This is a nice spot to meet friends for drinks. They have a nice selection of cocktails to choose from. The appetizer menus looked intriguing but I did not get anything this time. The decor was great. I went early in a Friday so it was not overcrowded at that time. read more

Everything was great! The drink and food menu are rotated frequently so it's as new experience every time you go.

We loved everything from the cocktails to the food. We especially loved the hay smoked ribs...on point! Josh was our bartender and he is great! read more

Watershed Kitchen & Bar - Hay smoked ribs - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Such wonderfully crafted cocktails! Alex was a superb bartender who was knowable, friendly and welcoming. I'd highly recommend the brussel sprouts and meatballs! The atmosphere and ambience were perfect and I'd go here again and again! Chef Jack Moore is killing it & Nicki knows her cocktails! Overall, absolutely spectacular! Cheers team watershed--keep up the good work! I'll be back! read more

Watershed Kitchen & Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

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Cool concept and location. Big downer to me is price and menu is very jumbled and kind of all over the place. To me, it's confusing to order between small and large plates, especially with only 3 options for the large ones. Anyone who orders all 3 (chef tasting) is getting a lot of food that doesn't really go together. I had the fried chicken which was dark meat (not personally a fan) and ribs which were really good. My wife's food was cold and their beer taps were off. Assuming this may be due to fact they were just reopening. Server and drinks were great. Overall I'd go here for a drink or 2 before dinner. If prices were more reasonable and menu was more coherent, I'd be more inclined to eat here again. I actually think the chef definitely has skills. read more

I came here for my 20th birthday in a group of 4. We stuck to advice from other Yelp reviews and got a reservation next to the glass wall and large bourbon tanks. The atmosphere was laid back and yet somewhat hip if that makes sense. We ordered the Chefs tasting at $47 per person- a steal if you want to try a lot of different dishes. Let me tell you, we ate a lot!!! Synergistic flavors coupled with aesthetic plating led to an amazing dining experience. The starters were fairly good, but the dishes from the II and III part of the menu were absolutely fantastic. The vegetable appetizers were jam packed with flavor. Furthermore, the main dishes from the III part of the menu were highly distinct from one another. My pallet was constantly surprised by bold flavors and original textures. The Short Rib plate stood out as a family favorite however, all of the dishes were quite simply delicious. When desert came around we were stuffed, but nevertheless were able to enjoy a few refreshing dishes. I was not drinking, but heard from others in my party that the drinks were spot on. Will definitely be back soon, and will definitely be back when I turn 21! read more

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This place gets 4.5 stars. I really, really, really wanted to give this place 5 stars. I've heard nothing but great things and I love their vodka. My husband and I dined here on a Saturday so we were sure to make a reservation. We arrived a little early to enjoy a drink at the bar before dinner. The hostess was super nice and let us check out the distillery before we got a drink - it's awesome! The first bartender we encountered was super friendly and informative about their cocktail selection. I got the C for Carrot and it was phenomenal! I'm not even a gin person and this drink was amazing. The second bartender who I think may be the manager was not as friendly unfortunately. He came to ask us our order and walked off before my husband even finished ordering. He never looked up from what he was doing behind the bar - including while we were ordering and it just came off as if we were a nuisance to him. All the cocktails we tried were amazing and the menu is super creative. You can tell they spend a lot of time curating these ingredient lists. I do wish they had more vodka cocktails - in the whole menu I could only find one. I tried and it loved it, though! The hostess came and found us when our table was ready which was impressive because multiple people checked in after us and she remembered who we were and where we were sitting at the bar. You can tell this is a place that people sit and enjoy for awhile. There wasn't much table turnover going and every table seemed to be enjoying themselves for awhile. The menu was very interesting and the service was awesome. I am so thankful our server explained that the sweetbreads were animal product without me even asking. My husband had the short rib and loved it and I had the grilled squash and it too was amazing. The portions are small but we liked that because it allowed us to try multiple things without getting too full. Overall, very cool and creative place with excellent food!! read more

This place has become my go to for special events. It a little pricey for everyday dining, but when I do make my way over I'm always glad I did. At first, I was a little "what the crap!" when we pulled in as from the outside the warehouses and such looked a little sketchy. The inside however, is just lovely. The decor is fantastic, although it is a tad dark for me. It also can get a little loud at times, but that's more due to how popular it is. Despite this, most of the times I have gone, I have not needed a reservation. Any who, I would suggest sitting at the bar, because not only do the bartenders craft delightful drinks, they also make excellent conversation. In addition to that, the service and advice they give is fantastic! The one time I sat at a table, our server was just okay, but I found myself wistfully looking at the bar, as the bartenders were way more lively and engaging. The menu changes seasonally, and the first time I went I enjoyed my food, except the whipped pig butter did not sit well with my stomach. The second time I went, I go the fried chicken which is always delicious. Portion is a little small for me, but I would rather have quality over quantity. Also the cocktails are quite delicious. (Another plus of sitting by the bar, if you're not sure what to get, you can provide the bartender with vague nothings like I do, and they always seem to hit it out of the park.) The drink designs they make are FANTASTIC, and they engaged me in my buffoonery by making me a bosom pattern in my drink! Ya for the tas! Anyway this time around the bacon steak, which is essentially a giant pork belly, was PHENOMENAL! Holy crap it was good. It came with pickled vegetables and lettuce and per the suggestions of the bartenders, we used the lettuce to make wraps out of it and it was delightful! The brussel sprouts were also delightful!! This place with definitely be a staple for when I'm feeling fancy! read more

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I've been meaning to try Watershed since it opened and finally had the chance on a not-so-busy Thursday night. As suggested by many, my dining mate and I both ordered the tasting menu, which although expensive, includes a ton of food in four courses--we both went home with leftovers. The pickles and "not a wedge" salad were a great start; the ribs and sausage second course were delightful; and the pork chop and steak were cooked nearly to perfection. A few minor issues, however, presented themselves on the food front: we were given an incorrect starter (brussels sprouts instead of pickles); the ribs were served with a pretty bland herbed cream; and the "cookies and fromage" desert was one small cookie cut in half. Drinks were excellent and the menu was slightly confusing at first--although hilarious. Service was attentive, but a few minor things were missed throughout the four courses for the price. Would recommend and look forward to returning soon! read more

It's a fun place to get a meal, but definitely worthy of three dollar signs compared to two shown on Yelp. ($$$). The dinners here are pricey, but unique and fun. If you're one to enjoy a weird, unique dish made in a fun way, highly recommended. If you're looking for a basic steak or fish entree, look elsewhere! The drinks are fun, as well - all themed in a unique way, with a fun menu reminiscent of a comic book (for example) depending on the year/season. Definitely a cool place, check it out. read more

The space is beautiful! The ambiance is also spot on--industrial with organic green elements. We went for a late dinner (9pm) and the restaurant was still pretty busy. The seasonal drinks menu was cool (spring/summer theme was Outdoor Adventures or something such) and all the drinks had a fun backstory to them that kept with the theme. I opted to do the four-course menu and am concluding that the food is pretty mediocre. Everything lacked basic seasoning. The Brussels sprouts became sickeningly sweet after four bites and was greasy/oily. My main course was fish and it was done nicely, but really nothing special and pretty bland. Dessert was something fudge-like and it was uninspired. I had high expectations for food and I feel like a lot of it is hype. Sure the dishes are different and pretty to look at but the flavors aren't there. Service was pretty slow the night we were there; a lot of staff walking back and forth empty handed. The distillery and restaurant is beautiful, but food and service was a miss when I visited. read more

Very disappointing. First they took sweetbreads off the menu. My favorite dish there. Weak drinks. Rib appetizer was lukewarm and dry. My 3rd and last time there. read more

The drinks here were top notch! The bourbon from Watershed Distillery was really good. We really enjoyed the house made bread. My wife wasn't a fan of the olive purée spread, but I did enjoy it. I got the fish of the day, it was really good! The only problem was I wish there was more of the rice medley!!! My wife got one of the travel the world drinks and it was her absolute favorite. I believe the peach zachatuche. The ambiance was really nice, a chill vibe with some good chill music. The service was fast and really good! We really enjoyed our time there! read more

I think this is one of the best (and most underrated) Columbus restaurants. The menu is thoughtful, interesting, accessible, and portions stop just shy of being too big. An equal amount of thought clearly went into the draft list and cocktail menu! I'm a huge fan of Watershed's spirits anyway, but instead of resting on their laurels they've created some really tasty drinks with complementary mixers. Love the out of the way location, and the cozy-yet-functional feel isn't contrived since the restaurant is actually in the distillery. Staff is always friendly and helpful, and I've noticed a few Columbus chefs who know their stuff grabbing a bite here. Watershed is great for birthday dinners, treating friends from out of town, and just treating yourself to an above average (but not over the top) night out. read more

I made a reservation for 4pm at the restaurant. The only thing I really wanted to get was a flight of some of the alcohol that they had. I couldn't find online if they had flights or tastings but called and they said they had both. The person we called said that the tastings could be done at the bar and the flights could be at the table or bar. When we got there we decided to sit at the bar instead of a table so that we could do some tastings. Once seated, the menus were tossed in front of us. Just seeing this I had a feeling the service was not going to be good. Tossing menus at people instead of just setting them in front of someone just shows a lack of care and respect. It took a while for one of the bartenders to come ask us what we wanted. We had never been here before and had a few questions. He was very rude answering our questions. We decided on two flights and since the servers at the bar were both being so rude we asked if we could sit at a table instead and he said yes. We sat down and a waiter came over and said something about all of the tables being reserved. I told him we made a reservation but then sat at the bar for a few, and then asked if we could change to a table and they said we could. Hardly any tables were filled at this point and I did not see the big deal. He then said we needed to tell the hostess but the bartender said he was doing that. Even if the bar tender was not, the server should have done that. The flight was fine, very small, and nothing spectacular. Especially considering they were 20 each for three very small tastings. Overall, very rude service and not anything special. The place is pretty neat inside but does not look like anything from the outside. The only person who was nice was a lady at the hostess stand. We came here for my birthday, very disappointed, and will not be coming back. read more

Great dining experience with my co-worker. Everything was great from the reservation process all the way down to desert. The Chef tasting menu is the way to go with this place. The Re:Vacation drink was amazing. Highly recommend if you ever find yourself in middle of nowhere, Ohio. read more

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Best food and cocktails in Columbus. It's so beautiful inside, like a dark sexy1920's cocktail bar. I came here once for drinks and chocolate truffles and then came back for a special date night where we enjoyed dinner. Yes, it's a splurge but well worth it. The duck was my favorite. All of the cocktails are lovingly crafted and the wait staff is happy to make recommendations. I love their ever-changing menu and themeing. They do a great job putting themselves out there in the community, teaming up with other businesses and branding themselves. Watershed is Columbus! read more

It's a nice place to visit if you're going for a cocktail or two. I have been twice now and both times have been impressed with the drink menu, especially the whiskey drinks. The food, unfortunately, is just "okay". The pig tails were probably the best item I've tried, but only because they were fun & unique. The bar staff is also hit or miss, I've had one bartender who was an absolute delight and another who didn't smile the entire time we were there! read more

Watershed Kitchen & Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

I had been wanting to try this restaurant for months- it's in my neighborhood! The vibe inside is awesome- and there's a full bar with tons of drink options, many of them featuring liquor from their distillery. While their IKEA-style cocktail menu was tempting, I went with a standard gin and tonic to get a good taste of their gin- I was impressed! I had the pork chop, which was pretty good, but the best part of the meal was the fried Brussels sprouts. They. Were. So. Good. Overall, I'm glad I finally tried this place, and I would go back to sit at the bar and have more of their gin, but the entrees are a little pricey given the fact that they aren't THAT special. Still a fun place to get dinner on a Friday night! read more

Let me just start by saying I absolutely love this place. The food is always on point, the bartenders are so talented and the drinks are delicious. The service is exactly what you want in a restaurant. The servers are attentive without being obnoxious and you can tell they truly enjoy where they work. Some are commenting on the price point and while it's not the cheapest 'casual, fine dining' in the city, I think you get what you pay for. Personally, I would rather spend a little more to know that my overall experience is going to be consistently great. They change their menus seasonally, so there is always something new to try. The ambiance of the restaurant is perfect for date night or a night out with friends. It's my favorite place to bring out of town guests because I know it won't disappoint. They have taken an old warehouse and created a beautiful "open concept" space. They have a large glass wall to see into the distillery on one side and on the other, glass garage doors that open to a patio in the summer. The bar is beautiful with all the copper details. They have standing tables behind the bar that are perfect if you just want a drink while you wait for a table or are waiting for a place at the bar. You definitely will want to make reservations if you plan on dining. They are busy. read more

My friend and I were wanting a place to share small plates before an evening out and about. First, this restaurant is astonishingly loud. And I mean, yell-at-one-another-at-the-top-of-your-lungs loud. I noticed that most patrons were seated at very narrow, oblong tables. So you've got very little eating space, and you're still sitting about five feet apart. This causes everyone in the restaurant to yell at one another. I found their food overpriced, even for a trendy city restaurant. Their flavors were mediocre, nothing really 'popped'. Also, each 'small plate' consisted of about 3-4 bites in total, so not a wonderful place for sharing. I'm not a fan of huge portions, but at the same time, I dislike feeling as though I've been taken advantage of. I would not return to this establishment. read more

I had this on my list of restaurants I needed to try since they opened. When I finally made it for dinner it did not disappoint! I recommend The Chef's Tasting menu, it allows you to try a little of everything for a good deal! I will definitely be back. Excellent food, cocktails, and staff!! read more

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Yes! Food as good as the liquor! #winning. Awesome first time at Watershed. I had an Old Fashioned, the ribs and summer succotash. Beautifully plated and so tasty. Looking forward to going back for a tour of the distillery and more food with the hubby. read more

Watershed Kitchen & Bar - Ribs and summer succotash - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Went here for happy hour. The bar was pretty busy at 4:30 so come early. I think happy hour is from 4-6pm. Food was really good! Definitely get the Brussels sprouts. The only thing I would have to say is the portions are on the small side. Some of the drinks are definitely fancy/complex but the bartenders will explain and help if you need it. They were super nice and friendly. My friend couldn't decide on a drink and the bartender suggested one for her and assured if she didn't like it she could get a different one. read more

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I was wondering where I was when I drove my family up to the warehouse area that contains this amazing restaurant. When you walk in, you know you are in for a treat. The lobby is a small retail area that promotes the distillery, of course you want a bottle or two to take home with you after dinner. I've traveled all over the world and have found a love for our new American cuisine and love the cooking of Chef Jack Moore. He has an amazing handle on great ingredients prepared with skill. I took my wife, and 3 and 5 year old and they all had an amazing time! read more

Although I have never before visited this place prior to today, I have sampled their spirits and I commend them on those. However, as a local first responder I have to give these fine people a tip of the hat. Converting to sanitizer as opposed to alcohol seems like an easy solution to continue to turn profit but when you think about it, it is so much more. They are keeping their employees at work, they are providing a VITAL service to the healthcare community and they are still moving money in the economy during these unfortunate times. I, for one, am incredibly grateful for these people. I cannot wait to come back when things have normalized and show my support for their business in a more casual and fun setting. Thank you so much. read more

I've been a huge fan of Watershed since they launched their spirits in town, and Four Peel gin is always on my home bar. I have even toured the distillery and found it fascinating. When I heard about the restaurant I had to give it a shot and I'm so glad that I did. The food, service, cocktails and ambiance were all top notch. I cannot wait to go back! read more

I had heard so many great things about this place and was looking forward to coming here for weeks. However, I was severely disappointed with almost everything. I'll break it down based on my experience. PROS: - Venue: Great venue with a very nostalgic, yet trendy atmosphere. Seeing the distillery through the open windows across from the bar brings a great feel to this place. Additionally, the different woods throughout the restaurant are a nice added touch to make you feel like you're in an old distillery. - Parking: Ample parking in front of the venue and among the other businesses scattered in this more industrial location. CONS: - Service: Our server was super nice and friendly, but had 15-20 intervals between visiting our table each time. It looked like their structure has different people delivering food, but we couldn't even find our server anywhere in the restaurant most of the time. When we ordered drinks (see below), they seemed extremely watered-down, but I realized it wasn't the bartender's fault. Most of the ice cube that was in my drink had already melted because it had been waiting for so long. - Price vs quality: We ordered drinks (El Diablo and Peanuts/Cracker Jacks), Brussel Sprouts, Burger and ribs. The drinks were watered down. The Brussel Sprouts were good, but could have used less dressing/sauce. The burger was pretty good...not good enough for $16. However, the fries were fantastic! The ribs were very tender, but nothing fantastic. I had heard great things from this menu, but I must have missed all of those suggestions. To top it off, I became extremely nauseous and queasy after eating and was not feeling well for most of the night. - Venue: Although a neat venue, we seemed pretty cramped in our area inside. It was super loud to the point where we couldn't talk at a normal voice level. Lastly...IT WAS SO HOT inside. There is nothing cold in there either. The water doesn't even have ice. All in all, it was such a disappointment and I really tried to keep a positive attitude during our visit. I have no desire to ever return. read more

Seated myself at the bar. Greeted by bartender who handed food menu and drink menu. Drink menu is 12 page catalog, confusing and difficult to compare since on different pages. The bartender interacted minimally which was disappointing since my first time. He was chatting with the couple to my right and the couple at the end of the bar, telling about toirs. Said nothing to me until I was taking my last bite, " how was everything?" Another couple sat down to my left and he greeted them cordially, gave menus, asked if 1st visit and proceeded to explain distillery, suggest drinks. Came back to make food suggestions. Too bad b/c as a former wait person, I tend to be forgiving and tip generously. Winter salad was good but a little too peppery for my taste. 3 stars for food/menu, interesting decor but unsatisfactory service. read more

Watershed Kitchen is a fun, trendy restaurant and distillery in the Columbus area. Ive wanted to visit for quite some time after seeing the distillery 's bottles at a Cleveland area bar. During a recent trip to Columbus I made a reservation for the restaurant. It was a good thing we had had called ahead. The place was packed! It was definitely hipster. The drinks were complicated and slightly pretentious. The drink menu was creative though, presented like a school yearbook with high school superlative names of drinks and pictures of the owners. The menu is limited and slightly upscale. We started with their fried green beans which were awesome. For my main dish I opted for the most basic item, their burger with fries. It was delicious and while I love brie cheese, it would have been better with a sharper cheese. The staff was super friendly and attentive. They helped us select menu items and checked on us frequently. I'd definitely take another trip to Watershed Kitchen and Distillery but never without a reservation. read more

Watershed Kitchen & Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Calling it now: this is the best new restaurant of the year. I've eaten here twice and had great experiences both times, the first time so much that I decided to return for a birthday dinner. The location's a bit hard to find but once you're there, the space is welcoming and stylish, with windows looking into the distillery and a retail area up front where you can purchase Watershed's line of amazing spirits. Given this pedigree, one would expect the cocktails to really shine here, and boy do they ever. The baseball-themed seasonal cocktail menu sports a lot of creative choices. The Cool Papa is my personal favorite, a shrub-and-gin concoction finished off with a light lager, and they give you the remainder of the lager bottle as a chaser. Plus they use the *good* ice - ice fans will know the kind I mean. I've also sampled the Money Pitch, the Kickstart My Heart and the Daisy Cutter. Creative and delicious cocktails. The food did not disappoint, either. Taking the cue from Wolf's Ridge and opting for higher-end food as opposed to gastropub grub, the not-super-big menu features small and large plates and, to my delight, pork rinds. I'm all about the recent trend of hip eating establishments serving pork rinds because I love them. These are dressed with parmesan and come with a dipping sauce. My first visit I had the short ribs, because I'm always a slut for short ribs, and these were delicious - tender and subtly BBQ flavored. My second visit I had the duck confit, which was rich and crispy and delicious. I'll be going back again, for sure. The staff are friendly and the whole experience is just great. read more

Hidden and tucked in Chesapeake Ave. Walking inside, it was packed and luckily for us, we had a reservation. The drinks and food was delicious. I would recommend their ribs and fried pork skin on the small plate menu. The fish I ordered was also amazing (the colors on the plate was beautiful). I'm already begging my husband for us to come back! read more

I will literally use any excuse to eat at Watershed. I've been three times so far since the kitchen opened, and each time, I've left wondering when I'll be able to go back. This place is a perfect date spot - the interior is bananas gorgeous. Dark walls, marble, copper detailing, reclaimed wood, floor-to-ceiling windows looking into the distillery, hanging plants for pops of green... so, so good, people. It's an equally perfect place to meet a friend for after-work drinks and food. Of course, the cocktails are not to be missed, especially when they're crafted with spirits made in-house. I love the fact that there are charity cocktails on the menu because then I can drink more than I should with dinner but feel completely philanthropic and good about myself. The dining menu is a beautifully curated collection of traditional American fare, with an upscale (but not at all pretentious) feel. Pickledillies. Get them, and do not look back. They are only $4, and they are the perfect little appetizer bites of dill pickle, cream cheese, and ham. It sounds so simple, and it really is, but they are a delight. The fingerling potatoes give all potatoes a good name, and the fried chicken is the stuff savory dreams are made of. The burger with brie is also top notch. Watershed does a wonderful job of taking really simple dishes and elevating them to next-level status by using high-quality ingredients and introducing a little creativity. The service has also been impeccable each time I've visited. The stunning interior and delicious food would probably be enough to make me look the other way if service was lacking a bit, but I'm pleased to report that the staff seems to take as much pride in the new kitchen/dining aspect of Watershed as they should, and it shows in the way customers are treated. I will be back often! read more

This little gem would be six stars if it would allow me. Nestled in a bit of a warehouse district this distillery offered excellent food through the menu. We started with the pickeldillies which are pickles wrapped in cream cheese and ham. There were three of us and three pickles. Perfect for openers and very tasty. The portion sizes throughout the meal were just right. Not so much that you were stuffed but enough that you were satisfied. The three of us sampled each other's entrees. The walleye was perfect cooked perfect. We also had the baby back ribs which feel off the bone and had a great herbed cream sauce. The final entree was the short rib which was out of this world. Juicy, tender and perfect. Also be sure to get the side of Brussels sprouts and fingerling potatoes. You won't be disappointed. This is a must return. Incredible experience. read more

Dont go for the food: just average overall w/above average pricing. Ten dollars for a chicken leg? I appreciate the attempt at making money but not at the expense of considering me (and other consumers for that matter) fools. Servers were friendly but I had to wait too long for my check (for both processes). Drinks were good and pours were reasonable. read more

Cool ambiance, great service, excellent drinks (and awesome drink menus)... but the past few times we have been disappointed by the food. The appetizers and smaller dishes have been fine (the I's and II's), but the last two times we've had dinner here, the entrees have been either dry or way too salty. Both times were with big groups, so we literally tried everything on the menu. Yes, I understand the bacon steak is going to be salty, but it was pretty hard to finish (and I always eat all of my food). We aren't giving up on Watershed yet, but we may wait for some new menu items before we return... read more

Seriously the most amazing dinner I have ever experienced. Cocktails, Brussel sprouts, carrots, red snapper...OH MY STARS AMAZING. I went with my daughters to celebrate a birthday. We had a wonderful time. Watershed doesn't just distill Bourbon...they can cook too #ghoststory #cocktailswithasenseofhumor read more

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Yes this place is known for its cocktails (which are fine- honestly I couldn't taste much of the nuance in the 4 we tried; just had a few over powering flavors more than anything) but we were more all about the food. The brussels sprouts were fantastic... seemed so simple yet the flavor was so complex. The burger was cooked as we wanted and had some tasty accoutrements, but the star was the duck confit. Honestly the best I've had. Wonderful flavor pairings and balance in the meal, and nice ambiance, though a bit loud. read more

This is the new hot spot in Columbus for sure. Amazing atmosphere, amazing drinks, amazing food and amazing people. It's like family! I love the unique spin on old favorites, and the craft cocktails are unique and tasty! read more

Watershed Kitchen & Bar - Fun spin on after school snacks with the nostalgic presentation. Surprisingly light and citrusy, and the toasted marshmallows are - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Drink review: Cocktail was awesome. Vibe and decor is super cool. Slightly strange location, but I like that it's off the beaten path. The parking is amazing as well, which is refreshing from Grandview! read more

Watershed Kitchen & Bar - Dining sights into the distillery - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Columbus, Ohio