Rumba Café
2507 Summit St, Columbus, OH, 43202
Rumba Café Menu
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Address :
2507 Summit St
Columbus, OH, 43202 - Phone (614) 268-1841
- Website https://www.columbusrumbacafe.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :4:00 pm - 2:3
Specialities
- Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Noise Level : Loud
Music : Live
Good For Dancing : Yes
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Wed, Sat, Sun
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Has TV : No
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Stephanie B.
Hands down, Rumba is one of the best bars in the summertime in Columbus. It's still awesome in the winter, but it's amazing when the weather's nice. I've been coming here for a long time and I still love it. Some facts: Rumba is located right at the corner of Summit and Hudson. That being said, it's easy to turn onto Summit and miss it. It'll be on your right, so pull over and find a spot on the street as soon as you turn onto Summit. And Summit is a one-way street going south, mind you. Anyway, it's just this little place, but it's a lot of fun. It does seem almost like a bit of a hidden gem. Not a lot of people know about it and the people that go here are usually regulars. But it's also very welcoming of new people. The staff is super friendly and the customers are always a laid-back crowd (maybe because they are already drunk or high!). Rumba is a little bar with a stage for local acts to come and play most nights of the week. The music is usually jazz, blues, reggae, funk or folk. The decor's a little eclectic, but somehow subtle, and they have a great back patio, which is why I love it so much in the summer. The patio has plenty of tables and chairs and usually umbrellas are over the tables to shield you from the sun. It looks sort of tropical back there in the summer with palm trees here and there. It's just so relaxing. Rumba doesn't have to be expensive. It also helps to have a back-up plan. I saw some of the other reviews for Rumba and people were complaining about covers. There's a secret to this. Sometimes it doesn't always work, but it does most of the time. See, the great thing about Rumba is they have happy hour from 5-9 on Mondays through Fridays. This is why I don't prefer Rumba for weekends. Go to Rumba early for happy hour. The live bands don't usually start until 9 or 10, so they don't charge a cover until around then, most of the time. Occasionally bands will perform early at 6, which then the cover will start early. On those nights, either pay the cover, or what I do is just move the party down to Ruby Tuesday, just a few blocks down the street. An easy walk or drive. They also have a great patio and cheap drinks, and won't charge a cover until later. The key is get here early! Rumba's happy hour is great. I think the prices have changed a bit, but it used to be $1 for domestic drafts or wells. We came here just last night and I think my well was $1.50, and later I got a double that was $3. The double wells, by the way, are huge. Quite a drink for $3. Anyway, it's a great place to start off the night with some cheap drinks. And if you're coming to see the band, just come a little early and stick around and enjoy happy hour. They also have food here, but I've never tried it. Here's my story of last night, a Tuesday. My boyfriend and I had dinner at Bodega then came here. We made it at 8:30. No cover. I got a whiskey and coke, he got a Magic Hat #9 (which, by the way, are only $3 on draft on Tuesdays!) It was $4.50. Free chips and salsa on the bar. Then the bartender, a really nice girl, warned us that we had 13 minutes of happy hour left. So I got a double of the same and my boyfriend got a double gin and tonic. $6. Big drinks. Then at 9 some solo acts start playing sort of folksy music. It was nice to sit and listen to, and it was free. We sat at the bar and enjoyed the music and drank Magic Hat for the rest of the night since it was $3. After a few different acts on stage, the bartender asked my boyfriend and I if we were going to perform. We had a good laugh about what a disaster that would be, but it seemed that we stumbled upon an open mic night. Most of the people in the bar that night did end up performing. It was pretty cool so be sitting by someone at the bar then they just went on stage and did their thing. Everyone was very talented. The stage is small, but it's lit up by white string lights hanging from the ceiling and it's really cozy and fun. The bathrooms are halfway between the bar and the patio for easy access, and they are just one-room restrooms. But they are always clean and functional. This little bar is well maintained. And last night was a great time. We always have fun here, whether it's just two of us or a whole group. My guy friends used to all live in a house together at Summit and Lane, so we'd all walk down here in the summer and sit on the back patio. One time when we were sitting out there, a steel drum band came and set up and played their steel drums on the patio while we were out there. That was so awesome. So cool to have something like that in central Ohio. Rumba does have some interesting surprises sometimes. So all in all, this is not a place to skip over. It's a real treat. I definitely frequent this bar in the summer. With a cheap happy hour that runs late and my plan to come early to get those happy hour prices and avoid the cover, it's never expensive here. With Ruby's just down the street, there's another option to avoid the cover, too.
(5)Mark K.
Came here to see Southern Culture on the Skids, and it was a great place to see a show. It feels like a little dive bar that has been cleaned up a bit- bar along one side, stage with some room to dance, not many places to sit. The sound was great, there's a decent draft selection, and the bartenders were quick and friendly. There's a nice patio out back where you can hear a bit and cool off. I can't speak to parking or beer prices, because Sweetie dropped us off and my friend got the drinks (hey, I got the tickets...) The whole experience was very laid back, and we talked to both SCOTS and the opening band afterward. I would definitely come back to see a good band here, and it looks like they have live music almost every night.
(4)Christina E.
MUSIC - is wonderful, sound is crisp, no need to sound check between songs, although maybe that was just the band up there... John Kengla -- highly recommend DRINKS - drinks were not watered down, bartender was attentive (even on a Friday night), not sure on pricing? Maybe $5 glass of wine?? OUTSIDE - is the patio just for musicians or anyone? either way it was great! Sure it was cold, being Ohio in December but either way, nice way to have a convo without screaming over the talent. CLEAN - it really seemed cleaner than many other bars I have been to, which matters!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
(5)Aubrey O.
First impressions are lasting impressions. If you ever want to see an epic Napoleon complex in the flesh, check out the ticket taker. I don't think I have ever been "shooed away" before making his acquaintance. Just plain rude. The bands were fantastic but the space is way too small for those who get a lot of airplay around Columbus. I don't know who thought booking that venue was a good idea. Bartenders were very pleasant and helpful. The back patio is a great place to go and breath since you can't inside. I would honestly never go see another concert here.
(2)Michael N.
This is a pretty great spot for live music. Cool room. Simple but accessible bar. Clean bathrooms. Fairly decent sound. Most of the staff was pretty friendly in general. I think the best part is the back patio / beer garden. This is a great spot to hang out on a warm spring night. Unfortunately there aren't too many food options in this area within walking distance, but High Street is just a short drive away with tons of options.
(4)James D.
Small venue with a big impact. The staff and promoters routinely book top up-and-coming talent from around the country, so if you're paying big bucks to get in, you won't be disappointed -- unless it's a band playing music you're just not into (It's called the future. Do some research on your phone if you don't know anything about the band...). Great beer selection, and sizeable patio make for the perfect secret getaway that everyone knows about. Just be warned that if it gets jam packed, it can take away from the experience since there's only two small one person bathrooms and there's limited bar space. But for up and coming acts that require people STFU and enjoy the show, this place is great!
(5)Jonas O.
Cool music venue, excellent staff, cool outside patio area, great all around experience. Depending on the music you see here, chances are you will enjoy yourself. There will be a cover charge. The room is not acoustically perfect but is more than good enough. Staff and patrons alike will probably be nice to you. This place remains a hidden gem (shouldn't be hidden anymore) in the University district of Columbus, and along with Ace of Cups is at the top of the list for bands to play here.
(4)Matt G.
Rumba packs a lot of punch for such a small place. Located right off Summit, parking is actually pretty easy. Plenty of street parking, whether it be heading south or looping back around on north Summit. Rumba has a small stage and limited seating. It can be quite crammed on a busy night, but the bartenders are quick, and if it gets too claustrophobic, you can escape to the back patio. Drink prices are what you'd expect from a bar, but I feel like I made out nicely: 2 craft beers and a large mixed drink for $14. Great local shows, great local ppls and heckuva good way to spend a night out.
(4)Luke T.
A great place to see the elusive cougar in its native habitat. The bands cater to the cougar crowd, so they flock here in packs to "dance". This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Some of these bands are genuinely good, although most, to my ear, are not. The crowd is older, which is a great thing if you're trying to avoid the young crowd. There are a few handfuls of decent microbrews, and the bartenders are friendly. The patio is sizable and pleasant, but the same doesn't go for the interior. I honestly can't say quite why some of the bands that play here do. There is no worse venue to see a show in Columbus, as far as I'm concerned. It's far too small and full of columns that block your view, as well as other cramped corners with no good views. Actually, the Basement is just as bad. Anyway, point being, if the show is crowded, good luck. A not-so-crowded show is fine though, and I've been to both. That brings me to my final complaint - the covers here are several dollars too high for the quality and popularity of the entertainment inside. Whoops, one more. Parking sucks too.
(3)Brandi H.
Rumba is one of my favorite places to go for live music. My first time was on a Sunday during the weekly, rhythmic ritual of the Hoodoo Soul Band. It was packed and the music was electric, plus there was a patio out back to escape the noise to chat with friends and chill out - I knew I'd be coming back to this place then and there. I've since been to see quite a few shows, sometimes not even on purpose when I was just stopping in to grab a drink and the band is always killing, no matter the genre. If you don't feel like standing in close quarters with strangers, get there early to nab a spot at the bar or one of the few tables. The drinks are nothing to Yelp about but they do the job for a decent price and the bartenders are always friendly. Check out Rumba any night of the week when you are looking for a fun night out that won't break the bank!
(4)Faye F.
The Jameson is cut with cheap whiskey.
(1)Russel Y.
I am tempted to give it one star so I can keep it all to myself but that would be selfish :-) Best house band in Columbus. Go on Sunday for the band but get there early if you want a table... It gets crowded.
(5)Tracey O.
The music was amazing, however that was because of the bands not the venue, so I'm setting that aside. The place is very small and narrow with limited seating. There is only one bathroom for each gender, so there is almost always a line. Drinks were okay although the amount of alcohol varied greatly depending on which staff made them. I think the worst part of the experience was how I saw the staff treat an obviously drunk patron. She and her friend were in the bathroom for about 10 minutes as she was sick. The bartender pounded on the door cursing at her to get the f*** out of the bathroom before she called the cops. She forced the door open and exposed the girl with her pants down saying that she didn't care, cursing at them the entire time. Too many negatives to make it worth going back.
(1)Suzanne P.
I would give them 5 but I think I was rouphied here. Its not their fault.... Great music selection and if you get there early you may get in free. Smoking Patio out back.
(4)Nate F.
Thanks to Jesse Henry and Todd at Rumba for pioneering the 6-9 pm Happy Hour/live rock n roll show! I freaking love it! I'm glad other bands and bars are copying this.....cause I love to see live music, and lots if others do as well, but can't go see bands that start at 11 pm. Yes, there is a cover....so it's tough to go on a very regular basis....but they will work w you on that. They also have a great Happy Hour as well...and you can get food delivered by Primo Pizza. I tape live bands, and they very cool with letting us do what we need to, to make a good quality recording, in a tough space. If any of the neighbors that have complained about the Rumba are reading this....you should got blank yourselves.
(5)Matthew K.
I like Rumba.....I think part of me wants to LOVE Rumba but something just won't get over that bump in the road. I have been to Rumba a handful of times for random shows and beers with the friends. Cover is usually low which is always nice and the beers decently priced, though how can PBR be TOO expensive (see future review for rant regarding that statement). Biggest issue I have with Rumba is the lay out (which is really NO big deal but I think that is the barrier between a 4 and 5 star review for me). The layout is just awkward, the bar is in a hallway that has people sitting and trying to order drinks. Then there is the stage area which during the right show fills up fast. There is another small sitting area on the other side of the sound guy (haven't ventured back that far). Then you have a few stairs to the bathroom area (small bathrooms + small waiting area = crowded situation). I do however love the patio. It is big and has a nice amount of seating and cover from bad weather. Rumba like many other bars I will venture to again if shows or friends or both are there.
(4)Morgan D.
A group of us saw Karate Coyote at Rumba a few weekends ago. None of us had ever been to the bar before. I was surprised by how narrow and tiny the space is. I felt a little squished. We grabbed a table right next to the stage and had a good view of the band. But, I don't know if it's where we were sitting or if this was the general consensus for the entire bar, the sound was terrible. Lohio and KC have such great music, but the words sounded garbled, the mics were too low, and the music just bounced off the walls in all the wrong directions. But I've also heard that some of these things are general problems with the band itself. The bands also started REALLY late. The bathrooms were pretty icky. Just one stall for men and one for ladies with notes on both doors suggesting the Porta-John out on the patio. Everything was slightly wet in the bathroom, and it was pretty graffitied and gross, toilet paper all over the floor. The crowd was strange. In the mix around our table were lots of girls who, I thought, were overdressed and lots of guys preying on them. Then there were a few people who were there to see the bands and seemed normal. We still had fun though. The bar staff was friendly and quick, and they offered a good selection of taps and had great suggestions. At the end of the night, I went to close my tab and encountered a long wait. The barmaid came back with my credit card but said she couldn't find my tab in the computer system. She offered me my drinks for free, but I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep that night if I didn't properly settle my debt. As best as I could, I recounted the drinks I had purchased. She went back to punch in what I had told her and magically found my tab keyed in with a typo! $5 cover charge the Friday I went.
(3)Shawnie K.
Being a 'thrity-something' year-old and not recovering from late nights the way I used to, I'm familiar with the Rumba Cafe more as a Happy Hour venue; although, we have been known to close the place down on more than one occasion. I have never paid more than a $5 cover charge and depending on who is playing, would gladly pay a little more - only because I don't want to see the Rumba Cafe 'go away'. They closed their kitchen last year and elevated their drink prices just a little bit, but it is worth it to keep this venue alive and kicking. The Rumba is one of the handful of places in Columbus where a music lover can see live bands in an 'uncontrived' setting. (Another being Dick's Den). It's the sort of place anyone can go and let their hair down... and dance the night away if you so desire. It's offers a comfortable setting and feels like your typical 'neighborhood bar," only with a wide variety of live music every night of the week. One can find jazz, soul, funk, Latin and bluegrass. With it's diverse musical lineup, the Rumba draws an extremely mixed crowd of young and old and, not surprisingly, receives mixed reviews. Everyone seems to have a different opinion. I've heard the Rumba referred to as a dive bar, a campus bar, a jazz bar, a neighborhood bar- which again, is a testimony to the diversity of the Rumba's patrons. Though small and situated in a "developing" residential area, the atmosphere is quite dynamic from night to night, depending on who is playing. Those of us who venture in from surrounding neighborhoods might find The Rumba more affordable than most other bars we frequent. On the other hand, college students or younger patrons may find the cover charge and drink prices steeper than they are used to in campus bars just a few blocks south. As for happy hour, there isn't one every day, but some nights (particularly weekends) feature two acts. The earlier one starts around 6 or 7 PM and the later show begins at 10 PM. The cover charge applies to happy hour, but the drink prices are drastically reduced. The on line schedule of events is kept up-to-date, including FREE open-band rehearsals a few times a month, so there are definitely ways to 'Rumba on the cheap.' If you appreciate live music, this is a great place to check out Columbus's local talent. It's all about the music here.
(5)Melanie B.
Like Matt K., I just can't love Rumba. I mean, it's fine. I like the patio in the summer, but I dislike the fact that there are a lot of narrow spaces in here, and that there doesn't seem to be any sort of maintenance to said patio in the winter (unlike other bars in town). I've seen some really fun shows here, but it's either crowded, or like last night, its awkward if you want to stand up front to see your friend play because everyone else is sitting down (weird!). But I guess that's because it's a "cafe." I've had some shady things happen with bartenders here. Once my friend ordered vodka+cranberry (isn't there a real name for that? I forget...), and just got cranberry juice - for five bucks. I've also had bartenders overcharge me for beer. This just doesn't sit well for me. And also, since I'm on a rant about PBR lately - it's midpriced here. I think it was 2.50 for a tallboy. Not terrible, but it's 2bucks elsewhere. Whatevs. I remain unimpressed. I go here to see my friends play, but that's it.
(3)Pete C.
I need to throw this out there before I start raving about this place: there's almost always a cover here. This usually coincides with the live music (more on that later), but it can be upwards of $10 at times depending on who's playing. Make a mental note of that. The fact that I had to manually add Rumba Cafe to the Yelp directory goes to show just how much of a hidden gem this funky, jazzy little North Campus bar truly is. I'll admit that the location is perplexing, but the more I come here the more I realize that it's the bars saving grace. Located near the intersection of Hudson and Summit, it's neither here nor there in terms of local bar areas. It's a good half mile from High St, so it can't really be considered part of the North Campus scene that houses Ledo's and Sloopy's (thank God for that!), nor is it part of the OSU off-campus scene really. It's easy enough to get to from downtown or elsewhere via I-71, so the assertion that it's hiding is certainly an unfair one. I suppose it just hasn't been found by the popular masses yet. The main attraction at Rumba is, like I said before, live music. While it's likely to book a national touring act or two every now and then, most of the groups that play here on a regular basis are local funk and soul bands that have spent years cultivating a respectable fan-base that's often represented at Rumba. My personal favorite is the Hoo Doo Soul Band, a local staple that can be seen on stage here every Sunday night from 10pm-2am. Even if you're not a fan of funk music, it's impossible to sit still while there guys are playing. That's another thing I love about Rumba- the energy. No one here will ever look at you like you're an idiot for jumping out of your seat and dancing the night away on the tiny dance floor that separates the stage from the crowd. You'll see a truly diverse collection of Central Ohioans pack this place every night, with ages ranging anywhere from 21 to 61. No one ever feels out of place here, that's for sure. The focus is rarely on anything else but the music, which is always something I can appreciate. The bar has a pretty small selection of drafts, but the wine and bottle choices are fairly extensive. I can't consider myself a wine guy, so any recommendations as to what's good here would be ill-conceived. The prices are about a dollar or two above average, but it never feels like you're getting gouged for a rum and coke. I'd put Rumba somewhere between your average South Campus bar and a trendy waste of time like Spice regarding how much a night of Bud Light bottles will run you. Not bad, but not great. Rumba also boasts a back patio that's small but very friendly. There's room for a bar out here, but I've never seen anyone running it in any of my visits here. I guess I've never been here on a night that was truly packed by their definition of the word. If you're in to places with rope lights that have a mellow grotto feel to them, you'll certainly enjoy it. So there's the verdict on Rumba: not cheap, but worth every penny when it comes to fun and casual places to get down with some great music and great drinks.
(5)Peter G.
It is fantastic. Even though this spot has been blown up by several yelpers in the area, I think this is a great bar. Although awkwardly built, I think it is the definitive place to see music here. It is a great place where new bands go that are worth hearing. Every SUNDAY night there is a great cover/funk band. Their sound is amazingly tight. Anyway, The bar is amazing, people are generous, it is the best patio by far in the city, good beer, and although out of the way it is somewhere I want to go more.
(4)Kris H.
I think Peter pretty much cornered the review of Rumba Cafe. I've only been to Rumba to check out the Hoodoo Soul Band on Sunday night. I never think to go there any other time. Like Peter said, it's kind of hidden, but kind of not. I guess the problem is, unlike most good bars in town, there's usually another option close. I don't think that's the case with Rumba. But then, I don't know the area very well. Personally I like to jump around and go to lots of different places when I'm out. If you drive to Rumba, you pretty much have to drive to another bar. However, not a big deal if you're on a bike. The place is nice without being uptight. The design would do just as well in a yuppy neighborhood, but as it stands the crowd is interesting and very open to new faces. You could show up in a suit or a t-shirt without any question. The bar and the seating area are separated by a wall, so the line can bottle neck when it's busy. I've never had much of a problem getting a drink though. The bartenders are quick and friendly.
(4)Elizabeth D.
Great range of music - a different one every night, and something for everyone. It's a bit of a weird set up - and they could definitely use more space, but great bar and the people are in general pretty nice.
(4)Matthew M.
I have been on maybe two occasions repulsed from entering this truly inviting music bar by the exorbitant covers being asked for at the door. I did go in once on a date and hear a top-flight jazz sorta quartet whose members were each memorable and inspiring musicians. The drink prices were what i would expect in a place that looks like this--handsomely decorated and classy but not too posh in that repellent way--but, alas, are still too rich for my blood on most nights. The back patio was relaxing and the overall atmosphere was quite friendly. I liked that tall girl bartender who waited on us that particular night, a sweet person who i recognized from her volunteering at the short lived Milo Arts concert series. Rumba Cafe is really a very nice destination for a night out of music and i hope to get myself there a little more often, but the cover charges remain a mental obstacle to me.
(4)Nathan L.
When I stopped into Rumba last night to take a quick pic or two the cover was $12. Ouch. Just thought everyone may want to know...
(4)J R.
Pretty good beer selection. They have Hoegaarden on tap!
(3)