Love small venue but get there early. Especially to get one of 10 stools. The doors do not open earlier than 7:00! Simple. No food. No need to flag down server. Early gets you parking right out front, No complaints. Ill return! read more

Saw a musical artist here. Easy to find and there is street parking available. Small venue but enjoyed being close to the stage. Checkin was quick and easy. There is a bar but we just got bottles of water. I would go back again if they have other artists that Im interested in. read more

Rumba Café - Stage area - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Reading some of the earlier reviews, I questioned if I even wanted to go near this place. Maybe it was because I went on a Tuesday night, or maybe they had new help, but we had a 5 star good time! Sat at the bar and were promptly served drinks. They don't have a kitchen, so eat before you get here. Had no issues with the quality of our drinks or the service. Everyone was very polite. I was in for a Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras show. Saw two bands, the Whirlybirds and Big Mouth Brass Band. Both were excellent. The acoustics in this place are crazy good- not expected based on the diveyness of the joint. Ended up getting street parking right in front of the place. Only disappointment, the show was billed as doors at 6:00, show at 6:30. The band had no intention on starting before 7:00. read more

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Great Sunday night here during Memorial Day Weekend with the HooDoo band--a regular Sunday band at this club. Just $12 per person cover and they rocked in two sets from 9 to midnight. The inside was packed body to body and the outside patio packed with smokers. We went out there during the bands break and got fumigated in a second and had to pop back inside. Age range here 30 to 70. Parking is a little challenge. Do what we did and park across the street 2-3 blocks away and walk it back. By that time you can see if you are sober enough to drive. Perfect place to go after the club closes: White Castle--that's where we went. See you at a future HooDoo night. read more

Rumba Café - HooDoo Band: Sundays - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Live music is always perfect, drinks are very well priced and delicious! Bartenders are the funniest and sweetest. 100% going to frequent this establishment; also patio is very roomy and smoking is allowed out on patio. Path to bathrooms and patio is not disability accessible from within the building. read more

Rumba Café - Bar area - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Nice little live music bar. Great sound and cool little bar. Would love to check out a punk band here.

I have been going to Rumba Cafe for atleast 12 years, and the inside really never changes much. I was surprised this weekend that it does seem like recently they may have eliminated some backstage area, so the stage seems slightly larger without having expanded into the floor space. Some updates were also made to their patio 8-9 years ago, but it is currently all tarped up for the winter. I am looking forward to checking it out again during a summer show to see how it all looks for this season. Rumba is a staple dive-y bar that usually has surprisingly elevated musicial acts from almost every genre. I see Rumba as more of a music venue than anything-- I don't think I have ever been there outside of a show. Of all of the local music venues I have visited regularly, this may be the smallest other than Bourbon St. Gangstagrass of America's Got Talent Season 16 took to the stage on Friday night for a seriously entertaining show! Bluegrass and Rap together bring the most unlikely melodies to life, and it was all the fun I was never expecting to have. Rumba has a tendency to book artists you wouldn't typically get to see in such an intimate setting, which is both it's greatest allure and greatest downfall in my opinion. Since the bar is tiny and offers very limited seating, expect to be in a pretty packed space if the show features a well-known musician. If you aren't really into the band playing, and you'd really rather sit and chat with friends, don't tag along to Rumba on a concert night... and always wear comfortable shoes, if you do. Considering the size of the space and the amount of attendees, I will say that I was very impressed with the health and safety protocol that was in place there last weekend. Despite the lack of mask mandate in Columbus, staff were all wearing masks, and guests were all asked to provide proof of vaccination or a negative covid test within 72 hours for admittance. Drink options include all of the bar basics, plus some craft beer. Single serving cocktails are served in a super tiny cup, so ask for a tall glass if you prefer to sip slowly. I'll be keeping an eye on their music schedule, and I hope to see you at the next great show! read more

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My wife and I saw The Pinkertones here recently. I had been wanting to see a show here because I'd walked/driven past it a number of times and I've noticed some great shows happening here that I hadn't been able to attend. We ordered our tickets online through eventbrite and showed up in time for the end of the opening act. The parking situation is not great here- that's really my only complaint. There's nothing the venue can do about it, it's the way the neighborhood is set up. We parked a few blocks away in a neighborhood, but I'm always nervous to park in a neighborhood in front of someone's house (I've been ticketed and broken into in nearby Columbus neighborhoods). I made sure I was parked legally and was not encroaching on anyone's space and took the chance. No issues with this neighborhood on this night. The space inside is not too much to speak about it. For the most part, it's one big open room with a bar to the side and the stage in the back corner. I was pleasantly surprised at the number of craft beer options for a small concert venue. The wait staff was attentive and the bar was not that difficult to access, surprisingly- it's so close to the stage! The bathroom was easy to find, right by the back door. The back door seemed to lead out to a patio, which was a nice option if you wanted to take a break from the music. For those that like to enjoy the entire show, it was nice too because people would leave for periods of time, easing the crowded room a bit at times. I did not notice any tables or anyplace indoors to sit at all, but I'm okay with that for a concert venue such as this. I can see how that would be a concern to someone else though. I look forward to returning to this place in the future when The Pinkertones play again or another band that I want to see takes the stage. The sound was great! read more

Rumba Café - undefined - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Great as always. Good draft beer selection. Not an outrageous amount of beers but a few great local and regional craft beers. Everyone is usually nice and friendly. The staff and the patrons. Sometimes a little less so when packed to the gills. But due to impending snow storm is was a nice and small crowd. Great live music. Don't forget the free water, which is always a plus. A lot of venues charge an crazy amount for water. In order to keep their patrons drinking liquor all establishments should have free water. Plus it keeps you from getting wasted too quick and you can stay for a longer period of time and spend more money. read more

I forgot how magical this place is until a I was here recently to watch a few friends play. While in college at OSU, I used to live two blocks from this place and we would go all the time. Mostly on Sundays to see the Hoodoo Soul Band - if you've never been check these guys out! They've been around a long time and never cease to amaze. The venue is small with a great back patio. Cool neighborhood venue. No food is served here. Small bar and limited drink options, mostly IPA. The floor is clean and non sticky.. ever. I haven't ever had a problem. BUT it can get hot in there pretty quick. I don't know if they have ac? So wear light clothing. Cool place to see shows. There's a restaurant right next door and if needed borrow a scooter from the scooter shop next door to get ya home ;) 10/10 i enjoy coming here and i think you will too. read more

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I purchased a ticket online and never received a confirmation email with ticket information and was therefore unable to attend the concert. I was communicating with Louis from Ticketweb and would not give me a refund and then proceeded to ignore my emails requesting I get my money back. I will not try to purchase or attend a concert at Rumba again. read more

I'm not sure why they don't have good reviews on Yelp. I had no problem getting the bartender's attention for a drink. They seemed pretty attentive to customers, in my opinion. The room is definitely small, as mentioned by other Yelpers. Think of the size of a very open living room and kitchen put together and that's the size of Rumba. Not very huge, but could maybe fit 100 people at most. It looks a lot like an unfinished basement with a bar on the side. It was dark, but they had lights strung around their board telling you what was on tap. There were maybe 8-10 things on tap, so I chose the Fat Tire Amber Ale which was really good. It was 5.75 so not bad for the price. I came tonight to see SurferBlood perform and it was a good crowd. We weren't packed like sardines and there was ample space to move around. I would say there were maybe 60-70 people? The only reason why they've got 4 stars is because parking kinda sucks. It's not awful if there's not much of a crowd, but they don't have a parking lot so it's a little troublesome. The parallel parking in front is almost always filled. I would suggest parking on one of the side streets just a block or two down. I had no problem finding a space! read more

Rumba Café - After the concert, people leave so fast! This is as far you can be from the stage. Pretty intimate. - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

My daughter's band has played at Rumba several times, and we have also attended other musical events there. The experience has always been a positive one. read more

The Hoodooo Soul band is the only reason I go there and it's on Sunday Nights.You needs to have a Covid-19 shot and ID to get in.The crowd is a different breed with all ages but very few black people or others.The bamd plays good soul music and a few sessions on Sunday.They also have a patio with gender neutral bathrooms.Decent beer selection with PBR.I say check out the Rumba good bands and drinks. read more

Rumba Café - a person holding a can of beer - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Came here to see Southern Culture on the Skids, and it was a great place to see a show. It feels like a little dive bar that has been cleaned up a bit- bar along one side, stage with some room to dance, not many places to sit. The sound was great, there's a decent draft selection, and the bartenders were quick and friendly. There's a nice patio out back where you can hear a bit and cool off. I can't speak to parking or beer prices, because Sweetie dropped us off and my friend got the drinks (hey, I got the tickets...) The whole experience was very laid back, and we talked to both SCOTS and the opening band afterward. I would definitely come back to see a good band here, and it looks like they have live music almost every night. read more

Rumba Café - SCOTS, 5/3/15 - Jazz & Blues Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

I've heard a lot about Rumba Café over the years. Usually due to Columbus area bands that I enjoy playing there from time to time. I honestly can't believe it took me this long to finally show up. I truly regret it, as I had an absolute blast! A group of fellow live music fanatics and I bought tickets to the Floorwalkers Christmas show and we were pumped to get festive and dance the night away. It was a sold out show and the crowd was definitely on the same page as my friends and I, festive af. The place is a little divey, dark and just the right amount of dingy for you to feel comfortable getting your groove onb. When you first walk in and show your proof of 21 and over, you will notice a long bar to the right side of the stage. The bartenders for the evening were quick to fill my drink orders. I never found myself waiting around for too long before someone was asking me what I needed. And was on a packed night, much appreciated! I can say the prices seemed a wee bit steep but that didn't stop me from having a good time, it just caught me off guard. The stage itself isn't very big, but it's just big enough to get the job done. I tend to enjoy intimate music venues, so I wasn't going to complain. It's nice to be able to see every member of the band and what they're doing. There was also room to really boogie. Everyone was dancing and having a wildly wonderful time! Once you walk pass the stage and partygoers you'll run into the bathrooms on your way to the back patio. It was a chilly and snow filled evening so it was a pleasant surprised to see a tent covering the patio. I didn't have to worry about getting soaked. Now, I ubered to and from the venue because I knew my friends and I were going to be drinking, so I can't speak to how parking is. Although I don't recall seeing a parking lot, just off the street parking. We did purchase our tickets online and I can say that was easy breezy. We simply told the host our names and he checked us off a list. Wristband granted! I imagine I'll be back to Rumba next time there's a show I really wanna see. They tend to have a good variety of music there so I doubt it'll be long. read more

Horrible. They treat bands like crap. Worst venue ever, management and bartenders are super rude and condescending. I will never play/come here again. Sound guy was awesome though. read more

Extremely poor service. Bartenders were rude and aggressive and literally begged for tips. Would not go again.

Agree with previous two reviews. Always liked this place in the past. Why current bartenders are permitted to confront a customer saying.they will refuse further service because you aren't tipping in the amount and frequency they expect is baffling. Bars like this one depend on generous music fans like us and I'm not sure we'll return because it really taints the experience. read more

Good place to see local music in an up-close, intimate setting. It's a small, SRO club w/the bar to the right as you walk in, stage in the back. Prices for drinks were respectable, not one way or the other. Good place to go for some live music. read more

I've been coming to rumba cafe off and on for the year I've been in Columbus. It's a good place to watch a touring band up close. Also they have a weekly house band that's pretty good. Unfortunately I can't go back based on principle. This past weekend I was very obviously double charged by the bar staff, when I brought up my concerns I was told to shut up or be kicked out. Now obviously I understand that bartenders can get overworked in an environment like this but the rudeness is unacceptable to me. Wether it be an accident or on purpose I can't tolerate a dishonest bar staff. It can be a fun time, but I recommend paying cash. read more

One of my absolute favorite spots in Columbus to see live music. When Mason Jennings comes into town, we never miss a show. Great atmosphere & a very intimate setting. Love being able to be so close to the stage when enjoying such amazing talent! read more

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This atmospheric, black draped club on the corner of Summit and Hudson has long been a favorite music spot of mine. Out front its façade looks much like those of the live music heydays, those joints that outlined the north campus strip (and still does considering the block of Hudson, High), but from the back reveals to be an old house; the once second story bedroom is a band staging space with a stairway directly leading to the stage. Very small and very primitive, the inside too looks like the venues of off-campus of old. Smoke black siding dress the walls, and night black tarps blot the ceilings above. The floor is unfurnished leaving only a dark concrete slab that is cracked and uneven. The small dance floor--a counter-cultural dance floor--is lit only by a string of fat Edison bulbs and by the bar floods. Saying space here is limited is an understatement. There are only seven tables on the floor and a scattering of stool at the bar not blocked by a wall. Come here expecting to stand through sets, or dance, as the chances you'll snare a seat is low. These attributes can turn many off but not me. I love the place because of it's tight space, uneven flooring, and black/red brick aesthetics. First the acoustics are amazing. With little volume bands can create a loud sound leaving room for variety of instrumentation, unlike some places where you just hear base and drums. You are so close a good drummer can make your body tremble with the beat. The floor creates a communal experience, when an energetic set gets bodies moving; good music should break down barriers and connect people in a ceremonial togetherness. Its underground schemes creates another world where you can leave the often trivial concerns of your 'straight life' outside for a few hours. I have a great time on every visit. The bar is well served and has a few good crafts to choose. The stools here though are low riders, and sitting in them is awkward for me. I am not used to the bar being at my chest level. It makes me feel like a midget. The back patio is cool. The punkish graffiti painted fence and string lights extends this off-High venues counter-culture feel to the outside. Around are the organic and urban architecture that originally attracted me to this town. I lived on Summit for many years, and the area brings back old memories and emotions. Parking is a major problem. Summit (for outsiders Summit is 3rd Street's name north of 5th Avenue--it is the same street) which has always been a parking hell, is now made worse by the new bike lanes. It took me several 4th/Summit laps to find a space. Other options are the one- way avenues crossing Summit but when the students are in town fat chance. I would suggest Uber or a taxi. On this visit some great psychedelic rock was preformed, but Rumba books acts from bluegrass to hard core to cover bands to ska/reggae. I dig it all. Schopenhauer said that music is a direct representation of the will itself; that esoteric phrase is unexplainable by me, but in among the swaying beats and heart uplifting guitars deep inside I get what he meant--a statement of being in the now. Rumba is a spiritual experience as well as a partying one. read more

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MUSIC - is wonderful, sound is crisp, no need to sound check between songs, although maybe that was just the band up there... John Kengla -- highly recommend DRINKS - drinks were not watered down, bartender was attentive (even on a Friday night), not sure on pricing? Maybe $5 glass of wine?? OUTSIDE - is the patio just for musicians or anyone? either way it was great! Sure it was cold, being Ohio in December but either way, nice way to have a convo without screaming over the talent. CLEAN - it really seemed cleaner than many other bars I have been to, which matters!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! read more

Being a 'thrity-something' year-old and not recovering from late nights the way I used to, I'm familiar with the Rumba Cafe more as a Happy Hour venue; although, we have been known to close the place down on more than one occasion. I have never paid more than a $5 cover charge and depending on who is playing, would gladly pay a little more - only because I don't want to see the Rumba Cafe 'go away'. They closed their kitchen last year and elevated their drink prices just a little bit, but it is worth it to keep this venue alive and kicking. The Rumba is one of the handful of places in Columbus where a music lover can see live bands in an 'uncontrived' setting. (Another being Dick's Den). It's the sort of place anyone can go and let their hair down... and dance the night away if you so desire. It's offers a comfortable setting and feels like your typical 'neighborhood bar," only with a wide variety of live music every night of the week. One can find jazz, soul, funk, Latin and bluegrass. With it's diverse musical lineup, the Rumba draws an extremely mixed crowd of young and old and, not surprisingly, receives mixed reviews. Everyone seems to have a different opinion. I've heard the Rumba referred to as a dive bar, a campus bar, a jazz bar, a neighborhood bar- which again, is a testimony to the diversity of the Rumba's patrons. Though small and situated in a "developing" residential area, the atmosphere is quite dynamic from night to night, depending on who is playing. Those of us who venture in from surrounding neighborhoods might find The Rumba more affordable than most other bars we frequent. On the other hand, college students or younger patrons may find the cover charge and drink prices steeper than they are used to in campus bars just a few blocks south. As for happy hour, there isn't one every day, but some nights (particularly weekends) feature two acts. The earlier one starts around 6 or 7 PM and the later show begins at 10 PM. The cover charge applies to happy hour, but the drink prices are drastically reduced. The on line schedule of events is kept up-to-date, including FREE open-band rehearsals a few times a month, so there are definitely ways to 'Rumba on the cheap.' If you appreciate live music, this is a great place to check out Columbus's local talent. It's all about the music here. read more

i went into my first experience at rumba café with low expectations after reading many negative reviews. the lou roy and rett madison show was incredible, and i was really surprised with how clean the mix sounded from in front of the soundboard. i didn't drink since i was traveling, but the bartender kindly directed me to the restroom after my asking. no complaints. the patio is pretty nice too!! read more

Ehhhh The show was fine but , the staff was rude as hell and kinda set the tone for my experience at the venue. The ticket taker girl needs to remove that rotten tampon and put a smile on her face. Don't even get me started on the hipster bartenders. read more

I have been to the Rumba Cafe a number of times over the years and never had a negative experience. During happy hour it is a great neighborhood bar and at night they are an even better music venue. The bar itself is a piece of history, not sure if it is original to the building or it started somewhere else in the late 1800's but it might be as expensive as the building itself. The atmosphere and decor compliments the bar and so do the crowds and bands they attract. Rumba has a great patio outback that is awesome during the summer. When they are busy they run a back bar outside to serve you faster and relieve the pressure on the inside bar. My only critical comment on their set up is they are limited on the restrooms from the amount of people they attract and at times they can get pretty nasty after midnight. In general the staff is very good at what they do. They know their drinks, they know their customers, and they know how to work fast. The door guys are the only negative as they can give you an attitude without warrant or cause. I think it is part of their hiring criteria for this position as the faces have changed over the years but the attitude has always remained. Once inside everyone is pretty friendly and pretty easy on the eyes. As long as the sound guy are paying attention you will have a great show. They have a decent variety of beers on tap, four times as many in the cooler, a full bar, and fresh mixers and garnishes. They don't overcharge you for beers and they mix generous drinks. Make sure you order tickets online to ensure that you don't get sold out a show if it is a night or band you don't want to miss. I would suggest showing up early if you know they are going to have a full house so you can get a table or a good place on the floor to see the stage. read more

I walked in while a show was going on. Sat down to grab a drink. Still waiting for one as I write this. I've seen at least two people be served before me that were waiting a much shorter amount of time. For a neighborhood bar, I'd figure service would be better than this. U: Came in a second time. Service was perfect. U2: Another star for another good night U3: Mostly a nice place to chill. U4: This place has no consideration for keeping the volume down past 11p. I live half a block away and I could hear the drummer's kick while laying in bed with my windows shut and a pillow over both ears. Not great if you have a 9-5. I went over there at 1:30am on a Monday morning to ask the sound guy if he could bring down the kick a bit. He just laughed and said they'd be done in 10 minutes. The music went on for another half hour until a few minutes past 2am. Next time I'll have half a mind to call the police. U5: Sunday's are actually lit if you don't have work the next day. If you can't beat em, join em. read more

Great venue! I just went last weekend for the second time and couldn't be happier. Great beer selection & friendly folks. We brought our 16-year-old daughter last week with us and felt completely safe letting her be in the club with us. read more

I need to throw this out there before I start raving about this place: there's almost always a cover here. This usually coincides with the live music (more on that later), but it can be upwards of $10 at times depending on who's playing. Make a mental note of that. The fact that I had to manually add Rumba Cafe to the Yelp directory goes to show just how much of a hidden gem this funky, jazzy little North Campus bar truly is. I'll admit that the location is perplexing, but the more I come here the more I realize that it's the bars saving grace. Located near the intersection of Hudson and Summit, it's neither here nor there in terms of local bar areas. It's a good half mile from High St, so it can't really be considered part of the North Campus scene that houses Ledo's and Sloopy's (thank God for that!), nor is it part of the OSU off-campus scene really. It's easy enough to get to from downtown or elsewhere via I-71, so the assertion that it's hiding is certainly an unfair one. I suppose it just hasn't been found by the popular masses yet. The main attraction at Rumba is, like I said before, live music. While it's likely to book a national touring act or two every now and then, most of the groups that play here on a regular basis are local funk and soul bands that have spent years cultivating a respectable fan-base that's often represented at Rumba. My personal favorite is the Hoo Doo Soul Band, a local staple that can be seen on stage here every Sunday night from 10pm-2am. Even if you're not a fan of funk music, it's impossible to sit still while there guys are playing. That's another thing I love about Rumba- the energy. No one here will ever look at you like you're an idiot for jumping out of your seat and dancing the night away on the tiny dance floor that separates the stage from the crowd. You'll see a truly diverse collection of Central Ohioans pack this place every night, with ages ranging anywhere from 21 to 61. No one ever feels out of place here, that's for sure. The focus is rarely on anything else but the music, which is always something I can appreciate. The bar has a pretty small selection of drafts, but the wine and bottle choices are fairly extensive. I can't consider myself a wine guy, so any recommendations as to what's good here would be ill-conceived. The prices are about a dollar or two above average, but it never feels like you're getting gouged for a rum and coke. I'd put Rumba somewhere between your average South Campus bar and a trendy waste of time like Spice regarding how much a night of Bud Light bottles will run you. Not bad, but not great. Rumba also boasts a back patio that's small but very friendly. There's room for a bar out here, but I've never seen anyone running it in any of my visits here. I guess I've never been here on a night that was truly packed by their definition of the word. If you're in to places with rope lights that have a mellow grotto feel to them, you'll certainly enjoy it. So there's the verdict on Rumba: not cheap, but worth every penny when it comes to fun and casual places to get down with some great music and great drinks. read more

This is a pretty great spot for live music. Cool room. Simple but accessible bar. Clean bathrooms. Fairly decent sound. Most of the staff was pretty friendly in general. I think the best part is the back patio / beer garden. This is a great spot to hang out on a warm spring night. Unfortunately there aren't too many food options in this area within walking distance, but High Street is just a short drive away with tons of options. read more

DJ Hallie was amazing for taylor swift night she had a great stage presence and played all the right songs 10/10 recommend

A great place to see the elusive cougar in its native habitat. The bands cater to the cougar crowd, so they flock here in packs to "dance". This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Some of these bands are genuinely good, although most, to my ear, are not. The crowd is older, which is a great thing if you're trying to avoid the young crowd. There are a few handfuls of decent microbrews, and the bartenders are friendly. The patio is sizable and pleasant, but the same doesn't go for the interior. I honestly can't say quite why some of the bands that play here do. There is no worse venue to see a show in Columbus, as far as I'm concerned. It's far too small and full of columns that block your view, as well as other cramped corners with no good views. Actually, the Basement is just as bad. Anyway, point being, if the show is crowded, good luck. A not-so-crowded show is fine though, and I've been to both. That brings me to my final complaint - the covers here are several dollars too high for the quality and popularity of the entertainment inside. Whoops, one more. Parking sucks too. read more

A group of us saw Karate Coyote at Rumba a few weekends ago. None of us had ever been to the bar before. I was surprised by how narrow and tiny the space is. I felt a little squished. We grabbed a table right next to the stage and had a good view of the band. But, I don't know if it's where we were sitting or if this was the general consensus for the entire bar, the sound was terrible. Lohio and KC have such great music, but the words sounded garbled, the mics were too low, and the music just bounced off the walls in all the wrong directions. But I've also heard that some of these things are general problems with the band itself. The bands also started REALLY late. The bathrooms were pretty icky. Just one stall for men and one for ladies with notes on both doors suggesting the Porta-John out on the patio. Everything was slightly wet in the bathroom, and it was pretty graffitied and gross, toilet paper all over the floor. The crowd was strange. In the mix around our table were lots of girls who, I thought, were overdressed and lots of guys preying on them. Then there were a few people who were there to see the bands and seemed normal. We still had fun though. The bar staff was friendly and quick, and they offered a good selection of taps and had great suggestions. At the end of the night, I went to close my tab and encountered a long wait. The barmaid came back with my credit card but said she couldn't find my tab in the computer system. She offered me my drinks for free, but I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep that night if I didn't properly settle my debt. As best as I could, I recounted the drinks I had purchased. She went back to punch in what I had told her and magically found my tab keyed in with a typo! $5 cover charge the Friday I went. read more

This is a cool little divey place to see a show. When I heard Elliott Yamin was performing here (American Idol finalist), I jumped at getting tickets. They have a full bar, and we were early enough to grab one of the few high top tables to sit at. Elliott and the other artists were warming up, which was cool and felt intimate since the place is so small. They sounded great and and the service was pretty good. The ladies room is small but cute. There is street parking; we had no issues. I'd like to come back for future shows. read more

Rumba packs a lot of punch for such a small place. Located right off Summit, parking is actually pretty easy. Plenty of street parking, whether it be heading south or looping back around on north Summit. Rumba has a small stage and limited seating. It can be quite crammed on a busy night, but the bartenders are quick, and if it gets too claustrophobic, you can escape to the back patio. Drink prices are what you'd expect from a bar, but I feel like I made out nicely: 2 craft beers and a large mixed drink for $14. Great local shows, great local ppls and heckuva good way to spend a night out. read more

Rumba is one of my favorite places to go for live music. My first time was on a Sunday during the weekly, rhythmic ritual of the Hoodoo Soul Band. It was packed and the music was electric, plus there was a patio out back to escape the noise to chat with friends and chill out - I knew I'd be coming back to this place then and there. I've since been to see quite a few shows, sometimes not even on purpose when I was just stopping in to grab a drink and the band is always killing, no matter the genre. If you don't feel like standing in close quarters with strangers, get there early to nab a spot at the bar or one of the few tables. The drinks are nothing to Yelp about but they do the job for a decent price and the bartenders are always friendly. Check out Rumba any night of the week when you are looking for a fun night out that won't break the bank! read more

Hands down, Rumba is one of the best bars in the summertime in Columbus. It's still awesome in the winter, but it's amazing when the weather's nice. I've been coming here for a long time and I still love it. Some facts: Rumba is located right at the corner of Summit and Hudson. That being said, it's easy to turn onto Summit and miss it. It'll be on your right, so pull over and find a spot on the street as soon as you turn onto Summit. And Summit is a one-way street going south, mind you. Anyway, it's just this little place, but it's a lot of fun. It does seem almost like a bit of a hidden gem. Not a lot of people know about it and the people that go here are usually regulars. But it's also very welcoming of new people. The staff is super friendly and the customers are always a laid-back crowd (maybe because they are already drunk or high!). Rumba is a little bar with a stage for local acts to come and play most nights of the week. The music is usually jazz, blues, reggae, funk or folk. The decor's a little eclectic, but somehow subtle, and they have a great back patio, which is why I love it so much in the summer. The patio has plenty of tables and chairs and usually umbrellas are over the tables to shield you from the sun. It looks sort of tropical back there in the summer with palm trees here and there. It's just so relaxing. Rumba doesn't have to be expensive. It also helps to have a back-up plan. I saw some of the other reviews for Rumba and people were complaining about covers. There's a secret to this. Sometimes it doesn't always work, but it does most of the time. See, the great thing about Rumba is they have happy hour from 5-9 on Mondays through Fridays. This is why I don't prefer Rumba for weekends. Go to Rumba early for happy hour. The live bands don't usually start until 9 or 10, so they don't charge a cover until around then, most of the time. Occasionally bands will perform early at 6, which then the cover will start early. On those nights, either pay the cover, or what I do is just move the party down to Ruby Tuesday, just a few blocks down the street. An easy walk or drive. They also have a great patio and cheap drinks, and won't charge a cover until later. The key is get here early! Rumba's happy hour is great. I think the prices have changed a bit, but it used to be $1 for domestic drafts or wells. We came here just last night and I think my well was $1.50, and later I got a double that was $3. The double wells, by the way, are huge. Quite a drink for $3. Anyway, it's a great place to start off the night with some cheap drinks. And if you're coming to see the band, just come a little early and stick around and enjoy happy hour. They also have food here, but I've never tried it. Here's my story of last night, a Tuesday. My boyfriend and I had dinner at Bodega then came here. We made it at 8:30. No cover. I got a whiskey and coke, he got a Magic Hat #9 (which, by the way, are only $3 on draft on Tuesdays!) It was $4.50. Free chips and salsa on the bar. Then the bartender, a really nice girl, warned us that we had 13 minutes of happy hour left. So I got a double of the same and my boyfriend got a double gin and tonic. $6. Big drinks. Then at 9 some solo acts start playing sort of folksy music. It was nice to sit and listen to, and it was free. We sat at the bar and enjoyed the music and drank Magic Hat for the rest of the night since it was $3. After a few different acts on stage, the bartender asked my boyfriend and I if we were going to perform. We had a good laugh about what a disaster that would be, but it seemed that we stumbled upon an open mic night. Most of the people in the bar that night did end up performing. It was pretty cool so be sitting by someone at the bar then they just went on stage and did their thing. Everyone was very talented. The stage is small, but it's lit up by white string lights hanging from the ceiling and it's really cozy and fun. The bathrooms are halfway between the bar and the patio for easy access, and they are just one-room restrooms. But they are always clean and functional. This little bar is well maintained. And last night was a great time. We always have fun here, whether it's just two of us or a whole group. My guy friends used to all live in a house together at Summit and Lane, so we'd all walk down here in the summer and sit on the back patio. One time when we were sitting out there, a steel drum band came and set up and played their steel drums on the patio while we were out there. That was so awesome. So cool to have something like that in central Ohio. Rumba does have some interesting surprises sometimes. So all in all, this is not a place to skip over. It's a real treat. I definitely frequent this bar in the summer. With a cheap happy hour that runs late and my plan to come early to get those happy hour prices and avoid the cover, it's never expensive here. With Ruby's just down the street, there's another option to avoid the cover, too. read more

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I would give them 5 but I think I was rouphied here. Its not their fault.... Great music selection and if you get there early you may get in free. Smoking Patio out back. read more