“I Wanna Go Back to Ohio State, to Old Columbus Town...”
Ohio State's campus is full of legendary bars, restaurants and campus spots – and we visit all of them.
In this week's article, we talked to Khalen Watson and Josh Edwards, manager and managing partner respectively, to learn about Big Bar after the management turnover in 2019.
History of Big Bar
Big Bar and its rooftop deck and seating have been an iconic spot on campus for a while now, but the history has turned to a new chapter as Khalen and Josh took over in 2019.
This was extremely challenging timing as the COVID-19 pandemic presented an enormous challenge for all businesses beginning in early 2020. This has given the new management a unique perspective of Ohio State and campus in general.
How Campus Changed
The new management saw a brief period of normalcy before the pandemic, but they've mostly seen campus during COVID times, giving them a unique perspective.
"People are definitely more aware of their surroundings, more health aware, but there is still the happy-go-lucky feeling around campus. Especially right now as things are starting to feel normal again," Khalen says.
Best Buckeye Memory
For this new staff, the best memory was their first Buckeye gameday – even if it was during strange times. With fans unable to watch the game in the 'Shoe, local bars and restaurants around Columbus were able to host Buckeye fans.
"Our first and favorite game was the Nebraska game from the COVID season," Khalen said. "It was uplifting to see support, even during COVID, from the students."
Building Buckeye Community
With the bar sitting right in the middle of the campus district on high street, the new management has taken a student-first approach to try give students a safer space in what can be a big and dangerous city.
"We want to create that safe environment for the students, especially after some of the crime spiked in the area," Khalen said. "We moved to a student-only bar."
As a result, Big Bar has developed a community of regulars.
"We see the same faces in here every weekend, and students are always thanking us for putting their safety first," Khalen said.
Menu Must-Haves
While it might not be a menu must-have besides the occasional specials and generally cheap drinks, one thing that sets Big Bar apart from any other campus bar is the rooftop patio.
"One thing that keeps people coming in is when the rooftop opens," Khalen laughs.
With the weather getting warmer, the staff is excited to be able to open that rooftop patio.
Craziest Memory
Even though this staff is newer, they have had plenty of crazy memories to look back on.
"The Nebraska game was definitely one of the crazier ones, as we didn't even know if we would have a season. Last March Madness was big for us as well," Khalen says.
There will surely be many more memories made in this iconic campus bar as Covid is easing up and things are getting back to normal.
The Big Bar and Grill is open from 8-2 from Thursdays-Saturdays. Khalen and Josh would love to see more students and the community come out as society starts to open back up.
