The Blue Danube on High — Restaurant in Columbus

When we got the announcement that the Dube would be reopening after years of dormancy, I was so excited. Back when I was in college during the early 2000s, the Dube and Shi Sha Lounge were my go-to late night hangout spots. The drinks were cheap, the food was pretty great for the cost, and more than anything, it just felt good to be in that space. The vibes were right, as the kids say.

But I was also a little nervous. What made the Dube such a great hangout was exactly that: the vibes. The place felt like home in the way only a dive bar or a neighborhood restaurant can. And over the years, I’ve watched some of my favorite dives get “cleaned up” to appeal to a broader, shinier crowd...usually at the expense of everything I loved about them. I couldn’t help but wonder, would the same thing happen to the Dube?

I’m happy to report: it didn’t. While the Dube looks a little different than I remember, the vibes are exactly where they should be. The space feels both familiar and new. It keeps that dive bar soul, with random art collections on the wall and a darker, moody color scheme. Even though it's technically “new,” this version of the Dube already feels like it’s been around for years.

The staff fits the place perfectly: quirky and cool. Our server was great...tattoos everywhere, super helpful in walking my buddy through the pescatarian options, and careful to steer her away from anything with beef or chicken. She was friendly but not overly chatty, which is exactly how I like it.

I ordered the cheeseburger, onion rings, and a piña colada. The burger was exactly what I wanted: well-seasoned, crispy edges, and not overloaded with toppings. The onion rings were crispy on the outside, soft inside. And the piña colada didn’t have a strong alcohol taste, which I appreciated since I wasn’t trying to get schwasted off one drink (this isn't a gay bar, after all).

My buddy got the fish sandwich and fries. I won’t speak for her, but she said she really enjoyed it.

It just felt good to be back at the Dube. I’m genuinely glad today’s college students will get to experience the same space I loved 20 years ago. It’s still an institution. If you’ve been thinking about checking it out, now’s a great time. Summer break means no student crowds and parking in the area is free.99. We went around 5:30pm and, as you can see, there wasn’t a huge crowd.

Long Live The...

Edit I wondered how the overall rating could possibly be so high so I read a lot of reviews. The new owners are not only trying to capitalize on the old name but they've left all the glowing reviews from 7 or more years ago (before closure) which averages up the stars. Tip: be sure to check the date the review was given to see if it the Old Dube or the New Dube you are reading about.....

My review of the new Dube: I didn't get as far as a meal. I called to place a take out order and was told I was looking at the wrong menu. "Where do I find the new menu online?" I asked. She said she didn't know... the other girl, who is the manager, knows but she's not there. Ok-a-ay... "Well, do you have sandwiches?" "Yes" she said I told her I'd like the chili-dog. She screamed, "This is not the old Blue Danube! You're looking at the old menu!!" Me-" Nobody there knows how to find the new menu? " Her- "I already told you the girl who knows isn't here! You'll just have to come in!! " Me- "You are so right. This is not the old Dube. In all of the 35 years I ate there I was NEVER spoken to so rudely!"

Folks, I have decades of wonderful memories of The Blue Danube and the family and friends who gathered there. I suggest that, if you loved the Old Dube, steer clear of this one. Let them fail and wait for someone to put a new restaurant with a new name in it's place. These people seem to be using the good name and reputation of the Old Dube to help their restaurant survive. All those articles about how the Dube is coming back... different but still the Dube. No. The food is not the Dube, the atmosphere is not the Dube, and the employees are not the warm, friendly Dube people we all loved. Avoid this place and keep...

UPDATE: I've since realized that the server in my original review must be "that one dude" that just doesn't know how to do his job, while everyone else is awesome. I've been here several more times since, and I really do enjoy going there. The staff is super friendly and accommodating. And the food is great. I apologise for my harsh review, because it was honestly only that one server that caused our displeasure. Our most recent server, Amber, was amazing and such a nice person. Strongly recommend her and this place if you're stopping through!

I'm not giving it one star simply because the food here is pretty good. The service today was awful. After placing our food order, we never saw our server again, despite a nearly empty restaurant. He visited the couple tables near us three times in the time that I sat there with an empty drink. We also noticed he smiled at the other customers and spoke with them. I'm not sure what we did, but it was pretty clear he didn't like us from the start. I had to go to the bar to pay the check. I spoke to a manager, but all she said was that they were really busy (they were not) and that she doesn't want us to not come back. Speaking with her did not make me feel any better about my dining experience, quite the opposite. It is not likely I will be spending my money here...