Before entering the Bier Stube, located at 1479 N. High St., it should be known the location is not for the independent women who walk alone at night. Alleys surround the building, often visited by loiterers and their comments. Bring a friend to walk with because the bar is hidden in the back of its parking lot.  

The first thing noticed when entering is the lack of windows, the dim lights, the wooden booths and tables, and wood-paneled walls, creating an overall authentic bar atmosphere. It’s logical, then, that the name literally means “beer room” in German. It was established in 1966, making it one of the oldest on-campus bars.

A Tuesday night during Spring Break might have been the wrong night to go out on the town, but at the Bier Stube, about 30 people filled almost all the seats. Seven televisions surrounded the tiny bar, with the focus on the NCAA basketball tournament and the Columbus Blue Jackets.  

Since the bar typically offers no live music, the jukebox on the back wall invited a few patrons to drop some coins or dollar bills to secure a Michael Jackson song.  

Woody Hayes’s portrait hangs on the wall along with random beer paraphernalia. On the opposite wall of the jukebox, people line up to play darts. 

The only bartender for night had a long, full beard and a faded baseball cap. He carded when ordering and served as if he’s been taking orders for years. As he handed me my Bud Light draft and my roommate his bottle of Guinness, my roommate was shocked to discover the bill was only $5.  

The Bier Stube was cheap and doesn’t really have any deals because of this fact. Bud Light, Budweiser and Miller Lite drafts run $1.25, while other domestics such as Amberbock and Molson Canadian run $1.75. Groups could purchase pitchers for about six or seven dollars.  

Even the well drinks run at a solid price, as well as shots. Almost all of the liquor was set at a fixed price of $3 for a single shot and $5 for a double shot. And the shots were generous. The prices made it seem normal that the bar should be almost filled on a Tuesday evening. 

A seemingly small kitchen was right next to the jukebox, but nobody, that night at least, was eating and a cook was nowhere to be seen. The menu reads just like a classic concession stand menu, with typical concession stand prices, such as $3.50 for nachos. They even had pizzas running from $8-15, depending on the size of the pizza and how many toppings one wants on it.  

Even though the bar takes credit, an ATM sat in the corner. Since the cash register looked like it was made 40 years ago, the bartender kept tabs open on a paper pad, while his tip bucket, almost filled, hung from the ceiling. 

If you are a germaphobe, I suggest going to the restroom at another establishment, or even outside in one of those dark alleys.

However, the atmosphere was relaxed. One can only imagine how crazy it could get on a Friday or Saturday night. If you’re claustrophobic and want to check out the place, go during the week. In addition, it should be noted that it’s open seven days a week and until 2:30 a.m., half an hour later than almost all the other bars around campus. 

The Bier Stube is not a bar where patrons can grind to whatever new song Lil Wayne has out right now. It’s not a bar where ladies need to wear spiked heels or heavy makeup.  

The Bier Stube is a place to hang out with friends and reminisce about previous drunken escapades or complain about classes. It’s an authentic bar, the kind of bar you hear your parents talk about in their youth. It’s got character, and maybe years from now it will be around for another generation of students’ reminiscing.

Theresa Attalla can be reached at [email protected].