Entry No. 16 — the Columbus file — filed under: speakeasy
Apt B
Hidden behind a false wall in the kitchen of the popular Short North bar Bodega, this speakeasy occupies a former 750-square-foot apartment. The space has been transformed into an intimate, single-room cocktail lounge with plush seating and moody, low lighting.
The story
When the vacant 750-square-foot apartment directly behind Bodega became available during COVID, owner Brian Swanson didn't turn it into excess kitchen storage or a generic private dining room. Instead, he punched a doorway through the back of Bodega at 1044 North High Street, hid the threshold behind a false wall in the kitchen, and built a standalone, single-room cocktail lounge in the former residential footprint.
You don't need a secret password or an invitation to get past the dish racks and line cooks—just walk in, look like you know where you're going, and push through the wall. Inside, the clatter of the main pub drops off into low, moody lighting, dark plush seating, and a dedicated craft cocktail program designed as an elevated counterweight to Bodega's draft beer taps.
While the front house caters to standard Short North weekend drinking, Apt B keeps things tight and deliberate. On weekend evenings, in-house DJs take over the room to spin vinyl and house tracks, turning what was once somebody's living room into an intimate, secluded late-night hideout.
What it's like
Expect a brief moment of hesitation as you navigate past the main dining area into the working kitchen, but keep moving toward the false wall. The space inside is compact and fills up fast, so arriving around opening time is your best shot at securing a booth. It's dark, cozy, and loud once the DJ gets going, with Friday nights drawing a crowd for $5 Espresso Martinis and house music. If you want a quieter drink without shouting over the bass, stick to a Thursday night.
The move: Slip through the kitchen wall of Bodega to escape the weekend crowds, grab a cozy booth, and enjoy a $5 Espresso Martini while listening to the in-house DJ spin vinyl.
- 📍 Short North
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1044 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- The Sacred Palm — Double up on Short North hidden entries by slipping through Mikey's walk-in freezer door for tiki drinks before cutting through Bodega's kitchen wall for cocktails.
- Sotto Terra at The Sanctuary — Trade an apartment speakeasy for a subterranean drink inside a converted historic Victorian Village church just 0.7 miles away.
- Char Bar — Balance Apt B's plush cocktail lounge vibe with a unpretentious drink inside an 1847 former funeral parlor down High Street.
- Gateway Film Center — Head 0.7 miles north to catch a $5 late-night independent film after a round of drinks behind the kitchen.
Good to know
How do I find the entrance to Apt B?
Walk inside Bodega at 1044 N High St and head toward the kitchen area. Look for the false wall set into the kitchen structure—pushing through it opens directly into the lounge.
Do I need a password or a reservation?
No password is required for entry. While you can walk straight in during operating hours, reservations for private parties or events can be arranged in advance.
What are the drink specials and music like?
The bar focuses on craft cocktails rather than beer, including $5 Espresso Martinis on Friday nights. Music centers on house and dance tracks, with live DJs spinning vinyl on weekends.
What are the operating hours?
Apt B is closed Sunday through Wednesday, open Thursday from 7 p.m. to midnight, and Friday through Saturday from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · 614now.com · experiencecolumbus.com
last checked: 2026-07-21