Watershed Distillery in Columbus
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Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, US
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Site: http://www.watersheddistillery.com/
- Monday:10AM–5PM
- Tuesday:10AM–5PM
- Wednesday:10AM–10PM
- Thursday:11AM–10PM
- Friday:11AM–11PM
- Saturday:11AM–11PM
- Sunday:4–9PM
Had the opportunity to stop in today for an industry tour of their facility, I haven’t eaten here but certainly plan to come back to do so! This team creates their products with passion and purpose, ensuring they uphold an exceptional standard of quality along the way. I’m excited for the public to see some of the exciting new releases they have coming up!
Heads up - the happy hour is only at the bar which we didn’t realize. We keep giving this place another chance as a dinner option, but the food portions are so small for the price and most of the appetizers are not sharing-sized, except for the potatoes. You have to really strategize your order since the sizes of the dishes are all different. We had another disappointing food experience before when we brought two guests a few months ago. One guest is vegetarian and she got an appetizer and the tiniest veg. “entree” that was one tiny squash in the middle of the plate for about $30. She is a small person and was still hungry after dinner. For the same price, her partner got a giant meat dish that was way more food on the plate for the same price. I emailed Watershed about our experience but never heard back. I can’t remember the bill total for 4, I think I blacked it out of my memory since it was outrageous, but most of us were still hungry after. On the other hand, I’ve had friends order the Smashburger and an appetizer and they were happy with that and it’s good sized. I think the pro tip is so stick with the burger so you’re full. It’s not a great option for vegetarians or if you’re wanting to share food. Be prepared to spend a decent amount of money per person. Drinks are creative and it’s fun choosing from a rotating list of cocktails. Everyone always loves their drinks. I also regularly buy bottles of their vodka and gin. Their service is always good and the ambience is lovely. The flavors of the dishes are impressive and innovative (I’ve never had such a fancy carrot dish), but I just never leave feeling very satisfied food-wise and feel like I want to go somewhere else for more food. We went here once before the pandemic and had an amazing experience but I think the portions went down and the prices up so we haven’t had the same experience compared to other places around town. We are happy paying more for quality food and understand the increased food and labor costs, but I still don’t think the portions of most of the dishes match the prices. Too many times we have left still feeling hungry after spending a lot of money. I still like this place but I’d recommend sticking to the drinks and if you want food then order the burger. I have never had the burger, but I have been jealous when friends ordered it and felt full and said it was good. It seems to be popular so maybe folks have figured out a strategy.
So happy to see Watershed Distillery Kitchen open again! The menu is a little different but the food is still very good, and of course their drinks are worth every sip. I dont really like mixed drinks so I had their bourbon, on the rocks, and my wife had their old fashioned. Very tasty. We ordered their pork rines, and the Brussel sprouts, along with the fish of the day (walleye), and the beef short ribs... delicious. Too full to have the desserts but we did purchase bottles of the Nocino and their Guild Gin to take home. Cant wait to come again!
Where do I start??? We got tickets to the tour from bottles of vodka that we had purchased from the state liquor store. Emailing the rep from Watershed was so easy. She was super helpful and friendly. We went to the tour and it was very informal and quite tasty. Not a large crowd either. Typically its $15 each which is pretty reasonable but we buy their vodka so thankfully we got free tickets as a promotion. Nice inviting space and tastefully decorated. They also have cards with recipes using their spirits. Makes sense and good marketing strategy;) We decided to venture to the restaurant and boy was it good. Its a bit on the pricey side and smaller portions but I prefer smaller plates. And we rarely eat out and only eat high quality food. Food was tasty and menu well planned out. Service was absolutely impeccable. The second I dropped my knife, I looked up and the bar tender was handing me another one and I wasnt even sitting at the bar! You can tell the employees care about the customers and love their job. The chef even came out to say hi since we are from Cleveland. Such a personal touch❤. Definitely worth visiting this hidden gem. We ended up buying a few bottles of liquor too. Stop by if you have the chance. You wont regret it. Great memories. These people didnt miss a detail!
Second time here trying the short ribs. The short ribs were dry and lacked flavor for a $27 meal. The portion was mostly fat on one of the pieces. The potatoes looked amazing but lacked seasoning. The old fashioned tasted great but the portion was small for a $10 drink. The one thing I have enjoyed on each visit was the brussel sprouts. My wife burger and fries were great. I will not return again because of the food experience. The service was great no issues there.
Let me start by saying wow! On Friday we visited from out of town for the 4pm distillery tour, which included a history of the company, tour of the facilities, and a sampling of the various spirts Watershed produces. Thanks again to Dave for a very interesting and exciting tour!We stayed for dinner in their restaurant, reservations are encouraged. The food and drinks were fantastic! Our server was friendly and knowledgeable. The Brussel sprouts were to die for, not to mention the amazing short rib meal! Perfect place for a fun date night!They also sell bottles of their products as well as barware, clothing, and merchandise.I will definitely return soon with my friends!
Went to watershed on a date and it was amazing!! Shaded patio with minimal traffic and a beautiful bar and restaurant indoors. The wait staff was friendly, efficient, professional, and very knowledgeable about the food and cocktail list. And everything was delicious!! They have a chef sampler option that is a really good deal and plenty of food to share. Great place for anyone - dinner with my parents, date night, girls night out.
Great place for food and drinks. The food is amazing. Their menu is fresh and innovative. Love trying their R&D menu. Cocktails are amazing. Never had a bad cocktail at the bar. The bartenders are really great and making new cocktails on the fly even if it’s not on the menu. Very creative and knowledgeable chef and bartenders (more like cocktail wizards). The staff and service is also amazing. Everyone is super friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and the drinks. I was truly impressed from my visit.
Definition of a hidden gem. Tucked away in an area you wouldnt expect. Soon as you walk through the doors you know exactly what its about. Great atmosphere, fantastic cocktails, and surprisingly great food. Bigger than it looks from the outside. If youre looking for a date night or a casual hang out, this is your place. Just a really really solid little place with a good vibe to it.
We had the fortune to be the first customers for the new tasting experience at the distillery. Jen was super friendly and knowledgeable. We enjoyed the tasting a lot and as a result bought more bottles than originally intended. Being able to taste the product helped drive more sales. This is an excellent addition to the brewery.
Easily one of the top places to visit in Columbus! Have been multiple times but the first time since they have opened back up during COVID and….you must go if you are reading this and have not been before. There is nothing to complain about. The food and drinks are out of this world, ordered the confit wings, hay smoked ribs and market fish. Each were to die for especially the confit wings (first time ordering) and ribs (second time ordering). Service is high quality as well, please go!
Went for the tour...stayed for dinner. Not to be missed! Jen did a fab job on the tour. Shes not only thoroughly knowledgeable of her craft... shes hilarious to boot! Cocktails were expertly rendered with two added plusses: My summertime preference for a twist of grapefruit in my martini (Watersheds, of course) was easily accommodated; and was delightfully and nostagically served in a Nick and Nora. I enjoyed two. Treat yourself to A little of this...a little of that. I selected the pork chop. Tender, juicy and deliciously complemented by the slighty sweet and savory kale salad. I will crave it until we meet again. Only reopened a short time due to the pandemic, not a beat has been missed. This one deserves our loyalty! Enjoy!
When in Columbus I would invite you to tour and eat at the Watershed Distillery. We had a fantastic evening last night. The meal was superior. The decor is trendy and very fitting. The entire dining area was clean and organized. The staff were courteous and professional. But, most of all, The entire atmosphere is very welcoming and it appeared that everyone (staff and patrons) really wanted to be there.
Wasnt really impressed with the food, Great atmosphere, and friendly staff.The menu sounds yummy, fancy and like it may be tastebud explosion when you read it.....But seems like overkill of pairing flavors with odd combos killed it for me. I ordered the strip steak it was way too salty, lots of gristle and it seemed like the side salad stuff was entirely chopped green onions, and a blob of peach weirdness/ didnt finish my plateMy meal alone and 1 drink (called after school special) was 52.00Place was a bust for me 😕
Id been waiting to go to this place for a while, and finally made it out with my friends. We had the brussel appetizer (amazing and fresh play using mint) and I had the steak. It was delicious, but not mind blowing. I like the vibe and have a feeling that my impression would be slightly different if I was a beer drinker. Its worth your time to try, especially for a night out, but the pricing would be more appropriate for a special occasion.
The drinks, service, and atmosphere were great. The food was merely good. The food prices were very high considering the small portions and run-of-the-mill preparation and flavors. I would highly recommend as a place to go for cocktails. But for dinner, it left something to be desired given the prices.
We went there for Valentines. The service was great, but the food was very uneven. Some was very tasty. But some dishes were inedible. For example, I had black pepper gnocchi with lobster. The gnocchi was hard little pellets and it was extremely over seasoned. All u could taste was salt. My wife had the 3 beef/steak plate and it was also over salted.Other dishes were very good, like the sweetbreads and dessert.
Wow. Really surprised. The location and exterior might have you second guessing whats inside, but definitely go in. Great to see a prix fixe/tasting menu in Columbus that really knocks it out of the park. Its creative, new, and balanced in every bite. Its pricey, but its worth it (not like many other pricey places just charge for atmosphere). Sure, they have room for improvement, but I think they will get there (eg, wine and cocktail pairings could improve--I could even see a cocktail tasting to go with the food tasting). My only complaint is that some of the portions are too big. The ribs could easily be half the size and lower the price 25%. The ribs were great, so I only say that because I want to try other things as well. Will definitely go back.
Watershed has made my list of worthy restaurants to visit, not just for the delectable dishes and drinks, and great service, but also for Watersheds choice to buy and serve local goods. The deal sealer for me was when I saw that Watershed served Ramble Coffee. This coffee I buy regular at the Worthington Farmers market, and know the owners. Im glad to see a local restaurant/distillery supporting other local businesses.Side note for section 3 on the menu. The portions are generous. And, I highly recommend any first comers to take advantage of the chefs tastings option. This will allow you to have a little bit of every section, plus a dessert. And for drink recommendations: bourbon, neat
I went to watershed for a birthday dinner. It was located in an obscure part of town, but the decor was cool. We wanted to try something new, so that was our choice. Although the food was tasty, it was incredibly small portioned and over priced. The real kicker was the service. Our waitress (I believe her name was Kate) was awful in many ways. She was clearly overwhelmed and was not able to tend to us. Additionally, I pulled a giant hair out of my dessert and swallowed half of it. As I pulled the hair half way out of my throat, my whole table proceeded to watch with disgust. When I told Kate of the large hair in my food, she replied with gross, and did nothing about it, not even a drink on the house. For a dinner that will cost you around $100 +/- per person with drinks there are many better options in Columbus.
Burger was average, 18 dollars, and the size of my palm. Duck was dry. Drinks were fine, but its sad that the distillery itself charges more for their own alcohol than an unaffiliated bar in the city. This is all accompanied by the location being in the middle of nowhere, which makes it difficult to turn back after seeing the unexpected prices. Would have been nice to see a menu before going, but they dont have one available online.Overall, I would recommend going somewhere else if you want a great dining experience that is worth the cost.
The entire experience was sublime yet exceptional. The menu is a stellar example of modern Americana cuisine - showcasing comfort food that will satisfy discerning palates. Dishes were well balanced with salt, sour, fat, and flair. The sweetbreads were ethereal - a must-do experience; the short rib was worth every bite, and the puree served with it was light yet satisfying; the duck - a yes; the fried chicken - a hell yea... and do use your fingers to eat it. Im a fan I see and taste the flavors of the chefs James Beard winning mentors in his food, but the chefs work has this subtlety one should appreciate. Well done.
My wife and I had a wonderful date night. By taking the tour we had a truly unique experience that was located close to home. Staff was knowledgeable and friendly. Getting to try local spirits and learning about the process made this a great time. Getting to see the still and the aging room adds to the enjoyment of hand crafted spirits.Primarily drinking a whiskey and/or bourbon, Ive purchased their bourbon thinking it would be interesting since its local to Columbus. Knowing Ive had a bottle on the shelf, my wife bought us the tour as a gift. We enjoyed the tour so much that I added the bourbon barrel gin to my small batch collection.
Staff and servers do an exceptional job, very well educated on the menu and offering recommendations.Biggest disappointment was portion size of the most expensive item in the menu, the market fish. When I made mention to the waiter at the end of the night, his comment was that I should have told him and he would have brought me more fish. Really, why doesn’t the Chef take a look at the plate before it’s served and realize that?
The food was good but insanely expensive for small portions. We were talked into ordering the tasting menu, which was actually more expensive than ordering everything we wanted separately. We got the desserts to go because our drinks had run out, the server had disappeared, and we were getting impatient. Attached is a photo of the Cookies & Curds, priced at $8. (Note that there is, in fact, only one cookie.)
Watershed is a great home grown experiment in the complex world of spirits.The production facility is gorgeous, the staff is friendly and outgoing, and the booze... Dang its good!!!My personal favorite is the bourbon, but I have sampled them all as well as quite a few cocktails at area restaurants and have never been disappointed.
Drinks were good, but the experience was less than customer focused. Asked for a menu and was told “we don’t give menus to every person at the table”. Asked about happy hour and was told “only at the bar” (restaurant was empty btw). Asked for a drink with vodka instead of gin and he said “we don’t sub alcohol”. Won’t be going back.
Really cool atmosphere and knowledgeable as well as friendly staff. Went in to sample their spirits thinking I would buy bourbon but was very impressed with the complexity and balance in their four peels gin; so much in fact that I bought it instead! While tasting, the lady who worked there showed me samples of the botanicals that were used in the making of the gin and gave me recommendations for cocktails that I would enjoy. If you are a craft spirits fanatic or just someone who wants to learn more, these guys are the real deal. A+
We stocked up on toilet paper and tuna fish but forgot about our liquor cabinet. Too late, I saw my bottle of Tanqueray 10 was scary low and we’d already sworn off shopping in stores.After a few desperate prayers to Dionysus, Watershed Distillery came to my rescue! I called Melissa at Watershed in Grandview, and she took my order. Drove to their parking lot, honked my horn, and Melissa put my rescue package in the trunk.With all of the bars and restaurants closed, I felt good about supporting this great local business. Also, they have a nice selection: three types of gin, bourbon, vodka, apple brandy and nocino. I bought a premixed bottle of Old Fashioned that is delicious.
Total reviews rating 4.6
118 Reviews for Watershed Distillery 2023:
Review №1
2022-07-11We did a tour of the facility and a tasting for date night my wife and I. We were pleased and impressed with the facility, the Gin (Wifey) and the Bottle in Bond Bourbon Whiskey. After the tour and tasting we had a three course meal in the Watershed Restaurant. Everything was great. Chicken Wings, Steak meal, and Banana Pudding were great. Customer service wonderful, and Distillery tour better. I am a Bourbon fan and the Watershed Bottled In Bond is very good Bourbon. Smooth and Flavorful.
Review №2
2022-01-29For the price of only $15 a person for an hour tour its definitely worth it! Our tour guide was awesome very funny and you could tell he truly enjoyed and loved the liquors he was talking about. I would definitely come back and I have already recommended this distillery to a lot of people! Also paring there bourbon with the dark chocolate was awesome definitely brought out more flavors.
Review №3
2022-06-11Great tour. Learned lots of facts I didnt know. Our guide was personable and passionate about the product. Chance to sample 4 (many) of the products. Really enjoyed the nocino.
Review №4
2022-03-25I am new to this world lol & this was only my second tour. Learned alot. Had a great tour guide. Someone from the company actually gave me & my husband the tour for free for my birthday & that blew me away! We enjoyed some cocktails at the standing bar before the tour, husband enjoyed an old fashioned & I told the bartender I trusted him to make me something good, he gave me a thank u, Douglas. I loved it. This tour is beginner friendly. We will be back to enjoy the food. Also got to purchase items from their shop as well.
Review №5
2022-06-13Jacob was amazing! He gave great recommendations for cocktails and whiskey for our wedding. We could tell he was very knowledgeable; he recommended a cocktail book for us as well. 10/10 experience.
Review №6
2022-04-24We really enjoyed our Distillery Tour with Susan. She was a fun, engaging storyteller and full of information. We had delicious drinks at the restaurant bar before our tour and brought back Bourbon, Gin, Nocino and Nocino candles. The store has a lot of great gift ideas for friends and family. 😺
Review №7
2022-04-23Great atmosphere. Many drink selections. All very professionally made. The whiskeys are delicious. The brandy finished is really good. My wife liked the calpico.
Review №8
2022-01-14Excellent bar, cocktails, tour, food, liquor, and all around great experience. Very friendly and helpful staff. Extremely clean, and accommodating restroom.
Review №9
2022-01-18The food at the restaurant far exceeded my expectations! Cocktail menu was diverse and all that we had were outstanding. We also caught the Distillery Tour and it was both entertaining and informative. 10/10 will be going back to the restaurant! 8/10 would bring out of town visitors to the tour! You will not be disappointed!
Review №10
2022-04-16So excited for this place to be back open! Great cocktail program with solid takes on the classics and also some very interesting new options. I really enjoyed my Barrel Aged Old Fashioned - very smooth and flavorful. Very impressed by their bourbon overall. Food was also great - especially the fried chicken!Update - now 4 stars given inconsistent food experience. Drinks are still excellent.