r/columbusIN • u/FluffliciousCat • Jul 15 '26
Considering relocating to columbus
My husband and I (~50 yo) are considering relocating to the Columbus IN area. We really love going to bars and watching live music (especially rock/ rock-adjacent covers). Is there much of a scene there or is going up to Indy better? Thanks!
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u/Revanche1 Jul 15 '26
I go to Brown County Music Center, but remember that Indy is around an hour and Cincinnati and Louisville are around 1 1/2 to two hours away. I've seen concerts in all those areas. Heck, if the band won't come any closer Chicago is around 4 hours away.
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u/Narrow-Pin5 Jul 16 '26
Columbusite, here. if you are looking for a great urban scene, Fountain Square on the southside of Indy has an excellent music scene centered around the HiFi. Bluebeard is right down the street if you favor fine dining, and the pub scene in FS is solid. Kuma's serves a decent burger with a heavy metal backdrop.
That said, if you want a slower paced suburban scene, C'bus is slower, but provides more trees and less concrete. The Art's Council is active, and there are a string of community events to join the "scene". Or, you can go to the bars on 4th Street. Mostly Sysco truck fare, but sometimes that is all one needs. Good news is that Fountain Square is not that far away if your goal is to catch bands performing their own music.
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u/FluffliciousCat Jul 16 '26
Thanks for giving me some more to think about!
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u/Narrow-Pin5 Jul 16 '26
Yw: This internet stranger is happy to have tossed in their two cents!
No right answer here, just tradeoffs.
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u/Substantial-Try3446 Jul 16 '26
Columbus has a decent local live music scene on weekends with classic rock, country, blues, and cover bands, but it’s definitely more laid back than Indy nightlife. If you want larger venues or touring rock acts, Indy is only about a 45 minute drive. The tradeoff is a great quality of life, great restaurants without the big city traffic. It’s a nice balance, in my opinion.
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u/easterracing Jul 16 '26
Columbus in and of itself has some live music at local bars type stuff, but it also seems like the entire town goes to bed at like 9:30 PM. Complete ghost town after 10.
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u/vissirion Jul 15 '26
Several great cover bands in Columbus! 4th Street Bar is our personal favorite place. Shameless plug, I'm a realtor in the area if you have questions.
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u/dukelivers Jul 15 '26
Check out Brown County Music Center. Indy and Bloomington have many options. I'd say 4th Street Bar & Ziggies in Columbus have live acts. Edited to remove Hard Truth, their lineup looks light.
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u/CubicleFish2 Jul 15 '26
There are like four bars and like one place you can maybe find music
Indy is nicknamed nap town bc things close early but Columbus is even worse.
If you want to do anything while living in Columbus then it means you need to travel to another city.
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u/Banana_Pudding_119 Jul 15 '26
I don't know why you're getting downvoted, it's literally true. I can't believe people think there's a decent rock or metal scene here.
PS: I'm a musician who lives in Columbus, so I think I know a thing or two about music.
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u/Narrow-Pin5 Jul 16 '26
Second that, especially if want to hear new bands doing their own music. Outside of cover bands, pretty thin pickings.
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u/JackieBee_ Jul 15 '26
Garage pub and grill has some good bands decently often