Entry No. 37 — the Columbus file — filed under: ritual-music
Dirty Dungarees Laundromat and Bar
This legendary Old North spot is part coin-operated laundromat, part dive bar, and part chaotic underground music venue.
The story
In 1978, central Ohio saw the rise of a brief, unusual business model: the laundromat-pub. Most of those regional chain locations quietly vanished over the decades, but the storefront at 2584 North High Street in Old North Columbus survived. When Drew Sherrick bought Dirty Dungarees in 2015, he was not looking to launch a legendary underground room—he had co-owned a laundromat in Grove City with his father and simply wanted to run a local wash-and-drink spot equipped with 33 Speed Queen top-loaders, 24 dryers, and cheap beer on tap.
The music began almost by accident when Sherrick let a few friends' bands plug in near the laundry aisle. But as other independent spaces around Columbus shuttered, Dirty Dungarees inherited the city's hardcore, punk, and metal underground. There is no elevated stage—bands set up directly on the tile floor between the arcade cabinets and coin slots, blasting riffs into the dryer hum while regulars fold bath towels three feet from an active circle pit.
What it's like
Arriving on North High Street, you will recognize the place by the large front windows on the laundromat side and the opaque glass blocks framing the bar side. Inside smells of laundry detergent and draft beer, with the steady rumble of top-loaders competing against guitar feedback. There are no velvet ropes or security barricades; bands play on the bare floor, and crowds crowd right up against the washing machines. If you want to watch the noise without catching a stray elbow in a hardcore pit, take a seat in the dimly lit bar section, order a cheap beer, and keep an eye on your spin cycle from behind the wooden counter.
The move: Bring a basket of dirty clothes, grab a cheap draft beer at the bar, and mosh to a live local hardcore punk band while your socks tumble-dry.
- 📍 Old North Columbus
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 2584 N High St, Columbus, OH 43202
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Gates of Hell / Blood Bowl — A concrete drainage tunnel running right under High Street that matches the unvarnished underground grit of Dirty Dungarees.
- The Magical Druid — Pair a sweaty hardcore set and laundry cycle with a walk down the street to a 5,000-square-foot spiritual shop run by Druid priests.
- Cora's Curiosities — Browse oddities and wet specimens curated by a local burlesque icon before grabbing a cold draft next to a row of spinning dryers.
Good to know
Can you actually wash your clothes while a live band plays?
Yes, the 33 washers and 24 dryers remain fully operational during shows, though you will need to weave through showgoers to transfer your load.
Is there an age limit to attend shows?
The venue typically operates as an all-ages DIY space for concerts, though you must be 21 or older with valid ID to buy alcohol at the bar.
Where do bands perform inside the space?
There is no stage; performers setup on the floor space on one end of the laundromat, surrounded by arcade games, laundry equipment, and the crowd.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance?
Most local shows are low-cost, cash-at-the-door DIY events, though occasional larger touring acts may sell digital passes ahead of time.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: artsmidwest.org · scoundrelsfieldguide.com · thelantern.com
last checked: 2026-07-21