Out-R-Inn: Preserving the Dive Bar Tradition at Ohio State for Over 50 Years

A Half-Century of Staying Power at Out-R-Inn

In the heart of the University District, just a stone’s throw from the relentless pace of North High Street, 20 Frambes Ave. operates on a different clock. Out-R-Inn, the quintessential dive bar that opened its doors in 1969, has once again been crowned the best campus bar in The Lantern’s 2026 Best of OSU special edition. This latest accolade marks a five-year winning streak for the establishment, fueled by 480 votes from Ohio State students and community members who clearly value consistency over the flash of newer, more modern venues.

While the surrounding area of Columbus has transformed under the weight of new development, Out-R-Inn has remained a constant. Steve Valentino describes the staff as a family unit, with many employees logging between 10 and 20 years of service. That longevity translates into a specific service philosophy: they operate the bar the way they would want to be treated if they were the customers. It is a simple, human-centric approach that prioritizes speed, a welcoming atmosphere, and a curated soundtrack that changes with the nightly vibe.

For the students and alumni who frequent the bar, Out-R-Inn represents a tangible link to the past—a place where current students hear stories of their parents meeting over a beer decades ago. It is a rare, non-commercialized pocket in a neighborhood increasingly defined by corporate storefronts.

The Changing Area of the University District

Valentino does not view his neighbors as mere competitors. Instead, he describes the North campus bar scene as a tight-knit ecosystem. Bars like Threes Above High and The Library Bar share a similar aesthetic—the classic, no-frills dive bar—that serves as a bulwark against the encroaching corporate development on High Street. It is a community built on shared experience, where managers visit each other to discuss what works and what does not.

The recent demolition of The Little Bar, which shuttered on March 31, and the loss of PJ’s Grill at 15 Frambes Ave. have left a void in the neighborhood. Valentino admits that the closures are difficult to witness, noting that he still finds himself looking across the street toward the darkened lights of what used to be a bustling neighbor.

It’s your prototypical dive bar, and we like it that way. North campus kind of has a vibe, and we try and stick to it. We speak, as our staff, as family. A lot of these bars up on the North end are like family to us as well.

This sentiment is echoed by Billy Parrott, who suggests that the camaraderie between the owners and management is the secret to their survival. For Parrott, who was a regular at the bar during his own undergraduate days, the atmosphere has remained remarkably steady. He views his role behind the bar not just as a job, but as a way to keep his finger on the pulse of the student community, even as he notes with a laugh that he is getting older.

Commercialization Versus Campus Tradition

Out-R-Inn’s strategy is to avoid "messing anything up." By keeping the standards high and the atmosphere familiar, they have successfully managed the transition from one generation of students to the next.