St James Tavern

Specialties

SJT is a cozy neighborhood bar in Italian Village. We specialize in good beer, good prices, good people& GOOD TIMES. Our motto is «No Crap on Tap!» .There are 13 specialty drafts on tap ranging from Chimay White ($ 5.50) to Bells Two Hearted ($ 3.50) to Guinness ($ 3.50). Well drinks are $ 2.50 always. Our jukebox has been given heaps of accolades over the past 14+ years and has something for everyone. It ranges from indie rock to punk, hip hop to classic R&B, a little alt country and some 80’s cheese to make your booty shake. Stop by for a quick drink or a night of pool playing with friends. It is one of Columbus’ hidden treasures so make sure you tell the people you like& DON“T tell the people you don’t like.

History

Established in 1996.

Michelle Hill was brought in to run the business only 3 months after other family members purchased the property in the summer of 1996. Michelle had experience in the bar/​restaurant industry and was taking classes to finish her degree in psychology from The Ohio State University. After a year or so of renovations to the business model& the interior décor, the St James was on track to a new image and future. A brand new jukebox, beer selection, and clientel base were the main components Michelle focused on to turn the bar around. After she finished her degree in 1999, she purchased the majority share of the business. It was a slow process given that the neighborhood was quite abandoned in the early years. The James was playfully referred to by its regulars as the neighborhood bar without a neighborhood. The struggle ended after about 3 years though and the bar has been a successful and thriving part of Italian Village for over 10 years now.

Meet the Business Owner

Michelle H.

Business Owner

I wanted to create a place where everyone can feel comfortable regardless of his/​her background. People say that you cannot pick your customers, I disagree. If someone is rude or disrespectful to the staff or other patrons, I don’t want them in my bar. I am a terrible capitalist because I would rather have 10 open minded, respectful customers hanging out on any given night than a bar packed full of obnoxious drunks who think they can do or say whatever they want just because they have a handful of dollars. I won’t get rich anytime soon from this platform of business, but I will always have a place that I enjoy working and hanging out at and can be proud to attach my name. At the end of the day, I can only hope that my little bar brought a few people solace, comfort or happiness in this age of disconnect where people are treated like items or stats instead of human beings worthy of attention and affection. Namaste.