June 26, 2024

Today’s Forecast

🍻 Cheers to the Center City

Clear plastic cups with the Center City DORA sticker will indicate that your drink is good to go. | Photo via Downtown Columbus

The Center City DORA is here, and Downtown Columbus is ready to celebrate with champagne on Rich Street.

The local organization is hosting “DORA at Dusk” on Friday, June 28 + Saturday, June 29 from 6-10 p.m. on both days. This trolley-themed event promises excitement, discounts, and best of all, it’s free. Let’s ride through the details.

Trolley good time

The “designated outdoor refreshment area” is big — in fact, it would be roughly 4.35 miles if you walked the entire boundary line. That’s why Trolley Pub Columbus will be there, offering free rides to make exploring easier. Trolley tours begin in between Bicentennial Park and Dorrian Green Park, or at The Junto Hotel. Then riders will make their way to the opposite of their starting point, presumably sipping and pedaling away.

CBUStoday Center City DORA map — The Center City DORA comprises businesses like 16-Bit, Jackie O’s, Dirty Frank’s, and Wolf’s Ridge. | Map via Downtown Columbus

Exploring the DORA

This new DORA connects many popular downtown establishments with Franklinton, which continues to grow with local breweries, bars, and restaurants. Now, adults can buy a beer or cocktail from these spots and walk around downtown with their drink in hand in a special, designated cup. These cups can be picked up at participating businesses.

CBUStoday Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series — Typically, we’d recommend extra blankets for the Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series, but this recent heatwave has us thinking otherwise. Maybe bring extra sunscreen to be safe. | Photo via @colsparksrec

Sounds of summer

Bicentennial Park is also hosting a summer concert series on Friday. The show starts at 5:30 p.m. with a DJ set from Tom Butler, best known for his time on CD 92.9, as well as live music from Nick Tolford & Company, a local ensemble group with a pianist, guitarist, bassist, and multiple singers. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged, and admission is free.

Hot deals

The Junto will be offering happy hour specials from 4 p.m. to close in the Trade Room + Little West Tavern will be serving poutine. Milestone 229 will also be offering specials and deals for the event.

Asked

How often do you visit downtown for nightlife + events?

A. Less than once a month.
B. Once a month.
C. A few times per month.
D. Downtown is my favorite go-to.

Talk to us

Events

Wednesday, June 26

Jaime Wyatt | Wednesday, June 26 | 7:30 p.m. | A&R Music Bar, 391 Neil Ave., Arena District | $20 | Spend an evening listening to outlaw country music from this singer, songwriter, and guitarist.

Thursday, June 27

USA vs. Panama Watch Party | Thursday, June 27 | 6-8 p.m. | Grandview Theater & Drafthouse, 1247 Grandview Ave., Grandview | Free | Cheer on the USA men’s soccer squad in this group stage game against an international foe.

Friday, June 28

A Night of Poetry and Spoken Word | Friday, June 28 | 7-11 p.m. | Third Way CoLab, 3058 W. Broad St., Downtown | $8 | Listen to local performers tell powerful stories and thought-provoking poems with raw emotion and passion.

Saturday, June 29

Magenta Moon | Saturday, June 29 | 3:30-5:30 p.m. | Pinot’s Palette, 691 N. High St., Short North | $42 | This expert-led class provides all the supplies you need to create a captivating lunar portrait.

100+ more local events

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News Notes

Try This

The Columbus Zoo is hosting a Lantern Festival every Thursday-Sunday, from Aug. 1 through Sept. 29. Each event offers the chance to light up and see 60+ LED lantern displays light up the zoo. The lights are inspired and accompanied by Asian culture, including shows, music, and acrobatic demonstrations. (10TV)

Development

Construction on a 191,000-sqft warehouse + 240-unit apartment complex will begin this fall in east Columbus. The two projects, located on a 63-acre site, are led by Trident Capital Group, based in Boston, and Elford Development, based in central Ohio. No details were released about a completion date. (Columbus Business First)

Show

For one night this fall, Sesame Street will be located in Columbus. The beloved TV series is coming to Mershon Auditorium on Oct. 12 for its “Say Hello” show, featuring Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Big Bird. Tickets go on sale on Friday, June 28 at 10 a.m.

Ranked

Columbus was ranked No. 9 for highest birth rate when comparing major cities in the US. There were 14,000+ Columbus women who gave birth in 2022, which accounted for 5.6% of the state. The national top three were: Indianapolis, Indiana; Dallas, Texas; and Las Vegas, Nevada. (NBC4)

Concert

Sexyy Red, a trending rap artist with 19+ million listeners on Spotify, is coming to Nationwide Arena on Sept. 14. Tickets for the “Sexxy Red 4 President” tour go on sale Friday, June 28 at 10 a.m.

Biz

A total of 22 Columbus-area dispensaries were approved for adult-use, recreational marijuana licenses. There is still an unknown amount of time before these businesses can begin selling recreational cannabis, as they are required to complete more steps, such as notifying the Division of Cannabis for further approval + in-depth employee training. (NBC4)

Sports

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a new head coach: Kenny Atkinson, a former assistant on the Golden State Warriors from 2021-2024. Get the latest news, analysis, and insider information for the Cavs with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Finance

This card is a cash rewards dream, ft. unlimited cash rewards on purchases, a $200 bonus after spending $500, and a long intro APR on purchases + balance transfers. Reward seekers, say it with us: Cha-ching.*

Sports

🏒 And with the fourth pick of the 2024 NHL Draft...

Who is the next hockey player you want to see skating in Nationwide Arena for CBJ? | Photo via Columbus Blue Jackets

While the NHL Draft is set in Las Vegas, the official Columbus Blue Jackets draft party is at Pins.

The Blue Jackets, who hold the fourth overall pick in the draft, are hosting a draft party at the Pins Mechanical Co. in Easton — 4117 Worth Ave. — from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, June 28.

This isn’t just a chance to meet up fans, either. Last year’s third overall pick, forward Adam Fantilli, will be in attendance for an autograph session from 6-7:30 p.m. Other familiar faces include Stinger, the team mascot, and Mike Todd, the longtime arena host. There will also be games, contests, prizes, and of course, duckpin bowling,

The Jackets hold seven total picks in the draft, which means there’s plenty reason to watch beyond the first round. They will be on ESPN and ESPN+ on Friday and Saturday, June 29.

The Buy

A margarita pool float (yes, that’s a thing — complete with a giant lime).

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Mitch

From the editor

It’s only June, but I’m positive that Twenty One Pilots will be my most listened to band in my Spotify Wrapped. I can’t stop listening to “Clancy,” which morphed into me re-listening to their entire catalog throughout my workdays and workouts.

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