A new Columbus sports bar plans to open soon in the former Uptown Tap location on Broadway
A new sports bar will open in downtown Columbus, reviving the former Uptown Tap location on Broadway that closed two years ago.
There is no official opening date for the sports bar, Purge Nation, co-owner Tammy Stephens said, but Columbus residents can expect it to open within the next few weeks.
The name Purge Nation came from a need to release negative emotions after Stephens’ father passed away, she told the Ledger-Enquirer. Stephens opened the first Purge Nation, which specializes in recreational ax throwing, in West Point about a year-and-half ago, she said.
“You don’t have any place to release your stress,” Stephens said. “That’s where the ax came in. You can throw the ax and release it. You can go do whatever you need to do.”
While the Columbus location won’t have ax throwing like the Purge Nation in West Point, the group hopes that Purge Nation will continue to be a place for everyone to feel comfortable enough to relax in.
Stephens began working with co-owners of the Columbus location, Kani Estrada and Richard Jackson, in West Point.
Estrada did a lot of the business’ artwork and worked in security, while Jackson started with Purge Nation as a cook. The three soon began to share a passion of opening a business together, leading to the new location in Columbus.
“We wanted to have something really fun for everybody — no matter what walk of life you are — to come and have a good time,” Stephens said.
Securing the perfect location
Stephens knew she wanted an outdoor atmosphere for the second Purge Nation location. A light bulb went off in Estrada’s mind.
“I got the perfect place for you,” he told her.
The Uptown Tap closed in January 2021 after operating at 1024 Broadway for 22 years. Estrada knew the prime location in downtown Columbus would be perfect for their sports bar.
“I used to come to The Tap,” Estrada said. “Especially on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I’d shoot a little pool, get a drink or two.”
Stephens, Estrada and Jackson agreed they wanted the former Uptown Tap to be the location of their new sports bar, but weren’t sure how to connect with the owners to acquire the building.
One day about six months ago, Stephens and Estrada were walking down Broadway. Stephens had just gotten coffee, and the two decided to go look at the building again.
“Tammy, there’s a sign with a number on it,” Estrada said in disbelief.
Securing the Broadway space was surreal and exciting for the business partners, Stephens said.
“It’s a great vibe,” she said. “We love Broadway. We love the Columbus atmosphere.”
What customers can expect
Originally from Miami, Estrada also enjoys the outdoor bar scene, and the location offers a large outdoor courtyard that could serve as the perfect venue for live music, a DJ and hosting events.
A DJ will be situated in the courtyard, along with a platform stage for live performances. Determined to preserve the building and history of Columbus, any graffiti artwork added in the space will be placed on panels that can easily be removed.
This will ensure the original brick is left untouched, Estrada said, and allows the courtyard to serve as event space for clients.
They plan to refurbish the building, Stephens said, but want to keep as much of The Tap the same as possible. The large “Blues Brothers” figurines will continue to have a place in the building, and old signage from The Tap will remain up. The goal is return the building back to its former glory, she said, and not tear anything down.
“It’s 100% important to us to keep the history of this (building),” Stephens said. “Everyone wants to tear something down and put something new. And new is not always better.”
Purge Nation will have a variety of games including cornhole and pool. During the brunch hour, the bar will be family friendly with games like Connect Four and Jenga being available for kids to play. However, individuals must be over the age of 21 to enter during evening hours, Estrada said, especially on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
The food served at Purge Nation will be typical bar food, Stephens said. They will serve items like burgers, wings, loaded fries with their own twist, she said. On Saturdays and Sundays there will be brunch between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. with a different menu that includes lamb chops, salmon, ribeye, catfish and grits.
Jackson’s experience serving and cooking in West Point will transfer over to the Columbus location, she said, along with his ability to connect with customers. Jackson enjoys getting to know people who visit and memorizing the orders of his regulars.
“It makes a customer actually feel good when you come into the bar and your drink is already right there in front of you,” Jackson said. “Because I know that’s what they want.”
This story was originally published May 12, 2023 at 10:07 AM.
