Columbus Curiosity - 18th July 2025

Your Weekly Dose of Columbus Events, News, and Fun

Author

Nathan Griggs
July 18, 2025

Hey Columbus crew—

This week’s lineup has everything from toddler jailbreaks and lion-door showdowns to declaring us the ultimate sports state and pool parties gone wild.

Plus, Cat Bite Club is taking over Cobra with agave cocktails.

Let’s unravel the madness:

🗞️ News You Missed – Claw-machine toddler rescue, lion-door cage match, Ohio’s #1 sports state crown, teen pool-party riots, and Cat Bite Club’s Cobra takeover.

🔍 Hidden Gems – German-Village sangrias at Barcelona, Eddie Merlot’s steakhouse wine vault, Refectory’s 675-bottle list, Flavor 91’s Ethiopian burger, and Beechwold’s biscuits & gravy.

🎟️ What’s On This Week – Bacon Brothers’ roots-rock, Mandela Day slam, Crew vs. D.C. United, and Shinedown live.

First things first, I want to ask you guys a question:

🗳️ What service is your #1 need this summer?

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Grab your sangria and let’s dive into this weeks chaos:

🚨 The Headlines

🧸 Toddler vs. Claw Machine: Ohio’s Newest Escape Artist

A 4-year-old in Mason crawled through a toy chute like a tiny action hero—only to get stuck in a fluff-filled fortress. Surveillance footage (now viral from BBC to TMZ) shows firefighters rolling the machine into a store for a backdoor rescue. Proof that toddlers are 50% curiosity, 50% raccoon.

 

Cold hard facts:

  • Location: Mason community center

  • Rescue Tactic: Machine rolled into store, child extracted through back panel

  • Parental Verdict: "Unharmed but probably grounded from arcades until college"

🦁 Zoo Door Fail: When Lions Break Up (Literarily)

Columbus Zoo’s "incompatible lions" Roary and Asali turned a faulty door into a cage match. USDA cited the zoo after Asali didn’t survive the reunion. Harambe flashbacks, anyone?

Spicy details:

  • Weak Point: HDPE door panel failed overnight (manufacturing flaw, not zookeeper error)

  • USDA Deadline: All similar doors replaced by June 20

  • Zoo’s Defense: Passed 4 inspections since 2022 (cue skeptical eyebrow raise)

🏈 Ohio Named #1 Sports State: Cue the Confetti

SmileHub’s study crowned us best for sports lovers—thanks to pro teams, sports bars per capita, and "legal betting access" (aka responsible adult decisions). New York’s salty in second place.

Vibe check:

  • Stats: Most sports bars per capita, 5th-most pro teams

  • Wildcard: "Youth camp access" (translation: future LeBons in training)

  • Hawaii: Dead last. Aloha, sadness.

🏊‍♂️ Pool Crashers: Teens vs. Karens, Round 2025

Illegal pool parties (organized via social media) are terrorizing Columbus complexes. One resident: "I don’t feel safe!" Police urge property managers to ID-check like nightclub bouncers.

Why it’s messy:

  • Trespass Tactic: 100+ teens swarm pools via Instagram/TikTok invites

  • Wildest Incident: Gun retrieval demand at Sage Apartments (pool party or mob scene?)

  • Cop Advice: "Fine ’em or install pool passes" (Spoiler: Karens want both)

🍸 Cat Bite Club’s 3-Hour Takeover

Singapore’s 56th-best-bar-in-the-world is popping up at Cobra (July 18, 4-7 PM).

Sip agave cocktails while pretending you’re in Marina Bay. Bonus: A "Careers in Spirits" seminar—because bartending > cubicles.

🍷 Wine Not? Top Sipping Spots

🍔 Bite-Worthy Buzz

  • Flavor 91 Bistro (Whitehall): Ohio’s best burger (LoveFood says so). Ethiopian-spiced patty + farm-sourced greens. Move over, Thurman’s.

  • Beechwold Diner (Clintonville): Biscuits & gravy so good, "it could make a vegetarian question their life choices." Brunch lines? Worth it.

Friday 18TH July:

The Bacon Brothers Freestanding Tour – The Bluestone

Roots-rock siblings bringing tight harmonies and guitar-driven hits.

It Is In Your Hands Mandela Day Poetry Slam – Thurber Park

A one-night spoken-word slam honoring Mandela’s legacy.

John Primer and Amanda Fish presented by Crazy Mama’s Concerts and WCBE – Natalie’s Grandview

Chicago blues legends join forces for a rare live duo set.

Saturday 19TH July:

Columbus Crew vs. D.C. United – Lower.com Field

Rivalry night under the lights as the Crew battle D.C. in a stadium showdown.

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-N-Fire – Nationwide Arena

Neon-lit monster truck mayhem with crushing jumps and explosive pyrotechnics.

Hard Day’s Night Concert – Boardman Arts Park

Beatles tribute band nails the ‘60s classics in this outdoor summer sing-along.

Sunday 20TH July:

Creed with 3 Doors Down & Mammoth WVH – The Schottenstein Center

’90s rock icons meet modern rock legends for one epic arena performance.

Concerts on the Green: John Schwab & Molly Pauken – Worthington Village Green

Soulful Americana duo delivers intimate harmonies under the stars.

The Warning: Keep Me Fed World Tour – KEMBA LIVE!

Mexican sister trio brings pop-punk fire and anthemic hooks in a high-energy set.

Monday 21ST July:

Chamber Music Classics – First United Methodist Church

An intimate evening of masterful chamber ensemble performances.

Adult Writing Workshop: Creativity as a Form of Self-Care Part 2 – Thurber Center

Hands-on session exploring writing as a wellness practice.

The Classics Book Club – Storyline Bookshop

One-off meetup diving into timeless literature with fellow readers.

Tuesday 22ND July:

Buckcherry – The King Arts Complex, 18:30

Hard-rock veterans unleash their biggest hits in an intimate setting.

Columbus Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows – Schiller Park, 10:00

Play detective in a live-action whodunit—gather clues, interrogate suspects, and crack the case.

Columbus Clippers vs. Buffalo Bisons – Huntington Park

Rivalry game day as the Clippers host the Bisons.

Wednesday 23RD July:

Shinedown – The Schottenstein Center

Arena-rock powerhouses deliver their biggest hits live.

The Head And The Heart: Aperture Tour – KEMBA LIVE!

Folk-rock favorites bring their Aperture Tour to Columbus.

Redferrin – The Bluestone

High-voltage indie set channeling Arctic Monkeys and The Strokes for a night of Brit-rock flair.

Thursday 24TH July:

Opening Night: Story, Songs and Symphony – The Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption

Narrative-driven premiere blending live symphony and spoken word in a breathtaking cathedral setting.

Sensory Friendly Morning at the Ohio State Fair – Ohio Expo Center & State Fairgrounds

Early-access, low-sensory session on rides, exhibits, and performances—ideal for families seeking a calm start.

Alice Wallace presented by Zeppelin Productions – Natalie’s Grandview

Up-and-coming folk-pop songwriter debuts new originals in an intimate club setting.

How'd We Do This Week?

We’re always cooking up new ways to make your inbox the best part of your week. Be honest—how’s this one stacking up?

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🤔Topic of the Week

“Lost in Translation: When Maps Play You”
We’ve all been there, your GPS confidently tells you “stay right for I-270 North,” only to have the exit slam you onto I-270 South.

From split ramps that swap directions at the last second to roads that magically change names if you drive straight, Columbus signage and navigation apps are conspiring to keep you on your toes (and off your intended route).

Redditors are calling out Apple Maps, Google Maps, Waze and the city’s own sign crews for this urban maze.

⚓️ What’s your worst Columbus signage fail?

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That’s a wrap,

Between claw machine break-ins, lion turf wars, and sports bragging rights, Columbus keeps us equal parts proud and perplexed.

Stay hydrated, dodge the pool crashers, and remember: We’re one toddler away from an international incident.

Until next week,
Stay curious. Stay chaotic.

— Nate
Columbus Curiosity