Midway

Bar · University Area

Midway

Bar · University Area

1

1728 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201

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Highlights

Midway is a lively college bar serving Japanese bites and good drinks, where the energy is high and the crowd is as eclectic as the music.  

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1728 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201 Get directions

midwayonhigh.com
@midwayonhigh

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1728 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201 Get directions

+1 614 817 6997
midwayonhigh.com
@midwayonhigh
𝕏
@MidwayonHigh

$ · Menu

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Last updated

Jul 11, 2025

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"Dancing, cheering, socializing — Midway is a frequent site for all kinds of spontaneous fun. Located on High Street, the clubby bar is often packed with Buckeyes looking to start off the weekend right. Wait for the lights to go down and the neons to go up; that’s your cue to hit the dance floor as the DJ in the corner spins song after song. If the weekend scene feels a little too frenetic, visit midweek for drinks specials, like Midway Madness: $1 wells and $1 bombs. You can even book a party to share the fun and beats with a crowd of friends." - Angela Lee

The 16 Essential Restaurants Near Ohio State University
View Postcard for Midway

William Livingston

Google
I tried to pee in the same stall as my homeboy and they got mad, kicked us out and called us gay

David Wang

Google
It’s no longer a restaurant but it’s a great place to go out. It’s a very crowded place, and occasionally bouncers can give you the walkout, but in the thousands of times I’ve been at Midway, none of them have been bad experiences. I just wish that the place had more space to move around and that the bathrooms were a bit cleaner - I personally would prefer to avoid flooded floors.

Ullas Sutaria

Google
This is a place for thieves and crooks. My kid’s credit and debit card was stolen here. She didn’t even order any food and walked out but then suddenly several unauthorized transactions happened.

Krushi

Google
They overcharge on credit cards and add in their own tip amount! Beware

Meredith Seta

Google
Nowhere I’d rather puke than the midway bathroom on a Thursday night, with a random girl rubbing my back telling my to shove her glasses down my throat. Wish I could say that was an isolated incident. Try to get past the sticky floors, midway is perfect in its own special way.

Sean Colvin

Google
Excellent time. Staff is on point. Except some of the security. Some of the security including the head of security was very unprofessional. I changed my review from 5 stars to 1 star because last time I came it seemed they were harassing people just looking for trouble. Its like they like putting their hands on people. I understand breaking up fights and kicking out drunks. But the head of security seems like he should lay of the steroids.

Peter Blanco

Google
It's usually pretty good, only reason I give it a 4/5 is cause the music is hit or miss. Sometimes it slaps and you're in for a good time, other times it's just kinda okay. It's not bad per say, but it could be better. There's not too much that has to be done right at a bar/club. Good drinks, good bar staff, good music and fun people. If you have the first 3, it'll attract the last one. Definitely a younger age group, like college kids (like freshman/sophomore college kids) which isn't bad if that's your age. There's a mix, but leaning more to the younger side.

SoYung Park

Google
DO NOT GO HERE. WORST BAR ON CAMPUS. So I was here having a good time for about 30 minutes but left to get a gyro next door because I was hungry. I tried going back in but the bouncers denied my REAL ID and claimed it was fake even though I was just there literally about 30 minutes ago!! I knew I looked a little bit tanner in my ID because it was a rainy day when I took that picture for my ID at the DMV. So I took out my student ID and my credit card AND my social security card to show them it was really me. And they STILL denied me. I asked to speak to a manager and they denied me of that as well. Of course being angry of being even denied to speak to a manager, I asked if I could bring a police officer over to verify that the ID was actually mine. The bouncers then proceeded to cuss at me. It was a dark brunette bouncer and a red headed bouncer. I have never encountered such unprofessional employees ever. DO NOT GO HERE. Go to Ethyl or even the other campus bars.

Keith B.

Yelp
It's not Bento, which will always have a place in my liver, and I didn't bother to see if they serve food here, as I popped in for pre-concert beers before Mushroomhead. $7.50 for three bomb shots. The prices are fantastic, the bartender was quick and attentive. It may be a campus bar, but damn, I'll be back before the next show I catch at the Newport for a cheap beer and shot.

Ryan F.

Yelp
Kicked me out cause I tripped on the first stair from the 2nd floor to the 1st floor. Tell these bouncers grow up and gain knowledge (considering they are in college an all). Disappointing.

Remi W.

Yelp
Bouncer broke my actual ID. He was doing the "bend test" and now my ID is cracked not only vertically, but also horizontally. Pretty unpleasant to go out somewhere and return home with an ID that looks like a pretzel.

Keith G.

Yelp
Watch yourself here. My son was roofied. Hit over the head. Robbed of wallet and shoes and left in a parked car.

Sam R.

Yelp
Lots of underage kids in this place. Usually not a big deal but when it gets packed there's a lot of foul smells and fights.

Cate D.

Yelp
it's really difficult for me to rank this place mostly cause idk how i feel about it. I used to hit this place up like crazy last semester i'm talking 2-3 nights a week I was obsessed, couldn't get enough. However, something changed it's like more and more freshman are rolling in and it's becoming the new bulls and that's not a cute look. But whenever i go i do get blackout and it's a really fun time especially to dance. As far as drinks go you better pre game HARD cause that shit is over priced and you gotta drink a lot to have fun. There's usually no room to dance but if there is you're gonna have a sick ass time. As far as mid way goes it's gonna stay close to my heart but i'm not sure how often i'll go.

Ezinne O.

Yelp
Ok I get the picture. It is common practice for bouncers in this bar to chokehold students and throw them down the stairs in the most inhumane way and no one is doing anything about it. Management take note .Yesterday night a student was put on a chokehold and pushed down the stairs. Incidents of your staff brutality to students have been going on for years and you are not doing anything about it. Now I would have to get authorities involved.

Austin M.

Yelp
Collage Id are you kiddning me I work all week and want to have a good time and I can't get in and that's BS.

Jack B.

Yelp
they let every single fake ID in. if you give them an Ohio ID even if it's real, they will take it. Don't bother calling the cops, just sue!

Jeff M.

Yelp
This Friday I attended one of Columbus's finest establishments, Midway, to sample their newest feature: Midway Milk. This alcoholic concoction has swept the streets of columbus with a unique interest. Is this the new beverage to take the place of Liquid Dope? I went to Midway to find out. Friday night, 8:30 pm. I am dressed in a strange concoction of dad, frat casual, and a hint of general ridiculousness. In fact, I am perfectly dressed for this encounter of the third kind with Midway. I walk onto the second floor of this fine establishment to find out that Midway Milk is only served on the first floor. This is a troubling sign from the get go as ease of access is a key aspect to be considered in any review. As I venture to the first floor the heavens open and angels began to sing. The Midway Milk is on full display and my target is acquired. I am given a jug of the blue variety. The price is somewhat staggering ($7) and the volume of liquid isn't what I had expected. Nonetheless I give the Midway Milk a try. Initial results are phenomenal. It tastes like juice. I can taste little to no alcohol (raising questions of whether or not I got ripped off). I proceed to enjoy my Midway Milk and move on. An hour later, I am still nipping on Midway Milk and my experience has severely depreciated. The amount of sugar has become intoxicating and not in a good way. My stomach begins to tremble and I start to feel sick. I give up and don't finish my beverage. All in all my experience was disappointing. Accessibility was less than ideal, price was absurd, and the beverage was horrifyingly sugary. My blood sugar level likely rose to unprecedented levels throughout my experience. Would I have it again? perhaps, but it wouldn't be my first choice and it is no replacement for liquid dope.

Marsadie M.

Yelp
Besides the relatively high alcohol prices I love Midway! I couldn't stand the attitudes of the chefs that would take orders at Bento Go Go, and now they work in the kitchen. Service now is by college kids and is average... They're generally pretty friendly and efficient. Midway still has the same tasty pan-Asian fare as before, with some new menu items I believe - but it's great that you can have a nice brew with your sesame chicken, now. Also, I love half-price sushi Wednesdays! I love the refurbished patio as well. Overall, this is one of my new favorite happy hour food joints.

Kaz K.

Yelp
Sign the petition to have this place shut down! http://chn.ge/2zRxtGZ I walked up to Midway to try to see what was going on in their parking lot. As I was walking up to the area, I noticed an inebriated individual was standing near the opening to the backlot talking to a bouncer. I couldn't hear what they were saying, but the bouncer eventually said to go to the end of the line. He then pushed that guy extremely hard. As I wasn't sure what the conversation came to, I'm not sure why the GM pushed this gentleman and pushed him so hard. He really didn't seem to do anything wrong. After that happened, I was still confused about where to have my ID checked so I could go into the parking lot. I tried to ask why people from the line going into the building weren't going to the backlot. The bouncer then pushed me. I raised my voice and said I was going to call 911 if he did that again. I really wanted an apology and I would've been satisfied. After this two policemen appeared behind me and told me to stop trying to improperly enter into Midway. I said I wasn't trying to be improper and that the bouncer just pushed me when I was trying to ask him a simple question. I mean I'm trying to spend money at your bar, I would think you would be nicer. Anyways, the policeman wasn't listening to me. He wanted me to be more than 20 feet from Midway. After trying to explain that I was being respectable, the officer turned me around and grabbed my wrists together and walked me across the street saying "you're mine now." Because he decided to forcefully physically remove me from the surrounding public area around Midway, I wasn't able to get an apology from Liam, the GM at Midway. I won't ever come back here or any of the parent company's businesses again and hope that others will heed my story.

Arianna R.

Yelp
Oh midway. Never disappoints! Cheap shots, good dj and the whole college comes here. It's a cool place that's always packed to the tea. It's more for younger students but it's filled with people of all ages. Inside of the bar needs a renovation but I like when they open the back parking lot and then turn it into a block party. This place and big bar are the only two bars on high st that are good bulls sucks!!

Jackie H.

Yelp
Wee-ooo-weee-oooooooo cops are here!!!! Yep, every night. Busting those with fake id's and underage consumption. Literally, every night. Beware students. --------- I had heard that the good 'ol folks at one of my favorite campus spots took over this space, so of course I was excited to try it out! 4th St. owners made their way to High! This space is formerly known as Bento Go-Go, which had been a lackluster spot for students in the recent months. They have specials similar to Fourth's menu, and it has a pretty stellar happy hour. The first floor is basically like a chill hang out spot to get some grub and drinks, whereas the second floor is kind of like a mini Big Bar with dancing and crazy college kids. If you really want to try out the "restaurant" part vs. the "bar" part of Midway on High - I recommend going for lunch. Great patio for the summer and their have a different special every day. Most dishes have an "Asian fusion." This place is miles better than Bento used to be....but still not a place I'll stop too often. They got their name because it's basically a right in the middle of the campus nightlife scene! Perfect mid-location whether you are a North or South Campus junkie. So start your bar crawl at Little, and work your way to Midway before you end up at Charlie Bear! Seriously...check out these specials... 3.50 Long Island night? That night will never end well, in a good way. ;P

Karli K.

Yelp
Door guy was super rude. We went outside not knowing we weren't supposed to and the guy said "what the fuck are you doing out here?" Incredibly rude. I wouldn't let my husband talk to me that way. I don't mind going in but don't talk to me like that. Incredibly unprofessional.

John L.

Yelp
noise nothing but noise i can hear it 4 miles away and my neighbors and i will not stand for this any longer!!! we will take action!!!

Ian K.

Yelp
A refurbished Bento Go-Go with an interesting setup. Upstairs is a small club-type atmosphere with loud music and dancing. Downstairs is a lot more chill and features some booths. Between on the ground floor outside is the patio, with a lot of outdoor seating right on High. I'll be honest, I was skeptical of this place, but after going to Midway to check it out, it's definitely more than adequate for getting your drink on. There's a little bit for everyone, so the bar itself is aptly named. If you're from out-of-state, just a heads-up that the doorman wanted two forms of ID from me. You're also right across 13th Avenue from Formaggio and its incredibly cheap upstairs bar, so if this isn't really your scene, you can at least drink cheap close by. Midway won't be my first choice on the weekends, but you really can't beat the location and the crowd is pretty colorful. In our 20-30 minute foray into the downstairs half, we saw the typical college crowd, a bum that looked like Santa Claus wandering around, and the big sorority-fraternity party upstairs get busted by the cops. Just saying, don't put your arm around a cop's shoulders when you try to talk yourself out of an underage ticket. They don't like that.

Sarah F.

Yelp
I realize this is a campus bar, but I'm just not willing to let it slide. I thought this place was just horrid. My husband and I were early for a concert, so we stepped in for a quick bite and a drink. We stood at the entrance for a good 5 minutes hoping to get someones attention. Well, we did, they looked right at us, and then just ignored us. Finally we decided to just seat ourselves. The first table was covered in what I'm hoping was water. No biggie, we moved over. We waited another long five minutes. We saw the waitress chic, who wasn't really that busy. I believe there was three other tables. Eventually she decided we were worth visiting. At this point we were even more short on time, so we just ordered drinks and two appetizers, both the Crap Rangoon. You would think since they weren't too busy this wouldn't be a very difficult order, yet they were burnt. Not enough to complain and ask for another order, especially considering that we didn't have time, but still not what they should have been. The ONLY reason we even came here over Chipolte was because of the very long line at Chipolte. Sadly, we would've been better off waiting in the line. I think it still would've been quicker.

John T.

Yelp
This is a rowdy ass bar, always cops nearby to manage crowds and drunk idiots. My favorite time to go is when they open the parking lot up! All the kids wanna go here, so get there before the line is all the way down high st. Somehow I never have to wait too long for a drink here, the service is always pretty good even when they're slammed. Definitely a must stop by on game day or weekend nights (and Thursday's). Not quite all club but not quite all dive bar, a happy medium between the two. And don't be a dick to the bouncers, they're just doing their job.

Kecia M.

Yelp
Used to love this place but the service has slid DOWNHILL. Went there with my boyfriend last week and would you believe the server actually had the NERVE to ASK wait...no BEG for a tip?!? She claimed the last time I came I only tipped her $3. Well to tell you the truth she was LUCKY to get that! I'm not a confrontational person, so when she begged for the tip I gave her about $10 feeling sorry that she had to stoop that low; HOWEVER, I will go on to explain WHY she was only tipped $3: 1.) The last time I dealt with you, I had to clean my own table 2.) ASK for the last party's dishes to be removed 3.) Wave both hands in the air to get your attention for an order 4.) ASK for my bill after waiting for 30 minutes. On another occasion, the girl charged me $10 for something I didn't order, *I* had to catch it on the bill, (when she was running my card) and ask her to remove it! No apology, just a giggle and an "oops"... ^^These are just examples of some of the poor customer service skills you will encounter if you go there. I spend over $40 at the bar alone everytime I go, and you're going to try and rudely embarass someone because your pockets are hurting for money? Maybe you should try giving better customer service instead of worrying how much people are going to tip you. Just a thought. If you don't get a good tip, chances are, you DON'T deserve it. I could not believe how rude she came off! My boyfriend even stated he'll never go back there again because of their POOR (no pun intended) customer service. I will not be back myself. I feel sorry for this girl because she really embarassed herself...not only does she not know you should NEVER ask for a tip, she apparently doesn't know the guest should NEVER have to ask for the bill either! CUSTOMER SERVICE #101 (I think she missed the class) GOOD LUCK!

Grayson H.

Yelp
Only the best college bar on campus!!! Always amazing deals on drinks and fun music playing. Met multiple friends through Bumble BFF and came to Midway for drinks and dancing and had the best day.

Keagan J.

Yelp
Absolutely the worst bar in Columbus. I went there with my best friend and he looks at my ID and says, sorry it's college student night only. WHAAAAAAT???? You're not letting me in because you think I'm not a student? Doesn't this go against everything this city is trying to do? Be inclusive? First off, I graduated LAST DECEMBER!!! I was just a student 6 months ago, but either way, you absolutely can't exclude people based on the fact that they're too old. THATS AGISM AND YOU BETTER BELIEVE IM TAKING THIS AS FAR AS I CAN. It was July 20th at 12:30 am. I'm calling every news station possible and have already contacted the dispatch

Logan B.

Yelp
Dispite having already allowed me to enter with my friend and the rest of our group, i am a black man and my friend is a white woman, when I walked my friend back to her car and returned to Midway to enjoy the rest of my night, the bouncer denied access to me for wearing a "plain white T-shirt". From where I was waiting for my friends to come out so we could move to a less racist bar, I can see five white men wearing plain white T-shirts.

Nicolle C.

Yelp
Go to CHUMLEY'S/ THE O/ ETHYL instead!!! Went to Midway on Friday (yesterday). I stood in line for 20 mins. I was last to go in from my group. I just turned 21 and I'm from out of state. When I went to renew my license, my state gave me a paper temporary license and was mailing my ID to my out of state address. The bouncer looks at my ID, says they couldn't accept my legit, state issued, temporary paper ID that was stapled to my vertical ID by the DMV person. I had just gotten in to Midway the night before with the exact same, real ID. I then proceeded to watch him let in about 20 people with obvious fakes. Total BS. I was a responsible citizen and waited all this time to actually be 21 and this is what I get. My friends and I won't go here again.

Tim L.

Yelp
It's 1 star kinda of atmosphere and here is why. The security is complete garbage! Some lady dropped a bottle on my friends head. I didn't have anything in my hands as I just closed my tab. Me, 6'4" 208lbs, was immediately blamed with NO rebuttal! They refuse to listen to anything not to mention they don't own security cameras so they really can't justify anything they "see". Around midnight -1am it gets really busy. If you go here watch out for the balcony and definitely be mindful of idiotic security. This isn't the first review complaining about security so keep that in mind.

Jaimie O.

Yelp
I know this place has gotten a lot of bad hype, but my girlfriend and I ate there before the OAR concert and had a great experience. We had a courteous, attentive server from Wisconsin (Laura?) who made sure we were situated right away. The food and drink recommendations were excellent. We will definitely eat there again, if not just for happy hour.

Michael C.

Yelp
One of the worst bars I've been at around Ohio State. The atmosphere is fun and great for groups and dancing. The service is awful. The bathroom has never had soap or paper towels. The bartenders do not know how to make proper drinks and always under pour. Don't be tricked by their deals. Half off on everything on Thursdays isn't even a deal when the cups are 6 ounces. The bartender also have no idea how much things cost. I bought two shots and 3 beers one night and asked how much I owed her. I was told "I don't know".

David F.

Yelp
The beer is cheap, and so is some of the sushi during happy hour. The sushi is about grocery story quality. It won't kill you, but it isn't the best you've ever had either. The service is pretty terrible. Took 10 minutes to get a menu even. There are too many TVs- at least 10 of them downstairs, all of them tuned to sports.

Ryan D.

Yelp
It's not Bento but It wasn't bad during the day. I'd stop by again for day drinking. Night time though..... hrmm Not my kinda of scene anymore.

Bobby P.

Yelp
The three times I have been to this location, was for thump on Wednesdays (good show, but they have to find a new venue.). The place is flushed with sausages, it's located right by all the frat houses on campus, the floors are very sticky, the bar chairs look like Freddy Krueger and Edward Scissorhands had a death match, the woman's restroom floors are sticky yet always covered in beer, broken beer bottles scattered across the floor, the toilet paper and toilet seat are on the floor. The third time is the charm for me I will never be back.

Benjamin B.

Yelp
Good: Friendly and personable staff, high quality beers at good prices, lots of outdoor space, tasty bar food for the money Bad: Sometimes inexplicably a mess

Allison K.

Yelp
I heard that they have half-price sushi on Wednesdays so I went to check it out. First of all, not all of the sushi is even half off but there is no indication of that until you actually get there. Maybe half of the sushi selection is half off (of course it's the cheaper sushi that they offer). Once you accept the fact that SOME of the sushi is half off, it's a pretty good deal. Still, cheap sushi is not exactly great sushi. It wasn't bad but it wasn't that good either.

Anna D.

Yelp
Went there had my phone stolen out of my purse that was across my body, talked to the bouncer they said they had 17 phones stolen that Thurs-Sat night. Other friends have had phones, money, credit cards, id's stolen out of their purses as well. For a business to have such an obvious criminal ring situation happening every weekend and do nothing about is atrocious. They need to take responsibility and not allow their customers' possessions and safety be in jeopardy.

Kevin T.

Yelp
Saturday April 27th I was at the Midway on High Street bar and couldn't believe how rude the one bar attendant was to me. We didn't speak a word to each other but I would have liked to so I could have ordered some food and beer! I arrived at the bar sometime around 4:30 and ordered a Budweiser in a bottle. The woman at the bar said she would have to go to the storeroom or somewhere to get it so I told her a draft would be OK. I took it outside and sat on a bench with a table and drank it. About fifteen minutes later I went inside and got another one. Different woman at the bar this time. Both women were polite and nice so I tipped both of them 50 cents for my $1.50 beers. Probably around 4:55 or 5 p.m. I got hungry after smelling some food that some other patrons were eating so I was going to ask for a menu and another beer next time one of the women came by. Well, at about 6:20 pm after I had waited for almost an hour and a half for one of the women to stop at my table, which they hadn't yet, I got up and left! One of the nice women who I had ordered one of my beers inside from came outside to wait on people just once or twice while I was still drinking my second beer. My cup was probably still about half full so it didn't surprise me that she didn't stop by my table. But by 5 o'clock I had only an ounce or two of beer left in the one cup, and my other empty cup was sitting right beside it very visible to the new woman who came out at least 10 or 15 times during that hour and a half and did not make eye contact with me even one time even though she was within one or two feet of my table many, many times. The last hour and 15 minutes or so that I was sitting there both of my cups were completely empty but she walked right by me every time. I was wearing decent, clean clothes that were in good shape. I was well-groomed. One guess I can come up with for her behavior is that I am 55 years old and bald (most people guess that I am around 45), and I didn't see a single other customer that looked like they were over 22. My other guess is that even though I wasn't using any chairs since I was sitting on the bench, I was using up a table all by myself. Maybe they wanted that table which would have accommodated a party of four. All of the tables were being used I believe. I remember the inside being real empty though the last time I was inside which was to buy my second beer. That could have changed but I doubt it because everyone wanted to be outside since it was perfect weather. The two taller women inside the bar were very nice to me. The shorter one that always came outside wouldn't even look at me. I promise I didn't do or say anything to anyone that would cause that type of treatment. As a matter of fact, the only talking I did to any customer was to ask one of the guys at the next table to save my table for me while I went inside to get my second beer, and a little later I asked two guys what type of drink that was that they had that had an orange slice hanging on the side of their glass. That isn't very much talking for being there from 4:30 to 6:20. And they were my first and only beers of the day so I was not even close to being intoxicated. I of course won't ever go back there. And I am also going to be asking a lot of people what their guess is as to what was going on.