The legendary Char Bar is swinging its doors open again on April 3, and if that isn’t a reason to celebrate, I don’t know what is.
For those who might not know (seriously, where have you been?), Char Bar has been a downtown staple for 63 years. It’s the kind of no-frills, all-vibes watering hole that has seen generations of Columbus drinkers through first legal beers, post-shift unwinds, and “just one more” nights that turned into morning. And speaking of first legal drinks—I had mine at Char Bar, back in… well, let’s not get into specifics.
But last September, Char Bar’s streak of good times hit a major roadblock.
A car crashed into the entrance, forcing the bar to close indefinitely. It was a gut punch to regulars and staff alike, but Columbus did what Columbus does best: rallying together. A GoFundMe raised over $12,000 to support Char Bar’s 10 bartenders and barbacks, and now, months later, they’re all coming back to reclaim their rightful place behind the bar.
The road to reopening wasn’t exactly smooth.
The Char Bar team kept us updated on Instagram, first with gratitude that no one was hurt, then with news that damage assessments would take at least a month. By January, they had the permits in hand and were just waiting on insurance and construction approvals. Now, seven months after the crash, it’s finally time to raise a glass (or a shot, or a pitcher) to their return.
So, mark your calendar for April 3, and come thirsty—Char Bar will be back in action from 3 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. If you’ve never been, now’s your chance to experience one of Columbus’ most beloved bars. And if you’re a longtime regular, well, you know exactly where to be.
Welcome back, Char Bar. We’ve missed you.
