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Average ratingExcellent
4.5/ 5

Based on 156 reviews

574%
418%
33%
22%
13%
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What reviewers say about The Shrunken Head

Generated with AI from 156 reviews on Trustburn · updated 32 days ago

Customers generally praise The Shrunken Head as a great dive bar with a fun atmosphere, noting good comedy and live shows, a cute patio, and reasonable bar prices with a solid bourbon and beer selection.
What are the most common complaints about The Shrunken Head?

Describing what the critical reviewers wrote: the 1-star reviews complain that the venue is too small, dirty, and has bad acoustics, with issues including terrible bartenders, a disgusting bathroom, bugs on the floor, a tiny patio, and a parking nightmare.

AI-generated from reviews on this page. Verify anything important with the company directly.

Laugh A Lot Entertainment
Reviews 1

This is a beautiful place for beginners to gain experience in what ever their poison is. It was a very nice atmosphere everyone was very respectful and supportive to each to each other. Hopefully everyone is still around next time I want to jump on stage.

Phillip Simpson
Reviews 1

Was here for a stand up comedy night. We arrived a little later in the evening and the way it was set up made it difficult to enter without feeling in the way. And even more difficult to get a drink since we had to walk in front of the stage and around the audience to get to the opening in the bar where people were ordering drinks. The stand up was amazing and the environment was really relaxed and comfortable. Highly recommend this place.

Sean Dixon
Reviews 1

Played a show at the Shrunken Head last week and have nothing but the highest regards for the venue and staff. Service was excellent and the venue is both intimate and spacious for performers and attendees. Big shout out to Nick Magoteaux who handled all the audio for the show as he took the time to work with us in finding a great sound for our music instead of asking us to fit into a preset mold as we have seen with most other venues in the area. As the singer, I have always been self conscious about the raw sound of my voice and expressed this to Nick before the show who then used his knowledge and expertise to cultivate a new sound using delay effects on my voice that left each of us awestruck by how brilliant it sounded. He then took the time to explain in detail how and what he did so we can use it for future shows. I have never met a more personable and professional audio engineer and look forward to the day we get to work with him again.

Justin Kaplan
Reviews 1

I play in a band all around town, and for the size that it is, the shrunken head has the best sound by far. Before we even started, we could tell the sound guy, Nick Magoteaux, already did a fantastic job setting up. He was very involved and his attention to detail made the overall sound for us, and the audience, beyond expectations. Great venue.

Jake Hill
Reviews 1

Open mics here are a hell of a way to spend your Wednesday night. Great music (as good as an open mic can be) with a wide variety of acts and performances.

Beer and liquor have a good selection.

Certainly has a trendy dive bar interior but surely a place with a lot of character (decor and patrons alike)

Beau Croxton
Reviews 1

AttentionTouring bands! THIS IS THE SPOT. This venue was insanely legit . Best Sound we have had on our entire 2 week tour, Nick who runs this place is a total sweetheart and sound gangster. His attention to detail on what you need to hear on stage is insane !- Local bands drew a great crowd here , the locals/crowd were super into everything and with loud applause ! and we had the most amazing time. There is also some wonderful regulars here that can add to the draw which is always ideal on tour ! You will be very happy playing on stage here! Thanks again to The Shrunken Head for a very enjoyable tour stop/show !

Prime Gallow
Reviews 1

Prices are a little steep. Two basic beers set me back $9. However, they also have new PBR hard coffee, which is amazing.
Sound guy (Nick) is a perfectionist, which makes it great for the audience, but I personally think it removes are the rawness of coming to a live punk/rock show.
Biggest gripe is the parking situation. Everywhere has a "no parking between hours of ** and **" and is very confusing.

Matt Thompson
Reviews 1

The best thing about The Shrunken Head is Nick Magoteaux, the audio engineer (i.e., "sound guy"). I've played in many bars around Columbus and Nick is in a league of his own. He not only adds his own personal touch to each instument's sound, he is very helpful and makes sure everyone in the band is happy with their sound before the set starts, making the experience fantastic for everyone in the crowd. Nick's pretty much ruined every other venue for me because I'll have to deal with a bunch of amateurs until I get to play at The Shrunken Head again.

David Staley
Reviews 1

Bar staff was extremely efficient. (Saw me standing @ the bar, had me refueled without me asking).
Went to see a band with a friend. The resident sound guru, needs a raise!
The only negative I can give, (and I really can't give a bad review on account we didn't stay to see if management took action). A mosh pit, (two youngsters), changed the Vibe near the stage.
Would I go back/recommend to someone, an affirmative YES!

Kevin Shores
Reviews 1

Well Pillorian slayed and the bartenders were super cool so, awesome. The venue is intimate and has several sections that afford different standing or sitting options. I highly recommend this venue if you want to see a band in an intimate setting with very cool white staff.

Ashley Davison
Reviews 1

I love these guys. Ze Head is definitely my bar of choice for lmost anything. They have a lot going on, every night, and the staff is friendly and knowledgable. The bar owner is a riot, and they are able to bring in some killer bands. Everyone should visit them at least once.

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About The Shrunken Head

Address
251 W 5th Ave
Categories
Restaurants