The Toolbox Saloon is a hell-hole bar in a hell-hole neighborhood. Of course, dive bars can be fun, and that was the case at The Toolbox Saloon at one time ‒ before the current owners took possession of it. If you decide to venture there, you should plan to wear a Kevlar vest, and carry a weapon of some sort ‒ a loaded handgun and/or a relatively large knife will probably suffice, if you are lucky. After spending some time at The Toolbox Saloon, plan on your vehicle having been broken into ‒ a common occurrence nearby. The Columbus Police Department does have a sub-station a few blocks from The Toolbox Saloon. Despite that sub-station being a secure masonry building, the entire compound is surrounded by a tall fence with razor wire on the top of it. Apparently, the Columbus Police Department does NOT feel that their armed officers are safe in this neighbor when, for instance, they are walking from the sub-station to their patrol vehicles, or vice versa.
Once inside, or more likely on the patio, plan on seeing patrons falling off their bar stools due to severe intoxication, and many times injuring themselves in the process, as this is a relatively common occurrence in this reviewer's experience. Larry Lawson, the current owner, is on the record stating that he does NOT have the right to refused service to customers ‒ apparently for any reason ‒ which is actually contrary to Ohio Liquor Law. Bar owners would be well-advised to become familiar with this set of statutes. Be advised, if you encounter Larry on the premises, it is very likely that he will be at least as intoxicated as some of the patrons, if not more so. If you talk to Larry, you do need to realize that he will look you in the eye, and then proceed to lie to your face. If you point out the dishonesty in his statements, he will become belligerent, almost violent, and throw you out of the bar. Such behavior is actually fairly common among drunks - alcoholics really should NOT own bars.
Given the "no one refused service" policy of the owner of The Toolbox Saloon, underage drinkers would be wise to make their way there ‒ if they can find the place. This reviewer can state that he has never witnessed any patron at The Toolbox Saloon being asked to present identification despite any appearance of relative youth.
Recently this reviewer observed a patron who had recently been charged with felonious Driving-Under-the-Influence (DUI) ‒ this patron's third such charge in less than 2 years ‒ tossing back shots followed by hard-seltzer chasers despite facing such serious alcohol-related criminal charges. Larry went on the record as seeing no problem with such behavior despite the relatively high likelihood that vehicular manslaughter would be the result. Apparently, and one can only assume this, that generating another, say, $30 in revenue is a higher priority than preventing the highly predictable loss of human life. But, then again, Larry's judgment could have been impaired due to his own heavy consumption of alcohol.
Earlier this year, The Toolbox Saloon had 2 excellent bartenders who brought larger crowds into the bar. However, both of these individuals left abruptly. One has to wonder if this was due to the hostile work environment created by having to work for an amoral, belligerent, drunk. Since that time, Larry has hired 2 replacement bartenders ‒ one of which stayed approximately one week. The other one continues to soldier on with Larry otherwise relying on his sister to cover staffing needs. Again, one can only assume, no one from the Columbus bartender community wants to work at The Toolbox Saloon.
In summary, if someone is considering patronizing The Toolbox Saloon, they should do so with their eyes wide open. Also, they should consider that they will be actively, and knowingly, providing economic support to those who willfully engage in behavior that will eventually lead to vehicular manslaughter. read more