New sports bar specializing in smoked meats opening in former historic brewery
“This is the one place where every day is game day,” said TJ Valentino, the founder and owner of Columbus’ newest sports bar.
The new concept, called Draft Day, is taking over the previous Smokehouse Brewing restaurant, which closed late last year after over 25 years at 1130 Dublin Rd., right around the corner from Grandview proper. “I hope to be the next tenant for the next 25 years,” Valentino quipped. And while we never want to see a restaurant go, Valentino is still honoring it, in his own way. “We’re keeping the full, built-in smoker,” he said. “We can smoke 100lbs at a time.”
In that smoker, he and his team at Draft Day are planning on offering smoked briskets, wings, pulled pork, and even mac & cheese on the menu. “We’re having fun with the menu,” explained Valentino.
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Along with smoked, elevated sports bar fare, guests will be able to enjoy 16 taps of seasonal beers and curated cocktails, which will pair perfectly with a game of pool or darts in their gaming area.
Draft Day will boast 40 TVs throughout their 11,000 square foot space, offering a viewing of hard-to-find-at-home games. In the middle of their main dining room, their “center court” area will also feature a jumbotron.
The family-friendly bar will also feature a private banquet room, where Valentino said they could host business luncheons, presentations, parties, and even receptions.
This new sports bar & restaurant is Valentino’s first venture with his newly founded hospitality group, called Tino Hospitality Group. He worked for One Hospitality for the past 8 years, but felt like it was the right time to go out on his own. “This is where I’m from, this is where my team is from, and we’re paying tribute to that,” he said. Although Columbus marks the first location for Draft Day, he’s already looking at markets in Cleveland and Cincinnati. “This concept was built to grow,” he said.
The location itself will prove to set them apart from other sports bars in the Grandview area. There’s new development all around Draft Day, plus the establishment already has 92 parking spots for patrons.
“We wanted to create a place where people can come together, whether they’re passionate about beer, love sports, or just want to enjoy great food in a lively setting,” said Valentino. “This location has a rich history, and we’re excited to carry that legacy forward with a fresh new experience.”
Demo work is still being completed, but they plan to open in October. “It’s a quick turnaround,” emphasized Valentino. “We have a lot of help from landlords pushing things through quickly.”
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