Union Cafe image

Union Cafe

Restaurant Cafe Bar Bar and grill Brunch restaurant

Bustling, gay-friendly bar/restaurant offering hearty American chow, a large patio & entertainment. People often mention drinks, great, good, service, staff, people, brunch, time, amazing, server,


Address

782 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215, United States

Website

unioncafe.com

Contact

+1 380-239-2728

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.10 (612 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: 11 am to 2 pm
  • Wednesday: 11 am to 2 pm
  • Thursday: 11 am to 2 pm
  • Friday: 11 am to 2 pm
  • Saturday: 11 am to 2 pm
  • Sunday: 11 am to 2 pm
  • Monday: 11 am to 2 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: drinks (20) great (18) good (18) service (10) staff (10) people (10) brunch (10) time (9) amazing (9) server (8)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 1/5 Kevin D. 1 year ago on Google
    I had a terrible experience here tonight. The new owners are dishonest and running the bar poorly. 2 of the 3 drinks we ordered were significantly more expensive than the price listed on the menu, and it took almost 30 minutes for them to correct the error. To add insult to injury, the chicken strips were inedible and a friend's burger order was substituted without consent and charged extra for an impossible burger. I will never be returning and would advise others to steer clear. First review 12/29/22: 2 stars 22% automatic gratuity is excessive. I usually tip around 30%, but that's only if they service is at least descent. The men's restroom was disgusting. We asked them to address it, and it still looked like this 30 minutes later. Gross. Plus side, our server was great! Also, the most under seasoned steak I've ever been served.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Sean B. 6 months ago on Google
    This establishment was recently bought by a right-wing Republican. They are currently working on dismantling this establishment and taking away safe spaces from the queer community. Its new owner has a public record of actively donating towards anti-lgbtq politicians and legislature. If you work for or currently attend this venue you are working against our community. Because of my outspokenness they have blocked me on social media.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Michael T. 6 months ago on Google
    This place is no longer a queer friendly space! The owner that recently bought it has made regular contributions to Republicans that are actively trying to hurt the LGBT community. Please support one of the many other actual queer owned spaces in Columbus!
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jessica 10 months ago on Google • 479 reviews
    Had a blast here watching the Drag Race finale and meeting new friends. Yes their food menu has changed to a smaller, more focused menu but their cocktail menu is huge! Ordered the grilled chicken quesadilla and some fun drinks. Our server Nick was awesome!

  • 5/5 Britton M. 2 years ago on Google
    Excellt environment with a warm and inviting staff. Karaoke, great food, outdoor or indoor vibes... Always a great time. The food tonight was just too good not to post. Smokey mac n steak with a fried egg on top. Can't beat it for the price!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 tyann a. 2 years ago on Google
    They have the BEST food on high street! I always get the chicken wings and potato skin combo , the chicken quesadilla and the shrimp tacos. They never disappoint! They always have amazing service. The drinks are also good. Late at night it turns into a super fun bar! They are very inclusive and welcome everyone. I highly recommend them.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Tiana B. 1 year ago on Google
    I loved the entire look and feel of this place! Everyone was very nice! The food was ok and the drink was strong!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Tetûzela X. 1 year ago on Google
    Terrible service today. Waited for 5-10 minutes without being greeted by anyone working there. I have had pleasant experiences in the past but it’s been increasingly worst each time. This is a gay friendly bar but I’ve heard many stories of it not being inclusive for black people. I’m super sad to experience this first hand… repeatedly. Attached is a photo of everyone standing chatting not servicing me at all. There are 2 men at the bar who have been helped.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Manouchka A. 1 year ago on Google
    Food was good,music and atmosphere always on point,spacious and clean…Bartenders and servers very friendly and welcoming.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 1/5 Kaelyn D. 2 years ago on Google
    I wanted to go eat outside on the patio with my friends and my dog, so I called ahead and asked if dogs were allowed. The worker that answered the phone said any well-behaved dogs are welcome. Upon our arrival, we were rudely greeted by the hostess who said that dogs are not allowed on the patio. After explaining that we were told over the phone that they were allowed, we were told to go sit at a table in the corner with no menus, silverware, etc. Shortly after sitting down, another group walks up with a dog and is sat at a nicely set table under the umbrellas. After a few minutes the hostess and a server come up to our table and tell us that we need to go to the bar if we want anything. We asked for a server and the individual that came over with the hostess then proceeded to tell us that dogs were not allowed on the patio, so we just ended up leaving. I used to love going to Union Cafe, but now I will not be returning as this was horrible customer service on their part and they clearly don't communicate their guidelines clearly with all of their staff. Do better.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Anitra S. 1 year ago on Google • 39 reviews
    Union is great for drinks! They’ll definitely get you where you want to be and QUICK. I frequently come here for that and may try something off the food menu which isn’t too bad but definitely not my place to come for food. The music just isn’t my type of vibe like ever. That alone makes for a quick stop. To each its own. I’ve had the Mexican bowl with salmon and it was very disappointed. The salmon had zero flavor and the bowl was simple rice with salsa sauce. Yuck. So I’m good on the food. Definitely has great photo presentation.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Jerry Z. 2 months ago on Google • 12 reviews New
    I came back to visit after moving 2 years ago and I’m astonished at how much this place has changed. It used to be packed all the time and the place to go. The times I’ve come back seats were mostly empty. I’ve heard from more than a few people that the new owners have made Union go down hill. From recent visits, the vibe feels like they’re trying to quietly push out the gay crowd. A place that used to feel like a safe place now feels like just another straight bar and a shell of its former self. Very sad. The drinks, menu, and atmosphere are not the same. I see myself opting for other establishments in the future but that’s probably what they want.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 LilCornchippy 2 years ago on Google
    My wife and I have been here a few times and usually have a good time. The food is great and seating inside and outside is lovely. Our waiter was friendly but before handing us the check he made sure we knew how exhausted he was from 1 hour of sleep and that's why he was slow to get back to us when my wife saw him just standing at the bar quite a few times. When she looked at the check she noticed there was an automatic gratuity charged to her card for $10 on a $45 check. We didn't think anything of it until the next day, mostly because we just wanted to leave after sitting for so long. Not sure if it's just an automatic thing now that the restaurant does or if the waiter was trying to be slick.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kenya A. 1 year ago on Google
    We had brunch here to celebrate our friends wedding. Service was great, food came out super fast and the drinks were good. They take on a shot is definitely worth the money. Will definitely return if I am back in town.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Bryanna B. 1 year ago on Google
    Awesome lovely gay bar in the short north with long term staff and customers. They have a nice indoor vibe as well as outdoor patio space with coverings, a bar and TV. Food is EXCELLENT and the drinks are STRONG. local hub garage nearby or can find street parking depending on the day. They also do Sunday drag brunches occasionally.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Yin Y. 2 years ago on Google
    Visting from Cincinnati I was amazed by the flare of this place. Has a exciting feel to it. I loved how the staff were able to be opened about themselves. They gave out amazing energy. Very helpful. My only nack was my Kale salad I ordered. The chicken was over cooked. So it made it tuff. And we were seated adjacent to a table that had a bunch of flys. We had to keep fighting with them from getting into our food. It was quite a few of them. That was VERY annoying and unsanitary.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jessica M. 1 year ago on Google
    Took my little one (7) here yesterday & we had SO much fun!!! Everyone was so quick to include her and make the show kid friendly which they didn’t have to do and I thought was so kind! The dresses, the hair, the music, and the people were fantastic! She wants to go back again already! :)
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kayla T. 4 months ago on Google • 128 reviews
    We had a great time at union. We went here for dinner, so it was more of a chill vibe than later in the night, but it still had fun music playing. The food was great and reasonably priced. Our water Henry was so fun and helpful. It was a great experience!

  • 5/5 Andru V. 1 year ago on Google • 70 reviews
    We actually got lucky! Went on a sibling lunch with my sister and ended up finding out they have a brunch buffet so more food for me. lol Always wanted to eat at an alphabet people restaurant and finally got to. The food was awesome and the staff was nice.

  • 5/5 Bee Y. 5 months ago on Google • 69 reviews
    Always clean, food is tasty and the drinks are drinks. Food menu has changed, portions got smaller and prices got larger. But still good food. Personally not a fan of the drinks but the prices are good according to my friends. Also clean and the staff if great (with the exception of two). Bathrooms are always clean and I believe they have wifi. I have never felt unsafe while being there. I love that at night (when I go) they have people are the door, checking bags and bodies. You can never be too safe! I also feel the place is very inclusive now, which is great to see in Columbus, Ohio.

  • 4/5 Kristen E. 3 months ago on Google • 43 reviews New
    Good food and good prices! Only constructive feedback was that I scheduled to go with girlfriends on Saturday for drag brunch. It said on the website that drag brunches were on Saturdays at the time of booking, but when we arrived the wait staff said they recently switched to Sundays. The staff was very kind and apologetic, but I am bummed that we didn't get to see the drag show as we made a reservation in advance and was very excited!

  • 5/5 Michele I. 11 months ago on Google • 32 reviews
    We were in town for the weekend and saw they had a RuPaul's Drag Race viewing party 🎉 We started with the loaded pub fries and these may have been the best fries I've had. The drinks we're amazing. Definitely not weak. The quesadilla was delicious. Highly recommend going here.

  • 5/5 lauren L. 3 months ago on Google • 8 reviews New
    Amazing all around! From the food to the atmosphere to our server. Everything was so good. Our server was awesome and knew what they were doing! Our food was correct and so good. The place was designed well and had a great vibe. We had potato skins, wings, nachos, and pickles for starters. Each item was delicious. For our entrées my husband had a salmon dish he enjoyed, and since i am a picky eater, i had the turkey club. It was the BEST tukey club I have ever had. Then add in the drinks and you can't go wrong!! Some of the best cocktails! Green tea shots were epic!! We had a big crew, and the service didn't slip from seating to signing the check! I will definitely be back and recommend that you check it out yourselves!

  • 4/5 Ashley G. 6 months ago on Google
    Good vibes. The drinks hit! The shrimp was bomb. Music was great. Our waiter Cameron was attentive. We weren't rushed through our experience. The only downside was that it was just as hot inside as it was outside.

  • 5/5 Steven G. 2 months ago on Google • 6 reviews New
    I love there food and the drinks there the people that work there are amazing people and are very nice and kind of people I have been back there for there lunch dinner and there brunch and all of them has been amazing an the drag show on a Saturday morning's are just very good I'm going to be going back to a show and see them again The stuff there and the management and the drag and other people that have perform there are very talented I love all of the things that Union Cafe has done and what they are going to be to I love you all from the bottom of my heart.

  • 5/5 Albert M. 8 months ago on Google
    Food and drinks are always great! I have had only one occasion where service was not good, but overall I really like this place. It’s also an awesome place for LGBTQ+ people to gather and feel welcomed.

  • 4/5 Mikaela C. 1 year ago on Google
    Food is pretty good. I wish the kitchen was open later, I always seem to miss it. They get super busy and only serve the left side of the bar? We sat on the other side last time and we were never helped. Had to walk around to the extremely crowded and busy side to order. They also don't take tap pay. My biggest problem is that the floor is always sticky. Good pours for the price and great music/videos and themes.

  • 4/5 Ryan W. 1 year ago on Google
    Upbeat but chill spot. Good drinks, good food. (The potato skins were tasty) It was karaoke night during my visit. Would like to check it out on a different night.

  • 5/5 Maddie C. 1 year ago on Google
    I've been here for brunch, appetizers, and drinks and have enjoyed every time I've visited. Everything is pretty affordable, especially considering how expensive most of the other bars are in the area. I would recommend it for both the brunch buffet when they have it and also just for apps and drinks before going out. Be warned that the drinks are all pretty strong even though you can't always tell.

  • 3/5 Travis A. 1 year ago on Google
    Went for brunch last week. Fine value for the brunch. The bacon was amazing I could have just eaten that. The drag show was not the greatest in my opinion. The queens mostly just walked around and collected money with very little performance. But overall it was a good time. I don’t know if I’d go out of my way to go to it again though. Service was adequate.

  • 5/5 Warren S. 1 year ago on Google
    Absolutely love dining here! The staff always serves with a smile and the food is exquisite. My fiancé and I had fried calamari and a buffalo wing loaded potato sampler for appetizers. They were out fast and tasted amazing. I had a steak platter and my fiancé had a salmon salad; both were amazing. Highly recommend steak night! Not a bad place to have a drink when they aren’t slammed. Thank you Union!

  • 4/5 Abby H. 2 years ago on Google
    Stopped in on the way home for a couple shots! Cool atmosphere with upbeat music and staff. Both indoor and outdoor seating (during the warmer seasons) with plenty of food and drink choices!! Pretty good happy hour deals as well!

  • 5/5 LeAnna D. 2 years ago on Google
    Jake was our server today, he was so awesome and had such a positive happy personality. Great service, jake! Thanks for making our morning great!!!!

  • 5/5 Madison R. 2 years ago on Google
    Braden was the best server I ever had! Very sweet. I sent something back because I did not like it, and he was so accommodating to get me what I truly wanted. Fast service and efficient. Highly recommend him if you are looking for great customer service at Union!

  • 5/5 Morgan R. 2 years ago on Google
    Love this place! Food is always good, drinks are well made, and everyone is always very welcoming! Today we had Braden; he was amazing! He went out of his way to make sure we enjoyed everything we had and was gracious enough to allow us to send back a few items until we found something we liked. We will definitely be back and we will be sure to ask for Braden!

  • 2/5 Emily B. 2 years ago on Google
    Our waitress and the safe were excellent, however, the food was not up to par. We went for Sunday brunch and all the food was cold and dry. Before COVID this was the spot to be but now I'm not so sure on the brunch buffet. Great service but definitely not the food.


Call +1 380-239-2728 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Quick bite
    • ✓️ Comfort food
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Happy-hour food
    • ✓️ Late-night food
    • ✓️ Happy-hour drinks
  • Popular for
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Assistive hearing loop
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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