Central Ohio gained a new cocktail bar last week with the opening of The Lion in Bexley! The Lion is a small East Main Street outpost of the Bexley Hospitality Group and bills itself as Bexley’s only cocktail bar. Named after the mascot of Bexley High School.

The storefront itself, located in a strip between Great Clips and a community center, may look unassuming, but inside the bar has a soft and relaxing atmosphere with dark green accents, exposed brick, wooden floors, plush sofas and booths, greenery out front and mirrors scattered throughout .

The bar team are busy working on their creations, which run the gamut from all the classics to one of the more unique cocktails in town.

On opening weekend, they sampled some of their menu items, such as the corn cocktail: a concoction that included Mellow corn whiskey, a reduction from it, and a filtered liquid from the corn itself. It was like a sweet corn version of an old fashioned.

where are we cocktail blends blanco tequila, sake and pea – it’s slightly sweet and slightly herbal.

Lion’s beverage program is led by Dustin Ross, who has experience with a number of establishments around town. You can read my interview with him at Service Bar for Experience Columbus here.

Our second round of drinks included the Lucky One (right) with rum, mezcal, guava and a light canzuri chili paste. We also tried the Trieste melon (left) with oyster blanc vermouth, melon lassi and prosecco. Both have an interesting balance of flavors (yes, you can taste a hint of oysters) while being refreshing and unique.

Of course, if you want something more traditional, they are more than adept at the classics, like my favorite rye Manhattan.

Lion’s soft hours are Monday-Thursday, 4am-11pm; Friday, 4pm to midnight; Saturday, noon to midnight; and Sunday, 1-11 p.m

The lion
2511 E. Main St.
Bexley, Ohio 43209
Website: thelionbexley.com
IG: @thelionbexley