Restaurants Near Nationwide Arena
A guide to the bars and restaurants near Nationwide Arena, home of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Columbus, Ohio is a major league city with a magnificent sports venue just outside the downtown area. Nationwide Arena is home to the National Hockey League Columbus Blue Jackets, the Columbus Destroyers Arena Football League team, and other major events throughout the year.
The area around the Arena has developed along with the team and facility. The Arena District, as it is known, has many great restaurants and bars for fans to enjoy before or after the game or event.
Nationwide Arena is located a few minutes from downtown Columbus. From Interstate 71, exit Spring Street, or take I-670 to the Neil Avenue exit. Parking is available in garages in the area for events. .
Restaurants in the Arena District
Ohio State University is located in Columbus, and the fans are loyal and vocal supporters of their home teams. In the restaurants and bars of the Arena District, the emphasis is on fun, with casual food and reasonable prices.
Many restaurants are located in the Plaza, which is adjacent to the Arena. Frog Beer and Wild Bear Bar have an extensive sandwich menu, along with salads. O’Shaughnessy’s Public House has an Irish flavor and a large patio.
Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant has microbrews and a full menu, which you can enjoy on their patio on warm days and nights, or inside the large restaurant. Cotter’s offers casual fine cuisine and is located inside the Arena, with access on the west side of the building.
For a quick bite or a beverage without alcohol, the plaza has Mega Wraps, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and a Starbucks.
Across Nationwide Avenue is Ted’s Montana Grill, which features steaks of beef and bison and much more. Within easy walking distance are several other restaurants, including BD’s Mongolian Barbeque, where you can “create your own stir-fry” and Buca Di Beppo, with Italian favorites, family-style, in a casual atmosphere.
For an early event, you can also choose The Rise and Dine Restaurant and Darz Breakfast and Lunch The R Bar is a sports-themed bar, tucked away in the corner just across the street from Nationwide Arena on Ludlow.
Restaurants within Walking Distance to the Arena District
A block north of the plaza, off Vine Street, is another area of restaurants, which includes Brothers, with a large patio, outdoor bar and half-price happy hour drink specials, and Gaswerks, which touts great drinks and lousy service. You can believe what they say about the drinks.
A few blocks east, across from the convention center, but, within walking distance, are neighborhood favorite Max & Erma’s, Damon’s: The Place for Ribs, and the Flat Iron Bar and Grill.
Before and after the game, you have many great choices for good food and great fun around Nationwide Arena in Columbus.