Thirsty Ear Tavern   

Among the many superlatives garnered by the Thirsty Ear from various reviewers are best neighborhood bar, best beer selection, best open mic, best place for a first date and best bartender (called "eartenders" by the husband-and-wife team who own the joint). But the biggest draw is the music. Diverse jazz, blues, rock, folk, rockabilly and Celtic musicians perform on the intimate but not-too-loud stage, six nights a week. Although most performers are quality local groups, some national bands have also dropped by. Folks really come to listen; there's none of the pickup-joint atmosphere found on campus or downtown. Newcomers can test their frets during Wednesday open mic, and the Ear is ground zero for the Columbus Blues Alliance, who perform a couple of times a month. Grumbling stomachs can be quieted via a menu of cleverly named appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pizza and pasta, washed down with 18 different tap imports and microbrews or more than 120 bottled beers from around the world.