The perfect dive bar in the middle of Madison. The specialize in tacos which are excellent.

Ohio Tavern has new owners! The tacos are still great and the karaoke is as magical as ever! This place attracts some greeat singers. I love the Diablo Street Corn as well as the Snappy, Poppler and Romba tacos. Undeniably some of the most unique and yummy tacos in town. read more

SIMPLY THE BEST, BETTER THAN ALL THE REST! Honestly don't know why it took me so long to come here but these tacos are truly life changing. I'm not a huge meat girlie but wow, the tacos had some of the most tender meat I've ever had. They were so flavor and delicious, I'm already dreaming of getting another taco. My husband and I ordered the Traveling Matt taco to split because we weren't that hungry but loved it so much that we had to order the Baja taco after. SO GOOD!! I can't wait to come back and try the corn. The house margarita was surprising at first because it was sour and fizzy but really grew on us. I'd definitely order it again next time! They have tap beers and drink specials as well. They have two outdoor patios (weather permitting) and a large inside area. It gets very busy so you'll want to get there early for a bar spot or a table. It's a bit divey but in the BEST way. They are very liberal and inclusive which is a huge plus for me! They have gender neutral bathrooms as well. Overall, so good and can't wait to return!! A must visit in Madison!!! read more

I can't stop thinking about the taco I had last week. The Bo Gia deserves much attention. With pickled relish, this pork taco is the perfect combination of smoky, spicy- goodness - topped with crema of course! I'm so obsessed. You can't beat the delicious $8 margs either! @theohiotavern will always have a special place on our Madison Must lists. This dive bar just got a makeover and she's looking cute. Make sure to bring cash for this cash only gem. I will also always love the PBR taco which is now called the bud light- And the New guy. read more

Ohio Tavern - Dive Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

We had carryout tacos and they were amazing! Service was friendly and quick! I returned about a week or two later for their Brunch hot dogs and bloody Mary's only to discover they had new hours and were NOT OPEN! I was so disappointed! They do not have a phone, so I had no way to verify before heading out there. read more

Ohio Tavern - Hours as of 12/17/23 - Dive Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Finally had a chance to check this place out- it has with very laid back vibes, seat yourself and order at the bar. It was quite crowded on a Tuesday at 6 PM- all spots outside were taken, but we were lucky enough to snag the last table inside. Once we ordered, it took about 30 minutes for the food to arrive, but it was worth the wait. I ordered a margarita ($8), it was tart and strong- but I enjoy a good lime margarita and could have had a few more. Then I got the house street corn, it was pretty good! The toppings were tasty and mixed well together. This one was pretty mellow and not spicy. I got 3 tacos and they were HUGE, double tortillas and stuffed to the brim- I was soooo full from these. I tried the Scorcher (warning, it was spicy lol) The Travelling Matt - DELICIOUS The Old Boy - my personal fave All tacos were super unique and had tons of flavors- I would definitely come by again to try more. I got all this for $26 and I left quite happy. read more

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what a gem!!! honestly coming here gave me a bit of stress because the name of the place isnt immediately obvious but tbh if u see a bunch of hipsters / bikers chilling on a crowded patio/bar you're in the right place also ordering was difficult during rush hour -- you order at the bar no one really comes to get your order i think that being said. their margs on tap are incredible !! and it was dinner rush so our food took quitw some time but let me tell you!! all of the impatience/anger in my body completely disappeared when i took that first bite. the tacos truly are so so good especially the steak/beef ones. i feel like i truly saw the light/tasted tacos w flavor combos ive never hit before 10/10 i would like to come back again soon ohio tavern read more

Ohio Tavern - Dive Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I drove past this bar and had to stop, there is street parking but if you like Street tacos this is the place. The seating is very limited but you have to check it out, the menu is just tacos but oh my goodness you will love it read more

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YUM. Their tacos are 10/10. At this point, we have probably tried just about everyone and there really hasn't been a bad one. Everything on their regular menu is GF. They also have an option to sub any taco for lentils or beans to make them vegan. We loved the diablo and kona street corn. The ceviche was a no-go for us, but the tacos more than make up for that! The tap margs are awesome. Great beer list, wine and great tequila selection! They only take cash & have an ATM inside. The outdoor seating is ideal! read more

YUMMMM. Ohio Tavern is such a wonderful hidden gem in an amazing neighborhood. My husband got a table outside which was first come first serve. We had to take turns going inside to order which wasn't a big deal. We both had a couple of tap beers and ordered tacos. I was so pleasantly surprised with the large variety and selection of tacos. We both loved all of our tacos and could have ordered two more orders because they were so dang good. This bar is CASH ONLY. They do have an atm inside. To our surprise they also had bingo at 7pm on Wednesday which was super fun. You had to pay for the cards after a couple of free games. We will be back!!! read more

Ohio Tavern - Tacos - Dive Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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The Ohio Tavern is as close as you can get to an old school dive bar in Madison. They food is cooked right in the bar area, and is mostly Mexican food. The nachos were delicious and the street corn was sublime. Service was good as well. It can get quite busy, and is louder than most establishments due to the small size. They only take cash and do not have a phone. If you want to maximize your chance of getting a spot - hit it up at an off time. We were there at 3:30 pm on a Saturday (non game day) and there were plenty of seats. At least try it once! read more

Ohio tavern is one of Madison's best kept secrets for amazing tacos! They are packed full of flavor- my personal favorite is the PBR. The street corn is amazing too- a must try! They also have really unique hot sauces on each table as well. Tacos and drinks are great at Ohio tavern. Other things to know (why it's not 5 stars for me): - cash only - it is a pretty small establishment so getting a table can be challenging. There have been multiple times I've gone in and waited and left because it was unlikely anything would open up -they have live music often, which is cool and I usually love when places support local artists; however, the size of the establishment makes this tricky- taking away table space and making it really tricky to have a conversation Overall I recommend Ohio tavern- you will not be disappointed with the tacos. You might just have to try a few times before getting a table there. I have been more successful later in the evenings 9pm or so on weeknights. read more

Ohio Tavern - Dive Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Good tacos. Josh, the owner, returned a ring I dropped on the sidewalk where their outdoor dining area is. He would not accept a reward, which I offered on my lost ring signs. He said, "I am just happy to return the ring to its rightful owner and see you happy." The Tavern is a fun place to gather with neighbors. It has a long history in Madison. read more

Yes it is trendy and no longer the dive bar some remember but it is new to us and a cool place. No seats to be had on a Monday night! Eventually some bar seats opened up. Cheap happy hour prices on drinks and tacos. The tacos were excellent. #42, the Islander and one other I cannot remember The brisket ones better than the carnitas. Loved the vibe. I see why this place is so popular especially since we biked over. Just feet from the trail. read more

My dad and I came here for a late dinner, and it was such a delicious stop! I had heard good things about the tacos, and they didn't disappoint. My dad and I each ordered three, and they were huge and filling. I would recommend any of the tacos honestly. They were all flavor bombs. For how hefty they are, I think the price is well worth it. I would 100% return! Service was great as well. read more

Ohio Tavern - Tacos - Dive Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Oysters, beers, good music, and an excellent atmosphere. I spotted the vintage Blatz neon sign and knew I had to check this place out. Happy to report it is awesome. read more

Ohio Tavern - the outside of the restaurant - Dive Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Love the tacos. Love this place. Hate the TVs. Today the TVs had movies that included scenes of a guy getting his head cut off, another guy getting choked to death, a live birth and a woman throwing up. I recommend the tacos to everyone. As long as you can stomach what's on the screens. read more

You would never think with a name like "Ohio Tavern" you'd find tacos and karaoke, but I find things that surprise me every single day. They are a little dive bar with both. Rather than a real and full kitchen, they have a little corner behind the bar where they make the tacos. That being said, the tacos are huge, hearty and very filling. We tried the street corn, belmont (brisket/picante/jalapeno), traveling matt (briskt/radish/habernero cream), #42 (brisket/pickled red onion/baja), el baja (chicken/cabbage/pico), Classic (carnitas/white onion/jalepeno/radish), and Islander (carnitas/roasted pineapple salsa/bacon). I'm going to be honest, I really don't remember which is which, since they all starting tasting similar after awhile. They are heavy and stuffed to the brim with ingredients. I enjoyed all of the sauces you could put on them. It's a great weeknight meal and although I wouldn't call them anything along the realms of authentic traditional tacos if that's what you're looking for, but it's good bar food. The karoake was also really fun. We got there at 6 PM so we could snag some tables, but the place fills up and there isn't even a place to sit. People can sign up and it seems like there are the regulars. Overall a little gem and a nice bar. read more

Went here on a Saturday for dinner. The place was pretty busy so we ended up sitting at the bar. The bartender was very helpful in explaining the spice levels of the tacos and gave some great recommendations. We ended up getting the special taco, which was beef heart and pineapple, the old boy, travelin' matt, scorcher, and lenny special. The travelin matt was the favorite out of the first three as it had a great balance of how the components played together. The taco had a nice spice that the queso cut and complemented. The brisket provided a comforting and dynamic base. And the chow chow gave a great crispness. The scorcher was definitely spicy and messy. It was very helpful that they gave a spoon with it to scoop up everything that fell out as there is a single corn tortilla with the tacos. The lenny special is the vegan option on the menu and I was quite impressed. It was also the less messy of the last two. It really had a great flavor, but I wanted a little extra spice, so I added some of the homemade hot sauce. The poblano plantain and the 3 pepper were our favorites. The price point of $4 for a taxi might seem like a little much, but its definitely worth it as they pack the tacos full of ingredients. We will definitely be back to try out some of the others! read more

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We came to Ohio Tavern over 5 years ago and we finally returned after moving back to the east side! We stopped by for some tacos and cocktails. We got a big variety and they were all top notch! There was also some live guitar music happening that made our night extra fun. Definitely stop by for tacos and spend some time out on their new patio. Cash only, don't forget, if you do they have an atm. Totally worth it! read more

Wow, just WOW, the tacos served by the new and improved Ohio Tavern are the real deal. And kudos to the new owners for converting a gritty, rough and tumble dive bar into an inviting comfortable space. The craft beer selection is top notch and you can still score a PBR if that's your thing. Because the venue is small and open, the noise level can make it difficult to carry on a discussion at conversational tones. In the evenings, there are live acts or karaoke. But it's the food that makes the Ohio stand out. The $4 price is on the high side, but the portion sizes are more than generous. Plus if make it before 7pm, they knock off $1 from the purchase price. To make things even better, there are a half dozen homemade hot sauces that will knock your socks off. Cash only, but there is an ATM available. read more

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Great food, low key and enjoyable atmosphere. Would highly recommend to anyone looking for a casual bite and beverage.

A night on the town with some friends and this was our last stop of the night and what a BLAST! I was told there was karaoke so I was easily sold. This had to be one of the most fun karaoke bars I've been too. It's a small bar and absolutely packed! My local friends told me it doesn't get that busy, but it was okay. Such a fun atmosphere! Everyone was decent at singing, and everyone else was singing along (check out my videos). You heard all different kinds of songs, and the mood and energy was high the whole time. My favorite was a guy singing "Smells Like Nirvana" by Weird Al Yankovic. One downside is that it can take a long time to get your chance to sign your heart out. I signed up for a song and never got to sing by the time we had to leave...and that had to be at least an hour. Not sure how the DJ works chooses the order of songs, but there were a couple of people that did sing twice. I had too much fun, it's not worth getting butt hurt about it. I hope to make it here again....soon!! read more

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BEST TACOS IN MADISON. PERIOD. It's amazing to me that a place this small can produce these tacos. I've tried every single one of their specialty tacos and one is more delicious than the next. My favorite is The Scorcher, but try them all and for the love of god don't forget to get some Diablo Street Corn cuz it is just plain amazing. Go! You'll love it! read more

First time in the Ohio! It was the customer service that impressed me right away. The woman behind the bar gave us space and when we asked questions, we were treated with respect. She was an honest sell. Tacos and margaritas were amazing. read more

The renovations are a welcome improvement to this establishment. The drinks have a great pour and the service is exceptional. We definitely indulged in some tacos and they were delicious. Lots of unique flavors and combinations. I will definitely be back to try more options. The "build your own" menu was almost overwhelming, however, a friendly patron recommended the Santa Barbara taco and it did not disappoint! They have a large selection of craft cocktails (only $5-$6) and everything else is more than reasonably priced. My companion had a whiskey sour that was actually mixed on the spot and shaken - none of that just add "squirt" to a glass nonsense. Seriously, if you had reservations about visiting this place before, put them aside and enjoy a taco, a great drink, and good people! read more

Ohio Tavern - Menu - Dive Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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I stopped in to check out the newly redone Ohio Tavern tonight for their taco special. Although I'd never been there before the redo, it definitely doesn't read as any kind of 'new'. Dark and divey, loud but good music via the jukebox, the back bar wood seemingly coated in the grunge of its many years of service without having been touched. The bartenders are great, enthusiastic and accomodating. The tap list is adequate, and the bottled beer selection is better. I found parking and a seat at the bar easily, even though the place was about 3/4 full on an early Friday evening. A chalkboard displays the special taco of the day, and a paper menu describes the others. I went for the three taco special for $10, a lamb barbacoa, a shredded chicken, and a carnitas. All three had good flavor but were uniformly lacking in moisture. Really dried out. I asked for and received a bit more sauce on the side, which helped a little. Don't come expecting El Grito level tacos, nor Tex Tubbs. They are merely serviceable, but the bar has been set much higher locally of late. Nowhere to go but up in the food department. All in all, it's a gritty yet comfortable place to stop in, the service is fast and friendly, prices are low, and I'll go back. Maybe if only to catch a glimpse of the rumored ghost. read more

Ohio Tavern - Three tacos/$10. Cash only - Dive Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

A low class bar with okay tacos it's nostalgic at best the sauces are key to the basic tacos they have ... all the bartenders are weird. But if yo pass for a coke head youre in . read more

Bartender never brought me my cash change- tried to get his attention- couldn't. Even though I should have persisted, I did not, chalking it up to an expensive miscommunication, figuring (as a bartender myself) "hey this poor guy is swamped, he probably deserves the 30% tip." A few min later, heard the guests next to me tell the exact same story (though they were persistent, and *eventually* got there change.) Which tells me the already-crabby bartender is also running a scam- not bringing change back (which a bartender should always do, unless explicitly told otherwise), banking on ding dongs like me to not stick up for themselves/to give up. Screw this bar- plenty of other amazing spots to spend your money at in Madison. read more

This isn't your Dad's old dive bar any longer. I remember back in the days when it was easy to find a seat at the bar and your only food selection was a bag of chips (if you were lucky). It's amazing what some remodeling and adding a small cooktop can do to transform a place. Well that and some really tasty tacos! My better half and I decided to stop in during a recent bike ride and the place was slammed (for a Sunday night). I don't mind it being crowded but that meant we didn't get out food for at least 30 minutes. With time to kill and drinks to be consumed, we patiently waited. The bar itself has a pretty solid tap line up as well as a kegged cocktail option (when we stopped in it was a Paloma). When the tacos arrived, it was worth the wait. They are huge and while $4 per taco (or 3 for $11) may seem steep, you will not leave hungry. With the exception of the "classic" (carnitas, onion, jalapeno, radish, cilantro), the tacos veer towards the creative end of the spectrum. Of the 8 or so on the menu, one of my favorites was the "old boy" (carnitas, rice, kimchi, bacon, charred scallion dressing). Ternder chunks of pork with the acidic kimchi to cut through the richness. Another one of our favorites was the "p.b.r" (chicken, bacon, arugula, pico, avocado ranch dressing). With the small space and the, at times, masses of people, I don't know if I would plan a dinner around this (as the wait times could be long) but if you are in the neighborhood for a quick drop in, The Ohio is a great stop to get some tasty food and drink. read more

Great pub! Everyone was incredibly kind and welcoming. Sat both at the bar and at a table and both experiences were lovely. Staff and clientele alike were kind and incredibly warm. The only mild downside was that I sheepishly asked for hot sauce for oysters- I know it isn't the classiest request, but the heart wants what the heart wants. They respectfully denied the request, which I understand, but allowing hot sauce to be served with oysters would be my only tip to bring this place from 4 stars to a higher perfect 5 star rating. read more

SO, we were finally able to get a table here and eat dinner. We came on a Monday and it wasn't very busy. Take note! You grab a table and place your orders at the bar. You pay up front for you food and then they bring it out to you. We ordered: 1 - #42: Brisket, pickled red onion, baja sauce, and arugula. This was my favorite. SO GOOD. 2 - p.b.r.: Chicken, bacon, arugula, avocado/ranch crema, and pico. This was very good. I like the crema a lot. 2 - islander: Carnitas, roasted pineapple salsa, queso fresco, and bacon. This was my second favorite. Really good flavor. The pineapple was not very prevalent, but it was still tasty regardless. 1 - house street corn: Roasted corn, crema, queso fresco, crispy bacon, cilantro, and paprika. This was AMAZING. I could have easily eaten this alone as an entire meal, no joke. The flavor was absolutely spot on. It's also worth noting how perfectly the bacon was cooked, among all dishes. It was crispy and delicious. Amazing flavor. I am not willing to bring the star level up at this point because, although the food was definitely impressive, it still took 3 tries just to get in here, and when we finally did, service was pretty slow. We waited a lot time to get our food. TL,DR - AMAZING TACOS, STREET CORN, slower than average service, small place, hard to always get a table. Will I return? Yes. read more

What a cute little hidden gem! Came here on a Saturday night. From the outside it does not look like much but it sure was busy on the inside. One of my friends had heard good things about the tacos and we wanted to try it out. They are cash only and have an atm onsite. The atm does have a fee so be prepared before with cash if you do not want to pay this fee. The service was friendly and drinks were nicely priced. They have a limited taco and street corn menu that is served until 12:00am. We tried one of the chicken tacos and some spicy Mexican street corn. I was very impressed with both, they tasted fresh and had good flavor. As a bar this place is cute and they have karaoke on Saturdays. The tacos are just the frosting on the cake for this place. I would come back here to try the different tacos and for the moderately priced drinks as well. read more

Great vibes....great food.....great cheap drinks. Came here on a bingo night, enjoyed the bingo, all of the tacos were delicious and had a great time!! read more

Just a quick note in this uncertain time of social distancing.... Since I can't go to my favorite places, I'm just going to drop in here and say how f*cking awesome they are!! I know The Ohio hates Yelp and I mostly do too, but goddamnit, I love this place. I moved down the street about the time they opened and they have been my neighbors just like any other awesome neighbors I have. It's never felt like they were 'just' a taco place or a bar. I have genuinely always felt welcomed and cared for like I was a friend. They learned my name, my drink and my taco order. First of all thanks for being good neighbors and kind humans. Second, I really do love the tacos and delicious drinks, but wouldn't keep coming back (sometimes 5 times/week...lol) if you guys were dicks. Thanks for not being dicks! read more

Hesitant to leave a review because I don't want Madison's best kept taco secret to get out. This place is legit. As someone who has a taco instagram account, I consider myself a bit of a taco fanatic and Ohio Tavern - despite being a dive bar has reeediculously good tacos. 1. Variety - lots of different flavors, meats, and options 2. Value - too many $6 tacos out there these days with $0.25 worth of ingredients - not here - you get hearty, filling tacos (I normally order 3 still though). Check out my tacos from Ohio at @tacosbreakfast (sorry I don't have them on me and would have avoided the shameless plug for my IG account but you'll get a much better feel for their tacos there - I have dozens of pictures of Ohio Tavern tacos there). read more

Great tacos! Too much garlic but still good! Karaoke night is a blast, in sang Dolly Parton and got great service all night. Definitely my favorite 'dive' in town read more

Go once. Just once. If you are like some reviewers here you will find it dirty, disgusting and an outright waste of time and money. You will not go again. But you may find that the combination of Townie, Dive, Haunted, Homeless, Karaoke, Drunk Bartender and (I will add) Fire Trap and "you don't belong here" vibe is a combination you cannot find in just any dive bar. Yes, the Ohio Tavern is unique. I was introduced to the Ohio by a longtime friend and westside transplant who drove by this place everyday until he finally went in, after that it was on the list. On our visit (Saturday - karaoke night turns out) there was a birthday party going on for one of the regulars - a big beautiful woman that looked like Ella Fitzgerald and was dressed to the nines. She floated around the room doing shots and karaoke, giving and taking hugs, and sampling from the large pot luck buffet of ambrosia and 7-layer dip laid out by her friends. The beer was flat, the sound system shot, the karaoke selection limited, and the regulars were getting into their cups. The mood was festive and dangerous. Suddenly this Elvis impersonator (generous label) in full thrift-shop pantsuit and exposed chest hair grabs the mic and just butchers two Elvis classics. While another pal of mine gets his name on the song list (he could crush those tunes, as well as any Ella Fitzgerald for that matter) I start a game of pool with the an old gray hippy with a goatee who looks like a trophy case of STDs. Clearly, he is the mayor of this place. In the cramped space we negotiate the pot-luck buffet as we make our shots. When I sink the 8-ball the place gets quiet for a moment and I know I committed a sin. We pay our tab and hightail it out of there, and my pal never gets his shot at the mic and true glory. He is still waiting for his shot, so we will be back. read more

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My favorite taco/karaoke/bad movie bar hands down. Here's a list of all the pros: 1) Rotating taco special. I haven't had a taco there I didn't like and the hummus taco last Saturday was ESPECIALLY good with the pickled vegetables. 2) Karaoke on Saturday nights! The guy who runs karaoke has a great selection, remembers the regulars and takes suggestions on additions to the books. The regulars at karaoke are also great and will help make you feel more comfortable participating 3) The bartenders/bar. Large beer selection that has some good rotations. Bartenders that know how to make a goddamn drink, like a Sazurac! (If you like Absinthe, try this drink). Ohio is cash only, but they have an ATM with a pretty low fee. For late-night tacos, happy hour, or Saturday night karaoke, check out Ohio! read more

First of all, this is NOT a dive bar any longer. I was a regular at the Ohio for 3 years when I lived in the Atwood neighborhood. It was definitely a dive bar where all the locals could hang out, have pot lucks, play pool, etc. I even threw a few parties there. When we found out it had been sold we were very skeptical to say the least. The "new" Ohio is, as I rated, OK. The tamales are absolutely disgusting. Do not order them. Ever. The bread is mush and the filling is bland. The tacos however are quite delicious. I've only tried two of them, one was when they were testing them out back when they first opened, and the other was last night. Both were incredibly tasty and filling. Mind you, I don't even really like tacos so that's saying a lot. The atmosphere is hit or miss here for me. Sometimes it's warm and inviting, sometimes is hoity-toity and WAY too hipster (ok to be honest it's usually too hipster), sometimes it's the most boring place imaginable. I have had some really fun nights here though, just depends on the type of clientele hanging out that night. But like I said, more times than not it's super white and super yuppie. The juke box is terrible. Unless you like pretentious hipster music, then you'd love it. The drink selection is fine and they still serve the classic Blatz beer. The old O used to sell it for $2 a bottle, now they sell it for $2.50 a bottle. I appreciate their effort to keep the bar's signature beer cheap. I've loved this bar for a long time and it was a home away from home for me, so I may be more harsh than others. I do love the interior. The big windows (don't worry, there's a hipster garage door they open) really help it feel less like a dark hole in the wall. I'm also a HUGE fan of dim lighting. The darker the better. You can barely see your glass in this place and I appreciate that. Most of the bartenders are pretty all right. Service is again, hit or miss. Sometimes you'll get someone awesome, sometimes you'll get ignored for 20 minutes. The gentrification of my beloved neighborhood has been difficult to deal with and losing my favorite spot where I always felt comfortable was sad, but at least something terrible didn't take it over. Just something... meh. Also, I wish they had something to do! A pool table, dart board, board games, literally ANYTHING would be an improvement. I've mostly avoided the new Ohio for awhile and am now trying to give it another chance. So far, still just OK to me. I will continue to go because I really like their champagne and I will update as needed. read more