Columbus’ Cobra wins best U.S. restaurant bar at 2026 Spirited Awards
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Columbus’ bar scene is getting national recognition, with two local spots earning major honors for 2026 — and a slate of August events giving residents and visitors plenty of reasons to celebrate.
Cobra, an Asian-inspired bar in the Brewery District that opened in 2023, was named Best U.S. Restaurant Bar at the 2026 Spirited Awards, presented by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. Cobra has also drawn attention before, earning a finalist spot for Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar in 2024. For guests who don’t drink alcohol, Cobra offers “venom-less” nonalcoholic versions of many of its signature drinks.
Land-Grant Brewing in Franklinton also landed on a national list, being named one of USA TODAY’s Best Bars in America for 2026. Land-Grant is one of 38 bars nationwide to make the list.
The recognition comes as Columbus prepares for a busy stretch of August events, including the first Columbus Cocktail Festival, set for Saturday, Aug. 8 at Land-Grant. The ticketed festival costs $61 per person and includes samples from all vendors. It is open to guests 21 and older and will bring together 13 of the city’s top bars for one event.
Also Saturday, Uptown Untapped returns in Westerville. The summer food and beverage festival will take place on East Main Street from 6-10 p.m. and is ticketed at $20 per person. The event is 21-plus and will include cocktails, along with lawn games, live music and more.
The Ohio State Fair continues through the weekend, with Sunday, Aug. 9 as the last day. Admission gates close at 6 p.m.
Later in the month, the Columbus Food Truck Festival is scheduled for Aug. 14-15 at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Hilliard. Organizers estimate more than 25,000 attendees and roughly 50 food trucks. The event is ticketed, and parking is free.
Festival Latino will round out the month, returning the weekend of Aug. 22 and 23 at Columbus Commons and the Ohio Theatre. The free, family-friendly event is known as the largest Latino festival in Ohio and features music, dance, food and culture from across Latin America.
For more information and additional ideas for exploring Columbus, visit experiencecolumbus.com. People can also follow Experience Columbus on social media and subscribe to e-newsletters. The Columbus Welcome Center is located at 625 N. High St. in the Short North Arts District, and there is also an Easton location.