nearly inedible. Part II: Redemption We came back on another game night some weeks later during the Holidays. This time there was a decent crowd going and right off the bat when we walked in you could tell that the music was turned down a tad. Still nice and loud, but reasonably so. This time we sat at the bar, service was friendly and checked on us often even when it started to get busier closer to game time. As for food, both of us went for burgers this time and we were not disappointed. I opted to indulge and got the garlic parmesan fries, which are paradise soaked in grease and garlic. We had a little hiccup using our Yelp Deal, as they didn't want to honor it via my phone, but with a little prodding they accepted it. Bottom Line: Not an out of this world place that I'm dying to go back to, but if burgers are what we crave for our pre CBJ game meal it's where I'm going to go and I'm going to work out extra hard at the Gym that day to justify the delicious garlic parmesan fries.
(3)
Dana P.
I had my 30th party at this bar during a 7:00 away OSU football game. I called about three months in advance to ask about reserving tables and was able to talk to Mike M. who was very helpful. He offered me the section immediately to the right which was perfect for the 30-35 people I was inviting. A few weeks before the birthday I spoke to another manager (I wish I could remember his name!) who walked through the menu with me and offered half-off appetizers, wings and pizza (thanks!). The night of the party went just as I had planned and our server Cara? was fantastic. It was a great set-up with the open windows and plenty of seating and TVs. Cara and the other servers kept the food and drinks coming and we all had a great time cheering on the Buckeyes! This was an easy 5 out of 5 stars and I would definitely recommend BBR to anyone looking to book a party.
(5)
Walt S.
BBR Columbus seems to have set its sights on being a casually cool modern rock bar with a secondary theme of sports pub. You'll have to tell me when you visit which it is, which it might be. BBR is on Vine, the Arena District, where there once sat a sushi restaurant. It has a large, airy spacious patio outdoors which should work great in Summer and Fall (think OSU post-game or Clippers). BBR (beer, burgers, rock) will become recognized for a menu of food items that one might call gourmet American favorites. I tried the Caesar Wedge salad along with the Tequilla Shrimp Tacos. SUPERB on both fronts and a nice marriage of tangy tastes. I believe I saw/read while there for my first visit the slogan, " ... a place to play all day, and rock all night." I think I counted over twenty-five HD Flat Screen TV's. My night was USA vs. Mexico in a soccer friendly (lots of soccer fans so World Cup and Crew fans - unite) and the Tribe vs Tigers (Indians Win!!). Most of the ambient music ranged from alternative to classic rock & roll. Behind the bar was Sarah and Grant who were friendly and attentive. The night manager, Brianna, is a classic beauty that has smarts and smashing good looks - Wow! For one night, one meal and two Grey Goose and tonics..... I thought BBR Columbus served up exceptional - my hope is for an encore and a boost to 5-stars. Give it a whirl.
(4)
Andrew C.
It's like if Bernards decided to quintuple their TV's, get ridiculously hot servers, and have a superb menu that hovers just above pub food and below sit down restaurant food. Nice customer service as well with changing channels for games and staff service. A definite upgrade for the Short North
(5)
Jonathan K.
Extremely poor service. Our server never bothered clearing any dishes. Actually had to move plates to sign the check. Food is mediocre. Should have known better when we walked in and were the only table at 6 pm. This place is more of a night club than a restaurant. Plenty of other choices in the area. Won't be back.
(1)
Lisa R.
The menu has been down graded, bigger in physical size but less items. Happy hour menu, for both drinks and food is no longer awesome. Seems they are cutting costs in ingredients and going for a more bar food not so fresh menu
(2)
Jessica K.
Mostly solid. Like others, work dragged me here and I was skeptical, but the food, service and drinks are solid and they have good deals - what else does one demand? Go here if you're in the Arena District, it's a good bet. Then ignore the rest of this cathartic rant. Ine more demand: we often come here as a larger group. A larger, transient, annoying, "I need one beer in 3 minutes so my dog doesn't poo in the kennel"/"I need 6 beers in 10 minutes to forget I work with these people" group. Regardless, YES, you absolutely CAN transfer a check from the bar tab to a table, and if you really don't want to transfer it, you can at least run my card and drop it off, rather than denying multiple people at a table service because they mistakenly grabbed their first beer at the bar while lingering awkwardly. Totally over reacting, but I hate when servers lie to me because of a lazy policy. I know how the option works on your system and it's about 5 finger taps.
(4)
Heather D.
First time here. Had to use my Groupon. The only day we could make it was Tuesday which was St. Patrick's Day. They have live music playing and it is mostly covers. There are ton of people wearing green clothes and accessories. We just had a beer each while we were waiting for our to go order of full slab of ribs and chicken. By the time we got home everything was still hot and tasted good. It was very busy and loud due to the fact that it was St Patricks Day, we will come back on day that is not so loud and busy.
(3)
Alicia S.
This was a great find! We stopped in for a few drinks and dinner before the hockey game. They had an awesome happy hour with half off appetizers (try the taterchips) and a nice beer selection. All of the food was delicious (Mac and cheese & Hawaii 5-0 pizza) and the bartenders were friendly and attentive! If we ever find ourselves in Columbus again, we will definitely stop back here.
(5)
Charles H.
To the owner(s), manager, whomever it concerns. Please keep up your level of service, quality of food, and reasonable prices. I do not know how long you've been in business or how long this level of quality has existed but as long as you keep it up you'll be a regular stop for me and my usual band of lunch goers. By the way, congrats on being my first 5 star review. :)
(5)
Jen G.
We were in town for a Blue Jackets game and wanted some place to eat on the way to the game. We ordered nachos and were blown away! They were very good. We ordered half chicken and half beef. Both were great. One of the other servers (not ours) even stopped by to chat and brought some extra chips for us. The place filled up pretty fast once it got closer to game time but we were very satisfied.
(4)
Brieanna H.
I like BBR. I liked Tyfoon better, but nothing can stay the same, especially in this area. The food is good, the drinks are strong, and it's a pretty good place to watch a game in the Vic Village/Short North area where sports bars are few and far between.
(4)
Gus W.
You could really write two different reviews for BBR. One would be the Friday and Saturday nightlife scene, and the second would be every other time. If you're used to going to BBR during the workday for lunch or on Sundays for the food deals, you wouldn't recognize the place on a weekend night. As far as weekend nights go, I'd probably give them a 3. It used to be a bit better a year or so ago, but now that Endzone is closed, the lines are ridiculously long, and it's jammed pack inside. Luckily, they did end up putting a DJ on the patio, or at least there was one the last time I was there, to draw some people from the inside to the outside. I actually enjoyed the guy out there, because the guy inside usually just plays the same shit over and over. The crowd there can be off-putting to say the least. I'd say the pricing is a little cheaper than the clubs down the street like Diesel and Sway but pricier than every other bar in the Park St. area. The bartenders are pretty cool depending on who's working. I see myself here once in a blue moon. On the other hand, I've stopped in here several times during the day or around happy hour to grab a drink and some food. It's close enough to Nationwide Arena, Huntington Park, and the LC that it makes it a convenient spot for some patio drinking and eating. It looks like the menu has been revamped, but I've always thought the food was pretty good. I had the buffalo chicken wrap the last time I was here with whatever the hottest sauce is, and it was delicious. That sauce is pretty hot though! The fries were very tasty too. I'd probably round up to a 4 if the service wasn't so bad the last time we ate here. We did have a decent sized group on the patio, but the girl waiting on us was gone for long spans of time, and when she did come back, she'd grab a couple people's orders and peace out again without checking on the rest of the table. I'd say if you're interested in a place to go out to dance, you could check them out, and if you don't like it, then just head on down to another bar in the area. If you're just looking for a place to grab a beer and a bite to eat, you really can't go wrong here.
(3)
Larry H.
Its disappointing to give BBR this rating - but the best I can say about BBR is "hit and miss." And today was a big miss. I probably average having lunch at BBR 2 times every 3 weeks. The food is average to slightly above average - and some items are very good. The service is spotty - but not because of the servers, but because of the kitchen. Today I and a group of 3 others went for lunch and sat at the bar. The young man working the bar is very good - in fact, the last time we were there he gave us a solid recommendation on sandwiches. Fifth minutes later - yes 50 - we got up and left without being served. There was literally a stream of unhappy people leaving without being served any food. Not the servers fault - he did all he could do, and kept refreshing our water and apologizing. There was not a single manager in sight - I would recognize him having gone there often enough. Here's a pretty good business insight - if you are going to run a half price lunch special everyday to kick start your lunch business, make sure you are prepared to prepare the food. This place is definitely getting the lunch traffic. I would rather pay full price and actually eat in a timely manner. Its going to be quite a while before we go back - too bad, because I generally enjoy this spot.
(1)
Emma L.
I've been here twice. Once as an attempt to drink late-night and wasn't let in because Bf's attire didn't match the dress code. Super lame. The second time was a much more recent Sunday lunch visit, at the suggestion of one of my friends. Parking was pretty annoying. There were meters, but they were all full. The open lots are $5 and only accept exact change (no cards) so I was out of luck there. I ended up parking at the meters on Goodale. A slight walk but not terrible. When I walked through the front door I was hit with a wall of stale beer odor from the night before. Not really what I want to experience before eating, but it either faded or I got used to it by the time I sat down. There are lots of TVs and there was a decent crowd for watching the game. Our server was great - attentive, got our order exactly right and had a pleasant demeanor. She also had to apologize for the kitchen multiple times because they were "down to one oven", whatever that means. It took forever for our food to come out. The food was okay. I got a chicken sandwich and garlic fries ($10). The chicken was seasoned with nothing particularly recognizable but it tasted fine. The bun was a bit bready and I ended up taking the top off. I was excited to treat myself to some garlic fries and while they had good flavor, they were SUPER oily. Kind of ruined it for me. I had a glass of house champagne for $5, it was as expected. I can't say what a night out here is like but lunch was just meh.
(2)
Will P.
2 more tries, 2 great experiences I've had 2 restuarant.com coupons here and used them in the last 2 weeks. I have to say The food experiences have been pretty amazing. The atmosphere itself is a chill as you want it to be. If you want action sit at the bar, if you want peace sit at a table. Both times our waitress was good. Had the wings and mac and cheese the first go-around. Very tasty, expecially the mac and cheese. Dynamite. The second time around I had the burger with sweet potato fries. Fries were very good and came with a cinnamon sauce that made them kind of like a dessert. The burger was amazing. Juicy and all the toppings complimented it. The brownie bites were also good to finish things. Nice warm chocolate center in each of them, very rich chocolate taste. Considering this is in the arena district/park street party area, their food really blows me away.
(4)
Will K.
Stopped here afyer an event in Columbus at the convention center. The stuffed jalapeños would make me go back alone! Awesome place, great deals. The staff was nice, the place was clean and the all around atmosphere was super chill. I will def stop back here for the stuffed jalapeños if I am ever in columbus again!
(4)
Amy P.
Happy hour = awesome! The daily special helps cut costs as well. Personally, this place reminded me of Brother's, the cement floor, seating, and clientele are all very similar. Prior to my visit, I took a look at the website, which has a HUGE dress code section....I didn't realize the place was as swanky as the dress code made it out to be (it isn't swanky, that's what stumps me). For my visit, the waiter was attentive up until the point that the bar became busy, and at that point, it was a nightmare trying to track him down. Parking was also a bit of pain, but that is to be expected in that area.
(3)
FreshTake '.
First time going with some friends and we did not have any food so I can't comment on that. But it was a Saturday night abs they had a live dj who was pretty decent and got better as the night went on; didn't play to much country which i don't care for, he had some good mixes and was changing it up a lot. Our waitress was very good, I think her name was Ginger, she was so attentive and friendly, alsoi helpful with our drink choices and willing to change them if we didn't like them , I always appreciate that :) The drink special was a whiskey well drink, Bullit, which was also petty good with ginger ale and a lime. Other good things about the service is that they have a FREE coat check and the girl working was super friendly, very trustworthy add I left my expensive purse with 2 friends wallets in it as well, lots of valuables and it was all safe and sound the whole time we were dancing it up :) on fact when my husband went to get it for me she grilled him to make sure he was the right guy to give it to since he didn't drop it off lol. Also they were on point with cleaning off the tables and even cleaning up the dance floor when people happened to spill drinks etc. All the e staff w was very polite and attentive the whole night. They have a pretty cool dance floor area, good size with fog machines, lights/disco ball effects which was fun. The crowd is pretty good too, they have a bouncer who checks dress code to keep it "rifraff"... All in all, highly recommend it and I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Derek H.
We have gone a couple of times with Living Social vouchers. Really good bar food and OK service.
(4)
Kimmy S.
I am appalled at the horrible service me and my friends received today. We waited over 15 minute to place our order. I ordered the taterchips which is a pile of chips with Gorgonzola cheese on top. The waitress reached over my chips (which is rude in itself) and knocked over some of the chips with her elbow! She then looks at me and says "oh u can totally still pick them off the table. Remember 5 second rule!" She scoops her hands together as if she was going to pick them up herself! I said NO! That's okay. I mean how insulting is that?!? To think your customer is desperate enough to even make the suggestion to eat food that fell on a filthy table! She never apologized or offered to replace the food that she touched. My face probly said it all. I then gained the courage to eat a chip. The cheese and everything was cold. Another disappointment! I then just didn't eat anything. I figured instead of wasting my money, I would just take the chips home and warm them up myself in the oven. I asked for a box. She comes over to say they don't have any of the big boxes to fit my food. I then suggested she give me 2 small boxes... I mean how brainless can someone be?!? We asked her to separate our checks (we had 3 people) she then couldn't understand that we all wanted to pay for our own meals. She kept suggesting it be split evenly... What?!? She definitely needed better training. Also, good waiter or waitress would refill your drink w/o asking him/her for it multiple times. This by far was the worst food service experience I had. Good luck if you decide to eat here. It's better for drinking and partying.
(1)
Paul G.
As a bar it's alright. Nice inside. Good set up. But most of the bartenders are incredibly arrogant and unenthused, and if you leave your card by accident they will run charges up on it and tip themselves out an insane amount. To the tune of an inexplicable $60+ extra on my account. Wonderful. I won't be back.
(1)
Jessica D.
A perfectly acceptable sports bar. Happy hour: 3-8 pm with $1 PBRs (I stopped looking for deals after I saw $1 PBRs), 33 cent wings, and half off apps. Wasn't expecting my kamikaze shots to be $7 each though... Our server, Rachel, rocked pink hair and won first place in the prompt service category. Go Bucks!
(3)
Danny F.
The operations manager was in tonight. He got mad while he was drunk, and slurring words. A friend of mine and I made a joke about how water "off the soda gun" was always dirty because it's from the Scioto river, and he yelled at us to "get out of my bar, you don't know ****." His name was apparently Mike Mercer. So rude. Too bad. Service was great, manager tried to calm him down, but he wouldn't. Poor form, getting wasted at your own job. Apparently regulars/good tippers aren't welcome if the management has been drinking. Wish it was not a hostile atmosphere. Everyone else that works there is so nice.
(1)
Ray M.
The food is pretty good here, and at half off lunch its a must do place. In fact I have been there 3 times in the past month. Even before this special, they always have some sort of lunch speciula that is pretty good deal. The serice has alwys been good and the manager stops by quite often to make sure yoou are taken care of and if your drink is low, he wil go ahead and fill it. This is probably one of my favorite places to go at lunch time. One word of caution though. I had the Burger with an egg on it the last time there and when I took a bite, it sort of exploaded onto my shirt sleeve. Totally my fault, but still not a good look
(4)
Augie W.
Very good bar to watch the Buckeyes on the gridiron. Lots of monitors, hustling staff, decent beer selection, and many friendly and rowdy patrons! O - H ...
(3)
Luke T.
The more my coworkers drag me here, the less I dislike it. I still don't like the typical clientele, but the staff, waitresses and food runners/busboys alike, are all really nice and friendly. The food has improved in previous visits, some of it downright good (the chips for example), and their happy hour continues to impress. Not a huge microbrew selection, but $2 domestics and $3 imports/microbrews, plus half off most appetizers. I don't mind so much when we go now.
(3)
Dr R.
Great staff and good food. I usually do happy hour mid-week, as it isn't as slammed and I can get some good food while catching a match/game/etc.
(4)
Dave R.
My favorite place to eat and drink downtown! I used to just go here on weekend night outs and never really tried the food until recently. They have a great lunch deal during the week (1/2 off all food) and the drink prices are very reasonable! I had the Cajun burger with chipotle ranch fries my last visit, and have had the buffalo chicken dip on another occasion. Both were delicious! The staff is always friendly and ready to help with whatever you need. It has become my new go-to lunch spot!
(5)
Brandy J.
Oh but wait. After a despicable interaction with the GM and being charged $6 for a Corona Lt. I would like to edit this. Still a 2 (not a 3-4) for this... Service is always solid and the food is very consistently good but c'mon guys you have a beautiful bathroom...just clean it. Please.
(2)
Pete S.
Stopped in on Sunday to catch a little football, burn a Groupon and have some guilty pleasure food... Probably will never be back. The Good: Half off burgers were pretty good, $3 well drinks... The Bad: Our waitress didn't tell us either of those things, even after being asked about specials (she did tell us about $3 Bud Light...) Nachos say real cheese, but are covered in the liquid stuff. The Ugly: Vomit from the previous night in both the men's and women's restroom, door ripped off one of the stalls in the ladies' room. Also, they seem to think football games need an additional MC on top of the commentary, so every time there's a big play on the game (which already has the sound on...) you can expect someone to pop on the microphone and yell something like "Oh Yeah!!!" over and over and over. Finally, the check comes with two blanks for tip: one for the server and one for the busser. This is just uncomfortable. It doesn't seem like my place to determine how those are split up. That said, since our waitress didn't bring our food, drinks or clear empty glasses... I only tipped the busser. Could have been a new Sunday Funday spot... but I don't think I'll be back.
(1)
Mika T.
I've been here many times for both food and drinks and I've never been disappointed. The food seems to be a step above all the other bars I usually dine at. I highly recommend the Mediterranean Chicken Kabobs and the veggie hummus wrap (add chicken). Even the flatbread and cheese sticks are better than average in my opinion. Although the drinks are expensive, the prices also reflect the good service they give. When you dine in, you always get a cloth napkin and the servers are super attentive even on weekend nights. To get a good deal, come on Sundays and tell the bartender when you cash out that you are in the service industry and your drinks will be half off.
(5)
Angie K.
So I have to admit... I judged this place on its looks and location. The staff here, yes the attractive meathead guys and pretty tatted up girls were extremely nice and offered great service while we were sitting at the bar. The flat bread pizza was pretty good and the happy hour pricing is very cheap. The pizza was 4$. Everyone was watching sports on TV and the crowd was pretty good for a Friday at 5:30. I would go back for day drinking again.
(4)
Jessica R.
Came here on a Friday night in the mood to do some DANCING! Place wasn't that crowded, and the dance floor hadn't been "set up" yet, meaning there were tables still on it. The dance floor really isn't that big honestly. Thought it would be bigger. But I guess since this place is more a restaurant during the week. The music they were playing was your standard dancey-club music, so no complaints there. Was nice because they played some oldschool stuff. Just a warning, they do sometimes authorize money from your account. I noticed an extra $30 was taken out of my account. I called, and they explained to me it would go into my account after 3-5 days. Since I only use my debit card, that was a bit of an issue, because that was money in my actual checking account. If it were a credit card, it wouldn't have been such a problem. SO, if you open a tab with a debit card, be sure to make sure they didn't hold any of your funds..... that could cause some issues! Overall, I liked this place. I would come back to check out their dinner menu
(3)
Walt S.
BBR Columbus seems to have set its sights on being a casually cool modern rock bar with a secondary theme of sports pub. You'll have to tell me when you visit which it is, which it might be. BBR is on Vine, the Arena District, where there once sat a sushi restaurant. It has a large, airy spacious patio outdoors which should work great in Summer and Fall (think OSU post-game or Clippers). BBR (beer, burgers, rock) will become recognized for a menu of food items that one might call gourmet American favorites. I tried the Caesar Wedge salad along with the Tequilla Shrimp Tacos. SUPERB on both fronts and a nice marriage of tangy tastes. I believe I saw/read while there for my first visit the slogan, " ... a place to play all day, and rock all night." I think I counted over twenty-five HD Flat Screen TV's. My night was USA vs. Mexico in a soccer friendly (lots of soccer fans so World Cup and Crew fans - unite) and the Tribe vs Tigers (Indians Win!!). Most of the ambient music ranged from alternative to classic rock & roll. Behind the bar was Sarah and Grant who were friendly and attentive. The night manager, Brianna, is a classic beauty that has smarts and smashing good looks - Wow! For one night, one meal and two Grey Goose and tonics..... I thought BBR Columbus served up exceptional - my hope is for an encore and a boost to 5-stars. Give it a whirl.
(4)
Erin M.
This place is so much different than any other bar in the Arena District. The DJs are excellent, playing a mix of new songs, old songs, and "wow I love this song. Haven't heard it in so long!" with a good beat to it. It is decorated with cool pics of famous singers and aritsts and another wall that is dedicated to only sports teams. For the men, you have the pleasure of going to the bathroom on a Michigan "M" in your toilets. They all seem to enjoy that one! Lol. They have awesome tables for a big group of friends and a fun dance floor. They also have a large patio. It doesn't seem big from the outside, but it's got everything you want in a good bar for the weekend.
(5)
Meredith J.
This place is fantastic! My husband and I went there for the first time a couple days ago and we were skeptical because of some of the reviews on here, but we were very pleased with our experience. When we were ordering a beer when we sat down I wasn't sure what I wanted. The server made a recommendation so that's what I ordered; I really liked it! We got the taterchips as an appetizer and they blew us away! It was cheesy, crispy, and so full of flavor! I would come here just for those. I ordered the American Burger and my husband ordered the Queso Burger. Both were delicious. The Queso Burger was such a unique combination of flavors; I think I would get something like that next time. But for my first experience I wanted to go with the good ol' classic cheeseburger. The server was attentive and helpful. The restaurant and bathrooms were very clean. And the prices are good considering the amount and quality of food you're getting. Check this place out and don't forget to get the taterchips!
(5)
Tim C.
I ordered the queso dip, it wasn't hot, salsa didn't arrive with the dish. I asked, they gave me a ketchup size thimble of salsa. The pita bread that came with it was chewier than cardboard might be. Bartender wrang me up for beer, brought change, no beer.
(2)
Jessica G.
Went here for a Columbus Crew watch party, and went ahead and got the Yelp! Deal because I knew I was going. The only negative of the whole night was that there were a couple private parties going on so seating could have been an issue, luckily for us some nice gentlemen at the bar were getting ready to leave so offered us their seats. Once seated the bartender greeted us with their specials (they had a Crew special for a bucket of 5 beers and 2 take home Columbus Crew mugs for $15 which was great) We ordered our food which came out much faster than I expected with the crowd. We had the buffalo chicken dip, garlic parmesian cheese fries, and the white flatbread. All were EXCELLENT! The buffalo chicken dip not only came with tortilla chips, like most restaurants, but in addition had veggies and pita bread also! Our bartender was great, never had an empty glass, and super friendly. I will definately be back (still dreaming of the buffalo dip)!
(4)
Ariel B.
BBR is just okay. There is nothing about the service, food, or drink that you can't get elsewhere in a classier setting for a comparable or cheaper price in Columbus. They are marketed as a rocker bar, but I have never met a rocker that would proudly proclaim BBR as their haunt and not be concerned about losing street cred. With so many options of cool trendy bars, dive bars, sports bars etc in Columbus, BBR's night life blends in with the genre of other bars in the same general vicinity. They do have a moderately respectable drink list, but not one that I would call competitive with some of the best bars in Columbus. I would have been compelled to give them three stars because I like their concept, but I had to take a star off for dressing their waitresses/bartenders in a black and red version of the hooters girls costume which cheapened the experience for me.
(2)
Paul R.
Great happy hour. Lots of big tv's. Food is decent. I don't know if I'd go here when you aren't receiving happy hour prices.
(4)
Nadine P.
I live out of town but have eaten here twice in the past year. The food was excellent and the drinks were awesome. I love the sleek decor and the service was great. I'm looking forward to the weather warming up so I can go again and sit on that huge deck they off of the side of the building. I highly recommend this place.
(5)
Tom M.
I upgraded my rating from 2 to 3 stars based on the beer being cold, faster service, less loudness, and better food. The happy hour deals cannot be beat. We had $1 sliders and I highly recommend any of them even off the regular menu. The cheese sticks are very good. You a good amount with a variety of cheeses.I need to go back and try a burger.
(3)
Julie J.
VERY poorly prepared food. Veggies that taste like lemon pledge, crappy burnt beef. YUK! Never again. NEVER again.
(1)
Brian W.
Well our first thought was to go in for lunch on Saturday, checked hours on their website (open at 11:00), and walked over from our house (about a mile). Apparently the hours have changed and website not updated. Got some lunch at nearby North Market and did some errands. Came back for an early dinner. Nice basic sports bar. Lots of screens arranged well and a consistent theme of classic rock. Ordered burgers and the beer special ($3). Both burgers and fries were nicely done. Lots of other, fancier options we may try next time. Staff was friendly and helpful. Note Restaurant.com typically has some great deals for this place, like $3 with the code for $25. Staff were familiar with the deal and handled it without a hitch.
(3)
Christina G.
Went to BBR this week since we had a groupon that was going to expire soon. I've been here for the night scene and was told that their food is good, so when the groupon came out I figured it was fate. After a long work week, a Thursday night date night at a place that I know has a great alcohol list seemed like a good idea. We arrived at 7pm and walked into a semi-rage party. Guys in affliction Tshirts and girls in neon hello kitty and everyone taking shots like there was no tomorrow. I kept thinking, guess Thursday nights are college party nights, then realized the Arnold Classic and Tiesto invaded Columbus at the same time, hence the fabulous people watching. Dinner and a show? Unexpected but ill take what I can get. We started with the queso which came with tortilla chips and veggies. Uncooked broccoli and cauliflower in cheese sauce? Not my thing, but it did make me feel healthier when the chips ran out. I got the buffalo chicken wrap and for someone who isn't a huge buffalo sauce fan, it was perfect. Not too hot and tasted great. I got the steamed veggies (two veggies in one sitting - at a bar?) and they were awesome. My guy had a burger and fries and was very pleased. Due to happy hour our drinks were ricidulously cheap and the app was 1/2 off, so after the groupon it was a whopping $5 meal. Our server was great and made sure to check in just enough, even with the half dressed shot takers pulling her in all directions. It wasn't the dinner I was expecting, but overall we left satisfied and feeling a lot older. May try dinner again on a more calm night.
(3)
Grant C.
BBR is one of my favorite places to watch sports. Their drink prices can be a bit high sometimes when I go in and other times they have specials going that workout well. I guess this can be expected any where, but the food is well above (in quality) what you would expect at a sports bar. Great apps and burgers. The place is nicely decorated in a very slick way. A lot of good looking servers/bartenders with plenty of ink if thats your thing. I recommend it for you next sporting event.
(4)
Thomas S.
I'm not going to take the time for a full review. I read through some below, and you can too. I went on a Thursday for lunch and the place was not busy at all. The food was good and the service was excellent. This is the bar I have been looking for. Finally a group of bartenders that professionally and friendlily engage the patrons. Thank you.
(4)
Frank L.
The service here is deplorable. Waited over an hour for a sandwich. One of the bartenders mocked me when I asked about my food. Pathetic.
(1)
Audrey H.
Came here on a Monday night with a friend to use her $35 coupon, which actually ended up being a difficult feat because almost everything was half price (I believe it was because burgers are half off on Mondays, and apps/wings are half off during happy hour). The place was fairly empty, but I can see how it'd be a great place to watch sports. We sat by the window and enjoyed the throwback music. It seems like there's a review somewhere below complaining about Cara. If it's the same person, I thought she was perfectly fine. Friendly, attentive, recommended the Wild Thing (raspberry vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry and pineapple juice), which was decently delish. Friend got the rock'n rita, which was also good. We got the calamari, cheese sticks, teriyaki wings, honey ancho chipotle wings, and rockin cajun burger. It was all great for bar food; we were pleasantly surprised. I wouldn't go out of my way to initiate a trip here, but I can totally see myself coming again with a group of people if there's a game on.
(4)
Jill T.
Boyfriend and I stopped in to BBR to try a local establishment. We travel a lot and like to try places other than chains. Our waitress, Cara, was horrible. Not busy, not overworked; just bad. The only thing that saved our experience at BBR was the food. It was good. We had the nightly special of fish tacos and ribs. Nightlife patio was good , but definitely would request a different server.
(3)
Joseph P.
Me and my three co-workers spent a few hours at BBR on a Tuesday night. Jessica, the hottest woman on staff (grin to Jess), was fantastic and provided exceptional service and attention to our group. Awesome tap selections and all the food was great.
(5)
Nicole W.
This place is pretty solid. You get what you come for and that works for me! If you cone at midnight on a Friday or Saturday, you are going to get exactly what you expect. Scantily clad ladies and their frat men dancing to the latest Rihanna beats. Lots of vodka crans and bud lights for everyone! But sometimes, don't you just want to break down? If you come here at an earlier time, this place will deliver. Pretty decent food (I love the buffalo dip) and seats all around the house where you can see every football game your heart desires. The staff is really great, which probably takes this place from an OK bar to a great experience. Servers are constantly walking around with smiles on their faces and taking any unused dishes off all tables. The bartenders are happy to put on a different game on a different TV if you would like. Plus, Sunday Funday (my favorite day?) comes with some great deals - one of the better $3 Bloody Marys I've had!
(4)
Eli I.
Recently I went to BBR with a group of 9 or 10 for a Friday happy hour. Perhaps half full, we didn't have much trouble finding a place to gather... Now this is your classic good news / bad news scenario.. On the one hand it wasn't that busy, but on the other hand it wasn't that busy... So in that respect, if you're looking for a quiet pint or a place to meet a friend for the game, then there you go. If you're into the crowded / loud / stuff going on / etc. scene then BBR (at least earlier in the night) likely isn't the go-to. Empty barstools aside, the happy hour is solid. $3 Guinness, half price appetizers, bingo bango bongo.
(5)
Alan R.
I went here on a Friday night and my ears have not stopped ringing. I'm not joking. They have been ringing for a solid 4 days. The music was ear piercing and painful at some points. Call me old, call me sensitive I don't care, it was loud as shit! Even if I was 22 again it would loud. I was in there maybe 45 min and the group all wanted to leave. The 5 bartenders of the evening were 3 hot tattooed chicks and 2 dudes. The drinks were fast and cold. I have no idea how they heard my orders, but they were exactly what I wanted. On one of the walls is nothing but mirrors and it made the space look HUGE! When I went to the bathroom there was a guy dressed as Elvis working in there. I HATE it when bars do this. (hiring bathroom attendants) Listen I am not helpless and the bathroom is already crowded enough, I am able to get my own soap, turn on the facet myself and get my own paper towel and no I will not tip you if you do these things for me without me asking for assistance; HOW DARE YOU give me the stink eye when I do all that shit myself and I don't tip you! RIDICULOUS! (sorry for my rant). There is also a ton of TVs to watch anything one could think of. Good times.
(3)
Amy S.
A couple friends and I were headed somewhere to watch the game and decided to go here instead- what a great last minute decision! BBR has TONS of TVs...everywhere you sit you'll be able to see one...or two or three. We walked in to a packed place, but that's okay- the more, the merrier! Unfortunately, that meant sloooow service. It was probably halfway through the half quarter before we had somebody take our orders. I guess it was worth the wait though! We got the fried cheese sticks, buffalo chicken dip, and sweet potato fries. Although nothing came out at the same time, that was okay because we all shared. The sweet potato fries, which came out first were pretty good and came with a cinnamon butter to dip with. They weren't the best I've had, but I did like the fact that they weren't covered with breading. The butter went untouched after the first dip, as I opted for ketchup. The cheese sticks were awesome. They definitely weren't bought frozen, as each piece was a different kind of cheese, and they were all shaped differently. It was fun trying each one and guessing which cheese it was! The buffalo chicken dip was served with a few pieces of sliced up pita, chips, carrots, celery, and green onions (as in long pieces of the white part to dip- weird?). There seemed to be plenty of dip to use up all of the "dippers," which was nice. The dip itself was really good- as other who have written reviews, I'd recommend it! It was really creamy and not very spicy...I couldn't stop trying to sneak a few bites from my friend! This is basically a bar with upscale food and prices to go with it. I didn't have any drinks that night, but my friend said hers were really expensive. The appetizers were decently priced, but the entrees were a little high. Regardless of the prices, the food was above par for a bar and we are planning to go back to sample some of their other menu items! I think BBR definitely has the potential for 4 stars.
(3)
Dana P.
I had my 30th party at this bar during a 7:00 away OSU football game. I called about three months in advance to ask about reserving tables and was able to talk to Mike M. who was very helpful. He offered me the section immediately to the right which was perfect for the 30-35 people I was inviting. A few weeks before the birthday I spoke to another manager (I wish I could remember his name!) who walked through the menu with me and offered half-off appetizers, wings and pizza (thanks!). The night of the party went just as I had planned and our server Cara? was fantastic. It was a great set-up with the open windows and plenty of seating and TVs. Cara and the other servers kept the food and drinks coming and we all had a great time cheering on the Buckeyes! This was an easy 5 out of 5 stars and I would definitely recommend BBR to anyone looking to book a party.
(5)
Shannon M.
The man and I made a stop here before seeing the terrible Blue Jackets play. We sat at the bar and the service from beginning to end was top notch. We were never ignored, drinks refilled promptly and food brought quickly. And they were pretty busy with OSU game fans and us delusional Jacket fans filing in. TONS of TVs above the bar so would be hard pressed not to find something to distract you. Any time I get to see the New Zealand National Rugby team take their shirts off and do that crazy stamping around dance is Aces for me. We ordered burgers as they are half off on Sundays, which is a pretty good deal! Nice burger with good fries. Nothing to complain about. I could see how this place could fill up with posers and douche bags but our Sunday Funday was a great experience.
(4)
Herb O.
Went there before a Bluejackets game and loved the place. Food was wad really good and the beer selection was pretty decent. Place fills up fast before game so get there early.
(5)
Geoff V.
Was at the convention center and headed out to the Garage Bar. The place was open but empty so I stopped at Brothers on the way back. I sat at the bar. Good: good tap beer selection, quick service, friendly staff. Food was good and hot. Bad: the bar was wet with drinks. I didn't see anyone wipe it down when people left. I left with wet sleeves but generally a good experience.
(4)
Tim Y.
I went to BBR Saturday night to find a place to watch the OSU vs. Michigan basketball game. I got there about 45 minutes before tipoff (9PM) and could not find a seat. An employee helped pull up chairs for a friend and I at the bar. This does not happen often! The decor appeared to professionally decorated. Strategically-placed flat screen TV's are on the walls and above the bar, providing a great space to watch a game. The game volume came on at tipoff and the semi-loud music subsided until halftime. Mirrors and black and white prints of local sports logos and 80's rock stars fill up the exposed brick walls. Food and drinks are a high-focus for this bar. Dozens of micobrew handles and bottled beers are available. A $3 special for Labatt Blue and Miller Lite was on Saturday, with regular priced microwbrews in the $6-$7 range for 16oz-20oz drafts. The menu is relatively high end, perhaps approaching a "gastropub" feel. Not really too hungry, I ordered a cheese and vege plate. A Bento box shortly arrived with a huge portion of swiss, pepperjack, boursin, and smoked gouda cheese. Vege's included tomato wedges, broccoli, red peppers, cauliflower, carrots, cucumber, and squash. Warm pita was also included in the low $8 price. The silverware has high quality and even polished! Definitely a surprise for a sports bar! The bathroom also was above-average. TV's with volume on the high ceilings, the usual Michigan decals in the urinal, and a bathroom attendant. The real bonus was the mini field goal with oscillating football crossing the uprights in some urinals. As the night progressed and the game came to an end, the bar continued to get more crowded. The clientele became better-dressed as the the time elapsed, attracting mostly a 20-30ish crowd. The guy sitting two down from me didn't seem too surprised at his $342 bar tab. It wasn't a win for the Buckeyes, but definitiely one for BBR Columbus!
(5)
Ka T.
This place has a real nice staff. I haven't seen a bar run so smoothly in a while. Everyone seemed to take pride in the place. The appearance of the bar seemed very important to the waiters and managers as i saw numerous attempts to pickup trash off the floor. I don't think i have seen any bar that does that throughout Columbus particularly on a Saturday night. The food was very good as well, the wings are GIGANTIC! Definitely a place to try if you haven't already.
(5)
Keith R.
If there was ever a scenario at attempting to overshadow an older cousin and failing, BBR would be a prime example. I get the vibe that they are trying to be a "classier" Buffalo Wild Wings in the sports bar genre, but just can't make it to the top rung of the ladder. After two visits here, I can't get a good feel for this place. The service was good, the beer was cold, and the food was stellar, but the atmosphere for some reason just doesn't seem to combine together for the sports rocker image the bar wants to be known for. It's was just hard to get into a sports bar mode when the office folks are sitting around the bar in suits. Aside from the atmosphere, the food and service are pretty good. I ordered the Gorgonzola mushroom burger with a cup of the Beer Cheese Soup. Both were swamps of ooey, gooey, cheesiness. The burger was thick and cooked to medium-well as requested. The burger is a two hander to eat. The bar service was efficient: quickly taking orders, pouring drinks and making sure we were well taken care of. Overall, this was not a bad experience, BBR just needs some time to figure out it's identity and what type of crowd it wants to attract.
(3)
Nijole T.
I went here for dinner with my husband and son and we loved it! I never thought I would give bar food 5 stars, but it was better than most expensive restaurants and you can clearly tell there is a creative chef in the kitchen that loves his job! We went during happy hour which lasts till 8pm during the week and got the cheesesticks and pepperoni flatbreak for $3 and $4, both were amazing! The 4 cheesesticks were each completly different, innovative and yummy! I had the mushroom swiss veggie burger with parmesan fries and a house salad with the best honey balsamic dressing ever! The veggie burger was house made and unlike any other! It was spicey and flavorfull. The parmesan garlic fries also fresh and delicious. My husband the cajun burger with cajun fries and a salad with lemon basil dressing, all also very good. We shared the the mac n cheese which was also the best we have ever had! In all an excellent meal and we will be back for more!
(5)
Marissa R.
I went for the first time on a Saturday night and while the food I ordered was good (I ordered the macaroni and cheese), it has ended up being too much of a hassle. I was double charged (after I closed my tab and was long gone) and have been jumping through all kinds of hoops to get my own money back. This is an incredible hassle for something that wasn't even my mistake and the level of incompetence here is beyond astounding as no manager who actually works there seems to be "authorized" to refund me and no one will call you back like they say they will. Bottom line: try the mac and cheese but bring cash unless you think it's worth an extra $60.
(1)
Zack R.
Cheapish beer for its location, and outstanding food. The service was frequent and friendly, but she was a bit slow at first. I have to say, all the food was top notch. BBQ sliders, chicken tacos, shrimp, Philly sliders....ALL recommended.
(4)
Amy C.
I love this bar. And oddly enough, not for the drinks. I love the food and the service. No matter how loud it is or where you're sitting, the service is always very attentive. Prices are little steep for your basic beer, but it's worth it. And their blue cheese is so yummy!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Late Night Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Very Loud Music : Background Good For Dancing : Yes Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : Yes Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Emma L.
I've been here twice. Once as an attempt to drink late-night and wasn't let in because Bf's attire didn't match the dress code. Super lame. The second time was a much more recent Sunday lunch visit, at the suggestion of one of my friends. Parking was pretty annoying. There were meters, but they were all full. The open lots are $5 and only accept exact change (no cards) so I was out of luck there. I ended up parking at the meters on Goodale. A slight walk but not terrible. When I walked through the front door I was hit with a wall of stale beer odor from the night before. Not really what I want to experience before eating, but it either faded or I got used to it by the time I sat down. There are lots of TVs and there was a decent crowd for watching the game. Our server was great - attentive, got our order exactly right and had a pleasant demeanor. She also had to apologize for the kitchen multiple times because they were "down to one oven", whatever that means. It took forever for our food to come out. The food was okay. I got a chicken sandwich and garlic fries ($10). The chicken was seasoned with nothing particularly recognizable but it tasted fine. The bun was a bit bready and I ended up taking the top off. I was excited to treat myself to some garlic fries and while they had good flavor, they were SUPER oily. Kind of ruined it for me. I had a glass of house champagne for $5, it was as expected. I can't say what a night out here is like but lunch was just meh.
(2)Will P.
2 more tries, 2 great experiences I've had 2 restuarant.com coupons here and used them in the last 2 weeks. I have to say The food experiences have been pretty amazing. The atmosphere itself is a chill as you want it to be. If you want action sit at the bar, if you want peace sit at a table. Both times our waitress was good. Had the wings and mac and cheese the first go-around. Very tasty, expecially the mac and cheese. Dynamite. The second time around I had the burger with sweet potato fries. Fries were very good and came with a cinnamon sauce that made them kind of like a dessert. The burger was amazing. Juicy and all the toppings complimented it. The brownie bites were also good to finish things. Nice warm chocolate center in each of them, very rich chocolate taste. Considering this is in the arena district/park street party area, their food really blows me away.
(4)Will K.
Stopped here afyer an event in Columbus at the convention center. The stuffed jalapeños would make me go back alone! Awesome place, great deals. The staff was nice, the place was clean and the all around atmosphere was super chill. I will def stop back here for the stuffed jalapeños if I am ever in columbus again!
(4)Larry H.
Its disappointing to give BBR this rating - but the best I can say about BBR is "hit and miss." And today was a big miss. I probably average having lunch at BBR 2 times every 3 weeks. The food is average to slightly above average - and some items are very good. The service is spotty - but not because of the servers, but because of the kitchen. Today I and a group of 3 others went for lunch and sat at the bar. The young man working the bar is very good - in fact, the last time we were there he gave us a solid recommendation on sandwiches. Fifth minutes later - yes 50 - we got up and left without being served. There was literally a stream of unhappy people leaving without being served any food. Not the servers fault - he did all he could do, and kept refreshing our water and apologizing. There was not a single manager in sight - I would recognize him having gone there often enough. Here's a pretty good business insight - if you are going to run a half price lunch special everyday to kick start your lunch business, make sure you are prepared to prepare the food. This place is definitely getting the lunch traffic. I would rather pay full price and actually eat in a timely manner. Its going to be quite a while before we go back - too bad, because I generally enjoy this spot.
(1)Kimmy S.
I am appalled at the horrible service me and my friends received today. We waited over 15 minute to place our order. I ordered the taterchips which is a pile of chips with Gorgonzola cheese on top. The waitress reached over my chips (which is rude in itself) and knocked over some of the chips with her elbow! She then looks at me and says "oh u can totally still pick them off the table. Remember 5 second rule!" She scoops her hands together as if she was going to pick them up herself! I said NO! That's okay. I mean how insulting is that?!? To think your customer is desperate enough to even make the suggestion to eat food that fell on a filthy table! She never apologized or offered to replace the food that she touched. My face probly said it all. I then gained the courage to eat a chip. The cheese and everything was cold. Another disappointment! I then just didn't eat anything. I figured instead of wasting my money, I would just take the chips home and warm them up myself in the oven. I asked for a box. She comes over to say they don't have any of the big boxes to fit my food. I then suggested she give me 2 small boxes... I mean how brainless can someone be?!? We asked her to separate our checks (we had 3 people) she then couldn't understand that we all wanted to pay for our own meals. She kept suggesting it be split evenly... What?!? She definitely needed better training. Also, good waiter or waitress would refill your drink w/o asking him/her for it multiple times. This by far was the worst food service experience I had. Good luck if you decide to eat here. It's better for drinking and partying.
(1)Paul G.
As a bar it's alright. Nice inside. Good set up. But most of the bartenders are incredibly arrogant and unenthused, and if you leave your card by accident they will run charges up on it and tip themselves out an insane amount. To the tune of an inexplicable $60+ extra on my account. Wonderful. I won't be back.
(1)Jonathan K.
Extremely poor service. Our server never bothered clearing any dishes. Actually had to move plates to sign the check. Food is mediocre. Should have known better when we walked in and were the only table at 6 pm. This place is more of a night club than a restaurant. Plenty of other choices in the area. Won't be back.
(1)Lisa R.
The menu has been down graded, bigger in physical size but less items. Happy hour menu, for both drinks and food is no longer awesome. Seems they are cutting costs in ingredients and going for a more bar food not so fresh menu
(2)Jen G.
We were in town for a Blue Jackets game and wanted some place to eat on the way to the game. We ordered nachos and were blown away! They were very good. We ordered half chicken and half beef. Both were great. One of the other servers (not ours) even stopped by to chat and brought some extra chips for us. The place filled up pretty fast once it got closer to game time but we were very satisfied.
(4)Brandy J.
Oh but wait. After a despicable interaction with the GM and being charged $6 for a Corona Lt. I would like to edit this. Still a 2 (not a 3-4) for this... Service is always solid and the food is very consistently good but c'mon guys you have a beautiful bathroom...just clean it. Please.
(2)Shannon M.
The man and I made a stop here before seeing the terrible Blue Jackets play. We sat at the bar and the service from beginning to end was top notch. We were never ignored, drinks refilled promptly and food brought quickly. And they were pretty busy with OSU game fans and us delusional Jacket fans filing in. TONS of TVs above the bar so would be hard pressed not to find something to distract you. Any time I get to see the New Zealand National Rugby team take their shirts off and do that crazy stamping around dance is Aces for me. We ordered burgers as they are half off on Sundays, which is a pretty good deal! Nice burger with good fries. Nothing to complain about. I could see how this place could fill up with posers and douche bags but our Sunday Funday was a great experience.
(4)Herb O.
Went there before a Bluejackets game and loved the place. Food was wad really good and the beer selection was pretty decent. Place fills up fast before game so get there early.
(5)Geoff V.
Was at the convention center and headed out to the Garage Bar. The place was open but empty so I stopped at Brothers on the way back. I sat at the bar. Good: good tap beer selection, quick service, friendly staff. Food was good and hot. Bad: the bar was wet with drinks. I didn't see anyone wipe it down when people left. I left with wet sleeves but generally a good experience.
(4)Alan R.
I went here on a Friday night and my ears have not stopped ringing. I'm not joking. They have been ringing for a solid 4 days. The music was ear piercing and painful at some points. Call me old, call me sensitive I don't care, it was loud as shit! Even if I was 22 again it would loud. I was in there maybe 45 min and the group all wanted to leave. The 5 bartenders of the evening were 3 hot tattooed chicks and 2 dudes. The drinks were fast and cold. I have no idea how they heard my orders, but they were exactly what I wanted. On one of the walls is nothing but mirrors and it made the space look HUGE! When I went to the bathroom there was a guy dressed as Elvis working in there. I HATE it when bars do this. (hiring bathroom attendants) Listen I am not helpless and the bathroom is already crowded enough, I am able to get my own soap, turn on the facet myself and get my own paper towel and no I will not tip you if you do these things for me without me asking for assistance; HOW DARE YOU give me the stink eye when I do all that shit myself and I don't tip you! RIDICULOUS! (sorry for my rant). There is also a ton of TVs to watch anything one could think of. Good times.
(3)Amy S.
A couple friends and I were headed somewhere to watch the game and decided to go here instead- what a great last minute decision! BBR has TONS of TVs...everywhere you sit you'll be able to see one...or two or three. We walked in to a packed place, but that's okay- the more, the merrier! Unfortunately, that meant sloooow service. It was probably halfway through the half quarter before we had somebody take our orders. I guess it was worth the wait though! We got the fried cheese sticks, buffalo chicken dip, and sweet potato fries. Although nothing came out at the same time, that was okay because we all shared. The sweet potato fries, which came out first were pretty good and came with a cinnamon butter to dip with. They weren't the best I've had, but I did like the fact that they weren't covered with breading. The butter went untouched after the first dip, as I opted for ketchup. The cheese sticks were awesome. They definitely weren't bought frozen, as each piece was a different kind of cheese, and they were all shaped differently. It was fun trying each one and guessing which cheese it was! The buffalo chicken dip was served with a few pieces of sliced up pita, chips, carrots, celery, and green onions (as in long pieces of the white part to dip- weird?). There seemed to be plenty of dip to use up all of the "dippers," which was nice. The dip itself was really good- as other who have written reviews, I'd recommend it! It was really creamy and not very spicy...I couldn't stop trying to sneak a few bites from my friend! This is basically a bar with upscale food and prices to go with it. I didn't have any drinks that night, but my friend said hers were really expensive. The appetizers were decently priced, but the entrees were a little high. Regardless of the prices, the food was above par for a bar and we are planning to go back to sample some of their other menu items! I think BBR definitely has the potential for 4 stars.
(3)Ka T.
This place has a real nice staff. I haven't seen a bar run so smoothly in a while. Everyone seemed to take pride in the place. The appearance of the bar seemed very important to the waiters and managers as i saw numerous attempts to pickup trash off the floor. I don't think i have seen any bar that does that throughout Columbus particularly on a Saturday night. The food was very good as well, the wings are GIGANTIC! Definitely a place to try if you haven't already.
(5)Andrew C.
It's like if Bernards decided to quintuple their TV's, get ridiculously hot servers, and have a superb menu that hovers just above pub food and below sit down restaurant food. Nice customer service as well with changing channels for games and staff service. A definite upgrade for the Short North
(5)Ray M.
The food is pretty good here, and at half off lunch its a must do place. In fact I have been there 3 times in the past month. Even before this special, they always have some sort of lunch speciula that is pretty good deal. The serice has alwys been good and the manager stops by quite often to make sure yoou are taken care of and if your drink is low, he wil go ahead and fill it. This is probably one of my favorite places to go at lunch time. One word of caution though. I had the Burger with an egg on it the last time there and when I took a bite, it sort of exploaded onto my shirt sleeve. Totally my fault, but still not a good look
(4)Augie W.
Very good bar to watch the Buckeyes on the gridiron. Lots of monitors, hustling staff, decent beer selection, and many friendly and rowdy patrons! O - H ...
(3)Luke T.
The more my coworkers drag me here, the less I dislike it. I still don't like the typical clientele, but the staff, waitresses and food runners/busboys alike, are all really nice and friendly. The food has improved in previous visits, some of it downright good (the chips for example), and their happy hour continues to impress. Not a huge microbrew selection, but $2 domestics and $3 imports/microbrews, plus half off most appetizers. I don't mind so much when we go now.
(3)Dr R.
Great staff and good food. I usually do happy hour mid-week, as it isn't as slammed and I can get some good food while catching a match/game/etc.
(4)Dave R.
My favorite place to eat and drink downtown! I used to just go here on weekend night outs and never really tried the food until recently. They have a great lunch deal during the week (1/2 off all food) and the drink prices are very reasonable! I had the Cajun burger with chipotle ranch fries my last visit, and have had the buffalo chicken dip on another occasion. Both were delicious! The staff is always friendly and ready to help with whatever you need. It has become my new go-to lunch spot!
(5)Meredith J.
This place is fantastic! My husband and I went there for the first time a couple days ago and we were skeptical because of some of the reviews on here, but we were very pleased with our experience. When we were ordering a beer when we sat down I wasn't sure what I wanted. The server made a recommendation so that's what I ordered; I really liked it! We got the taterchips as an appetizer and they blew us away! It was cheesy, crispy, and so full of flavor! I would come here just for those. I ordered the American Burger and my husband ordered the Queso Burger. Both were delicious. The Queso Burger was such a unique combination of flavors; I think I would get something like that next time. But for my first experience I wanted to go with the good ol' classic cheeseburger. The server was attentive and helpful. The restaurant and bathrooms were very clean. And the prices are good considering the amount and quality of food you're getting. Check this place out and don't forget to get the taterchips!
(5)Tim C.
I ordered the queso dip, it wasn't hot, salsa didn't arrive with the dish. I asked, they gave me a ketchup size thimble of salsa. The pita bread that came with it was chewier than cardboard might be. Bartender wrang me up for beer, brought change, no beer.
(2)Thomas S.
I'm not going to take the time for a full review. I read through some below, and you can too. I went on a Thursday for lunch and the place was not busy at all. The food was good and the service was excellent. This is the bar I have been looking for. Finally a group of bartenders that professionally and friendlily engage the patrons. Thank you.
(4)Frank L.
The service here is deplorable. Waited over an hour for a sandwich. One of the bartenders mocked me when I asked about my food. Pathetic.
(1)Ryan J.
I met up with some friends for the OSU bowl game and was pretty sure I'd end up hating the place, based on the concept alone. I didn't hate it, but I don't see myself there for any other reason that it's a central location and close enough to Harrison West. I was super suspicious of the food, but I ordered the BBQ Bacon Sliders w/ seasoned fries. The sliders were surprisingly good, the lettuce and bun could have been a tad bit fresher, but when you're ordering food at a bar, you can't expect artisan bread and local beef. I did enjoy the food, though. The fries were cooked perfectly, not too greasy and well seasoned. I guess if you have BURGERS in the name of your shop, you better execute that aspect well and I guess they did in my experience. The meat was cooked just as I asked and the white cheddar, grilled onions and BBQ sauce were a nice combo. I only drank a few Heineken Lights, so I can't really comment on the drink menu. I did see a bartender preparing some kind of girly martini with Pop Rocks on the rim. Umm, hmm. The bartender that helped us was good and took the time to shoot the shit with us and regaled us with some funny stories. Everyone I came into contact with seemed nice enough. If you're there to watch a sporting event, you can do better, but you can do worse. There were plenty of TV's and the viewing angles from most of the seats seemed good enough. The decor is pretty awful, huge photos of Slash, Madonna, Kurt Cobain and other "icons" of the music industry, same stone walls as Tyfoon, but the whole "rock" concept is pretty lame. I know there are probably a TON of folks in Columbus that dig that sort of thing, but it seems pretty lame to me. The playlist the bar played after the game was pretty shitty as well, typical at best; Nirvana, Guns N' Roses, MGMT, Muse .. not exactly "hip" but I can see a night here being ruined by drunk folks singing Sweet Home Alabama and Don't Stop Believing with their BFF's. That being said, I know that if they started playing music I love, folks would probably walk out in droves, so I'm not being all elitist and stuff, you know? And don't sit too close to the front doors, you'll freeze your ass off anytime someone enters or exits the bar. I joined some friends after they had already found seats, so I'll just have to chalk that up to my buddies lack of experience in making responsible decisions; like hanging out in the Arena District in a city full of really awesome and unique spots. --- Had to update: I've ventured back to BBR a few times since my initial experience. I was pretty impressed that the bartender remembered my beer of choice from my first visit back in January. The service was stellar and I will definitely be back to watch some of the upcoming March Madness games.
(3)Lauren F.
The food at BBR is the BEST you're going to find in the arena district. Not what you would expect from a bar off Vine St. The burgers are amazing, the macaroni and cheese (more like chicken Alfredo) is to die for, steaks are always perfect! The GM, Mark, is always so nice and really cares that customers have a great experience. I don't spend too much time in BBR hours. The happy hour special is awesome and they have great packages for bachelor/bachelorette parties! Check this place out! It will not disappoint!
(5)Keith R.
If there was ever a scenario at attempting to overshadow an older cousin and failing, BBR would be a prime example. I get the vibe that they are trying to be a "classier" Buffalo Wild Wings in the sports bar genre, but just can't make it to the top rung of the ladder. After two visits here, I can't get a good feel for this place. The service was good, the beer was cold, and the food was stellar, but the atmosphere for some reason just doesn't seem to combine together for the sports rocker image the bar wants to be known for. It's was just hard to get into a sports bar mode when the office folks are sitting around the bar in suits. Aside from the atmosphere, the food and service are pretty good. I ordered the Gorgonzola mushroom burger with a cup of the Beer Cheese Soup. Both were swamps of ooey, gooey, cheesiness. The burger was thick and cooked to medium-well as requested. The burger is a two hander to eat. The bar service was efficient: quickly taking orders, pouring drinks and making sure we were well taken care of. Overall, this was not a bad experience, BBR just needs some time to figure out it's identity and what type of crowd it wants to attract.
(3)Nijole T.
I went here for dinner with my husband and son and we loved it! I never thought I would give bar food 5 stars, but it was better than most expensive restaurants and you can clearly tell there is a creative chef in the kitchen that loves his job! We went during happy hour which lasts till 8pm during the week and got the cheesesticks and pepperoni flatbreak for $3 and $4, both were amazing! The 4 cheesesticks were each completly different, innovative and yummy! I had the mushroom swiss veggie burger with parmesan fries and a house salad with the best honey balsamic dressing ever! The veggie burger was house made and unlike any other! It was spicey and flavorfull. The parmesan garlic fries also fresh and delicious. My husband the cajun burger with cajun fries and a salad with lemon basil dressing, all also very good. We shared the the mac n cheese which was also the best we have ever had! In all an excellent meal and we will be back for more!
(5)Marissa R.
I went for the first time on a Saturday night and while the food I ordered was good (I ordered the macaroni and cheese), it has ended up being too much of a hassle. I was double charged (after I closed my tab and was long gone) and have been jumping through all kinds of hoops to get my own money back. This is an incredible hassle for something that wasn't even my mistake and the level of incompetence here is beyond astounding as no manager who actually works there seems to be "authorized" to refund me and no one will call you back like they say they will. Bottom line: try the mac and cheese but bring cash unless you think it's worth an extra $60.
(1)Amy C.
I love this bar. And oddly enough, not for the drinks. I love the food and the service. No matter how loud it is or where you're sitting, the service is always very attentive. Prices are little steep for your basic beer, but it's worth it. And their blue cheese is so yummy!
(5)H H.
What a great find! This is a new place on Vine St. in the Arena District located where Typhoon used to be. BBR stands for Burgers, Beer, Rock. I met some friends for happy hour there yesterday. They have great happy hour specials: $2 domestic bottles, $3 draft imports (including stella), $4 wines, and $5 martinis and cocktails. I tried 2 martinis before finishing my evening with a glass of Stella. I think I may have found my new favorite martini in Columbus. It is Cumfortable Numb. It is effen cucumber vodka with cucumber puree. It is a delicious summery cocktail that goes down very, very smooth. This was top notch and everyone at my table who took a sip said positive things. I also tried the Wild Thing martini. It is louder, slightly sweet...This is another one that goes down very easy. I commented on the drinks and the waitress told me one of the guys is an actual mixologist who competes across the country. It shows. These were very good and at $5 for happy hour, very fairly priced. My group also had a few appetizers...Buffalo Chicken dip, Calamari, Crab Cakes, and the Tater Chips. My favorite was the calamari. It was very tender, batter was not overly salty, and the sauce added to the end product. The crab cakes were also good. You get 2 with the order and the sauce is pretty delicious. The tater chips need some help. There just wasn't enough "stuff" to cover the chips. I'd be a fan of a cup of sauce to go with the chips. BBR was not too loud at all for me. In fact, we all had conversation with ease. The wait staff also told me they could lower the music if I wanted. The employees were very good looking and personable. It was not an intimidating arena district place at all. The inside of the bar is actually put together very well. I liked the decor a lot. There are blown up pictures of famous artists. There is a huge window at the front of the bar that you can sit near. There is outdoor seating. The bar is a big oval with seating all around. There are also high tops toward the back. Every seat has several large TVs in view, including a huge projector screen in the back. I don't just hand out 5 stars. This is a nice place and I will be back.
(5)Neil R.
Great place to catch your favorite sports! The food is great, people are cool, drinks are a bit pricey but the venue is A+. I had 2-3 different burgers and loved them all! Also somehow I scored a free beer from the nice bartender.
(4)Megan S.
I'm a hesitant to write a review lest the rest of Columbus finds out that this might be the best place to watch OSU away games. Or, so I think. I'm way too old to be in the Arena District without irony, yet I'll head that way to enjoy the inviting ambience and great happy hour at BBR. It's expansive, bright (by the windows!), has a decent sized patio (great for watching people on their way to making soon-to-be-bad decisions at Brothers), and while I didn't have the food while I was there, my friends did and I heard them moan a few times (at least, I hope it was from the food). The ultimate sports bar, it's got TVs everywhere, a huge round bar and may just end up being my favorite new place to head after work.
(4)Jessica G.
Went here for a Columbus Crew watch party, and went ahead and got the Yelp! Deal because I knew I was going. The only negative of the whole night was that there were a couple private parties going on so seating could have been an issue, luckily for us some nice gentlemen at the bar were getting ready to leave so offered us their seats. Once seated the bartender greeted us with their specials (they had a Crew special for a bucket of 5 beers and 2 take home Columbus Crew mugs for $15 which was great) We ordered our food which came out much faster than I expected with the crowd. We had the buffalo chicken dip, garlic parmesian cheese fries, and the white flatbread. All were EXCELLENT! The buffalo chicken dip not only came with tortilla chips, like most restaurants, but in addition had veggies and pita bread also! Our bartender was great, never had an empty glass, and super friendly. I will definately be back (still dreaming of the buffalo dip)!
(4)Ariel B.
BBR is just okay. There is nothing about the service, food, or drink that you can't get elsewhere in a classier setting for a comparable or cheaper price in Columbus. They are marketed as a rocker bar, but I have never met a rocker that would proudly proclaim BBR as their haunt and not be concerned about losing street cred. With so many options of cool trendy bars, dive bars, sports bars etc in Columbus, BBR's night life blends in with the genre of other bars in the same general vicinity. They do have a moderately respectable drink list, but not one that I would call competitive with some of the best bars in Columbus. I would have been compelled to give them three stars because I like their concept, but I had to take a star off for dressing their waitresses/bartenders in a black and red version of the hooters girls costume which cheapened the experience for me.
(2)Paul R.
Great happy hour. Lots of big tv's. Food is decent. I don't know if I'd go here when you aren't receiving happy hour prices.
(4)Kevin R.
We snagged one of the fabulous Yelp Deals for this place and figured we'd check it out before we went to witness yet another Blue Jackets loss. So if you're curious about the nightlife here, you probably want to read another review. I'll get the not so great out of the way first. We never ended up using the Yelp deal on the first visit because half of our meal ended up being comped and it wouldn't have been worth it too burn it off on what was left of our bill. Part I: Opportunity On our first trip to Burgers, Beer & Rock we came in at about 5pm on a weeknight to a mostly empty house. I will say that the place has a nice modern rockstar decor to it, but the first thing you actually noticed was that the music was approaching bleeding ears levels and that is coming from someone who listens to his iPod at full blast most of the time. After being sat we were greeted by our server who appeared to not be having a good day. Everyone else in the place was all smiles and friendly, she on the other hand was pretty much sulking. No biggie, we all have bad days, and she wasn't actually rude to us at all. Ordering was a challenge due to the excessively loud music. My wife (who used to be a server) remarked at how amazing it was that she could hear anything to take people's orders. Well...turns out she couldn't. When she brought our food out to us she had my wife's food right, but my order mixed up (she did bring the right side, more on that in a bit). She was apologetic and said they'd have my order out to me promptly, which they did. The food the first time was a mixed bag. We started with the calamari, which is one of my favorite appetizers, and I made the mistake of just seeing the dish and ordering without reading the description. This was a bad move. They ruin it by pre-tossing it in the same sweet chile sauce that everyone and their brother uses. I have nothing against the sauce (it's tasty!), but it should be on the side so the calamari stays light and crisp. The next uh-oh is also kind of a "shame on me situation" for coming to a place that's name stands for Burgers Beer & Rock and not ordering a Burger. In my quest to eat healthier I went for the Shrimp Kabobs with green beans, while my much wiser wife ordered a burger. Her burger was large, tasty and most importantly cooked the way she had asked. Major points for it being done right because nothing riles me more than places that will ask you for a temperature on your burger and just cook it however they want anyway. Aside from the fact that I was brought the wrong item to start, my food was ok. The shrimp kabobs were excellent, but the green beans were overcooked and soaked in an overly vinegary vinaigrette and nearly inedible. Part II: Redemption We came back on another game night some weeks later during the Holidays. This time there was a decent crowd going and right off the bat when we walked in you could tell that the music was turned down a tad. Still nice and loud, but reasonably so. This time we sat at the bar, service was friendly and checked on us often even when it started to get busier closer to game time. As for food, both of us went for burgers this time and we were not disappointed. I opted to indulge and got the garlic parmesan fries, which are paradise soaked in grease and garlic. We had a little hiccup using our Yelp Deal, as they didn't want to honor it via my phone, but with a little prodding they accepted it. Bottom Line: Not an out of this world place that I'm dying to go back to, but if burgers are what we crave for our pre CBJ game meal it's where I'm going to go and I'm going to work out extra hard at the Gym that day to justify the delicious garlic parmesan fries.
(3)Walt S.
BBR Columbus seems to have set its sights on being a casually cool modern rock bar with a secondary theme of sports pub. You'll have to tell me when you visit which it is, which it might be. BBR is on Vine, the Arena District, where there once sat a sushi restaurant. It has a large, airy spacious patio outdoors which should work great in Summer and Fall (think OSU post-game or Clippers). BBR (beer, burgers, rock) will become recognized for a menu of food items that one might call gourmet American favorites. I tried the Caesar Wedge salad along with the Tequilla Shrimp Tacos. SUPERB on both fronts and a nice marriage of tangy tastes. I believe I saw/read while there for my first visit the slogan, " ... a place to play all day, and rock all night." I think I counted over twenty-five HD Flat Screen TV's. My night was USA vs. Mexico in a soccer friendly (lots of soccer fans so World Cup and Crew fans - unite) and the Tribe vs Tigers (Indians Win!!). Most of the ambient music ranged from alternative to classic rock & roll. Behind the bar was Sarah and Grant who were friendly and attentive. The night manager, Brianna, is a classic beauty that has smarts and smashing good looks - Wow! For one night, one meal and two Grey Goose and tonics..... I thought BBR Columbus served up exceptional - my hope is for an encore and a boost to 5-stars. Give it a whirl.
(4)Erin M.
This place is so much different than any other bar in the Arena District. The DJs are excellent, playing a mix of new songs, old songs, and "wow I love this song. Haven't heard it in so long!" with a good beat to it. It is decorated with cool pics of famous singers and aritsts and another wall that is dedicated to only sports teams. For the men, you have the pleasure of going to the bathroom on a Michigan "M" in your toilets. They all seem to enjoy that one! Lol. They have awesome tables for a big group of friends and a fun dance floor. They also have a large patio. It doesn't seem big from the outside, but it's got everything you want in a good bar for the weekend.
(5)Claire B.
Sports bars aren't my usual kind of hangout, but this one ranks lower than most. Went on a friday night. The food was pretty subpar - mushy tacos and mushy calamari. The staff was nice though. Don't think I'll be back.
(2)Zack R.
Cheapish beer for its location, and outstanding food. The service was frequent and friendly, but she was a bit slow at first. I have to say, all the food was top notch. BBQ sliders, chicken tacos, shrimp, Philly sliders....ALL recommended.
(4)Dana P.
I had my 30th party at this bar during a 7:00 away OSU football game. I called about three months in advance to ask about reserving tables and was able to talk to Mike M. who was very helpful. He offered me the section immediately to the right which was perfect for the 30-35 people I was inviting. A few weeks before the birthday I spoke to another manager (I wish I could remember his name!) who walked through the menu with me and offered half-off appetizers, wings and pizza (thanks!). The night of the party went just as I had planned and our server Cara? was fantastic. It was a great set-up with the open windows and plenty of seating and TVs. Cara and the other servers kept the food and drinks coming and we all had a great time cheering on the Buckeyes! This was an easy 5 out of 5 stars and I would definitely recommend BBR to anyone looking to book a party.
(5)Jessica K.
Mostly solid. Like others, work dragged me here and I was skeptical, but the food, service and drinks are solid and they have good deals - what else does one demand? Go here if you're in the Arena District, it's a good bet. Then ignore the rest of this cathartic rant. Ine more demand: we often come here as a larger group. A larger, transient, annoying, "I need one beer in 3 minutes so my dog doesn't poo in the kennel"/"I need 6 beers in 10 minutes to forget I work with these people" group. Regardless, YES, you absolutely CAN transfer a check from the bar tab to a table, and if you really don't want to transfer it, you can at least run my card and drop it off, rather than denying multiple people at a table service because they mistakenly grabbed their first beer at the bar while lingering awkwardly. Totally over reacting, but I hate when servers lie to me because of a lazy policy. I know how the option works on your system and it's about 5 finger taps.
(4)Heather D.
First time here. Had to use my Groupon. The only day we could make it was Tuesday which was St. Patrick's Day. They have live music playing and it is mostly covers. There are ton of people wearing green clothes and accessories. We just had a beer each while we were waiting for our to go order of full slab of ribs and chicken. By the time we got home everything was still hot and tasted good. It was very busy and loud due to the fact that it was St Patricks Day, we will come back on day that is not so loud and busy.
(3)Gus W.
You could really write two different reviews for BBR. One would be the Friday and Saturday nightlife scene, and the second would be every other time. If you're used to going to BBR during the workday for lunch or on Sundays for the food deals, you wouldn't recognize the place on a weekend night. As far as weekend nights go, I'd probably give them a 3. It used to be a bit better a year or so ago, but now that Endzone is closed, the lines are ridiculously long, and it's jammed pack inside. Luckily, they did end up putting a DJ on the patio, or at least there was one the last time I was there, to draw some people from the inside to the outside. I actually enjoyed the guy out there, because the guy inside usually just plays the same shit over and over. The crowd there can be off-putting to say the least. I'd say the pricing is a little cheaper than the clubs down the street like Diesel and Sway but pricier than every other bar in the Park St. area. The bartenders are pretty cool depending on who's working. I see myself here once in a blue moon. On the other hand, I've stopped in here several times during the day or around happy hour to grab a drink and some food. It's close enough to Nationwide Arena, Huntington Park, and the LC that it makes it a convenient spot for some patio drinking and eating. It looks like the menu has been revamped, but I've always thought the food was pretty good. I had the buffalo chicken wrap the last time I was here with whatever the hottest sauce is, and it was delicious. That sauce is pretty hot though! The fries were very tasty too. I'd probably round up to a 4 if the service wasn't so bad the last time we ate here. We did have a decent sized group on the patio, but the girl waiting on us was gone for long spans of time, and when she did come back, she'd grab a couple people's orders and peace out again without checking on the rest of the table. I'd say if you're interested in a place to go out to dance, you could check them out, and if you don't like it, then just head on down to another bar in the area. If you're just looking for a place to grab a beer and a bite to eat, you really can't go wrong here.
(3)Charles H.
To the owner(s), manager, whomever it concerns. Please keep up your level of service, quality of food, and reasonable prices. I do not know how long you've been in business or how long this level of quality has existed but as long as you keep it up you'll be a regular stop for me and my usual band of lunch goers. By the way, congrats on being my first 5 star review. :)
(5)Amy P.
Happy hour = awesome! The daily special helps cut costs as well. Personally, this place reminded me of Brother's, the cement floor, seating, and clientele are all very similar. Prior to my visit, I took a look at the website, which has a HUGE dress code section....I didn't realize the place was as swanky as the dress code made it out to be (it isn't swanky, that's what stumps me). For my visit, the waiter was attentive up until the point that the bar became busy, and at that point, it was a nightmare trying to track him down. Parking was also a bit of pain, but that is to be expected in that area.
(3)Angie K.
So I have to admit... I judged this place on its looks and location. The staff here, yes the attractive meathead guys and pretty tatted up girls were extremely nice and offered great service while we were sitting at the bar. The flat bread pizza was pretty good and the happy hour pricing is very cheap. The pizza was 4$. Everyone was watching sports on TV and the crowd was pretty good for a Friday at 5:30. I would go back for day drinking again.
(4)Alicia S.
This was a great find! We stopped in for a few drinks and dinner before the hockey game. They had an awesome happy hour with half off appetizers (try the taterchips) and a nice beer selection. All of the food was delicious (Mac and cheese & Hawaii 5-0 pizza) and the bartenders were friendly and attentive! If we ever find ourselves in Columbus again, we will definitely stop back here.
(5)Mika T.
I've been here many times for both food and drinks and I've never been disappointed. The food seems to be a step above all the other bars I usually dine at. I highly recommend the Mediterranean Chicken Kabobs and the veggie hummus wrap (add chicken). Even the flatbread and cheese sticks are better than average in my opinion. Although the drinks are expensive, the prices also reflect the good service they give. When you dine in, you always get a cloth napkin and the servers are super attentive even on weekend nights. To get a good deal, come on Sundays and tell the bartender when you cash out that you are in the service industry and your drinks will be half off.
(5)Jessica R.
Came here on a Friday night in the mood to do some DANCING! Place wasn't that crowded, and the dance floor hadn't been "set up" yet, meaning there were tables still on it. The dance floor really isn't that big honestly. Thought it would be bigger. But I guess since this place is more a restaurant during the week. The music they were playing was your standard dancey-club music, so no complaints there. Was nice because they played some oldschool stuff. Just a warning, they do sometimes authorize money from your account. I noticed an extra $30 was taken out of my account. I called, and they explained to me it would go into my account after 3-5 days. Since I only use my debit card, that was a bit of an issue, because that was money in my actual checking account. If it were a credit card, it wouldn't have been such a problem. SO, if you open a tab with a debit card, be sure to make sure they didn't hold any of your funds..... that could cause some issues! Overall, I liked this place. I would come back to check out their dinner menu
(3)Brian W.
Well our first thought was to go in for lunch on Saturday, checked hours on their website (open at 11:00), and walked over from our house (about a mile). Apparently the hours have changed and website not updated. Got some lunch at nearby North Market and did some errands. Came back for an early dinner. Nice basic sports bar. Lots of screens arranged well and a consistent theme of classic rock. Ordered burgers and the beer special ($3). Both burgers and fries were nicely done. Lots of other, fancier options we may try next time. Staff was friendly and helpful. Note Restaurant.com typically has some great deals for this place, like $3 with the code for $25. Staff were familiar with the deal and handled it without a hitch.
(3)Eli I.
Recently I went to BBR with a group of 9 or 10 for a Friday happy hour. Perhaps half full, we didn't have much trouble finding a place to gather... Now this is your classic good news / bad news scenario.. On the one hand it wasn't that busy, but on the other hand it wasn't that busy... So in that respect, if you're looking for a quiet pint or a place to meet a friend for the game, then there you go. If you're into the crowded / loud / stuff going on / etc. scene then BBR (at least earlier in the night) likely isn't the go-to. Empty barstools aside, the happy hour is solid. $3 Guinness, half price appetizers, bingo bango bongo.
(5)FreshTake '.
First time going with some friends and we did not have any food so I can't comment on that. But it was a Saturday night abs they had a live dj who was pretty decent and got better as the night went on; didn't play to much country which i don't care for, he had some good mixes and was changing it up a lot. Our waitress was very good, I think her name was Ginger, she was so attentive and friendly, alsoi helpful with our drink choices and willing to change them if we didn't like them , I always appreciate that :) The drink special was a whiskey well drink, Bullit, which was also petty good with ginger ale and a lime. Other good things about the service is that they have a FREE coat check and the girl working was super friendly, very trustworthy add I left my expensive purse with 2 friends wallets in it as well, lots of valuables and it was all safe and sound the whole time we were dancing it up :) on fact when my husband went to get it for me she grilled him to make sure he was the right guy to give it to since he didn't drop it off lol. Also they were on point with cleaning off the tables and even cleaning up the dance floor when people happened to spill drinks etc. All the e staff w was very polite and attentive the whole night. They have a pretty cool dance floor area, good size with fog machines, lights/disco ball effects which was fun. The crowd is pretty good too, they have a bouncer who checks dress code to keep it "rifraff"... All in all, highly recommend it and I'll definitely be back!
(5)Derek H.
We have gone a couple of times with Living Social vouchers. Really good bar food and OK service.
(4)Brieanna H.
I like BBR. I liked Tyfoon better, but nothing can stay the same, especially in this area. The food is good, the drinks are strong, and it's a pretty good place to watch a game in the Vic Village/Short North area where sports bars are few and far between.
(4)Jessica D.
A perfectly acceptable sports bar. Happy hour: 3-8 pm with $1 PBRs (I stopped looking for deals after I saw $1 PBRs), 33 cent wings, and half off apps. Wasn't expecting my kamikaze shots to be $7 each though... Our server, Rachel, rocked pink hair and won first place in the prompt service category. Go Bucks!
(3)Danny F.
The operations manager was in tonight. He got mad while he was drunk, and slurring words. A friend of mine and I made a joke about how water "off the soda gun" was always dirty because it's from the Scioto river, and he yelled at us to "get out of my bar, you don't know ****." His name was apparently Mike Mercer. So rude. Too bad. Service was great, manager tried to calm him down, but he wouldn't. Poor form, getting wasted at your own job. Apparently regulars/good tippers aren't welcome if the management has been drinking. Wish it was not a hostile atmosphere. Everyone else that works there is so nice.
(1)Pete S.
Stopped in on Sunday to catch a little football, burn a Groupon and have some guilty pleasure food... Probably will never be back. The Good: Half off burgers were pretty good, $3 well drinks... The Bad: Our waitress didn't tell us either of those things, even after being asked about specials (she did tell us about $3 Bud Light...) Nachos say real cheese, but are covered in the liquid stuff. The Ugly: Vomit from the previous night in both the men's and women's restroom, door ripped off one of the stalls in the ladies' room. Also, they seem to think football games need an additional MC on top of the commentary, so every time there's a big play on the game (which already has the sound on...) you can expect someone to pop on the microphone and yell something like "Oh Yeah!!!" over and over and over. Finally, the check comes with two blanks for tip: one for the server and one for the busser. This is just uncomfortable. It doesn't seem like my place to determine how those are split up. That said, since our waitress didn't bring our food, drinks or clear empty glasses... I only tipped the busser. Could have been a new Sunday Funday spot... but I don't think I'll be back.
(1)Joseph P.
Me and my three co-workers spent a few hours at BBR on a Tuesday night. Jessica, the hottest woman on staff (grin to Jess), was fantastic and provided exceptional service and attention to our group. Awesome tap selections and all the food was great.
(5)Nicole W.
This place is pretty solid. You get what you come for and that works for me! If you cone at midnight on a Friday or Saturday, you are going to get exactly what you expect. Scantily clad ladies and their frat men dancing to the latest Rihanna beats. Lots of vodka crans and bud lights for everyone! But sometimes, don't you just want to break down? If you come here at an earlier time, this place will deliver. Pretty decent food (I love the buffalo dip) and seats all around the house where you can see every football game your heart desires. The staff is really great, which probably takes this place from an OK bar to a great experience. Servers are constantly walking around with smiles on their faces and taking any unused dishes off all tables. The bartenders are happy to put on a different game on a different TV if you would like. Plus, Sunday Funday (my favorite day?) comes with some great deals - one of the better $3 Bloody Marys I've had!
(4)Christina G.
Went to BBR this week since we had a groupon that was going to expire soon. I've been here for the night scene and was told that their food is good, so when the groupon came out I figured it was fate. After a long work week, a Thursday night date night at a place that I know has a great alcohol list seemed like a good idea. We arrived at 7pm and walked into a semi-rage party. Guys in affliction Tshirts and girls in neon hello kitty and everyone taking shots like there was no tomorrow. I kept thinking, guess Thursday nights are college party nights, then realized the Arnold Classic and Tiesto invaded Columbus at the same time, hence the fabulous people watching. Dinner and a show? Unexpected but ill take what I can get. We started with the queso which came with tortilla chips and veggies. Uncooked broccoli and cauliflower in cheese sauce? Not my thing, but it did make me feel healthier when the chips ran out. I got the buffalo chicken wrap and for someone who isn't a huge buffalo sauce fan, it was perfect. Not too hot and tasted great. I got the steamed veggies (two veggies in one sitting - at a bar?) and they were awesome. My guy had a burger and fries and was very pleased. Due to happy hour our drinks were ricidulously cheap and the app was 1/2 off, so after the groupon it was a whopping $5 meal. Our server was great and made sure to check in just enough, even with the half dressed shot takers pulling her in all directions. It wasn't the dinner I was expecting, but overall we left satisfied and feeling a lot older. May try dinner again on a more calm night.
(3)Grant C.
BBR is one of my favorite places to watch sports. Their drink prices can be a bit high sometimes when I go in and other times they have specials going that workout well. I guess this can be expected any where, but the food is well above (in quality) what you would expect at a sports bar. Great apps and burgers. The place is nicely decorated in a very slick way. A lot of good looking servers/bartenders with plenty of ink if thats your thing. I recommend it for you next sporting event.
(4)Audrey H.
Came here on a Monday night with a friend to use her $35 coupon, which actually ended up being a difficult feat because almost everything was half price (I believe it was because burgers are half off on Mondays, and apps/wings are half off during happy hour). The place was fairly empty, but I can see how it'd be a great place to watch sports. We sat by the window and enjoyed the throwback music. It seems like there's a review somewhere below complaining about Cara. If it's the same person, I thought she was perfectly fine. Friendly, attentive, recommended the Wild Thing (raspberry vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry and pineapple juice), which was decently delish. Friend got the rock'n rita, which was also good. We got the calamari, cheese sticks, teriyaki wings, honey ancho chipotle wings, and rockin cajun burger. It was all great for bar food; we were pleasantly surprised. I wouldn't go out of my way to initiate a trip here, but I can totally see myself coming again with a group of people if there's a game on.
(4)Jill T.
Boyfriend and I stopped in to BBR to try a local establishment. We travel a lot and like to try places other than chains. Our waitress, Cara, was horrible. Not busy, not overworked; just bad. The only thing that saved our experience at BBR was the food. It was good. We had the nightly special of fish tacos and ribs. Nightlife patio was good , but definitely would request a different server.
(3)Nadine P.
I live out of town but have eaten here twice in the past year. The food was excellent and the drinks were awesome. I love the sleek decor and the service was great. I'm looking forward to the weather warming up so I can go again and sit on that huge deck they off of the side of the building. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Tom M.
I upgraded my rating from 2 to 3 stars based on the beer being cold, faster service, less loudness, and better food. The happy hour deals cannot be beat. We had $1 sliders and I highly recommend any of them even off the regular menu. The cheese sticks are very good. You a good amount with a variety of cheeses.I need to go back and try a burger.
(3)Julie J.
VERY poorly prepared food. Veggies that taste like lemon pledge, crappy burnt beef. YUK! Never again. NEVER again.
(1)Tim Y.
I went to BBR Saturday night to find a place to watch the OSU vs. Michigan basketball game. I got there about 45 minutes before tipoff (9PM) and could not find a seat. An employee helped pull up chairs for a friend and I at the bar. This does not happen often! The decor appeared to professionally decorated. Strategically-placed flat screen TV's are on the walls and above the bar, providing a great space to watch a game. The game volume came on at tipoff and the semi-loud music subsided until halftime. Mirrors and black and white prints of local sports logos and 80's rock stars fill up the exposed brick walls. Food and drinks are a high-focus for this bar. Dozens of micobrew handles and bottled beers are available. A $3 special for Labatt Blue and Miller Lite was on Saturday, with regular priced microwbrews in the $6-$7 range for 16oz-20oz drafts. The menu is relatively high end, perhaps approaching a "gastropub" feel. Not really too hungry, I ordered a cheese and vege plate. A Bento box shortly arrived with a huge portion of swiss, pepperjack, boursin, and smoked gouda cheese. Vege's included tomato wedges, broccoli, red peppers, cauliflower, carrots, cucumber, and squash. Warm pita was also included in the low $8 price. The silverware has high quality and even polished! Definitely a surprise for a sports bar! The bathroom also was above-average. TV's with volume on the high ceilings, the usual Michigan decals in the urinal, and a bathroom attendant. The real bonus was the mini field goal with oscillating football crossing the uprights in some urinals. As the night progressed and the game came to an end, the bar continued to get more crowded. The clientele became better-dressed as the the time elapsed, attracting mostly a 20-30ish crowd. The guy sitting two down from me didn't seem too surprised at his $342 bar tab. It wasn't a win for the Buckeyes, but definitiely one for BBR Columbus!
(5)Ryan J.
I met up with some friends for the OSU bowl game and was pretty sure I'd end up hating the place, based on the concept alone. I didn't hate it, but I don't see myself there for any other reason that it's a central location and close enough to Harrison West. I was super suspicious of the food, but I ordered the BBQ Bacon Sliders w/ seasoned fries. The sliders were surprisingly good, the lettuce and bun could have been a tad bit fresher, but when you're ordering food at a bar, you can't expect artisan bread and local beef. I did enjoy the food, though. The fries were cooked perfectly, not too greasy and well seasoned. I guess if you have BURGERS in the name of your shop, you better execute that aspect well and I guess they did in my experience. The meat was cooked just as I asked and the white cheddar, grilled onions and BBQ sauce were a nice combo. I only drank a few Heineken Lights, so I can't really comment on the drink menu. I did see a bartender preparing some kind of girly martini with Pop Rocks on the rim. Umm, hmm. The bartender that helped us was good and took the time to shoot the shit with us and regaled us with some funny stories. Everyone I came into contact with seemed nice enough. If you're there to watch a sporting event, you can do better, but you can do worse. There were plenty of TV's and the viewing angles from most of the seats seemed good enough. The decor is pretty awful, huge photos of Slash, Madonna, Kurt Cobain and other "icons" of the music industry, same stone walls as Tyfoon, but the whole "rock" concept is pretty lame. I know there are probably a TON of folks in Columbus that dig that sort of thing, but it seems pretty lame to me. The playlist the bar played after the game was pretty shitty as well, typical at best; Nirvana, Guns N' Roses, MGMT, Muse .. not exactly "hip" but I can see a night here being ruined by drunk folks singing Sweet Home Alabama and Don't Stop Believing with their BFF's. That being said, I know that if they started playing music I love, folks would probably walk out in droves, so I'm not being all elitist and stuff, you know? And don't sit too close to the front doors, you'll freeze your ass off anytime someone enters or exits the bar. I joined some friends after they had already found seats, so I'll just have to chalk that up to my buddies lack of experience in making responsible decisions; like hanging out in the Arena District in a city full of really awesome and unique spots. --- Had to update: I've ventured back to BBR a few times since my initial experience. I was pretty impressed that the bartender remembered my beer of choice from my first visit back in January. The service was stellar and I will definitely be back to watch some of the upcoming March Madness games.
(3)Lauren F.
The food at BBR is the BEST you're going to find in the arena district. Not what you would expect from a bar off Vine St. The burgers are amazing, the macaroni and cheese (more like chicken Alfredo) is to die for, steaks are always perfect! The GM, Mark, is always so nice and really cares that customers have a great experience. I don't spend too much time in BBR hours. The happy hour special is awesome and they have great packages for bachelor/bachelorette parties! Check this place out! It will not disappoint!
(5)H H.
What a great find! This is a new place on Vine St. in the Arena District located where Typhoon used to be. BBR stands for Burgers, Beer, Rock. I met some friends for happy hour there yesterday. They have great happy hour specials: $2 domestic bottles, $3 draft imports (including stella), $4 wines, and $5 martinis and cocktails. I tried 2 martinis before finishing my evening with a glass of Stella. I think I may have found my new favorite martini in Columbus. It is Cumfortable Numb. It is effen cucumber vodka with cucumber puree. It is a delicious summery cocktail that goes down very, very smooth. This was top notch and everyone at my table who took a sip said positive things. I also tried the Wild Thing martini. It is louder, slightly sweet...This is another one that goes down very easy. I commented on the drinks and the waitress told me one of the guys is an actual mixologist who competes across the country. It shows. These were very good and at $5 for happy hour, very fairly priced. My group also had a few appetizers...Buffalo Chicken dip, Calamari, Crab Cakes, and the Tater Chips. My favorite was the calamari. It was very tender, batter was not overly salty, and the sauce added to the end product. The crab cakes were also good. You get 2 with the order and the sauce is pretty delicious. The tater chips need some help. There just wasn't enough "stuff" to cover the chips. I'd be a fan of a cup of sauce to go with the chips. BBR was not too loud at all for me. In fact, we all had conversation with ease. The wait staff also told me they could lower the music if I wanted. The employees were very good looking and personable. It was not an intimidating arena district place at all. The inside of the bar is actually put together very well. I liked the decor a lot. There are blown up pictures of famous artists. There is a huge window at the front of the bar that you can sit near. There is outdoor seating. The bar is a big oval with seating all around. There are also high tops toward the back. Every seat has several large TVs in view, including a huge projector screen in the back. I don't just hand out 5 stars. This is a nice place and I will be back.
(5)Neil R.
Great place to catch your favorite sports! The food is great, people are cool, drinks are a bit pricey but the venue is A+. I had 2-3 different burgers and loved them all! Also somehow I scored a free beer from the nice bartender.
(4)Megan S.
I'm a hesitant to write a review lest the rest of Columbus finds out that this might be the best place to watch OSU away games. Or, so I think. I'm way too old to be in the Arena District without irony, yet I'll head that way to enjoy the inviting ambience and great happy hour at BBR. It's expansive, bright (by the windows!), has a decent sized patio (great for watching people on their way to making soon-to-be-bad decisions at Brothers), and while I didn't have the food while I was there, my friends did and I heard them moan a few times (at least, I hope it was from the food). The ultimate sports bar, it's got TVs everywhere, a huge round bar and may just end up being my favorite new place to head after work.
(4)Kevin R.
We snagged one of the fabulous Yelp Deals for this place and figured we'd check it out before we went to witness yet another Blue Jackets loss. So if you're curious about the nightlife here, you probably want to read another review. I'll get the not so great out of the way first. We never ended up using the Yelp deal on the first visit because half of our meal ended up being comped and it wouldn't have been worth it too burn it off on what was left of our bill. Part I: Opportunity On our first trip to Burgers, Beer & Rock we came in at about 5pm on a weeknight to a mostly empty house. I will say that the place has a nice modern rockstar decor to it, but the first thing you actually noticed was that the music was approaching bleeding ears levels and that is coming from someone who listens to his iPod at full blast most of the time. After being sat we were greeted by our server who appeared to not be having a good day. Everyone else in the place was all smiles and friendly, she on the other hand was pretty much sulking. No biggie, we all have bad days, and she wasn't actually rude to us at all. Ordering was a challenge due to the excessively loud music. My wife (who used to be a server) remarked at how amazing it was that she could hear anything to take people's orders. Well...turns out she couldn't. When she brought our food out to us she had my wife's food right, but my order mixed up (she did bring the right side, more on that in a bit). She was apologetic and said they'd have my order out to me promptly, which they did. The food the first time was a mixed bag. We started with the calamari, which is one of my favorite appetizers, and I made the mistake of just seeing the dish and ordering without reading the description. This was a bad move. They ruin it by pre-tossing it in the same sweet chile sauce that everyone and their brother uses. I have nothing against the sauce (it's tasty!), but it should be on the side so the calamari stays light and crisp. The next uh-oh is also kind of a "shame on me situation" for coming to a place that's name stands for Burgers Beer & Rock and not ordering a Burger. In my quest to eat healthier I went for the Shrimp Kabobs with green beans, while my much wiser wife ordered a burger. Her burger was large, tasty and most importantly cooked the way she had asked. Major points for it being done right because nothing riles me more than places that will ask you for a temperature on your burger and just cook it however they want anyway. Aside from the fact that I was brought the wrong item to start, my food was ok. The shrimp kabobs were excellent, but the green beans were overcooked and soaked in an overly vinegary vinaigrette and nearly inedible. Part II: Redemption We came back on another game night some weeks later during the Holidays. This time there was a decent crowd going and right off the bat when we walked in you could tell that the music was turned down a tad. Still nice and loud, but reasonably so. This time we sat at the bar, service was friendly and checked on us often even when it started to get busier closer to game time. As for food, both of us went for burgers this time and we were not disappointed. I opted to indulge and got the garlic parmesan fries, which are paradise soaked in grease and garlic. We had a little hiccup using our Yelp Deal, as they didn't want to honor it via my phone, but with a little prodding they accepted it. Bottom Line: Not an out of this world place that I'm dying to go back to, but if burgers are what we crave for our pre CBJ game meal it's where I'm going to go and I'm going to work out extra hard at the Gym that day to justify the delicious garlic parmesan fries.
(3)Claire B.
Sports bars aren't my usual kind of hangout, but this one ranks lower than most. Went on a friday night. The food was pretty subpar - mushy tacos and mushy calamari. The staff was nice though. Don't think I'll be back.
(2)Jen G.
We were in town for a Blue Jackets game and wanted some place to eat on the way to the game. We ordered nachos and were blown away! They were very good. We ordered half chicken and half beef. Both were great. One of the other servers (not ours) even stopped by to chat and brought some extra chips for us. The place filled up pretty fast once it got closer to game time but we were very satisfied.
(4)Brieanna H.
I like BBR. I liked Tyfoon better, but nothing can stay the same, especially in this area. The food is good, the drinks are strong, and it's a pretty good place to watch a game in the Vic Village/Short North area where sports bars are few and far between.
(4)Jessica D.
A perfectly acceptable sports bar. Happy hour: 3-8 pm with $1 PBRs (I stopped looking for deals after I saw $1 PBRs), 33 cent wings, and half off apps. Wasn't expecting my kamikaze shots to be $7 each though... Our server, Rachel, rocked pink hair and won first place in the prompt service category. Go Bucks!
(3)Danny F.
The operations manager was in tonight. He got mad while he was drunk, and slurring words. A friend of mine and I made a joke about how water "off the soda gun" was always dirty because it's from the Scioto river, and he yelled at us to "get out of my bar, you don't know ****." His name was apparently Mike Mercer. So rude. Too bad. Service was great, manager tried to calm him down, but he wouldn't. Poor form, getting wasted at your own job. Apparently regulars/good tippers aren't welcome if the management has been drinking. Wish it was not a hostile atmosphere. Everyone else that works there is so nice.
(1)Jonathan K.
Extremely poor service. Our server never bothered clearing any dishes. Actually had to move plates to sign the check. Food is mediocre. Should have known better when we walked in and were the only table at 6 pm. This place is more of a night club than a restaurant. Plenty of other choices in the area. Won't be back.
(1)Lisa R.
The menu has been down graded, bigger in physical size but less items. Happy hour menu, for both drinks and food is no longer awesome. Seems they are cutting costs in ingredients and going for a more bar food not so fresh menu
(2)Jessica K.
Mostly solid. Like others, work dragged me here and I was skeptical, but the food, service and drinks are solid and they have good deals - what else does one demand? Go here if you're in the Arena District, it's a good bet. Then ignore the rest of this cathartic rant. Ine more demand: we often come here as a larger group. A larger, transient, annoying, "I need one beer in 3 minutes so my dog doesn't poo in the kennel"/"I need 6 beers in 10 minutes to forget I work with these people" group. Regardless, YES, you absolutely CAN transfer a check from the bar tab to a table, and if you really don't want to transfer it, you can at least run my card and drop it off, rather than denying multiple people at a table service because they mistakenly grabbed their first beer at the bar while lingering awkwardly. Totally over reacting, but I hate when servers lie to me because of a lazy policy. I know how the option works on your system and it's about 5 finger taps.
(4)Heather D.
First time here. Had to use my Groupon. The only day we could make it was Tuesday which was St. Patrick's Day. They have live music playing and it is mostly covers. There are ton of people wearing green clothes and accessories. We just had a beer each while we were waiting for our to go order of full slab of ribs and chicken. By the time we got home everything was still hot and tasted good. It was very busy and loud due to the fact that it was St Patricks Day, we will come back on day that is not so loud and busy.
(3)Alicia S.
This was a great find! We stopped in for a few drinks and dinner before the hockey game. They had an awesome happy hour with half off appetizers (try the taterchips) and a nice beer selection. All of the food was delicious (Mac and cheese & Hawaii 5-0 pizza) and the bartenders were friendly and attentive! If we ever find ourselves in Columbus again, we will definitely stop back here.
(5)Charles H.
To the owner(s), manager, whomever it concerns. Please keep up your level of service, quality of food, and reasonable prices. I do not know how long you've been in business or how long this level of quality has existed but as long as you keep it up you'll be a regular stop for me and my usual band of lunch goers. By the way, congrats on being my first 5 star review. :)
(5)Gus W.
You could really write two different reviews for BBR. One would be the Friday and Saturday nightlife scene, and the second would be every other time. If you're used to going to BBR during the workday for lunch or on Sundays for the food deals, you wouldn't recognize the place on a weekend night. As far as weekend nights go, I'd probably give them a 3. It used to be a bit better a year or so ago, but now that Endzone is closed, the lines are ridiculously long, and it's jammed pack inside. Luckily, they did end up putting a DJ on the patio, or at least there was one the last time I was there, to draw some people from the inside to the outside. I actually enjoyed the guy out there, because the guy inside usually just plays the same shit over and over. The crowd there can be off-putting to say the least. I'd say the pricing is a little cheaper than the clubs down the street like Diesel and Sway but pricier than every other bar in the Park St. area. The bartenders are pretty cool depending on who's working. I see myself here once in a blue moon. On the other hand, I've stopped in here several times during the day or around happy hour to grab a drink and some food. It's close enough to Nationwide Arena, Huntington Park, and the LC that it makes it a convenient spot for some patio drinking and eating. It looks like the menu has been revamped, but I've always thought the food was pretty good. I had the buffalo chicken wrap the last time I was here with whatever the hottest sauce is, and it was delicious. That sauce is pretty hot though! The fries were very tasty too. I'd probably round up to a 4 if the service wasn't so bad the last time we ate here. We did have a decent sized group on the patio, but the girl waiting on us was gone for long spans of time, and when she did come back, she'd grab a couple people's orders and peace out again without checking on the rest of the table. I'd say if you're interested in a place to go out to dance, you could check them out, and if you don't like it, then just head on down to another bar in the area. If you're just looking for a place to grab a beer and a bite to eat, you really can't go wrong here.
(3)Larry H.
Its disappointing to give BBR this rating - but the best I can say about BBR is "hit and miss." And today was a big miss. I probably average having lunch at BBR 2 times every 3 weeks. The food is average to slightly above average - and some items are very good. The service is spotty - but not because of the servers, but because of the kitchen. Today I and a group of 3 others went for lunch and sat at the bar. The young man working the bar is very good - in fact, the last time we were there he gave us a solid recommendation on sandwiches. Fifth minutes later - yes 50 - we got up and left without being served. There was literally a stream of unhappy people leaving without being served any food. Not the servers fault - he did all he could do, and kept refreshing our water and apologizing. There was not a single manager in sight - I would recognize him having gone there often enough. Here's a pretty good business insight - if you are going to run a half price lunch special everyday to kick start your lunch business, make sure you are prepared to prepare the food. This place is definitely getting the lunch traffic. I would rather pay full price and actually eat in a timely manner. Its going to be quite a while before we go back - too bad, because I generally enjoy this spot.
(1)Emma L.
I've been here twice. Once as an attempt to drink late-night and wasn't let in because Bf's attire didn't match the dress code. Super lame. The second time was a much more recent Sunday lunch visit, at the suggestion of one of my friends. Parking was pretty annoying. There were meters, but they were all full. The open lots are $5 and only accept exact change (no cards) so I was out of luck there. I ended up parking at the meters on Goodale. A slight walk but not terrible. When I walked through the front door I was hit with a wall of stale beer odor from the night before. Not really what I want to experience before eating, but it either faded or I got used to it by the time I sat down. There are lots of TVs and there was a decent crowd for watching the game. Our server was great - attentive, got our order exactly right and had a pleasant demeanor. She also had to apologize for the kitchen multiple times because they were "down to one oven", whatever that means. It took forever for our food to come out. The food was okay. I got a chicken sandwich and garlic fries ($10). The chicken was seasoned with nothing particularly recognizable but it tasted fine. The bun was a bit bready and I ended up taking the top off. I was excited to treat myself to some garlic fries and while they had good flavor, they were SUPER oily. Kind of ruined it for me. I had a glass of house champagne for $5, it was as expected. I can't say what a night out here is like but lunch was just meh.
(2)Will P.
2 more tries, 2 great experiences I've had 2 restuarant.com coupons here and used them in the last 2 weeks. I have to say The food experiences have been pretty amazing. The atmosphere itself is a chill as you want it to be. If you want action sit at the bar, if you want peace sit at a table. Both times our waitress was good. Had the wings and mac and cheese the first go-around. Very tasty, expecially the mac and cheese. Dynamite. The second time around I had the burger with sweet potato fries. Fries were very good and came with a cinnamon sauce that made them kind of like a dessert. The burger was amazing. Juicy and all the toppings complimented it. The brownie bites were also good to finish things. Nice warm chocolate center in each of them, very rich chocolate taste. Considering this is in the arena district/park street party area, their food really blows me away.
(4)Will K.
Stopped here afyer an event in Columbus at the convention center. The stuffed jalapeños would make me go back alone! Awesome place, great deals. The staff was nice, the place was clean and the all around atmosphere was super chill. I will def stop back here for the stuffed jalapeños if I am ever in columbus again!
(4)Amy P.
Happy hour = awesome! The daily special helps cut costs as well. Personally, this place reminded me of Brother's, the cement floor, seating, and clientele are all very similar. Prior to my visit, I took a look at the website, which has a HUGE dress code section....I didn't realize the place was as swanky as the dress code made it out to be (it isn't swanky, that's what stumps me). For my visit, the waiter was attentive up until the point that the bar became busy, and at that point, it was a nightmare trying to track him down. Parking was also a bit of pain, but that is to be expected in that area.
(3)FreshTake '.
First time going with some friends and we did not have any food so I can't comment on that. But it was a Saturday night abs they had a live dj who was pretty decent and got better as the night went on; didn't play to much country which i don't care for, he had some good mixes and was changing it up a lot. Our waitress was very good, I think her name was Ginger, she was so attentive and friendly, alsoi helpful with our drink choices and willing to change them if we didn't like them , I always appreciate that :) The drink special was a whiskey well drink, Bullit, which was also petty good with ginger ale and a lime. Other good things about the service is that they have a FREE coat check and the girl working was super friendly, very trustworthy add I left my expensive purse with 2 friends wallets in it as well, lots of valuables and it was all safe and sound the whole time we were dancing it up :) on fact when my husband went to get it for me she grilled him to make sure he was the right guy to give it to since he didn't drop it off lol. Also they were on point with cleaning off the tables and even cleaning up the dance floor when people happened to spill drinks etc. All the e staff w was very polite and attentive the whole night. They have a pretty cool dance floor area, good size with fog machines, lights/disco ball effects which was fun. The crowd is pretty good too, they have a bouncer who checks dress code to keep it "rifraff"... All in all, highly recommend it and I'll definitely be back!
(5)Derek H.
We have gone a couple of times with Living Social vouchers. Really good bar food and OK service.
(4)Kimmy S.
I am appalled at the horrible service me and my friends received today. We waited over 15 minute to place our order. I ordered the taterchips which is a pile of chips with Gorgonzola cheese on top. The waitress reached over my chips (which is rude in itself) and knocked over some of the chips with her elbow! She then looks at me and says "oh u can totally still pick them off the table. Remember 5 second rule!" She scoops her hands together as if she was going to pick them up herself! I said NO! That's okay. I mean how insulting is that?!? To think your customer is desperate enough to even make the suggestion to eat food that fell on a filthy table! She never apologized or offered to replace the food that she touched. My face probly said it all. I then gained the courage to eat a chip. The cheese and everything was cold. Another disappointment! I then just didn't eat anything. I figured instead of wasting my money, I would just take the chips home and warm them up myself in the oven. I asked for a box. She comes over to say they don't have any of the big boxes to fit my food. I then suggested she give me 2 small boxes... I mean how brainless can someone be?!? We asked her to separate our checks (we had 3 people) she then couldn't understand that we all wanted to pay for our own meals. She kept suggesting it be split evenly... What?!? She definitely needed better training. Also, good waiter or waitress would refill your drink w/o asking him/her for it multiple times. This by far was the worst food service experience I had. Good luck if you decide to eat here. It's better for drinking and partying.
(1)Paul G.
As a bar it's alright. Nice inside. Good set up. But most of the bartenders are incredibly arrogant and unenthused, and if you leave your card by accident they will run charges up on it and tip themselves out an insane amount. To the tune of an inexplicable $60+ extra on my account. Wonderful. I won't be back.
(1)Ray M.
The food is pretty good here, and at half off lunch its a must do place. In fact I have been there 3 times in the past month. Even before this special, they always have some sort of lunch speciula that is pretty good deal. The serice has alwys been good and the manager stops by quite often to make sure yoou are taken care of and if your drink is low, he wil go ahead and fill it. This is probably one of my favorite places to go at lunch time. One word of caution though. I had the Burger with an egg on it the last time there and when I took a bite, it sort of exploaded onto my shirt sleeve. Totally my fault, but still not a good look
(4)Augie W.
Very good bar to watch the Buckeyes on the gridiron. Lots of monitors, hustling staff, decent beer selection, and many friendly and rowdy patrons! O - H ...
(3)Luke T.
The more my coworkers drag me here, the less I dislike it. I still don't like the typical clientele, but the staff, waitresses and food runners/busboys alike, are all really nice and friendly. The food has improved in previous visits, some of it downright good (the chips for example), and their happy hour continues to impress. Not a huge microbrew selection, but $2 domestics and $3 imports/microbrews, plus half off most appetizers. I don't mind so much when we go now.
(3)Dr R.
Great staff and good food. I usually do happy hour mid-week, as it isn't as slammed and I can get some good food while catching a match/game/etc.
(4)Dave R.
My favorite place to eat and drink downtown! I used to just go here on weekend night outs and never really tried the food until recently. They have a great lunch deal during the week (1/2 off all food) and the drink prices are very reasonable! I had the Cajun burger with chipotle ranch fries my last visit, and have had the buffalo chicken dip on another occasion. Both were delicious! The staff is always friendly and ready to help with whatever you need. It has become my new go-to lunch spot!
(5)Meredith J.
This place is fantastic! My husband and I went there for the first time a couple days ago and we were skeptical because of some of the reviews on here, but we were very pleased with our experience. When we were ordering a beer when we sat down I wasn't sure what I wanted. The server made a recommendation so that's what I ordered; I really liked it! We got the taterchips as an appetizer and they blew us away! It was cheesy, crispy, and so full of flavor! I would come here just for those. I ordered the American Burger and my husband ordered the Queso Burger. Both were delicious. The Queso Burger was such a unique combination of flavors; I think I would get something like that next time. But for my first experience I wanted to go with the good ol' classic cheeseburger. The server was attentive and helpful. The restaurant and bathrooms were very clean. And the prices are good considering the amount and quality of food you're getting. Check this place out and don't forget to get the taterchips!
(5)Tim C.
I ordered the queso dip, it wasn't hot, salsa didn't arrive with the dish. I asked, they gave me a ketchup size thimble of salsa. The pita bread that came with it was chewier than cardboard might be. Bartender wrang me up for beer, brought change, no beer.
(2)Brandy J.
Oh but wait. After a despicable interaction with the GM and being charged $6 for a Corona Lt. I would like to edit this. Still a 2 (not a 3-4) for this... Service is always solid and the food is very consistently good but c'mon guys you have a beautiful bathroom...just clean it. Please.
(2)Pete S.
Stopped in on Sunday to catch a little football, burn a Groupon and have some guilty pleasure food... Probably will never be back. The Good: Half off burgers were pretty good, $3 well drinks... The Bad: Our waitress didn't tell us either of those things, even after being asked about specials (she did tell us about $3 Bud Light...) Nachos say real cheese, but are covered in the liquid stuff. The Ugly: Vomit from the previous night in both the men's and women's restroom, door ripped off one of the stalls in the ladies' room. Also, they seem to think football games need an additional MC on top of the commentary, so every time there's a big play on the game (which already has the sound on...) you can expect someone to pop on the microphone and yell something like "Oh Yeah!!!" over and over and over. Finally, the check comes with two blanks for tip: one for the server and one for the busser. This is just uncomfortable. It doesn't seem like my place to determine how those are split up. That said, since our waitress didn't bring our food, drinks or clear empty glasses... I only tipped the busser. Could have been a new Sunday Funday spot... but I don't think I'll be back.
(1)Mika T.
I've been here many times for both food and drinks and I've never been disappointed. The food seems to be a step above all the other bars I usually dine at. I highly recommend the Mediterranean Chicken Kabobs and the veggie hummus wrap (add chicken). Even the flatbread and cheese sticks are better than average in my opinion. Although the drinks are expensive, the prices also reflect the good service they give. When you dine in, you always get a cloth napkin and the servers are super attentive even on weekend nights. To get a good deal, come on Sundays and tell the bartender when you cash out that you are in the service industry and your drinks will be half off.
(5)Neil R.
Great place to catch your favorite sports! The food is great, people are cool, drinks are a bit pricey but the venue is A+. I had 2-3 different burgers and loved them all! Also somehow I scored a free beer from the nice bartender.
(4)Megan S.
I'm a hesitant to write a review lest the rest of Columbus finds out that this might be the best place to watch OSU away games. Or, so I think. I'm way too old to be in the Arena District without irony, yet I'll head that way to enjoy the inviting ambience and great happy hour at BBR. It's expansive, bright (by the windows!), has a decent sized patio (great for watching people on their way to making soon-to-be-bad decisions at Brothers), and while I didn't have the food while I was there, my friends did and I heard them moan a few times (at least, I hope it was from the food). The ultimate sports bar, it's got TVs everywhere, a huge round bar and may just end up being my favorite new place to head after work.
(4)Jessica G.
Went here for a Columbus Crew watch party, and went ahead and got the Yelp! Deal because I knew I was going. The only negative of the whole night was that there were a couple private parties going on so seating could have been an issue, luckily for us some nice gentlemen at the bar were getting ready to leave so offered us their seats. Once seated the bartender greeted us with their specials (they had a Crew special for a bucket of 5 beers and 2 take home Columbus Crew mugs for $15 which was great) We ordered our food which came out much faster than I expected with the crowd. We had the buffalo chicken dip, garlic parmesian cheese fries, and the white flatbread. All were EXCELLENT! The buffalo chicken dip not only came with tortilla chips, like most restaurants, but in addition had veggies and pita bread also! Our bartender was great, never had an empty glass, and super friendly. I will definately be back (still dreaming of the buffalo dip)!
(4)Ariel B.
BBR is just okay. There is nothing about the service, food, or drink that you can't get elsewhere in a classier setting for a comparable or cheaper price in Columbus. They are marketed as a rocker bar, but I have never met a rocker that would proudly proclaim BBR as their haunt and not be concerned about losing street cred. With so many options of cool trendy bars, dive bars, sports bars etc in Columbus, BBR's night life blends in with the genre of other bars in the same general vicinity. They do have a moderately respectable drink list, but not one that I would call competitive with some of the best bars in Columbus. I would have been compelled to give them three stars because I like their concept, but I had to take a star off for dressing their waitresses/bartenders in a black and red version of the hooters girls costume which cheapened the experience for me.
(2)Paul R.
Great happy hour. Lots of big tv's. Food is decent. I don't know if I'd go here when you aren't receiving happy hour prices.
(4)Nadine P.
I live out of town but have eaten here twice in the past year. The food was excellent and the drinks were awesome. I love the sleek decor and the service was great. I'm looking forward to the weather warming up so I can go again and sit on that huge deck they off of the side of the building. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Erin M.
This place is so much different than any other bar in the Arena District. The DJs are excellent, playing a mix of new songs, old songs, and "wow I love this song. Haven't heard it in so long!" with a good beat to it. It is decorated with cool pics of famous singers and aritsts and another wall that is dedicated to only sports teams. For the men, you have the pleasure of going to the bathroom on a Michigan "M" in your toilets. They all seem to enjoy that one! Lol. They have awesome tables for a big group of friends and a fun dance floor. They also have a large patio. It doesn't seem big from the outside, but it's got everything you want in a good bar for the weekend.
(5)Claire B.
Sports bars aren't my usual kind of hangout, but this one ranks lower than most. Went on a friday night. The food was pretty subpar - mushy tacos and mushy calamari. The staff was nice though. Don't think I'll be back.
(2)Andrew C.
It's like if Bernards decided to quintuple their TV's, get ridiculously hot servers, and have a superb menu that hovers just above pub food and below sit down restaurant food. Nice customer service as well with changing channels for games and staff service. A definite upgrade for the Short North
(5)Julie J.
VERY poorly prepared food. Veggies that taste like lemon pledge, crappy burnt beef. YUK! Never again. NEVER again.
(1)Angie K.
So I have to admit... I judged this place on its looks and location. The staff here, yes the attractive meathead guys and pretty tatted up girls were extremely nice and offered great service while we were sitting at the bar. The flat bread pizza was pretty good and the happy hour pricing is very cheap. The pizza was 4$. Everyone was watching sports on TV and the crowd was pretty good for a Friday at 5:30. I would go back for day drinking again.
(4)Jessica R.
Came here on a Friday night in the mood to do some DANCING! Place wasn't that crowded, and the dance floor hadn't been "set up" yet, meaning there were tables still on it. The dance floor really isn't that big honestly. Thought it would be bigger. But I guess since this place is more a restaurant during the week. The music they were playing was your standard dancey-club music, so no complaints there. Was nice because they played some oldschool stuff. Just a warning, they do sometimes authorize money from your account. I noticed an extra $30 was taken out of my account. I called, and they explained to me it would go into my account after 3-5 days. Since I only use my debit card, that was a bit of an issue, because that was money in my actual checking account. If it were a credit card, it wouldn't have been such a problem. SO, if you open a tab with a debit card, be sure to make sure they didn't hold any of your funds..... that could cause some issues! Overall, I liked this place. I would come back to check out their dinner menu
(3)Brian W.
Well our first thought was to go in for lunch on Saturday, checked hours on their website (open at 11:00), and walked over from our house (about a mile). Apparently the hours have changed and website not updated. Got some lunch at nearby North Market and did some errands. Came back for an early dinner. Nice basic sports bar. Lots of screens arranged well and a consistent theme of classic rock. Ordered burgers and the beer special ($3). Both burgers and fries were nicely done. Lots of other, fancier options we may try next time. Staff was friendly and helpful. Note Restaurant.com typically has some great deals for this place, like $3 with the code for $25. Staff were familiar with the deal and handled it without a hitch.
(3)Joseph P.
Me and my three co-workers spent a few hours at BBR on a Tuesday night. Jessica, the hottest woman on staff (grin to Jess), was fantastic and provided exceptional service and attention to our group. Awesome tap selections and all the food was great.
(5)Nicole W.
This place is pretty solid. You get what you come for and that works for me! If you cone at midnight on a Friday or Saturday, you are going to get exactly what you expect. Scantily clad ladies and their frat men dancing to the latest Rihanna beats. Lots of vodka crans and bud lights for everyone! But sometimes, don't you just want to break down? If you come here at an earlier time, this place will deliver. Pretty decent food (I love the buffalo dip) and seats all around the house where you can see every football game your heart desires. The staff is really great, which probably takes this place from an OK bar to a great experience. Servers are constantly walking around with smiles on their faces and taking any unused dishes off all tables. The bartenders are happy to put on a different game on a different TV if you would like. Plus, Sunday Funday (my favorite day?) comes with some great deals - one of the better $3 Bloody Marys I've had!
(4)Christina G.
Went to BBR this week since we had a groupon that was going to expire soon. I've been here for the night scene and was told that their food is good, so when the groupon came out I figured it was fate. After a long work week, a Thursday night date night at a place that I know has a great alcohol list seemed like a good idea. We arrived at 7pm and walked into a semi-rage party. Guys in affliction Tshirts and girls in neon hello kitty and everyone taking shots like there was no tomorrow. I kept thinking, guess Thursday nights are college party nights, then realized the Arnold Classic and Tiesto invaded Columbus at the same time, hence the fabulous people watching. Dinner and a show? Unexpected but ill take what I can get. We started with the queso which came with tortilla chips and veggies. Uncooked broccoli and cauliflower in cheese sauce? Not my thing, but it did make me feel healthier when the chips ran out. I got the buffalo chicken wrap and for someone who isn't a huge buffalo sauce fan, it was perfect. Not too hot and tasted great. I got the steamed veggies (two veggies in one sitting - at a bar?) and they were awesome. My guy had a burger and fries and was very pleased. Due to happy hour our drinks were ricidulously cheap and the app was 1/2 off, so after the groupon it was a whopping $5 meal. Our server was great and made sure to check in just enough, even with the half dressed shot takers pulling her in all directions. It wasn't the dinner I was expecting, but overall we left satisfied and feeling a lot older. May try dinner again on a more calm night.
(3)Grant C.
BBR is one of my favorite places to watch sports. Their drink prices can be a bit high sometimes when I go in and other times they have specials going that workout well. I guess this can be expected any where, but the food is well above (in quality) what you would expect at a sports bar. Great apps and burgers. The place is nicely decorated in a very slick way. A lot of good looking servers/bartenders with plenty of ink if thats your thing. I recommend it for you next sporting event.
(4)Audrey H.
Came here on a Monday night with a friend to use her $35 coupon, which actually ended up being a difficult feat because almost everything was half price (I believe it was because burgers are half off on Mondays, and apps/wings are half off during happy hour). The place was fairly empty, but I can see how it'd be a great place to watch sports. We sat by the window and enjoyed the throwback music. It seems like there's a review somewhere below complaining about Cara. If it's the same person, I thought she was perfectly fine. Friendly, attentive, recommended the Wild Thing (raspberry vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry and pineapple juice), which was decently delish. Friend got the rock'n rita, which was also good. We got the calamari, cheese sticks, teriyaki wings, honey ancho chipotle wings, and rockin cajun burger. It was all great for bar food; we were pleasantly surprised. I wouldn't go out of my way to initiate a trip here, but I can totally see myself coming again with a group of people if there's a game on.
(4)Jill T.
Boyfriend and I stopped in to BBR to try a local establishment. We travel a lot and like to try places other than chains. Our waitress, Cara, was horrible. Not busy, not overworked; just bad. The only thing that saved our experience at BBR was the food. It was good. We had the nightly special of fish tacos and ribs. Nightlife patio was good , but definitely would request a different server.
(3)Eli I.
Recently I went to BBR with a group of 9 or 10 for a Friday happy hour. Perhaps half full, we didn't have much trouble finding a place to gather... Now this is your classic good news / bad news scenario.. On the one hand it wasn't that busy, but on the other hand it wasn't that busy... So in that respect, if you're looking for a quiet pint or a place to meet a friend for the game, then there you go. If you're into the crowded / loud / stuff going on / etc. scene then BBR (at least earlier in the night) likely isn't the go-to. Empty barstools aside, the happy hour is solid. $3 Guinness, half price appetizers, bingo bango bongo.
(5)Shannon M.
The man and I made a stop here before seeing the terrible Blue Jackets play. We sat at the bar and the service from beginning to end was top notch. We were never ignored, drinks refilled promptly and food brought quickly. And they were pretty busy with OSU game fans and us delusional Jacket fans filing in. TONS of TVs above the bar so would be hard pressed not to find something to distract you. Any time I get to see the New Zealand National Rugby team take their shirts off and do that crazy stamping around dance is Aces for me. We ordered burgers as they are half off on Sundays, which is a pretty good deal! Nice burger with good fries. Nothing to complain about. I could see how this place could fill up with posers and douche bags but our Sunday Funday was a great experience.
(4)Herb O.
Went there before a Bluejackets game and loved the place. Food was wad really good and the beer selection was pretty decent. Place fills up fast before game so get there early.
(5)Geoff V.
Was at the convention center and headed out to the Garage Bar. The place was open but empty so I stopped at Brothers on the way back. I sat at the bar. Good: good tap beer selection, quick service, friendly staff. Food was good and hot. Bad: the bar was wet with drinks. I didn't see anyone wipe it down when people left. I left with wet sleeves but generally a good experience.
(4)Tim Y.
I went to BBR Saturday night to find a place to watch the OSU vs. Michigan basketball game. I got there about 45 minutes before tipoff (9PM) and could not find a seat. An employee helped pull up chairs for a friend and I at the bar. This does not happen often! The decor appeared to professionally decorated. Strategically-placed flat screen TV's are on the walls and above the bar, providing a great space to watch a game. The game volume came on at tipoff and the semi-loud music subsided until halftime. Mirrors and black and white prints of local sports logos and 80's rock stars fill up the exposed brick walls. Food and drinks are a high-focus for this bar. Dozens of micobrew handles and bottled beers are available. A $3 special for Labatt Blue and Miller Lite was on Saturday, with regular priced microwbrews in the $6-$7 range for 16oz-20oz drafts. The menu is relatively high end, perhaps approaching a "gastropub" feel. Not really too hungry, I ordered a cheese and vege plate. A Bento box shortly arrived with a huge portion of swiss, pepperjack, boursin, and smoked gouda cheese. Vege's included tomato wedges, broccoli, red peppers, cauliflower, carrots, cucumber, and squash. Warm pita was also included in the low $8 price. The silverware has high quality and even polished! Definitely a surprise for a sports bar! The bathroom also was above-average. TV's with volume on the high ceilings, the usual Michigan decals in the urinal, and a bathroom attendant. The real bonus was the mini field goal with oscillating football crossing the uprights in some urinals. As the night progressed and the game came to an end, the bar continued to get more crowded. The clientele became better-dressed as the the time elapsed, attracting mostly a 20-30ish crowd. The guy sitting two down from me didn't seem too surprised at his $342 bar tab. It wasn't a win for the Buckeyes, but definitiely one for BBR Columbus!
(5)Alan R.
I went here on a Friday night and my ears have not stopped ringing. I'm not joking. They have been ringing for a solid 4 days. The music was ear piercing and painful at some points. Call me old, call me sensitive I don't care, it was loud as shit! Even if I was 22 again it would loud. I was in there maybe 45 min and the group all wanted to leave. The 5 bartenders of the evening were 3 hot tattooed chicks and 2 dudes. The drinks were fast and cold. I have no idea how they heard my orders, but they were exactly what I wanted. On one of the walls is nothing but mirrors and it made the space look HUGE! When I went to the bathroom there was a guy dressed as Elvis working in there. I HATE it when bars do this. (hiring bathroom attendants) Listen I am not helpless and the bathroom is already crowded enough, I am able to get my own soap, turn on the facet myself and get my own paper towel and no I will not tip you if you do these things for me without me asking for assistance; HOW DARE YOU give me the stink eye when I do all that shit myself and I don't tip you! RIDICULOUS! (sorry for my rant). There is also a ton of TVs to watch anything one could think of. Good times.
(3)Amy S.
A couple friends and I were headed somewhere to watch the game and decided to go here instead- what a great last minute decision! BBR has TONS of TVs...everywhere you sit you'll be able to see one...or two or three. We walked in to a packed place, but that's okay- the more, the merrier! Unfortunately, that meant sloooow service. It was probably halfway through the half quarter before we had somebody take our orders. I guess it was worth the wait though! We got the fried cheese sticks, buffalo chicken dip, and sweet potato fries. Although nothing came out at the same time, that was okay because we all shared. The sweet potato fries, which came out first were pretty good and came with a cinnamon butter to dip with. They weren't the best I've had, but I did like the fact that they weren't covered with breading. The butter went untouched after the first dip, as I opted for ketchup. The cheese sticks were awesome. They definitely weren't bought frozen, as each piece was a different kind of cheese, and they were all shaped differently. It was fun trying each one and guessing which cheese it was! The buffalo chicken dip was served with a few pieces of sliced up pita, chips, carrots, celery, and green onions (as in long pieces of the white part to dip- weird?). There seemed to be plenty of dip to use up all of the "dippers," which was nice. The dip itself was really good- as other who have written reviews, I'd recommend it! It was really creamy and not very spicy...I couldn't stop trying to sneak a few bites from my friend! This is basically a bar with upscale food and prices to go with it. I didn't have any drinks that night, but my friend said hers were really expensive. The appetizers were decently priced, but the entrees were a little high. Regardless of the prices, the food was above par for a bar and we are planning to go back to sample some of their other menu items! I think BBR definitely has the potential for 4 stars.
(3)Ka T.
This place has a real nice staff. I haven't seen a bar run so smoothly in a while. Everyone seemed to take pride in the place. The appearance of the bar seemed very important to the waiters and managers as i saw numerous attempts to pickup trash off the floor. I don't think i have seen any bar that does that throughout Columbus particularly on a Saturday night. The food was very good as well, the wings are GIGANTIC! Definitely a place to try if you haven't already.
(5)Thomas S.
I'm not going to take the time for a full review. I read through some below, and you can too. I went on a Thursday for lunch and the place was not busy at all. The food was good and the service was excellent. This is the bar I have been looking for. Finally a group of bartenders that professionally and friendlily engage the patrons. Thank you.
(4)Frank L.
The service here is deplorable. Waited over an hour for a sandwich. One of the bartenders mocked me when I asked about my food. Pathetic.
(1)Ryan J.
I met up with some friends for the OSU bowl game and was pretty sure I'd end up hating the place, based on the concept alone. I didn't hate it, but I don't see myself there for any other reason that it's a central location and close enough to Harrison West. I was super suspicious of the food, but I ordered the BBQ Bacon Sliders w/ seasoned fries. The sliders were surprisingly good, the lettuce and bun could have been a tad bit fresher, but when you're ordering food at a bar, you can't expect artisan bread and local beef. I did enjoy the food, though. The fries were cooked perfectly, not too greasy and well seasoned. I guess if you have BURGERS in the name of your shop, you better execute that aspect well and I guess they did in my experience. The meat was cooked just as I asked and the white cheddar, grilled onions and BBQ sauce were a nice combo. I only drank a few Heineken Lights, so I can't really comment on the drink menu. I did see a bartender preparing some kind of girly martini with Pop Rocks on the rim. Umm, hmm. The bartender that helped us was good and took the time to shoot the shit with us and regaled us with some funny stories. Everyone I came into contact with seemed nice enough. If you're there to watch a sporting event, you can do better, but you can do worse. There were plenty of TV's and the viewing angles from most of the seats seemed good enough. The decor is pretty awful, huge photos of Slash, Madonna, Kurt Cobain and other "icons" of the music industry, same stone walls as Tyfoon, but the whole "rock" concept is pretty lame. I know there are probably a TON of folks in Columbus that dig that sort of thing, but it seems pretty lame to me. The playlist the bar played after the game was pretty shitty as well, typical at best; Nirvana, Guns N' Roses, MGMT, Muse .. not exactly "hip" but I can see a night here being ruined by drunk folks singing Sweet Home Alabama and Don't Stop Believing with their BFF's. That being said, I know that if they started playing music I love, folks would probably walk out in droves, so I'm not being all elitist and stuff, you know? And don't sit too close to the front doors, you'll freeze your ass off anytime someone enters or exits the bar. I joined some friends after they had already found seats, so I'll just have to chalk that up to my buddies lack of experience in making responsible decisions; like hanging out in the Arena District in a city full of really awesome and unique spots. --- Had to update: I've ventured back to BBR a few times since my initial experience. I was pretty impressed that the bartender remembered my beer of choice from my first visit back in January. The service was stellar and I will definitely be back to watch some of the upcoming March Madness games.
(3)Lauren F.
The food at BBR is the BEST you're going to find in the arena district. Not what you would expect from a bar off Vine St. The burgers are amazing, the macaroni and cheese (more like chicken Alfredo) is to die for, steaks are always perfect! The GM, Mark, is always so nice and really cares that customers have a great experience. I don't spend too much time in BBR hours. The happy hour special is awesome and they have great packages for bachelor/bachelorette parties! Check this place out! It will not disappoint!
(5)Keith R.
If there was ever a scenario at attempting to overshadow an older cousin and failing, BBR would be a prime example. I get the vibe that they are trying to be a "classier" Buffalo Wild Wings in the sports bar genre, but just can't make it to the top rung of the ladder. After two visits here, I can't get a good feel for this place. The service was good, the beer was cold, and the food was stellar, but the atmosphere for some reason just doesn't seem to combine together for the sports rocker image the bar wants to be known for. It's was just hard to get into a sports bar mode when the office folks are sitting around the bar in suits. Aside from the atmosphere, the food and service are pretty good. I ordered the Gorgonzola mushroom burger with a cup of the Beer Cheese Soup. Both were swamps of ooey, gooey, cheesiness. The burger was thick and cooked to medium-well as requested. The burger is a two hander to eat. The bar service was efficient: quickly taking orders, pouring drinks and making sure we were well taken care of. Overall, this was not a bad experience, BBR just needs some time to figure out it's identity and what type of crowd it wants to attract.
(3)Nijole T.
I went here for dinner with my husband and son and we loved it! I never thought I would give bar food 5 stars, but it was better than most expensive restaurants and you can clearly tell there is a creative chef in the kitchen that loves his job! We went during happy hour which lasts till 8pm during the week and got the cheesesticks and pepperoni flatbreak for $3 and $4, both were amazing! The 4 cheesesticks were each completly different, innovative and yummy! I had the mushroom swiss veggie burger with parmesan fries and a house salad with the best honey balsamic dressing ever! The veggie burger was house made and unlike any other! It was spicey and flavorfull. The parmesan garlic fries also fresh and delicious. My husband the cajun burger with cajun fries and a salad with lemon basil dressing, all also very good. We shared the the mac n cheese which was also the best we have ever had! In all an excellent meal and we will be back for more!
(5)Marissa R.
I went for the first time on a Saturday night and while the food I ordered was good (I ordered the macaroni and cheese), it has ended up being too much of a hassle. I was double charged (after I closed my tab and was long gone) and have been jumping through all kinds of hoops to get my own money back. This is an incredible hassle for something that wasn't even my mistake and the level of incompetence here is beyond astounding as no manager who actually works there seems to be "authorized" to refund me and no one will call you back like they say they will. Bottom line: try the mac and cheese but bring cash unless you think it's worth an extra $60.
(1)Zack R.
Cheapish beer for its location, and outstanding food. The service was frequent and friendly, but she was a bit slow at first. I have to say, all the food was top notch. BBQ sliders, chicken tacos, shrimp, Philly sliders....ALL recommended.
(4)Amy C.
I love this bar. And oddly enough, not for the drinks. I love the food and the service. No matter how loud it is or where you're sitting, the service is always very attentive. Prices are little steep for your basic beer, but it's worth it. And their blue cheese is so yummy!
(5)H H.
What a great find! This is a new place on Vine St. in the Arena District located where Typhoon used to be. BBR stands for Burgers, Beer, Rock. I met some friends for happy hour there yesterday. They have great happy hour specials: $2 domestic bottles, $3 draft imports (including stella), $4 wines, and $5 martinis and cocktails. I tried 2 martinis before finishing my evening with a glass of Stella. I think I may have found my new favorite martini in Columbus. It is Cumfortable Numb. It is effen cucumber vodka with cucumber puree. It is a delicious summery cocktail that goes down very, very smooth. This was top notch and everyone at my table who took a sip said positive things. I also tried the Wild Thing martini. It is louder, slightly sweet...This is another one that goes down very easy. I commented on the drinks and the waitress told me one of the guys is an actual mixologist who competes across the country. It shows. These were very good and at $5 for happy hour, very fairly priced. My group also had a few appetizers...Buffalo Chicken dip, Calamari, Crab Cakes, and the Tater Chips. My favorite was the calamari. It was very tender, batter was not overly salty, and the sauce added to the end product. The crab cakes were also good. You get 2 with the order and the sauce is pretty delicious. The tater chips need some help. There just wasn't enough "stuff" to cover the chips. I'd be a fan of a cup of sauce to go with the chips. BBR was not too loud at all for me. In fact, we all had conversation with ease. The wait staff also told me they could lower the music if I wanted. The employees were very good looking and personable. It was not an intimidating arena district place at all. The inside of the bar is actually put together very well. I liked the decor a lot. There are blown up pictures of famous artists. There is a huge window at the front of the bar that you can sit near. There is outdoor seating. The bar is a big oval with seating all around. There are also high tops toward the back. Every seat has several large TVs in view, including a huge projector screen in the back. I don't just hand out 5 stars. This is a nice place and I will be back.
(5)Tom M.
I upgraded my rating from 2 to 3 stars based on the beer being cold, faster service, less loudness, and better food. The happy hour deals cannot be beat. We had $1 sliders and I highly recommend any of them even off the regular menu. The cheese sticks are very good. You a good amount with a variety of cheeses.I need to go back and try a burger.
(3)Kevin R.
We snagged one of the fabulous Yelp Deals for this place and figured we'd check it out before we went to witness yet another Blue Jackets loss. So if you're curious about the nightlife here, you probably want to read another review. I'll get the not so great out of the way first. We never ended up using the Yelp deal on the first visit because half of our meal ended up being comped and it wouldn't have been worth it too burn it off on what was left of our bill. Part I: Opportunity On our first trip to Burgers, Beer & Rock we came in at about 5pm on a weeknight to a mostly empty house. I will say that the place has a nice modern rockstar decor to it, but the first thing you actually noticed was that the music was approaching bleeding ears levels and that is coming from someone who listens to his iPod at full blast most of the time. After being sat we were greeted by our server who appeared to not be having a good day. Everyone else in the place was all smiles and friendly, she on the other hand was pretty much sulking. No biggie, we all have bad days, and she wasn't actually rude to us at all. Ordering was a challenge due to the excessively loud music. My wife (who used to be a server) remarked at how amazing it was that she could hear anything to take people's orders. Well...turns out she couldn't. When she brought our food out to us she had my wife's food right, but my order mixed up (she did bring the right side, more on that in a bit). She was apologetic and said they'd have my order out to me promptly, which they did. The food the first time was a mixed bag. We started with the calamari, which is one of my favorite appetizers, and I made the mistake of just seeing the dish and ordering without reading the description. This was a bad move. They ruin it by pre-tossing it in the same sweet chile sauce that everyone and their brother uses. I have nothing against the sauce (it's tasty!), but it should be on the side so the calamari stays light and crisp. The next uh-oh is also kind of a "shame on me situation" for coming to a place that's name stands for Burgers Beer & Rock and not ordering a Burger. In my quest to eat healthier I went for the Shrimp Kabobs with green beans, while my much wiser wife ordered a burger. Her burger was large, tasty and most importantly cooked the way she had asked. Major points for it being done right because nothing riles me more than places that will ask you for a temperature on your burger and just cook it however they want anyway. Aside from the fact that I was brought the wrong item to start, my food was ok. The shrimp kabobs were excellent, but the green beans were overcooked and soaked in an overly vinegary vinaigrette and nearly inedible. Part II: Redemption We came back on another game night some weeks later during the Holidays. This time there was a decent crowd going and right off the bat when we walked in you could tell that the music was turned down a tad. Still nice and loud, but reasonably so. This time we sat at the bar, service was friendly and checked on us often even when it started to get busier closer to game time. As for food, both of us went for burgers this time and we were not disappointed. I opted to indulge and got the garlic parmesan fries, which are paradise soaked in grease and garlic. We had a little hiccup using our Yelp Deal, as they didn't want to honor it via my phone, but with a little prodding they accepted it. Bottom Line: Not an out of this world place that I'm dying to go back to, but if burgers are what we crave for our pre CBJ game meal it's where I'm going to go and I'm going to work out extra hard at the Gym that day to justify the delicious garlic parmesan fries.
(3)Dana P.
I had my 30th party at this bar during a 7:00 away OSU football game. I called about three months in advance to ask about reserving tables and was able to talk to Mike M. who was very helpful. He offered me the section immediately to the right which was perfect for the 30-35 people I was inviting. A few weeks before the birthday I spoke to another manager (I wish I could remember his name!) who walked through the menu with me and offered half-off appetizers, wings and pizza (thanks!). The night of the party went just as I had planned and our server Cara? was fantastic. It was a great set-up with the open windows and plenty of seating and TVs. Cara and the other servers kept the food and drinks coming and we all had a great time cheering on the Buckeyes! This was an easy 5 out of 5 stars and I would definitely recommend BBR to anyone looking to book a party.
(5)Walt S.
BBR Columbus seems to have set its sights on being a casually cool modern rock bar with a secondary theme of sports pub. You'll have to tell me when you visit which it is, which it might be. BBR is on Vine, the Arena District, where there once sat a sushi restaurant. It has a large, airy spacious patio outdoors which should work great in Summer and Fall (think OSU post-game or Clippers). BBR (beer, burgers, rock) will become recognized for a menu of food items that one might call gourmet American favorites. I tried the Caesar Wedge salad along with the Tequilla Shrimp Tacos. SUPERB on both fronts and a nice marriage of tangy tastes. I believe I saw/read while there for my first visit the slogan, " ... a place to play all day, and rock all night." I think I counted over twenty-five HD Flat Screen TV's. My night was USA vs. Mexico in a soccer friendly (lots of soccer fans so World Cup and Crew fans - unite) and the Tribe vs Tigers (Indians Win!!). Most of the ambient music ranged from alternative to classic rock & roll. Behind the bar was Sarah and Grant who were friendly and attentive. The night manager, Brianna, is a classic beauty that has smarts and smashing good looks - Wow! For one night, one meal and two Grey Goose and tonics..... I thought BBR Columbus served up exceptional - my hope is for an encore and a boost to 5-stars. Give it a whirl.
(4)Andrew C.
It's like if Bernards decided to quintuple their TV's, get ridiculously hot servers, and have a superb menu that hovers just above pub food and below sit down restaurant food. Nice customer service as well with changing channels for games and staff service. A definite upgrade for the Short North
(5)Jonathan K.
Extremely poor service. Our server never bothered clearing any dishes. Actually had to move plates to sign the check. Food is mediocre. Should have known better when we walked in and were the only table at 6 pm. This place is more of a night club than a restaurant. Plenty of other choices in the area. Won't be back.
(1)Lisa R.
The menu has been down graded, bigger in physical size but less items. Happy hour menu, for both drinks and food is no longer awesome. Seems they are cutting costs in ingredients and going for a more bar food not so fresh menu
(2)Jessica K.
Mostly solid. Like others, work dragged me here and I was skeptical, but the food, service and drinks are solid and they have good deals - what else does one demand? Go here if you're in the Arena District, it's a good bet. Then ignore the rest of this cathartic rant. Ine more demand: we often come here as a larger group. A larger, transient, annoying, "I need one beer in 3 minutes so my dog doesn't poo in the kennel"/"I need 6 beers in 10 minutes to forget I work with these people" group. Regardless, YES, you absolutely CAN transfer a check from the bar tab to a table, and if you really don't want to transfer it, you can at least run my card and drop it off, rather than denying multiple people at a table service because they mistakenly grabbed their first beer at the bar while lingering awkwardly. Totally over reacting, but I hate when servers lie to me because of a lazy policy. I know how the option works on your system and it's about 5 finger taps.
(4)Heather D.
First time here. Had to use my Groupon. The only day we could make it was Tuesday which was St. Patrick's Day. They have live music playing and it is mostly covers. There are ton of people wearing green clothes and accessories. We just had a beer each while we were waiting for our to go order of full slab of ribs and chicken. By the time we got home everything was still hot and tasted good. It was very busy and loud due to the fact that it was St Patricks Day, we will come back on day that is not so loud and busy.
(3)Alicia S.
This was a great find! We stopped in for a few drinks and dinner before the hockey game. They had an awesome happy hour with half off appetizers (try the taterchips) and a nice beer selection. All of the food was delicious (Mac and cheese & Hawaii 5-0 pizza) and the bartenders were friendly and attentive! If we ever find ourselves in Columbus again, we will definitely stop back here.
(5)Charles H.
To the owner(s), manager, whomever it concerns. Please keep up your level of service, quality of food, and reasonable prices. I do not know how long you've been in business or how long this level of quality has existed but as long as you keep it up you'll be a regular stop for me and my usual band of lunch goers. By the way, congrats on being my first 5 star review. :)
(5)Jen G.
We were in town for a Blue Jackets game and wanted some place to eat on the way to the game. We ordered nachos and were blown away! They were very good. We ordered half chicken and half beef. Both were great. One of the other servers (not ours) even stopped by to chat and brought some extra chips for us. The place filled up pretty fast once it got closer to game time but we were very satisfied.
(4)Brieanna H.
I like BBR. I liked Tyfoon better, but nothing can stay the same, especially in this area. The food is good, the drinks are strong, and it's a pretty good place to watch a game in the Vic Village/Short North area where sports bars are few and far between.
(4)Gus W.
You could really write two different reviews for BBR. One would be the Friday and Saturday nightlife scene, and the second would be every other time. If you're used to going to BBR during the workday for lunch or on Sundays for the food deals, you wouldn't recognize the place on a weekend night. As far as weekend nights go, I'd probably give them a 3. It used to be a bit better a year or so ago, but now that Endzone is closed, the lines are ridiculously long, and it's jammed pack inside. Luckily, they did end up putting a DJ on the patio, or at least there was one the last time I was there, to draw some people from the inside to the outside. I actually enjoyed the guy out there, because the guy inside usually just plays the same shit over and over. The crowd there can be off-putting to say the least. I'd say the pricing is a little cheaper than the clubs down the street like Diesel and Sway but pricier than every other bar in the Park St. area. The bartenders are pretty cool depending on who's working. I see myself here once in a blue moon. On the other hand, I've stopped in here several times during the day or around happy hour to grab a drink and some food. It's close enough to Nationwide Arena, Huntington Park, and the LC that it makes it a convenient spot for some patio drinking and eating. It looks like the menu has been revamped, but I've always thought the food was pretty good. I had the buffalo chicken wrap the last time I was here with whatever the hottest sauce is, and it was delicious. That sauce is pretty hot though! The fries were very tasty too. I'd probably round up to a 4 if the service wasn't so bad the last time we ate here. We did have a decent sized group on the patio, but the girl waiting on us was gone for long spans of time, and when she did come back, she'd grab a couple people's orders and peace out again without checking on the rest of the table. I'd say if you're interested in a place to go out to dance, you could check them out, and if you don't like it, then just head on down to another bar in the area. If you're just looking for a place to grab a beer and a bite to eat, you really can't go wrong here.
(3)Larry H.
Its disappointing to give BBR this rating - but the best I can say about BBR is "hit and miss." And today was a big miss. I probably average having lunch at BBR 2 times every 3 weeks. The food is average to slightly above average - and some items are very good. The service is spotty - but not because of the servers, but because of the kitchen. Today I and a group of 3 others went for lunch and sat at the bar. The young man working the bar is very good - in fact, the last time we were there he gave us a solid recommendation on sandwiches. Fifth minutes later - yes 50 - we got up and left without being served. There was literally a stream of unhappy people leaving without being served any food. Not the servers fault - he did all he could do, and kept refreshing our water and apologizing. There was not a single manager in sight - I would recognize him having gone there often enough. Here's a pretty good business insight - if you are going to run a half price lunch special everyday to kick start your lunch business, make sure you are prepared to prepare the food. This place is definitely getting the lunch traffic. I would rather pay full price and actually eat in a timely manner. Its going to be quite a while before we go back - too bad, because I generally enjoy this spot.
(1)Emma L.
I've been here twice. Once as an attempt to drink late-night and wasn't let in because Bf's attire didn't match the dress code. Super lame. The second time was a much more recent Sunday lunch visit, at the suggestion of one of my friends. Parking was pretty annoying. There were meters, but they were all full. The open lots are $5 and only accept exact change (no cards) so I was out of luck there. I ended up parking at the meters on Goodale. A slight walk but not terrible. When I walked through the front door I was hit with a wall of stale beer odor from the night before. Not really what I want to experience before eating, but it either faded or I got used to it by the time I sat down. There are lots of TVs and there was a decent crowd for watching the game. Our server was great - attentive, got our order exactly right and had a pleasant demeanor. She also had to apologize for the kitchen multiple times because they were "down to one oven", whatever that means. It took forever for our food to come out. The food was okay. I got a chicken sandwich and garlic fries ($10). The chicken was seasoned with nothing particularly recognizable but it tasted fine. The bun was a bit bready and I ended up taking the top off. I was excited to treat myself to some garlic fries and while they had good flavor, they were SUPER oily. Kind of ruined it for me. I had a glass of house champagne for $5, it was as expected. I can't say what a night out here is like but lunch was just meh.
(2)Will P.
2 more tries, 2 great experiences I've had 2 restuarant.com coupons here and used them in the last 2 weeks. I have to say The food experiences have been pretty amazing. The atmosphere itself is a chill as you want it to be. If you want action sit at the bar, if you want peace sit at a table. Both times our waitress was good. Had the wings and mac and cheese the first go-around. Very tasty, expecially the mac and cheese. Dynamite. The second time around I had the burger with sweet potato fries. Fries were very good and came with a cinnamon sauce that made them kind of like a dessert. The burger was amazing. Juicy and all the toppings complimented it. The brownie bites were also good to finish things. Nice warm chocolate center in each of them, very rich chocolate taste. Considering this is in the arena district/park street party area, their food really blows me away.
(4)Will K.
Stopped here afyer an event in Columbus at the convention center. The stuffed jalapeños would make me go back alone! Awesome place, great deals. The staff was nice, the place was clean and the all around atmosphere was super chill. I will def stop back here for the stuffed jalapeños if I am ever in columbus again!
(4)Amy P.
Happy hour = awesome! The daily special helps cut costs as well. Personally, this place reminded me of Brother's, the cement floor, seating, and clientele are all very similar. Prior to my visit, I took a look at the website, which has a HUGE dress code section....I didn't realize the place was as swanky as the dress code made it out to be (it isn't swanky, that's what stumps me). For my visit, the waiter was attentive up until the point that the bar became busy, and at that point, it was a nightmare trying to track him down. Parking was also a bit of pain, but that is to be expected in that area.
(3)FreshTake '.
First time going with some friends and we did not have any food so I can't comment on that. But it was a Saturday night abs they had a live dj who was pretty decent and got better as the night went on; didn't play to much country which i don't care for, he had some good mixes and was changing it up a lot. Our waitress was very good, I think her name was Ginger, she was so attentive and friendly, alsoi helpful with our drink choices and willing to change them if we didn't like them , I always appreciate that :) The drink special was a whiskey well drink, Bullit, which was also petty good with ginger ale and a lime. Other good things about the service is that they have a FREE coat check and the girl working was super friendly, very trustworthy add I left my expensive purse with 2 friends wallets in it as well, lots of valuables and it was all safe and sound the whole time we were dancing it up :) on fact when my husband went to get it for me she grilled him to make sure he was the right guy to give it to since he didn't drop it off lol. Also they were on point with cleaning off the tables and even cleaning up the dance floor when people happened to spill drinks etc. All the e staff w was very polite and attentive the whole night. They have a pretty cool dance floor area, good size with fog machines, lights/disco ball effects which was fun. The crowd is pretty good too, they have a bouncer who checks dress code to keep it "rifraff"... All in all, highly recommend it and I'll definitely be back!
(5)Derek H.
We have gone a couple of times with Living Social vouchers. Really good bar food and OK service.
(4)Kimmy S.
I am appalled at the horrible service me and my friends received today. We waited over 15 minute to place our order. I ordered the taterchips which is a pile of chips with Gorgonzola cheese on top. The waitress reached over my chips (which is rude in itself) and knocked over some of the chips with her elbow! She then looks at me and says "oh u can totally still pick them off the table. Remember 5 second rule!" She scoops her hands together as if she was going to pick them up herself! I said NO! That's okay. I mean how insulting is that?!? To think your customer is desperate enough to even make the suggestion to eat food that fell on a filthy table! She never apologized or offered to replace the food that she touched. My face probly said it all. I then gained the courage to eat a chip. The cheese and everything was cold. Another disappointment! I then just didn't eat anything. I figured instead of wasting my money, I would just take the chips home and warm them up myself in the oven. I asked for a box. She comes over to say they don't have any of the big boxes to fit my food. I then suggested she give me 2 small boxes... I mean how brainless can someone be?!? We asked her to separate our checks (we had 3 people) she then couldn't understand that we all wanted to pay for our own meals. She kept suggesting it be split evenly... What?!? She definitely needed better training. Also, good waiter or waitress would refill your drink w/o asking him/her for it multiple times. This by far was the worst food service experience I had. Good luck if you decide to eat here. It's better for drinking and partying.
(1)Paul G.
As a bar it's alright. Nice inside. Good set up. But most of the bartenders are incredibly arrogant and unenthused, and if you leave your card by accident they will run charges up on it and tip themselves out an insane amount. To the tune of an inexplicable $60+ extra on my account. Wonderful. I won't be back.
(1)Jessica D.
A perfectly acceptable sports bar. Happy hour: 3-8 pm with $1 PBRs (I stopped looking for deals after I saw $1 PBRs), 33 cent wings, and half off apps. Wasn't expecting my kamikaze shots to be $7 each though... Our server, Rachel, rocked pink hair and won first place in the prompt service category. Go Bucks!
(3)Danny F.
The operations manager was in tonight. He got mad while he was drunk, and slurring words. A friend of mine and I made a joke about how water "off the soda gun" was always dirty because it's from the Scioto river, and he yelled at us to "get out of my bar, you don't know ****." His name was apparently Mike Mercer. So rude. Too bad. Service was great, manager tried to calm him down, but he wouldn't. Poor form, getting wasted at your own job. Apparently regulars/good tippers aren't welcome if the management has been drinking. Wish it was not a hostile atmosphere. Everyone else that works there is so nice.
(1)Ray M.
The food is pretty good here, and at half off lunch its a must do place. In fact I have been there 3 times in the past month. Even before this special, they always have some sort of lunch speciula that is pretty good deal. The serice has alwys been good and the manager stops by quite often to make sure yoou are taken care of and if your drink is low, he wil go ahead and fill it. This is probably one of my favorite places to go at lunch time. One word of caution though. I had the Burger with an egg on it the last time there and when I took a bite, it sort of exploaded onto my shirt sleeve. Totally my fault, but still not a good look
(4)Augie W.
Very good bar to watch the Buckeyes on the gridiron. Lots of monitors, hustling staff, decent beer selection, and many friendly and rowdy patrons! O - H ...
(3)Luke T.
The more my coworkers drag me here, the less I dislike it. I still don't like the typical clientele, but the staff, waitresses and food runners/busboys alike, are all really nice and friendly. The food has improved in previous visits, some of it downright good (the chips for example), and their happy hour continues to impress. Not a huge microbrew selection, but $2 domestics and $3 imports/microbrews, plus half off most appetizers. I don't mind so much when we go now.
(3)Dr R.
Great staff and good food. I usually do happy hour mid-week, as it isn't as slammed and I can get some good food while catching a match/game/etc.
(4)Dave R.
My favorite place to eat and drink downtown! I used to just go here on weekend night outs and never really tried the food until recently. They have a great lunch deal during the week (1/2 off all food) and the drink prices are very reasonable! I had the Cajun burger with chipotle ranch fries my last visit, and have had the buffalo chicken dip on another occasion. Both were delicious! The staff is always friendly and ready to help with whatever you need. It has become my new go-to lunch spot!
(5)Brandy J.
Oh but wait. After a despicable interaction with the GM and being charged $6 for a Corona Lt. I would like to edit this. Still a 2 (not a 3-4) for this... Service is always solid and the food is very consistently good but c'mon guys you have a beautiful bathroom...just clean it. Please.
(2)Pete S.
Stopped in on Sunday to catch a little football, burn a Groupon and have some guilty pleasure food... Probably will never be back. The Good: Half off burgers were pretty good, $3 well drinks... The Bad: Our waitress didn't tell us either of those things, even after being asked about specials (she did tell us about $3 Bud Light...) Nachos say real cheese, but are covered in the liquid stuff. The Ugly: Vomit from the previous night in both the men's and women's restroom, door ripped off one of the stalls in the ladies' room. Also, they seem to think football games need an additional MC on top of the commentary, so every time there's a big play on the game (which already has the sound on...) you can expect someone to pop on the microphone and yell something like "Oh Yeah!!!" over and over and over. Finally, the check comes with two blanks for tip: one for the server and one for the busser. This is just uncomfortable. It doesn't seem like my place to determine how those are split up. That said, since our waitress didn't bring our food, drinks or clear empty glasses... I only tipped the busser. Could have been a new Sunday Funday spot... but I don't think I'll be back.
(1)Mika T.
I've been here many times for both food and drinks and I've never been disappointed. The food seems to be a step above all the other bars I usually dine at. I highly recommend the Mediterranean Chicken Kabobs and the veggie hummus wrap (add chicken). Even the flatbread and cheese sticks are better than average in my opinion. Although the drinks are expensive, the prices also reflect the good service they give. When you dine in, you always get a cloth napkin and the servers are super attentive even on weekend nights. To get a good deal, come on Sundays and tell the bartender when you cash out that you are in the service industry and your drinks will be half off.
(5)Angie K.
So I have to admit... I judged this place on its looks and location. The staff here, yes the attractive meathead guys and pretty tatted up girls were extremely nice and offered great service while we were sitting at the bar. The flat bread pizza was pretty good and the happy hour pricing is very cheap. The pizza was 4$. Everyone was watching sports on TV and the crowd was pretty good for a Friday at 5:30. I would go back for day drinking again.
(4)Jessica R.
Came here on a Friday night in the mood to do some DANCING! Place wasn't that crowded, and the dance floor hadn't been "set up" yet, meaning there were tables still on it. The dance floor really isn't that big honestly. Thought it would be bigger. But I guess since this place is more a restaurant during the week. The music they were playing was your standard dancey-club music, so no complaints there. Was nice because they played some oldschool stuff. Just a warning, they do sometimes authorize money from your account. I noticed an extra $30 was taken out of my account. I called, and they explained to me it would go into my account after 3-5 days. Since I only use my debit card, that was a bit of an issue, because that was money in my actual checking account. If it were a credit card, it wouldn't have been such a problem. SO, if you open a tab with a debit card, be sure to make sure they didn't hold any of your funds..... that could cause some issues! Overall, I liked this place. I would come back to check out their dinner menu
(3)Walt S.
BBR Columbus seems to have set its sights on being a casually cool modern rock bar with a secondary theme of sports pub. You'll have to tell me when you visit which it is, which it might be. BBR is on Vine, the Arena District, where there once sat a sushi restaurant. It has a large, airy spacious patio outdoors which should work great in Summer and Fall (think OSU post-game or Clippers). BBR (beer, burgers, rock) will become recognized for a menu of food items that one might call gourmet American favorites. I tried the Caesar Wedge salad along with the Tequilla Shrimp Tacos. SUPERB on both fronts and a nice marriage of tangy tastes. I believe I saw/read while there for my first visit the slogan, " ... a place to play all day, and rock all night." I think I counted over twenty-five HD Flat Screen TV's. My night was USA vs. Mexico in a soccer friendly (lots of soccer fans so World Cup and Crew fans - unite) and the Tribe vs Tigers (Indians Win!!). Most of the ambient music ranged from alternative to classic rock & roll. Behind the bar was Sarah and Grant who were friendly and attentive. The night manager, Brianna, is a classic beauty that has smarts and smashing good looks - Wow! For one night, one meal and two Grey Goose and tonics..... I thought BBR Columbus served up exceptional - my hope is for an encore and a boost to 5-stars. Give it a whirl.
(4)Erin M.
This place is so much different than any other bar in the Arena District. The DJs are excellent, playing a mix of new songs, old songs, and "wow I love this song. Haven't heard it in so long!" with a good beat to it. It is decorated with cool pics of famous singers and aritsts and another wall that is dedicated to only sports teams. For the men, you have the pleasure of going to the bathroom on a Michigan "M" in your toilets. They all seem to enjoy that one! Lol. They have awesome tables for a big group of friends and a fun dance floor. They also have a large patio. It doesn't seem big from the outside, but it's got everything you want in a good bar for the weekend.
(5)Meredith J.
This place is fantastic! My husband and I went there for the first time a couple days ago and we were skeptical because of some of the reviews on here, but we were very pleased with our experience. When we were ordering a beer when we sat down I wasn't sure what I wanted. The server made a recommendation so that's what I ordered; I really liked it! We got the taterchips as an appetizer and they blew us away! It was cheesy, crispy, and so full of flavor! I would come here just for those. I ordered the American Burger and my husband ordered the Queso Burger. Both were delicious. The Queso Burger was such a unique combination of flavors; I think I would get something like that next time. But for my first experience I wanted to go with the good ol' classic cheeseburger. The server was attentive and helpful. The restaurant and bathrooms were very clean. And the prices are good considering the amount and quality of food you're getting. Check this place out and don't forget to get the taterchips!
(5)Tim C.
I ordered the queso dip, it wasn't hot, salsa didn't arrive with the dish. I asked, they gave me a ketchup size thimble of salsa. The pita bread that came with it was chewier than cardboard might be. Bartender wrang me up for beer, brought change, no beer.
(2)Jessica G.
Went here for a Columbus Crew watch party, and went ahead and got the Yelp! Deal because I knew I was going. The only negative of the whole night was that there were a couple private parties going on so seating could have been an issue, luckily for us some nice gentlemen at the bar were getting ready to leave so offered us their seats. Once seated the bartender greeted us with their specials (they had a Crew special for a bucket of 5 beers and 2 take home Columbus Crew mugs for $15 which was great) We ordered our food which came out much faster than I expected with the crowd. We had the buffalo chicken dip, garlic parmesian cheese fries, and the white flatbread. All were EXCELLENT! The buffalo chicken dip not only came with tortilla chips, like most restaurants, but in addition had veggies and pita bread also! Our bartender was great, never had an empty glass, and super friendly. I will definately be back (still dreaming of the buffalo dip)!
(4)Ariel B.
BBR is just okay. There is nothing about the service, food, or drink that you can't get elsewhere in a classier setting for a comparable or cheaper price in Columbus. They are marketed as a rocker bar, but I have never met a rocker that would proudly proclaim BBR as their haunt and not be concerned about losing street cred. With so many options of cool trendy bars, dive bars, sports bars etc in Columbus, BBR's night life blends in with the genre of other bars in the same general vicinity. They do have a moderately respectable drink list, but not one that I would call competitive with some of the best bars in Columbus. I would have been compelled to give them three stars because I like their concept, but I had to take a star off for dressing their waitresses/bartenders in a black and red version of the hooters girls costume which cheapened the experience for me.
(2)Paul R.
Great happy hour. Lots of big tv's. Food is decent. I don't know if I'd go here when you aren't receiving happy hour prices.
(4)Nadine P.
I live out of town but have eaten here twice in the past year. The food was excellent and the drinks were awesome. I love the sleek decor and the service was great. I'm looking forward to the weather warming up so I can go again and sit on that huge deck they off of the side of the building. I highly recommend this place.
(5)Tom M.
I upgraded my rating from 2 to 3 stars based on the beer being cold, faster service, less loudness, and better food. The happy hour deals cannot be beat. We had $1 sliders and I highly recommend any of them even off the regular menu. The cheese sticks are very good. You a good amount with a variety of cheeses.I need to go back and try a burger.
(3)Julie J.
VERY poorly prepared food. Veggies that taste like lemon pledge, crappy burnt beef. YUK! Never again. NEVER again.
(1)Brian W.
Well our first thought was to go in for lunch on Saturday, checked hours on their website (open at 11:00), and walked over from our house (about a mile). Apparently the hours have changed and website not updated. Got some lunch at nearby North Market and did some errands. Came back for an early dinner. Nice basic sports bar. Lots of screens arranged well and a consistent theme of classic rock. Ordered burgers and the beer special ($3). Both burgers and fries were nicely done. Lots of other, fancier options we may try next time. Staff was friendly and helpful. Note Restaurant.com typically has some great deals for this place, like $3 with the code for $25. Staff were familiar with the deal and handled it without a hitch.
(3)Christina G.
Went to BBR this week since we had a groupon that was going to expire soon. I've been here for the night scene and was told that their food is good, so when the groupon came out I figured it was fate. After a long work week, a Thursday night date night at a place that I know has a great alcohol list seemed like a good idea. We arrived at 7pm and walked into a semi-rage party. Guys in affliction Tshirts and girls in neon hello kitty and everyone taking shots like there was no tomorrow. I kept thinking, guess Thursday nights are college party nights, then realized the Arnold Classic and Tiesto invaded Columbus at the same time, hence the fabulous people watching. Dinner and a show? Unexpected but ill take what I can get. We started with the queso which came with tortilla chips and veggies. Uncooked broccoli and cauliflower in cheese sauce? Not my thing, but it did make me feel healthier when the chips ran out. I got the buffalo chicken wrap and for someone who isn't a huge buffalo sauce fan, it was perfect. Not too hot and tasted great. I got the steamed veggies (two veggies in one sitting - at a bar?) and they were awesome. My guy had a burger and fries and was very pleased. Due to happy hour our drinks were ricidulously cheap and the app was 1/2 off, so after the groupon it was a whopping $5 meal. Our server was great and made sure to check in just enough, even with the half dressed shot takers pulling her in all directions. It wasn't the dinner I was expecting, but overall we left satisfied and feeling a lot older. May try dinner again on a more calm night.
(3)Grant C.
BBR is one of my favorite places to watch sports. Their drink prices can be a bit high sometimes when I go in and other times they have specials going that workout well. I guess this can be expected any where, but the food is well above (in quality) what you would expect at a sports bar. Great apps and burgers. The place is nicely decorated in a very slick way. A lot of good looking servers/bartenders with plenty of ink if thats your thing. I recommend it for you next sporting event.
(4)Thomas S.
I'm not going to take the time for a full review. I read through some below, and you can too. I went on a Thursday for lunch and the place was not busy at all. The food was good and the service was excellent. This is the bar I have been looking for. Finally a group of bartenders that professionally and friendlily engage the patrons. Thank you.
(4)Frank L.
The service here is deplorable. Waited over an hour for a sandwich. One of the bartenders mocked me when I asked about my food. Pathetic.
(1)Audrey H.
Came here on a Monday night with a friend to use her $35 coupon, which actually ended up being a difficult feat because almost everything was half price (I believe it was because burgers are half off on Mondays, and apps/wings are half off during happy hour). The place was fairly empty, but I can see how it'd be a great place to watch sports. We sat by the window and enjoyed the throwback music. It seems like there's a review somewhere below complaining about Cara. If it's the same person, I thought she was perfectly fine. Friendly, attentive, recommended the Wild Thing (raspberry vodka, peach schnapps, cranberry and pineapple juice), which was decently delish. Friend got the rock'n rita, which was also good. We got the calamari, cheese sticks, teriyaki wings, honey ancho chipotle wings, and rockin cajun burger. It was all great for bar food; we were pleasantly surprised. I wouldn't go out of my way to initiate a trip here, but I can totally see myself coming again with a group of people if there's a game on.
(4)Jill T.
Boyfriend and I stopped in to BBR to try a local establishment. We travel a lot and like to try places other than chains. Our waitress, Cara, was horrible. Not busy, not overworked; just bad. The only thing that saved our experience at BBR was the food. It was good. We had the nightly special of fish tacos and ribs. Nightlife patio was good , but definitely would request a different server.
(3)Joseph P.
Me and my three co-workers spent a few hours at BBR on a Tuesday night. Jessica, the hottest woman on staff (grin to Jess), was fantastic and provided exceptional service and attention to our group. Awesome tap selections and all the food was great.
(5)Nicole W.
This place is pretty solid. You get what you come for and that works for me! If you cone at midnight on a Friday or Saturday, you are going to get exactly what you expect. Scantily clad ladies and their frat men dancing to the latest Rihanna beats. Lots of vodka crans and bud lights for everyone! But sometimes, don't you just want to break down? If you come here at an earlier time, this place will deliver. Pretty decent food (I love the buffalo dip) and seats all around the house where you can see every football game your heart desires. The staff is really great, which probably takes this place from an OK bar to a great experience. Servers are constantly walking around with smiles on their faces and taking any unused dishes off all tables. The bartenders are happy to put on a different game on a different TV if you would like. Plus, Sunday Funday (my favorite day?) comes with some great deals - one of the better $3 Bloody Marys I've had!
(4)Eli I.
Recently I went to BBR with a group of 9 or 10 for a Friday happy hour. Perhaps half full, we didn't have much trouble finding a place to gather... Now this is your classic good news / bad news scenario.. On the one hand it wasn't that busy, but on the other hand it wasn't that busy... So in that respect, if you're looking for a quiet pint or a place to meet a friend for the game, then there you go. If you're into the crowded / loud / stuff going on / etc. scene then BBR (at least earlier in the night) likely isn't the go-to. Empty barstools aside, the happy hour is solid. $3 Guinness, half price appetizers, bingo bango bongo.
(5)Alan R.
I went here on a Friday night and my ears have not stopped ringing. I'm not joking. They have been ringing for a solid 4 days. The music was ear piercing and painful at some points. Call me old, call me sensitive I don't care, it was loud as shit! Even if I was 22 again it would loud. I was in there maybe 45 min and the group all wanted to leave. The 5 bartenders of the evening were 3 hot tattooed chicks and 2 dudes. The drinks were fast and cold. I have no idea how they heard my orders, but they were exactly what I wanted. On one of the walls is nothing but mirrors and it made the space look HUGE! When I went to the bathroom there was a guy dressed as Elvis working in there. I HATE it when bars do this. (hiring bathroom attendants) Listen I am not helpless and the bathroom is already crowded enough, I am able to get my own soap, turn on the facet myself and get my own paper towel and no I will not tip you if you do these things for me without me asking for assistance; HOW DARE YOU give me the stink eye when I do all that shit myself and I don't tip you! RIDICULOUS! (sorry for my rant). There is also a ton of TVs to watch anything one could think of. Good times.
(3)Amy S.
A couple friends and I were headed somewhere to watch the game and decided to go here instead- what a great last minute decision! BBR has TONS of TVs...everywhere you sit you'll be able to see one...or two or three. We walked in to a packed place, but that's okay- the more, the merrier! Unfortunately, that meant sloooow service. It was probably halfway through the half quarter before we had somebody take our orders. I guess it was worth the wait though! We got the fried cheese sticks, buffalo chicken dip, and sweet potato fries. Although nothing came out at the same time, that was okay because we all shared. The sweet potato fries, which came out first were pretty good and came with a cinnamon butter to dip with. They weren't the best I've had, but I did like the fact that they weren't covered with breading. The butter went untouched after the first dip, as I opted for ketchup. The cheese sticks were awesome. They definitely weren't bought frozen, as each piece was a different kind of cheese, and they were all shaped differently. It was fun trying each one and guessing which cheese it was! The buffalo chicken dip was served with a few pieces of sliced up pita, chips, carrots, celery, and green onions (as in long pieces of the white part to dip- weird?). There seemed to be plenty of dip to use up all of the "dippers," which was nice. The dip itself was really good- as other who have written reviews, I'd recommend it! It was really creamy and not very spicy...I couldn't stop trying to sneak a few bites from my friend! This is basically a bar with upscale food and prices to go with it. I didn't have any drinks that night, but my friend said hers were really expensive. The appetizers were decently priced, but the entrees were a little high. Regardless of the prices, the food was above par for a bar and we are planning to go back to sample some of their other menu items! I think BBR definitely has the potential for 4 stars.
(3)Dana P.
I had my 30th party at this bar during a 7:00 away OSU football game. I called about three months in advance to ask about reserving tables and was able to talk to Mike M. who was very helpful. He offered me the section immediately to the right which was perfect for the 30-35 people I was inviting. A few weeks before the birthday I spoke to another manager (I wish I could remember his name!) who walked through the menu with me and offered half-off appetizers, wings and pizza (thanks!). The night of the party went just as I had planned and our server Cara? was fantastic. It was a great set-up with the open windows and plenty of seating and TVs. Cara and the other servers kept the food and drinks coming and we all had a great time cheering on the Buckeyes! This was an easy 5 out of 5 stars and I would definitely recommend BBR to anyone looking to book a party.
(5)Shannon M.
The man and I made a stop here before seeing the terrible Blue Jackets play. We sat at the bar and the service from beginning to end was top notch. We were never ignored, drinks refilled promptly and food brought quickly. And they were pretty busy with OSU game fans and us delusional Jacket fans filing in. TONS of TVs above the bar so would be hard pressed not to find something to distract you. Any time I get to see the New Zealand National Rugby team take their shirts off and do that crazy stamping around dance is Aces for me. We ordered burgers as they are half off on Sundays, which is a pretty good deal! Nice burger with good fries. Nothing to complain about. I could see how this place could fill up with posers and douche bags but our Sunday Funday was a great experience.
(4)Herb O.
Went there before a Bluejackets game and loved the place. Food was wad really good and the beer selection was pretty decent. Place fills up fast before game so get there early.
(5)Geoff V.
Was at the convention center and headed out to the Garage Bar. The place was open but empty so I stopped at Brothers on the way back. I sat at the bar. Good: good tap beer selection, quick service, friendly staff. Food was good and hot. Bad: the bar was wet with drinks. I didn't see anyone wipe it down when people left. I left with wet sleeves but generally a good experience.
(4)Tim Y.
I went to BBR Saturday night to find a place to watch the OSU vs. Michigan basketball game. I got there about 45 minutes before tipoff (9PM) and could not find a seat. An employee helped pull up chairs for a friend and I at the bar. This does not happen often! The decor appeared to professionally decorated. Strategically-placed flat screen TV's are on the walls and above the bar, providing a great space to watch a game. The game volume came on at tipoff and the semi-loud music subsided until halftime. Mirrors and black and white prints of local sports logos and 80's rock stars fill up the exposed brick walls. Food and drinks are a high-focus for this bar. Dozens of micobrew handles and bottled beers are available. A $3 special for Labatt Blue and Miller Lite was on Saturday, with regular priced microwbrews in the $6-$7 range for 16oz-20oz drafts. The menu is relatively high end, perhaps approaching a "gastropub" feel. Not really too hungry, I ordered a cheese and vege plate. A Bento box shortly arrived with a huge portion of swiss, pepperjack, boursin, and smoked gouda cheese. Vege's included tomato wedges, broccoli, red peppers, cauliflower, carrots, cucumber, and squash. Warm pita was also included in the low $8 price. The silverware has high quality and even polished! Definitely a surprise for a sports bar! The bathroom also was above-average. TV's with volume on the high ceilings, the usual Michigan decals in the urinal, and a bathroom attendant. The real bonus was the mini field goal with oscillating football crossing the uprights in some urinals. As the night progressed and the game came to an end, the bar continued to get more crowded. The clientele became better-dressed as the the time elapsed, attracting mostly a 20-30ish crowd. The guy sitting two down from me didn't seem too surprised at his $342 bar tab. It wasn't a win for the Buckeyes, but definitiely one for BBR Columbus!
(5)Ka T.
This place has a real nice staff. I haven't seen a bar run so smoothly in a while. Everyone seemed to take pride in the place. The appearance of the bar seemed very important to the waiters and managers as i saw numerous attempts to pickup trash off the floor. I don't think i have seen any bar that does that throughout Columbus particularly on a Saturday night. The food was very good as well, the wings are GIGANTIC! Definitely a place to try if you haven't already.
(5)Keith R.
If there was ever a scenario at attempting to overshadow an older cousin and failing, BBR would be a prime example. I get the vibe that they are trying to be a "classier" Buffalo Wild Wings in the sports bar genre, but just can't make it to the top rung of the ladder. After two visits here, I can't get a good feel for this place. The service was good, the beer was cold, and the food was stellar, but the atmosphere for some reason just doesn't seem to combine together for the sports rocker image the bar wants to be known for. It's was just hard to get into a sports bar mode when the office folks are sitting around the bar in suits. Aside from the atmosphere, the food and service are pretty good. I ordered the Gorgonzola mushroom burger with a cup of the Beer Cheese Soup. Both were swamps of ooey, gooey, cheesiness. The burger was thick and cooked to medium-well as requested. The burger is a two hander to eat. The bar service was efficient: quickly taking orders, pouring drinks and making sure we were well taken care of. Overall, this was not a bad experience, BBR just needs some time to figure out it's identity and what type of crowd it wants to attract.
(3)Nijole T.
I went here for dinner with my husband and son and we loved it! I never thought I would give bar food 5 stars, but it was better than most expensive restaurants and you can clearly tell there is a creative chef in the kitchen that loves his job! We went during happy hour which lasts till 8pm during the week and got the cheesesticks and pepperoni flatbreak for $3 and $4, both were amazing! The 4 cheesesticks were each completly different, innovative and yummy! I had the mushroom swiss veggie burger with parmesan fries and a house salad with the best honey balsamic dressing ever! The veggie burger was house made and unlike any other! It was spicey and flavorfull. The parmesan garlic fries also fresh and delicious. My husband the cajun burger with cajun fries and a salad with lemon basil dressing, all also very good. We shared the the mac n cheese which was also the best we have ever had! In all an excellent meal and we will be back for more!
(5)Marissa R.
I went for the first time on a Saturday night and while the food I ordered was good (I ordered the macaroni and cheese), it has ended up being too much of a hassle. I was double charged (after I closed my tab and was long gone) and have been jumping through all kinds of hoops to get my own money back. This is an incredible hassle for something that wasn't even my mistake and the level of incompetence here is beyond astounding as no manager who actually works there seems to be "authorized" to refund me and no one will call you back like they say they will. Bottom line: try the mac and cheese but bring cash unless you think it's worth an extra $60.
(1)Zack R.
Cheapish beer for its location, and outstanding food. The service was frequent and friendly, but she was a bit slow at first. I have to say, all the food was top notch. BBQ sliders, chicken tacos, shrimp, Philly sliders....ALL recommended.
(4)Amy C.
I love this bar. And oddly enough, not for the drinks. I love the food and the service. No matter how loud it is or where you're sitting, the service is always very attentive. Prices are little steep for your basic beer, but it's worth it. And their blue cheese is so yummy!
(5)