It's a small bar. Watching the drag show was fine. The bartender was friendly. The people in the bar wasn't terribly friendly or unfriendly. My partner and I were just strangers. I would come back again since it wasn't too crowded. Beer price was just right. read more

Felt unwelcome. My friend took my wife and I here to get some drinks. Fun show at first, and when they left, it pretty much emptied in there. My wife went to the restroom, and they have two unisex restrooms. Both doors have a sign, and those signs say unisex. She was at the sink, and a guy went in and said to her, "Why is there a girl in the men's restroom?" She said it's unisex. As she told him that and looked at him, he pulled out his you know what to go and kept staring at her. She felt uncomfortable and cleaned up the sink herself because she did vomit very little, but she cleaned it herself and left nothing and came up to my friend and I and told us. My friend said let's calm down and lets finish our drinks, and we'll go. Almost done, she goes to blow her nose real quick and the guy mopping said you guys need to leave if she is going to keep going in there to puke because I don't wanna clean that up. She heard that, and even she said toward him I was blowing my nose, I didn't keep going in there to puke. He said it in a really rude way and just made us feel like we need to leave. Not sure why he would say that when she stated she cleaned up the little bit of vomit herself, but we think that guy may have said something because the clean up guy was not around when it happened so how did he know? read more

Southbend is one of my favs! The servers are so kind and attentive, pricing is reasonable and the shows always turn it out My only star off is that the bathrooms are my absolute nightmare lol, so sorry, Southbend. I love you though, it's worth it. (also there is an atm in building! Tip your bartenders and performers) read more

Fun little place with a neighborhood vibe. Everyone was friendly. We stopped in for Monday night karaoke. There was a good variety of singers and all styles were represented. Great crowd. It's small enough for quick rotations, and big enough for good variety. The karaoke system is fantasic - lots of songs. The emcee kept it moving and unobtrusively helped singers out. If you're a karaoke fan, do it! read more

As soon as I walked in this joint, I KNEW it was my kind of karaoke bar. Super fun neighborhood bar with a crowd that seemed to be regulars. Karaoke every Monday night. They start at 6:30 p.m., which is GREAT, and end at 10:30 p.m. Song list and submissions via QR code. Love that! And they can even change the key. Quick rotation and singers of all skill levels who are fun and generously applaud. Nice bartender. My only recommendation is that they get a better list of beers. And if they have taps, I didn't see them. Great time! read more

Love, love, love! This place! Great drink and friendly staff. Always the first spot to stop by when day drinking in Columbus. There's always something going on here and would highly recommend this bar to anyone wanting a good time and a stiff drink read more

**** Review 128 **** The wife and I visited this tavern for a drag show, one of my friends was performing and I had never experienced a show. The interior is small, has a small runway style stage with a couple of tables around it. There was plenty of seating, some high chairs and wrap around bar. The bar doesn't have draft beer, so you'll have to get bottles, cans, spirits, and mix drinks, and the drinks are reasonably priced. The staff is nice, and so are the patrones. The bar has a small area outside for smoking, but you can't take your drinks with you. Besides not having beer taps, the only other bad part is that either they don't have A/C or it was just not working. With as many people that see to attend, it gets pretty hot in the place. It does have a few fans, but they don't really do much to make it noticeable. read more

I have been coming here most Sundays in summer for about 5 years, since this bar sponsors my softball team. The staff are always amazing and friendly, especially Roger and Val, and the pours are super generous. This place really feels like a family, and I'll keep coming back! read more

Nice, divey little gay bar pretty far south in Merion Village. It sits on an otherwise residential looking street corner on a one way street, which can make getting there and finding parking a tad bit more difficult than it might be otherwise. There's a pretty sizable stage inside, although there are support beams that break up the viewing angles pretty dramatically. The bar is a decent sized wrap-around, although the floor space away from that is limited. I was here with a group of friends for a buddy's second ever drag show appearance. The event was a fundraiser for a local non profit. Nothing like handing out dollars to queens to support a good cause! The bartender called me honey, which I've lamented in reviews of other gay bars is something that will always win me over (hint hint female bartenders). He also looked very familiar, but I couldn't place where else I might have seen him. And let me tell you, my oh my, they were pouring some of the strongest mixed drinks I've ever received...for me. The females in the group were not so fortunate. The drinks were cheap and some decent liquor is the same price as the well options so ask what's available. Pro tip: The door sticks and you have to lift it to open it. The bar is not closed and the person who just went in in front of you did not lock you out. read more

Luke T's review is spot on! My experience was almost identical. After a night of dive gay bar hopping - and a failed attempt at going to Fuel - trusty Yelp pointed us to Southbend. When we first walked in, the place was packed! Everyone seemed to be regulars, and everybody was having a blast. There was some type of drag show going on, but it wasn't like the professional shows you see at Axis. This was more like drag boot camp for newbies and drag retirement for those queens in their golden years. Nevertheless, they were all great fun! The drinks are dirt cheap - and dirty strong. But be sure to send someone with a penis to the bar to order. Trust me on this one - you and your girlfriends will thank me when you try your drinks. Southbend won't become my regular drinking spot, but it's a great stop along a South Side gay bar tour. read more

I love bars like this , is the music still awesome. Looking for a bar that still play the disco era like Gloria Branigan.

Love love love this place! It's like a Gay Cheers. There's a tasty gluten free bakery right across the street! Thank you Southbend bartenders!! Your cocktail are some of the best in Columbus!! read more

I have such a good time here!! We are within walking distance, so when we are bar hopping in our area, we always make a stop here. Its always been packed every time we have gone (been here 4 or 5 times now). Like some say, the drinks are super strong! Not a bad thing right? The first time, My ID was left at home because we weren't planning to go out. But as you all know, once you get enough drinks in everyone, you have to go the the bar! I tried to order a drink, but I was refused because of no ID. That hasnt happened to me since college, but it was okay because we just had someone else order for me, haha. Again, college trick. All the customers do consist of a lot of regulars and it is a total dive bar. But, everyone is so friendly. We always make friends with the regulars and we end up doing multiple rounds of Jell-O shots! The drag shows are not professional, but they are a lot of fun as well! But as Bryant said in his review, I think they are professionals in the making. My memory always seems to get a bit foggy, but Im pretty sure my husband has been pulled on stage! :) Cant wait to return! read more

Big fan of this place. The bartenders and owners are freindly and make you feel like a regular. See old friends and make new ones. Live entertainment, including bands, drag and kateoke, even an amiture night. Pleanty of parking and they never charge a cover. Fun loving atmosphere where everyone is treated as an equal. Play pool, video game and darts. Feel safe and free and have some fun at the same time. read more

Southbend Tavern - business card - Gay Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Best little corner bar in Columbus! Great shows...not that I am biased or anything. But best of all great conversation during the day and big ol parties at night. Stop by! read more

I truly have been coming here for the past 18 years and this place has consistently been a great place for strong drinks great conversation and some very entertaining performers. Shout out to Brent Fabian and Mary Jane these two are why I started being a patron. This place is a cool sit down and drink place. read more

I am all for a dive bar but this place takes it to a new low. I went on a Tuesday night where they have an open talent show. Talent is a very strong word since there was none! This place looks like it was built in the early 1900's, and hasn't seen a coat of paint or a toilet brush since. I can't even imagine drinking out of their glassware. I was so creeped out I had to leave early. I couldn't stand one more ugly drag queen or one more person that couldn't sing. A complete black eye for Columbus as gay community. :( read more

Dive bar with cheap drinks. A close walk to Fuel Bar which is like a block away. Neighborhood bar with occasional events or drink specials.

Fun and comfortable during the day and a party every night. A great spot! The owners have changed since the last review and they've really cleaned the place up. read more

This is a good little dive. The day crowd is a hoot and quickly welcomes newcomers our favorite bartender there is Connie shes there for HH Mon, Thur and Fri until 8. She is fantastic!!!! Cheap drinks, strong pours make me a happy man. read more

A fun dive bar. I have only been during the day. There are definitely "regulars" and they welcomed me and included me in their conversations. The drinks were definitely strong and a great price. The bartender (Thursday) was extremely friendly. Don't expect this to be a hip and trendy place, its the local watering hole that is great for a low key drink and good conversation with the locals. read more

Dive bar, nice staff, no patio if your a smoker, to many drag queens if thats your thing.