Bristol Bar

by Rick M.

Bristol is a fun place if you're looking to dress up a little and act a bit more classy than you really are. The little coffee table-esque seating arrangements are nice if you're with a group of 6 or so.It's a bit pricey, but you're supposed to be acting a little classy so get over it.Drinks are great. Decor is great.Here's the thing -- BEGIN your night there. Don't plan on staying much past midnight because the bar becomes entirely overcrowded and the 2-3 bartenders they employ aren't enough.And because of the location, use valet if you're the designated drunk driver or simply hail a cab. Just don't let the location fool you -- once you're there, it's not bad at all.

by Steve W.

Not the same place it used to be.  I remember when Bristol was new.  The design, a subdued, minimalist, uber style like you'll find in LA or NYC, was a big change for this city.  Unfortunately, it's not the same place it was.  It used to be a quiet upscale bar where I could go to get away from the usual places here in town.  Now it's just cargo shorts and ball caps turned backwards and DJs loud enough that it kills a lot of talk.  Too bad.  It used to be different.  Now it's just another frat bar with funny furniture.  Nothing wrong with frat bars; i've sure spent my share of time in 'em.  But I've been out of college a while now.  It was nice to have something different in Columbus.  I won't bother with Bristol again.Another one bites the dust.

by Amanda K.

when I lived in columbus, I went here once, and it was fun, we had good martinis, and it was a nice chill atmosphere, in what to me seemed like a very random area, you should definitely check it out, I think it's one of 2 cool bars in that city.

by Valissa W.

Many, many years ago, I happened to befriend a group of students who were *gasp* over the age of 25. At the time I was... let's just say, using "creative methods" to join said group when they got together for drinks, so my knowledge of drinking establishments was pretty much limited to the grimy Natty watering holes of the college world. This new group of intellectual friends loved to play it up classy on the limited salaries that restrict most academics, and Bristol was their bar of choice.I remember being shocked the first time I went to Bristol. I had no idea a place like this even existed! let alone in Columbus. Being in such a super sketch neighborhood, I was sure that if I weren't shot going to/from my car, the car would undoubtedly be stripped for parts by the time I returned. I cannot emphasize enough the contrast between Bristol and its surroundings. Hellooo gorgeous!Throughout the years, I have become very well acquainted with Bristol's menu. They have an extensive list of martinis and have expanded the menu to include a wide selection of mixed drinks as well. The newest addition are martini snow cones (!!!!!) which I am very excited to try the next time I'm in town. Alas, the recent renovations at Bristol have eliminated some of my favorite things about it. Adios, Ginger Lemongrass Martini that I still look for on menus worldwide; we had some great times. Adieu, beloved Happy Hour; you always brought us in early and convinced us to stay late. Arrivederci, quiet nights of intimate conversation. I hope the "club" Bristol is trying to become works out because this gem of a bar isn't in a location that can afford to lose.

by Peter C.

The main reason I love the bar scene in Columbus is that it's more "walkable" than any other that I've experienced, possibly with the exception of the Lower East Side in New York. Bar crawls are possibly in almost every neighborhood of the city, which always makes for a lively (ie "drunk") evening that you may or may not remember the next morning. Which is why I hate this place. There is absolutely no reasonable way to get here unless you take a cab. Besides that fact that driving after getting shellacked on martinis is something I'm morally opposed to, driving to Bristol is a death sentence in the making. How the valets don't get knifed in the alley while running back to their post after parking a car is something I'm very curious/concerned about. To put it layman's terms- this is not a neighborhood you'd want to be on foot in during daylight hours, let alone once the sun goes down. With that in mind, it's not hard to imagine why there's nothing else in the immediate vicinity besides a pager/check-cashing place where drug dealers go to get a new disposable phone every week so the feds don't get up their ass. It's that bad. Refer to the Dave Chapelle skit where he talks about getting dropped off in the ghetto of DC by a limo driver. You know, the one where a baby tries to sell him weed.Once you finally make it inside Bristol, you'll feel as if you've been transported to a parallel universe. The lights are low, the house music is loud, and the drinks are stiff. Sure, it's not cheap, but would you want to be drinking at a place in this neighborhood that sold beers for a dollar? I think not. Your best bet here is to get a dirty martini straight up, find a couch to drink it in, and let the not-so-subtle sounds of whatever's next in the world of house music lull you in to a coma. The dance floor here has always been deserted when I've been here, but that's not to say that it looks like a prime place to bust a move and show your stuff. No one will care. Bristol might as well offer hookah while they're at it to keep the vibe as innocuous as possible. Think of his lounge as the medium ground between the highly stylized mayhem that takes hold of Spice every night and the laid back nonchalance of your favorite dive bar. Not for everyone, and probably not for me the more I think about it, but Bristol's been open long enough to cultivate it's own unique spot in the Columbus nightlife scene that's got more than enough clout to keep 'em coming weekend after weekend.

by Spencer L.

When I think New York City hipster bar this is it.  Thats not a bad thing it is what it is.  A bit pricey for a questionable neighborhood that is what makes the valet parking so key.  The atmosphere is modern and comfortable.  As far as dressing up its not for me most of the time and I still go there.  I don't get treated differently because the place is full of good people for the most part.  The music and sound system have always been impressive.   If you like this style of place you may also want to try Spice Bar (has 3 bars and a huge patio).  The wait for a drink can be a bit much on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday but oh well not everyplace can be perfect. -s

by Kevin M.

Well, Bristol Bar has definitely gone downhill since I last visited.  This time I went with my brother and his fiancee, and the drinks were just plain bad.  The mojito was made with sour mix (?!?) and the martinis we had were so bad we didn't even finish them before leaving.The space is still nice but the neighborhood has not yet gentrified and frankly the drinks (and probably the clientèle) have gone downhill.  I probably won't be back. I agree that Bristol has got the goods - classy atmosphere, yummy martinis, skilled bartenders, etc.…

by Jeremy C.

Bristal Bar has a great zen-like minimalist decor. I don't know who took charge of the interior design, but they deserve bonus points for their efforts. Oddly located in a dilapidated area, but that kind of adds to the charm of the place. Their drink menu is very creative. I was never a big cocktail drinker, but this bar makes some pretty inventive beverages. It's the best martini place I've encountered in the Columbus area.

by John M.

See Kevin's updated review, and this Mojito recipe, or any other that doesn't include sour mix:http://en.wikipedia.or...Techno music, minimalist decor (if you can even call it that), and a round of bad drinks - $23 + tip.  Leaving to go to another bar - priceless.  Although I suppose I should take partial blame for ordering a Mojito here at all, they should be ashamed to serve it just the same - and the other drinks were also subpar.

by viv l.

I really really really love Bristol Bar.  It feels like home -- that is, If you're an almost-alcoholic, dance partier, with a penchant for well designed spaces and a good DJ lineup -- like me.  True, the crowd mostly screams late twenties sorori-stutes (I ganked that one) and their yuppie collared shirt boyfriends.  But when I roll up in my sneaks and hoodie, I don't get treated differently and everything is all cool.  Bartenders know how to mix a drink, the bar manager has got lots of showmanship (setting off the smoke detector one recent Saturday), they always have great drink specials, and there's never a cover.  I've gotten plenty sloppy here and my bar tab has never been over $20 (with a 50% tip included).One more reason why i LOVE Bristol: unlike Bar Louie or Sugar/Patio or Skully's, the crowd is ALWAYS a mix.  I like boys and there are always plenty of white boys and gay boys, black boys and yellow boys, brown boys and big boys, smart boys and fug boys for me to drunkenly hit on.  So ladies (and gents), bring your game.