Trick or Treat, Holly Jolly, Santa, and weekly fun at Trolley District and East Market

The Trolley District East Market has emerged over the past year as a must-visit dining and shopping district on the near East side of Columbus.

The Trolley District, located near Franklin Park at the corner of Oak St. and Kelton Ave., is a development created out of abandoned buildings that once housed the city’s trolley car operations.

Once known as the Columbus Electric Car Barn, the 5 building complex dates back to the 1880’s and the plans for the $25 million redevelopment began in 2014. Now that it’s here, it’s time to visit this historical property that coming back to life after nearly 80 years.

The East Market Food Hall and Bar

The East Market is the largest of the buildings, and formerly known as the The West Car Barn.

Similar in style to the North Market, the East Market is a 30,000 square foot space divided up into 20+ food and market stalls amongst 15 tenants, two bars, and seating and an event space on the 2nd floor. 

Events at East Market

TRICK or TREAT

Saturday, October 26, 2024 from 12PM to 3PM
Bring the family for Trick or Treat at the market. Collect candy from the market vendors and visit with Sulley and Mike from Monster Inc, and make some halloween decorations in the mezzanine. 

Holly Jolly Holiday Crawl

Saturday, December 14, 2024
The Historic Trolley District will host its first Holly Jolley Holiday Crawl. Check in begins at 12 pm at The Branch Coworking where you will receive a swag bag including a free months coworking membership at Branch and other cool swag from each of the businesses in the district. 

The crawl starts at 1pm with hour-long stops at Railhouse and Switch in the East Market, Columbus Brewing Co, Local Cantina, Leisure Club, and an open house at Branch. Seasonal drink specials and discounts for future visits will be waiting for you at each stop! 
Tickets go on sale November 8th! 

Holiday at the Market

Saturday, December 21, 2024 from  11am -2pm – East Market will host their annual Holiday Party. Pictures with Santa and his reindeer! 

NYE Party

December 31, 2024 from 9pm – 2am. Inclusive packages featuring: Live music, Drinks, catered food and arcade access. Tickets will go live on 11/1. 

Weekly fun at East Market

Happy Hour Specials: Tuesday-Friday 3pm to 6pm 

Trivia: Wednesdays 7-9pm

Yoga: Thursdays 8am to 9am: (Next one is 10/31) and join in on the community yoga with free waffles on 11/14 from 8-9:45am by signing up.

Live DJ: Thursday’s: 10pm-1am

Friday Night Live: Live Music 8-11PM 

Queen of Hearts Drawing Every Saturday: Drawings start at 9pm. Win Prizes and CASH!

Sunday Family Funday: Vendor specials and make your rounds to get all the stamps for a free t-shirt using The East Market Passport! Pick yours up in Railhouse.

NFL Sunday Ticket: Catch all your favorite teams here. Every Game, Every Day, Every Time

Vendors and Food at East Market

The Railhouse Bar

One of the anchor bars, The Railhouse, is located on the first floor, and has been serving drinks for the last couple of months! The bar features TVs, open seating, and local beers and spirits. The Railhouse does not serve food, so food can be brought in to be enjoyed in The Railhouse. 

Follow on Facebook for trivia nights, live music, happy hours, and other specials.

Switch

Switch is a speakeasy-style bar on the lower level. This smaller bar features higher-end scotches, bourbons and whiskeys, and a secluded, historic feel.

Open: Thursday from 5 p.m. – midnight, Friday from 5 p.m. – 2 a.m., Saturday from 4 p.m. – 2 a.m. Follow on Instagram.

The Butcher & Grocer

The beloved Grandview staple The Butcher & Grocer, and partner-restaurant, Cleaver, is a quality-sourced artisanal butcher shop and restaurant combination that occupies multiple stalls at the East Market.

These include a butcher, a fishmonger, a cheese shop, a green grocery, and a beer and wine shop, as well as space for Cleaver.

Other vendors at East Market 

Creole 2 Geaux: Authentic New Orleans cuisine
Taste of Greece and Moroccan Street Food
Winston’s Coffee and Waffles
Buck City Sammies

KOSŌ: Korean fast-casual
Yellow Brick: Pizza
The Plant Gays: Shop offering indoor house plants, fresh flowers, home accessories, furniture, and more.
The Bearded Baker
Yellow Brick: Pizza

Just Chicken
Nola Daq Shack
Saba Middle Eastern Grill
Masa Mexican Grill
Monster Baby Donuts (gluten-free/vegan)

More Trolley District Features

The historic buildings of the District, including the Mechanic Shop, Brass Shop, Power Plant Building, and East Car Barn are being transformed into restaurants, retail, and gathering and living spaces. 

Leisure Club in the Historic Trolley District is a membership-based social clubhouse with nostalgic décor, retro games and a stocked fridge for members. Learn more about their membership options with lots of amenities. 1610 Oak Street, Columbus

Local Cantina is known for their creative takes on Mexican classics in their 13 locations. 1644 Oak St, Columbus 

Columbus Brewing Company – As one of the original craft breweries in Columbus (1988!), CBC fits right in at the Historic Trolley District. The  Beer Hall features multiple bars and dining areas, 24 taps and globally inspired food. 200 Kelton Avenue

East Market
212 Kelton Ave
Columbus, OH 43205

PAST EVENTS

Movie Night at The Historic Trolley District

The movies begin at dusk in The Switch Yard. Drinks and dinner will be available in the market for purchase from our amazing vendors. In the case of rain, movies will be shown inside at Railhouse.

tba for 2025

Vintage Bike Night

Once a month, in lieu of Summer Movies on Thursdays, check out the Vintage Bike Night at East Market Trolley District. 

June 20 – Vintage Bike Night
July 18 – Vintage Bike Night
August 15 – Vintage Bike Night 

Summer Series Live Music at East Market

Enjoy live music on Fridays at 7 pm at East Market. Check the events calendar for full schedule.

June 7 – Whiskey Business
June 14 – Shakin’ and Stirred
June 21 – Evan Holcombe
June 28 – Paul Valdiviez
July 5 – Closed for Private Event
July 12 – Ainsley Sefert
July 19 – The Flame Keepers
July 26 – Scottie G
August 2 – That’s the Breaks

The 3rd annual Great Bourbon Affair

Saturday, August 24, 2024

The 3rd Annual Great Bourbon Affair hosted by 99.7 The Blitz & Country 103.9 featuring the biggest bourbon toast in Ohio! The Switch Yard Party Pass grants you access to a variety of vendors with samples to taste and products to purchase.
 
At 8PM we’ll raise our glasses for the biggest bourbon toast in Ohio featuring a pour of Buffalo Trace! The outdoor party with Kirsch and Tess will continue until 9PM before moving inside to Railhouse. Tickets/details.

$15 through June 30
$20 July 1 through July 31
$25 August 1 through the event date (or until Sold Out)