A stretch of E. Lafayette Street has gotten a summer makeover.
Now through the end of July, the block between Pins Mechanical Co. and Jackie O’s on Fourth is home to Lafayette Lounge, a new pop-up park featuring outdoor seating, local art, yard games, live music, and weekly events designed to get people hanging out Downtown.
The temporary gathering space officially opened on June 4 and will stick around through the end of July. The concept is simple: grab a drink from one of the nearby participating bars, find a seat, and enjoy a little extra summer in the middle of Downtown.
The lounge is part of the Center City DORA (Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area), which means visitors 21 and older can purchase beverages from participating businesses and enjoy them outdoors within the designated district. With spots like Pins, Jackie O’s, Cure Coffee and Cocktails, and Wolf’s Ridge Brewing all nearby, finding something to sip while you relax shouldn’t be difficult.
Throughout the summer, the space will host weekly Lafayette Lounge Nights, turning Thursdays into the unofficial start of the weekend. The programming includes themed trivia nights, a silent disco, and a Name That Tune competition.
Upcoming events include:
- June 11: Silent Disco
- June 18: Sex and the City Trivia
- June 25: Name That Tune
- July 2: ’90s Trivia
- July 9: Classic Trivia
- July 16: Friends Trivia
- July 23: Classic Trivia
- July 30: Columbus-Themed Trivia
If trivia isn’t your thing, there’s still plenty of reason to stop by. The space features casual seating areas, public art installations, acoustic musicians, DJs, and lawn games, making it an easy spot to meet up with friends before dinner, take a break during a Downtown stroll, or enjoy a summer evening without committing to a packed patio.
And unlike many seasonal events, Lafayette Lounge is open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., so it works just as well for a morning coffee break as it does for an after-work drink.
Pop-up parks have become a popular way for cities to activate underused spaces, and Lafayette Lounge feels like a natural fit for Downtown Columbus. It’s walkable, surrounded by local businesses, and gives people another reason to spend time exploring the North Fourth Street corridor.
The Lafayette Lounge is located at 150 E. Lafayette St. and will remain open through July 31. Admission is free. For more info, head over to downtowncolumbus.com/lafayette-lounge.
