In Search of a Great Hockey Bar

By Rick Gethin

     Sports bars are a dime a dozen, all over the world. Any city, anywhere, has one; more than likely more than one. But as a hockey fan, where do you go to hang out with other like-minded puck heads? Can the waitstaff at most watering holes give you the +/- of your favorite player skating that night? Are you able to actually talk hockey with the bartender as they pour your beverage of choice?

     If you’ve found yourself in this quandry before, especially on a road trip, look no further. In Columbus, Ohio, right in the shadow of Nationwide Arena (413 N. Front Street), sits a prolific hockey bar; the Rbar. Let me be clear on this. The Rbar is not a sports bar; it’s a hockey specific watering hole. This is the place to be before, during and after games. Players occasionally drop in as well as take stints behind the bar for guest bartending spots. The Rbar is filled with hockey memorabilia; from hockey sticks to pictures (autographed, of course) to pucks. As the saying goes… “We even smell like hockey”.

Photo by author

     Mike and Natalie Darr, along with help from Danny Capoccia, are the proud owners of the Rbar. On any given day you’ll find them there; tending the bar, waiting tables or talking hockey with anyone in the place. They are true fans of the game of hockey and it shows. Mike likes to call it the “mini Hall of Fame” with the amount of memorabilia that adorns the walls. Through his own collection and that which has been donated by customers, players and coaches alike, he’s transformed the place into a shrine celebrating all things hockey.

     With 12 televisions, including a flat screen in the front window so that patrons can watch the game from the patio, you’ll never have a problem finding a hockey game. The center-piece of the establishment is the mini-jumbotron sitting squarely above the center of the bar. Everywhere you turn, you’ll be inundated with the sights, sounds and history of the game of hockey.

     With 12 beers on-tap, as well as a fully stocked bar, the place appeals to urban professionals as well as the hockey fan. With a Happy Hour that goes way beyond an hour (2pm-9pm, 7 days a week), and drink prices that are low considering how close in proximity they are to the arena, the Rbar always has a good crowd on hand. On game nights the place is full to capacity.  The service is second to none; as a wait of longer than 3 minutes for someone to come around and ask you if you need a refill is a rarity. For the adventurous, they have 110 ounce Molson Towers (a table keg, for lack of a better term). Prior to game time, these towers seem to spring up on most tables. There are also speakers on the patio for those that choose to watch the game outside.

     Mike and Natalie bought the Rbar from the previous owners in March of 2006. They kept the name and set their sights on taking the bar to the next level. The old location had about 1000 useable sq.ft. whereas the new location boasts 4500 sq.ft. They closed the old bar in September of 2008 and re-opened in their new location in January of 2009. The staff helped to get the bar up and running, doing any work that was not required to be done by contractors. Plans for a kitchen providing typical bar fare have been in the works for some time; with a late October/early November opening. They carry the NHL Center Ice package to make sure that hockey fans get their fix.

     They’ve seen a steady increase in customers since moving to the new location. Increased traffic means increased staff and I have found the Rbar staff to be some of the most hockey knowledgeable of any sports bar. Mike gives each new hire what amounts to a homework assignment to make sure they’re up to speed in matters relating to hockey. If you walk in and ask for the current stats on Kris Russell, they will be able to tell you. They’re that good.

     Future plans have Mike and Natalie looking at putting in a hockey-themed restaurant that the whole family can enjoy. And just like when the Blue Jackets hit the off-season to work on making themselves better, Mike and Natalie do the same thing; the goal being to make the Rbar the place to go. With official viewing parties and ticket give-aways, the Rbar is always hopping. This is the place you want to go to have a good time and not leave with an empty wallet.

A small sampling of memorabilia/Photo by author

Some Other Articles That You May Enjoy:
Twitter Updates for 2009-07-28
Twitter Updates for 2009-08-04
Twitter Updates for 2009-07-22
Twitter Updates for 2009-07-22
Twitter Updates for 2009-07-24
Twitter Updates for 2009-07-31

We hope you enjoyed this post. As always, leaving a comment below is both appreciated and encouraged. Thanks!