Another historical reference to "The Black Forest Inn." I worked there as a bartender/grill guy for a year in 1981 (then moved onto The Varsity Club down the street on Lane Avenue. This was back in the Jim McCorkle and (I believe) Richard Topper co-owner days. A sad story about twenty years later. It was a small (intimate) building with three levels. The main floor, the basement (where House Singer Jerry Crabbe played on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday -- see photo), and the top floor which was over-flow during football Saturdays. Monday night featured an older lady on accordion who hosted a sing-along. The place filled up pretty nicely. A juke box and two sit-down video game consoles (Pac Man and Galaga) rounded out the entertainment. Drinks were cheap ($1.25 rum & coke), food was pretty good (fresh frier oil made for great french fries and onion rings. Fresh meat for burgers brought in often. And salads (custom made by me), believe it or not. We also had a flag football team in the Fall of 1981 comprised of a couple of bartenders (me and Mark K), some bar regulars, and a pair of Ohio State Wrestlers. read more

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weird experience. the bus boy slapped my friends line out of her hand which was off putting. the "manager" wouldn't give me free shots as a paying customer which i thought was really weird. i love a shitty dive bar but new management is needed. read more

When I was younger, so much younger than today...I went here and it was called the Black Forest Inn. One of the stalwart bar venues near Ohio State University's sprawling campus (and across the street from the Tommy's Pizza campus location), the Thirsty Scholar is everything that you want and/or expect in a campus bar: reasonably priced drinks, great staff, a (Touchtunes) jukebox, a weird downstairs area with separate bar that opens during crowded period like OSU football game days, somewhat gross but functional bathrooms, etc... But the big draw is you can take students of today here and show them how campus bars are supposed to look. Also, food is oftentimes served via the small grill area behind the first floor bar. Great 'burgers, fries, and onion rings. I'm sure they have other delicious bar fare, but these are the only items besides drinks we have ever ordered. I have some great pictures of the inside of this venue, but my wife suggested posting them, as she is in them, would be hazardous to my health. Come here and be part of campus-area lore: Bier Stube, Out-R-Inn, the Library...there are a dwindling number of great old bars. Thirsty Scholar is one of them. Be a part of a timeless classic. Cheers! read more

Ahhhhhh..... The Scholar. You have my heart. This little dive is conveniently located near Tommy's Pizza on the corner of Lane and Neil. Despite its prime location, The Thirsty Scholar is a low-trafficked campus bar. And that is just how Bubba (the owner) likes it. Bubba is an incredibly laid back dude that runs his bar the same way. This is an awesome spot for a chill evening with your friends. You can get the campus vibe without all the crazy hype. Bubba also whips up some MEAN burgers. They are huge and delicious. He makes the fries fresh in front of you by slicing up an entire potato. Strike up a conversation with him about country music or baseball and he will talk your ear off in the best way. If you grew up outside of the city like me, this bar will take you home. Important: Thursday nights are trivia night and are definitely the busiest of the week. Tons of fun! read more

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The Thirsty Scholar is one of the bars not talked about much when heading out on a crawl. It's easy to forget about since there's so many options. The bar is usually quiet when there's no OSU game so it's not a typical party spot. It has some good drink specials and classic greasy bar food. The inside is kind of small but it's usually not packed. A reason why it's not as popular as other bars is the impression it gives. It's located next to the gas station at the corner of Lane and Neil, and it's hard to see unless you already know where it is. The outside doesn't exactly look inviting if you do see it. Another reason it gets overlooked is there's the more popular Varsity Club just a few blocks away. The inside is kind of small but it's not usually crowded unless there's an OSU game. I like bars like the Thirsty Scholar. It's much better if you're looking for something low key. The drinks are cheap and they have great service. read more

The Thirsty Scholar - Inside - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Back when I attended Ohio State, we thirsty scholar's were in search of cheap drinks in a non-trendy setting... this was it. Off the beaten path, yet accessible. Busy, but never too rowdy. Even after I graduated, we met here regularly for cheap food and beer --- and here I am, rapidly approaching 40 years old and I still relive my Thirsty Scholar days from time to time. The bar features incredible happy hour specials every day of the week, but the prices are very reasonable even during non-happy hours. I used to come here for my regular order: grilled cheese, french fries and pitcher of beer- with a total tab under $10! Does it get any better? I've read some reviews commenting on how small this bar is, but perhaps they have never seen the lower level where the bathrooms are located. It's easy to walk in to this 'house" bar and think there is only one floor. The first level can become crowded, but the bar area is spacious and we've always had enough elbow room. If you need to spread out a bit, head downstairs where the restrooms and pool tables are located. Be warned... the "eye in the sky" sees your every move! Video cameras are planted around the lower level and shown on small a surveillance-like television upstairs for all the bar to see. So, no monkey business in the basement! read more

The Thirsty Scholar - The Thirsty Scholar - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

I came in here after a huge, sold-out concert at the Schottenstein. We wanted to wait out the traffic so my group of three stopped in. We were some of the first ones in and we ended up at a little table in the corner. This place gives off your typical college bar vibe. It's nothing fancy and in fact feels like a dive bar but I am giving it five stars because there was ONE guy working the bar and he owned it. The Thirsty Scholar quickly became very crowded, as in standing room only. People were already intoxicated and shouting orders at this guy and he kept the most positive attitude and was slingin' drinks like a champion. I was so impressed by his skills and the price point was perfect, especially after buying overpriced drinks all night at the arena. I really liked this bar and I think this will be my new post-concert tradition. read more

I'm convinced this is the best bar in Columbus. Great chill, local, vibe. Amazing staff. The sort of place you feel welcome and want to visit again. Highly recommend. read more

The Thirsty Scholar is a modest bar located next to a gas station just north of the OSU campus. They have a decent draft selection, consisting of a few local favorites and choices like Guinness, Sam Adams seasonal, and Yuengling. It's dingy, but comfortable and they offer daily specials and a happy hour. They also offer a small food menu: burgers, fries and wings, all at fair prices. Yelp said they offer free chips if you check in. The bartender wasn't aware of any such promo, but when I showed him my phone, he obliged with some free chips, which was cool. read more

Make sure you ASK for the special on special night. You have to have the mug on mug night so don't just ask for a Coors. There could be some more seating and cheaper food, but it's a great joint. Trivia night is pretty fun too. Specials and food prices as seen in the photos. Burgers are $7-13 and apps are $4-8. read more

The Thirsty Scholar - Drink specials - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

If I may write a poem, an ode, to the Thirsty: O, sing sweet muse of the dank interior of the Thirsty Sticky floors and miraculous staff Forever a tale is woven within your walls Stories of drunken debauchery, Thirsty burgers Free popcorn, Thirsty Thursdays and your juke box Never again shall I find a next door bar as fair as thee You are and forever shall be My love My Thirs-teeeeee! read more

I only ever come on Monday because my buddy hosts karaoke. But I tell you what, if you just want to go out and meet people, this is the place to do it. Small bar with ample seating. The stage area sort of forces people to pay attention and unlike some places there's a strong chance you'll be able to get a song in. There's a downstairs area with pool tables but I've never seen it used. That's probably because I only come for karaoke, though. They have plenty of tvs and it's usually sports but one of the tvs had comedy central on it. This is a place where you're a regular after a few visits...this is a place where you can leave your purse and it won't get jacked. It never gets old. :) read more

The Thirsty Scholar - Karaoke Mondays! - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Unbeatable Deals, Unbeatable Staff. Always treated with a friendly hello, great food and and a Welcome back. Thirsty Scholar ain't just a bar, it's a home away from home! read more

The Thirsty Scholar - The Bar - Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Absolutely will never recommend one person to this place. Was there after buckeye game. Very crowded lots of people. However I am a little older and very peaceful person and so is my wife. We have never had trouble. My wife was shoved to the ground by someone that we did not see, the bartender came around from the back and violently screamed that if you do not like it then get the fuck out, again we were minding our own business and was shoved from behind from behind the owner escorted me out again we were not even involved in what was going on but got shoved down. read more

I've been coming here for years! It's the best bar on campus! Great music and ask for the "sex in the mouth" shot. Come meet Bubba, the man, the myth, the legend! read more

I lived on OSU campus for 5 years...never during this time did I ever go to the Thirsty Scholar. I've since found out, this was a huge mistake on my part. My current roommate used to frequent the place, and before a basketball game last year suggested we go. I'm really glad he did. It's exactly what I look for before and after a game. I'm OK with the cramped bar area before games. This place is pretty small, it does get crowded, and it can be difficult to move around. But, that puts me in a good mood and when the drink specials are pretty solid, I can get on board with that too. If you're looking for a break from your Varsity Club or something a little more authentic than B-Dubs, meet in the middle at Thirsty Scholar read more

Sort of the poor man's Varsity Club. It's smaller, not as nice, but it gets the job done. As an undergrad I would frequent this place before basketball games - they used to have some sort of all you can drink deal on Thursday and Saturdays. Not sure if they still offer that, but not much else has changed from those days. It's tiny so it can get cramp inside, but they usually do a pretty good job of getting drinks out. Great spot pre or post football/basketball games. Burgers aren't bad either. read more

Love the Thirsty Scholar. Very friendly bartenders especially Bubba!!!! Great beer prices and specials. Packed full with college students out to have fun. read more

So much fun. My husband and I went there after the Ohio State v Michigan Game. The bar is small, but fits a ton of people. The drinks are strong, reasonably priced and the bartenders are friendly. The bar was also close to the stadium. read more

The Thirsty Scholar is top notch. The service is superb, and the food follows suit. The bartenders are welcoming, and are helpful if you ever need assistance deciding a drink. Definitely try their peanut butter shot called "sex in your mouth," because its name speaks volumes. This place is super close to campus and awesome to come to on game day - or any other day. It's really close to the Schott as well, so if you are going to an event be sure to make a quick stop. They know their regulars, and appreciate them. If you are close to OSU Campus, definitely stop in there for a drink. Not a franchise, which is awesome because everyone is personable. read more

Cool campus bar. The all you can drink deals are awesome and the overall value here is great. This is a place you go to to have more than a couple. read more

Great little dive. Not sure why it was nearly empty during last week's home game, but we appreciated the elbow room, the availability of bar stools, the cool breeze, and PBR on tap. We also briefly appreciated the plastic souvenir cups until we realized we didn't want to carry them around all day. Highly recommended for a change of pace on game day. read more

Be warned, this is an Ohio State bar, if you are looking to watch the Furman game you will get heckled (as I learned when I tried to get the manager to put the Furman game on the TV). They have drinks as well. read more

Visited Columbus last week from Toronto and stopped by the Thirsty Scholar before a concert at the Schottenstein. It was a great time with awesome happy hour specials. I'd recommend everybody visit Bubba! He will treat ya right! read more

Cool place to hang out on game day. Good food and don't forget to get a peanut butter shot.

We stopped here before going into the Buckeye Country Superfest and we LOVED this place! The small setting was great, the teamwork from the owner and staff was amazing! They were very friendly! Watching them cook those HUGE Thirsty burgers was a chore in itself, but they looked delicious!! Great drinks, not watered down with extra juice at all...when I ordered a double, I got a double! We will definitely find a reason to go back! read more

I think that this might be one of the best kept secrets of OSU's campus. With it being so small and slightly off the beat path or High Street, it many times gets over passed. I loved the many nights I have spent there. They have great drink specials both for happy hour and late nights. The bar staff has always been great! And the fact that they refuse to allow Journey on the juke box makes it even more desirable. read more

The most underrated bar at Ohio State. Don't let the small unique design on the outside mislead you from trying out this place. The owner Bubba and his staff are the most professional bartenders you'll find on campus. The food is amazing and everything comes at a more than reasonable price. It's a bar I can stop at for a couple beers by myself,lunch, dinner, or to hangout all night. read more

Blink once and you may miss this thimble-sized draft house located a mere stone's throw from Ohio State's main campus. Located right near the corner of Neil and Lane, the location of Thirsty Scholar can be tragic when the bedlam surrounding a home football game is nowhere to be found. It's certainly not too far off the beaten path of High Street to be out of the question on a night out, but the chances of convincing your friends to take a detour from their bar crawl in order to grab a drink here are slim. In my opinion, this actually works much to this bar's benefit. The crowd here is rarely out of control, making it a great fallback for you and your friends to take over on an otherwise low-key evening of drinking. I'm not sure if this is still applicable, but in my day the Thirsty Scholar had unlimited draft specials on Thursday evenings for something to the tune of $7, which turned this place in to an absolute shit-show on occasion. Don't ever give a college student the idea that they can't get their money's worth of cheap draft beer lest you prepare for impending doom. Like I said, this bar is pretty tiny, but the drinks are cheap enough and the crowd is random enough that it's worth going to if you can even remember it in the first place. read more

Great college bar. The beer is low priced - especially the imports/crafts - and the limited food menu is tasty and homely. The atmosphere is always relaxed and the bartenders are friendly and courteous. read more