The Garage Bar

I don't know what the fuck happened here, but the last two times I've been here it's been absolutely DEAD. New owners, maybe? I was a regular here for a while and I don't recognize any faces anymore. They renovated the patio area - now you actually enter INTO the patio, leaving the inside bar pretty empty and bleak looking. I dunno if Blayze DJs here anymore either, those nights used to be mad fun and draw big.

In fact, last time I went, I got accosted by two white-trash hilljacks while walking to the bathroom, who called me a pussy for absolutely NO reason. Luckily for them, they were right, and I got the fuck outta dodge. It's nothing like the Garage Bar of old, and it's mad upsetting. Prices are up, and attendance is down.

No joke there, I paid $8 for one small Red Bull Vodka. LO-Fuckin-L if you think I'm gonna pay that. You can get a pint of RBV for $7 at any of the Park Street Complex bars.

I really want to like garage bar a lot more than I do. They have a nice beer selection at fair prices, heck they had Yuengling before it was even really in Ohio and even though I'm not much for doing shots any more they have a selection that makes me want to toss a few back for old times sake. The food is better than decent, if a bit limited in your options. Sounds like an above average bar so far right? Well it all goes down hill from there.

The service here is pretty terrible. In general the bartenders here have seemed curt at best and incredibly rude at worst. Probably the worst experience I had here was when I went in before a Blue Jackets game to grab a bite with my wife and some friends.  Our server (one of the bartenders) paid no attention to us or the status of our drinks despite there being three other bartenders and a pretty empty bar. Even after going to the bar to let him know when we wanted to order food or drink he still took his time despite the slow night. The food which is normally pretty decent and quick even when they're busy, took forty-five minutes and was getting cold when we got it, probably due to the fact that he let it sit for by my guess anywhere from 15-25 minutes before he brought it out (burgers and wings don't take 45 minutes when you have a half empty bar).

As others have said the bar is very dark as well. I fear based on past visits that the dark covers the fact that the floors and often the tables are not kept consistently clean.

Not every experience here is going to be bad, but even when it's not bad, it never is good enough to be a place that I'd recommend unless you're in a pinch for a place to eat before a Blue Jackets game. Just keep in mind there is a reason it's usually much less crowded than many of the other nearby bars at game time.

Whenever I go to Arena District i usually start at Garage Bar. This area is mostly filled with Frat "Bro" guys, but don't let that deter you away, this bar is a good time.Service is typically good even on busy nights. Plenty of seating with a LONG bar counter and tables around plus a patio area with even more. Music wise, they usually have satellite radio playing, but on occasion will have a DJ. Whichever the case you'll be hearing all your top 40 favorites. There is a small dance floor that hardly ever gets used close to the bathrooms. Parking can be a hassle even though there is a lot directly across from the bar ($5) i'd recommend just parking in the garage down by Mynt and hoofing it.