Got a reservation easily on a Saturday night. Decided to make a meal of the Tapas. Tilapia ceviche was good. Plantains w/queso and guava a bit confused. But two were sublime. The menu said "cured Spanish sausage sauteed with onions;" hardly sufficient for the high-quality chorizo sauteed with lots of different veggies and served with grilled bread to soak up the juices (somewhat oily and totally delicious.) The "octopus Galician style" also exceeded the menu description. My husband's Chilean red wine complemented both. I found the white wine list a bit lacking.
(4)
Sally F.
I went here for salsa night a couple weeks. Worst bar experience EVER!!!! It took over 40 minutes for me to get a glass of Riesling. The bar tender was Marshall Wine. He was so caught up in entertaining the guests with his bar tricks that the group of ladies I was with waited way too long to get our drinks. No one came out help either til AFTER we were all served. Where was the owner? Not to mention the Riesling was terrible
(1)
Yusuf S.
I had a phenomenal experience and dinner at the Sidebar restaurant. From the minute I walked in the door the greeting and atmosphere was fantastic. The server Mark knew the menu and food description as well as I know diamonds I was very impressed! From the appetizers and meal to the dessert the presentation was extra special.
(5)
Heavi K.
I know it was a Tuesday night, but place was "deadsville". Bar tender knew very little about wine for being a stated "wine bar".
(2)
Josh H.
We came here for our anniversary and I'm glad we did. The service was good, the drinks were great and the food was even better. The tilapia fritters were good, but not great. They were basically small pieces of battered and fried fish. I was hoping for a little more out of them. The lamb shank, however was one of the best I've ever had. It was falling off the bone tender. The Parmesan risotto was delicious as well. My wife had the special of the night (sea bass), which was also fantastic. The cocktails were pricey ($10.25 apiece), but exceptionally well made. The kicker though, was dessert. That's what bumped this up from a 4 star review to a 5. I'd never heard of bruselina, but I'll be back specifically for this. It is a layered mousse cake with butterscotch, cream and almonds, and no words can do it justice. We were already stuffed from dinner, but couldn't stop eating the dessert because it was so delicious.
(5)
Allison S.
Great drinks if you are a fancy cocktails person. They serve bacon in a glass as a bar snack, which I found endlessly amusing.
(4)
Tony D.
I gave 3 stars because have not had food yet. Cocktail program is top drawer Very nice space. Try it
(3)
Van S.
My wife and I along with another couple went a little crazy with the amount of food we ordered here over the weekend. We expected small plate tapas, but the servings are larger than I expected and definitely shareable. The highlights of the meal for me were the scallops parmezan, ceviche, calamari, and cilantro hummus. The scallops were large, cooked perfectly, and sitting in a creamy cheesy sauce. The ceviche was bright and refreshing. The calamari was very delicate and came with a fantastic dipping aioli. I was a little disappointed that it was absent of any tentacles. The hummus was different from anything I've had before and the cilantro provided more than just coloring. The chicken skewers were well received; primarily due to the chimichurri sauce that covered the chicken. The "loaf" of bread we ordered was actually several rolls; very tasty but something that should be complementary instead of $4. I didn't get to try the croquettes, but the others spoke highly about them. The manchengo cheese was milder than I hoped, but the olives that accompanied it were high quality. The plantains were cooked a little unevenly as some were very firm and dense while others were soft and caramelized. I didn't try the beef empanadas that we ordered, but they were one of the only items that didn't get finished. The Spanish sausage probably ranked lowest on my list. The firm cured sausage was sliced thin and in a stew with onions and peppers. I'd like it if it were served dry with a good cheese. I'm strictly a beer drinker and they don't have an extensive list, but there are a couple beers that kept me from being disappointed. I went with the CBC pale ale. A liter of sangria was shared. I tried a sip of it, and there was a cinnamon aftertaste which was different from my limited sangria experiences. The craft cocktails were pricey at $10-11 each. The pricing was fair for the serving sizes and quality of the food. It really gave us a chance to try many things. The service was fantastic and the restaurant wasn't very busy. The atmosphere was upscale, but relaxed at the same time. I felt slightly overdressed in my button up shirt. You could come in wearing shorts and still feel comfortable.
(4)
Natasha K.
Sidebar is an experience within itself, especially on Tapas Tuesday. We came to Sidebar a few hours before our show started to sit, relax and take in the whole experience. Once you order a drink they then bring you around different tapas plates to try. We could have only ate what they brought around as the portions were a good size but we decided to order off of the menu as well. We had around 6-7 different tapas plates and there was only 1 I wasn't found of. They rest were out of this world. The only thing I could slightly complain about was that we didn't really have 1 server, they kind of rotated around the bar. I didn't mind except there were a few times we looked around for awhile before we had to stop an employee to order food or another drink. Time flew by as we sipped exceptional drinks and ate an array of amazing food. Before we knew it our show was starting in 10 minutes, we quickly grabbed someone to pay the bill and ran out. Time truly does fly when you're having fun, eating amazing food and enjoying some of the best drinks you've ever had. If you are in or around Columbus you definitely need to stop off at Sidebar and have yourself an awesome experience AND a Moscow Mule.
(5)
Janelle S.
I concur with others who are hesitant to review, for selfish fear that this somewhat secret gem will go mainstream. it's awesome. After deciding against The Walrus (too loud; too busy), two colleagues and I opted for Sidebar. So happy we did. The patio isn't large, but it's quaint and after this non-summer we've had, it felt great to be outdoors. To start, happy hour is until 7 p.m. Thank you for realizing not everyone is off work at 4 p.m.! I mean, really. But I digress. I was craving something spicy, so I ordered up a spicy margarita (not on the menu). Complete with sliced jalapeno. I could've drank a pitcher it was so good! The olives appetizer - with a side of warm pita bread - is yummy. But super hard to eat. Trying to be gracious with work peeps and you're spitting pits and whole olives are rolling all over? Eh. Yum, but hard to handle. LOL. Our server was kinda salty. I think he was trying to be clever and dry, but, really, it came off as jerk'ish. Eh, whatever. I've seen worse. The tapas, lemme say, are big portions (wahoo!). Order less than you think you'll eat - and go from there. Gotta love healthy portions. Beef empanadas? Um, YES!
(4)
Marie H.
Haven't been here for regular dining yet but I'll definitely vouch for their Tuesday happy hour deal - free tapas with the purchase of any drink from 5-7! The cocktails were fantastic and you get about 6-7 tapas total (they bring one out about every 15 minutes). I think they have different tapas every week, but these are the ones I had when I was there: - Quinoa salad with tomatoes and peppers - Seared tuna with spring veggies (delicious!!) - Mussels with spicy tomato-cilantro sauce (I was tempted to lick the sauce off the plate, it was so good) - Some kind of seafood casserole/gratin (my 2nd favorite) - Arroz con pollo (pretty average) - A flan-like dessert (very light and airy) Loved being able to try a bunch of different dishes just from buying a drink (if you're gonna get a drink anyway, might as well get some yummy free food). I will definitely be back!
(4)
Ramy E.
Ordered a variety of small plates (7 in total for a party of 4). Everything tasted fabulous! Service was great, even on a busy Friday night. All in all it is highly recommended!
(5)
Olamide O.
Had the pork chops and a cocktail that had Hennessy in it and it was delicious. This restaurant is a hidden gem in Columbus and I highly recommend it. A friend told me about it and I am so happy that she did. The tapas menu is also very good (had the beef empanadas) which were really good. Had the trece leches for dessert and lets just say I can go back there just for that. This has become my new go to joint in Columbus. Thank you
(5)
Sidda L.
Wow. First time here and we will be back! Excellent, excellent drinks, food, and service. We had the tapas & pizza. Favorites were the mussels and garlic shrimp! Stuffed ourselves with food, so unable to order dessert. Next time!!
(5)
Forest E.
Very good drinks, service and interesting menu. Very reasonable.
What a hidden gem. This place is quality. My husband and I went for dinner and tried 6 small plates. Once we tasted the first dish, we knew that everything on the menu was going to be amazing, and it was. We will be back as often as possible!
(5)
Kirby N.
A great experience! My husband and I went here for a bit of a celebration and we will definitely be back. We made a meal out of tapas and walked out absolutely stuffed. We went on a Friday night and it was a bit busy but we had made a reservation, which I recommend doing (you can reserve online!) We were first seated at a small table in the middle of a walkway which was crowded and made it hard to enjoy our experience, but a party left shortly after we ordered drinks so our waitress moved us to a bigger table in the corner, which was awesome of her. We ordered 5 plates -- Chicken skewers: highly recommend! The sauce was amazing Ceviche: I'm not a fish person but my husband enjoyed Spicy potatoes: I'd pass on this one next time and try something else. They were okay, but the aioli sauce was heavier than I had expected Chickpeas with spinach: my favorite! Great flavor in such a simple dish Mixed vegetables: simple and delicious I highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)
Jacinta Y.
Had my first Sidebar experience this past Friday, and I have to say that it was pretty much perfect. All of the staff members that we interacted with were super nice and quite knowledgeable about the menu. The general atmosphere was easygoing and not at all overwhelming. While their menu does seem to be filled with numerous fantastic entrees, my husband and I decided to stick with the extensive tapas menu for this first adventure. The waiter advised that 2-3 plates is generally enough food for any one person, so we got four plates to split between the two of us. We tried the pork skewers, beef empanadas, chicken croquettes, and the fried potatoes. The pork skewers and beef empanadas were probably our favorites, but everything was pretty tasty. And we were both eyeing things on the menu that we'd like to try next time... The drinks here are basically fantastic. Sure they may be a bit on the pricey side compared to some other places, but the quality really is quite high. And then there's the dessert. We tried the one that I believe is called Chocolate Madness, and they weren't kidding with that title. The chocolate level and richness is pretty serious, but you'll get no complaints from me on that :)
Love the pre-Prohibition cocktails. Great variety of drinks and tapas - perfect size to share. Salads and entrees look great (the two of us were too full after sharing 3 tapas plates to order any). Two waiters passed through carrying the largest pan of paella I have ever seen including several beautiful lobster tails, on their way to the party room. Great location, good food (plantains are especially fantastic), fun drinks.
(4)
Holly K.
Sidebar is impeccably delicious. If you haven't been, you're missing one of the best bars (and my new fav) in the city. I've been here twice now and if I ever end up with an amazing freelance project, raise, promotion, hot date or a date by myself...I'll probably end up here for whatever I'll be celebrating. SO. GOOD. The Moscow Mules are to die for. They hand make all syrups and ingredients for the cocktails in house. None of this fake stuff, short cut garbage. The Smokey Manhattan is also killer. Basically EVERYTHING is good. EVERYTHING. Pizza. Lamb Shank. Tapas. All incredible. When I went for restaurant week I had an amazing soup with chorizo sausage, spinach, potatoes, etc. (bring it back!), the lamb shank (which I told my friend I wasn't going to eat all of it because it was so huge...well, it all went in my belly) and the Tres Leche cake (drooling...). If you have to stand on a corner to get a drink here selling cigarettes to passerbys, do it. You won't be sorry, I promise. :)D
(5)
Fred B.
Sidebar 122 is one of our favorite restaurants in Columbus, because it is unique and different from anything else we've found locally. The drinks are fantastic. It is a GREAT bar. They've brought back the art of old-school mixology. The bartenders specialize in liquor drinks that are "shaken but not stirred". Try the Fruit Gimlet, made with gin, simple syrup and muddled berries. Phenomenal. It isn't on the menu right now, but ask for it and they'll make it. The tapas are very good. Try the veal meatball and the spicy potatoes. The pizzas are AWESOME. Entrees are very good. Desserts are delicious. The restaurant has a beautiful old brick interior. Service is consistently very good - friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. Lively crowd, but not too loud. Location is downtown on Main Street a block or so east of High Street. The area is plenty safe, but use the complimentary valet unless you know where to park nearby. Sidebar 122 is a hidden jewel among restaurants in Columbus. Really great.
(5)
Xiaoran X.
I love the beef stew so much! It had a talented mixed flavors of different kinds of herbs!
(5)
Jessica K.
Happy hour NOT JUST Tuesday! Everyone else has info on Tuesday and we were convinced that was the only option, but they have $5 tapas and $5 cocktails M-F from 5-7 pm in the bar. Cocktails were great. We tried the entire HH list. Group favorite was the Two Step, a drink we chose last because we thought it would be sweet and silly. Was balanced, fresh and delicious. The drink to be reordered the most was the French 75, another favorite. Food was awesome. We had 8 for 4 people and it was 2 too many. 3 per couple is probably good, especially if you pick some of the bigger dishes like the tomato goat cheese dip, which was huge and tasty, or the mushrooms and garlic. The mussels were also great in a tomato broth and a very generous serving for $5. Chicken skewers and beef empanadas were the best protein fillers. The only thing we didn't love was the plantain dish, but mostly because it was hard to share and kinda small (but still totally fair for $5). Would recommend no more than 4 people, mostly 2- and 4-tops. On a Friday before a show at the Southern, there was plenty of space on arrival at 5:30 and it didn't get packed until 6:30/7. Nice service. One super friendly dude, one casual knowledgable dude, and one pretentious ass who did a good fake smile. Team service was nice. $120 for 4 with 8 dishes and about 10 cocktails total (it was a symphony, we needed motivation), which is a damn steal in my book. PS- REMEMBER TO TIP EXTRA on HH hour prices! Throw down an extra $5 to acknowledge you just got $250 worth of food and service for half the price. Working HH sucks when you get half as much pay as the servers working the main dining room even though you're doing the same thing.
(5)
Vin R.
My wife loves this place, not just for the food but also for the staff. Both times we've gone, the Maitre d tells her she looks absolutely beautiful and compliments her dress. He's right, but I wonder if he tells this to every lady who walks in the door... Both times we've gone we were bowled over by the menu and ordered way too much. Highlights include the Goat Cheese Salad, Quinoa Salad, Chicken Croquettes, Lobster Ravioli and Beef Empanadas. Even with an awesome menu, the drinks are still a highlight. The Moscow Mule is one of the best I've ever had and the Manhattan can hold its head high with anyone else's in town. If you go once, you'll go back again. Trust me.
(4)
J S.
Lucky for me, the snowfall stopped slightly while I was visiting for work, and I was able to stop by. I arrived not soon after happy hour started, and the place was still rather empty. The happy hour tapas menu looked very promising, but I also wanted to try something from the main menu since I was visiting, and on an expense account. :) The chicken croquettes were creamy and delicious, but I was slightly disappointed with the tomato and goat cheese dip (served with pita bread). It tasted like more of a creamy tomato soup, than a gooey cheese dip. Perhaps I misunderstood the description, but the name had "dip" in it, so I assumed that's what it was. I tried the lamb shank--it's not for the faint of heart! It is HUGE! Two people can easily split it, especially since I already had 2 other appetizer prior. I sat at the bar, though it seemed like there was a whole other dining room unseen from where I was seated. Service was quick, atmosphere was jovial, and overall, it's a place I might frequent if I lived in town.
(4)
N S.
This is our new favorite place in Columbus to crash at the bar after a long day, sipping perfect drinks and gnoshing to-die-for tapas. It is cozy but elegant, warm and inviting and the staff is super friendly (OK, one waiter is self-absorbed and invasive, but as we usually sit at the bar it is not a big deal). and helpful. The owner, Alberto, is always around it seems and as nice and chatty and concerned as can be. All drinks are fun and good. All food is great. Empanadas that are perfect. Pulpo (octopus) that is spicy but good. Flash-fried talapia "bites" that are much, much better than that sounds. All sauces are interesting and a great match with the food. They are opening a jazz club downstairs soon. Go.Go, Go. Love this place.
(5)
Susan R.
Holy moly. The food. Here. Is. So. Good. Because we were celebrating Keith M's birthday, I indulged in a couple of tapas that had meat in them, the chicken croquettes and the chorizo with peppers and veggies in. I rounded this off with the spicy potatoes, which are similarish to one of my favorite Spanish tapas. I stuffed myself. I ate every damn bite of all of my food, plus the amazing cilantro hummus they have, and probably could have kept going despite the fact that I would hate myself afterward, because the food was great. The pisco sour I had was also really good. They made it with egg white, which I don't see enough at bars. They bring you the extra in a small vial/flask thing, which was thoughtful and elegant. Our server was fantastic; he was personable and lovely, just the right mix of outgoing, attentive, and respectful of our need to have a good time undisturbed. Service was a little slow overall, but we did have a huge party, so I guess that's to be somewhat expected. They accommodated the birthday boy's cake, which was brought in from a bakery rather than purchased from the restaurant. They do add gratuity if you have a large party, which some of us didn't notice--but honestly, and I think this says a lot, I'm totally comfortable with the amount of "extra" tip I left from not having noticed that gratuity was already on the bill. I was quite happy to pass it along to our servers for a job well-done and a fantastic meal.
(5)
Joshua L.
This used to be a go-to spot of ours for dinner and/or drinks. We returned a couple weeks ago with a fairly large group, and we were fairly disappointed after the menu redesign. We ordered a flat bread, scallop appetizer, and a couple other small unmemorable plates. The best of what we ordered were the scallops, but even that lacked cohesion, in flavor and in creation. The cheese did not want to stay with the scallop when you took a bite, and it needed an acid or something on the light flavor side to balance the greasiness of the cheese. Even the old fashioned, which was always my choice drink, didn't taste the same. Nothing was particularly bad, but it just wasn't what it had been, which is a shame. The atmosphere is still nice, however.
(2)
Dustin F.
Caveat - I am rating this as a bar, more than a restaurant..... We hit Sidebar around 8p.m. on a Friday night and found plenty of room at the bar to saddle up for some post dinner drinks. This is definitely a 'mixology' type of establishment, but not in the pretentious way that makes you kinda of sick. The two bartenders, Mike and Chris, were incredibly nice and sociable! They shared their favorites, made awesome drinks, and were great to talk with while we drank our libations.... I was surprised by how quiet the bar was, but from what Mike shared, it sounds like it gets pretty busy during happy hour. Look forward to trying more drinks, off-menu, and maybe even some of the food!
(5)
Matt G.
FREE TAPAS TUESDAY!!! Great food, talented chef, and strong drinks! This place can be a bit pricey, but Happy Hours are quite awesome. Along with discounted drinks, they provide an array of small plates completely free while you drink/wait. I haven't been here for an actual dinner, but if the tapas are any relation, it'll be astounding quality. Mike's definitely a fun guy to have as your bartender. Full of character and will always try to help you have a good night. I'd say if you're in the area, swing by and have a nice, delightful dinner OR pound down a few great drinks and enjoy Free Tapas Tuesdays!
(4)
Kim R.
Love this place! I have been there twice and both times the food and service were terrific. The complimentary hummus is a nice change and very delicious. The signature cocktails are well made. I especially love the Moscow Mule. The tapas size dishes are great for sharing and everything I have tried has been really good. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Jennifer P.
I liked the concept of the drinks, but they weren't my thing. The lamb pizza and scallops were both phenomenal, reasonably priced too.
(4)
Chelsey M.
Oh sidebar. I wanted to love you, but your "policies" ruined it. I spent a large sum of money here this evening and had a restaurant.com certificate. Nowhere on the certificate or the terms of use or anywhere at all does it state limitations for the purchase amount and what counts and what doesn't count towards the purchase. So I presented my certificate to the server who told me that there were restrictions towards the purchase amount. When I pressed further after investigating the restaurant.com website and also the certificate itself, I couldn't find anything stating that. She eventually said that the owner told the servers they were not allowed to accept the certificates for certain purchases (alcohol) but did say they used to accept them until it became a problem. I wasn't offered any resolution to this, the opportunity to speak to a manager or supervisor, or any real explanation. If it is against the law somehow, fine. But say that . Don't say that the owner said you can't accept them anymore because it became a "problem" because no where on the certificate does it say anything other than the minimum purchase amount. It's upsetting because the food wasn't that bad, but the service and policies just ruined it. And as far as the ambiance goes, on the other side of the divider next to the table where we were seated, were two very, very drunk women. Which typically wouldn't bother me, though I find drunk people annoying, but they were having a conversation very openly about relationship issues. The one woman was telling the other (and the whole restaurant) how she cheated on her boyfriend with another guy and cheated on that guy with another guy. It was like the movie Inception, but with cheating. A relationship within a relationship within a relationship. **EDIT** The server also told me that on the printed certificate that it would state that it could not be used for alcohol. I checked before I left because I was using the mobile app at the restaurant. Just got home and checked again. It doesn't say that at all. So disappointing. If this is a legal issue, like I said, that's fine, but be educated and be able to provide that answer. If this is an issue of the owner not wanting to honor a certificate, then this is crazy. **EDIT** Just looked up Ohio liquor laws and Ohio code..This does not appear to be a legal issue, but a restaurant issue. codes.ohio.gov/orc/4301.…
(1)
Megan T.
Back to number one status. My husband, 2 y/o son and I ate here 3 times while we were in town. We are moving back to the area soon, and I look forward to more great times at Sidebar. Menu looks revamped, but they kept the fab classics like the cilantro hummus, calamari, veggie pasta, salmon etc. The spanish tortilla tapa was new and very very good. Friendly and informed service, delicious cocktails. They're back!
(5)
Helen S.
I came here for a Tuesday happy hour, and got some drinks/tapas. My drink was a really good strawberry rhubarb cocktail special that they had, and tapas samples were included with the drink purchase. Some of them were hits (I especially liked the cilantro hummus) while others were misses. This isn't my favorite tapas place, but for the happy hour deal I can't complain much.
(3)
Tabitha F.
Drink rating: 5 stars + I had a Sazerac (one of my all time favorite drinks) and a Smokey Manhattan (w/ sidecar) - freaking fabulous. My date had a Old Fashion - also great. I love a place that serves classic drinks with their own signature spin...as long as its good, of course. Sidebar 122 delivers flawlessly. They served not one but two free humus/pita chips appetizers.....uh yes, thank you - i will devour your delicious free humus! My date got the Shrimp BBQ pizza and I ordered the Roast Duck. The duck and jalapeno sauce were tasty - the side of rice w/ mushroom and spinach wasn't as good as I anticipated from reading the description....but it wasn't bad by any means. My date's pizza.....holy hell.....I wanted to steal it from him. It was so yummy. Keeping in mind I am a pie gal ALL THE WAY, I opted for the Tres Leches cake. It wasn't pie but it was very good - moist. I loved the look and feel of this place - I heard a history commentary being delivered to a nearby table. Apparently back in the day - pre-prohibition days - there were underground tunnels under the building that lead to a speak easy, brothel and the statehouse.....neat to know - ole dirty politicians! :) When I left - I ran two blocks in the pouring rain in heals, after such a great experience my mood wasn't even dampened!
(4)
Christina C.
Had an absolute blast at Sidebar a couple months back! Food was amazing- we got a table full of tapas to share! Service was great as well! Can't wait to go back!!!
(5)
E H.
My husband and I went to Sidebar for our anniversary last night: we had fantastic service and management was very doting on our special night out. Food was fantastic, drinks were spot on. I can go on and on . . . thank you for making our night out great!
(5)
Jon M.
Great ambiance. Place was surprisingly big considering most downtown Columbus restaurants. Drinks were amazing! And a meal of tapas is the way to go. We got the chicken croquettes, beef empanadas, spicy potatoes, and mushroom and garlic somethingernother! All great, and filled the two of us. They also give a free cilantro lime hummus up front, which is pretty much amazing. Highly recommended!
(4)
Sharmeela S.
Loved the moscow mule and potato tapas. Lovely bar and dining room. Perfect for date night or outing with friends. Its walking distance from the Columbus Commons. The cocktails are artistically done and quite exceptional. Average price 10.25$. The food is delicious and creative as well. This place did not disappoint!
(5)
TJ R.
Went for dinner. Food was pretty good but, in the end, felt over priced. Enjoyed the mixed drinks we tried, and the wine selection was nice.
(3)
Jillian M.
Come here for Tapas Tuesday. Seriously. Happy hour here with friends, from 5-7:30 PM on the glorious aforementioned tapas Tuesday. The drinks here don't mess around. They don't have much in the way of happy hour drink pricing, but you get free tapas from 5-7pm with your full price drink purchase. Drinks are around $10, and they are worth every penny. Coming from a cheapskate like myself, that's saying something! All their drinks are pre-Prohibition style; meaning no artificial flavors and everything is fresh-squeezed and made in-house. Since there was a group of us, we got to sample each other's drinks, and there wasn't a dud in the bunch. I had the special of the night, which was called 'Bijoux'. A gin based drink with chartreuse and some sort of bitters, with an orange peel. It was strong and delicious. I also had the Black Walnut Old Fashioned, which packed a punch but left you with a smooth, sweet, nutty taste at the end. Throughout the two+ hours we received the following tapas delivered to our table: *Caprese Bruschetta *Mussels (with spicy tomato sauce) *Spicy potatoes *Lamb lollipop with mashed potato and steamed veg *Square of Be'Naye pizza (lamb, tomato, mozz) *Asparagus quiche (that crust, SO BUTTERY) The bruschetta was the least exciting of the group, but all were tasty and a nice little plate of food. That lamb lollipop/potato/veg combo was so good that I could see myself ordering an entree-sized portion regardless of price. It was a great way to taste a lot of the menu FOR FREE. For a little over $20, I walked away with a tummy full of fancy food and superb drinks. It's a nice way to see how the 'other half' lives!
(4)
Karla B.
Not really great dinner location but better for drinks and tapas. Great party space on the second level to have a personal bartender and tapas.
(3)
Anuj S.
My first experience at Sidebar 122 was OK. There were some service issues with the food coming out really slow and the tapas pretty much coming out together with our mains. Also, towards the end, we had no waiter presence for 15 minutes when we were ready for the check. The food was... meh... The tapas potatoes and mushrooms were OK. I liked the potatoes much more than the mushrooms. For my main, I had a veggie pizza, which was OK. The sides which were crispy were actually quite decent, but most of the pizza was really soggy. I'm thinking it may have been sitting in the kitchen or something...
(3)
Karyn M.
I can only give a rating on their Tapas Tuesday special, which is a definite 5 star. With a purchase of a drink, you get free tapas from 5-7pm on Tuesdays. Drinks, I had the moscow mule followed by their house pinot noir. The moscow mule was $10.25, which is a bit pricey but it was good and the free tapas made up for it. The tapas can out generally every 15 minutes or so and was either from the tapas menu or a sample of their entrees. I sampled a total of 7 tapas from 5-7pm: 1. Some sort of salad with a veggie skewer - not that great 2. Chicken croquette - really delicious, one of my favorite ones 3. Seafood pasta - another top dish of the night 4. Mahi mahi over rice - fish was not that fresh 5. Lamb on couscous - good, but the lamb was a little fatty 6. Spicy wedge potatoes - average 7. BBQ shrimp pizza - really delicious! top dish Overall, it was really good for just the price of drinks! I definitely will return again.
(5)
Tiffany W.
I've gone a few times for their happy hour, which is Tuesday from 5-7 pm. If you order a drink from their bar (sitting at the bar or some of the nearby tables), waiters come to your table with free tapas. If you'd like to take advantage of the whole happy hour, come early (around 5-5:15 ish) and stay through around 6:45 or so. They come out with tapas about every 15 minutes so you'll definitely be full if you stay the whole time. Some of their tapas are samples of their main menu items, and others are different. Their tapas are different than tapas I've had in Spain -- if I had to best describe it, I'd say that these tapas tend to be a bit on the heavier side. But still delicious! I've also had their lamb flatbread pizza which is about $15 but good to split with friends to supplement some tapas if you're still feeling hungry. The bartenders are pretty fun people, too, so generally a good atmosphere on Tuesdays.
(4)
Mary M.
Myself and a group of 20 other friends spent our NYE here last week and we were impressed!! This is a great spot for adults to go and have fun without having to deal with the "college crowd". GREAT calamari as well! :)
(5)
Siri S.
Showed up around 5:30 for tapas Tuesday and was able to sit out on the patio. The tapas weren't anything to rave over but the drinks were really good. I ordered a Moscow Mule and loved it! Also if vegetarian most of the tapas given on Tuesday were vegetarian friendly which I was surprised by.
(3)
J. S.
Excellent food and drinks! Relaxing atmosphere. The beef short ribs were very tender and and spinach stuffed eggplant was melt in your mouth delicious. The flan de coco was the perfect ending to our meals.
(5)
R J.
We had their duck and a NY Strip here recently. Top quality and flavor! I also recall the sauce reductions that came with them were superb as well. Will return again soon..
(4)
Liza V.
I brought a big group here for the end of my birthday celebration. I was just ordering some fancy cocktails, but a few others wanted food. Uh-oh, the kitchen is closing! Not to worry, though. The owner came out and asked us what we needed, he set us up with a great big table, and told us "I want your fannies in my chairs, and your money in my pocket...and joy in your hearts." It was pretty adorable. So those who needed grub were all satisfied with some of their delicious-looking pizzas and cheese plates, etc. We were very appreciative of the accommodation. He brought us out a few plates of their pita (freshly fried) and cilantro hummus. That stuff is out of this world! Service was fantastic- everyone was so friendly, and my glass was never empty for more than a minutes- which is how it should be on your birthday! All of the cocktails are awesome. Pricey, of course, but that was expected. They pay attention to every detail- using the correct ice for each individual drink, freshly muddling the fruit, and serving each in the perfect glass. The fresh ginger in the Moscow Mule really doe make it the best in the city. And it's served in an awesome copper mug- too cool. This is the perfect place to impress a date, bring a group of friends, or for whenever you're feelin' a little fancy! And don't tell everyone, but on Tuesday, they serve free tapas if you order drinks-whoa!!
(5)
Bradley O.
Who would have known, that the day our baby came into our lives, would be the last time my wife and I enjoyed an evening out, just the two of us, 9 months later. My (much older) sister had agreed to watch our bundle of joy for the evening as we attempted to recover our youth. An evening of dinner and movie lay in store for us, a stereotypical night out for two people wanting to escape. Dinner plans were primarily my wife's specialty, but tonight, it was my turn to determine our fate. With a little help from Yelp, Sidebar 122 was to be our destination. We arrived (as two young people in the prime of their life, normally do) by pulling our MINI VAN to the sign that read, "Free Valet Parking." Someone's review just got a star before even getting out of the car. For a Friday night, the place was busy, but my reservation proved unnecessary. The waiter was a tall handsome fellow who seemed dark and mysterious. His 5 o'clock shadow and chiseled chin was more than enough to keep my wife's attention. (Someone just lost their free Valet Parking star.) And then it happened. The question from my wife, "What's a mule?" The question that would define the rest of the evening. The question that would melt all the stress, all the demands of home life away. The one question that would turn Matt Damon's movie Elysium, from "ok," to "pretty good." The Moscow Mule. Tito's Handmade Vodka - fresh ginger - lime - club soda and fresh fruit. In a single word ... DAMM THAT $#%T is GOOD! Our dinner comprised of some fantastic Tapas: Mushrooms & Garlic, Chicken Croquettes, Plantain Queso and Guava, Beef Empanadas, and Fried Squid. But it's the Mule that will keep us coming back.
(5)
Sophia R.
The only place to go when you're looking for flavor, originality, and a hell of a lot of class! Servers are witty, bartenders are knowledgeable, and the owners are passionate about the food and drinks they serve.
(5)
Angie K.
Revamped and improved! Recommend awesome drinks and good bartender. We will be back and were impressed. The food wasn't bad, at all. The drinks were way better! I love how much they train the staff and love what they do. They must have went under new initiatives after prior changes.
(4)
Sameerah S.
If you are looking for the best Moscow Mule in Columbus then this is where you need to be. It comes in the signature copper mug and taste oh-so-good!
(4)
Dee M.
My boyfriend and I absolutely adore Sidebar. During the warm weather, the outdoor patio is a wonderful place to sit and waste a few hours. We love the happy hour and normally sit and order drinks and a few different tapas. Tonight, however, we came from 5-7pm for Tapas Tuesday, which was phenomenal. We ordered two cocktails, a Sidebar Sidecar and Sangria, both of which were incredible. The tapas came out at just the right pace. We enjoyed small bites of a mushroom salad, fried chicken wings, seafood medley, a fried mashed potato/knish with meat, and a ceviche/guacamole bite. Sidebar is one of our favorite restaurants in Columbus.
Came here on Tuesday for Happy Hour, a bit concerned because they have free tapas Tuesday's with purchase of drink, and unfortunately I don't drink but do enjoy the HH food. But lucky me, today, they didn't have Tapas Tuesday due to Restaurant Week so I was able to order from the regular HH discount menu. The prices were so reasonable so I wanted to order like 4-5 items but the bartender promptly advised that it would be way too much if I ordered the spicy octopus (non-HH) and spicy potatoes and then helped me to choose 4. I said if there were other HH items I wanted, I wanted to get the order in before 7pm and he said to eat first and see whether I felt like ordering more afterwards and he would accommodate the pricing. That reassured me so I didn't go overboard from the get go. What I ordered: HH Mushroom and garlic ($4) Beef empanadas ($6) Red snapper ceviche ($6) Non HH: Spicy pulpo (octopus) ($11) Scallops ($11) My favorite: mushroom and garlic tapas hands down. Light but not overwhelming and wonderfully seasoned with warmed pita wedges. Really enjoyed the ceviche. Wonderful presentation and great flavors but again, a bit too salty. Between Marcella's yesterday, I'm wondering whether Columbusians just tend to over salt their food. I've become somewhat of an empanada snob so this one didn't come close to my favorite. The rococo sauce, spicy and flavorful but salty!! The filling was like a pulled pork (but beef) inside. Spicy pulpo was again nicely seasoned with a kick but could tell it was frozen octopus. A bit of a downer but still decent on the palate. I should've stopped here but since it was my last night in Columbus and they packed up the remainder of my tapas I hardly touched (good food but was still full from lunch), I ordered the other lingering item on my mind, the scallops. Sad to say, though the presentation was pretty and looked like a dish I would thoroughly enjoy, it wasn't. Again, waaaay too salty. The scallops weren't the freshest. Overcooked on top and bottom, guess from the baking and the cheese overwhelming (hence more salty?). The scallop appetizer I had at Lemongrass was far superior. Should've stopped. C'est la vie. Overall still a great experience and food find. Next time I would like to try the Tilapia fritters and the House salad whose description (manchego cheese, artichokes, roasted pepper, field greens, caramelized pecans and balsamic dressing) had me at 'salad' which is rare for me. I am such a carnivore. So hopefully there will be a next time in Columbus so I can try the runner-up list! Again, the service staff were superb. Go Columbus!!
I had never honestly heard of this place before yesterday. Went here for Mother's Day with the family and had a great time! They serve complimentary cilantro hummus and pita, which is really amazing...probably the best hummus I've ever had. We ordered a few tapas to share...pork skewers, mussels, and shrimp in garlic sauce. They did not disappoint! The garlic sauce the shrimp came in? WOW! We had to ask our waitress for more pita so we could dunk it in and not waste that wonderful sauce. No complaints from anyone about their meals. I ordered the shrimp pasta, which was great, and was able to save half of it to take home. The waitress brought out a complimentary Mother's Day dessert, which was a gelatin with a sugar (?) flower inside. Now, I'm not a fan of jello, but this was actually tasty! Props to the pastry chef for the beautiful and delicious dessert. I didn't have any drinks, but they do serve New Age, which is my favorite wine. Prices aren't outrageous, but they're not cheap either. The food is definitely worth what they charge. Will be back again one day for a special occasion!
(5)
William S.
Great place. Love the menu, a good selection of their version of Tapas. We tried the Pork Skewers, Spicy potatoes- a new twist on Patas Bravas, and Plantains with Guava Sauce. Loved the wine selection, wait staff and the complimentary valet parking.
(5)
Suzanna P.
Great food and pleasant service. We sat upstairs by the bar and had a great time watching them mix drinks. Only issue was getting the check in a timely manner. Had to wait for at least 20-25 minutes for the bill
(4)
Marie S.
A couple weeks ago we happened upon Sidebar 122 after finding other restaurants in the area overflowing with people. At first I was worried we were under-dressed, but looking around the dining area our sweater & jeans ensembles seemed to hold up. (There were some fancier outfits like the older couple in a tux & what appeared to be an old showgirl costume...sequins, sequins everywhere.) Drinks were fantastic & strong. I had the black walnut Old Fashioned & BF had a martini. We decided to just do tapas for dinner & it was a very good idea. The veal meatballs were some of the most delicious meatballs I have ever had, they just melt in your mouth. Chicken Croquettes were a pretty solid choice. The spicy potatoes were just okay in my opinion, but BF really liked them. The only thing neither of us enjoyed was the Ceviche Tilapia. It just wasn't our taste. The service was incredible, our server was very prompt & friendly. She even re-lit our candle twice after I accidentally blew it out, insisting that we needed the "romance". We will definitely be returning.
(4)
Robert H.
I nearly forgot to write this review... Oops. We stopped into Sidebar 122 for dinner a while ago. The restaurant is cozy and intimate, though the sound does carry. The server was very friendly, even though one of her coworkers had called off and they had to cover extra tables. We had the ceviche which was very nice, with big chunks of fresh-tasting shrimp and tilapia. We then followed that with a the lamb shank which was served with a rich red wine sauce. Both of these were excellent. I'm kicking myself for not remembering what I had to drink. That, I'm guessing, is a good sign. I'm going to have to go back to see if I can jog my memory!
(4)
Shea H.
I thought the food here was fine. Everything was really expensive and I do not believe the food was worth the price. The alcoholic beverages were also expensive and the servings were not very plentiful. The ambience was nice. I like the look of the restaurant and staff members were really nice and accommodating. There is street parking as well as complimentary valet (at least there was on the Saturday night we went...)
(3)
Tony V.
More of a bar atmosphere than restaurant which made it more of a laid back vibe, great service and great atmosphere
(5)
Barry W.
Went to Sidebar on a Saturday prior to going to a nearby event. I enjoyed a light supper. Based on some the the yelpers here, I had the Shrimp and Tilapia Cebiche w/a Moscow Mule cocktail. I can truly say, I've never tasted anything quite like either of these. They complimented each other well. Great, ginger-y summer fare! Great feel at the bar and the staff was friendly. Wonderful place to dine. Hope to go there and check out the piano bar.
(4)
Jeff P.
This review is only for the bars as I have yet to eat here. The biggest attraction here was the speakeasy type lounge in the basement. I'm not sure if they perform here often, but the jazz trio that was there on the Friday that I was here was great! Also, the cocktails were delicious. The ambiance was great...it was dark, with candles on the wall...great for a romantic date or a fun night with some friends. I came back a week later, and enjoyed some more great drinks at the bar on the first floor. Had a great time here too.
(5)
Tom B.
Sidebar 122 is one of the best places to eat in Central Ohio! It's a unique mix of South American and Mediterranean cuisine. And the bar, led by Josh, is out of this world. Themed as a "per-prohibition" designer cocktail bar, the drink menu (and talent) is something you would expect in the Waldorf-Astoria! Everything is handmade down to all the syrups and bitters. The Moscow Mule is my favorite. Honestly, let Josh wow you with the history of cocktails and wine and he will blow you away! Ralph is the matradee and makes you feel like a million bucks when you walk in the door. Jennifer is the manager is not only the most professional restaurant owner I've met, but is a very warm and kind person. She's a sweetheart. The staff is top rate! One of the other things I should mention is the extensive wine list. Most restaurants in Columbus (you know who you are) rape customers on wine prices by tripling the retail price or more. Sidebar 122 prices their bottles of wine at just a little above retail. This is truly unbelievably generous and shows that the staff cares more about respect and quality above making a profit and robbing customers on wine. For a truly out-of-Columbus experience, come have dinner and drinks at Sidebar 122 where everything from the food to the drinks show hard work and attention to detail. Everything is handcrafted! The Pizza Del-Mare (with scallops, shrimp, goat cheese and asparagus) is one of my favorites. If I could give seven stars I would! (Disclaimer: I live next door at the Hartman Building, so I might be a little biased. Although given the proximity to my condo, I've tried all most everything on the menu. So maybe, I'm not biased at all; just "seasoned").
(5)
Mike B.
Might just be me, but this place just kind of rubs me the wrong way. Don't get me wrong, the cocktails taste great, and there's an insane amount of prep they do (squeeze their own juices, make their own syrups and have some ridiculous ice machine that makes perfect clear ice), but there's no price difference between a plain old drink, versus a complex artisan cocktail. $9.25 for hendrick's gin and tonic is a bit steep. And the tonic water lost all it's carbonation from the "pour your own tonic water from a little cruet" gimmick. After being sticker shocked by the drink price at the bar, I was not really in the mood to try the food. I hear it's fantastic, but I'll save up and prepare for the price before I try it again.
(3)
Jason R.
I took my wife here for our 5th anniversary dinner after finding it on Yelp and realizing it was 2 blocks away. Fantastic service and delicious food. We had the fried calamari to start. We split the Ahi tuna steak and the beef empanadas. The tuna steak and the calamari were excellent. The empanadas were pretty good. What really made our evening was how the manager really went out of his way to make our experience memorable. This place is a winner in my book.
(5)
Raymond K.
Best cocktails in Columbus and awesome tapas. Many places in Columbus start off good and then it feels like they are just not trying that hard. Sidebar never disappoints!
(5)
Gregg H.
Great food with a Chilean flair. Both tapas and full entrees were great. Chef was flexible in combining parts of two dishes to accommodate a specific diet. Seasoning and spices were awesome without being overpowering. Something for everyone on the menu.
(5)
Pat P.
Looking for a smashing good time in a classy place? This is the perfect spot. Sidebar gives that great feeling of being in an upscale place, but one that's not to pretentious. You can go here and have a relaxed good time with your friends, or have a great night with that special someone. The atmosphere is very clean, classy and classic. The drinks brought me in, with tales of classic cocktails done very well, and they are brilliant. You'll usually find me with a dark and stormy, but it's always a tough choice when I look at the drink menu. The food is spectacular, everything I've had to eat there has been awesome. And it's no typical bar/restaraunt food, we're the dishes are as fancy as the cocktails, with highlights like lobster ravioli, veal shank, paella, and ceviche. Super bonus: Tuesday happy hour (5-7) They stuff you full of free tapas while you drink. This is possibly the best deal I've ever seen. But wait! Theres more! There are also a basement and 2'nd floor that may be open for certain occasions, which means you may get some live tunes, or be able to host your own event here!
(4)
Catherine J.
My one-and-only visit so far was to the bar for some cocktails before an event elsewhere. I can't wait to go here again, and I look forward to watching this establishment evolve and mature in this location-- settle into its foundation, so to speak. Sitting at the bar was great. Not only did I enjoy the jerky-style bacon placed out for barflys to snack on, but I just loved watching the bartender prepare the drinks. It appeared as though each cocktail is served in its historically accurate and appropriate vessel. Although cocktails are a bit pricey, I'm willing to pay more for the artistry that goes into crafting each drink. And, in my old(er) age, I prefer slow sipping a masterpiece. I hear rumors of a piano bar in the basement, and the fact that there are multiple rooms yet to be opened. That's what I mean about being excited to see this place grow and evolve: it seems self-aware about its potential. Kudos to the owners for letting the joint grow slowly with their clientele ("in this economy...!"). As others have mentioned, Sidebar is in a somewhat awkward downtown location, making it difficult to go other places on foot before or after. I agree to an extent-- but it's really not as far from the Ohio Theater and the Columbus Commons as you might think (espcially in nice weather). If you want some more "efficient" drinking, the Little Palace/Dirty Frank's combo isn't too far, neither is the Jury Room. Again, if Sidebar can stick it out in this location, I think the southern end of downtown is slowly becoming more happenin'. I look forward to going back again and again, and updating this review. The fact that Sidebar is on my way home doesn't hurt, either. I may even scope it out for hosting some events!
(4)
John W.
Went here on a Wednesday night for a business meeting. Waited about 5 mins for a host to show up, then were confusingly seated at a table with a recylced table cloth that was dirty...waited another 10mins for a surly waiter to tell his he'd be right over. Had some water thrown in front of us. Then we made the decision we didn't like the vibe got up and left. Not sure how this carries a 4 star review. We ended up going over to Barcelona for Tapas and that place was excellent.
(1)
Michael G.
Now closed on Monday, but open on Sunday; for brunch & dinner. Call to make sure of the new hours.
(3)
Beth S.
We stopped in for drinks and tapas last night and wasn't disappointed from the ravings that my friend had gone on about from her previous visits. Located on a corner on Main Street in the downtown area, Sidebar is a cozy little bar upon entering that just kept unfolding during the night. The complimentary bacon served in a drinking glass was just adorbs. I think my party ordered everything on the drinks menu to start, or so it's seems. We definitely put our bartender, Marshall, to work. He entertained us pleasantly, while our tipsy party kept him on his toes with questions about the menu and history of the building. The South American theme was definite throughout the mixed drinks and tapas that we ordered. There were homemade aromatic bitters that were shaken into our drinks were unique and I doubt can be replicated. The kitchen menu was designed by the head chef, who is also the owner. We had ordered tapas-sized empanadas, calamari, ceviche, quinoa & salmon. Definitely not bar food. I really can't tell if this is a kitchen built around a bar or a bar built around a kitchen. Both aspects complimented each other completely. On top of stellar food and drinks, the owners girlfriend and hostess gave us a tour of the building and its 4 floors. Enough room for event space, private parties, and a cute little supposedly haunted elevator. What's not to love about this place?
(4)
Nicholas T.
My second coming, and It's all about the cocktails. Marshall is the current craftsman behind the bar, and he is meticulously mixing up any of your classics that might miss the menu along with enthusiastically offer up one of his unique creations for those who appreciate the craft . The downtown location is the curse for this fantastic bar/restaurant as it is isolated from any foot traffic; I'd really hate to see this venue fail because it. The owner should really consider buying the China Bar location for sale at the intersection of High and Buttles so I can walk there a couple times a week; I don't know how a place like this would fail in the Short North. All of the "small" plate appetizers we ordered were fantastic. The plantains paired with the queso fresco and guava were a definite repeat along with the juicy pork skewers. I also can not fail to mention the gratis bacon at the bar that stole my heart. Sidebar move to the Short North NOW! I'll pay rent for my own barstool. The lost craft of cocktails has left me thirsty for more.
(5)
Alison C.
Great happy hour and specialty cocktails! The bartender, Marshall, makes great drinks.
(5)
Laura C.
Umm came for Sunday brunch around 11:20am and they were closed???????? Huh? Explain this: sidebar122.com/menu/sund…
(1)
Manoj A.
The food is expensive (came to $35 a person+plus $10 for parking). The portions are small on some dishes and too much on others. The food taste is forgettable. The ambiance is forgettable. The service is nonexistent. The place is loud. Went there for a date and it will be my last time there. But the place was packed full on a Friday so someone must like it.
(2)
Kate H.
I am not entirely sure what I think yet, but so far, so good. Sidebar takes the space of the late Brownstone on Main Street downtown- and with Dirty Frank's and the Little Palace right around the corner, we have a happening block going on! Yes, there is actually something going downtown between German Village and Gay Street after 6pm now. I went for a happy hour turned dinner with some girl friends last week. I was surprised at how small the bar area seemed. It bottlenecks a bit upfront and is slightly disconcerting. They kept the exposed brick, the lights are dim and the bar area retains a certain swankiness without going completely over the top. The dinner area was much larger, but almost too dark. The mayor was there. Hi, Mayor Coleman... he knows where all the cool kids hang out. Though a bit fancier than my preferred drinking establishments, I really like prohibition era vibe... it even extended to our wonderfully attentive and funny bartender/waiter, who had this 1920s hipster look going on, complete with vest and eccentric facial hair. They have Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, which always gets me in trouble, but at $6.00 was a much better investment than $10.00 per cocktail my companions had, which were spot on, but $10.00... did I say that already? Dinner was fantastic. Had the salmon... couldn't have been better. Oh and they have bacon as a snack on the bar. All those inclined to eat it, said it was spectacular. I will likely be back, maybe with clients or fancy people. The cost (it was almost $40.00 with tip for dinner and 2 drinks) will probably keep me from frequenting this place or a regular basis. I am excited about another little gem popping up downtown.
(4)
Michelle S.
A friend decided to try this place out because of all the good reviews, and I must say that I'm glad we went last night! Service was a bit slow but I guess you must not rush greatness lol. The tuscan salad was delicious and flavorful. Actually, EVERYTHING I tried was delicious! I ordered the marinated grilled chicken skewers which was awesome with the vegetables and roasted potatoes. My boyfriend ordered the seared salmon. I forgot what my sister and her friend ordered but we all tried eachother's food and it was definitely not a disappointment. Everything was yummy and FRESH. The only thing I don't like about the place is that the portions are kinda small. It's enough to fill me up but I don't think this is a place for a hungry man lol.
(5)
Olivia S.
I went here with my family for brunch on a Sunday morning. It was almost completely empty. Maybe they are busy later - and during the week? It was weirdly empty. My biggest complaint was that the music was too loud for an empty restaurant on a Sunday morning. The food was excellent, and I really liked the coffee. Good coffee is a huge plus considering how many otherwise nice restaurants serve godawful coffee. Our waiter was nice and very knowledgeable about the menu, but he didn't hover. Next time, I'll go at night - even if the brunch menu was wonderful.
(4)
Cesar G.
This is a comfortable restaurant with a very good drink menu and respectable dinner menu. My vegetarian flatbread was fine, but nothing special. I took two guests here, both of whom ate meat dishes and had a Moscow Mule and seemed to enjoy themselves. I would easily return for a drink or dinner.
(3)
Matt R.
I think Sidebar is a really neat place, but there are enough reasons that would keep me from coming here again. First the good: Sidebar has really neat atmospheres. I say atmospheres because the establishment is split into two halves each with their own character - on one side you have the bar (sidebar, get it?) and on the other you have the restaurant. The restaurant side is laid back and darkly lit - for all you romantics - while the bar, though still darkly lit, had a little more energy and flair to it. The restaurant section was not at all busy on the Tuesday I went, which was not surprising given it was a weekday and Sidebar hasn't really been advertising yet, while the bar was pretty much full. The not-so-good: Sidebar is definitely upscale and fairly pricey. Pricey isn't bad if you get what you pay for, but I think $18-ish for a mediocre pizza just barely enough for 2 people (the Be'Naye) isn't okay for me. Don't get me wrong, the pizza had its moments, but not worth $18. We also got a salad (Goat Cheese salad), and, again, nothing really to write home about. The also not-so-good: Sidebar is located downtown not near a whole lot. It's neat to see a business setting up there, but this isn't a place you'd really leave from to go somewhere else nearby. This isn't a drawback exclusive to Sidebar of course. Also note if you're going to the bar section: don't stare directly into the LED lights emanating from the bar table. In fact, get an extra menu to cover them up if you think you're going to be sitting at the bar. Can you guys turn those down at all? Holy cats. All in all, it was a little too rich for my blood with not enough to justify it.
(3)
Kurt N.
The restaurant (1st floor) has a long selection of tapas that are large enough to be shared among 3 or 4 people. We really liked their unique pizzas and pastas - everything is original and fresh. Their entrees are pretty large and very reasonably priced. I definitely recommend this place for a romantic dinner or for a special occasion. The reason why we picked Sidebar 122 was the newly opened Jazz Club in the basement. What a wonderful surprise! The bar and lounge are nicely decorated in the 60's NY or Chicago club style. It feels upscale with plenty of small tables around the stage. It was full, but not crowded. The service was excellent - unfortunately they were short on cocktails (probably because it was opening night). Great atmosphere!
(5)
Janie I.
Yes yes yes what more could I possibly say. I first experienced this adorable little restaurant while participating in paint nite. The owner introduced himself to me while I was sitting at the bar. He had the chef bring me a little treat I received a beef empanada. Let me just tell you for the next week I wanted beef empanadas from there every day. They are absolutely amazing. The owner himself is absolutely amazing wonderful man who truly cares about his customers and making each one feel so special and so welcome. I found every single employee who I encountered to be wonderful professional and as nice as could be. I enjoyed it so much that I returned the next weekend with three friends. We all had something different I had the ravioli. Giant pieces of ravioli smothered in an amazing sauce. My friend had the veal shank and almost embarrassed me by threatening to lick his plate. We all of course had empanadas and as we stared at the last one I had to agree to split it with them. Make sure you get the Moscow Mule they make their own ginger concoction especially for this drink. This is such a gem of a restaurant we will continue to go back. Make sure you make reservations as it does get pretty crowded
(5)
Carolyn K.
Three things struck me about Sidebar: 1) Cocktails: strong, without being overpowering. They are, in a word, perfection. I thoroughly enjoyed the Moscow Mule (a vodka-based). 2) Menu: I love that it's completely flexible! You can order anything in full portions, or tapas-style. We ordered the chicken croquettes, tilapia fritters and pork filets tapas-style to split. I was a fan of everything except the chicken croquettes (the chicken was a bit lost amongst a sea of creamy filling... especially when accompanied by the aioli it was served with). 3) Atmosphere: fabulous decor, exposed brick and lighting... I just wish it was a bit more open of a floor plan. Oh, and complimentary valet on the weekends? Cheers to that! Highly recommended. I'll be back for sure!
(4)
Anand M.
Pan seared salmon, grilled chicken breast and grilled chicken pasta all were really awesome. Very nicely done. Juicy and with all the right flavours.
(4)
Christina C.
Order a cocktail. Any hand-crafted cocktail will do. And sit at the bar, too. While I'm sure dining in the dining room is nice, the bar is where it's at. There's been an influx of similarly-themed restaurants opening in Columbus this year, and while I dig 'em, where's that extra something?! Sidebar is one of those old familiar faces, BUT set themselves apart with hand-crafted, fancy cocktails and menu items like Scallops Parmesan (my fave but realllllly heavy),Shrimp and Tilapia Cebiche (perfect for the hot summer weather), and Eggplant Marinara, which was the highlight of my week awhile back paired with an amazing bold red suggested by the bartender. What really sets Sidebar a part from the rest is the piano bar downstairs. I haven't been yet (soon, soon, don't worry) I've heard a lot of great things. Good piano bars in dinner establishments don't seem to last too long 'round here so it's nice to see what a newcomer brings to the table. I'm looking forward to it. While I can't afford coming here on regular ol' occasions, I can scrape up enough to come in for at least a cocktail and an appetizer while noshin on the complimentary bacon at the bar. Join me won't you? If not for me, for the bacon?
(4)
Jyago L.
All I can say is Moscow Mule!! Awesome. The drinks are amazing and the tapas happy hour is a great way to try multiple things without of breaking the bank.
(3)
Danielle M.
Went to sidebar 122 last weekend for a date night and was really happy with my experience. The food was really great. I had the seafood opera, and it was pretty awesome. Their red sauce is great! My husband had parm crusted scallops, and he thought they were delicious. Their menu is interesting and inventive. They also brought out cilantro hummus as a complementary starter. So Good! Service was very good as well. Our server was very knowledgable about the menu.
(5)
L M.
Love it here! The cocktails are all great as are the tilapia fritters.
(5)
Bryant M.
Get a second job, sell your shit on Craigslist, or do something even seedier to make some extra money. You're going to need every cent to spend at your new favorite spot - Sidebar 122. Seriously, it's that good. Three of us went for the first time on a friday night, and we had one of the best dining (and drinking!) experiences in a really long time. Here's what we loved: ^ATMOSPHERE Swanky, yet casual. Upscale, but decidedly low-key. Sidebar 122 is a beautiful downtown spot where you'll see all types of people having a great time - from neighborhood folks in shorts and flip flops to people gussied-up for a night on the town. ^SERVICE From the hostess to the guys bringing water, everyone at Sidebar 122 was lovely. No one was pretentious, and everyone seemed to truly enjoy working there. The real stars, though, were the servers. Our server (what was her name?!) was one of the best servers I've had in Columbus. She was attentive, sweet, funny, and sincere - the perfect addition to our fun dinner date. ^DRINKS These are some amazingly-crafted old-school cocktails. Think Mouton. I had a sidecar, and one friend had a fresh strawberry gimlet. They were both beyond fantastic. And the Mister had wine (Malbec), which he declared "amazing!". ^FOOD A lot of the menu is tapas, so we just ordered a bunch of items and shared among the table. This proved to be a fantastic way to try out a new restaurant! Everything was fresh, delicious, and four or five star-worthy. Here's the rundown: * Goat cheese salad with raspberry vinaigrette - My favorite dish of the night! * Ceviche - I don't eat seafood, but both of my dining partners thought this dish was really good. The chunks of fish and shrimp were very big, unlike any ceviche they'd had before. This wasn't a bad thing - just different. * Chicken croquettes - Everyone loved these little fried balls of chicken heaven and both dipping sauces. * Caprese salad - This was very good, and I'm certain that Sidebar 122 will start using local tomatoes as soon as they can. * Beef tenderloin skewers - Cooked to perfection with an amazing side of risotto. * Tres leches cake - Normally I pass up dessert to go to Jeni's instead, but we just couldn't turn down dessert at Sidebar. Everything looked so tempting! We decided on a tres leches cake that was light, fluffy, and not-too-sweet. ^PRICE All this food and drinks cost just under $100. While that's not cheap, it was well worth every penny - because this dining experience made us feel like a million bucks! ^TIPS * They take reservations with Open Table! * They have valet parking, but there are lots of credit card meters on nearby streets. * They serve brunch! ^BOTTOM LINE Go here. Now. This is definitely my new Cbus favorite, and I'll be going back as often as I can!
(5)
Jim G.
This place is categorized as a bar in yelp, yet it's the food that stands out. Downtown, destination dining at it's best. Killer apps - empanadas and also the plantains/queso fresco/guava. For entree, they have the very best lamb shank, literally...lamb shank with Parmesan risoto and subtle tomato/shallot broth...perfect to share. If you haven't been here, it's a gem waiting to be discovered. You can even bring your own wine for a corkage fee. Superb place, keep it coming..!!
(5)
Dennis K.
I was looking to go somewhere for live jazz and was DELIGHTED by my experience at Sidebar 122. Started off with a mojito in the upstairs bar. If you can make a great mojito, I'm hooked. It was. The upstairs bar is beautiful and busy, yet not too noisy. The bartop is lighted and the stock area is designed with lots of wood. Gorgeous. I ordered the grilled marinated chicken (kabobs) with potatoes which were terrific and very reasonably priced. I then ventured to the basement where the Kate Ross Quintet took the stage and entertained a packed house that included none other than Central Ohio attorney Byron L. Potts (there's no case too big or too small!). The basement is again beautiful with lots of black furniture and hardwood. The band played VERY well and Kate was a wonderful entertainer walking around dancing with patrons and telling a few stories in between songs. I snagged a business card ;). Get to Sidebar 122 soon. Don't wait. Do it now!
(5)
Jennifer J.
Great Tapas, and even better vintage cocktails. They know how to make sidecars as well as many wonderful cocktails.
(4)
Chris K.
Outstanding atmosphere. The service and food were exceptional. Great place for a romantic meal as well.
(5)
Den W.
Can be hit or miss. Usually great cocktails and food. Would be nice to have more consistency in what you are getting. For $10 drink made w/ bourbon that costs $30 per gallon - you can afford to offer a more generous pour.
(4)
Mindy W.
The ambiance, the service, the drinks and the food were all great. I came here for my birthday dinner on a Thursday, and I am glad that I did. The free pita chips and hummus were delicious and unexpected both in flavor and in general. I tried the Moscow Mule, which was so good! My friend had the Prada, which was the best drink I have ever had in my life. If you've read any of my reviews, you know that I have had a lot of drinks. This one wins. It is described as a rum drink: Pitu Cachaca, Egg White, Lime, Pimento Dram. The Pitu Cachaca tastes more like a mild, amazing tequila. it is sweet, but not too sweet, bright and frothy. I split the goat cheese salad, which was simple and delicious. I had the Seafood Opera for my main and I was pleased. It needed salt, but there was none. The seafood was good for the most part, although a couple clams and mussels were salty or soggy. We shared the Bruselina, but I wish I had gone for the Tres Leches. It was ok, but I would really only recommend it if you love almonds. This was definitely a fun place for a special occasion or a date as it is dark, romantic and trendy.
(4)
Erin R.
Sidebar 122. Quite a fitting name for this joint. The staff seems to TAKE a sidebar between getting your order and bringing your food. And while the 122 indicates the location's address, it also seems to signify (in minutes) the average wait time to receive anything. I've been to this place twice now and while they say that the third time's the charm, I don't think I'll go back again to find out.
(1)
James D.
Great unique taste and great happy hour choices!
(4)
E D.
Excellent food, delicious cocktails and nice wine list.
(5)
Javito D.
EGG SHELL WARNING We went with my girlfriend to have dinner on Saturday night. I will not go on the specifics of the entree and service. Instead, I will go directly to dessert to give you a warning for those of you that consider hygiene a serious issue. We ordered a Tres Leches, my girlfriend's favorite dessert. But there was something unusual--besides the excessive amount of whipped cream on top--in SideBar's version of the classic Latin American dessert. After we started eating it, we tasted some unexpected crunch and grit in almost every bit. The secret ingredient? Egg shell. When we showed the waitress the egg shell that we were chewing he told us, in a natural manner, that he would let the chef know. Apparently yolk, whites, and vessel are all mixed together according to the usual course of things in SideBar's kitchen. He then immediately brought us the check--without including an extra for the egg shell. Thank you.
(1)
Kimmy S.
I love the whole ambience of the place. Our waiter was extremely helpful in explaining the pre-prohibition cocktails that are hand made and how they use fresh ingredients. I told him I liked fruity drinks and he suggested the 4-step (which wasn't on the menu). It's a spin off of the 2-step. I was very satisfied. I got the Chicken and Shrimp skewers, which came with roasted potatoes. It was very good. I liked that they offered complimentary hummus and fried pita... I was a happy customer :) I will return but not too often, the prices are not for those on a budget.
(4)
Edy D.
I LOVED this place. As soon as I walked in the door I knew it would be a great place to go with friends! I started with a Two-Step Cocktail that was delicious! The bartender, Shawn, was delightful and informative. We stayed at the bar and enjoyed the Beef Tenderloin Empanadas & Shrimp and Garlic. This was the most enjoyable place to drink, eat and social in a long time! I have found my new favorite place! :-)
(5)
Robert V.
This place is a new Columbus gem. I went there last night. It has been open for a only a week. Has a bar area and separate restaurant area. It is in the spot former known as "The Brownstone". There are multiple levels (Other levels not yet open), but the staff informed us that one floor will have live music. Old speak-easy style gathering place (though, with modern design: in-bar lighting, dark, rich woods and colors and soft lighting) was said to be an influence on the decor. There is a VERY succesful Dayton, OH restaurant by the same owner ( sidebar410.com ). Great cocktails, hand made cocktail infusions, happy hour specials, and a full menu (BEST hummus I've ever had!) There is valet parking. They are still staffing and training and we were told that they would begin advertising soon. Not open for lunch yet but we were told that, eventually, they would be serving the lunch crowd. They do take (and prefer reservations) for dining. Update: OK...The Columbus location is SideBar 122 ( I put that in the original post - dont know why it was edited). The Dayton location was referenced, and the link provided, to give the Columbus readers an idea of the type of vibe, attention to ambience, and energy the owner put into an enticing local menu. Remember: SideBar 122 for a great Columbus alternative
(5)
Nathan L.
This place should be the tits when they get it all up and running, currently just one or two of the rooms are open on any given night but there is to be a cigar lounge on the second floor and a few other areas that should be opening soon. I stopped in late on a unassuming weekday night last week and was pleasanty surprised. The "pre-prohibition" drink concept is kinda cool - they put so much more thought into a Manhatten than you are going to find with 99% of the other suds tossers out there. I always prefer my Manhattens on the rocks but after a 5 min convo with the bar owner Brian and I was sipping one served up and couldn't have been happier about it. These guys know their bourbon and how to serve it. The house-made bitters is to die for - adds that special splash of unexpected to an already great cocktail. There are some Foo-Foo drinks and Vodka mixers on the menu but this place is all about the whickey and bourbon, and they do it right.
(4)
Herb T.
My wife and I went to Sidebar on a tuesday night, no wait and getting there was not a problem. The atmosphere was great, dim lighting but only dark enough to give it a great ambiance. Drinks, the drinks were great, best moscow Mule I have had here in Columbus, also one of the more exspensive I have had in town. I was ok with that beacsue it was sooo tasty! Food- I think that they are still trying to figure the menu out, for what you get I don't this this is a great value. We had the Chicken croquetts, but there was barely any chicen in them and quite frankley too much sauce. The quionoa was prepared great as were the meat skewers that came with them, but for $12 it was a little reaching. Lastly the Cebiche...a favorite of mine when my mother from Peru makes it, not so much from Sidebar... I should never have to cut my ceviche with a knife nor should it come out ice cold. some traditional cooking should be left traditional. I wll definatly go back for a cocktail and wine, or to have the delicious pita and hummus, But will wait a good while to see if the menu matures a bit before dinning. Just as a side not (no pun intended)- The wait staff was terrific
(3)
Brian W.
Sidebar is good. Good food, good atmosphere, and competent staff. That said I found our table to be a bit cramped, the wait staff to be not that helpful, and the food to be just above average (especially for the price). The crowd there certainly means its popular, but this seemed to work against them in my book. There was a bit of a "we're really busy, you get what you get" attitude. It's great to have another good option downtown, but I think there are others I'd go back to if given the option.
(3)
Mark N.
This is my new haunt. Absolutely fantastic. Environment, price, food, and drinks are beyond expectations.
(5)
Ellen L.
I wish I discovered this place earlier when I was staying at the Westin and jonesing for a nice, nearby bar...but given how new this place is, I guess it is entirely possible that it wasn't open yet! :p As others have mentioned, Sidebar is a lovely addition to Columbus. It's comfy yet classy. I got a fresh fruit (strawberry) gimlet and an amaretto fizz...the fizz was SOO good!!! or... so I think because the bartenders at Sidebar pour with a heavy hand... :) I might be biased coming from the likes of DC/NY, but for drinks at $9 a pop, this place is a pretty good deal for the quality of the alki and the drinks they make :)
(4)
Chelsea T.
I was so disappointed in Sidebar. I expected great things. But unfortunately great things did not ensue. You expect great service at such a chic little place, but it must have been our waiters first day (serving ever). A slew of errors and shortcomings but the one that most elaborately displayed his novice had to be my attempt at acquiring a second drink. I ordered a rye beer. He came back to our table to tell me they no longer serve rye beers (no reason why even tho there are multiple on the menu) owell I'm easy going I decided I'd just have another beer, but before I could order he took someone else's drink order, and quickly walked away. Without asking if I'd like something else let alone just letting me get an order out. Since he had already taken the drink menu (because everyone goes there to have 1 drink? or can memorize the menu) I had to track him down for it. Honestly I only needed the menu because when I originally asked which beers they have on tap he didn't know. He still never came back to ask what I would like, after acquiring the drink menu. I tracked down another server and he was able to help. It was like a satire. It did provide comic relief for the table as this was one of his many snafus. But honestly we left feeling bad because he always had that deer in headlights look and was rushing around. Not a great start to the evening.
(2)
Le Ron C.
Sidebar is a welcome edition to downtown dining especially after the closing of the former restaurant named Brownstone in the same location. The food is a unique Mediterranean mixed with South American flair which leads to some delightful menu options. We ordered the humus and pita starter plate which was average at best for hummus. I ordered the Salmon and it was cooked exactly as I ordered it. The garnish was not overbearing the side of hand mashed potatoes showed this dish was perfectly paired. I enjoyed a few drinks including the El Diablo and the Sidebar Sidecar which is where my review takes off. A lot of places like to charge a high amount for their drinks without putting any thought or care into the art of making the drink. There is definitely something to be said for a hand crafted drink with fresh mixers, and individual poured liquors. My only reasoning for not giving 5 stars lies in functionality. I felt that the front tables are speakeasy sized which means made more for drinking than eating. The plates that both of our entrees arrived on were small for the mountain of food piled upon them. It made eating the dish difficult and many times I spilled my entree on the table due to this. I'll be visiting Sidebar 122 again once their music bar opens downstairs and I hope you do too!
(4)
Tanisha S.
This seems to be a nice upscale bar. It is a bit out of place so it is more of a destination spot. The food was decent. I had the Tilapia Fritters, fried fish nuggets with a bed of spinach. Since I was there for a special event they had a limited food and drink menu. I enjoyed the overall atmosphere as far as decor and lighting was concerned. There was no music playing in the background which I found kind of odd. It would be a nice place to host a private intimate event or have an intimate one on one drink. It would not work for a one park multiple venue type of evening. FYI - the meters on 4th, just around the corner are free after 6pm. Don't pay for parking!
(3)
Sean H.
A dark and lovely place with a pretty extensive cocktail menu. I was somewhat dismayed by how crowded the bar area was, but somehow I persevered. I started with an Old-Fashioned with no cherry. Apparently, this is more traditional and to tell the truth, I was happy for its absence. With a large square ice cube and a literal skin of orange peel, I was very happy to enjoy this whiskey goodness. For dinner, I had the lamb shank. To my surprise, I was offered hummus as a complimentary appetizer. Although I still haven't had any hummus in Columbus that is anywhere near as good as Lebanese hummus, this was pretty good. Especially with the addition of cilantro. The lamb shank was served with a saffron risotto and braised red cabbage. I can't begin to tell you how tender, tasty, and spectacular this meal was. The flavor and preparation was perfect. All told, I was impressed with the service. Although it was a little slow, there was great attention to detail and very few if any of my needs were missed. The atmosphere was excellent including the music, which from me is high praise indeed. I do have issue with the lights inside the bar as they were distracting and somewhat blinding while doing anything facing the bar. The food was delectable and very professionally done. I look forward to coming back to see how consistent they are. This place has definitely started off right in the contentious world of C-Bus restaurants.
(4)
Nate M.
Yet another B.Higgins run restaurant with great cocktails and a stellar staff. Too bad he didn't learn from his mistakes in Dayton and start paying his taxes. They're closed today for not paying their state taxes. Soon the staff will go unpaid, the vendors will get bad checks, the landlord will have to sue for rent and SB122 will vanish leaving only hurt feelings and bad debts just like SB410 did.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Valet, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Music : Background Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Tue, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
L. M.
Got a reservation easily on a Saturday night. Decided to make a meal of the Tapas. Tilapia ceviche was good. Plantains w/queso and guava a bit confused. But two were sublime. The menu said "cured Spanish sausage sauteed with onions;" hardly sufficient for the high-quality chorizo sauteed with lots of different veggies and served with grilled bread to soak up the juices (somewhat oily and totally delicious.) The "octopus Galician style" also exceeded the menu description. My husband's Chilean red wine complemented both. I found the white wine list a bit lacking.
(4)Sally F.
I went here for salsa night a couple weeks. Worst bar experience EVER!!!! It took over 40 minutes for me to get a glass of Riesling. The bar tender was Marshall Wine. He was so caught up in entertaining the guests with his bar tricks that the group of ladies I was with waited way too long to get our drinks. No one came out help either til AFTER we were all served. Where was the owner? Not to mention the Riesling was terrible
(1)Yusuf S.
I had a phenomenal experience and dinner at the Sidebar restaurant. From the minute I walked in the door the greeting and atmosphere was fantastic. The server Mark knew the menu and food description as well as I know diamonds I was very impressed! From the appetizers and meal to the dessert the presentation was extra special.
(5)Heavi K.
I know it was a Tuesday night, but place was "deadsville". Bar tender knew very little about wine for being a stated "wine bar".
(2)Josh H.
We came here for our anniversary and I'm glad we did. The service was good, the drinks were great and the food was even better. The tilapia fritters were good, but not great. They were basically small pieces of battered and fried fish. I was hoping for a little more out of them. The lamb shank, however was one of the best I've ever had. It was falling off the bone tender. The Parmesan risotto was delicious as well. My wife had the special of the night (sea bass), which was also fantastic. The cocktails were pricey ($10.25 apiece), but exceptionally well made. The kicker though, was dessert. That's what bumped this up from a 4 star review to a 5. I'd never heard of bruselina, but I'll be back specifically for this. It is a layered mousse cake with butterscotch, cream and almonds, and no words can do it justice. We were already stuffed from dinner, but couldn't stop eating the dessert because it was so delicious.
(5)Allison S.
Great drinks if you are a fancy cocktails person. They serve bacon in a glass as a bar snack, which I found endlessly amusing.
(4)Tony D.
I gave 3 stars because have not had food yet. Cocktail program is top drawer Very nice space. Try it
(3)Van S.
My wife and I along with another couple went a little crazy with the amount of food we ordered here over the weekend. We expected small plate tapas, but the servings are larger than I expected and definitely shareable. The highlights of the meal for me were the scallops parmezan, ceviche, calamari, and cilantro hummus. The scallops were large, cooked perfectly, and sitting in a creamy cheesy sauce. The ceviche was bright and refreshing. The calamari was very delicate and came with a fantastic dipping aioli. I was a little disappointed that it was absent of any tentacles. The hummus was different from anything I've had before and the cilantro provided more than just coloring. The chicken skewers were well received; primarily due to the chimichurri sauce that covered the chicken. The "loaf" of bread we ordered was actually several rolls; very tasty but something that should be complementary instead of $4. I didn't get to try the croquettes, but the others spoke highly about them. The manchengo cheese was milder than I hoped, but the olives that accompanied it were high quality. The plantains were cooked a little unevenly as some were very firm and dense while others were soft and caramelized. I didn't try the beef empanadas that we ordered, but they were one of the only items that didn't get finished. The Spanish sausage probably ranked lowest on my list. The firm cured sausage was sliced thin and in a stew with onions and peppers. I'd like it if it were served dry with a good cheese. I'm strictly a beer drinker and they don't have an extensive list, but there are a couple beers that kept me from being disappointed. I went with the CBC pale ale. A liter of sangria was shared. I tried a sip of it, and there was a cinnamon aftertaste which was different from my limited sangria experiences. The craft cocktails were pricey at $10-11 each. The pricing was fair for the serving sizes and quality of the food. It really gave us a chance to try many things. The service was fantastic and the restaurant wasn't very busy. The atmosphere was upscale, but relaxed at the same time. I felt slightly overdressed in my button up shirt. You could come in wearing shorts and still feel comfortable.
(4)Natasha K.
Sidebar is an experience within itself, especially on Tapas Tuesday. We came to Sidebar a few hours before our show started to sit, relax and take in the whole experience. Once you order a drink they then bring you around different tapas plates to try. We could have only ate what they brought around as the portions were a good size but we decided to order off of the menu as well. We had around 6-7 different tapas plates and there was only 1 I wasn't found of. They rest were out of this world. The only thing I could slightly complain about was that we didn't really have 1 server, they kind of rotated around the bar. I didn't mind except there were a few times we looked around for awhile before we had to stop an employee to order food or another drink. Time flew by as we sipped exceptional drinks and ate an array of amazing food. Before we knew it our show was starting in 10 minutes, we quickly grabbed someone to pay the bill and ran out. Time truly does fly when you're having fun, eating amazing food and enjoying some of the best drinks you've ever had. If you are in or around Columbus you definitely need to stop off at Sidebar and have yourself an awesome experience AND a Moscow Mule.
(5)Janelle S.
I concur with others who are hesitant to review, for selfish fear that this somewhat secret gem will go mainstream. it's awesome. After deciding against The Walrus (too loud; too busy), two colleagues and I opted for Sidebar. So happy we did. The patio isn't large, but it's quaint and after this non-summer we've had, it felt great to be outdoors. To start, happy hour is until 7 p.m. Thank you for realizing not everyone is off work at 4 p.m.! I mean, really. But I digress. I was craving something spicy, so I ordered up a spicy margarita (not on the menu). Complete with sliced jalapeno. I could've drank a pitcher it was so good! The olives appetizer - with a side of warm pita bread - is yummy. But super hard to eat. Trying to be gracious with work peeps and you're spitting pits and whole olives are rolling all over? Eh. Yum, but hard to handle. LOL. Our server was kinda salty. I think he was trying to be clever and dry, but, really, it came off as jerk'ish. Eh, whatever. I've seen worse. The tapas, lemme say, are big portions (wahoo!). Order less than you think you'll eat - and go from there. Gotta love healthy portions. Beef empanadas? Um, YES!
(4)Marie H.
Haven't been here for regular dining yet but I'll definitely vouch for their Tuesday happy hour deal - free tapas with the purchase of any drink from 5-7! The cocktails were fantastic and you get about 6-7 tapas total (they bring one out about every 15 minutes). I think they have different tapas every week, but these are the ones I had when I was there: - Quinoa salad with tomatoes and peppers - Seared tuna with spring veggies (delicious!!) - Mussels with spicy tomato-cilantro sauce (I was tempted to lick the sauce off the plate, it was so good) - Some kind of seafood casserole/gratin (my 2nd favorite) - Arroz con pollo (pretty average) - A flan-like dessert (very light and airy) Loved being able to try a bunch of different dishes just from buying a drink (if you're gonna get a drink anyway, might as well get some yummy free food). I will definitely be back!
(4)Ramy E.
Ordered a variety of small plates (7 in total for a party of 4). Everything tasted fabulous! Service was great, even on a busy Friday night. All in all it is highly recommended!
(5)Olamide O.
Had the pork chops and a cocktail that had Hennessy in it and it was delicious. This restaurant is a hidden gem in Columbus and I highly recommend it. A friend told me about it and I am so happy that she did. The tapas menu is also very good (had the beef empanadas) which were really good. Had the trece leches for dessert and lets just say I can go back there just for that. This has become my new go to joint in Columbus. Thank you
(5)Sidda L.
Wow. First time here and we will be back! Excellent, excellent drinks, food, and service. We had the tapas & pizza. Favorites were the mussels and garlic shrimp! Stuffed ourselves with food, so unable to order dessert. Next time!!
(5)Forest E.
Very good drinks, service and interesting menu. Very reasonable.
(4)Arvid Y.
Great first impression after attending a holiday party at Sidebar last weekend. The ambiance is classy, but not stuffy. Because of our large party, the food came out in huge self-serve trays. Such a presentation did not take away from the taste, as most of the food was excellent. Even the simple house salad was elevated by their use of artichoke and their ever so addictive balsamic vinaigrette. My other favorites included the chicken skewers, beef empanadas and the lamb shank. If I could choose just one appetizer, it would be the beef empanadas. I had the crème brûlée for dessert, which was also delicious. As far as drinks goes, the bartenders I encountered were friendly and engaging. I ordered only one craft cocktail from the bar, but it was a winner. The bartender actually made a concoction per request. I wanted a bourbon drink with egg whites in it (sounds strange I know) and he delivered in spades. He ended up making this delicious drink called Angel's Share. It was as much a pleasure to watch the drink being made as it was to imbibe, since involved lighting liquor on fire. I will be back for sure.
(4)Marcia D.
What a hidden gem. This place is quality. My husband and I went for dinner and tried 6 small plates. Once we tasted the first dish, we knew that everything on the menu was going to be amazing, and it was. We will be back as often as possible!
(5)Kirby N.
A great experience! My husband and I went here for a bit of a celebration and we will definitely be back. We made a meal out of tapas and walked out absolutely stuffed. We went on a Friday night and it was a bit busy but we had made a reservation, which I recommend doing (you can reserve online!) We were first seated at a small table in the middle of a walkway which was crowded and made it hard to enjoy our experience, but a party left shortly after we ordered drinks so our waitress moved us to a bigger table in the corner, which was awesome of her. We ordered 5 plates -- Chicken skewers: highly recommend! The sauce was amazing Ceviche: I'm not a fish person but my husband enjoyed Spicy potatoes: I'd pass on this one next time and try something else. They were okay, but the aioli sauce was heavier than I had expected Chickpeas with spinach: my favorite! Great flavor in such a simple dish Mixed vegetables: simple and delicious I highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)Jacinta Y.
Had my first Sidebar experience this past Friday, and I have to say that it was pretty much perfect. All of the staff members that we interacted with were super nice and quite knowledgeable about the menu. The general atmosphere was easygoing and not at all overwhelming. While their menu does seem to be filled with numerous fantastic entrees, my husband and I decided to stick with the extensive tapas menu for this first adventure. The waiter advised that 2-3 plates is generally enough food for any one person, so we got four plates to split between the two of us. We tried the pork skewers, beef empanadas, chicken croquettes, and the fried potatoes. The pork skewers and beef empanadas were probably our favorites, but everything was pretty tasty. And we were both eyeing things on the menu that we'd like to try next time... The drinks here are basically fantastic. Sure they may be a bit on the pricey side compared to some other places, but the quality really is quite high. And then there's the dessert. We tried the one that I believe is called Chocolate Madness, and they weren't kidding with that title. The chocolate level and richness is pretty serious, but you'll get no complaints from me on that :)
(5)Lisa P.
I've been here twice for Tapas Tuesday and it is a delight. My most recent visit was on Cinco de Mayo (not Mexican independence day people) and it did not disappoint. Some of the tapas were even Mexican themed! Here's what we had: Chips and salsa/guac Chili relleno Eggplant parm Chicken and rice teriyaki Beef medallions and veggies Bruschetta with paté Their tapas don't seem to be the same every week. I will say that the last time I was there their tapas were a bit fancier but these were still delicious. Anyway, they are free with a drink purchase so still well worth it. I had two of their specialty cocktails. They are $10.25 apiece but you are definitely paying for the amount of alcohol they put in them. Wow. They make all of their own fruit mixers in house. Muddled strawberries, berries, cucumbers, etc. I've decided that I am a ginger beer fiend. One of my drinks had it and I LOVED IT. I had the Rio Bravo which is a tequila based bev with muddled strawberries, ginger, simple, club soda, lime, El Jimador. I am not much of a tequila drinker but you couldn't even taste it with the other ingredients which is a small miracle. My second drink was called Cuff Links with a grapefruit theme. Not my fav but still tasty and STRONG AS HELL. They even do artisan ice cubes. Their ice cubes are formed in long tubes so they fit in the glasses!! How cool is that?! Come here on Tuesdays from 5-7:30 and relax with a good drink and good free food. Enjoy the jazzy music and the chill atmosphere. You won't be disappointed!
(5)Lauren G.
Love the pre-Prohibition cocktails. Great variety of drinks and tapas - perfect size to share. Salads and entrees look great (the two of us were too full after sharing 3 tapas plates to order any). Two waiters passed through carrying the largest pan of paella I have ever seen including several beautiful lobster tails, on their way to the party room. Great location, good food (plantains are especially fantastic), fun drinks.
(4)Holly K.
Sidebar is impeccably delicious. If you haven't been, you're missing one of the best bars (and my new fav) in the city. I've been here twice now and if I ever end up with an amazing freelance project, raise, promotion, hot date or a date by myself...I'll probably end up here for whatever I'll be celebrating. SO. GOOD. The Moscow Mules are to die for. They hand make all syrups and ingredients for the cocktails in house. None of this fake stuff, short cut garbage. The Smokey Manhattan is also killer. Basically EVERYTHING is good. EVERYTHING. Pizza. Lamb Shank. Tapas. All incredible. When I went for restaurant week I had an amazing soup with chorizo sausage, spinach, potatoes, etc. (bring it back!), the lamb shank (which I told my friend I wasn't going to eat all of it because it was so huge...well, it all went in my belly) and the Tres Leche cake (drooling...). If you have to stand on a corner to get a drink here selling cigarettes to passerbys, do it. You won't be sorry, I promise. :)D
(5)Fred B.
Sidebar 122 is one of our favorite restaurants in Columbus, because it is unique and different from anything else we've found locally. The drinks are fantastic. It is a GREAT bar. They've brought back the art of old-school mixology. The bartenders specialize in liquor drinks that are "shaken but not stirred". Try the Fruit Gimlet, made with gin, simple syrup and muddled berries. Phenomenal. It isn't on the menu right now, but ask for it and they'll make it. The tapas are very good. Try the veal meatball and the spicy potatoes. The pizzas are AWESOME. Entrees are very good. Desserts are delicious. The restaurant has a beautiful old brick interior. Service is consistently very good - friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. Lively crowd, but not too loud. Location is downtown on Main Street a block or so east of High Street. The area is plenty safe, but use the complimentary valet unless you know where to park nearby. Sidebar 122 is a hidden jewel among restaurants in Columbus. Really great.
(5)Xiaoran X.
I love the beef stew so much! It had a talented mixed flavors of different kinds of herbs!
(5)Jessica K.
Happy hour NOT JUST Tuesday! Everyone else has info on Tuesday and we were convinced that was the only option, but they have $5 tapas and $5 cocktails M-F from 5-7 pm in the bar. Cocktails were great. We tried the entire HH list. Group favorite was the Two Step, a drink we chose last because we thought it would be sweet and silly. Was balanced, fresh and delicious. The drink to be reordered the most was the French 75, another favorite. Food was awesome. We had 8 for 4 people and it was 2 too many. 3 per couple is probably good, especially if you pick some of the bigger dishes like the tomato goat cheese dip, which was huge and tasty, or the mushrooms and garlic. The mussels were also great in a tomato broth and a very generous serving for $5. Chicken skewers and beef empanadas were the best protein fillers. The only thing we didn't love was the plantain dish, but mostly because it was hard to share and kinda small (but still totally fair for $5). Would recommend no more than 4 people, mostly 2- and 4-tops. On a Friday before a show at the Southern, there was plenty of space on arrival at 5:30 and it didn't get packed until 6:30/7. Nice service. One super friendly dude, one casual knowledgable dude, and one pretentious ass who did a good fake smile. Team service was nice. $120 for 4 with 8 dishes and about 10 cocktails total (it was a symphony, we needed motivation), which is a damn steal in my book. PS- REMEMBER TO TIP EXTRA on HH hour prices! Throw down an extra $5 to acknowledge you just got $250 worth of food and service for half the price. Working HH sucks when you get half as much pay as the servers working the main dining room even though you're doing the same thing.
(5)Vin R.
My wife loves this place, not just for the food but also for the staff. Both times we've gone, the Maitre d tells her she looks absolutely beautiful and compliments her dress. He's right, but I wonder if he tells this to every lady who walks in the door... Both times we've gone we were bowled over by the menu and ordered way too much. Highlights include the Goat Cheese Salad, Quinoa Salad, Chicken Croquettes, Lobster Ravioli and Beef Empanadas. Even with an awesome menu, the drinks are still a highlight. The Moscow Mule is one of the best I've ever had and the Manhattan can hold its head high with anyone else's in town. If you go once, you'll go back again. Trust me.
(4)J S.
Lucky for me, the snowfall stopped slightly while I was visiting for work, and I was able to stop by. I arrived not soon after happy hour started, and the place was still rather empty. The happy hour tapas menu looked very promising, but I also wanted to try something from the main menu since I was visiting, and on an expense account. :) The chicken croquettes were creamy and delicious, but I was slightly disappointed with the tomato and goat cheese dip (served with pita bread). It tasted like more of a creamy tomato soup, than a gooey cheese dip. Perhaps I misunderstood the description, but the name had "dip" in it, so I assumed that's what it was. I tried the lamb shank--it's not for the faint of heart! It is HUGE! Two people can easily split it, especially since I already had 2 other appetizer prior. I sat at the bar, though it seemed like there was a whole other dining room unseen from where I was seated. Service was quick, atmosphere was jovial, and overall, it's a place I might frequent if I lived in town.
(4)N S.
This is our new favorite place in Columbus to crash at the bar after a long day, sipping perfect drinks and gnoshing to-die-for tapas. It is cozy but elegant, warm and inviting and the staff is super friendly (OK, one waiter is self-absorbed and invasive, but as we usually sit at the bar it is not a big deal). and helpful. The owner, Alberto, is always around it seems and as nice and chatty and concerned as can be. All drinks are fun and good. All food is great. Empanadas that are perfect. Pulpo (octopus) that is spicy but good. Flash-fried talapia "bites" that are much, much better than that sounds. All sauces are interesting and a great match with the food. They are opening a jazz club downstairs soon. Go.Go, Go. Love this place.
(5)Susan R.
Holy moly. The food. Here. Is. So. Good. Because we were celebrating Keith M's birthday, I indulged in a couple of tapas that had meat in them, the chicken croquettes and the chorizo with peppers and veggies in. I rounded this off with the spicy potatoes, which are similarish to one of my favorite Spanish tapas. I stuffed myself. I ate every damn bite of all of my food, plus the amazing cilantro hummus they have, and probably could have kept going despite the fact that I would hate myself afterward, because the food was great. The pisco sour I had was also really good. They made it with egg white, which I don't see enough at bars. They bring you the extra in a small vial/flask thing, which was thoughtful and elegant. Our server was fantastic; he was personable and lovely, just the right mix of outgoing, attentive, and respectful of our need to have a good time undisturbed. Service was a little slow overall, but we did have a huge party, so I guess that's to be somewhat expected. They accommodated the birthday boy's cake, which was brought in from a bakery rather than purchased from the restaurant. They do add gratuity if you have a large party, which some of us didn't notice--but honestly, and I think this says a lot, I'm totally comfortable with the amount of "extra" tip I left from not having noticed that gratuity was already on the bill. I was quite happy to pass it along to our servers for a job well-done and a fantastic meal.
(5)Joshua L.
This used to be a go-to spot of ours for dinner and/or drinks. We returned a couple weeks ago with a fairly large group, and we were fairly disappointed after the menu redesign. We ordered a flat bread, scallop appetizer, and a couple other small unmemorable plates. The best of what we ordered were the scallops, but even that lacked cohesion, in flavor and in creation. The cheese did not want to stay with the scallop when you took a bite, and it needed an acid or something on the light flavor side to balance the greasiness of the cheese. Even the old fashioned, which was always my choice drink, didn't taste the same. Nothing was particularly bad, but it just wasn't what it had been, which is a shame. The atmosphere is still nice, however.
(2)Dustin F.
Caveat - I am rating this as a bar, more than a restaurant..... We hit Sidebar around 8p.m. on a Friday night and found plenty of room at the bar to saddle up for some post dinner drinks. This is definitely a 'mixology' type of establishment, but not in the pretentious way that makes you kinda of sick. The two bartenders, Mike and Chris, were incredibly nice and sociable! They shared their favorites, made awesome drinks, and were great to talk with while we drank our libations.... I was surprised by how quiet the bar was, but from what Mike shared, it sounds like it gets pretty busy during happy hour. Look forward to trying more drinks, off-menu, and maybe even some of the food!
(5)Matt G.
FREE TAPAS TUESDAY!!! Great food, talented chef, and strong drinks! This place can be a bit pricey, but Happy Hours are quite awesome. Along with discounted drinks, they provide an array of small plates completely free while you drink/wait. I haven't been here for an actual dinner, but if the tapas are any relation, it'll be astounding quality. Mike's definitely a fun guy to have as your bartender. Full of character and will always try to help you have a good night. I'd say if you're in the area, swing by and have a nice, delightful dinner OR pound down a few great drinks and enjoy Free Tapas Tuesdays!
(4)Kim R.
Love this place! I have been there twice and both times the food and service were terrific. The complimentary hummus is a nice change and very delicious. The signature cocktails are well made. I especially love the Moscow Mule. The tapas size dishes are great for sharing and everything I have tried has been really good. I will definitely be back.
(5)Jennifer P.
I liked the concept of the drinks, but they weren't my thing. The lamb pizza and scallops were both phenomenal, reasonably priced too.
(4)Chelsey M.
Oh sidebar. I wanted to love you, but your "policies" ruined it. I spent a large sum of money here this evening and had a restaurant.com certificate. Nowhere on the certificate or the terms of use or anywhere at all does it state limitations for the purchase amount and what counts and what doesn't count towards the purchase. So I presented my certificate to the server who told me that there were restrictions towards the purchase amount. When I pressed further after investigating the restaurant.com website and also the certificate itself, I couldn't find anything stating that. She eventually said that the owner told the servers they were not allowed to accept the certificates for certain purchases (alcohol) but did say they used to accept them until it became a problem. I wasn't offered any resolution to this, the opportunity to speak to a manager or supervisor, or any real explanation. If it is against the law somehow, fine. But say that . Don't say that the owner said you can't accept them anymore because it became a "problem" because no where on the certificate does it say anything other than the minimum purchase amount. It's upsetting because the food wasn't that bad, but the service and policies just ruined it. And as far as the ambiance goes, on the other side of the divider next to the table where we were seated, were two very, very drunk women. Which typically wouldn't bother me, though I find drunk people annoying, but they were having a conversation very openly about relationship issues. The one woman was telling the other (and the whole restaurant) how she cheated on her boyfriend with another guy and cheated on that guy with another guy. It was like the movie Inception, but with cheating. A relationship within a relationship within a relationship. **EDIT** The server also told me that on the printed certificate that it would state that it could not be used for alcohol. I checked before I left because I was using the mobile app at the restaurant. Just got home and checked again. It doesn't say that at all. So disappointing. If this is a legal issue, like I said, that's fine, but be educated and be able to provide that answer. If this is an issue of the owner not wanting to honor a certificate, then this is crazy. **EDIT** Just looked up Ohio liquor laws and Ohio code..This does not appear to be a legal issue, but a restaurant issue. codes.ohio.gov/orc/4301.…
(1)Megan T.
Back to number one status. My husband, 2 y/o son and I ate here 3 times while we were in town. We are moving back to the area soon, and I look forward to more great times at Sidebar. Menu looks revamped, but they kept the fab classics like the cilantro hummus, calamari, veggie pasta, salmon etc. The spanish tortilla tapa was new and very very good. Friendly and informed service, delicious cocktails. They're back!
(5)Helen S.
I came here for a Tuesday happy hour, and got some drinks/tapas. My drink was a really good strawberry rhubarb cocktail special that they had, and tapas samples were included with the drink purchase. Some of them were hits (I especially liked the cilantro hummus) while others were misses. This isn't my favorite tapas place, but for the happy hour deal I can't complain much.
(3)Tabitha F.
Drink rating: 5 stars + I had a Sazerac (one of my all time favorite drinks) and a Smokey Manhattan (w/ sidecar) - freaking fabulous. My date had a Old Fashion - also great. I love a place that serves classic drinks with their own signature spin...as long as its good, of course. Sidebar 122 delivers flawlessly. They served not one but two free humus/pita chips appetizers.....uh yes, thank you - i will devour your delicious free humus! My date got the Shrimp BBQ pizza and I ordered the Roast Duck. The duck and jalapeno sauce were tasty - the side of rice w/ mushroom and spinach wasn't as good as I anticipated from reading the description....but it wasn't bad by any means. My date's pizza.....holy hell.....I wanted to steal it from him. It was so yummy. Keeping in mind I am a pie gal ALL THE WAY, I opted for the Tres Leches cake. It wasn't pie but it was very good - moist. I loved the look and feel of this place - I heard a history commentary being delivered to a nearby table. Apparently back in the day - pre-prohibition days - there were underground tunnels under the building that lead to a speak easy, brothel and the statehouse.....neat to know - ole dirty politicians! :) When I left - I ran two blocks in the pouring rain in heals, after such a great experience my mood wasn't even dampened!
(4)Christina C.
Had an absolute blast at Sidebar a couple months back! Food was amazing- we got a table full of tapas to share! Service was great as well! Can't wait to go back!!!
(5)E H.
My husband and I went to Sidebar for our anniversary last night: we had fantastic service and management was very doting on our special night out. Food was fantastic, drinks were spot on. I can go on and on . . . thank you for making our night out great!
(5)Jon M.
Great ambiance. Place was surprisingly big considering most downtown Columbus restaurants. Drinks were amazing! And a meal of tapas is the way to go. We got the chicken croquettes, beef empanadas, spicy potatoes, and mushroom and garlic somethingernother! All great, and filled the two of us. They also give a free cilantro lime hummus up front, which is pretty much amazing. Highly recommended!
(4)Sharmeela S.
Loved the moscow mule and potato tapas. Lovely bar and dining room. Perfect for date night or outing with friends. Its walking distance from the Columbus Commons. The cocktails are artistically done and quite exceptional. Average price 10.25$. The food is delicious and creative as well. This place did not disappoint!
(5)TJ R.
Went for dinner. Food was pretty good but, in the end, felt over priced. Enjoyed the mixed drinks we tried, and the wine selection was nice.
(3)Jillian M.
Come here for Tapas Tuesday. Seriously. Happy hour here with friends, from 5-7:30 PM on the glorious aforementioned tapas Tuesday. The drinks here don't mess around. They don't have much in the way of happy hour drink pricing, but you get free tapas from 5-7pm with your full price drink purchase. Drinks are around $10, and they are worth every penny. Coming from a cheapskate like myself, that's saying something! All their drinks are pre-Prohibition style; meaning no artificial flavors and everything is fresh-squeezed and made in-house. Since there was a group of us, we got to sample each other's drinks, and there wasn't a dud in the bunch. I had the special of the night, which was called 'Bijoux'. A gin based drink with chartreuse and some sort of bitters, with an orange peel. It was strong and delicious. I also had the Black Walnut Old Fashioned, which packed a punch but left you with a smooth, sweet, nutty taste at the end. Throughout the two+ hours we received the following tapas delivered to our table: *Caprese Bruschetta *Mussels (with spicy tomato sauce) *Spicy potatoes *Lamb lollipop with mashed potato and steamed veg *Square of Be'Naye pizza (lamb, tomato, mozz) *Asparagus quiche (that crust, SO BUTTERY) The bruschetta was the least exciting of the group, but all were tasty and a nice little plate of food. That lamb lollipop/potato/veg combo was so good that I could see myself ordering an entree-sized portion regardless of price. It was a great way to taste a lot of the menu FOR FREE. For a little over $20, I walked away with a tummy full of fancy food and superb drinks. It's a nice way to see how the 'other half' lives!
(4)Karla B.
Not really great dinner location but better for drinks and tapas. Great party space on the second level to have a personal bartender and tapas.
(3)Anuj S.
My first experience at Sidebar 122 was OK. There were some service issues with the food coming out really slow and the tapas pretty much coming out together with our mains. Also, towards the end, we had no waiter presence for 15 minutes when we were ready for the check. The food was... meh... The tapas potatoes and mushrooms were OK. I liked the potatoes much more than the mushrooms. For my main, I had a veggie pizza, which was OK. The sides which were crispy were actually quite decent, but most of the pizza was really soggy. I'm thinking it may have been sitting in the kitchen or something...
(3)Karyn M.
I can only give a rating on their Tapas Tuesday special, which is a definite 5 star. With a purchase of a drink, you get free tapas from 5-7pm on Tuesdays. Drinks, I had the moscow mule followed by their house pinot noir. The moscow mule was $10.25, which is a bit pricey but it was good and the free tapas made up for it. The tapas can out generally every 15 minutes or so and was either from the tapas menu or a sample of their entrees. I sampled a total of 7 tapas from 5-7pm: 1. Some sort of salad with a veggie skewer - not that great 2. Chicken croquette - really delicious, one of my favorite ones 3. Seafood pasta - another top dish of the night 4. Mahi mahi over rice - fish was not that fresh 5. Lamb on couscous - good, but the lamb was a little fatty 6. Spicy wedge potatoes - average 7. BBQ shrimp pizza - really delicious! top dish Overall, it was really good for just the price of drinks! I definitely will return again.
(5)Tiffany W.
I've gone a few times for their happy hour, which is Tuesday from 5-7 pm. If you order a drink from their bar (sitting at the bar or some of the nearby tables), waiters come to your table with free tapas. If you'd like to take advantage of the whole happy hour, come early (around 5-5:15 ish) and stay through around 6:45 or so. They come out with tapas about every 15 minutes so you'll definitely be full if you stay the whole time. Some of their tapas are samples of their main menu items, and others are different. Their tapas are different than tapas I've had in Spain -- if I had to best describe it, I'd say that these tapas tend to be a bit on the heavier side. But still delicious! I've also had their lamb flatbread pizza which is about $15 but good to split with friends to supplement some tapas if you're still feeling hungry. The bartenders are pretty fun people, too, so generally a good atmosphere on Tuesdays.
(4)Mary M.
Myself and a group of 20 other friends spent our NYE here last week and we were impressed!! This is a great spot for adults to go and have fun without having to deal with the "college crowd". GREAT calamari as well! :)
(5)Siri S.
Showed up around 5:30 for tapas Tuesday and was able to sit out on the patio. The tapas weren't anything to rave over but the drinks were really good. I ordered a Moscow Mule and loved it! Also if vegetarian most of the tapas given on Tuesday were vegetarian friendly which I was surprised by.
(3)J. S.
Excellent food and drinks! Relaxing atmosphere. The beef short ribs were very tender and and spinach stuffed eggplant was melt in your mouth delicious. The flan de coco was the perfect ending to our meals.
(5)R J.
We had their duck and a NY Strip here recently. Top quality and flavor! I also recall the sauce reductions that came with them were superb as well. Will return again soon..
(4)Liza V.
I brought a big group here for the end of my birthday celebration. I was just ordering some fancy cocktails, but a few others wanted food. Uh-oh, the kitchen is closing! Not to worry, though. The owner came out and asked us what we needed, he set us up with a great big table, and told us "I want your fannies in my chairs, and your money in my pocket...and joy in your hearts." It was pretty adorable. So those who needed grub were all satisfied with some of their delicious-looking pizzas and cheese plates, etc. We were very appreciative of the accommodation. He brought us out a few plates of their pita (freshly fried) and cilantro hummus. That stuff is out of this world! Service was fantastic- everyone was so friendly, and my glass was never empty for more than a minutes- which is how it should be on your birthday! All of the cocktails are awesome. Pricey, of course, but that was expected. They pay attention to every detail- using the correct ice for each individual drink, freshly muddling the fruit, and serving each in the perfect glass. The fresh ginger in the Moscow Mule really doe make it the best in the city. And it's served in an awesome copper mug- too cool. This is the perfect place to impress a date, bring a group of friends, or for whenever you're feelin' a little fancy! And don't tell everyone, but on Tuesday, they serve free tapas if you order drinks-whoa!!
(5)Bradley O.
Who would have known, that the day our baby came into our lives, would be the last time my wife and I enjoyed an evening out, just the two of us, 9 months later. My (much older) sister had agreed to watch our bundle of joy for the evening as we attempted to recover our youth. An evening of dinner and movie lay in store for us, a stereotypical night out for two people wanting to escape. Dinner plans were primarily my wife's specialty, but tonight, it was my turn to determine our fate. With a little help from Yelp, Sidebar 122 was to be our destination. We arrived (as two young people in the prime of their life, normally do) by pulling our MINI VAN to the sign that read, "Free Valet Parking." Someone's review just got a star before even getting out of the car. For a Friday night, the place was busy, but my reservation proved unnecessary. The waiter was a tall handsome fellow who seemed dark and mysterious. His 5 o'clock shadow and chiseled chin was more than enough to keep my wife's attention. (Someone just lost their free Valet Parking star.) And then it happened. The question from my wife, "What's a mule?" The question that would define the rest of the evening. The question that would melt all the stress, all the demands of home life away. The one question that would turn Matt Damon's movie Elysium, from "ok," to "pretty good." The Moscow Mule. Tito's Handmade Vodka - fresh ginger - lime - club soda and fresh fruit. In a single word ... DAMM THAT $#%T is GOOD! Our dinner comprised of some fantastic Tapas: Mushrooms & Garlic, Chicken Croquettes, Plantain Queso and Guava, Beef Empanadas, and Fried Squid. But it's the Mule that will keep us coming back.
(5)Sophia R.
The only place to go when you're looking for flavor, originality, and a hell of a lot of class! Servers are witty, bartenders are knowledgeable, and the owners are passionate about the food and drinks they serve.
(5)Angie K.
Revamped and improved! Recommend awesome drinks and good bartender. We will be back and were impressed. The food wasn't bad, at all. The drinks were way better! I love how much they train the staff and love what they do. They must have went under new initiatives after prior changes.
(4)Sameerah S.
If you are looking for the best Moscow Mule in Columbus then this is where you need to be. It comes in the signature copper mug and taste oh-so-good!
(4)Dee M.
My boyfriend and I absolutely adore Sidebar. During the warm weather, the outdoor patio is a wonderful place to sit and waste a few hours. We love the happy hour and normally sit and order drinks and a few different tapas. Tonight, however, we came from 5-7pm for Tapas Tuesday, which was phenomenal. We ordered two cocktails, a Sidebar Sidecar and Sangria, both of which were incredible. The tapas came out at just the right pace. We enjoyed small bites of a mushroom salad, fried chicken wings, seafood medley, a fried mashed potato/knish with meat, and a ceviche/guacamole bite. Sidebar is one of our favorite restaurants in Columbus.
(5)Josh D.
Amazing food. Ordered the Salmon Bruschetta and pork skewers for apps. Pork was seasoned and cooked so well, and the Salmon was beyond this world! Seriously would comeback just for that tapas! For an entree my friend and I shared the Lobster Ravioli and BBQ Shrimp pizza. The Ravioli was delicious, and the crab créme sauce on top was decadent! The pizza was outstanding as well, the crust was cooked to the perfect crispness and all the toppings were so fresh. I would have given 5 stars but our waitress was a tad subpar. We were her only table and she would dissappear, and always seemed a bit lost. Her table touches were always a bit awkward, but she did get our food in correctly and did have a decent knowledge of the menu. All in all the sidebar has an amazing atmosphere, amazing food, and I will be back for that delicious salmon tapas with more friends and family!
(4)June K.
Came here on Tuesday for Happy Hour, a bit concerned because they have free tapas Tuesday's with purchase of drink, and unfortunately I don't drink but do enjoy the HH food. But lucky me, today, they didn't have Tapas Tuesday due to Restaurant Week so I was able to order from the regular HH discount menu. The prices were so reasonable so I wanted to order like 4-5 items but the bartender promptly advised that it would be way too much if I ordered the spicy octopus (non-HH) and spicy potatoes and then helped me to choose 4. I said if there were other HH items I wanted, I wanted to get the order in before 7pm and he said to eat first and see whether I felt like ordering more afterwards and he would accommodate the pricing. That reassured me so I didn't go overboard from the get go. What I ordered: HH Mushroom and garlic ($4) Beef empanadas ($6) Red snapper ceviche ($6) Non HH: Spicy pulpo (octopus) ($11) Scallops ($11) My favorite: mushroom and garlic tapas hands down. Light but not overwhelming and wonderfully seasoned with warmed pita wedges. Really enjoyed the ceviche. Wonderful presentation and great flavors but again, a bit too salty. Between Marcella's yesterday, I'm wondering whether Columbusians just tend to over salt their food. I've become somewhat of an empanada snob so this one didn't come close to my favorite. The rococo sauce, spicy and flavorful but salty!! The filling was like a pulled pork (but beef) inside. Spicy pulpo was again nicely seasoned with a kick but could tell it was frozen octopus. A bit of a downer but still decent on the palate. I should've stopped here but since it was my last night in Columbus and they packed up the remainder of my tapas I hardly touched (good food but was still full from lunch), I ordered the other lingering item on my mind, the scallops. Sad to say, though the presentation was pretty and looked like a dish I would thoroughly enjoy, it wasn't. Again, waaaay too salty. The scallops weren't the freshest. Overcooked on top and bottom, guess from the baking and the cheese overwhelming (hence more salty?). The scallop appetizer I had at Lemongrass was far superior. Should've stopped. C'est la vie. Overall still a great experience and food find. Next time I would like to try the Tilapia fritters and the House salad whose description (manchego cheese, artichokes, roasted pepper, field greens, caramelized pecans and balsamic dressing) had me at 'salad' which is rare for me. I am such a carnivore. So hopefully there will be a next time in Columbus so I can try the runner-up list! Again, the service staff were superb. Go Columbus!!
(4)Michael M.
Free tapas on Tuesday! Purchased drinks ($10.25) and they were good, large, and even pretty. With that came a new tapa sample every fifteen minutes until 7:30! What a deal. We tried a little bit of every thing but the it was all great and varied. The four points was my fiancés favorite drink and my favorite was the Sezerac (similar to a Manhattan). Parking was really easy on the street. We got there at five and while the bar was always happening at no point was it completely filled so no rush on when you get there... Though the earlier you get there the more tapas you get to try! We WILL be back (with a post party down the block at 16 bit)
(4)Jackie H.
I had never honestly heard of this place before yesterday. Went here for Mother's Day with the family and had a great time! They serve complimentary cilantro hummus and pita, which is really amazing...probably the best hummus I've ever had. We ordered a few tapas to share...pork skewers, mussels, and shrimp in garlic sauce. They did not disappoint! The garlic sauce the shrimp came in? WOW! We had to ask our waitress for more pita so we could dunk it in and not waste that wonderful sauce. No complaints from anyone about their meals. I ordered the shrimp pasta, which was great, and was able to save half of it to take home. The waitress brought out a complimentary Mother's Day dessert, which was a gelatin with a sugar (?) flower inside. Now, I'm not a fan of jello, but this was actually tasty! Props to the pastry chef for the beautiful and delicious dessert. I didn't have any drinks, but they do serve New Age, which is my favorite wine. Prices aren't outrageous, but they're not cheap either. The food is definitely worth what they charge. Will be back again one day for a special occasion!
(5)William S.
Great place. Love the menu, a good selection of their version of Tapas. We tried the Pork Skewers, Spicy potatoes- a new twist on Patas Bravas, and Plantains with Guava Sauce. Loved the wine selection, wait staff and the complimentary valet parking.
(5)Suzanna P.
Great food and pleasant service. We sat upstairs by the bar and had a great time watching them mix drinks. Only issue was getting the check in a timely manner. Had to wait for at least 20-25 minutes for the bill
(4)Marie S.
A couple weeks ago we happened upon Sidebar 122 after finding other restaurants in the area overflowing with people. At first I was worried we were under-dressed, but looking around the dining area our sweater & jeans ensembles seemed to hold up. (There were some fancier outfits like the older couple in a tux & what appeared to be an old showgirl costume...sequins, sequins everywhere.) Drinks were fantastic & strong. I had the black walnut Old Fashioned & BF had a martini. We decided to just do tapas for dinner & it was a very good idea. The veal meatballs were some of the most delicious meatballs I have ever had, they just melt in your mouth. Chicken Croquettes were a pretty solid choice. The spicy potatoes were just okay in my opinion, but BF really liked them. The only thing neither of us enjoyed was the Ceviche Tilapia. It just wasn't our taste. The service was incredible, our server was very prompt & friendly. She even re-lit our candle twice after I accidentally blew it out, insisting that we needed the "romance". We will definitely be returning.
(4)Robert H.
I nearly forgot to write this review... Oops. We stopped into Sidebar 122 for dinner a while ago. The restaurant is cozy and intimate, though the sound does carry. The server was very friendly, even though one of her coworkers had called off and they had to cover extra tables. We had the ceviche which was very nice, with big chunks of fresh-tasting shrimp and tilapia. We then followed that with a the lamb shank which was served with a rich red wine sauce. Both of these were excellent. I'm kicking myself for not remembering what I had to drink. That, I'm guessing, is a good sign. I'm going to have to go back to see if I can jog my memory!
(4)Shea H.
I thought the food here was fine. Everything was really expensive and I do not believe the food was worth the price. The alcoholic beverages were also expensive and the servings were not very plentiful. The ambience was nice. I like the look of the restaurant and staff members were really nice and accommodating. There is street parking as well as complimentary valet (at least there was on the Saturday night we went...)
(3)Tony V.
More of a bar atmosphere than restaurant which made it more of a laid back vibe, great service and great atmosphere
(5)Barry W.
Went to Sidebar on a Saturday prior to going to a nearby event. I enjoyed a light supper. Based on some the the yelpers here, I had the Shrimp and Tilapia Cebiche w/a Moscow Mule cocktail. I can truly say, I've never tasted anything quite like either of these. They complimented each other well. Great, ginger-y summer fare! Great feel at the bar and the staff was friendly. Wonderful place to dine. Hope to go there and check out the piano bar.
(4)Jeff P.
This review is only for the bars as I have yet to eat here. The biggest attraction here was the speakeasy type lounge in the basement. I'm not sure if they perform here often, but the jazz trio that was there on the Friday that I was here was great! Also, the cocktails were delicious. The ambiance was great...it was dark, with candles on the wall...great for a romantic date or a fun night with some friends. I came back a week later, and enjoyed some more great drinks at the bar on the first floor. Had a great time here too.
(5)Tom B.
Sidebar 122 is one of the best places to eat in Central Ohio! It's a unique mix of South American and Mediterranean cuisine. And the bar, led by Josh, is out of this world. Themed as a "per-prohibition" designer cocktail bar, the drink menu (and talent) is something you would expect in the Waldorf-Astoria! Everything is handmade down to all the syrups and bitters. The Moscow Mule is my favorite. Honestly, let Josh wow you with the history of cocktails and wine and he will blow you away! Ralph is the matradee and makes you feel like a million bucks when you walk in the door. Jennifer is the manager is not only the most professional restaurant owner I've met, but is a very warm and kind person. She's a sweetheart. The staff is top rate! One of the other things I should mention is the extensive wine list. Most restaurants in Columbus (you know who you are) rape customers on wine prices by tripling the retail price or more. Sidebar 122 prices their bottles of wine at just a little above retail. This is truly unbelievably generous and shows that the staff cares more about respect and quality above making a profit and robbing customers on wine. For a truly out-of-Columbus experience, come have dinner and drinks at Sidebar 122 where everything from the food to the drinks show hard work and attention to detail. Everything is handcrafted! The Pizza Del-Mare (with scallops, shrimp, goat cheese and asparagus) is one of my favorites. If I could give seven stars I would! (Disclaimer: I live next door at the Hartman Building, so I might be a little biased. Although given the proximity to my condo, I've tried all most everything on the menu. So maybe, I'm not biased at all; just "seasoned").
(5)Mike B.
Might just be me, but this place just kind of rubs me the wrong way. Don't get me wrong, the cocktails taste great, and there's an insane amount of prep they do (squeeze their own juices, make their own syrups and have some ridiculous ice machine that makes perfect clear ice), but there's no price difference between a plain old drink, versus a complex artisan cocktail. $9.25 for hendrick's gin and tonic is a bit steep. And the tonic water lost all it's carbonation from the "pour your own tonic water from a little cruet" gimmick. After being sticker shocked by the drink price at the bar, I was not really in the mood to try the food. I hear it's fantastic, but I'll save up and prepare for the price before I try it again.
(3)Jason R.
I took my wife here for our 5th anniversary dinner after finding it on Yelp and realizing it was 2 blocks away. Fantastic service and delicious food. We had the fried calamari to start. We split the Ahi tuna steak and the beef empanadas. The tuna steak and the calamari were excellent. The empanadas were pretty good. What really made our evening was how the manager really went out of his way to make our experience memorable. This place is a winner in my book.
(5)Raymond K.
Best cocktails in Columbus and awesome tapas. Many places in Columbus start off good and then it feels like they are just not trying that hard. Sidebar never disappoints!
(5)Gregg H.
Great food with a Chilean flair. Both tapas and full entrees were great. Chef was flexible in combining parts of two dishes to accommodate a specific diet. Seasoning and spices were awesome without being overpowering. Something for everyone on the menu.
(5)Pat P.
Looking for a smashing good time in a classy place? This is the perfect spot. Sidebar gives that great feeling of being in an upscale place, but one that's not to pretentious. You can go here and have a relaxed good time with your friends, or have a great night with that special someone. The atmosphere is very clean, classy and classic. The drinks brought me in, with tales of classic cocktails done very well, and they are brilliant. You'll usually find me with a dark and stormy, but it's always a tough choice when I look at the drink menu. The food is spectacular, everything I've had to eat there has been awesome. And it's no typical bar/restaraunt food, we're the dishes are as fancy as the cocktails, with highlights like lobster ravioli, veal shank, paella, and ceviche. Super bonus: Tuesday happy hour (5-7) They stuff you full of free tapas while you drink. This is possibly the best deal I've ever seen. But wait! Theres more! There are also a basement and 2'nd floor that may be open for certain occasions, which means you may get some live tunes, or be able to host your own event here!
(4)Catherine J.
My one-and-only visit so far was to the bar for some cocktails before an event elsewhere. I can't wait to go here again, and I look forward to watching this establishment evolve and mature in this location-- settle into its foundation, so to speak. Sitting at the bar was great. Not only did I enjoy the jerky-style bacon placed out for barflys to snack on, but I just loved watching the bartender prepare the drinks. It appeared as though each cocktail is served in its historically accurate and appropriate vessel. Although cocktails are a bit pricey, I'm willing to pay more for the artistry that goes into crafting each drink. And, in my old(er) age, I prefer slow sipping a masterpiece. I hear rumors of a piano bar in the basement, and the fact that there are multiple rooms yet to be opened. That's what I mean about being excited to see this place grow and evolve: it seems self-aware about its potential. Kudos to the owners for letting the joint grow slowly with their clientele ("in this economy...!"). As others have mentioned, Sidebar is in a somewhat awkward downtown location, making it difficult to go other places on foot before or after. I agree to an extent-- but it's really not as far from the Ohio Theater and the Columbus Commons as you might think (espcially in nice weather). If you want some more "efficient" drinking, the Little Palace/Dirty Frank's combo isn't too far, neither is the Jury Room. Again, if Sidebar can stick it out in this location, I think the southern end of downtown is slowly becoming more happenin'. I look forward to going back again and again, and updating this review. The fact that Sidebar is on my way home doesn't hurt, either. I may even scope it out for hosting some events!
(4)John W.
Went here on a Wednesday night for a business meeting. Waited about 5 mins for a host to show up, then were confusingly seated at a table with a recylced table cloth that was dirty...waited another 10mins for a surly waiter to tell his he'd be right over. Had some water thrown in front of us. Then we made the decision we didn't like the vibe got up and left. Not sure how this carries a 4 star review. We ended up going over to Barcelona for Tapas and that place was excellent.
(1)Michael G.
Now closed on Monday, but open on Sunday; for brunch & dinner. Call to make sure of the new hours.
(3)Beth S.
We stopped in for drinks and tapas last night and wasn't disappointed from the ravings that my friend had gone on about from her previous visits. Located on a corner on Main Street in the downtown area, Sidebar is a cozy little bar upon entering that just kept unfolding during the night. The complimentary bacon served in a drinking glass was just adorbs. I think my party ordered everything on the drinks menu to start, or so it's seems. We definitely put our bartender, Marshall, to work. He entertained us pleasantly, while our tipsy party kept him on his toes with questions about the menu and history of the building. The South American theme was definite throughout the mixed drinks and tapas that we ordered. There were homemade aromatic bitters that were shaken into our drinks were unique and I doubt can be replicated. The kitchen menu was designed by the head chef, who is also the owner. We had ordered tapas-sized empanadas, calamari, ceviche, quinoa & salmon. Definitely not bar food. I really can't tell if this is a kitchen built around a bar or a bar built around a kitchen. Both aspects complimented each other completely. On top of stellar food and drinks, the owners girlfriend and hostess gave us a tour of the building and its 4 floors. Enough room for event space, private parties, and a cute little supposedly haunted elevator. What's not to love about this place?
(4)Nicholas T.
My second coming, and It's all about the cocktails. Marshall is the current craftsman behind the bar, and he is meticulously mixing up any of your classics that might miss the menu along with enthusiastically offer up one of his unique creations for those who appreciate the craft . The downtown location is the curse for this fantastic bar/restaurant as it is isolated from any foot traffic; I'd really hate to see this venue fail because it. The owner should really consider buying the China Bar location for sale at the intersection of High and Buttles so I can walk there a couple times a week; I don't know how a place like this would fail in the Short North. All of the "small" plate appetizers we ordered were fantastic. The plantains paired with the queso fresco and guava were a definite repeat along with the juicy pork skewers. I also can not fail to mention the gratis bacon at the bar that stole my heart. Sidebar move to the Short North NOW! I'll pay rent for my own barstool. The lost craft of cocktails has left me thirsty for more.
(5)Alison C.
Great happy hour and specialty cocktails! The bartender, Marshall, makes great drinks.
(5)Laura C.
Umm came for Sunday brunch around 11:20am and they were closed???????? Huh? Explain this: sidebar122.com/menu/sund…
(1)Manoj A.
The food is expensive (came to $35 a person+plus $10 for parking). The portions are small on some dishes and too much on others. The food taste is forgettable. The ambiance is forgettable. The service is nonexistent. The place is loud. Went there for a date and it will be my last time there. But the place was packed full on a Friday so someone must like it.
(2)Kate H.
I am not entirely sure what I think yet, but so far, so good. Sidebar takes the space of the late Brownstone on Main Street downtown- and with Dirty Frank's and the Little Palace right around the corner, we have a happening block going on! Yes, there is actually something going downtown between German Village and Gay Street after 6pm now. I went for a happy hour turned dinner with some girl friends last week. I was surprised at how small the bar area seemed. It bottlenecks a bit upfront and is slightly disconcerting. They kept the exposed brick, the lights are dim and the bar area retains a certain swankiness without going completely over the top. The dinner area was much larger, but almost too dark. The mayor was there. Hi, Mayor Coleman... he knows where all the cool kids hang out. Though a bit fancier than my preferred drinking establishments, I really like prohibition era vibe... it even extended to our wonderfully attentive and funny bartender/waiter, who had this 1920s hipster look going on, complete with vest and eccentric facial hair. They have Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, which always gets me in trouble, but at $6.00 was a much better investment than $10.00 per cocktail my companions had, which were spot on, but $10.00... did I say that already? Dinner was fantastic. Had the salmon... couldn't have been better. Oh and they have bacon as a snack on the bar. All those inclined to eat it, said it was spectacular. I will likely be back, maybe with clients or fancy people. The cost (it was almost $40.00 with tip for dinner and 2 drinks) will probably keep me from frequenting this place or a regular basis. I am excited about another little gem popping up downtown.
(4)Michelle S.
A friend decided to try this place out because of all the good reviews, and I must say that I'm glad we went last night! Service was a bit slow but I guess you must not rush greatness lol. The tuscan salad was delicious and flavorful. Actually, EVERYTHING I tried was delicious! I ordered the marinated grilled chicken skewers which was awesome with the vegetables and roasted potatoes. My boyfriend ordered the seared salmon. I forgot what my sister and her friend ordered but we all tried eachother's food and it was definitely not a disappointment. Everything was yummy and FRESH. The only thing I don't like about the place is that the portions are kinda small. It's enough to fill me up but I don't think this is a place for a hungry man lol.
(5)Olivia S.
I went here with my family for brunch on a Sunday morning. It was almost completely empty. Maybe they are busy later - and during the week? It was weirdly empty. My biggest complaint was that the music was too loud for an empty restaurant on a Sunday morning. The food was excellent, and I really liked the coffee. Good coffee is a huge plus considering how many otherwise nice restaurants serve godawful coffee. Our waiter was nice and very knowledgeable about the menu, but he didn't hover. Next time, I'll go at night - even if the brunch menu was wonderful.
(4)Cesar G.
This is a comfortable restaurant with a very good drink menu and respectable dinner menu. My vegetarian flatbread was fine, but nothing special. I took two guests here, both of whom ate meat dishes and had a Moscow Mule and seemed to enjoy themselves. I would easily return for a drink or dinner.
(3)Matt R.
I think Sidebar is a really neat place, but there are enough reasons that would keep me from coming here again. First the good: Sidebar has really neat atmospheres. I say atmospheres because the establishment is split into two halves each with their own character - on one side you have the bar (sidebar, get it?) and on the other you have the restaurant. The restaurant side is laid back and darkly lit - for all you romantics - while the bar, though still darkly lit, had a little more energy and flair to it. The restaurant section was not at all busy on the Tuesday I went, which was not surprising given it was a weekday and Sidebar hasn't really been advertising yet, while the bar was pretty much full. The not-so-good: Sidebar is definitely upscale and fairly pricey. Pricey isn't bad if you get what you pay for, but I think $18-ish for a mediocre pizza just barely enough for 2 people (the Be'Naye) isn't okay for me. Don't get me wrong, the pizza had its moments, but not worth $18. We also got a salad (Goat Cheese salad), and, again, nothing really to write home about. The also not-so-good: Sidebar is located downtown not near a whole lot. It's neat to see a business setting up there, but this isn't a place you'd really leave from to go somewhere else nearby. This isn't a drawback exclusive to Sidebar of course. Also note if you're going to the bar section: don't stare directly into the LED lights emanating from the bar table. In fact, get an extra menu to cover them up if you think you're going to be sitting at the bar. Can you guys turn those down at all? Holy cats. All in all, it was a little too rich for my blood with not enough to justify it.
(3)Kurt N.
The restaurant (1st floor) has a long selection of tapas that are large enough to be shared among 3 or 4 people. We really liked their unique pizzas and pastas - everything is original and fresh. Their entrees are pretty large and very reasonably priced. I definitely recommend this place for a romantic dinner or for a special occasion. The reason why we picked Sidebar 122 was the newly opened Jazz Club in the basement. What a wonderful surprise! The bar and lounge are nicely decorated in the 60's NY or Chicago club style. It feels upscale with plenty of small tables around the stage. It was full, but not crowded. The service was excellent - unfortunately they were short on cocktails (probably because it was opening night). Great atmosphere!
(5)Janie I.
Yes yes yes what more could I possibly say. I first experienced this adorable little restaurant while participating in paint nite. The owner introduced himself to me while I was sitting at the bar. He had the chef bring me a little treat I received a beef empanada. Let me just tell you for the next week I wanted beef empanadas from there every day. They are absolutely amazing. The owner himself is absolutely amazing wonderful man who truly cares about his customers and making each one feel so special and so welcome. I found every single employee who I encountered to be wonderful professional and as nice as could be. I enjoyed it so much that I returned the next weekend with three friends. We all had something different I had the ravioli. Giant pieces of ravioli smothered in an amazing sauce. My friend had the veal shank and almost embarrassed me by threatening to lick his plate. We all of course had empanadas and as we stared at the last one I had to agree to split it with them. Make sure you get the Moscow Mule they make their own ginger concoction especially for this drink. This is such a gem of a restaurant we will continue to go back. Make sure you make reservations as it does get pretty crowded
(5)Carolyn K.
Three things struck me about Sidebar: 1) Cocktails: strong, without being overpowering. They are, in a word, perfection. I thoroughly enjoyed the Moscow Mule (a vodka-based). 2) Menu: I love that it's completely flexible! You can order anything in full portions, or tapas-style. We ordered the chicken croquettes, tilapia fritters and pork filets tapas-style to split. I was a fan of everything except the chicken croquettes (the chicken was a bit lost amongst a sea of creamy filling... especially when accompanied by the aioli it was served with). 3) Atmosphere: fabulous decor, exposed brick and lighting... I just wish it was a bit more open of a floor plan. Oh, and complimentary valet on the weekends? Cheers to that! Highly recommended. I'll be back for sure!
(4)Anand M.
Pan seared salmon, grilled chicken breast and grilled chicken pasta all were really awesome. Very nicely done. Juicy and with all the right flavours.
(4)Christina C.
Order a cocktail. Any hand-crafted cocktail will do. And sit at the bar, too. While I'm sure dining in the dining room is nice, the bar is where it's at. There's been an influx of similarly-themed restaurants opening in Columbus this year, and while I dig 'em, where's that extra something?! Sidebar is one of those old familiar faces, BUT set themselves apart with hand-crafted, fancy cocktails and menu items like Scallops Parmesan (my fave but realllllly heavy),Shrimp and Tilapia Cebiche (perfect for the hot summer weather), and Eggplant Marinara, which was the highlight of my week awhile back paired with an amazing bold red suggested by the bartender. What really sets Sidebar a part from the rest is the piano bar downstairs. I haven't been yet (soon, soon, don't worry) I've heard a lot of great things. Good piano bars in dinner establishments don't seem to last too long 'round here so it's nice to see what a newcomer brings to the table. I'm looking forward to it. While I can't afford coming here on regular ol' occasions, I can scrape up enough to come in for at least a cocktail and an appetizer while noshin on the complimentary bacon at the bar. Join me won't you? If not for me, for the bacon?
(4)Jyago L.
All I can say is Moscow Mule!! Awesome. The drinks are amazing and the tapas happy hour is a great way to try multiple things without of breaking the bank.
(3)Danielle M.
Went to sidebar 122 last weekend for a date night and was really happy with my experience. The food was really great. I had the seafood opera, and it was pretty awesome. Their red sauce is great! My husband had parm crusted scallops, and he thought they were delicious. Their menu is interesting and inventive. They also brought out cilantro hummus as a complementary starter. So Good! Service was very good as well. Our server was very knowledgable about the menu.
(5)L M.
Love it here! The cocktails are all great as are the tilapia fritters.
(5)Bryant M.
Get a second job, sell your shit on Craigslist, or do something even seedier to make some extra money. You're going to need every cent to spend at your new favorite spot - Sidebar 122. Seriously, it's that good. Three of us went for the first time on a friday night, and we had one of the best dining (and drinking!) experiences in a really long time. Here's what we loved: ^ATMOSPHERE Swanky, yet casual. Upscale, but decidedly low-key. Sidebar 122 is a beautiful downtown spot where you'll see all types of people having a great time - from neighborhood folks in shorts and flip flops to people gussied-up for a night on the town. ^SERVICE From the hostess to the guys bringing water, everyone at Sidebar 122 was lovely. No one was pretentious, and everyone seemed to truly enjoy working there. The real stars, though, were the servers. Our server (what was her name?!) was one of the best servers I've had in Columbus. She was attentive, sweet, funny, and sincere - the perfect addition to our fun dinner date. ^DRINKS These are some amazingly-crafted old-school cocktails. Think Mouton. I had a sidecar, and one friend had a fresh strawberry gimlet. They were both beyond fantastic. And the Mister had wine (Malbec), which he declared "amazing!". ^FOOD A lot of the menu is tapas, so we just ordered a bunch of items and shared among the table. This proved to be a fantastic way to try out a new restaurant! Everything was fresh, delicious, and four or five star-worthy. Here's the rundown: * Goat cheese salad with raspberry vinaigrette - My favorite dish of the night! * Ceviche - I don't eat seafood, but both of my dining partners thought this dish was really good. The chunks of fish and shrimp were very big, unlike any ceviche they'd had before. This wasn't a bad thing - just different. * Chicken croquettes - Everyone loved these little fried balls of chicken heaven and both dipping sauces. * Caprese salad - This was very good, and I'm certain that Sidebar 122 will start using local tomatoes as soon as they can. * Beef tenderloin skewers - Cooked to perfection with an amazing side of risotto. * Tres leches cake - Normally I pass up dessert to go to Jeni's instead, but we just couldn't turn down dessert at Sidebar. Everything looked so tempting! We decided on a tres leches cake that was light, fluffy, and not-too-sweet. ^PRICE All this food and drinks cost just under $100. While that's not cheap, it was well worth every penny - because this dining experience made us feel like a million bucks! ^TIPS * They take reservations with Open Table! * They have valet parking, but there are lots of credit card meters on nearby streets. * They serve brunch! ^BOTTOM LINE Go here. Now. This is definitely my new Cbus favorite, and I'll be going back as often as I can!
(5)Jim G.
This place is categorized as a bar in yelp, yet it's the food that stands out. Downtown, destination dining at it's best. Killer apps - empanadas and also the plantains/queso fresco/guava. For entree, they have the very best lamb shank, literally...lamb shank with Parmesan risoto and subtle tomato/shallot broth...perfect to share. If you haven't been here, it's a gem waiting to be discovered. You can even bring your own wine for a corkage fee. Superb place, keep it coming..!!
(5)Dennis K.
I was looking to go somewhere for live jazz and was DELIGHTED by my experience at Sidebar 122. Started off with a mojito in the upstairs bar. If you can make a great mojito, I'm hooked. It was. The upstairs bar is beautiful and busy, yet not too noisy. The bartop is lighted and the stock area is designed with lots of wood. Gorgeous. I ordered the grilled marinated chicken (kabobs) with potatoes which were terrific and very reasonably priced. I then ventured to the basement where the Kate Ross Quintet took the stage and entertained a packed house that included none other than Central Ohio attorney Byron L. Potts (there's no case too big or too small!). The basement is again beautiful with lots of black furniture and hardwood. The band played VERY well and Kate was a wonderful entertainer walking around dancing with patrons and telling a few stories in between songs. I snagged a business card ;). Get to Sidebar 122 soon. Don't wait. Do it now!
(5)Jennifer J.
Great Tapas, and even better vintage cocktails. They know how to make sidecars as well as many wonderful cocktails.
(4)Chris K.
Outstanding atmosphere. The service and food were exceptional. Great place for a romantic meal as well.
(5)Den W.
Can be hit or miss. Usually great cocktails and food. Would be nice to have more consistency in what you are getting. For $10 drink made w/ bourbon that costs $30 per gallon - you can afford to offer a more generous pour.
(4)Mindy W.
The ambiance, the service, the drinks and the food were all great. I came here for my birthday dinner on a Thursday, and I am glad that I did. The free pita chips and hummus were delicious and unexpected both in flavor and in general. I tried the Moscow Mule, which was so good! My friend had the Prada, which was the best drink I have ever had in my life. If you've read any of my reviews, you know that I have had a lot of drinks. This one wins. It is described as a rum drink: Pitu Cachaca, Egg White, Lime, Pimento Dram. The Pitu Cachaca tastes more like a mild, amazing tequila. it is sweet, but not too sweet, bright and frothy. I split the goat cheese salad, which was simple and delicious. I had the Seafood Opera for my main and I was pleased. It needed salt, but there was none. The seafood was good for the most part, although a couple clams and mussels were salty or soggy. We shared the Bruselina, but I wish I had gone for the Tres Leches. It was ok, but I would really only recommend it if you love almonds. This was definitely a fun place for a special occasion or a date as it is dark, romantic and trendy.
(4)Erin R.
Sidebar 122. Quite a fitting name for this joint. The staff seems to TAKE a sidebar between getting your order and bringing your food. And while the 122 indicates the location's address, it also seems to signify (in minutes) the average wait time to receive anything. I've been to this place twice now and while they say that the third time's the charm, I don't think I'll go back again to find out.
(1)James D.
Great unique taste and great happy hour choices!
(4)E D.
Excellent food, delicious cocktails and nice wine list.
(5)Javito D.
EGG SHELL WARNING We went with my girlfriend to have dinner on Saturday night. I will not go on the specifics of the entree and service. Instead, I will go directly to dessert to give you a warning for those of you that consider hygiene a serious issue. We ordered a Tres Leches, my girlfriend's favorite dessert. But there was something unusual--besides the excessive amount of whipped cream on top--in SideBar's version of the classic Latin American dessert. After we started eating it, we tasted some unexpected crunch and grit in almost every bit. The secret ingredient? Egg shell. When we showed the waitress the egg shell that we were chewing he told us, in a natural manner, that he would let the chef know. Apparently yolk, whites, and vessel are all mixed together according to the usual course of things in SideBar's kitchen. He then immediately brought us the check--without including an extra for the egg shell. Thank you.
(1)Kimmy S.
I love the whole ambience of the place. Our waiter was extremely helpful in explaining the pre-prohibition cocktails that are hand made and how they use fresh ingredients. I told him I liked fruity drinks and he suggested the 4-step (which wasn't on the menu). It's a spin off of the 2-step. I was very satisfied. I got the Chicken and Shrimp skewers, which came with roasted potatoes. It was very good. I liked that they offered complimentary hummus and fried pita... I was a happy customer :) I will return but not too often, the prices are not for those on a budget.
(4)Edy D.
I LOVED this place. As soon as I walked in the door I knew it would be a great place to go with friends! I started with a Two-Step Cocktail that was delicious! The bartender, Shawn, was delightful and informative. We stayed at the bar and enjoyed the Beef Tenderloin Empanadas & Shrimp and Garlic. This was the most enjoyable place to drink, eat and social in a long time! I have found my new favorite place! :-)
(5)Robert V.
This place is a new Columbus gem. I went there last night. It has been open for a only a week. Has a bar area and separate restaurant area. It is in the spot former known as "The Brownstone". There are multiple levels (Other levels not yet open), but the staff informed us that one floor will have live music. Old speak-easy style gathering place (though, with modern design: in-bar lighting, dark, rich woods and colors and soft lighting) was said to be an influence on the decor. There is a VERY succesful Dayton, OH restaurant by the same owner ( sidebar410.com ). Great cocktails, hand made cocktail infusions, happy hour specials, and a full menu (BEST hummus I've ever had!) There is valet parking. They are still staffing and training and we were told that they would begin advertising soon. Not open for lunch yet but we were told that, eventually, they would be serving the lunch crowd. They do take (and prefer reservations) for dining. Update: OK...The Columbus location is SideBar 122 ( I put that in the original post - dont know why it was edited). The Dayton location was referenced, and the link provided, to give the Columbus readers an idea of the type of vibe, attention to ambience, and energy the owner put into an enticing local menu. Remember: SideBar 122 for a great Columbus alternative
(5)Nathan L.
This place should be the tits when they get it all up and running, currently just one or two of the rooms are open on any given night but there is to be a cigar lounge on the second floor and a few other areas that should be opening soon. I stopped in late on a unassuming weekday night last week and was pleasanty surprised. The "pre-prohibition" drink concept is kinda cool - they put so much more thought into a Manhatten than you are going to find with 99% of the other suds tossers out there. I always prefer my Manhattens on the rocks but after a 5 min convo with the bar owner Brian and I was sipping one served up and couldn't have been happier about it. These guys know their bourbon and how to serve it. The house-made bitters is to die for - adds that special splash of unexpected to an already great cocktail. There are some Foo-Foo drinks and Vodka mixers on the menu but this place is all about the whickey and bourbon, and they do it right.
(4)Herb T.
My wife and I went to Sidebar on a tuesday night, no wait and getting there was not a problem. The atmosphere was great, dim lighting but only dark enough to give it a great ambiance. Drinks, the drinks were great, best moscow Mule I have had here in Columbus, also one of the more exspensive I have had in town. I was ok with that beacsue it was sooo tasty! Food- I think that they are still trying to figure the menu out, for what you get I don't this this is a great value. We had the Chicken croquetts, but there was barely any chicen in them and quite frankley too much sauce. The quionoa was prepared great as were the meat skewers that came with them, but for $12 it was a little reaching. Lastly the Cebiche...a favorite of mine when my mother from Peru makes it, not so much from Sidebar... I should never have to cut my ceviche with a knife nor should it come out ice cold. some traditional cooking should be left traditional. I wll definatly go back for a cocktail and wine, or to have the delicious pita and hummus, But will wait a good while to see if the menu matures a bit before dinning. Just as a side not (no pun intended)- The wait staff was terrific
(3)Brian W.
Sidebar is good. Good food, good atmosphere, and competent staff. That said I found our table to be a bit cramped, the wait staff to be not that helpful, and the food to be just above average (especially for the price). The crowd there certainly means its popular, but this seemed to work against them in my book. There was a bit of a "we're really busy, you get what you get" attitude. It's great to have another good option downtown, but I think there are others I'd go back to if given the option.
(3)Mark N.
This is my new haunt. Absolutely fantastic. Environment, price, food, and drinks are beyond expectations.
(5)Ellen L.
I wish I discovered this place earlier when I was staying at the Westin and jonesing for a nice, nearby bar...but given how new this place is, I guess it is entirely possible that it wasn't open yet! :p As others have mentioned, Sidebar is a lovely addition to Columbus. It's comfy yet classy. I got a fresh fruit (strawberry) gimlet and an amaretto fizz...the fizz was SOO good!!! or... so I think because the bartenders at Sidebar pour with a heavy hand... :) I might be biased coming from the likes of DC/NY, but for drinks at $9 a pop, this place is a pretty good deal for the quality of the alki and the drinks they make :)
(4)Chelsea T.
I was so disappointed in Sidebar. I expected great things. But unfortunately great things did not ensue. You expect great service at such a chic little place, but it must have been our waiters first day (serving ever). A slew of errors and shortcomings but the one that most elaborately displayed his novice had to be my attempt at acquiring a second drink. I ordered a rye beer. He came back to our table to tell me they no longer serve rye beers (no reason why even tho there are multiple on the menu) owell I'm easy going I decided I'd just have another beer, but before I could order he took someone else's drink order, and quickly walked away. Without asking if I'd like something else let alone just letting me get an order out. Since he had already taken the drink menu (because everyone goes there to have 1 drink? or can memorize the menu) I had to track him down for it. Honestly I only needed the menu because when I originally asked which beers they have on tap he didn't know. He still never came back to ask what I would like, after acquiring the drink menu. I tracked down another server and he was able to help. It was like a satire. It did provide comic relief for the table as this was one of his many snafus. But honestly we left feeling bad because he always had that deer in headlights look and was rushing around. Not a great start to the evening.
(2)Le Ron C.
Sidebar is a welcome edition to downtown dining especially after the closing of the former restaurant named Brownstone in the same location. The food is a unique Mediterranean mixed with South American flair which leads to some delightful menu options. We ordered the humus and pita starter plate which was average at best for hummus. I ordered the Salmon and it was cooked exactly as I ordered it. The garnish was not overbearing the side of hand mashed potatoes showed this dish was perfectly paired. I enjoyed a few drinks including the El Diablo and the Sidebar Sidecar which is where my review takes off. A lot of places like to charge a high amount for their drinks without putting any thought or care into the art of making the drink. There is definitely something to be said for a hand crafted drink with fresh mixers, and individual poured liquors. My only reasoning for not giving 5 stars lies in functionality. I felt that the front tables are speakeasy sized which means made more for drinking than eating. The plates that both of our entrees arrived on were small for the mountain of food piled upon them. It made eating the dish difficult and many times I spilled my entree on the table due to this. I'll be visiting Sidebar 122 again once their music bar opens downstairs and I hope you do too!
(4)Tanisha S.
This seems to be a nice upscale bar. It is a bit out of place so it is more of a destination spot. The food was decent. I had the Tilapia Fritters, fried fish nuggets with a bed of spinach. Since I was there for a special event they had a limited food and drink menu. I enjoyed the overall atmosphere as far as decor and lighting was concerned. There was no music playing in the background which I found kind of odd. It would be a nice place to host a private intimate event or have an intimate one on one drink. It would not work for a one park multiple venue type of evening. FYI - the meters on 4th, just around the corner are free after 6pm. Don't pay for parking!
(3)Sean H.
A dark and lovely place with a pretty extensive cocktail menu. I was somewhat dismayed by how crowded the bar area was, but somehow I persevered. I started with an Old-Fashioned with no cherry. Apparently, this is more traditional and to tell the truth, I was happy for its absence. With a large square ice cube and a literal skin of orange peel, I was very happy to enjoy this whiskey goodness. For dinner, I had the lamb shank. To my surprise, I was offered hummus as a complimentary appetizer. Although I still haven't had any hummus in Columbus that is anywhere near as good as Lebanese hummus, this was pretty good. Especially with the addition of cilantro. The lamb shank was served with a saffron risotto and braised red cabbage. I can't begin to tell you how tender, tasty, and spectacular this meal was. The flavor and preparation was perfect. All told, I was impressed with the service. Although it was a little slow, there was great attention to detail and very few if any of my needs were missed. The atmosphere was excellent including the music, which from me is high praise indeed. I do have issue with the lights inside the bar as they were distracting and somewhat blinding while doing anything facing the bar. The food was delectable and very professionally done. I look forward to coming back to see how consistent they are. This place has definitely started off right in the contentious world of C-Bus restaurants.
(4)Nate M.
Yet another B.Higgins run restaurant with great cocktails and a stellar staff. Too bad he didn't learn from his mistakes in Dayton and start paying his taxes. They're closed today for not paying their state taxes. Soon the staff will go unpaid, the vendors will get bad checks, the landlord will have to sue for rent and SB122 will vanish leaving only hurt feelings and bad debts just like SB410 did.
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