LOUNGE

Open Tuesday-Sunday!

Reserve your upcoming experience in the Lounge here…

Lounge opens at 5pm Tuesday-Thursday / 3pm Friday, Saturday & Sunday!

The Lounge is a craft cocktail bar - one of three public spaces at Understory - located on the ground floor of the historic Open Air School! Offering beautiful panoramic views of the Olentangy Trail, this intimate space features a lineup of reimagined classic drinks, seasonally rotating creative cocktails and small plates - keep scrolling to see our full menu! We accommodate walk-ins as we’re able on a first come first serve basis, but we recommend table reservations!

Our Menu

Cocktails Wine Beer Food Restaurant Week

Understory's Reimagined Classics

down / rocks / $15

Pinewood Derby

Japanese whisky, white rye, cognac, bourbon, pine honey, bitters

down / rocks / $15

up / N+N / $15

Royal Bermuda Yacht Club

Fiji rum, dark rum, falernum, kumquat liquer, allspice, lime, demerara

up / N+N / $15

Gimlet

Japanese gin, Bolivian brandy, pineapple, lemon, pal santo

up / N+N / $15

up / N+N / $16

Perfect Manhattan

Japanese whisky, osmanthus, amaro, umeshu, pear eau de vie

up / N+N / $16

up / coupe / $15

Martini

Japanese gin, blanc + dry vermouth, yuzu, vetiver, kinome

up / coupe / $15

tall / rocks / $15

Japanese Highball

Japanese whiskey, clarified green apple, umeshu, Hinoki, sparkling green tea

tall / rocks / $15

up / coupe / $15

Espresso Martini

Vodka, espresso, branca menta

up / coupe / $15

Understory's Creative Features

up / N+N / $14

El Pandillero

Aged Venezuelan rum, rye, italian amari, french vino amaro, fall spice, sandalwood

up / N+N / $14

up / N+N / $15

Garden Grove

Cachaca, Roku gin, green chartreuse, carrot & red bell pepper cordial, bitters medley

up / N+N / $15

down / collins / $14

Main Squeeze

Rum blend, falernum, kalani, pineapple, lime, coconut blend, orange cream bitters, boylan's orange soda & togarashi

down / collins / $14

down / collins / $15

Tropic Thunder

Mezcal, aveze, passionfruit, togarashi

down / collins / $15

down / rocks / $14

Dad Joke

Watermelon mezcal, cotija sotol, watermelon, elote agave, bitters medley

down / rocks / $14

Understory's Golden Hour

*available exclusively in the Lounge from 4-6p Tue-Sun.

$10 / $15

Flowers In Her Hair

Stonefruit vodka, umeshu, sunflower & jasmine syrup, lemon, bubbles

$10 / $15

Last Word

Roku gin, herbal liquor, luxardo, lime

$10 / $15

Japanese Highball

Japanese whiskey, clarified green apple, umeshu, Hinoki, sparkling green tea

$10 / $15

Espresso Martini

Vodka, espresso, branca menta

$10 / $15

Paper Plane

Bourbon, aperol, fernet, lemon, bitters

$10 / $15

Oaxacan Old Fashioned

Hornitos reposado, Los Vecinos mezcal, agave, mole bitters

$10 / $15

Wine

$11 / $40

Kila

White Cava/Spain

$11 / $40

$12 / $44

Mary Taylor

Bordeaux Blanc/France

$12 / $44

$13 / $48

Pike Road

Chardonnay/Oregon

$13 / $48

Carl Ehrhard

Riesling/Germany

$13 / $48

Willajory

Pinot Noir/Oregon

$13 / $48

Bernabeleva

Garnacha/Spain

$13 / $48

$12 / $44

Mauro Molino

Barbera/Italy

$12 / $44

$17 / $64

Lava Cap

Cabernet Sauvignon/California

$17 / $64

Beer

(614) Lager

Light Midwest Lager, 4.2%

WRB IPA

American IPA, 6.8%

Daybreak

Coffee Vanilla Cream Ale, 5%

Walking Taco

Mexican-style Lager, 4.5%

Dire Wolf

Imperial Stout, 10.8%

GF - gluten free, GFR - gluten free upon request, DF - dairy free, DFR - dairy free upon request, NF - nut free, NFR - nut free upon request, V - vegetarian, VE - vegan

Soups

$7 / $13

Tomato Bisque

tomato & basil bisque, cheddar gold fish, parsley | NF, V, GFR

$7 / $13

Chef's Soup of the Day

ask our staff for details

$7 / $13

Salads

*add grilled chicken or vegan grilled "chicken" +$7

$16

Harvest Salad

arcadian salad greens, granny smith apples, candied pecans, dried cranberries, pickled red onion, goat cheese, house-made maple balsamic dressing | GFR, NFR, DFR, V

$16

$14

Wedge Salad

baby iceberg lettuce, heirloom cherry tomatoes, applewood smoked bacon, bleu cheese crumbles, port wine reduction | GF, NF, VR

$14

$13

House Salad

arcadian salad greens, heirloom cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumbers, cheddar cheese, croutons, Italian dressing | V, VE, NF, GFR, DFR

$13

Shareables

$13

Cheese Curds

614 Lager beer battered Wisconsin cheddar cheese curds, siracha ranch | V

$13

$15

Pretzel

oven-roasted Bavarian pretzel, clarified butter, pretzel salt, WRB IPA beer cheese & honey mustard | NF, DFR, V

$15

$14

Spinach & Artichoke Dip

fresh spinach, artichoke hearts, cream cheese, parmesan, served with tortilla chips, carrot, and celery | GF, NF, V

$14

Brussel Sprouts

pan-fried, hot honey, applewood smoked bacon, goat cheese | GF, DFR, NFR, VR

$14

$15

Chicken Wings

8 wings tossed in your choice of BBQ or hot sauce, served with carrot, celery and your choice of ranch or bleu cheese | NF

$15

$2 for drums or flappers only

$14

Jojos

seasoned potato wedges, WRB IPA beer cheese sauce, applewood smoked bacon, smoked sour cream, scallions | NF, VR

$14

Ohio Wagyu Beef Sliders

3 sliders, 614 Lager caramelized onions, roasted heirloom cherry tomatoes, basil, monterey jack, arugula, garlic lime aioli, challah buns | NF, GFR, DFR

$14

Sandwiches

*all sandwiches come with a choice of fries or a side salad, additional $3 for a cup of soup

$18

The Classic

7oz angus reserve steak burger, dijon aioli, arcadian greens, red onion, tomato, pickles, American cheese, challah bun | NF, GFR

$18

Pulled Pork Grilled Cheese

wheatberry bread, monterey jack, cheddar, pulled pork, candied bacon, onion straws, BBQ sauce | NF, GFR, DFR

$18

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

6oz buttermilk marinated ‘NSDO’ chicken, ciabattini roll, bleu cheese crumble, arcadian greens, tomato, red onion, ranch | NF, GFR, DFR, VR, VER *’NSDO’ is ‘no steroid, day one’

$18

$20

Harvest Burger

7oz angus reserve steak burger, challah bun, swiss, goat cheese, 614 Lager caramelized onions, roasted basil, tomato, candied bacon, sauteed mushrooms, arugula, garlic lime aioli, balsamic glaze | NF, GFR, DFR

$20

*substitute veggie patty +

Mains

$25

Parmesan Chicken

parmesan crusted ‘NSDO’ chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, sauteed spinach, sherry mushroom cream sauce | NF

$25

$26

Spicy Gnocchi

housemade potato gnocchi, seared brussel sprouts, spicy arrabbiata sauce | V, NF

$26

Desserts

$13

S’mores Brownie

housemade chocolate brownie, graham cracker streusel dust & bruleed marshmallow cream | V, NF

$13

$11

Apple Pie

honey crisp apples, pie crust, vanilla ice cream, caramel drizzle | V, NF

$11

Sides

Fries

beer-battered | V, DF

Side of Brussels

pan-fried, hot honey, applewood smoked bacon, goat cheese| GF, DFR, NFR, VR

“Go-To” Half Salad

garlic & herb vinaigrette

Mashed Potatoes

garlic | V, NF

Sauteed Spinach

garlic | VE

3 courses for $35 (tax not included) / Running January 21st through January 31st

Course 1 (choose one)

Butternut Squash Soup

roasted butternut squash, carrots, onions, coconut milk, fresh herbs

Roasted Tomato Bisque

vine-ripened tomatoes, caramelized onions, roasted garlic

Mushroom Bruschetta

house-made focaccia, whipped goat cheese, wild mushroom ragout, fresh herbs, micro greens

Course 2 (choose one)

Potato Gnocchi

house-made gnocchi, brown butter sage sauce, fried sage, micro greens

Rustic Burger

7oz angus reserve steak burger, Swiss and goat cheese, (614) Lager caramelized onions, roasted heirloom cherry tomatoes, candied bacon, mushrooms, garlic lime aioli, challah bun, with a side of fries

Lamb Lollipops

3 lamb lollipops, parsnip puree, roasted heirloom baby carrots, mint emulsion, mirco greens

Course 3 (choose one)

Mousse Layer

rich decadent chocolate mousse, bee pollen powder, Luxardo cherry

Apple Crumble

baked honey crisp apples, sweet & spicy honey, crushed walnuts, warming spices

Basque Cheesecake

crustless basque cheesecake, blueberry compote, macerated seasonal berries