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Ace of Cups
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Nightlife Bars Lounges Music Venues, Lounges [Edit]
2619 N High StColumbus, OH 43202
Neighborhood: University District
(614) 262-6001
- Hours:
Tue-Sun 4 pm - 1 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- DJ, Background, Karaoke, Live
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
15 reviews for Ace of Cups
15 reviews in English
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Review from Steve K.
Columbus, OH
2/11/2012
This club has been open 6+ months, in the process of honing their groove but I already enjoy it thoroughly. Most all of the minor issues mentioned during the first weeks of its opening in the prominently negative early reviews have been addressed; stage, lighting, variety of beers, karma, etc. Staff is consistenly efficient, pleasant and if they're not too busy, also friendly and very funny. Also, the club itself seems to be alienating exactly the same people I want to avoid anyway. A bonus is that they have considerable actual parking as well - in contrast to the fictional parking that often exists in the Short North. Perhaps the biggest plus is overall attitude, as unlike say, some other bars in the area, where even the doormen act like celebrities, the folks at AoC actually seem to LIKE their jobs.
Food is considerably above-par bar fare, leaning to the healthier side of things like cold wraps and such - but somewhat limited in scope for now. Beware, however that the "Pot Roast Nachos" is delicious and addictive to any carnivore (Sundays only). Beer selection is good for a new club. Higher-end (for me) Bitburger is as cheap as a PBR. Praise the German Beer Gods. So, for a club that is finding its niche, they are well on their way. Good variety of booking, excellent sound & sound-guy and don't worry - even if you can't stand the band on that night (it happens), you can always get one more beer and chat with friends in the semi-sheltered back porch before pulling up the collar and heading home. Ace of Cups, glad you're making it. -
Review from Steve F.
Hilliard, OH
4/17/2012
Ray Ray's Hog Pit moving to the Ace of Cups parking lot end of April. You will then see me there alot!
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Review from Mindy W.
8/26/2011 ROTD 1/30/2012
Let's see...
Beer? Check
Liquor? Check
Patio? Check
Awesome bartenders? Check
If it ain't Baroque, don't fix it! Get it? No? You will once you go inside....although it's probably more Gothic than it is baroque... I digress. It's nice and dark the way a bar should be. It's in my 'hood, and it's not full of students or creepy old dudes. My heart will always belong to O'Reilly's, but when a change of scenery is needed without leaving Clintonville, this place will be on the list!
Edit: I guess I should clarify and say that this technically isn't Clintonville. By my standards, it is close enough. I apologize if this is offensive to anyone. -
Review from Luke T.
7/31/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Preface: Be aware that most of my concerns below will be addressed before long. The club has potential.
Okay, so Ace of Cups JUST opened, so there is room for improvement, and I'll give it another go when the time is right, but my first impressions were not good.
1) The lighting is terrible. No, you don't want it to be super bright in a venue, but I could barely see to move around. I couldn't see where the bar was until I was right on top of it.
2) Only two draft beers. =(
3) The poorly lit patio is also a bit of a mess. There is a concrete step down and up to get in the patio, and with the lack of lighting, it's a safety hazard. Even if they put up lights, they should consider blowing out the step and making a ramp. Someone will get hurt here. There are also poorly placed bucket-sized ashtrays littering the ground. I tripped on one, and saw several others do the same.
4) the "stage" is right inside the front doors. Bad placement. Get a good look right when you walk in. This is the best view of the acts and you won't see them again because...
5) ...there is NO stage. There is a corner of the bar with music equipment where bands perform to the ten people with a view. This is a large space. Not having a stage is not a permanently viable option (and I've since learned a stage is in the works). No stage works for house shows. It does not work for midsize venues. Even Bernie's has a stage (albeit a two-inch one)!
6) That name...egad, why? I can think of nary a worse venue name. You can't help but think of Ace of Cakes when you hear it. So of course, the first thing you think is "Ace of Cups, hmm, must make and sell cupcakes." Nope. Music venue. And when everything is served in a can or bottle, isn't the name somewhat misleading and inaccurate?
7) Location. I have to agree with detractors on donewating, columbusunderground, etc, who question the need of another midsize venue in Columbus PERIOD, let alone across the street from KOBO and a block south of Ravari Room. This doesn't preclude it from being successful. I imagine it will cater to a different scene than Ravari, and KOBO's layout is even worse for shows.
On the plus side, the alcohol dry storage is the old bank vault. That's pretty sweet! The bathrooms were pretty sizable, although I only recall there being one sink. They are keeping with the Surly tradition (Surly co-owner Marcy May is behind the biz) by offering cool cocktails. Last night they were featuring a basil or lavender lemonade for just $3. I went with the basil. To my surprise, they were using Simply Lemonade as the mix. Fantastic!!! I'd come back for a $3 cocktail that delicious. Just not if there were a show going on...(until the stage is built, anyway). -
Review from Melanie B.
Brooklyn, NY
8/11/2011 2 Check-ins Here
LOL Some of us don't have TVs and had to look up your "Ace of Cakes" reference, Luke. Some of us are rockers and think immediately of "Ace of Spaces" by Motorhead, instead of some silly show about cake decorating. And lastly, I'm pretty sure the bar's name references the tarot card...ace of cups. Just to set the record straight. \m/
Anyway, Luke T., I love you so dearly but I've got to disagree with most of your main points. Ace of Cups is a rock bar, and doesn't necessarily cater to the draught beer crowd yet. You know it's owned by Marcy Mays of Scrawl, yeah? *swoon* I loved it when I was there, because it is a low key, dark, shadowy, sultry place in which to consume cheap beer and whiskey shots while listening to amazing DJ sets (such as the dark 80s night on Sundays) and live music (like the Ex-Whites and Scrawl).
Anyway, Ace of Cups recently opened and I know they're working on the patio and building the stage. It can only get better from here. Also, the location might help my old neighborhood (South Clintonville/North Campus) become more dynamic in the ways that Campus/Short North used to be back in the day. Think, Staches or Little Brothers of yore, and then remember how that's sooo missing from the Cbus music scene - and so very missed. Ace of Cups works to fill that void.
I'm all for Ace of Cups and wish I was still in the 'bus to enjoy the amazing rock club that has been summoned forth by one of Columbus's most beloved lady rockers - and the plethora of other folks who have made this happen. *jealous*Listed in: You Shook Me All Night Long, Fck Yeah Columbus!!
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Review from Susan R.
8/26/2011
Ace of Cups will probably never be "my" bar--not only because I don't live in the neighborhood, but because I just didn't get down with the vibe. I didn't have any major-major issues, but I did have a few issues:
1) the flow of the bar kind of weirds me out. I feel like the actual bar is in the wrong place and it feels awkward to me. I can't imagine going to see a show here. It felt.. unfinished. Perhaps it was unfinished.
2) The bartender was nice enough but spent a lot of time talking, occasionally disappearing, and wasn't extremely attentive when I was empty (and I was sitting at the bar trying to get her attention, trying to make eye contact, empty glass pushed to the edge of the bar to signal that it's time for another round). It wasn't extremely busy--certainly not packed--so I wasn't sure why it was so hard to get her attention. When I asked about wine, I got wine out of a box that she ordered but didn't know anything about--it was okay, I guess. I probably shouldn't have ordered it since she didn't really know anything about it, but I'm brave when I've had a couple of cocktails.
3) Um. The chip situation kind of grossed me out. I appreciate free bar snacks as much as the next person, but I watched the bartender (and the other people wandering behind the bar--employees? friends of employees/owners?) combine bowls of chips that many people had their hands all over and put it back on the bar. Even if I weren't ServSafe certified, I think that would still wig me out.
Still, I can think of far worse places to spend money. The bar definitely has potential to be a chill rock-and-roll bar; I would be more than willing to deal with the awkwardly-angled bar if the service was a little more prompt and the food situation weren't quite so ... casual. My drinks were pretty good (save the mystery wine), the service was friendly, and my bar tab was completely reasonable. Overall, I approve. -
Review from Jen B.
Columbus, OH
10/26/2011
Great sound, great location, amazing owner, hard-working and friendly staff, great draft selection, house-infused vodkas and simple syrups!!
They also have amazing boxed wine-Vina Borgia (garnacha) and Petite Frog (Picpoul)
$1 Pb & J? Shut up! Ping pong, whaaat?!
21-100 is the age group & leave your crappy attitude at the door!
xoxo -
Review from Jenny M.
Columbus, OH
1/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
Keep in mind I have only been here on Tuesday during the early evening and for a free event that was called Boris Karloff's birthday eve. I had a great time watching classic Boris Karloff movies for free. They have a limited, let me emphasize very limited menu and the food was nothing to get excited about. However I got a PBand J complete with a side of Cheetos for a buck so really no sense in being mad that it was not gourmet. The bartender was also the server and cook and still he managed to keep up pretty well. They have a neat slection of lemonades (ginger, cucumber, lavander) which can and should be mixed with alcahol that were absolutely delicious. Also offers hot spiced cider (awesome in the winter and can also be mixed with alcahol) limited draft choices and a cute gothy ambiance. I enjoyed!
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Review from Erica P.
12/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
Herbal infused vodka?!! WHAAT! Came here during the day for a craft fair and will be keeping an eye out for other events. A nice space and they serve warm refreshments too. Yes please.
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Review from m. m.
Philadelphia, PA
2/19/2012
Was here for the Donewaiting anniversary show and I'd rate this place about 3.5 stars if there was a half a star option. It's got almost everything a rock bar needs. Stage? Check. Awesome looking old bar? Check. Beer menu including some microbrew/ local stuff for me and some cheap specials for my frugal friends? Check. Reasonably ample (if not terribly comfortable) stools, and a staff that doesn't carp if you move a bar stool for a better view of the show? Check. Parking lot of its own? Check. Big back patio with a roof over it for pals who smoke? Check. About the only thing this place does not have is a decent bathroom - only two stalls in the ladies and it's teensy to boot, does not work well for a crowded show. There's a neat old-fashioned loft in this building overlooking the bar area - would be great if they opened that so you could view the band from up there or just go up there and lounge, but alas it was all closed and curtained off. An okay rock bar, I'd go again.
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Review from Lisa R.
Columbus, OH
10/10/2011
Here's what I like about Ace of Cups: the clientele isn't necessarily niche-driven and the age range of bar-goers is WIDE. Personally, I like those two elements in a bar. True, it's unfinished (and there is reason for that) but what's on tap and on the cocktail menu is great. It's easy to chill out...perhaps run into someone you know and definitely see a few faces that you don't. Low key. Ping Pong table. Great for nights without an agenda: walk in for the infused vodka/lemonade drinks...stay for a band...go home happy.
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Review from Lyndsey M.
Columbus, OH
8/7/2011
Hey there, Saturday night! Yes, yes, I am looking for a low key bar to check out to escape the masses at Gallery Hop.
What's that? A new bar in town? Ok, I'm in!
So goes my internal workings when thinking of places to go. Or something like it. Anyways. A friend of mine wanted to meet up for drinks, so I suggested we check out Ace of Cups. I'd heard zero reviews, but the tweets/fb posts seemed good, so why not? I am so glad we took a chance on the bar! It's not perfect, but there is oodles of potential and it made me feel right at home. First, the decoration is sparse, but I hear that's because it's not totally done. Second, it is dark. I mean, barely see your feet dark. Since it was still light outside, we went to the patio, which while big, is also pretty sparse. Ah well. Any complaints to be had were done when I took a sip of the house infused vodkas. I had the lavender first, and basil second. The basil was the hands down winner for me. So good. So cheap. Really. When I closed out a few hours later (3 drinks total), my tab was....$9. Amazing. There are now 4 draft beers, and more to come, as they have the ability to have about 15 set up. The bottle selection is pretty good.
Outside of the excellent tab, and proximity to the North Campus Late Night Slice, my favorite thing about the bar was the crowd. It skewed a bit older than the typical campus crowd (late 20's/early 30's), and was so unbelievably friendly. We made friends with the woman sitting beside us, chatted with the guys to the right, conversed with people as they came to order drinks at the bar. It felt like I'd been there 100 times before (I mean that in the nicest way)! I can't wait to go back, and am glad I live far enough away that I can't make weekly, or nightly, stops because it feels exactly like that kind of bar. I'm really psyched to see how it develops, and to catch a show there soon! -
Review from Timothy D.
Columbus, OH
10/14/2011
I have only venture to this venue once and that was enough. I like my dark and seedy bars but I also like to see where I am walking. As for the bartender the night I was there, he seemed like a little college kid that was doing the "hipster" thing. As for every body comparing this to Little Brothers or Stashes it isn't even close. It has a long way to go before it can call itself a mid size venue.
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Review from Keith M.
Columbus, OH
8/12/2011 ROTD 8/26/2011
This is what you were wishing was here instead of Miani's/Sloopy's and it actually came true. There's no need to hesitate; Ace of Cups is the exact opposite of its former incarnations. The clientele is douchebag-free, meaning all those obnoxious, brainless OSU students just lost their northernmost outpost and will have to make due with Little Bar, Tipsy and BW3 which are all thankfully way down near Lane Ave where they belong. Ace of Cups is dimly lit and awash in wood:a nice wooden bar and hardwood floors. The draught selection is small for the time being, but I can't complain too much when Bell's Two Hearted and Stella is on tap, The bottle/can selection includes that famous, magical Milwaukee PO BOX responsible for PBR, Old Style, and Stroh's along with higher end offerings like Duvel. They even have healthy bar food here including veggie hummus wraps and chicken salad sandwiches while boasting basil/lavender infused vodka lemonade for what little is left of summer (where did that go?). Add in the fact that this high-ceiling establishment is also a live music venue and I think I just found my favorite spot in Old North Columbus.
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Review from James H.
Columbus, OH
9/19/2011
Only one credit card machine = disaster when the bar closes. It took me half an hour to get my tab. I like the bar, in general: ambiance is fun, size is solid. But they've got to get that fixed. Pretty unacceptable. Anyone know if this has been corrected yet? Otherwise, bring cash.
