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The Elevator Brewery and Draught Haus
Categories: Food Breweries Restaurants American (Traditional) Breweries, American (Traditional) [Edit]
161 N High StColumbus, OH 43215
Neighborhood: Downtown
(614) 228-0500
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 11 am - 11 pm
Fri 11 am - 2 am
Sat 5 pm - 2 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy, Trendy, Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
85 reviews for The Elevator Brewery and Draught Haus
Review Highlights
"Most of it is older stained glass and wooden fixtures."
(in 12 reviews)
"Working on my MBA, that's masters of beer appreciation."
(in 5 reviews)
"...into carnage you must order the tender "Rock Filet" steak."
(in 6 reviews)
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85 reviews in English
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Review from Gary R.
2/4/2012
Elevator is located in downtown Columbus, Ohio in the historic Columbia building (built in 1897). Originally this was a gentleman's saloon that distilled whiskey on the second floor.
The architecture and ambience here is very unique. It's as if this place was trapped in time with a beautiful bar, mosaic tile floor, stained glass and phenomenal woodwork, ceilings and lighting. The back-bar won the blue ribbon for craftsmanship at the 1893 World Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
Elevator has captured the essence of the era, but blends in contemporary beers, food and style.
There are several handcrafted brew options here. I have tried the "Three Frog's" IPA and the "Heiferweizen" Wheat Beer. Both were very well crafted. The Three Frog's was loaded with hops and balanced well. There is a nice citrus aftertaste. The Heiferweizen was a nice American style hefeweizen. It wasn't too heavy like some of the unfiltered versions out there today.
Overall I appreciate the atmosphere and food you get here with a great beer. -
Review from Becca S.
1/27/2012 1 Check-in Here
I just don't get it... what is so great about this place? Yea it was fine I guess... but overall, I'm not itching to return. The beer is good and the interior is interesting. That's about where it ends. The food... no. The pulled pork sandwich was disgusting. Yes, actually disgusting. I didn't even finish half of it. It was literally just a pile of "unidentified" mush on a bun. My friend got some sandwich, I don't remember which one it was but it looked uninteresting and apparently tasted mediocre as well. We sat at the bar and the bartenders were... honestly... assholes. I don't know if they slept through that part of bartending class where you should probably build a rapport with someone before immediately jumping to your condescending, smart-ass attitude, which I assume was meant to be "funny" or "sarcastic"? Not sure. I'm about as sarcastic as they come, but something about both of these guys rubbed me the wrong way. Overall, not polite and if I were someone easily offended, some of their comments could have come off as downright disrespectful.
So, really, 2.5 stars is where it should lie. Based solely on beer selections and the look of the place as the only positives. Service and food? Those are huge negatives.Listed in: 100 in 2012
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Review from Katie C.
12/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been wanting to come here for soooooo long, so there were some high expectations to live up to and Elevator didn't let me down!
I don't even know what to start with because I was excited about everything so I'll just go in order.
You walk in, and the building is flippin' awesome. It is in an old gentleman's billiards club and it still looks like that and even still has a pool table in the back. The bar is historic or something and looks ballin' and a lot of the art is of the building in all its former gentlemen's club glory.
The beers! Oh the beers. We both got 6 beer flights, and we built our own because we wanted to pick each and every one (I don't know if this is a real thing they offer, but it was real when I ordered it!) I got the Xtra, Mogabi, Bear Ass, Procrastinator, Yule Lager and Winter Warmer. I could tell that Elevator definitely is more into their darker beers than their lighter beers, but I still really liked the Mogabi. The Procrastinator is really a phenomenal doppelboch. One of my faves for sure. The Yule Lager and Winter Warmer are very similar, but you can really taste the spices more in the WW.
We started with the calamari. I was a little nervous at first because it sounded like it was going to be pretty spicy, but it wasn't. It was the perfect amount of spicy and sweet and delicious.
For my dinner, I had the Crab Stuffed Scallops. It was just the bomb. The sauce complemented the scallops and the risotto perfectly and it was a lot of food too. I for sure had a take-out box at the end of dinner. My main squeeze had the Surf n Turf Rock, which was super cool. They bring out a REALLY hot rock and all your meat and seafood raw and you cook it yourself on the rock. The trick is to slice your meat into thinner pieces so that you can cook it all faster. I will definitely order the Rock next time I go here because it was so nifty!
Our server was pretty good, at first I thought he was kind of a jerk because he kept walking away before we were done talking to him, but it turns out he just thought we were done. He doesn't do the whole asking is there anything else before he leaves, he just leaves. He was still knowledgeable about everything and I was so pumped that he didn't even phase my experience. -
Review from Chicago Vegan M.
Glenview, IL
2/9/2012
Really good beer. Attentive and snarky (in a good way) waitstaff. Diverse menu that offers interesting veggie/vegan options. The space has a cool history and amazing wood bar. Overall great find in downtown Columbus.
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Review from Andrew M.
Haverhill, MA
1/27/2012
Was staying in Columbus for business and asked hotel guest services for a recommendation for beer/burger. This was their number one choice, and I was very happy with the recommendation.
Not sure of the history of the building, but very appealing look to it. Like stepping back in time. The craft beers were fantastic. I highly recommend the IPA (don't remember their name for it). Very hoppy! Burger was above average for a brew-house.
The crowd was lighter than I would have expected on a Thursday afternoon, but everyone in there was in good spirits.
If you like craft/micro brew type places, you will walk out happy. -
Review from Michael D.
Santa Cruz, CA
1/23/2012
A great place for good beers but not so much for the food.
I tried the dark horse lager and the IPA and they were both well crafted and very tasty.
For my dinner I had the beef barley soup which was pretty good but I was quite disappointed in the beef short rib. It was tough and lacked flavor, however the risotto it came with was the saving grace of the dish.
I sat at the bar and the bartender was attentive and offered to bring me a different dish after asking me if I liked the short rib (I declined since it wasn't horrible, just below expectations).
Overall, I would definitely come back for the beer but probably not for dinner. -
Review from Brad B.
12/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
I dunno about this place.
The highs: I tried one of their house brewed IPA's and it was good. The steak I ordered was properly cooked. The staff was friendly.
The meh's: the overall vibe of the place is kinda off to me, yeah, historic building, sure. fine. got it.
The lows: nothing really impressed me. everything was just 'okay' but, the prices were high for such an uninspired experience.
so if you like TGI Fridays or other such places, you'll prolly rave about this place. If you expect something interesting when you plunk down $60 of your dollars (for one person) then you'll prolly feel the same way I do. -
Review from Maura B.
Groveport, OH
1/20/2012
Every so often, I go into The Elevator Brewery and Draught House to have a drink with my dad. Every time that I do, the atmosphere as well as the staff are lovely. Even when things are busy and hectic, I always find my needs and wants met.
Their range of beers are absolutely wonderful. I personally enjoy the Dopplebach, myself.
I always find it comfortable to sit at the bar or at one of the tables. But bar if preferred. -
Review from Danielle F.
Columbus, OH
9/19/2011
I went to the Elevator for dinner last week on a whim after the restaurant we tried to go to surprised us by being closed. How lucky for me! I can't imagine the first restaurant topping Elevator.
The waitstaff was very pleasant and friendly. The menu surprised me - everything was priced about $10 cheaper than the description looked like it would merit. I got the rock steak filet with mashed potatos and the house salad, my friend got the same entree with a wedge salad, and my sister got a chicken entree.
All of us were, to say the least, pleased. The filet was 7-oz and came out on a 500 degree rock that cooked as we ate, so every bite was just as well-done (in my case, incredibly rare!) as I liked it. The filet was excellent, and considering its sized, I was very surprised it was only $27. The mashed potatoes on the side were perfect, and some how very light, which was perfect - it's always agony to try to force down those last bites of heavy mashed potatoes after a perfect steak. The steak also came with three dipping sauces - a ale-based gravy, a peppercorn sauce, and a Bernaise - I only loved the Bernaise.
My friend got the monthly beer, and was very impressed. My sister also greatly enjoyed her chicken dish (I tried it, but I don't remember it much - as good as chicken can be, it's never going to be memorable after an excellent steak).
The decor was a lot of nice furniture and dark woods. As I walked out, I felt like I was walking through one of few places in Columbus that make Columbus feel like it has character. The menu is sophisticated, and the food is excellent - but the waitstaff is dressed down, and the prices could be considerably higher and still seem reasonable for the food and atmosphere. An excellent experience - one that will always be at the top of my lists to share with guests to Columbus (and generally anyone who appreciates good food!). -
Review from T B.
Columbus, OH
12/31/2011
The food is good, but I haven't been here in awhile. I popped in for an IPA and got a fresh one. It's by far the best beer they have ever made.
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Review from Jon P.
Oakland, NJ
10/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
I visited The Elevator while visiting Columbus on business for diner. Architecturally speaking the place looks like a dump from across the street. Only until you approach the front facade do you see the intricacy of the stained glass that adorns the entire front of the establishment, a billiards hall for the early 1900's.
Opening the front door yields an extremely deep room so give your hostess a little grace because she literally has to walk a few miles each night just to seat all of the parties. Walk it just to see the lone pool table at the very back of the place.
Unfortunately since I had traveled all day I really wasn't in the mood for anything to drink which is just about blasphemous in such a place. What's my penance?
I've only been here once and it may be a long time before I'm in Columbus again but it looks like the chef here takes pride in preparing a menu to reflect seasonal specialties and produce. My smoked pork chop was juicy and deliciously prepared and the squash puree was a great compliment. The mixed veggies I thought were junk in comparison to the rest of the meal but I have never gone out to eat with the goal of finding the zenith side of mixed veggies but they might want to work on that. Not that it was bad, I did everything but lick the plate to get all of the maple drizzle left over.
If it were local for me I'd likely be a regular and if you're local I wouldn't blame you. Enjoy it. -
Review from Liz R.
7/14/2011
Large, bustling restaurant - our 8pm reservation Saturday was not necessary, but the place was still relatively packed. Upscale casual place. $5 valet at the southwest corner of Spring and High.
We started with Calamari and Corn Brat apps and split a six beer sampler. The apps were amazing, and we would highly recommend both - the first was sweet and spicy, and the second was...well.. brat pieces in corn batter with mustard dip (who wouldn't love that?). All beers in the sampler were surprisingly good, and we particularly enjoyed the Pale Ale and Mogabi.
Next up, entrees. Rock Filet for Ken (similar to Steak on a Stone concept, but imagine a less flavorful filet and a less hot stone) and Crab Cakes for me. I'd orginally ordered the Sun Fish entree, but our waiter came back (after 20 minutes) to tell me they were out... after he'd talked it up like it was the best dish ever. Both entrees were disappointing, especially after the fabulous apps, not to mention pretty pricey.
If I found myself at Elevator again I would only order beer and apps.Listed in: Columbus Vacation - July 2011
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Review from Kitrina S.
Columbus, OH
7/12/2011
Great local brewery! In my opinion, second only to Barley's in terms of beer quality. The Elevator has a great happy hour with $4.50 beers and half price apps, and the interior is historic and very pretty. Great staff, nice patio, overall good ambiance!
I also completed the Elevator's MBA (Master of Beer Appreciation) program, and now have my oversized mug to take with me when I go.
The only negative is that the women's bathroom is down a fairly slippery and treacherous set of stairs. I'm curious how many people have fallen down them. -
Review from Zack R.
8/22/2011
The brews are pretty decent. I had the extra, and tried one of the darker beers (porter maybe?). We sat outside on a Friday night. The staff was pretty much ready to close down the patio. Every time someone would get up, they'd be right there tearing down the umbrellas, and making it as uninviting as possible. The bartenders were friendly though, and the place is clearly ancient, which is very cool.
Update: One thing I might add is that the bar stools are extremely uncomfortable. My wife and I and a friend of ours could only stay for one drink before we were in so much pain we had to leave. We would have stayed for 2 or 3 more drinks each otherwise. -
Review from Ying Y.
Chicago, IL
8/24/2011
Came here in a group of 6. Waiter was a bit slow in coming to check on us and didn't write down our orders when he took them, so I was a bit worried.
Turned out it wasn't necessary. He got all of our orders correct and remembered who ordered what when serving the dishes. He was also very pleasant and friendly.
The food was also pretty good. I had the casaer salad and shrimp, scallops and grits. The casaer was surprisingly good and not over dressed in sauce. The croutons kind of sucked - stale and chewy but I just avoided them. The shrimp and grits were also really good. I think the shrimp and scallops where a tiny bit too spicy which took away from the sweetness of the seafood but it was still really good and the seafood was perfectly cooked.
Overall, I would come back and try their beer. The food is reasonably priced and executed well and the service is good! -
Review from M C.
Columbus, OH
11/27/2011
This is a fun place to hit at the beginning of your night when it matters most that your drink be tasty and fun! A bit pricy, but the atmosphere is nice and it's just a short taxi drive away from the short north (walkable in summer).
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Review from Sammy T.
7/12/2011
Great food!
I love their cheesey mashed potatoes and the beer selection is wonderful. Last time I went Kal Pen from the Harold and Kumar movies was seated next to us.
It's beautiful inside and a great place to eat at, for a variety of occasions. -
Review from Jessica H.
Columbus, OH
I LOVE the Elevator. It brings me up when I'm feelin' down.
An ex-brothel and billiard hall, there's still antique pool tables in the back. This place has charm, class and character. And possibly some of the finest craft brews in town.
The food is top-notch if you select wisely...if I ate meat, I'd eat the steak that comes out still cooking on its hot slab of marble and branded with the Elevator "e" logo. But I don't, so I stick to tweaking menu items.
But that's not what you come here for kids, it's the craft brews. Really, really amazing, madly-skilled brewers who are a helluva lot of fun make it in their newer brewing location on 4th street.
For basics, try the Dark Horse and Mogabi. And then try anything else, especially the seasonal beer of the month. And especially during happy hour.
Craving the brew on your side of town, at your favorite watering hole? Ask the bartenders/owners to carry Elevator beer... they come in bottles now, so that they may more easily come to you.
Schmidt's always carries Elevator's Oktoberfest on tap. Village Idiot has the brews in bottles. Elevator goodness is 'going up' all over the place.
Make sure they are in your building.Listed in: Unsuspected great 'Za, that's…, Cater to me, baby!
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Review from Eric L.
Newark, OH
4/20/2011
Admittedly, this review is a little late as my birthday was in January but I felt this trip merited a review:
As part of their desire to placate me ever since my parents' divorce, my father and stepmother take me out to a "fancy" restaurant every year for my birthday. Weighing my options between Spagio and THE ELEVATOR , (and cursing the fact that Rosendale's has closed and my chef-friend Danny couldn't score me a primo seat backstage at the Refectory) I chose the latter because I'd never been there.
Located on High Street near the Arena District, the Elevator has good food, great ambiance, and "eh...mediocre service"
Walking in, we were escorted toward the back of the restaurant. Normally I would be irked by being relegated to the back of the establishment but wasn't really bothered this time because a.) it was freaking cold Monday night and b.) the back of the Elevator has great decor: a stained glass window (1 of 2 of in the joint), a large painting that made me think of a prohibition-esque speakeasy, and two pool tables dating back to the late-19th century.
After taking in the view, we were greeted by our waiter, Chimchi (sort for Chimichanga I presumed), who was an amicable fellow whose speech was sadly nigh-impossible to decipher due to his prolific use of slang and volume button that didn't really go above a 3.
Nonetheless, we all managed to order our dinners post haste.
My fiancee ("R") ordered the Malt Pomegranate Salmon: Grilled Atlantic salmon brushed with malt pomegranate extract, served over Israeli couscous, with spinach, sundried tomatoes, and parmesan. "R" forgot that Israeli couscous is bigger-grained that what we typically dine on in the States (it is also a little less firm/grainy) and wasn't as fond of it as she though she would be. She did, however, rave over the pomegranate glaze used on the chicken. I myself was impressed with the presentation.
My father, being health conscious (because it seems trendy) opted for the Wedge Salad. Yes, it sounds simple, and yes, it is. But there's always something to be said for simplicity. In this case, dad's wedge of lettuce is topped with bacon, tomatoes, red onions, and a creamy Roquefort dressing. Jane--my stepmother--and I also opted for some soup with our meals; she the French Onion Soup and I the Sweet Potato bisque.
The Elevator's French Onion soup turned me off (mainly because I'm a french Onion purist) but Jane seemed to enjoy their take on it: using a sweeter variety of bread and a Gruyere cheese instead of the typical French Bread. My sweet potato Bisque was very smooth, and the cranberries and walnuts with which it was topped provided a
complementary, yet not overpowering, flavor.
For an entree, Jane opted for the Almond Crusted Chicken Salad: (I know, a salad?!) Boneless breasts of chicken rolled in almonds and panko, lightly fried, served over mixed greens, bacon, white cheddar and apples, with a maple-shallot vinaigrette and honey mustard drizzle.
Deciding to be a tad more adventurous, I opted for the "Rock Filet," a 7oz portion of center-cut Ahi Tuna served with 3 dipping sauces and served alongside a Finnish Tulikivi stone heated to 450deg. The idea is that you are then able to slice off as big--or little--a chunk of Tuna as you like, and then sear it or cook it to your desired doneness. Though, my first few cuts of the fish were a tad gristly, once I progressed into the main part of the tuna, the quality was superb and the flavor was excellent.
Of the 3 sauces, I enjoyed the Hoisin sauce and the Wasabi Honey & Ginger Sauce, but could have done without the mango salsa sauce that didn't really add anything to the dish aside from a somewhat awkward mouth feel.
Going last, Dad chose the cliche platter of Fish & Chips; which he said were excellent, but which I thought were plated and presented to look like fried chicken with fries.
Overalll, I give the food and service at The Elevator a B+. It's not in my top 5 restaurants to frequent in the Columbus area, but it's certainly worth checking out if you're in the mood for moderately upscale dining without having to get dressed up. As a parting note(s), the Elevator is also known for their in-house microbrews, of which I didn't get to partake, so I recommend plopping down a few bucks and your fanny at the bar in order to try that (the Dopplebock and the Bleeding Buckeye being options that jumped out at me). The Elevator also has parking options directly past the restaurant, so don't spend more money than you have to by parking at Nationwide. -
Review from David E.
Columbus, OH
Updated - 7/18/2011
I probably stop at this place once a week on my way home from nationwide...never lets me down.
I don't mess with a good thing too often, so my orders never change, but they don't need to when you have a cheap microbrew and ever better calamari, but i am a sucker for sriracha.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/12/2011
Love this place. Absurdly cheap beers during happy hour. Food portions are large for the price.… Read more »
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Review from James F.
Columbus, OH
4/17/2011
Wow! Not at all what I expected! I've been passing the Elevator while going to and from work for a couple years, and tonight the wife and I found ourselves downtown aimlessly and I suggested trying it. SO MUCH more than what I expected.
The Elevator is hip, welcoming, and interesting, with great food and excellent craft-brews! It was late and we were just doing appetizers, so I did the Spicy Tuna Tartar while my wife had the Crab and Artichoke dip. Both of us loved our food selections...mine was especially good with fresh tuna and greens and sriracha and wasabi as garnish, with cucumber to cleanse the palate. So awesome.
The interior is classic but modern all at once. I loved the bar and stained glass throughout the interior and the art was fun and matched the classic look of the fixtures, ceiling and such.
Service was good, prompt, and friendly, if a little curt. All in all, we'll be back for a full meal there and hopefully soon! -
Review from Sofia D.
Columbus, OH
10/28/2011
I visited The Elevator last night for the first time with 3 other friends. It was around 6:45pm on a Thursday night, and when we arrived we needed to wait around 15 to be seated since the Happy Hour time was almost over.
Our waitress was really polite and friendly. We ordered the risotto frites and they were delicious! I am glad I ordered an appetizer because we waited at least 20 minute for our entrees. I ordered the Syracuse linguine and thought it was pretty good, a little dry, so I took half of my plate home and ate it later.
We were offered dessert but declined since we were all full. Overall I would definitely go back again! -
Review from Alison H.
Lubbock, TX
3/30/2011
They have great beer here and their barley wine is delicious! I am sad that they do not have the barley wine year around. The first time I had it, we had the last glass and had to wait for months to get it again.
The apps are good too. -
Review from Sarah S.
Columbus, OH
10/27/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love Elevator's Bleeding Buckeye Red Ale. I attempted their MBA (Master's of Beer Appreciation; card punch if you get their specialty beer every month) last year but ran out of people to drag down to Elevator with me so I only made it about halfway. Had some interesting beer along the way though. Winter Warmer was good... pomegranate not so much. The food is good, even though the selection is pretty small and a bit pricey. Nice for a date/evening out but not exactly casual. Love the atmosphere, including the patio, and there's a pool table in the back if you can catch it open.
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Review from Harvey Y.
Millington, TN
2/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Yeah, yeah. They have good beer and their building is cool. They have some stained glass, and an ancient bar or something. That's cool. It's cool that you brew your own beer. Its cool that you inhabit and have refurbished a really old building. Your marble floors are cool, your big bar is cool and your fancy lights are cool.
What isn't cool is your crappy food, the amount of money you charge for it and the pretentiousness with which you serve it.
Do you remember me ordering the fish, with the potatoes and the asparagus? Do you remember serving me the tinniest possible portion of that same dish? That plate made the food look like one tiny, single ship in the middle of the atlantic ocean. Do you remember only giving me FOUR asparagus spears? FOUR!? Is it part of the entree or is it garnishment? You are walking a very thin and confusing line. When I was done? do you remember handing me a bill for over $20?? I know what you probably don't remember, you probably don't remember how hungry I still was when I finished that laughable dinner.
Elevator, you are crap. It would be so much better and far less insulting if you just let yourself be what you really are. You are a brewery. You have good beer, a cool building, uninspiring recipes and cooks you stole from Chili's. Your gig is up. You are not cool, you are not hip, you don't have anything particularly exciting to offer any diner (the steak on a hot rock...been done before)....you're a pub. Cut the crap, serve some $8 fish and chips, a pint of IPA and call it a day.
I will never go back to Elevator and I would question the intelligence of anyone who would. -
Review from Maia K.
Newport Beach, CA
4/17/2011
I'm sorry, maybe there is some good food here, but my experience was terrible. I went to dinner here with a friend--we were at a conference and it was basically one of the relatively few places nearby.
I ordered something that I thought would be a chicken salad. . . it was basically a chunk of fried chicken on top of some weirdly dressed lettuce. It didn't help that the menu wasn't very clear--maybe it wasn't supposed to be a salad?--but based on the location on the menu, it was definitely in the salad section. I do have high standards for salads (I'm a west coast girl, apparently), but this was basically as low as you can get--like what you'd expect ordering salad at a cheap diner.
My friend ordered some kind of scallops, that were ridiculously expensive, considering she only got about four pieces of fish, and then ended up drinking extra beer rather than risk any other food on the menu.
I went downstairs to the bathroom, and ran into two other women who were also complaining about the food. . . when I walked in I overheard one of them saying she might just go home and eat some cereal. Another said that she's tried the food a few times but it just never really seemed great.
I suppose its emphasis is on the brewery (?) and I didn't drink that evening, but seriously, the food at a brewery should be at least passable. -
Review from Jim C.
Brooklyn, NY
11/29/2011
The Bear Ass Pale Ale was pretty good, but the Three Frogs IPA was better. Only stopped in for a quick beer, but I liked this place. Great atmosphere, want to try the other beers.
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Review from Big Baby Jesus C.
Columbus, OH
6/20/2011
Well, I have been here a few, going on several times, but hadn't ate here till last week.
Elevator makes better beer than CBC. No question at all about that. The bar is lovely. I cannot fathom this place being such a swanky speakeasy back in the day. It's not what you know, it's who you know haha.
I had the fish and chips, and for $15, it was worth every penny. Big thick chunks of cod, breaded to order, with house made corn and chipotle tartar sauce, ok red cabbage slaw, and great fries fried in (I am almost certain) peanut oil. The caesar salad was fresh, but nothing special, 3/5.
The Stevenator had some salmon dish. The salmon must've been good, because he didn't pick at it at all. The sweet potatoes, which I will freely admit I am iffy on to begin with, were covered with some sweet glaze. Didn't care for those. He didn't either, how I ended up trying one.
In summary, fish and chips + dark horse = you can't lose -
Review from Paul F.
3/1/2011
The first time that I came in to The Clock (as the Elevator was then known) was about forty years ago. We used to shoot pool upstairs and I understand they still have a couple of tables up there. The food back then certainly wasn't as good as they have today. A baloney sandwich was about it. lol
Tonight I had a bowl of tomato soup and a Thai Tenderloin salad. Both were very good. I don't come down here that often because parking is a bitch. -
Review from Molly B.
12/23/2010
Meh. Good beer but not worth the price. The food is decent, but nothing to write home about. The service is slow.
The coolest thing about Elevator is the building. -
Review from Laura G.
Somerville, MA
11/2/2011
I came to Columbus for work and stayed in the Marriott Courtyard. I asked for a suggestion of a place in walking distance to get dinner and this place was suggested. I knew I wanted takeout so I tried to call ahead to place my order, but they did not have anyone answering the phone (just a voicemail). I ordered the thai tenderloin salad to go at the bar, and said I would wait. Over half an hour later, I went to check on it and the bartender said it should be up soon. Another 10 minutes and it was ready. I have no idea what took so long - they didn't even remember to leave the cheese off the salad. I am giving the restaurant 2 stars since it doesn't seem like there are many options and the salad wasn't bad, it just took forever and a day to arrive and was not as ordered.
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Review from Ross R.
Columbus, OH
9/21/2011
As far as bars go, it doesn't get any better. I go here very regularly. They make all their own beer; I've had all of them except the light, and they're all very good. The bartenders are all very good at what they do as well.
The building itself is very interesting which is a big part of the ambience, which is excellent. It's never too loud to where you can't hear the people you're with at normal voice volume. Overall, it's very relaxing.
The food is very good, not cheap, but generally worth it.
This isn't a very good review, it doesn't really do the place justice. If you like beer, this is the place to go. -
Review from Diana U.
Elevator is fun. I come here once a month to have their MBA selection for the month. What is a MBA? It is a Master in Beer Appreciation. Join the program with a simple sign-up of your contact info and receive a card which gets punched every month you get a MBA beer. Finish the "coursework" by getting a full year of the different beers that they brew. Then you get a huge mug that you can bring in to fill for the same price as a regular beer. AND THEN...you can pursue their PHD (Professor of Hearty Drinking) for more cool beers and to get more cool stuff! What an awesome concept!
Food is expensive so come for happy hour which ends at 7PM. And if you don't like beer, I wouldn't recommend this place unless you are planning to get their rock filet which I hear is amazing.Listed in: ROTDs!
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Review from Julie P.
12/23/2010
So, I have never eaten at Elevator - this is just a review of the bar and beers. The delicious, delicious beers...
If you live in Columbus, you should know that Elevator makes some d*** fine beer. If you didn't know that, please commit the previous sentence to memory. The Dark Horse Ale is an excellent standby - tastes a bit like a stout but doesn't require any chewing. My current favorite the Bleeding Buckeye, and their special IPA this summer blew my mind.
Unlike some of the other reviewers, I really like the atmosphere here. The building is historic and has beautiful stained glass windows. The crowd is really diverse and nice, kid of low-key; seems like a lot of people who work downtown. I wish I lived a little closer, so I could keep up with the special beers of the month.
My only complaint is that getting growlers is a bit of a pain in the butt...the servers seems really irked when came in with 3 of them, as they were trying to serve customers at the bar at the same time (makes sense!) Maybe you should fill growlers in the back, so it doesn't interfere? Just saying... -
Review from Ian P.
Oak Harbor, WA
7/18/2011
My best friend and I stopped in on a Friday night after my peaking interest simply couldn't take anymore.
+1 for the awesome red ale I had. Can't remember the name, but I believe it was something affiliated with OSU (so really, ++2).
The lighting was dim and demure. The customers kept the bartender busy, but we still had time to poke and prod about beer and food selections on the menu...or rather the foods that were unselectable *sad face*. The kitchen closed at 11 P.M., and I still remember watching nearby bar-flys teasing me with their smoked, aromatic mac n' cheese.
For how excited I was to come to this location, I must say I left not really caring whether I get to return or not. Good beer, and sure the food looked great, however it was relatively dead. Great place to lounge and just relax on the low key tip with a good friend, but if you're looking for sparks, I didn't feel any.
Hell, maybe I'm just mad I didn't get any mac n' cheese???
Will make a note to try again when I'm in town. -
Review from Michael C.
Dublin, OH
12/11/2010
I took my wife and a few out of town co-workers here for dinner and drinks last weekend. There happen to be some sort of work party that filled up the front bar area, but it turned out to be a nice addition to the lively atmosphere.
There's also quite a variety on the menu ranging from soups and salads to crab cakes and steak. To start the evening off, we all shared the crab & artichoke dip, calamari, and sauerkraut balls. Wow! All three appetizers were fantastic! For the meal, I had some tasty fish and chips while my wife had the crab cakes, although they were a bit too salty.
The drink menu also has a nice selection. I enjoyed a Bear-Ass Pale Ale and then finished the evening off with one of my favorites, the Hefeweizen.
Our waitress was also very polite and friendly.
Great place! -
Review from Ralph B.
Westerville, OH
8/23/2011
My wife and I spent the evening downtown staying at the Lofts before departing on the Pelotonia ride on Saturday. Looking for a place to eat, we remembered the Elevator was just a block or two away. Not having been there for probably 5 years, we thought it would be good to get reacquainted.
We sat on the patio and though it is pretty much in the alley, the weather was great and it was good to be outdoors. Our server Geoff was just outstanding! He was really update, helpful on the menu and engaging. We both thought "What a nice young man!"
I wanted to "carb up" before tackling 100 miles the next day and went with the ribs. I am a real ribs fan, and generally disappointed with the offerings in town. While a little dubious of having ribs at the Elevator, I gave it a shot. The tenderness of the meat and taste were surprisingly good. In fact, perhaps the best I have had in a couple years. The sauce itself was a little sweet for my taste and the green onion didn't really complement the dish. On balance, I give them a good, but not excellent rating.
There was a nice selection of micro brews and our server did a good job describing them and we picked two that we were both pleased.
We will be moving downtown from Westerville in the near future, and the Elevator clearly merits a return visit. -
Review from Suzy G.
Half Moon Bay, CA
7/20/2011
I gotta say I was leary being from the (at times annoying) foodieland of the San Francisco Bay Area. Haven't been to Columbus in 30 years and I must say the entire downtown area is far and away a huge improvement from 1981. The hotel recommended this place and they were right on the mark. Even the seafood was good! (I know it was a risk since they are so FAR from the ocean.) I was pleasantly surprised with the "Summer Salmon". This dish was flavorful and well balanced. I found it to be just the right portion size. Even the vegi's with this dish were great. I even tookt he risk a second time and went for the Crab Stuffed Scallops..and I'm still thinikng about them. Perfectly seared with this great stuffing. I initailly thought "gee only four scallops?" but I couldn't believe how filling they were.
If you're into carnage you must order the tender "Rock Filet" steak. It comes raw and they serve it with a very "hot" cooking stone. You can cook it whole or cut it up if you like. Nice and sizzling right there in front of you. This can also be ordered with aAhi Tuna steak or a "surf & Turf" version with shrimp 7 scallops. We enjoyed a couple of the dessert selections, an authentic New York cheesecake and a Ele-cookie w/ice cream. Yum! They even bake the cookie to order! Yes I'll be back when next year when my convention is in town again but hopefully I'll get to try more than a couple of restaurants. -
Review from Joshua H.
Chicago, IL
Updated - 5/18/2011
Skip Elevator Brewery if you are checking out the brewpubs of Columbus, Ohio. Their beers are relatively timid and high priced compared to others in town, and their bartenders can be surly. This summary opinion is based on three total visits to Elevator covering a period from January 2010 to March 2011. None of these visits was made during a 'peak' period for either the bar or the restaurant.
During my first visit to the bar only I found that an honest, friendly but lukewarm comment on a brew made the bartender defensive. On this first visit to the bar only, my friend and I drank 2 Elevator brews each but did not order food. On a second visit to the bar only, with different folks behind the bar, we also ate at the bar, a practice sure to up your tab and potential tip. This time the service was even worse. The only saving grace during this second bar only visit was that a fellow who seemed to be a manager finally stepped in to hunt down our food.
The first time I visited Elevator, I was in a larger group that sat at a table. We noted that the building is certainly nice and someone in our group related some local history on the place. The restaurant is well decorated. The food on this first visit did at least come to us warm, and it was OK but not especially notable either for its quality or value. The service was average but hardly above average. The beer was fairly mediocre among brewpub offerings, even on this first visit, but I wrote it off to choosing a couple of styles that are not among their strengths. On the second and third visits noted above, both to the bar only, I learned that 3 other styles are just not fine examples of their type.
I've had more than my fill of this place, and anyone can find much better restaurants that brew beer by:
1)Going south on High St. from Elevator (161 N. High) to the COLUMBUS BREWING COMPANY --- it is just west of S. High Street on Short St. in the German Village area. CBC features a full restaurant menu and consistently terrific brews and food. Their standard IPA is among the best-balanced examples of its type anywhere in the USA.
2)Going north to the 400 block of N. High St. and visiting BARLEYS ALE HOUSE. They feature many styles of beer on a rotating basis and also special brews from the 'firkin' on most Friday afternoons. Their beers, well ok, ales actually, are much more adventuresome and cover a gamut of styles from mild to aggressive in both taste and alcohol content. They have a brewpub type menu with some major full menu aspirations and the food is top notch. The location is perfect for some exploring on foot since it is right at the Arena District and 'Short North' areas of Columbus that feature 100s of restaurants, music and night spots, interesting shops, and, not far away, the big and attractive urban Goodale Park. If you go further north on High St. from Barley's in the Arena district and the Short North you will come to the heart of the OSU strip along High St.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/9/2011
Skip Elevator Brewery if you are checking out the brewpubs of Columbus, Ohio. Their beers are… Read more »
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Review from Melanie B.
Brooklyn, NY
4/11/2010
Blar bliddy blar blar. Elevator is okay. I've been here in the past and remember always thinking that while I enjoy the decor, a brewery shouldn't be this froofy. The last dude who said "I think men in general would dig it" (Francis A) might help to explain why Elevator doesn't impress me. While I don't subscribe to essentialized notions of gender, I really do feel that this place tries to be from an era where two girls, such as m'self and my friend from out of town, don't exactly belong at the bar, drinking microbrews (eff that!). It certainly has an "old boys club" feel to it.
I liked my dopplebock and brown ale, but they were nothing to write home about. We went to CBC last night, and I liked the beer there much better. The service was fine. In the past, I've been here and looked at the menu and not ordered - the food seems like it would be good, but not worth the high prices. This place seems more about appearance than anything else. Case in point, there was a group of middle aged gentlemen in fedoras hanging out by the bar when we were there. Nuff said.Listed in: Quintessential Columbus
