The Columbus Music Scene, Could It Grow?

The Columbus music scene is the hidden gem of the Midwest. From The Basement, LC, and A&R on Neil up through Skully’s and The Newport on North High Street, there is a vibrant and active music culture that spans across all age-ranges and tastes. There are even scattered music bars around in the different suburbs of Columbus. Flannagan’s hosts the occasional summer concert. Keystone Pub in Polaris has weekly shows. There’s The Bluestone on Broad Street and many others scattered throughout. But of course the highest concentration of venues will always be down between Neil Ave and High Street.

All of these venues add to the vibrant and active Columbus life. But what Columbus doesn’t have is a highly concentrated area of live music venues. While Park Street offers dance clubs and bars, there are seldom bands performing live in them. And, yes, on any given weekend there are a number of shows to see, but they are all concert oriented. You buy your tickets, call a taxi, have a few drinks, and then either find a bar afterwards or go home (both of which you’ll probably have to find a ride for). This is where there is opportunity for growth.

I like to think of Nashville. Nashville is legendary for their Broadway strip of live music bars that all have music pouring out of them from open to close every weekend. The best part about Nashville is that it’s walkable. All of the venues are right next to each other and they span for blocks and blocks. The way the strip is arranged creates a high-energy, fun environment and the vibe is contagious. There is the potential for a similar musical focal point in Columbus.

Late night dining in Grandview.

There are a number of areas around Columbus that are pedestrian friendly that lack night time activity. The best example of this is Grandview Heights. Grandview is home to a bunch of young professionals, 14-18 year old kids with middle-aged parents, and some of the 1%. This is an area that is begging for entertainment. That’s not to say that there isn’t any. There are some nicer bars on Grandview Avenue, nice restaurants, and a Winking Lizard at the end of it.

Live show in Columbus.

What there aren’t are music venues. Especially not in the heart of Grandview. As full as Grandview Avenue is with different shops, restaurants and businesses, there could still be room for some live music. A “strip” in this area would be highly successful. Having all ages shows from time to time, would bring in the teenage crowd. There isn’t a millennial alive that could resist a night out with some live music, especially if it’s in walking distance of home. A savvy booking agent would be able to schedule bands to appeal to the middle aged demographic as well. Additionally, venues in this area would find success in renting their space out for private parties and events to families or businesses.

Of course the obvious rebuttal is that downtown is so close to Grandview. To that I say that Downtown is not within walking distance. That is the key detail to the success of “strips” like I am talking about. They are close to home, walkable, and entertaining.

There are other areas in Columbus that could benefit similarly from the development of small music hubs to draw people out of their homes and into their local communities.