You know that moment when you show up somewhere thinking you’re on time, only to discover you’re actually an hour early because you misread their website? That was us at Echo Spirits Distillery on a Saturday afternoon in Columbus. The place didn’t open until 5:00 PM, not the 4:00 PM I’d convinced myself I’d seen online. So we did what any reasonable people would do—we walked over to a Buffalo Wild Wings, had a drink and a snack, and then made our way back after they actually opened.

My wife and I were visiting Echo Spirits with another couple as part of our Pour Tour series for The Pourch. We’re working our way through Ohio’s craft distillery scene, and Echo Spirits—tucked into the Grandview neighborhood of Columbus—had been on the list for a while. This wasn’t a casual drop-in. This was an intentional visit to see what this Columbus distillery was all about.

Finding Echo Spirits Distillery: Not Exactly a Drive-By Discovery

Echo Spirits sits off a main road not far from downtown Columbus, but you’re not going to stumble across it by accident. You get there by driving down a couple of narrow roads that feel more like alleys than actual streets. It’s tucked between two main roads, hidden from either one, sharing a building with another business. The sign is easy to miss if you’re driving down one of those side streets looking for it.

The building itself has a kind of boxy, industrial vibe. It’s rustic, but not in a reclaimed-barn-wood way—more in a utilitarian, urban-warehouse way. It doesn’t shout “distillery” or “tasting room” at you from the outside. Parking seemed adequate, maybe even generous for being in the middle of the city. There were some outdoor tables that I’d bet get well-used during the warmer months.

Once you walk in, though, the vibe shifts.

Inside Echo Spirits: Western Saloon Meets Modern Hippie

The décor is eclectic. Think western saloon crossed with modern hippie. There’s a stack of board games sitting out for people to play while they’re there, a long bar with maybe twenty seats, several tables scattered around, and another little seating area you might call a conversation nook. When we walked in at five o’clock, the place was empty. We were the first customers. Just us and a bartender with a unique name that I’ve since forgotten.

We grabbed seats at the bar.

The Echo Spirits Story: Friends, Engineers, and Pre-Prohibition Spirits

Before I get into what we drank, here’s a little background on Echo Spirits itself. The distillery was founded in 2019 by Joe Bidinger and Nikhil Sharoff, two friends who’d known each other since they were fourteen. They were homebrewing buddies who left their IT and engineering careers to start making spirits in Columbus. Their motto is “Gather ‘Round the Still,” and part of their philosophy centers on bringing back personal relationships in the spirits world—the idea that you should know the people making what you’re drinking, understand their process, and hear the stories behind what’s in your glass.

Echo Spirits focuses on historically significant, pre-Prohibition style spirits. They make rum entirely in-house—White Rum, Pineapple Rum, Spiced Rum, and an annual special release called Queen’s Share. Their whiskey lineup is a mix of grain-to-glass and sourced-and-blended offerings, including Rye Whiskey, Bourbon, Double Oak Rye, Maple Finished Rye, Barrel Proof releases, and their “Engineer Series” bourbon batches. They also make genever, which isn’t a gin but rather a malt whiskey enhanced with botanicals. It’s a unique offering you don’t see much outside of the Netherlands.

They’re committed to local sourcing—grains from Ohio farms, spices from North Market Spices, pineapple from Simple Times Mixers. And they’ve racked up some serious awards. USA Flavored Rum Distillery of the Year in 2021. Ohio Rum Distillery of the Year in 2022. Double Gold medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in both 2022 and 2023, plus multiple gold, silver, and bronze across other competitions.

Their original bar in Grandview—the one we visited—opened in December 2020 in what used to be Four String Brewing’s space. Columbus Monthly named them Best Cocktails in Columbus in both 2023 and 2024.

That’s the setup. Now here’s what we actually experienced at the Grandview location.

Echo Spirits Whiskey Tasting: Approachable, Smooth, Maybe a Little Simple

My friend Rod and I ordered a flight of bourbon and rye whiskeys. We sampled their Straight Rye, their Single Barrel Rye, their Small Batch Bourbon, and their Engineer Series Bourbon. we have Neat or Not reviews of each of these separately, You can find the Straight Rye Whiskey review here.

I didn’t have very high expectations going in, to be honest. But all four were actually pretty good. I found them very approachable, soft, and smooth. Someone just getting into whiskey would probably enjoy any of them—none were harsh or overpowering. At the same time, someone with a more trained palate might find them a little simple, maybe not adventurous enough. They’re well-made, but they’re not challenging you.

For the record, I went exclusively for the whiskey on this trip. Echo Spirits is known for their rum program and that genever, but I didn’t venture into either. Maybe on another visit.

The Craft Cocktails: Where Echo Spirits Really Shines

While we were working through the whiskey, the ladies ordered cocktails. And this is where things got interesting.

My wife had a mocktail called “Visits from Snuffy” that came with a little raccoon figurine. It’s made with Ransom Blood Orange Non-Alcoholic Liqueur, zero proof aperitif cordial, aromatic seltzer, and peach bitters. The menu describes it as “A 0.0 spritz in celebration of all our wild animal friends, especially those that never forgot and returned for visits.” The raccoon figurine was a nice touch—quirky and memorable in exactly the way you’d expect from a place like Echo Spirits.

Leanna, our friend’s wife, ordered “Capulets and Montagues,” a clever side-by-side dual cocktail designed for two star-crossed lovers. The Capulet side contained Sicilian Arancia Gin, Vermouth Rouge, 1920 Select Aperitivo, and Pasubio Poison. The Montague side was made with Italian Roas Gin, Lillet Rosé, and Apricot Cordial. The whole thing was described as “dueling tastes of Verona.”

Both ladies enjoyed their drinks. The cocktails at Echo Spirits are on a whole other level of unique, quirky, and frankly kind of awesome. If there’s one thing that sets this Columbus distillery apart, it’s the craft cocktail program.

Echo Spirits Distillery Tour and Bar Experience

As we sat there working through our drinks, the place started to fill up. By the time we left, there were probably ten or twelve other customers who’d come in, mostly in groups of two or three. A few other employees turned up too. And they started playing music on the speakers—mostly rap, which seemed a little out of character for the western saloon aesthetic but somehow fit the eclectic nature of the place.

Our bartender was cordial and accommodating. She did a fine job. But here’s where I’ll be honest: I was hoping for a little more. When I asked about details on the whiskeys we were trying—things like the mashbill, the aging process, the blending choices—she didn’t have the information. She wasn’t inattentive or bad at her job. She just hadn’t been armed with that knowledge.

Generally, when I visit a distillery’s bar or tasting room, I’m hoping the staff can tell the story of the operation. I want to hear about the artistry that goes into making the spirits, know the details about the contents and aging, learn about the master distillers or blenders who put it together. That kind of storytelling makes the experience richer, and I have to think it sells more whiskey too. It’s one of those things where empowering the bar staff with more knowledge about the spirits and encouraging them to share it eagerly—especially when asked directly—can really elevate the whole experience.

We didn’t take a distillery tour on this visit—they offer those on weekends—so maybe that’s where you get more of that deeper connection to the process and the people behind the spirits. Looking back into the still house from where we were sitting, I could see some unique-looking equipment and processes. It might be worth another visit to take a full tour and get that story.

Who Should Visit Echo Spirits Distillery?

Echo Spirits is for someone looking for an eclectic vibe and some seriously interesting craft cocktails in Columbus. If you’re the type who likes living inner city, exploring quirky spots, and trying drinks that are genuinely unique, this place will appeal to you. Young people on an adventure would dig it. Newcomers to whiskey would enjoy it. And anyone who appreciates creative bartending should absolutely check it out.

This isn’t your traditional Kentucky distillery experience. It’s not even your typical urban craft distillery. Echo Spirits is playing its own music. Modern, eclectic, quirky—they’re not trying to fit anyone’s mold. They’re carving their own lane.

One more thing: the lighting is intentionally dim. At one point, the bartender even pulled curtains across the windows into the still house because they were about to give a tour and she said the light from the production area kills the vibe of the bar. That tells you something about their priorities. The atmosphere matters here.

Is Echo Spirits Worth Visiting?

If you’re in Columbus and you’re looking for a distillery that’s doing its own thing—a place where western saloon meets modern hippie, where the music is rap and the drinks are Shakespearean, where a raccoon figurine comes with your mocktail—Echo Spirits is absolutely worth the drive down those alley-like side streets in Grandview.

The cocktails are genuinely impressive, creative and well-executed. The whiskeys are approachable and well-made, even if they’re not the most complex pours you’ll ever taste. And the whole vibe of the place—eclectic, quirky, unapologetically itself—makes it stand out in Columbus’s craft spirits scene.

Just make sure you check their hours before you show up.

Frequently Asked Questions About Echo Spirits

Does Echo Spirits offer distillery tours?
Yes, Echo Spirits offers distillery tours on weekends at their Grandview location. Check their website or call ahead to book a tour and get a behind-the-scenes look at their production process.

What is Echo Spirits known for?
Echo Spirits is best known for their award-winning craft cocktails (named Best Cocktails in Columbus by Columbus Monthly in 2023 and 2024) and their pre-Prohibition style spirits, including their rum lineup and genever. They’ve won multiple awards including USA Flavored Rum Distillery of the Year.

Where is Echo Spirits located in Columbus?
Echo Spirits has three locations in the Columbus area: their original distillery and bar in Grandview at 985 W 6th Ave, and Echo Spirits on the Vine in Powell (seasonal).

What are Echo Spirits’ hours?
The Grandview location is open Wednesday 5 PM–1 AM, Thursday 5 PM–11 PM, Friday–Saturday 5 PM–12 AM, and Sunday 1 PM–7 PM. They’re closed Monday and Tuesday. Happy hour runs Wednesday–Friday from 5–6 PM. Check their website for hours at their other location.

Does Echo Spirits serve food?
While Echo Spirits focuses primarily on cocktails and spirits, check with them about current food options or food truck partnerships.

Plan Your Visit to Echo Spirits

Echo Spirits Distillery – Grandview
985 W 6th Ave
Columbus, OH 43212

Echo Spirits on the Vine – Powell
(Seasonal location)

Website: echospirits.com

Grandview Hours:
Wednesday: 5:00 PM–1:00 AM
Thursday: 5:00 PM–11:00 PM
Friday–Saturday: 5:00 PM–12:00 AM
Sunday: 1:00 PM–7:00 PM
Monday–Tuesday: Closed

Happy Hour: Wednesday–Friday, 5:00 PM–6:00 PM ($10 signature cocktails, half-off beer and wine)

For more information about Echo Spirits and other Ohio distilleries, check out our Ohio distillery directory and read our other Pour Tour Recaps.