Thirsty Ear Tavern

04/19/08

Still Columbus' Best Little Music Club

by ninosavatte at Citysearch

This is my 1st time ever writing such a review, but I felt I must respond to hottasapistol, below.

I've been to 'The Ear' many times--B4 & after the ownership chng., B4 & after the show in question, & even on that particular show. True, it wasn't the best I've seen there, but the experience was an isolated one. There haven't been any similar problems since. I, too, spoke w/ the owner, who seemed quite perplexed; he insisted he'd paid his bill on time, & didn't know what the problem was. He made no mention of a curfew because there isn't one (& BTW the club is in Columbus, where there also is no curfew). As to why the band played only 1 set, well, maybe that was all that was in the contract. Perhaps the subject should be taken up w/ them.

Hottasapistol is right about 1 thing: the club isn't the same under the new owner. It's better. The crowds have been bigger (they've often had to lock up for sold out shows--too bad the place isn't a little bigger!), the staff seems to be having fun & are awfully nice, the beer selection is kept up to par, & the GM, Bill (he'a crack-up!), tells me sales have been up since the change. I understand the new owner, (Dan, I think?--he seems 2 B a nice guy), has never owned a business B4, let alone a bar, so he's probably got a lot to learn. But if he hadn't bought the place, where would Columbus be in the way of having a quality intimate music nightclub, now that The Blues Station & Little Brother's are gone?

The Thirsty Ear is hardly dead. They just celebrated their 10th anniversary last month w/ a sold out show by Tab Benoit. I can think of no reason to stay away from The Ear, which I once heard described as "Columbus' Bitter End Cafe" (& BTW, their pizza is FANTASTIC!).

• Pros: Superb Beer Selection, Cider On Tap!, PIZZA!, Fabulous Svc.
• Cons: Small, Closet Bathrooms, Ltd. Seating

11/27/07

The band quit early, the club didn't pay their gas bill...

by hottasapistol at Citysearch

The band quit early, the club didn't pay their gas bill...$25 a head and the band simply walked off after one set. The band said they had to quit due to a curfew in Grandview but there is no in Grandview. No food, except on the weber kettle burn because the club didn't pay the gas bill. The Ear is dead and I'm out $54. A total and complete ripoff. Stay away, its not the same since it changed ownership. Wishbone Ash is gone never to return according to the band members. They are done and I am done. It is a waste of an excellent venue.

• Pros: none
• Cons: no heat

11/28/06

Best beer menu, best live music

by mrs_john at Citysearch

Great local pub combined with great live music, this is a friendly neighborhood place with good food, good service, escellent beer selection and always great music. This is the place to see people you wont see all the time. In addition, they have a jam on Sunday afternoon where all ages are welcome, hosted by the Columbus Blues Alliance.

• Pros: music, friendly service, beer selection.
• Cons: small with limited seating for great shows