Sacred Palm — Restaurant in Columbus

Good drink, nice atmosphere (at least at opening on a Wednesday with a moderate crowd - the relaxed vibe was what I was looking for). I asked the bartender for a variation on one of the drinks on the menu that I'd tried elsewhere and she rolled with it. Will definitely return when I'm in town in the future.

Just as a side note, at least at the time I went, there wasn't anybody at the door. It took me a little while to figure out that I was supposed to keep going because I'd read some reviews that referenced a bouncer taking you through the cooler. I probably stood around five minutes waiting for somebody working the door to show up because I thought I'd have to be let in. Well, you don't go in through the cooler any more, and I guess there could be bouncers when the place is full and there's a wait but there may not be when you can walk right in. Just look for the lights...

This place is all about the trippy ambiance. It's very cool in there. The lights, the underground "secret bar" vibes, the bartenders, very cool place to experience. I would call the vibe: electric tropical. If you're worried about COVID try not to go during peak bar hours because it's small in there and when they let a lot of people in it can get tight. It's mostly standing room. You grab a seat if you can find it, when one opens up. There is lounge seating and that's about it. Mainly a younger crowd, but depends on when you go. Music is good. Drinks are good, I had the pain killer, it's good. Not as strong as they would have you think, it's a little heavy on the pineapple juice which makes it sweet but it's still pretty good. Overall, just check it out for...

Unfortunately, we were seriously disappointed by Sacred Palm Room. There are many positive reviews about this bar, but frankly, the cocktails were quite overpriced for their quality and the vibes were not at all speakeasy-ish. Two armed bouncers (drinking white claws, which overall I believe is illegal) sat at the bottom of the staircase in Mikey's and completely failed to maintain a proper number of people in the bar. The place was packed, and most people waited at least 20 minutes for a $17 underwhelming cocktail. Rather than feeling like a speakeasy, this bar really just felt like a basement store room with Laser-tag lighting.

Would not return, would not recommend. There are much better bars in Short North. Go upstairs for good...