Axis Nightclub

Gay bar and nightclub in Columbus, Ohio, U.S.

Axis Nightclub

Signage

Address| 775 North High Street
Location| Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Type| Gay bar

Axis Nightclub is a gay bar and nightclub in The Short North, Columbus, Ohio.

## Description

[edit]

Nina West performing in her annual Halloween show at Axis, 2018

The multi-level dance club[1] has hosted drag acts and competitions ("So You Think You Can Drag?"),[2][3][4] including Miss Gay Heart of America[5] and performances by RuPaul's Drag Race contestants Alaska Thunderfuck, Asia O'Hara,[6] BenDeLaCreme, Bianca Del Rio, Sasha Velour, Shangela, and Yuhua Hamasaki,[7][8] among others.[9] Local drag queen Nina West hosts the show "Heels of Horror" annually,[10][11] as well as drag competitions.[12]

Rajesh Lahoti is an owner of the bar.[13][14][15]

Axis has been described at Columbus' most popular gay bar. In 2001, the bar's general manager estimated that 20 to 25 percent of clientele were Ohio State University students.[16] In 2014, Axis' fifth annual "Night of 100 Drag Queens" reportedly broke the record for the largest drag show, with 55 participants, who performed to "It's Raining Men".[17] Also in 2014, Axis hosted the inaugural Shooting Star Awards, and won the award for Best Nightclub.[18] The nightclub hosted Miss Gay USofA at Large in 2016.[19]

## Reception

[edit]

Shawnie Kelley, author of Insiders' Guide to Columbus, Ohio (2003), said the bar "is becoming a staple of Columbus nightlife for gay and straight, men and women alike".[20]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Cleveland's gay bars evolve in age of greater tolerance". Cleveland.com. 28 March 2017. Archived from the original on 22 October 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
2. ^ Wagner, Mike. "Gay-rights advocate Nina West has long used drag-queen act to raise money for charities". Dispatch.com. Archived from the original on 22 October 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
3. ^ "Photos: Weekends events for Columbus and central Ohio, September 21–23". Dispatchc.om. Archived from the original on 22 October 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
4. ^ Thompson, Erica. "Community feature: Local to compete in Miss Gay America pageant". Columbusalive.com. Archived from the original on 22 October 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
5. ^ "Annual Miss Gay Heart of America Pageant Hits Axis This Weekend". Columbusunderground.com. 4 March 2017. Archived from the original on 22 October 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
6. ^ "White Party with Asia O'Hara of RPDR 10". Columbusunderground.com. 22 May 2018. Archived from the original on 22 October 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
7. ^ "BAR BATTLE: Axis VS Union Café". 1870 Mag. 2018-06-04. Archived from the original on 2018-12-09. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
8. ^ "RuPaul's Drag Race Season 10 Contestant to Perform at Axis". Columbusunderground.com. 2 May 2018. Archived from the original on 22 October 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
9. ^ "Three cheers for Columbus". IN Magazine. 2014-06-20. Archived from the original on 2018-12-09. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
10. ^ "Review: Heels of Horror combines pop culture, Halloween". Thelatern.com. 21 October 2013. Archived from the original on 22 October 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
11. ^ "Mega Weekend Fall 2016 – Vol. 5". Columbusunderground.com. 20 October 2016. Archived from the original on 22 October 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
12. ^ Harriman, Katie (25 February 2012). "King trumps queens in Axis drag search". The Lantern. Archived from the original on 2018-12-15. Retrieved 2018-12-14.
13. ^ "The Fallen Kings of the Short North". Columbus Monthly. Archived from the original on 2018-12-09. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
14. ^ "C Magazine / columbusmag.com". columbusmag.com. Archived from the original on 2016-05-03. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
15. ^ Lahoti, Rajesh. "A statement from Union/Axis founder Rajesh Lahoti". Columbus Alive. Archived from the original on 2018-12-09. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
16. ^ Gehrig, Mike (23 April 2001). "Columbus dance clubs attract world's top DJs". The Lantern. Archived from the original on 2018-12-16. Retrieved 2018-12-14.
17. ^ Allen, Timothy (2014-07-30). "Columbus Nightclub Breaks Record For World's Largest Drag Show". www.queerty.com. Archived from the original on 2018-12-16. Retrieved 2018-12-14.
18. ^ Allen, Timothy (2014-07-29). "Award Winners and Exclusive Photos from the First Ever Shooting Star Awards". www.queerty.com. Archived from the original on 2018-12-16. Retrieved 2018-12-14.
19. ^ Burk, Scott (2016-11-01). "Miss Gay USofA at Large 2016 Recap". USofA Pageants LLC. Archived from the original on 2018-12-16. Retrieved 2018-12-14.
20. ^ Kelley, Shawnie (July 1, 2008). Insiders' Guide to Columbus, Ohio. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 104\. ISBN 9781461746881. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2018.

## External links

[edit]

* LGBTQ portal
* Ohio portal

* Media related to Axis Nightclub at Wikimedia Commons
* Axis Nightclub at Short North Arts District

39°58′41.0″N 83°0′16.1″W﻿ / ﻿39.978056°N 83.004472°W﻿ / 39.978056; -83.004472