Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Gulch

    3.7 (28 reviews)
    InexpensiveDive Bars
    Closed Closed

    The Gulch Photos

    THE GULCH ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Live music
    Very loud
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - The Gulch

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Valerie W.

    Man-oh-man-oh man (and woman!!) Finally after years of wandering the globe (well, at least this corner of it, here in Ohioooooooooo!!) I've finally found the closest possible match to the comfy, cozy, worn to a fine shine "dive" bar to help (temporarily) return me to the days of my misspent "youth," when every place you went, whether across town or across the country wasn't a carbon copy of everywhere else!! We've walked right by this place sooooooooo many times, I'm not even sure how we finally decided to stop in the other night, but so glad we did!! We grabbed two seats at the bar, took in the WONDERFUL, formerly smoky haze of the place, admired the AUTHENTICALLY eclectic (no "pre-fab" charm here!!) displays, including an AMAZING collection of electric guitars, and were equally dazzled by the great music and the bartender who was just as awesome as her surroundings (maybe more so!!) The mister sampled a few of the bottled brews available (no taps here) and I had a couple of different ciders, all good!! We watched her put together some amazing cocktails as well, and finally couldn't resist, and tried one of her own, personal "specialties," (@#$*!!, I was having too good a time to remember the name!!) which was also wonderful!! We'll be back, to sample more this great spot has to offer, to check out their outside patio, and (for me, anyway) the chance to temporarily time-travel back to a simpler, more carefree/boozy time in my not-too distant past!!

    Inside
    Steve A.

    The Gulch is the townie bar in Yellow Springs. It gets lots of locals and fewer tourists. That doesn't mean it's not cool. It's actually better than the tavern on the main road. The drinks are really cheap and the service is good even if they don't know you. It's a fun and laid back atmosphere inside. It has great live music. There's usually a DJ weekends. If you're tired of all the tourists consider here. There isn't a whole lot of room so it might be crowded. It's still better than the more touristy bars like Peaches. The beer selection isn't as good but the drinks are the cheapest in town. A vodka with pop is about $2 and the drafts aren't usually much more. The other cool thing is hearing the locals' stories. I would tell anyone looking to drink in Yellow Springs to go to The Gulch. It's got the most character of any bar. You will have a good time in a relaxed atmosphere and meet lots of cool people.

    Bar area
    Dawn H.

    Fun place stays open late! For YS that's big! Had a blast with all my friends there. Good waitstaff and bartender's. Not much more to say but it's a regular old dive bar that you won't disappoint if you want a variety of beer and liquor without any uppity people hanging around.

    people sitting at a bar
    Danielle H.

    Hole in the wall, fun bar! Cheap drinks served by friendly bartenders. Very generous with pours. The night we were there they hosted a bluegrass band. Had tons of fun with the band. Would for sure visit again.

    Mark T.

    How could someone who lived in Yellow Springs from age 7 to 23 have never been to the Gulch? I don't know either, but I was one of those people (and might I add I met a least one other person last night in the same crowd). The place is small, but crowded. It was a good feeling seeing many people I went to school with return to town for an all years reunion. My first drink at the Gulch? A lemondrop shot for me and a friend. Two drinks - $7.00. Really? That's better than a happy hour price in most places. There is a pool table in the back. The bartender was very friendly, a DJ was playing good music. Not much of a dance area. Some people tried, but there is only room for about 4 or 5 up front. The bathroom was a little odd. Well not the bathroom itself, but moreso the sink. I just had never seen a sink that tall. Seriously it was like 4 feet off the ground. I don't know what took so long for me to visit the Gulch, but I will return (probably tonight) and in my next travels back to Yellow Springs.

    See all

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    9 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Dawn H.
    62
    15
    4

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mike W.
    0
    37
    12

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of S L.
    18
    60
    2

    5 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mark T.
    462
    628
    1181

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 6
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Great place for happy hour. Kind service and regulars, good music, cheap beer. Dive bar at its truest

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Liz W.
    24
    17
    0

    9 years ago

    The Gulch is a great bar. It's not fancy and it never will be! Less tourists at this bar too which is nice.

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    4 starts because the bathrooms are absolutely disgusting. The bartender and drinks are great

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Unix Y.
    1
    15
    21

    13 years ago

    Gulch is a fav past time... Has recently raised prices and lately bartenders are looking up how to make 'easy' drinks. Uh-oh

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Great dive bar with cheap drinks, attentive bartenders, good bottle selection of beers (no draft) and a fun crowd. Not much else to add!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lo S.
    280
    210
    330

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    What a friendly lil dive bar. Met 4 people I'd have drinks with in my first 15 mins. Bartender rocks!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Ask the Community - The Gulch

    Review Highlights - The Gulch

    First time in Yellow Spring and going out to The Gulch was a great experience all around.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

    Read more highlights

    You might also consider

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Dive Bars 822 times last month within 10 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Ye Olde Trail Tavern - Fish n chips

    Ye Olde Trail Tavern

    3.5(243 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    The ambiance is what you come for but the food is very average. 1827. Wowza. The best part of the…read moremeal was the kid's menu chicken strips. The sauerkraut balls left a lot to be desired. They had a much different texture and taste than the ones in other parts of Ohio. The black bean soup was disappointingly thin and not very seasoned. The German potato salad is good. Food aside, I do love the ambiance here. I want to know the ghost stories. I want to know more about the history. It is so old and these walls have stories; I'm certain of it. The staff is very friendly. Parking is terrible, even at 3 PM on a Thursday. I really am torn between 3 and 4 stars, but having a great waitstaff is what bumps it up.

    Aside from the oldest tavern in Ohio vibe, everything else was ordinary, uninspired and…read moreunremarkable, right down to the '70s elementary school cafeteria dish ware. The "Bier Cheese" was lovingly selected from among the finest Kroger jarred cheeses, and the sliced bratwurst was unappealing and bland (Oscar Meyer is my guess). On the plus side, the curry ketchup and vegan peanut cilantro dressing were highlights. Go for the historic atmosphere and a beer and you won't be disappointed. Our server was friendly and attentive, but the time from ordering to getting our food was longer than had expected. A side was forgotten as well, but billed for it. It was taken off when we pointed that mistake out.

    Photos
    Ye Olde Trail Tavern
    Ye Olde Trail Tavern - Fish n chips + blt

    Fish n chips + blt

    Ye Olde Trail Tavern - Watch your head!

    See all

    Watch your head!

    The Gulch - divebars - Updated June 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...