The Worthington Tavern Opens in Old Worthington

Since The Half Pint closed in 2020, Worthington has been excited for a new option for food and drinks, and finally this May the Worthington Tavern joined the Old Worthington historic district!

Worthington Tavern is operated by Brian Swanson, the owner behind Bodega and Bristol Republic in the Short North. The eatery offers a creative and slightly upscale take on tavern fare, with hearty food, interesting cocktails, a solid whiskey menu, and thoughtful beer and wine lists.

Anyone who’s been in the space before will see it’s been given a makeover, with warm wood accents, more tables out front, and a big, all-season back patio coming soon.

The menu starts with shareables like a fire-roasted meatball, crispy orange ribs, smoked wings, shrimp cocktails, and oysters. The main menu includes a collection of pizzas, salads, sandwiches like a smashburger, crispy chicken sandwich, sloppy joe, then main courses like pasta, baked chicken, steak frites, salmon.

One of the real features is the cocktail menu designed by James DeFrance. Each cocktail is colorfully described and beautifully presented. Margarite’s Fiery Passion, for instance, mixes tequila and mezcal with passionfruit juice and liqueur, Basque pepper and orange liqueurs, and citrus. The Espresso Yo’Self combines coconut-washed Watershed vodka with espresso, a NOLA coffee liqueur and barley digestive espresso (and you can add a bonus shot of Buffalo Trace bourbon cream!).

Many of the cocktails arrive with a dramatic presentation, like the Blacksmith Fashioned, a take on the classic Old Fashioned cocktail that’s smoked tableside under glass with a sorghum hickory smoke, then whisked to your table.

Worthington Tavern is kid-friendly, too, with a full kid’s menu that features grilled cheese, burgers, chicken fingers, pizza, buttered noodles. There’s even a selection of fun, non-alcoholic kiddie cocktails!

Happy hour runs Tuesday-Friday, 4-5:30 p.m., and includes $2 oysters, select wine pours for $6, specialty cocktails for $8, and half off draft beers and pizzas.

And more is to come! In addition to the new back patio, Worthington Tavern will soon add Saturday and Sunday brunch.

Welcome to the neighborhood, Worthington Tavern!

Worthington Tavern
671 High St.
Worthington, OH 43085
(614) 396-6052
worthingtontavern.com
Find them on Facebook and on Instagram @worthingtontavern