Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails

February 21, 2012 – 4:27 pm Posted by Katharine Moore

Filed under: Features

When Alice Wing was ready to sell her Columbus institution “The Vine” on Gay Street, it was important to her to hand it off to another woman, so she placed a call to Liz Lessner. Sure enough, Liz was interested in the space, and with partner Chuck Hootman and brother Tim Lessner she purchased the business in May 2007.

The Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails served as an early champion of the revitalization of Gay Street. Tim Lessner explains that they loved being in on the beginning of that effort and hope to be what the Short North Tavern is to the Short North neighborhood…an early investor in the community, providing a destination for the Urban Pioneers who blazed the trail, and those who have followed.

The concept of a classic whiskey bar was developed with help from the Ohio Historical Society and executed with DianaLessner’s interior design (yep…their mom!) and a menu featuring Ohio comfort food. The Tip Top is the “tipsy downtown watering hole” the partners dreamed up with a reputation for being casual and welcoming, never fussy or pretentious.

The Pot Roast Sandwich, with Sweet Potato Fries and Spicy Mayo is the number one seller, but that’s not to say its ever reasonable to have a group for dinner without someone ordering (and sharing) the Mac and Cheese! The bar offers an inventory of whiskies like you read about, but is also known for its broad selection of microbrews. With 22 taps, there is always something new and something seasonal to tempt patrons away from their usuals.

Tim Lessner is the Managing Partner of the Tip Top, and also serves as the President of the Board of Trustees of Dine Originals Columbus. He believes independent restaurants are the face and personality of any city, and is proud of what the Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails adds to Columbus. Not only have they been successful with their retro concept and Gay Street revitalization, but they have distinguished themselves as forward thinkers with green efforts that are industry achievements other food and beverage operations strive for. Utilizing the resources of Eartha Limited they combine alternative waste control and energy reduction methods with eco-friendly carry out containers. Just recycling beer bottles takes a very mindful approach to standard operating procedures.

With this commitment to sustainability, fostering a vibrant downtown, and serving Columbus-centric food and beverages, The Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails helps shape the character of Columbus and strengthens the very backbone of Dine Originals Columbus.
To learn more about Eartha Limited visit www.Earthlimited.com

Tip Top Kitchen & Cocktails
http://www.tiptopcolumbus.com/
73 East Gay Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
614-221-8300
Open 11am until 2am everyday.