It was a beautiful evening in Columbus, so we were looking for a nice patio to sit out on and enjoy some dinner. With no plan in place, we walked along High Street, and the menu for Union Cafe was enticing enough for us to grab a seat and give it a try. Since I didn't do any kind of research, I had no idea this place was a gay bar, and a very popular one at that. I have absolutely nothing against it, but I was very clearly the minority here, as it seemed as though everyone dining here and every waiter was gay. Again, I want to be clear that I'm not opposed to it, but I had absolutely no idea and it was very interesting being the minority. It did make for some great people watching, I'll say that much. But I came here for dinner, so that is what I'll review. For the appetizer, we tried the menage a tois tater tots. They sounded amazing- tater tots with adobo/sriracha aioli/ketchup. I didn't realize that those literally meant dipping sauces that come with the tots, and was expecting more of a drizzle on top of the tots. Either way, I enjoyed the combination of flavors, and the tots on their own were great. Very well seasoned, which I find is rare when ordering tater tots. For my meal, I ordered the turkey club. Now, you can't expect a gourmet meal if you're ordering a sandwich with deli meat, bacon, and lettuce, so why the 3 star review? Frankly, it was tough to eat. While it tasted pretty good, the bread was essentially 2 giant croutons. It's not like the bread was too toasted, because then it would be burnt. But it tasted like when bread gets really old...and then they make croutons out of it. Way too crunchy. So I had to break a lot of the bread off and eat the contents of the sandwich separately. Like I said, it tasted good, but when you order a sandwich you want to be able to eat a sandwich. read more

Please read 0 stars!!! THE UNION SUCKS. It's immature. My friend got in a fright with an African-American woman and left and went to the union to leave the situation and be mature, Just because an African American LIED about something dumb they kicked my friend out of pint house. We then went to union and The flight didn't even happen there, the same women FOLLOWED us and She found the union GM and said to him that my friend called her the awful N word and that would never happen. I know racism is generally against black men and women, but right now this black woman went to far to ruin our day for no reason, my friend loves everyone and is gay herself and for her to get kicked out for the dumb GM JUST hearing ONE side of the story, AND IT DIDNT EVEN HAPPEN THERE, means management is a piece of shit. Union and pint house suck and I hope anyone with a piece of mind understands that. I hope the managers get this and understand just because a minority says anything doesn't mean it's true. Union is not awesome and I myself am a manager of a bar and lounge and hope everyone stops going to this business they don't deserve anything read more

I just did not like this place. I see many decent reviews on it, but I just did not like the drinks whatsoever. My go-to drink just tasted horrible, and I tried another drink that had a mixture of all my favorites, and it was just as bad, and a horrible brown-ish color. Just unappealing. I did love the patio, it was just amazing. However, more than 30 minutes into my sitting, a waiter walks up to me and tells me no dogs on the patio. If you've not noticed this dog, a Great Dane, for more than 30 minutes, don't you think someone else has? I have no idea who you are, you're not my waiter, you're not even the person who sat me. But how about you take a look at the vest that the dog is wearing and read SERVICE DOG. I mean, like, really? To come up to me mid-conversation, mid-drink, and try to kick me out when you haven't even looked at the situation. This is a case where being extra loses. Be subtle, look at the dog. If I had a yippie yappie yorkie, kick me out. But this is a GREAT DANE that has been sitting here unnoticed for over half an hour, there's a reason the dog is here and sitting so quietly. read more

Great food, friendly crowd and during the day I would even say it's a good spot to bring the kiddos! It is definitely an adult/bar scene at night, but for brunch on the weekends there is nothing but delicious brunching going on, and magical waffles like you've never seen before. Everyone who works here has been super friendly also, even when it's really busy at the bar. The drinks are also decently priced (so much better than Pint House next door) and they are STRONG! I also love the music videos they play, they're totally my taste in music. They lose one star because it is very difficult to squeeze your way through to the back of the restaurant; it is very small and cramped inside, and it makes it difficult to get up to get food or drinks. Other than that though, Union is a gem in the Short North! read more

I would give a negative star review if I could. The manager tried to kick my service dog and me out three times after I specifically informed her that he was a service dog. The experience was humiliating. The manager and owner whom she contacted are clearly unaware of the ADA laws. Or perhaps they are, because the manager only left me alone after I offered to call the police. I hope in the future they become educated on service animals and the laws associated with them. This will prevent further harassment of people with disabilities. This was a terrible experience for me and my friends. I stayed because I wanted to provide education in hopes that future patrons with service animals would not suffer the same fate. read more

My favorite dining spot in Columbus. The menu doesn't disappoint, the servers are always knowledgeable and attentive. The food wait time is short and is one of a small handful of truly lgbt friendly restaurants in the city. The atmosphere is great inside and out and the cocktails and other drinks are dangerously good and mixed perfectly! This is more casual and fun than Level and seems to attract a 20's-30's centric crowd. The atmosphere is ideal for a fun/romantic date night or hangout spot, or if you just want to have good food. Also, its in walking distance of anywhere you want to go in the Short North. read more

This place is always packed and I come here a couple times a month. Everything is real good. Diablo Pasta is my fave with chicken. It has a great kick to it. I also recommend Sunday Brunch and the lemon caper chicken. Long Islands are the drink to get here. They are known for them. The patio is amazing. It is a fun place and does get louder as the night goes on. I tend to come around 6 to beat the rush and you can request videos and its real fun. I was just there today for Brunch and it was great. read more

I've been here at least a dozen times, and some experiences were better than others. I always love the food I order, and you can rest assure the drinks will fuck you UP. The staff is friendly, the decor is pretty hip.. it's just.. the people that frequent here aren't always the friendliest. It's not Union's fault, AT ALL, so let's make that clear. I probably won't ever come back in the evening when everyone's drunk and rude, but I will definitely get lunch here and have a few Blue Moons. read more

Terrific establishment. Our group of 8 had great service every time we went. Favorites included the Pad Thai, Classic Burger (too big to finish) and BBQ Pizza. The drinks are enormous and strong too. The place was packed every time we went as well. We are from Tampa and met some new friends here. It's just a great vibe. Food is well priced. We met the chef at brunch and he was very nice and made great omelettes. This is a must do if in Columbus. Wish we had one in Tampa. read more

Union is somewhere I go because there are not better options... yet! The place has a layout of a restaurant, which is fine if you want to eat their underwhelming food during the day, but at night it's a bar and there are tables everywhere. Why can't there be a gay bar that's not trying to be a restaurant or skank ass club? I hope the layout of Level will agree with me so I can get wasted without crawling over tables and chairs just to make it to the bar. read more

I really like the Union, but in the past few years the service has gone done. The waiters are more concerned with socializing than actually getting my check to me in a timely manner. In addition, the food is really hit or miss. Some things are off the charts and others are just "ok". I'll probably still keep coming here, but two years ago this would have been a five star rating instead of three. I really hope it gets better. read more

new to town and came in today based on a recommendation. this place is amazing. i'm from LA and it reminds me of the Abbey except the staff is friendlier. Our group loved all of our food and thought it was under priced for what we got. I took home an italian sub that was big enough for 2 meals. will be back for drinks tonight. i hear its a hopping bar too. read more

Avoid this place at all costs. It is run by bigoted Republicans, trying to take money from the gay community to line their pockets and support their hateful views. The food is never really been that good and now even the entertainers are shills. There are tons of other game establishments you should look at before wasting your money at this dump. read more

HOLY CRAP! It's amazing at Union! The food is great, the drag queens are so nice and funny and TOO DIE FOR! My favorite waiters/waitresses were Skyler and Mina. They are so sweet and so fun look for them when you are there because it was just the best customer service ever in a busy Saturday brunch day. Will go there all the time now read more

This used to be THE gay bar in Columbus maybe 10-15 years ago. It's now owned by a republican dude that owns a few restaurants. The vibe is totally different. Even at like midnight on a Friday it's not even a quarter full. Metal detector at the front door. Best days are way behind it and AWOL is probably the replacement. read more

Come here all the time. Always busy and bustling and the food is great with good prices. The lemon caper chicken is the best food here. The drinks are real strong so you get a good value. Great looking place too. Can't go wrong here. It's popular for a reason. read more

Used to be a favorite of mine when they had real food. It's pretty much garbage pub food. After a quarter of a century going here, thousands of dollars spent with this entity including Axis, my husband and I will not be returning as it's no longer LGBTQI+ owned. read more

Came here for the first time for lunch. Nice vibe and causal establishment. Little bit up upscale food for a bar type of place. Their pizza is great and heard nice things about their Sunday Brunch. I will def try to swing by for Sunday brunch. read more

Such a good time and the staff is super friendly! Sometimes it's too crowded, but otherwise always great!!! The food there is also way better then one might expect! Definitely a staple of the Short North and Columbus in general! read more