Bernie’s Bagels & Deli
1896 N High St, Columbus, OH, 43201
Bernie’s Bagels & Deli Menu
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Address :
1896 N High St
Columbus, OH, 43201 - Phone (614) 291-3448
- Website https://cringe.com/bs/bernies.htm
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Late Night
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Wheelchair Accessible : No
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Divey
Noise Level : Very Loud
Music : Live, Juke Box
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Mon, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
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Nathan L.
I'm starting to dislike this rating system. Sometimes I want to go to the dirtiest, smallest, smelliest, nastiest little hole in the wall basement dive bar around. But if that is what I want than that is what I want, and Bernies is where I am going. If your average Joe walked into bernies' with no idea what to expect he would probably give it a 2 star. I, on the other hand, used to set up shop in the "dining room" (HA!) booths and study my face off for hours on end when living on campus, just to get away from all the damn college kids. Of course, you end up hanging out with all the damn hippies and bums that call Bernie's home (sometimes quite literally so it seems), but whatever. Sunday nights this place takes on a whole new persona. It is the only place I know of that hosts a regular break dancing party, and it is AWESOME. Not that I break-dance or anything (shit, I have a hard enough time dancing ON my feet) but it sure is fun to go down into that damp musty basement on a Sunday night and find a whole slew of 'em taking turns jumping in the middle of the circle while a DJ spins. If, like me, you are a fan of people watching than this is a sight you have to take in for yourself.
(4)Brad W.
Bernie's was an interesting place. I spent many years at Ohio State and probably hung out at Bernies most of all. It always would appear to be a bit grungy or smelly and it did have it's odors, but it also had it's campus charm. Bernie's was a great dive bar on High St. I was near Bernie's pretty often as my fraternity house was located right behind it. We hosted a number of parties in Bernie's basement. Bernie's had a jute box and sometimes also had live music. They had some cool bartenders too. The name could be a bit deceiving, and it was to me at first. I never ate a bagel or a sandwich there, but I joined friends for drinks there numerous times. They did serve food, though. I never heard much about that part of Bernie's though. Bernie's was always a bar and a hangout spot for me, never really a restaurant. It's still there, though, and I just have to get back after these years since graduation. Bernie's always had good prices, a great choice of beers, and a interesting so-called "dining room." I never understood that name. Maybe I never will. But Bernie's was never an eyesore to any student who knew the bar well. That's why I don't see why so many reviews have it as such. Bernie's was a fun hangout, even though it did have some interesting odors to it.
(3)Luke T.
Bernie's heyday has come and gone. If I could rate the deli side and the bar side separately I would give the deli 4 stars. The food here is quite good and cheap compared to the rest of the campus strip. But the bar no longer hosts any relevant shows. They used to have several national acts per week, now they have a couple per month. The people that made it a vibrant place worth going to now go to Bourbon Street, and a slew of other places. If you are looking for the happening place in town, this ain't it. That being said, there are a lot of beer choices and happy hour runs from 9am to 9pm. That isn't a joke. Still a fun place to hang out sometimes. Just don't go expecting much or you'll be disappointed.
(2)S S.
Authentic. Its one of those campus spots you've gotta love. Beer soaked floors, stickered walls and piping, this place is the real deal.
(5)Dom R.
Without a doubt, the most dingy, disgusting, and downright vile drinking venue in the city of Columbus. I am downright impressed at Bernie's Bagels and Deli ability to elude the attention of health inspectors and church groups alike. When one walks down the stairs to the basement that is Bernie's, they are greeted with a fine musk of stale beer, dirty bathrooms, and ass sweat. I say those first few whiffs of Bernie aroma should serve as litmus test for whether or not you have the stomach to stick around for the cheap drinks. The bathrooms are incredibly vile. Everything is covered in pubes, the sink is a cesspool, and, as hard as you will find it to believe, it smells even worse than the main bar area. This place even used to have one of those revolving cloth towel dispensers on the walls, seriously? I honestly think the only thing missing in the men's room is a gloryhole. The clientele here is incredibly diverse. You will have everything from a tattooed punker to a pop-collared frat boy. I have seen both of these elements in abundance, and act in ways that are equally obnoxious. One time this frat-dude was demanding shots be poured for him at last call or he was going to pee on the bar. The staff at Bernie's is not one to be bullied, and sure enough this kid pissed all over the bar. The best part; no one cleaned it up. They didn't even so much as admonish the perpetrator, it was like some sort of respect they had for each other being disgusting. Another time, this tattooed dude and his cohorts were blocking my exit from the bar, and they refused to move until I asked them "please." It was like some lame 80's movie showdown, and I finally just went out the backway before I got shived in my ass. Some people will say that Bernie's is a fun little dive bar with character, give me a break. I will be laughing when those people contract Hepatitis C. Also: I have never seen a bagel or any semblance of a deli here.
(1)Nate S.
Methinks some other reviews aren't quite fans of the "dive bar aesthetic" like I am. So, to prevent future yelpers from going here without realizing just what Bernie's is: Yes, it is a dive bar. Yes, the bathrooms are generally terrifying. Yes, the patrons are an odd set. (Sidebar: it's smelled fine whenever I've been in there, but smells/stickiness are also part of the whole dive bar bag) Are we all good with that now? I thought these things are generally expected when you go into a bar at the bottom of a precipitous, graffitied staircase entered through a hole-in-the-wall facade, but apparently not. If you're still reading this review and haven't been grossed out and/or think I have terrible standards for a bar, here's why Bernie's is great. - Red Hook on tap, served by the pitcher. - Bartenders are generally awesome. I had one almost flip out when I gave him a 15%ish tip, and he gave my party extra beer with each round for the rest of the night. - They have "Watching the Detectives" by Elvis Costello on their jukebox. - If I were to sum up the spirit of the place and patrons in one phrase, it would be "Not Giving a Fuck". Personally, I like that. If you like honest-to-god dive bars, go. You'll have a good/drunk/good-n-drunk time, and leave having spent less than you expected. Oh, and I really have no clue about either the Bagels or the Deli.
(4)Craig L.
What can I say about Bernies? They have outrageously cheap lunch food though it is just OK. After 5 though this place is a Super dive. Creapy locals and all. Located under ground on High Street directly across from OSU. I really don't think they know how to make a cocktail with more than 3 ingredients. All in all this place is worth a visit but I am not about to make it my regular haunt.
(3)Stephanie B.
This is one of those places that makes me feel glad that I have a mini bottle of hand sanitizer in my purse. Bernie's really is a hole in the wall bar. It's dirty, smelly and a little bit creepy. But it does have some character, I'll give it that. Bernie's is on High St. near the northern end of campus, but it's not like a lot of the other campus bars. For one, I don't think it's too popular. I never hear a group of students saying, "Let's go to Bernie's!" It's just not a crowd favorite. I've never seen this place crowded, although I've heard stories of friends coming here for concerts and it was pretty happening from what they said. Yeah, people play shows at Bernie's. I've never been to one, but they can't be very big, because Bernie's is in a basement and there's not much to it. It's not too tiny, but it's not exactly a roomy music venue, either. When you walk down the stairs to get into Bernie's, you'll find the bar straight ahead, and to the left of the basement you'll find booths and seating and to the right you'll find the open area where the bands do perform. It's dark and dingy and looks pretty old and kinda decrepit. But Bernie's does have a little patio where it's nice to sit out, but your view is the alley to the side of the building. But I like sitting out here better than the cramped basement, which feels smaller I think because the ceilings aren't all that high. The characters you'll find at Bernie's are a little scary in my opinion. But they keep to themselves so it has yet to be an issue. But I remember last time I was here, there were several guys sitting at the bar. Their clothes and hair looked as if they were homeless. But they weren't hurting anything, so whatever. The bartenders have been nice enough, and beer is pretty cheap. I have to say something about the bathrooms. They are a bit part of the reason I'm only able to conjure up a two-star rating for Bernie's. I couldn't believe how trashy they were. The women's restroom is a tiny, one room deal. But there isn't a door to the restroom. It's a shower curtain. Hopefully it's been upgraded since I was last there, but I wouldn't count on it. I was not feeling very confident about making a quick trip to restroom for fear that someone else would pull back the curtain. And, to make it worse, the sink wasn't working. Hence my relief at having hand sanitizer. I wasn't expecting a lot out of this place, but I was hoping for at least a decent bathroom. Bernie's isn't all that bad, but I'd never choose to go here myself. I've only been dragged here by friends and that's the only reason I would be back. Besides, the heavy rock bands that play here aren't my scene.
(2)Emily S.
...Bagels & Deli? What the hell? Apparently they serve food, although I've never been there when the kitchen is open. They do have a free for all popcorn machine though. But I don't like popcorn. It's like hanging out in your basement, except there's no couches. Which is probably a good thing. It's dark and weird and loud. If you're incredibly drunk, it's great. And you could easily be incredibly drunk with $1 drinks. They make them strong. Friday nights they have $1 dollar rum and cokes! That is cool. Okay but here's the thing...their sound sucks. If you come here to see a show expect to not really enjoy it. If you come here to see your friend's band play, show up early before they run out of rum.
(3)Kenley M.
Bernie's is an old, unfinished basement. It looks and smells like an old, unfinished basement. If you have ever been drinking in your house and thought, "hmm. . . let's try this beer down IN THE BASEMENT!!!" then Bernie's is perfect for you. They have $1 happy hours every night, crusty punk bands galore, the occasional stray dog, and apparently they also serve food? The Bernie's patio / beer garden is a post-smoking ban addition which I find hilarious even when I'm sitting in it. Do not be misled by that other place down in the Arena District! Bernie's is Columbus's original and most authentic drunk-in-the-basement experience!
(4)Laryn C.
Oh my God: mop your floors!
(1)Anne L.
I'm afraid to write this in fear of too many others finding out about the awesomeness of Bernie's soup. The cook makes homemade soup, and it's the best, cheapest lunch on the planet. For just $2.50 of your hard-earned wages, you get the most amazing bowl of warm goodness. The soups I have had in the past few weeks since discovering this lunchtime gem near the Ohio State campus: pumpkin apple (vegan), vegetable chowder with collard greens, chicken soup with homemade noodles (!!!), and ravioli soup with sausage. I know I'm missing a few others that have already been filed away in my brain as too awesome to possibly give away in fear of making this place too popular. I know Bernie's is an acquired taste for some, but when your vegetarian friend says, hey, we should go to Bernie's for lunch, listen up! They have the most amazing vegetarian Reuben sandwiches (don't question it--just go with it). They have pretty damn good hummus and veggie plates. They have good pizza bagels. What else? Well, you can go there to study or grade in peace and quiet. And, hell, if you need a beer at noon, you can have one. That's right. Lunchtime beer. You know, some days are like that.
(4)Jeff R.
That "Bagels & Deli" part of the name is confusing. I guess they put away all that stuff later at night. My one and only experience at Bernie's was at approximately 1am on a Saturday night (well, Sunday morning). Some friends and I drove down from Detroit to see a show at the Newport. Not knowing the area, we just started walking down High Street, hoping to find someplace to get more drinks. Bernie's "Bagels & Deli" is where we ended up. It was in a basement, and really dark down there. The room was maybe 3/4 full and a Social Distortion wannabe band was playing. Some guy approached us and offered to sell us some crack. Yeah. The highlight: back by the bathrooms, there's a glass case on one of the walls that has tons of 45s from Columbus bands. Lots of New Bomb Turks and Cheater Slicks.
(2)Quentyn D.
My friends and I used to go to Bernie's a lot in the past. Thankfully, we have found better bars (St. James, Carabar, Short North Tavern,etc.) that offer the same type of cheap drink specials but don't have the "ambiance" that Bernie's does. First, the smell. It's horrible. It's the combo of all the beer, urine, smoke, and sweat that has been in the place over the last 20 years. Second, the crowd. It is very punk with a "f the world" mentality. However, they are not hostile and are cordial no matter how you are dressed. Third, the drinks are ok, but you can get better drinks mixed with better liquor at other bars. I've never had the food, but I'm not sure I would be willing to try it seeing as the place itself is disgusting. Bernie's is ok, but there are better bars with the same cheap specials.
(2)Jackie P.
Move it like Bernie, move it like Bernie....right on past. Sorry, I'm not a fan. This is a gross Hippie hangout during hot summer days on the patio. Most dive bars have charm, Bernie's has seemed to lose it's pizazz. Call me an elitist, or whatever you have it, but the only time you'll find me there is if a friend's band is playing a show.
(2)Matthew B.
While my real taste for punk music has given way to mellower tastes as the years have marched on as is their wont, it does make me happy in my soul to know that there is still a good, gritty punk bar right in the center of the main drag of Ohio State nightlife. It's a great "fuck you" to all the horrible, bland bars that dominate the campus bar scene, and if I could take loud, thrashing music these days I'd be at Bernie's more often because it's a great bar with more character than most other bars combined. Supporting the local bands and anchoring a scene isn't enough for Bernie's, though- they also have a hell of a selection of beer (and a club for those who can make it through the list) and a selection of food, mostly vegetarian if I recall correctly- I've never had the occasion to eat there. I'll still go to Bernie's from time to time, when my ears feel extra tough and my spirits are manic. A good scene, great atmosphere, and a great ethos all make Bernie's the bar I'd most hate to see closed down, even though I'm almost never there. Cheers, Bernie's- and best of luck for years to come.
(3)Lefty A.
I've actually played at Bernie's. The stage has a hole in it (or at least it did for several years). The hole is carpeted over, but its big enough to swallow your foot up to the ankle. Its dangerous. The sound guy is always late too. The last time I played there, I was told to close out my tab before we got paid. I didn't have enough cash before getting paid and had to use a card. Then I had a tip extorted from me before I was given my card back. I guess I shouldn't be surprised from a business in a building where the hallway smells of urine.
(1)Keith S.
I've only been to Bernie's twice, with each occasion being quite different from the other. Both times that I was there was in the capacity of performing with my band. Now Bernie's is a definitive dive bar, and at the same time, has a section that is more reminiscent of a diner. The eating area is well lit, and has a couple tables and chairs. You also have the option of eating at the bar. The bar/stage area is more akin to a basement. Dark, dank, smokey, and smelly. The decor, if you can call it that, just added to the basement feel. A flyer here, and handmade sign there....that's about the gist of it. The "stage" is slightly elevated and in need of repair, but big enough to hold a band. The lighting is ok, and the sound wasn't bad. Drink prices aren't bad, and their food prices are fare. The staff (our second visit) were pleasant and helpful. The first time we appeared there was an "interesting" experience. No one from the venue ever spoke to us, greeted us, etc. We had to practically beg one of the staff just to set up. Very weird, and not very welcoming. Paid us out at the end of the show, but still not very friendly. The second time we were there was a complete 180. We were warmly greeted by the staff, offered water and coffee, as much as we wanted. Got us a nice area to sell merch, and one of the bartenders even bought a shirt. Definitely felt much more welcome, and the night was much more enjoyable. My rating is a combination of both visits, with the first time being a 2 star and the second time being a 4.
(3)Keith B.
It's a dive bar, or sometimes called "The asshole of Columbus" - maybe more like an armpit, since it's often muggy and full of hairy individuals. (I kid, I kid) I've caught several shows here, from the metal acts back in the day, to mainly punk rock acts recently. The bar is hit and miss if you order any mixed drink (the most recent excursion? She was awesome), and most of the crowd favors PBR, anyways, to the point they ran out. I never thought I'd see the day! It's not a bad venue, it's small and intimate, in that punk rock way. It's a good dive bar, and they support the local music scene, so I will support Bernie's!
(3)Ryan S.
I've held this review up in my queue for months. It's waited long enough. I held it up waiting for some framework, some spin to come to mind, something to justify rating this campus counterculture institution the rank it once was worth. But I can't. It has fallen far from it's hardly glorious glory days. Fact: Bernie's is dead; deader than even a corpse strung up like a puppet, and more irrelevant and corny than referencing a stupid 80s movie. Last fall was my 20th anniversary in Columbus, having moved here to attend Ohio State in 1994. I decided to commemorate this by making visits to campus area neighborhoods and business, often using football games and conferences on campus to visit old haunts. The faux Tudor building on the 16th avenue block of high street, where Bernie's spans the dank basement, was one of my first visits as a rural newb just off the hay wagon. I went there because earlier that summer, while vacationing near Toronto, I had heard a radio interview of a band who talked about this place as incubator of underground talent. They made it seemed like a poor man's CBGB. For a young man thirsting for experience that was enough to put it on the must do list. In those days Bernie's had semi-national acts: underground, ska, punk, garage, and some frequent bands off the college radio charts who were once tagged with the record store joke 'alternative,' before the corporate press caught wind, missed the joke, and it became the label it is now. Many local bands, garage hacks and actual talent, originated here. I loved the dank dungeon darkness and basement rawness of the joint then--just the cure needed from the stilted sterile staleness of the culture I grew up around back home. Never an every night regular, I did come here often enough, drowning out a weeks worth of stress. The music, the concrete lack of esthetics, and meeting characters who were outside the margins all made an impression on me. Then graduation, then 15- years, then forgotten. So I came back to see if this place maintained. It did not. Where once it was off the margins now it is off the page, the table, the room, the planet, out--of the universe. The dank darted into disgusting -- and not from a preppy yuppie's viewpoint but from that of a sewer rats. The place smell like the BO of 30-years worth of patrons saturated in the wall released into a sultry sauna of steam. Not just underneath the sewer pipes now but the sewer itself. The bar stools once were sliced up and leaking stuffing is nothing but stuff. Feet stick to the floor and turn ankles. The restrooms, always a trip into the unsanitary, are even more viral and germ thick and just oozes heroin pricked blood spots and burnt spoons. Moreover the general spirit of the place has gone, evaporated away with the cigarette and marijuana smoke. The band was uninspired and zombie numbed--they looked like weary captive here for 50-years, and the general feeling was that no one was ever leaving. Punk is not dad, it is in purgatory at Bernie's basement. The beer here is relatively cheep, the mix drinks were decent. I haven't had food here for 17- years, but it use to be very excellent for the price. Who knows if it isn't me, gentrified slowly by time, so that I am a candy azz who can't take the designs of the subterranean critters. I don't think so. I think Bernie's is another causality of the change/ don't change dynamic of an institution. Change to much and die, but not changing is a risk too. Atrophy is a powerful fact of life; sometimes you have to change to remain the same. Campus partners has circled the block for redevelopment; no doubt that Bernie's is slated for the axe. Maybe you should still visit one last time before the end. It's a current two star with a five star past. Bernie's if I don't see you again, thank you for the good times!
(2)Shannon R.
Bernie's is a dive bar so it's not fair to hold it to the same standard one would a sports bar or some downtown cocktail bar. Drinks are cheap, the crowd can be a bit gruff (but friendly), there are no windows, and it looks like you could murder someone and get away with it. That being said, the staff is beyond friendly and the food is shockingly good. The soups, in particular, are always a winner. Sure Bernie's can sometimes smell like week old urine, but you can't have it all.
(4)Steve D.
Dingy and smelly. It's got its charms (stickers, basement, cheap rum and cokes on Fri, etc), but it's not worth the visit. The tall, skinny guy behind the bar, with a beanie and unwashed hair, looked absolutely miserable to be there, and let us know it. He didn't greet us, and waited on others who showed up after us...before he helped us. I've been here a few times, passing through, and it's only gotten worse. My wife said there was no toilet paper in the woman's bathroom either. Loud people at the table, chugging pitcher after pitcher, yelling FAGGOT this and FAGGOT that, threatening to beat some guy up. Jukebox was almost as loud as they were, additionally. I don't understand the people who give this shit hole a 5-star rating, except that they're probably employees, or 18yos that get served. Not to mention, No Where To Park...
(1)Nate H.
This place is the ultimate shithole! I seriously should have CC'd while going in here. Half of the bar looks like Bennigans while the other half looks like someones basement. I spent $3 on a cup (not pilsner glass) of yeungling. Given the chance to go here again...I probably would because it looks like you could throw a chair at someone and get away with...and who doesn't want to do that?
(2)Jeff M.
Bagels here are tasty. I went to grab a drink here one night though and it smelled like the Doobie Brothers and vomit. Do not enter the bathrooms. I repeat. DO NOT ENTER THE BATHROOMS!
(2)Valissa W.
Rules for a successful dive bar: 1) Cheap drinks are a must -- remember that the goal is to be anything but swanky. 2) Be located in some obscure hole-in-the-wall that's hard enough to find it keeps the sorostitutes out. 3) The venue itself shouldn't have windows. The more run-down the better. Bonus points for being underground. The bathroom of this venue should strike fear into your heart and remind you why it is you never did hard drugs. It should generally resemble the sort of place your mother feared you would end up if you didn't go to church/ finish your homework/ brush your teeth. She was right. 4) There should be a cast of regulars/alcoholics fit for Trailer Park TV. 5) A minimum of at least one quirky attraction should exist (even if only through local legend) for the non-regulars to brag about after their first and potentially only visit. Bernie's goes above and beyond the general requirements for being a dive -- they serve food, host some great live music, have some of the most entertaining regulars of any stop along High Street (BATMAN!), and I have never once stepped on a hypodermic needle there.
(3)Jose C.
Bernie's is not the type of place where I would grab a beer with a group of friends. At first glance, bernie's is a giant basement that has different mixture of unpleasant odors . It was also a place where I used to grab lunch every week for their delicious homemade sandwiches. At first, I was reluctant to eat at Bernie's because of its atmosphere and location, but I made it my quest to eat at every restaurant on high street. Worst come to worst, I would get food poisoning or some sort of stomach pain. Since it was wintertime, I decided to try the bernie club and the french onion soup. The soup was way over salted, each sip I took was like drinking water from the dead sea. The bernie club far exceeded my expectation and it came with regular ruffle potato chips, which i haven't had in a while since I always get flavored chips. From then on, I tried other sandwiches from Bernie's. The Rueben is probably one of the best I ever had. They keep their sandwiches simple by piling on meats with a mixture of mayo and mustard. You will meet a lot of characters at bernie's and Paul and the owners are good people. I would get offered free alcohol from time to time by the owners and other patrons of Bernie's. Bernie's probably has the most diverse demographics of clientele along with delicious sandwiches.
(4)Jim P.
Ah, Bernies. Spent 1995-2003 mucking about there. Memorable moments: -Cutting a guy up with a broken bottle in a bar-wide fight while Guitar Wolf played on -Moping up my own vomit, after I'd sworn I was "a-ok" for another shot -Getting an old-fashioned in the bathroom I look back know and can't believe I ever step foot in the place, much less ate there. Kids, take it from me: stay away, and stay off drugs. Yeht, yeht... things aren't what they used to be round these parts. Surprisingly good french fries.
(1)Elizabeth C.
Bernie's is my favorite bar of all time. I saw my first concert ever here as a little 13 year old with two big black Xs on my hands. Thank you Bernie's, for everything. The music here is consistently good, every night, and as long as you aren't a genre snob, you can just go and not worry about it. And it's cheap. Everyone who is whining about the lack of cleanliness should hop on the cota #2, head to CVS, and get some summer's eve to help you get the sand out of there. Repeat as necessary. It's a dive. It's not trying to be anything else. Go to the LC Pavillion and see some top 40 and STFU, seriously.
(5)Mike F.
Looking for an excuse to get drunk and you don't mind the smell? Bernie's is a great hole in the wall distillery, with local, occasional student bartenders who are either interested in the craft of mixology or just in dire need of a quick buck. And while this duality is seen in the occasional mixed drink, it is just as easy to order a beer on tap. No fuss, no muss. I used to frequent this place in college almost every other Friday night. It is much better when a group rents out the place, or as a final stop on the way home at 2:00 in the am. Maybe bring your own toilet seat covers, but beware of those who want a quickie in the stall. Watch for slippery floors, but enjoy the atmosphere and cheap drinks.
(3)Aaron C.
Been wanting to try this place for awhile, well I finally got a chance and I love it. I got the bernie stack which has egss cooked to order, hash browns. Ham, and lots of cheese. First place in town that actually gave me scrambled eggs when I asked for it not a omelet. And can you believe it was only $4.50!!. I am now a fan good food, great prices.
(4)Melanie B.
Okay, John S. I take you up on your Bernie's defense. I agree with everything you said, except that yes Bernie's does still smell like peeeee and the bathrooms are beyond gross. I personally appreciate Bernie's for what it is, so I wouldn't dream of knocking it for being a dive bar (it's actually the kind of bar I like best), but personally I don't go here much because: 1. Last time I was here a certain young-ish locally known lady singer threatened to "kick my ass" (to quote my friend Beth, "You can take her!" haaa) because I didn't acknowledge who she was - even though she wasn't playing that night. 2. There was about an inch of standing "water" in the ladies room, which by the way has no door 3. The bar was out of whiskey but tried to make me a whiskey drink anyway, which was disguisting, because apparently they were also out of diet coke but used the soda fountain anyway. So I mean, I don't have anything against any of the reasons John S. applauds Bernie's for - and in fact, none of the above mentioned reasons are actually Appalling to me, I just feel like I did my time at Bernie's and now frequent dives where people are nice to me, I don't step in pee or have people watch me peeing, and they stockpile whiskey like it's the apocalypse. That being said, I voted for Bernie's for a couple things in the Alive's Best of Cbus poll. So there.
(3)Zack F.
This place is a dive for sure. Over time the regulars have changed a bit, and can be scary at times, even on purpose. The place as a venue is interesting. It's crowded and small and very, very loud. Sometimes the bands are good. They have a great beer selection. Some of the food is quite good as well. I had a favorite bagel there that was quite satisfying on occasion. I could give the place four stars for being bad just as easily as I could give it three for the same reason.
(3)Pete C.
Unless you're one of the gutter punks that calls this place home (literally, at times), you're bound to have a love/hate relationship with Bernie's. I know I certainly do. I've seen some loud, raucous shows here that I won't soon forget, and I've been harassed by the regulars to the point of swearing off the place for eternity. You win some, you lose some, I suppose. The first thing you'll notice about Bernie's is a smell that's so curious and intense that it's hard to pin down exactly what it is. To the best of my knowledge, it's the smell of sweat that was perspired by a boozed up punker with the Hep that considers Old Crow and a Parliament the breakfast of champions. The more I think about it, the more I realize it might not be in my best interest to be talking about Bernie's in the first place. The first rule of Bernie's is that you do not....err, you get my drift here. If the stench of failure doesn't drive you away right from the get-go, the next thing you need to ask yourself is this: is it safe to eat here? Well, you're probably Yelping this dive for a reason, so here's the answer to that question: yes. The bagel sandwiches here are more than edible; they are downright delicious. As you may have learned from my other reviews, I consider a deli's take on the reuben to be the true test of its mettle, and in this case, Bernie's passes with flying colors. It's all I've ever gotten, and it's likely to remain that way as long as I'm living in Columbus. The sandwich is piled high with pastrami and kraut, and it's served with a pickle and a side of chips. You'll be tempted to dive right in as soon as it arrives at your table, but please heed my advice: WASH YOUR HANDS FIRST. As far as live venues go, Bernie's might be the worst in town on a bust night. The ceiling is no more than 7 feet high, which makes it almost impossible for their battered soundsystem to be raised high enough for you to hear any audible noise through the crowd other than the drums. Lucky for you, most of the bands that pack the house here are used to playing in flop houses and squats and could give a shit as to how they sound. If you're getting beaten senseless by some guy with a nose ring and a denim jacket that's been melded to from years of withdrawal-induced sweat, they'll be as happy as they can be here. This is the epitome of the DIY basement show. The piece of sidewalk outside that was ransacked as Bernie's patio soon after the smoking ban is always a prime place to see the best that Columbus has to offer drinking their worries away at 4 in the afternoon. I look like I shop at the mall, so I uniformly avoid walking anywhere within eyeshot of the surly regulars that are there almost every day. All your favorite High Street panhandlers assemble there around 7 every night to discuss the latest tactics in bilking loose pocket change from the OSU students that everyone here so eagerly shares contempt for. It's a sight to behold, to say the least. If you're punk enough, that is.
(3)