Columbus bar streak: Out-R-Inn keeps campus tradition
The 1969 establishment on Frambes Avenue won 480 votes in a student survey, marking its fifth consecutive annual award.
By Priya Marino ·
Students at The Ohio State University cast 480 votes for Out-R-Inn as the best campus bar in 2026. This result extends the bar’s winning streak to five years. The award comes from The Lantern’s annual special edition.
The venue at 20 Frambes Avenue opened in 1969, according to general manager Steve Valentino. It remains a fixture near North High Street, a corridor that once hosted more local establishments.
Valentino said his staff functions as a family unit, with many employees holding positions for 10 to 20 years. He noted that the team values fast service and specific musical selections to match the nightly atmosphere.
"We want to get drinks out fast. We want people to enjoy their time here," Valentino said. He added that the staff curates the music to reflect their long experience in the industry.
The bar maintains close ties with nearby competitors. Valentino named Threes Above High and The Library Bar as neighbors that form a tight-knit community. Assistant general manager Billy Parrott said owners and managers visit each other to discuss operational challenges.
"We like to pick each other’s brains on what’s working, what isn’t," Parrott said. He described the group as more of a family than a business network.
Local closures have altered the University District landscape. The Little Bar at 2195 N. High St. closed on March 31 and was subsequently demolished. PJ’s Grill at 15 Frambes Avenue also closed ahead of development plans.
Valentino said the departure of these neighbors changed his daily routine. He recalled noticing the absence of their exterior lights as a sign of the shifting local economy.
"PJ’s is still tough," Valentino said. He explained that the loss of local spots prompts him and other bar owners to preserve a non-commercialized environment for students.
Parrott, who attended Ohio State as an undergraduate, said the bar’s popularity has remained steady since his student days. He credited the consistent service and history for retaining a loyal customer base.
The venue has also hosted special events, including a visit from actor Miles Teller. He bartended at Out-R-Inn and The Library Bar during a promotion for The Finnish Long Drink.
Valentino said the bar’s longevity attracts new generations of students. Upperclassmen often enter the venue after hearing about it from their parents, who frequent the spot themselves.
