This past Saturday I had the opportunity to patron St. James Tavern. Our group had a few requirements while we searched for a place to drink. It had to be close enough to walk from where we live, cheap, and above all not full of raging OSU Football Fans (It was the Homecoming Game). The St. James was able to meet all of our criteria. The walk over was a little sketchy from where we live, and there's really nothing around The St. James that would indicate a good time. But as we got closer there was a beacon of inviting light that led right to the door. Standing outside on the street you might not expect the inviting warmth you are greeted with as you step inside. Cozy, warm, inviting. These are words I would use to describe The St. James. The first floor is divided into two areas, the first being taken up mostly by the bar, along with a jukebox. The second area had two large pool tables and high tables all along the wall. We weren't regulars, and I think everyone could tell when we walked in. Now this is certainly a neighborhood bar if I've ever seen one. Patrons at the bar most certainly had the same seat every night. The OSU football game was on a small TV, but no one paid it much mind. It wasn't crowded or filled with drunk college kids, and I very much like that. Other key points include an upstairs that I did not get to see, but was told hosts a stand-up night, a pretty clean female bathroom, and a jukebox that was actually a little disappointing. Everything about this bar is 5 stars in my book, but I'm taking 1 star away for the sad selection on the jukebox and my surprisingly weak drinks. I'm chalking that up to not being a regular. Just you wait St. James, you'll be pouring me stiffer drinks soon! read more

Good beer selection, pool, friendly bartender. Great place to sneak on into and grab a beer. read more

My first few experiences with St James took place on super busy weekend nights. When there's no room to even stand, it colors your perception of a place. Getting served was a joke on those nights. But on Mobile Mondays, St James is a great place to be. They team up with a local food truck and have their gloriously cheap canned beer available. You order, pay, and get your food at the truck, head inside, order a beverage, and enjoy a much more mellow and sedate evening. Lots of space to sit and stand and actually play on those pool tables. It's definitely the night to check it out. read more

Had a very unfriendly "small, hidden $10 minimum." Won't be back. Thanks for the beers guys. Not sure if it's the alcohol or you, but I'm bankin' on what your employees said. "Have a goodnight." read more

My favorite dive in Columbus. The door's entrance is wisely situated behind a wall so that anybody who opens it will not shower the unsuspecting bar patrons with natural light (get it off me!) The bartenders are great, the drinks are cheap, there is always space to sit and the glowy red lighting in the side room of pool tables is reminiscent of a photographer's dark room. In fact, the space is usually so sparsely populated I never have to worry about brushing past another person, my 3 foot radius intact. Good for the spindly hermit or mole people. read more

Great local's spot. Drinks are priced well and the atmosphere is very casual. There is seating room both at the bar and in the pool room. This business seems to support local charities and causes too which is pretty awesome. I was there one night when some people in the neighborhood were raising donations and had rented out the pool room. A portion of sales went to the charity which was very cool. read more

I like it, but it's a little too low-key for my taste. A lot of people seem to really like it. Shrug. Good service and drinks, though. read more

I really adore St. James Tavern. The bar is totally my speed - not on the OSU student radar, a community space and no TVs. When you're there, you're able to just be there and enjoy the people, drinks and jukebox music to your heart's delight. It's pretty wonderful. The bartenders have always been incredibly friendly and helpful, and they are always willing to help me decide on what to get. Additionally, they have great happy hour deals, and their draught selection is changing regularly. I wish I lived a bit closer, but otherwise I'm all thumbs up! read more

Local favorite with excellent draft selections. A no frills place to relax with friends and maybe shoot some pool.

One of the best watering holes in the City! The atmosphere of this wooden panelled, dimly lit tavern will take you back in time. Sample from the amazing list of local and national craft beers on tap, for the best prices around. Be sure to come early and stake out a table near one of the pool tables, or be forced to stand around, as the place can get crowded quickly. Well worth it. read more

Brad S. and I (with help from Cheryl H. and Trevor M.) managed to make the juke box here tolerable (and by tolerable, I mean we played New Order)... but apparently the internet function does not work right now, and we were forced to choose from such maudlin offerings as Elliot Smith and My Morning Jacket (*pokes self slowly in eye with hot fork*). I mention this because the juke box quality is essential to my rating of a non-show venue bar's quality. I also find St. James' beer prices to be slightly high, and the crowd, which is a mix of hipsters and locals, is less than appealing. Yes, St. James, I can handle you every few months. At least I didn't get poked with a pool cue this time. Heyoo. read more

Shockingly inexpensive craft beer selection on tap (3.50 / pint), some really obscure bottles, interesting jukebox, vintage standup Galaga game, and cheap pool tables. The St James is a great place to visit for a few drinks until it gets packed and loud with hipsters. Also, the bartenders are sort of surly, and it's hard to tell if they're testing you to see if you're cool, or just always mean. St James is falling distance from my front steps, so, that helps - but I think even if I didn't live so close, I'd still come back every now and then for kicks. Without food, TV's, or much of anything to do but drink beer -- the appeal is limited, but, relevant to my interests. read more

Man this place is great. Kinda was made fun of for my Vespa though, but I ride it with pride no matter what.

An earnest, neighborhood dive bar but craft beers. The real deal - this is the genuine pub atmosphere, rooted in love of its neighborhood and grown over years like the patina on the bar, that the new guys try to manufacture. read more

Ok so St James Tavern is a bar in every sense of the word. It is not necessary to put on your Sunday best, it is not the place to be seen, and it is not the place to shake your bon bon. With that being said, when I want to have a couple beers, good conversation and awesome people watching I come here! The bartenders were a bit on the snotty side, but with prices this cheap for beer, I could care less. This will not become my regular watering hole, but for a once a month adventure it is well worth it! read more

Oh, a bastion of non-shiny, non-hipster-y glory. It is the sort of place where the bartender shares their pizza with the people at the bar. Just a relaxed, casual place. The beer list is solid; which makes sense given their neighbors. This is a place to spend some relaxing weekend afternoons. read more

St. James is definitely a great hangout spot: fairly quiet; subdued interior (just an old tavern); post-college crowd. It is distinguished by a great rotation of draft beers (especially for the size of the place) at very reasonable prices. Learn to drink good beer; learn to appreciate St. James. read more

If Tom Waits lived in Columbus I think this would be his bar of choice. And I'd have pints with him, so needless to say I like this place. Its quiet (in comparison to other neighborhood bars like Surly Girl) and it has a most excellent beer and music selection. Bells two-hearted and Amber ales are on tap for 3.50 (yummy) and right now there is a seasonal brew on tap that I understand is pretty tasty. The place is dimly-lit and comes equipped with a pinball machine although I rarely see anyone playing it. The place seems to bring your focus moreso to intimate conversation or just chilling out at the bar. St. James is where I go when I want to go out and not be bothered with anyone. That is not to say folks here arent nice and sociable.. its just that you probably wont end up running into a million-and-one too many people you know. Which is nice sometimes. This is a neighborhood bar, so the regulars come in all forms. From the older cigar-smoking English professor who lives down the street to the late 20-something couple coming in to get away from the Bodega crowd. And the barkeepers are the best I've come across anywhere in Columbus. Period. read more

It's no Mouton. But it's a bar. And it's close. And it's cheap. And I didn't totally hate it. And I'll totally go back.

This place is excellent for those who want to try different pints of beer on tap at any given time. Staff is excellent, always prompt. They don't have shitty television so no sports games. They do have a jukebox, but at random times it's quiet so you can truly observe and savor the atmosphere. They have pool. Overall, everyone who is here is laid back, jovial and cordial. Perfect place to relax and hide if needed. read more

St. James is the perfect example of a dive bar - a great stop for the Italian Village neighborhood. I don't totally love it, but there is something about its dark/minimalist atmosphere that's charming. It's a place where you can hide out from the usual bustling scene in the short north and grab a whiskey, play some pool, listen to music when the jukebox is on (or you pay for a song). A solid choice when you're looking for a low-key vibe during the week. On weekends traffic picks up and becomes a bit... touristy. read more

This amazing little bar has everything you need. Good, inexpensive drafts, great service and atmosphere, cool art on the walls, great pool tables. And their commitment to social justice makes it even easier to spend my money there. read more

Meh, it's okay. I had heard about how great a bar this was from before I even moved here. Perhaps my expectations were too high, as I've been underwhelmed every time. The regular bartender is fairly aloof and even rude at times. He gave me and my wife a hard time about carding us, even though I'm 32, kinda weathered looking, and balding. The beer selection is well-renowned in town, but they've repeatedly been out of my first one or two options. The men's room door has no lock on the door and the stall doesn't really close, so you're leaving yourself a little exposed if you have to take a #2. That being said, there is still a decent beer selection, there's a nice selection of liquor, and it's a great getaway on nights when High St. is too packed to be tolerable. read more

Best bar in Columbus by a large margin. Off the (High St.) strip and far from campus thus mostly an "older" (i.e. mid-20s-mid-40s) crowd of graduate students, young professionals, and neighborhood locals. Excellent jukebox, two pool tables (which are often available), intimate lighting, no television (or at least I've never noticed one), music at an optimal social-but-not-so-loud-as-to-overwhelm-conversation volume, and an amazing selection on tap. Those looking to watch "the game," pick up chicks/dudes/other, or drink anything on draft that would cost less than $10 bucks a six-pack at your local grocery need not apply. read more

I went to st james last night to celebrate my 21st birthday. It was my first visit. the music selection is great in my opinion.. but i dont have anything else positive to say. the casually dressed bartenders seemed nice and laid back but they were rude and treated me badly. My friends communicated our means of celebration and they stared at my id for sometime and then without any enthusiasm ... gave us our drinks... they basically ruined my night. a memory i cant get back. the service they provided from there on out was equally disappointing.... today all i had was to wake up and think about what a horrible time i had out... my opportunity to celebrate becoming legal to drink with my friends ... thanks for the memories st james... read more

One of my favorite places in Columbus! Best jukebox in the world, best bartenders, great selection of pints on tap, good pool tables, Galaga, and the Simpsons pinball game. Very relaxed atmosphere, can get crowded and loud at times but in a good way. read more

Finally got a chance to stop into this place a few weeks back. I think im pretty much hooked. Great beer selection and staff quick with a recommendation. If you can get in when the crowd is light you will easily find yourself getting caught up on whats happenin around the 'hood'. Grab youself a good brew and a grab a game at the pool table or take over the jukebox and relax....your home. read more

Really great little dive bar, with a nice selection and friendly bar tenders. No, it doesn't take much to impress me at a bar, but it really seems like this kind of place is dying breed. I always appreciate the trend of keepking things simple, and I hate to be the guy that gets mad when the masses (see: hipsters) find out about a good thing and ruin it. St. James Tavern is the epitome of an unpretentious old school bar. Plus they have Maudite in bottles. Nice! read more

Good dive bar. Cozy, nice atmosphere. Cheap craft beer. Bartenders weren't my favorite but still overall still a good place.

Great dive bar that I tend to end up at often. The service is friendly, drinks are cheap and there is usually plenty of seating even though the place is never empty. Added perk- they feature local art on the walls. But the bathrooms are GROSS. But that's a dive for ya ;) read more

$3.50 craft drafts? say no more. This is the best deal on craft beer in Columbus, aside from Bodega's insane happy hour. And they're $3.50 anytime here. The music playing was good for the most part, unlike Bob's Bar where you can expect gawdawful country music blaring from the jukebox. When we came in around 9pm on a gallery hop Saturday, it was not at all crowded. People trickled in pretty consistently throughout the evening - a mixture of poor hipsters and regulars and people just looking for a cheap drink. We even met some friendly folks at the bar. It was nice! Next time I go in I'll probably shoot some pool. read more

Great bar with no crap on tap! It's small and cozy and easily gets packed in there, but I'd very fun.

I like the St. James Tavern because of its location. Finding it amidst the desolation of the street around it is like finding x-ray goggles in your cereal. A real treat. The decor at St. James feels family owned. Random flags, signs and posters give the bar a feeling of personal touch and flair. This is the type of bar where you will feel as comfortable ordering a Guinness as you would a Cosmo.The crowd is laid back and never too rowdy but also never too quiet as to make the bar dull. This is the perfect Friday night place to come and drink away your work week. No drama, no hipsters just people having drinks and hanging out. I like how the bar is set up with the actual bar dominating the first room. If you like to people watch a bar stool is a great place to perch and observe as people come and get drinks and then go to play pool or to dark corners. The bar is a mixed bag with everyone from old timers to nine to fivers and locals that are post-grad with the rare undergrads who got lost going to the Short North. If you like a laid back atmosphere conducive to talking and people watching the St. James Tavern is where you should be drinking tonight. read more

Best dive in Columbus for sure. Beer and liquor prices are very reasonable plus they have pool tables! Bar staff is really friendly here also. read more

This place is so much fun. It's low key and unassuming and has a great beer selection. The crowd is mostly mid 20s-30s. There are pool tables and wood paneling and I wouldn't have it any other way. It's the perfect place to go when you want to drink with friends but don't want to deal with the high street scene. P.S. you probably won't meet a husband here read more

Away from the chirr of high street, the St. James is a superb location for drinking and conversing, playing pool, and making new acquaintances. The juke box is full of some of the highest order of indie rock and alt country. Bell's Two Hearted on tap is always a welcome feature, too. The bartenders, often the owner and always women, are friendly and sometimes downright talkative. The St. James is the place where i like to go when i don't feel like carousing but still want to slip out into public for a refresher. read more

I've been to St. James three times; before moving to Columbus I thought this would be my homebase based upon what I read online. (DIVE! BEER! FANCYFREE!) I've been underwhelmed by the service every time, and I haven't been wowed by the beer selection either. I do think that the beer selection is good, but I was expecting more of a beer bar out of St. James Tavern. (I'm spoiled, I come from Chicago where it's common to have more than 20 beers on tap.) With better service I'd bump this up to four or five based upon the people filling the bar, but when I feel like it's hard work to serve me (and I bartended for eight years) that takes away from the experience for me. I'll be back probably, and with fingers crossed. read more

I do not feel I can do this bar justice in my own words. It was a close companion throughout college and it still draws me back when getting together with friends that I do not see nearly enough of these days. Spend a night here if you want a place where the people are real and the drinks are still more than reasonably priced. The James continues to be my favorite bar in Columbus and I miss the days of closing it down while contemplating life, the universe and everything. read more

One of the best "dive" bars in columbus. Great jukebox. Awesome beer selections. It is a great place to get a quiet drink and avoid the huge crowds at the "hip" bars. read more

I love this little hole in the wall. They always have something good on tap, and their bartenders are super friendly and always willing to suggest something new. The prices are good, and the music on the jukebox even better. It's a small place that can get really crowded on the weekends, but it's a great douchebag-free place to hang out with friends, or shoot a round of pool. read more