Along the east side of High Street runs the 1,700,00 square-foot Greater Columbus Convention Center of Columbus, Ohio. Much of the downtown area is centered around this landmark, which was erected in 1993 and extended to its present size in 2001. The convention center was designed by an internationally-recognized architect named Peter Eisenman, who was the winner of a design competition. He envisioned a facility with modern spaces, capacious walkways, and sharp angles. His reward was the honor of designing the Columbus Convention Center, which boasts 61 meeting rooms, 2 ballrooms, and almost half a million square feet of exhibit space.

Columbus Convention Center Events

The center’s 2001 expansion alone cost a whopping $81 million. But, the business the Greater Columbus Convention Center generates from various expositions and events makes it well worth the cost. Columbus, Ohio enjoys the tourism of the millions of convention center visitors each year. One of the center’s expositions includes the Arnold Sports Festival, also known as the Arnold Classic or Arnold Fitness Weekend. This annual body building competition, which gets its name from Arnold Schwarzenegger, is one of the most lucrative and popular events held in the center. Another large event is the Origins Game Fair, one of two of the country’s most renowned annual gaming conventions, featuring such hobbies as board games, role-playing games, live action role-playing games, and trading card games.

Local Entertainment

Surrounding the Greater Columbus Convention Center are many shops, hotels, and restaurants. Conveniently located on High Street in the Short North and near the center is MoJoe’s Lounge. Visitors of the convention center can enjoy the casual and inviting atmosphere after the hustle and bustle of a busy exposition. They can also treat themselves to a scrumptious brunch or lunch, and maybe even a signature cocktail or two.

Locals and visitors can find everything imaginable in or around the Greater Columbus Convention Center. As one of Ohio’s most visited areas, downtown Columbus has entertainment, food, and fun around every bend.

Directly west of High Street in the Short North is a district known as the Italian Village. The Italian Village of Columbus, Ohio was one of the city’s first suburbs, dating back to the mid-1800’s. Italian and Irish immigrants populated the area where they worked in construction and railroad. Despite many other ethnic groups—Irish, Greek, German, Polish—inhabiting the surrounding areas, many buildings were erected in Italian-style architecture. The prominent St. John the Baptist Italian Catholic Church, which is where many believe the suburb got its name, drew Italian immigrants from all over to hear masses in their native tongue.

Italian Village Guide

Italian Village was always a flourishing town due to its shops and restaurants and its closeness to the downtown area. But, the fact that this district is still in good shape today is evidence of a special labor of love. Sadly, the district fell into disrepair after WWII, but local residents and concerned citizens from the surrounding areas—including Victorian Village, the High Street Commercial District, and Italian Village itself—banned together to restore the deteriorated district to its former glory. They formed the Italian Village Society in the late 1970’s, which helped them succeed. They ended up being given an All-American City Award for their efforts. Several parts of Italian Village have even had the honor to have recently been added to the National Register of Historic Places, the country’s official list of places and structures worthy of preservation.

Italian Village Heritage

The Italian Village of Columbus, Ohio focuses on preserving its heritage and promoting historic preservation, as evidenced by its own history and restoration. The shops and restaurants present today are a mix of the old and the new. The MoJoe Lounge has helped prevent the deterioration of the Italian Village and surrounding districts by assisting in over 100 small business openings. It also is a corporate sponsor of Local Matters, an organization dedicated to encouraging people to buy locally-grown foods, which supports the central Ohio economy.

The Italian Village district, among others, is a unique shopping, dining, and learning experience, full of rich culture and tradition. Come see what this distinct area has to offer!

Visitors to Columbus, Ohio who wander north of downtown on a weekend will find themselves in the midst of elaborately-painted wall murals, brightly-lit street arches, and trendy nightclubs and coffeehouses. There might even be a street performer or two. The Short North is a district just outside the downtown area which centers around High Street, the main strip. Known for its Bohemian atmosphere and located next door to the Ohio State University campus, the Short North caters to its diverse residents with unique parades and art events.

Short North Events Guide

Every year on our nation’s birthday, the “Doo Dah Parade” marches down High Street. It parodies traditional Forth of July parades, featuring a clown-like Uncle Sam, politically-slanted floats and lingerie-clad thespians, among other paraders. It even has a band of Fidel Castro impersonators called the “Marching Fidels.” The Short North also rings in the first Saturday of each month with the “Gallery Hop,” where local art galleries stay open late while musicians and performers entertain the masses on the streets.

Short North Restaurants

Besides hip art galleries and specialty shops, the Short North is also home to some of the best food and drink in the region. One particular favorite among locals is the MoJoe Lounge, located right on the strip near the convention center. The MoJoe Lounge boasts a full beer, wine, and mixed drink bar with popular mojitos and a generous happy hour. It also features award-winning coffee and the city’s best espresso martinis. But, this restaurant, bar, and lounge doesn’t just cater to the evening crowd. The MoJoe Lounge serves brunch, lunch, dinner, and dessert, and their Sunday brunch includes a made-to-order omelet bar and renowned Bloody Marys. Patrons can also enjoy free wireless internet and big screen TV’s, day or night. Best of all, the MoJoe Lounge’s reasonable prices keep both locals and tourists alike coming back for more.

There are tons of things to see and do in the Short North district of Columbus, Ohio. Enjoy the unique experience that only this region can bring. And, when it comes to having a great meal with friends and family, let your taste buds be your guide.

Columbus, Ohio, once a dense forest used only for hunting, was founded in 1812, getting its name from the explorer, Christopher Columbus. It became the state capital four years later. Columbus is not only the state capital of Ohio, but it is now also the state’s largest city and third largest metropolitan area. Today, it boasts the 16^th largest population in the U.S. Its residents are as diverse as its economy, which is based on everything from education to fashion to aviation, among many others.

City of Columbus History

Columbus has a rich history of Native American civilizations, specifically the Mingo, Wyandot, Miami, Delaware, and Shawnee nations. Many were mound-building societies whose remnants can still be detected in street names. One such example, “Mound Street,” was named for its proximity to an ancient burial mound.

Once major roads and railroads were built, Irish and German settlers populated the area and built breweries, a university, and a seminary school. Columbus was a major base for the Union during the Civil War, and, toward the end of the 19^th century, became known as the “Buggy Capital of the World” because of the number of buggy factories. Later, Columbus earned another of its many nicknames, “The Arch City,” because of its many wooden arches over downtown streets. The city’s diverse economy protected it against the worst of The Great Depression, and its population soared during WWII, which brought many new jobs and migrant workers.

The city of Columbus also has boasting rights about having one of the first modern shopping centers in the US. In the field of aviation, Columbus was the starting point for Geraldine Fredritz Mock’s historical first flight around the world in the “Spirit of Columbus,” setting new records for women and speed.

Columbus City Districts

Columbus, Ohio is home to many distinctive neighborhoods, all centered around the downtown area. Just north of downtown, the Short North is a hub for art galleries, specialty shops, restaurants, and pubs. Nearby is the Victorian Village, full of elegant Victorian-style homes. Even further south is German Village, a large, privately-funded historic district known for its 19^th century brick cottages. Directly west is the Brewery District, whose bars are slowly being replaced by offices and homes. To the east is King Lincoln Bronzeville, an African-American cultural hub. Going further east brings Olde Town East, an affluent neighborhood known for its large homes of varying styles. Immediately west of downtown is Franklinton, also known as “The Bottoms” and another group of neighborhoods simply referred to as “The Hilltop.”

Major Attractions

The city of Columbus, Ohio has many noteworthy landmarks, museums, parks, and attractions including the performing arts, sports, and local festivals. A few of these interesting things to see include a replica of Christopher Columbus’ ship, The Santa Maria, The Columbus Museum of Art, the Kelton House Museum and Garden, which was part of the Underground Railroad, and Whetstone Park, including the Park of Roses, a 13-acre rose garden.

The Ohio State Fair is one of the largest fairs in the U.S. and is just one of countless festivals held year-round. The Columbus Symphony Orchestra and BalletMet Columbus are two of the several popular and respected performing arts centers in the city. Columbus also hosts a number of athletic events, one such event is held every October: the annual All American Quarter Horse Congress, the largest single breed horse show in the world. The city is also home to Ohio Stadium, where Ohio State University’s Buckeyes football team, a member of the NCAA’s Big Ten Conference, plays its home games.

Columbus is a city rich in history, culture, and diverse attractions. There’s something for everyone from all walks of life.

Experience Happy Hour at the MoJoe Lounge

The MoJoe Lounge in Columbus offers “happy hours every hour”, with coffee and drink specials that you can pair with our fabulous brunch, lunch or dinner entrees. Choose from a wide variety of refreshing drinks from our great beer and wine selection and the city’s best espresso martini. We also provide free wireless Internet, for paying customers, so you can connect with your network and two big screen televisions to watch your favorite shows. Enjoy some down time and share a good conversation with friends or colleagues in our relaxing dining area or pull up a comfortable chair and cozy up to the bar for some camaraderie.

What is Happy Hour?

This restaurant in Columbus is famous for their happy hour where individuals come together after work to relax and enjoy food and drink specials. Generally speaking, happy hours are in the late afternoon after lunch and during dinner, sometime between 4 pm to 7 pm. Some restaurants have happy hours late into the evening, depending on the kind of crowd they want to serve. Happy hours are very popular with young people as well as the working class who need a place to unwind after a tough day on the job.

History of the Happy Hour

While there is some controversy surrounding when the first happy hour was born, many think back to prehistoric man when he first learned how to create the communal beer keg. Once the Egyptians perfected wine-making, gathering together to share these spirits and a good conversation became commonplace. The term “happy hour” became a popular phrase as invented by the US Navy in the 1920’s to describe the state of euphoria and drunkenness as experienced by officers during on ship performances. During this time period when the Prohibition prevented Americans from imbibing in alcoholic beverages, many consumers attended “speakeasy’s” which were illegal establishments where beer and wine were served, before visiting restaurants for their dinners.

Happy Hours at the MoJoe Lounge

At the MoJoe Lounge, every hour is happy hour as we offer refreshing drink specials and mouth-watering lunch and dinner specials throughout the day. The MoJoe Lounge offers some of the best casual dining in Columbus. Choose from daily lunch specials that include a specially prepared sandwich, a generous side and a drink of your choice. You will also want to come to our famous Sunday Brunch to enjoy our delicious breakfast and Bloody Mary’s that are considered the best in the region. The happy hour experience at the MoJoe Lounge offers something more than the ordinary Columbus bar. Step out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary that the MoJoe Lounge provides.

Dining Locally in Columbus, Ohio

The Columbus, Ohio area is well known for being a great place to dine out. Whether you are looking for a relaxing place to eat lunch or a restaurant where you can meet friends or co-workers for a refreshing drink after a hard day at the office, the MoJoe Lounge is the perfect spot for dining out in Columbus.

Restaurants in Columbus

While the Columbus area has long been known as the “Fast Food Capital of the World” for being the birth place of several restaurant chains, the capital of the Buckeye state has a diverse restaurant scene offering dining experiences for everyone. From regional favorites like steak houses, sub shops, ethnic food and college faire, Columbus has a large selection of dining spots.

If you are looking for a unique blend of regional upscale food favorites, drinks and a relaxing ambiance, the MoJoe Lounge offers that and so much more. Our friendly staff is waiting to invite you in for a relaxing, fun experience that will make the MoJoe Lounge your favorite place to dine in Columbus.

Defining the MoJoe Lounge Experience

When you walk into the attractively adorned MoJoe Lounge with its upscale lighting, mood music, eye-catching art and comfortable seating arrangements, you are immediately transported to a place that beckons you to relax and unwind. Our Columbus restaurant is designed in the gastro-pub style, with an emphasis on your comfort. Choose an easy chair and kick back as you review our excellent menu of regional and house specials. As you wait for your meal, enjoy a refreshing drink from our coffee or mixed drink specials – like one of our award winning Espresso Martini’s or a citrus Mojito. Then sink your teeth into a mouth-watering lunch or brunch special – made of only the freshest local ingredients.

What is a Gastro-pub?

You may be asking yourself “what exactly is a gastro-pub? The MoJoe Lounge is not your average Columbus bar establishment. A gastro-pub is a British description of a bar that specializes in high-quality food that’s a step above the normal greasy bar food typically found in pubs. The MoJoe Lounge takes that a step further by offering comfort food like our Sunday Brunch or Lunch and Dinner Specials with a relaxing atmosphere in the cities busiest locations. If you are just thirsty try one of our drink specials in Columbus, Ohio, which include thirst-quenching Mojito’s, Bloody Mary’s and Martinis.

Choose the MoJoe Lounge

The MoJoe Lounge is noted for its relaxing atmosphere and decor, soft music and great food and drink specials. You can pull up a chair and talk to friends or colleagues without having to yell over loud music. The MoJoe Lounge is the perfect place to hold a meeting or special event. Choose the MoJoe Lounge for all your dining needs.

Unwind at the MoJoe Lounge

The MoJoe Lounge located near the Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio is the perfect place to unwind. This great new lounge provides just the right atmosphere for a mid-week happy hour break or a relaxing space to grab a coffee and a light meal and connect with friends. Not just your ordinary bar, the MoJoe Lounge offers a calming alternative to boisterous night clubs and overcrowded restaurants.

How to Relax at the MoJoe Lounge

It’s not hard to see why the MoJoe Lounge is a great place to relax. When you step into our modernly decorated lounge and slip into one of our comfortable chairs, you’ll be greeted by friendly staff who make it their personal responsibility to make you feel at home. Our bar and grill area features two big screen TV’s so you can catch your favorite shows while you sample our drink and food specials. The MoJoe Lounge has some of the best casual dining in Columbus. You may want to choose one of our comfortable tables where you can engage in a lively conversation with others in a friendly atmosphere. Enjoy the soft sounds of our featured musical ambiance and take in the local artwork that surrounds you. And if you need a place to settle down with your laptop and a good cup of coffee, we even provide free wireless Internet access.

How MoJoe Lounge is Different than a Bar

The MoJoe Lounge is a Columbus restaurant designed with your comfort in mind. Unlike typical bars or coffee house establishments, which may include harsh lighting, loud music, smoke filled rooms, and uncomfortable booths, the MoJoe Lounge includes comfortable seating where our guests can have a good conversation without having to yell over loud music.

On top of that, we provide just the right mood lighting and soft music to help you unwind after a long day at the office. Our dining is more relaxed and you can enjoy a homier environment to enjoy our lunch, brunch and dinner specials. We offer daily drink specials and lots of reasons to make this your favorite place to hang out. We provide the atmosphere, you bring the personality.

Try our Martini and Mojito Specials

Need a little extra help unwinding? Then you will want to try some of the best drink specials in Columbus, Ohio. Be sure to try our award winning Bloody Mary’s, Martinis or Mojitos. We feature only the best flavors starting with our signature Espresso Martinis to our refreshing citrus packed Mojitos. Combine this experience with one of our lunches or a sweet treat from our dessert menu and you will be mellowed out in no time as you groove to our house soundtrack.

Here is our current menu. Download Full PDF Menu.

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