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    Awol

    3.7 (47 reviews)
    InexpensiveGay Bars
    Open 2:00 pm - 2:30 am (Next day)

    Awol Photos

    AWOL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Juke Box
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Awol

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    I hate paper and plastic cups when I go to a bar, but at least these were festive.
    Tom C.

    We just moved in around the corner and so we came here for July 4th. The bartender was nice, our glasses were rarely empty without asking for a refill. We sat at the bar but kept seeing the majority of people going through the back door. I had been here once before years ago but it was just a back patio that all the smokers were back to. So we stayed upfront. It got quite busy and we kept seeing more and more people going back there. I went to go to the bathroom but there was a line. One of the staff said, "Hey guys there are more bathrooms outside in 'the barracks'". I didn't know what that meant but I went. The back has CHANGED dramatically since I saw it last. It was now another bar, tons of uni-sex bathrooms, and even a dance floor with a DJ booth. It looked fun but wasn't the vibe I was in at the time so I went back upfront. We had a good time and the bartender that came in later, a young female with short red hair, was super friendly and we adored her. We will be back.

    Inside bar. Clean and nice. No smoking thankfully inside. But there is an outside deck you can smoke on.
    Eddy L.

    It's awesome here. The bartenders are so nice and friendly. Try a couple mixed drinks and you have a great time here.

    John T.

    Completely underwhelming. Waited for 7 minutes at a near empty bar. Bartender started serving people who arrived after me so I got up and left. The bathrooms do not even close without a hook latch. Better bars in the area.

    Waterfall hidden on their surprisingly nice patio
    Amy S.

    My parents used to joke that when I turned 21 they were going to drop me off at one end of Parsons Avenue and pick me up in the morning at the other end. Hopefully, if I had been in Columbus for my 21st, I would have ended up at AWOL. I came here with a friend to Pre-Red, White, and Boom and had a great time! Their happy hour deals are amazing with me getting 2 gin and tonics for $6. And that's with the tip. Cheap booze makes me very happy! And cheap booze that wasn't watered down makes me even happier! The bar staff was friendly and even though I stood out like a sore thumb as the token straight at a gay bar, they didn't give me TOO hard a time about it =) I never would have guessed it, but they have an amazing patio out back! There were about 3 people inside but when we walked out the back, a crowd of about 30 were enjoying the warm weather with their own waterfall and a cabana bar of their own. I can definitely see many more happy hours spent here!

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    16 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    10 years ago

    I am all for inclusive nights for girls. But that doesn't mean ignoring your patrons without breasts at the bar.

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    Page 2 of 2

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    Review Highlights - Awol

    Beyond the patio is the Barracks where there is another full service bar and dance floor open in evening hours.

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    Union Cafe

    Union Cafe

    3.6
    (456 reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    Union Café has been a Columbus staple for decades and is well known for strong drinks, brunch,…read morekaraoke, and being a welcoming LGBTQIA+ space in the Short North. It had been years since my last visit, so I was excited to come back. One thing that caught us off guard was the ordering process. We bounced between inside and the patio a couple of times trying to figure out where to check in, get menus, and place an order. Eventually we learned that orders are placed at the bar rather than through traditional table service. Once we figured it out, everything went smoothly, but it wasn't immediately obvious. For drinks, we ordered a Green Tea Shot and a Green Tea Cocktail. Both were strong, well-made, and exactly what I'd expect from Union Café. Food was more hit-or-miss. Years ago, the Buffalo Chicken Quesadilla was my go-to order. This version arrived hot, cheesy, and loaded with filling, but the chicken seemed very different from what I remembered. The texture reminded me of canned chicken, and it lacked the seasoning and flavor that made the older version memorable. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't the quesadilla I came back hoping for. I also ordered the half Apple Orchard Salad. It looked great and included apples, feta, candied pecans, dried cranberries, and raspberry vinaigrette. The ingredients worked together fine, but I wouldn't personally pay $6 for the half or $12 for the full again. It felt overpriced for what it delivered. The standout item was the Loaded Tots. Crispy, hot, cheesy, topped with bacon and chipotle crema, and easily the best thing we ordered. No complaints there. Overall, Union Café still shines when it comes to atmosphere, drinks, patio seating, and community presence. I just wish the food had lived up to the memories that brought me back in the first place.

    Good vibe, good music, employees are nice. My drink was good (the peach crush). I'm sad I missed…read moredrag night but I'm an out of towner so I didn't know about it but would have looooved to go. Definitely a chill spot where you don't have to worry about too much which is nice. Would totally come back if I lived closer!

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    Front entrance area
    Front entrance area
    Union Cafe
    June 2026 Menu

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    June 2026 Menu

    Awol - gaybars - Updated August 2026

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