More than 200 softball teams from across the United States and Canada will come to Columbus starting Aug. 30 for a weeklong tournament that's as big a party as it is a sporting event.
The Gay Softball World Series will be played on diamonds at Lou Berliner Sports Park over five days, until a winner is crowned Sept. 5. All the rest, which starts with an opening-day dance at Land-Grant Brewing in Franklinton and ends with closing ceremonies at two LGBTQ+ bars Downtown, is just as big a draw.
It's the fourth time in 15 years that the tournament has come to Columbus, which has served as host more often than any other city. The local organizing committee expects more than 4,500 people to travel to Columbus with their softball teams, and another 1,500
visitors are expected to come cheer them on.
"The close proximity of fields, hotels, nightlife and travel to most of the country makes Columbus an attractive host city, but the series returns because of the experience people have when they come here," said Brittany Razek, assistant executive director for the event.
"We're a diverse, welcoming city where everyone can feel at home, supported and safe. The city shows up for us, which is why we continue to be a sought-after destination for the Gay Softball World Series."
Here are events taking place as part of the weeklong tournament for both participants and Columbus regulars. The entire schedule is available at gaysoftballworldseries.org. And although many places in Columbus are welcoming to LGBTQ+ guests, this roundup includes places that identify as LGBTQ+ bars and nightclubs, as well as 10 of some favorite LGBTQ+-owned restaurants, bakeries and coffee shops.
Gay Softball World Series off-the-field events
- Welcome tea dance: 3 to 7 p.m. Aug. 30 at Land-Grant Brewing Co., 424 W. Town St., Franklinton
- Opening ceremonies: Dance club icon Kristine W and "RuPaul's Drag Race" alum Latrice Royale are the headliners; 4 to 9 p.m. Aug. 31 at Columbus Commons, 160 S. High St., Downtown
- Give back night: Participating bars on Sept. 1 will host events to raise money for Kaleidoscope Youth Center, a space for LGBTQ+ youth in Columbus.
- Columbus Clippers Pride Night: Tickets are available for the game that starts at 6:35 p.m. Sept. 2.
- Westapalooza: 6 p.m. to midnight Sept. 4 at District West, 145 N. 5th St., and Slammers, 202 E. Long St., Downtown
- Closing ceremonies: 4 to 11 p.m. Sept. 5 at District West and Slammers
LGBTQ+ bars in Columbus
Axis Nightclub: The biggest dance floor in town hosts Friday, Saturday and Sunday night dance parties, local drag queens and national acts. Details: 775 N. High St., Short North; axisonhigh.com
AWOL: Two separate spaces house a lively dance floor and a calmer bar. AWOL will host dance parties for world series attendees Sept. 3, 4 and 5. Details: 49 Parsons Ave., Olde Towne East; 614-621-8779; awolbar.com
Boscoe's: Shows and specials last extra long at Boscoe's. The bar is open until 2:30 a.m. every day of the week. Details: 1224 S. High St., Merion Village; 614-826-3758; boscoesbar.com
Cavan Irish Pub: The laid-back bar has a big patio out back and events that include karaoke every Wednesday and Friday. Details: 1409 S. High St., Merion Village; 614-725-5502; cavanirishpub.com
Club Diversity: Club D is a more mature bar that often hosts live piano music. Its outdoor space is its entire backyard, outfitted with gazebos and comfy lounging chairs. Details: 863 S. High St., Brewery District; 614-224-4050; clubdiversity.com
District West: The Downtown show bar hosts regular drag performances featuring queens and kings. Details: 145 N. 5th St., Downtown; districtwest614.com
O'Connor's Club 20: The self-proclaimed dive bar boasts nightly shows such as a regular open-stage night for drag performers, comedians and other talents. Details: 20 E. Duncan St., University District; 614-447-9173; oconnorsclub20.com
Rumours: Monday happy hour lasts all day at Rumours, which also offers a good selection of nonalcoholic beers, seltzers and spirits. Details: 1071 Parsons Ave., Merion Village; rumours614.com
Slammers: Counted by the Lesbian Bar Project as one of just 36 lesbian bars left in the country. Slammers makes a great pizza and hosts regular events that include Are You Smarter Than a Lesbian trivia nights on Thursdays. Details: 202 E. Long St., Downtown; 614-221-8880; slammersbar.com
Southbend Tavern: Another LGBTQ+ spot with a neighborhood-bar vibe, Southbend hosts events ranging from bingo night (Fridays) and bear happy hours (Wednesdays). Details: 126 E. Moler St., Merion Village; 614-444-3386; facebook.com/SouthBendTavern
The Toolbox: A weekly lineup of events includes leather happy hours on Thursdays. Details: 744 Frebis Ave., South Side; 614-745-2742; facebook.com/TheToolBoxSaloon
Tremont Lounge: The hang-out-all-day kind of bar is just about a mile from the softball fields at Berliner and includes patios in front and out back. Details: 708 S. High St., Brewery District; 614-444-2041; facebook.com/TremontColumbus
Union Cafe: It's a full-service restaurant and bar that hosts nightly shows and events. Weekend brunches and Showtunes Sundays are particularly big draws. Details: 782 N. High St., Short North; 380-239-2728; unioncafe.com
LGBTQ+-owned restaurants, coffee shops and cocktail lounges
Bake Me Happy: A dream menu for gluten-free folks includes a take on popular snack cakes renamed Oatmeal Creme Clouds and King Dongs. There's also cookies, brownies, muffins, scones and more that will make gluten eaters just as happy. Details: 500 E. Whittier St., Schumacher Place; 614-477-3642; and 6750 Longshore Drive, Dublin; 614-683-8787; bakemehappygf.com
Barcelona: A Spanish menu of tapas, paella and fine-dining entrées is served in an art-filled dining room and on a leafy oasis of a patio. Details: 263 E. Whittier St., German Village; 614-443-3699; barcelonacolumbus.com
Barroluco: The Argentinian restaurant is open for lunch six days a week and serves empanadas, tacos, sandwiches and full entrées of carne asada, tilapia and chicken or beef Milanese. Details: 47 N. Pearl St., Downtown; 614-450-0777; barroluco.com
Callin' Your Bluff Coffee: If the Fridge Cig – espresso, Diet Coke, vanilla syrup, vanilla foam and citrus zest – is still on the menu at the every-weekend pop-up, get it. If not, the other choices are just as creative and caffeinated. Details: 458 W. Chapel St., inside Land-Grant Brewing Co., Franklinton; callinyourbluffcoffee.com
Charmy's Market: In addition to a great selection of snacks and wines, the market offers prepared meals, pizzas, Middle Eastern takeout and a well-appointed food and salad bar. Details: 95 N. Grant Ave., Downtown; 614-702-7900; charmysmarket.com
Flour Modern Pasta Bar: The pasta is made in-house daily and served in fusions of Italian and Indian, Latin, Cajun and other flavors. The $29, three-course tasting menu is a treat. Details: 1540 Polaris Pkwy., Far North Side; 614-396-9100; flouramodernpastabar.com
Little Gay Bookstore/Queer Beans: Columbus' first LGBTQ+ bookstore in nearly two decades now includes its own coffee shop. Both are inside Stonewall Columbus, the city's LGBTQ+ community center. Details: 1160 N. High St., Short North; 614-930-2274; littlegaybookstore.com
Rooh/Mornings by Rooh: At night, it's an Indian restaurant serving modern takes on traditional dishes. On weekend mornings, it's a cafe serving espresso drinks, cocktails, breakfast sandwiches and pastries. Details: 685 N. High St., Short North; 614-972-8678; roohcolumbus.com
The Shapeshifter: The artistry of the cocktails is a perfect match for the sleek, modern décor. But at its heart, The Shapeshifter is a comfortable and welcoming space. Details: 129 McDowell St., Franklinton; shapeshiftercolumbus.com
Tasty Dawg: The comfort-food menu covers all bases: mac and cheese bowls, hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, loaded potatoes, nachos, and ice cream. Details: 107 S. High St., Downtown; 614-962-6967; trytastydawg.com
Follow Dispatch dining reporter Bob Vitale on Instagram at @dispatchdining. You can reach him directly at rvitale@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus LGBTQ+ bars, restaurants ready for Gay Softball World Series
