The Rack

A hole-in-the-wall bar that is way too much fun!! Pool, darts, and just overall a great timeTo be had! And a pretty good selection of drinks and beers, too!

Sometimes you just want to go shoot some pool at a place that is conducive to, well, shooting pool! After playing one game at a different bar closer to OSU on a game day, a few of us were very frustrated at the noise level and the blatant disregard by others for people actually using one of the pool tables, so we opted to look online for somewhere else, and happened upon The Rack. I'm glad I wasn't put off by the 3-star Yelp rating, because we found The Rack to be exactly what we wanted: three well-maintained pool tables, a quieter (and less bro-ey) atmosphere, and general respect for our space as we were playing. The three pool tables are also far enough apart that they can all be used without everyone bumping into one another. Frankly, this place *feels* like a classic bar that manages to be simultaneously inviting and indifferent. One downside is that we didn't all have great experiences with the drinks, as one of us had a Blue Moon on tap that simply didn't taste like a Blue Moon, though even that was mitigated by the bartender graciously replacing it gratis. All told, The Rack doesn't purport to be anything more than what it is: a standard, slightly divey bar with a few TVs and some pool tables. But those seem to be getting more and more rare in Columbus these days, making The Rack an unassuming gem for when all you want to do is drink some beer and play pool.

This one needed a fresh review! Full disclosure, it is a hole in the wall, but it is a fun little spot. I mean the happy hour (which are $1 beers) goes until 9 PM! I've only ever had or seen the one bartender and she rocks. Very friendly, always makes sure you have what you need. A lot of locals usually and never a dull moment at The Rack. I will say that a bar with pool balls on the sign should have more than 3 tables... but usually never a long wait!

I agree with Heather about the confusion surrounding this mysterious Grandview dive- what kind of person calls a bar simply known as "The Rack" their home away from home? 3rd shift delivery guys? Bikers? Other bartenders? After stopping by at the unassuming hour of 3pm on a nondescript weekday, I still have no clue who the patron of this place is. Likewise, this is a great place to get off your rocker while the sun is still shining. I did draw a few idel stares from what must have been regulars after I made a ruckus with my bike outside, but the swift consumption of a shot of whiskey chased with a Budwieser did the trick of shakin off the haters. I almost felt cool on a lone drifter sort of way afterwards, which made me slowly realize that that's almost exactly the idea behind this place. Show up, prove your worth, and don't take no shit. On a lighter note, this is Grandview after all. While the atmosphere at The Rack may come off as roughneck at first, you have to take it all with a grain of salt. Yuppies with Volvos surround the tiny plaza that this bar bookends, which means two things: 1) The locals can't actually be locals- I don't want to know where they come from, truth be told- and; 2) This isn't Roadhouse. No one is gonna rough you up for looking at them the wrong way. The drunk guy talking to himself in the corner has his own story, and you've got yours, so it's best to just keep it that way. Drink some beers, play some pool, and have a good old time here at The Rack.

What an interesting little place.The Rack is an unassuming and somewhat hidden bar. It's so close to bf's house I always wondered, 'why don't we go there'? I think he was a little nervous to take me at first because you never really know what you're going to get. I've been about half a dozen times by now (the fear of me running and screaming down 5th Ave is now behind him) and each time I've been here it's been a different scene.It's been totally dead, save for a few rough looking regulars who just wanted to drink and be left alone. It's been crazy and busy and fun with lots of 20-somethings belting out karaoke. It's been chill, when only a few groups of people were enjoying their nights playing pool. It's been weird when the bartender is reading a book behind the bar and looks annoyed when I asked for a drink. I DID take advantage of karaoke once, but again - weird night. I've never gotten anything other than cheap light beer here (and maybe a few unwanted shots from bf's oh-so-generous friend). I have pretty much reserved The Rack for my end of the night bar and therefore have little to say about the place itself. I mean, I don't think I've even been in their bathroom. Needless to say, I like it for what it is - the outsider not caring to fit in with 'popular' Grandview bars. Great for the end of the night and A-OK for me.

I went to The Rack recently to see a band play. I wasn't sure what to expect as I've driven by at least a hundred times and always thought it was just a crappy dive bar. Upon entering, I felt like my friends and I got stared at for obviously not being "regulars", but after the initial looks everyone went back to their own business. It is a dive...but not as bad as I expected. It's actually pretty clean. It wasn't too crowded, which I like because I hate being elbow to elbow with people at bars. (My group of friends there to see the band probably amounted for half of the crowd.)The sound system for the bands wasn't the greatest and it was kind of awkward how the bands were stuck in the back behind the four pool tables while people played in front of them, but I guess they made do with the space they had available.Overall, not a terrible little place. Oh, and they have free popcorn, so you can't beat that!

The Rack is now under new management, so you no longer have to wait 20 minutes for a drink, nor do you have to be yelled at, treated like crap, or overcharged.There are three new ppl working there, far as I can tell...Danielle, is the new manager; she makes you feel like you are the only one in the room.Andrew: great guy with tons of experience.Becca? Normally works during the week, and is a helluva pool shot, so if you want to learn how to play, she'll gladly take you to school.I think they have karaoke on Saturdays, and the only downside is that the DJ needs to learn volume control, as he'll gladly blast out your eardrums and not give a crap about doing it.All in all, a great little hole in the wall, dive bar with some pretty good service and lots of good friends.

I'm not a bar goer, or a drinker, so I'm not sure I have much to compare to. I showed up here with my friend after the Elite Event at Sugardaddy's, so we were still dressed up. We came for the karaoke after party. When we walked in, Karaoke Dave wasn't there yet, and everyone was looking at us like in Animal House when they go see Otis Day at the bar. "You mind if we dance wif yo' dates". I'm not saying that's what the guys looked like, just the feeling I got. When we came back about 30 minutes later, and in different clothes, and karaoke was about to start, it was a completely different vibe. We had so much fun, and the bartender is quick, and on top of things. You will probably never see me near this place on any other night, but I will come for karaoke Saturday's whenever possible.

Great local bar for cheap no frills drinks. I live about a block away and can walk there easily so I frequent normally once a week. Normally there is only a handful of people there, mostly people who live in the area but it can get packed on a weekend night, normally later in the evening. When its busy it cab be a hassle to get a drink with only one bartender, Zach, but never unbearable. Perfect dive bar to play pool, listen to music and free popcorn. Wish they had never let Sam the bartender leave.

Over it, it used to be my favorite place but the last several months it has been crashing. It is closed on various days without any notice. The drinks are very watery and the music don't even get me started. Save yourself and don't bother to go. The woman bartender is rude.