Arena District bars Dahlia and BBR to close in April

On Mar 17, 2022

Interior signage at the BBR Bar, 106 Vine St. in the Arena District. It is closing April 4.

Two popular Arena District bars, Dahlia Nightclub and BBR, will close permanently next month in a hit to Columbus’ nightlife scene.

Both are owned by Peerless Management Group, which also owns Fireproof Restaurant and Lounge, Galla Park Steakhouse, and most recently, Parlay Sporting Club.

Rock-themed sports bar BBR, at 106 Vine St., first opened in 2011. Dance club Dahlia, at 147 W. Vine St., opened in 2016.

Dahlia announced its closure on social media via Instagram, while BBR’s social media has not yet mentioned the closure. Joey O’Brien, creative director at Peerless, confirmed via email both Dahlia and BBR would close on April 4.

O’Brien said that the company opened Parlay and Galla Park in the last year in anticipation of closing Dahlia and BBR permanently. The owner of both buildings, he said, has been planning a land development project for some time.

The Lewin family owns both buildings and Adam Lewin, who is also CEO of Columbus-based home supply company Hamilton-Parker, said Dahlia and BBR have been great tenants. Still, the family has decided to move in a different direction.

Lewin said via phone that the properties would eventually be developed in conjunction with and led by Arena District developer Nationwide Realty Investors, though a specific plan has not been decided. NRI has multiple projects left to complete in the area it has transformed since 2000, including an apartment building near the new Chipotle headquarters.