Such a cool place kind of hiding in plain site. I stopped by alone just to check it out early on a Thursday. They were getting ready for their trivia night. Had a great draft beer and an appetizer which were both good. Chatted with the owner at length who was behind the bar. It's a table top game focused bar/resturaunt. Tons and I means tons of board games in all genres on the walls to use. Seems very family friendly. Well lit. Cool decor. They also hold regular events and special events. Highly recommend. read more

See all

Forge tavern was such a great place to unwind after a long day! The medieval style decor and wall to wall shelves of board games made me instantly see that they are serious about their gaming here! They offer a variety of drinks and food items, which you can enjoy while playing games. You can order at the bar or through the wait staff that comes around to take orders. The drinks were very festive, like the golden dragon, which had shimmering edible glitter in it, and the bunny shot, which was served in a chocolate bunny. I got to try lots of boardgames like 3D blockus, hues and cues, and attempted to play wingspan (although we didn't get to it because it's a long game!) They even had a stage area, which would be great for performances. Will be back to enjoy their food next time! The only thing to note is that their parking is limited and most of the surrounding lots have tow warning signs on them so carpooling would be good if you're going with a big group! read more

My wife, daughter and I just had an incredible experience tonight. We enjoyed burgers, pretzel bites and signature "mocktails" while playing Hues and Cues. The ambiance was exceptional and the team very inviting! One table was playing Magic the Gathering, another was role playing an adventure and a third was playing chess. We will definitely be returning! read more

Forge Tavern is a great place for gaming with friends. They have a two large rooms with a good number of large size tables for board games. They offer many board games to choose from or you can bring your own. Forge Tavern has a pretty good drink list and cocktails to choose from. They do not charge to play the games or reserve a table just ask you buy a drink or food. The place itself is really cool It almost feels like a medieval pub. read more

They are the best. The owners are so always trying to make the place the best it could be. The drinks are fun and change often. They have the best mead list in Columbus if not Ohio. The game selections are good. And the food is exactly what you'd like it be! (Would love wings but I know wings and board games are a bad combo) If you come to Columbus you should definitely check this place out. read more

The Forge Tavern - Special Event for Cocktail Release - Beer Bar Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

Cute little spot to play board/card games! You can bring your own or choose from a huge selection. The place has tons of seating and it gets pretty lively! I got the bacon jam flatbread which was good for the first half, then got a little too sweet. Overall, great service and attentive waitstaff! read more

Always a good time. Very roomy with plenty of space for any sized group. Good drinks and nice food. Pleasant and friendly staff.

This is a fun and unique place to make friends and try new things! I love that it's local and you can really get to know the staff. I am so happy we found it! read more

Fun spot! Looks much smaller on the outside than inside. The decor is really cool and the game selection was great- food was nothing super special but hit the spot while we were playing games, drinks were good. Very large mead selection. Will be stopping by again! read more

The Forge Tavern - game selection: web of spies - Beer Bar Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

See all

Hi, I live here now. But seriously, this place is great. Super friendly service, GREAT food, a wide selection of drinks, both beer/cider and cocktails, and a really nice selection of games. The tables are big (because boardgames) and have comfortable seats, and they seem to have room in the back for events or larger groups. We stayed for quite a while, and there seemed to be quite a few regulars who were greeted warmly, but the bartender was welcoming to everyone. I can see this becoming a new group hangout spot in town. I highly recommend the pizza. Good even when warmed in a microwave the next day. The place is a little hard to find the first time - it's right next to the Marathon gas station, on the left side of the building at the back of the parking lot. When you see the knight statue, you know you're in the right place. read more

See all

Can't believe I've never been! Maybe because they don't open until later and I work next do, so no happy hour. But it was suggested by a friend who knows I love games, but I was blown away by the atmosphere when I walked it. First off, it was packed! And the decor was great, lots of big tables, but also cozy corners and a large bar. Plenty of games, though not as big a selection as other game bars, but lots of basic games and card games, you'll find something. They have a huge drink menu, I appreciated the mead list, I did a flight a really loved it. It's tough to find a good selection of mead, and it wasn't a crazy price. Some cocktails that weren't a bad price either; and a good draft list. I didn't have food, but heard great things about it. Talked to several people sitting at the bar, servers and the owner who answered all my questions and were really helpful. Will definitely be back. read more

See all

I've never been to this place and went with a large group for a game night. It's worth going to and the space is really big. The place has a TON of board and card games that you can play in any group size. The only thing that I wish I knew before going, which is a new thing that the people I went with didn't know about that have gone to this place for months, is that there is a "sitting fee". The sitting fee is that you have to spent a minimum of $10/person when there. It's not a big deal but caught a lot of people off guard. If you spend $10 or more on drinks or food it counts towards and can be used as the sitting fee. If you go with a group of 6+ people they also automatically add a 20% gratuity to everyone's bill. read more

See all

The staff were super friendly and our waitress gave good recommendations on drinks. Omg there's so many good options! My burger was so delicious, I had to take a break so I could savor it. This spot is great for game night with friends or with a significant other, lots of options for games. I really enjoyed my time here and will definitely be coming back! read more

The Forge Tavern - Beer Bar Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

See all

No parking. Forge staff says to park at La Casita/in the back. La Casita WILL TOW YOUR CAR if you park there or anywhere else in their lot. Until they can get their parking situation resolved with La Casita.. I guess I won't be going. read more

This is my first time coming here and it was entertaining! The Forge has a large variety of board and card games to choose from; and the drinks are strong and tasty. I love that the decor makes it like a medieval gaming tavern and the staff is friendly. Overall, it was nice to see groups of various size groups come together for an evening of a simple, yet fun experience! read more

The Forge Tavern - Beer Bar Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

See all

Excellent chili and it's in almost everything on the menu. It's really good!! The crowd is mostly gamers and they do nothing to make non gamers welcome. Probably not a place to meet and mingle unless you know someone. The drink menu seems fun although the bang for the buck is not that good. Excellent selection of mead. Karaoke wasn't very good. read more

Oh I am such a rebel. Shhh don't tell Mike G. I am doing it again, I am reviewing a place while at the place--a trespass of his strident rule written in his review on Yelp. But screw his stick-up-the-butt mentality, I'm doing this live feed baby! The Forge is a new gaming bar--like Kingmakers--but in the spacy confines that was once Bethal Pub and before Polos--the meet market circus Y2K. This is from the fabricators of the game board store of the same name at Tuttle Mall--the space hammered in by the food mall. Though the owners--an industrious couple who seemed to be the sole employees right now--have yet to change the signage ( They will tap them into place once the authorities give their ok) it is in the building next to the Indian carry out and dog pound near La Castita, Bethal Road. Look for the Bethal Pub banner and the giant roadside billboard casting digital ads on the pavement. Unlike Kingsmakers the place has no cover. Just come on in and grab a game from the wall featuring many of the popular. Finding tables are easy as you have the width of the former club to play. They have classy-up the space too--accenting its wood framing and flooring to highlight their metal knight armor middle age theme. The hexagon bar just in from the sequence of doors is still there. A standard fare of beer, bar food, and TVs often playing geek films ( Super Heros, Simpson) are usually playing. The clientele are what you expect--game loving Millennial, hipsters, and Gen-z with a dash of Gen-x and Boomers loving the board games and fun. They have a calender of events including Open Mic, Game Night, and Magic the Gathering on Fridays. I come because it is near my home and is a decent place to chill--and to wait for somone to challenge me in chess but no one will. Or to break Mike's anal rules! ;-) read more

See all

I really really REALLY hope this place makes it, and I'll be doing my darkest to help. The Forge Tavern is a haven for gaming nerds of the older set, mostly because it marries the combination of factors most of us older nerds tend to want: a place to hang out hat devoid of pets and kids, good selection of beer and drinks, and a selection of games to play (or bring your own). If you're inclined to feed your hunger their humble kitchen offerings will definitely hit the spot. In between swinging dice or flinging cards you can nibble on a great burger or pizza. A special shoutout to their mixologists - be sure to try any of their thematic "dragon" concoctions. There will definitely be a dragon for you. Mostly I just like the fact the owners "get" games, because they are also owners of the gaming shop over at Tuttle. They bought this club and flipped it into a gamer haven and watering hole due to popular demand. I'm looking forward to coming back with friends. read more

The Forge Tavern - Beer Bar Near Me - Columbus, Ohio

See all

What a great place to hang out. Go for just a few drinks and some grub, play a board game or go to one of their special event, you can't go wrong. Trivia night is always fun but you better be quick, these people don't play around. Awesome drinks and very friendly staff. What more needs to be said... GO read more

Awesome place and vibes! Great selection of games, super friendly staff, and great food! Even the chicken sandwich was Great time with friends read more

The coolest gaming tavern in Cbus. Great atmosphere, yummy food with vegetarian/vegan options, incredible drink choices, and creative and fun special events. Say "Hi" to Smithy for me! IYKYK ;) read more

Great drinks, fun atmosphere, and cool people. Definitely recommend trying out a flight of mead. Their food is eh, but it doesn't really matter, it's a super fun time. Just eat before read more

Amazing atmosphere, crazy drinks, and great food. This is the perfect place to get your nerd on. Magic night Wednesday's are the best!!!

For a gamer geek like me this is Heaven on earth. The best Mead menu I have ever seen even compared to Drake Brothers. Their cocktail menu was also excellent as was their beer menu. Service was good and friendly. Definitely one of my new favorite places in all Columbus and will be back again. read more

So much fun and the staff was great! It can get pretty busy depending on the night, so parking gets a little hard to find. Love everything else about this bar. read more

Everyone is so nice! Such a great place, there are Covid safety precautions in place and an amazing collection of games! The food is alright but is that why any of us are actually there? Nope. Go and have some fun! read more

The Forge is an excellent addition to the Northwest for a number of reasons. As other reviewers have mentioned, The Forge caters to tabletop gamers, and they have a wide variety of board games available to the left of the door. But it's clear that many patrons are bringing their own games, or doing "homebrew" campaigns and have chosen The Forge as an excellent public location to get a group together. While I was there last night, there was another group of fifteen or so playing something highly interactive (and very theatrical), which made for an entertaining backdrop to what my own group was doing. But both times I've been there (both on Fridays) the place has filled up nicely with a genuinely enthusiastic crowd. What's important to remember, however, is that The Forge is truly "tavern first." It has a lot of space, full of dark wood flooring and furniture, and a sizeable bar with a wide range of drink options. The food menu is a bit limited, but both items I've eaten ("artisanal" flatbread, and soft pretzel sticks) were enjoyable. My only caveat for The Forge in general is that, like most taverns, it can get quite loud as it fills up, and since there's usually music playing and muted TVs in the background, it can be distracting...detracting a bit from the point of being there in the first place. I don't think there's any way around that minor downside, however, and my big takeaway is that I'm grateful that The Forge exists, and caters to a certain kind of crowd. read more

I'm not into board games more complicated than monolopy or battleship (which they have), but I love the food, the bar, and service. Its a family owned place that is really comfortable and I love coming by for trivia or a random night to hang out, eat, and play some games. read more

Can't wait to come back here and play some board games! There is an awesome selection and you can bring your own in. The draft beer selection looked great as well. I wasn't able to try food this time but they had some nice options. I'll update my review once I'm able to embrace the experience but I was impressed with what I saw. read more

The Forge Tavern is where gaming, drinks, tavern food, and fun combine for a good time. Had the father in law and his wife meet us for drinks and gaming. We all enjoyed the cocktails and food. Diane and Bruce do a great job on making sure everyone has a good time. If you are looking for a gaming adventure, this is the spot for you. read more

I had such a great time here with my dad. We were visiting from opposite coasts, and came to Forge Tavern to play games. We liked it so much, we came back for karaoke the day before we left! read more

So, my husband and I had a spontaneous afternoon off work and ended up at Hayden Falls. On the way back while driving down Bethel Road, we decided to pretend like we were on a mini-vacation and do something we always do when we have time off together: just drive and stop into the first local out-of-the-way pub we come across. We landed at The Forge and were really glad we did! With the way the patio is set up and the door is off to the side, we weren't sure, but decided to go in anyway and walked around a bit. Was pretty obvious it was a gaming scenario so we decided to sit at the bar and have a bite and drink. We ended up chatting a while with Diane. She was GREAT! We found out she and her husband recently bought the place and also heard stories about how the cocktails came to be created which was fascinating. We munched on the flatbread which was delicious and had a couple of very tasty drinks. We are not gamers by any stretch but really enjoyed our time there and will definitely go back. read more

Foods not 5 star but the service, environment and great game options. Held a pathfinder game here and they're are kind and courteous. Drinks are A little heavy handed but they may depend on bartender. Definitely a great new business for Columbus! read more

I recently stumbled upon word of The Forge Tavern while on Reddit looking for a new D&D Campaign, so I decided to go take a look. The Forge Tavern is a rare and wonderful place. Upon entering everyone at the bar smiled and said hello. It was very warm and welcoming. This is not a "Columbus Bar", this is a "Gamers Tavern". The décor is arcane without being cheesy... lots of armor and smithy tools about. A whole wall of various board games to play. Variable lights with dimming switches that you can control. Great selection at the bar, even for those who don't partake. I had a burger made with top shelf beef and an awesome special sauce, along with some kettle chips. I grabbed my tankard of Guinness and start chatting up random people and was not disappointed. The atmosphere at The Forge Tavern is everything you would want from the friendly village you find at the end of a campaign, where your party can grab an ale and recant the adventure to raucous laughter... but IRL! I credit the atmosphere not only to the décor, but to the barkeep Diane, who is an absolute gem... wife of the husband/wife team who owns the Tavern as well as Orc Forge Games at Tuttle Mall, don't leave without taking a moment to enjoy her conversation. Although I have a great space at my home for hosting D&D, it doesn't compare to The Forge Tavern. My goal is to find a campaign and meet there weekly. Highly recommended. read more