American RestaurantRestaurantBar & GrillTavernBarSports BarPub
Rusty Bucket, located in Gahanna, OH, is a casual neighborhood tavern serving high quality food and beverage in a "come as you are" setting. Scratch kitchens, fresh cocktails, and the perfect pour are our craft. Our associates are welcoming, and our hospitality naturally makes us the local hub where friends and family frequently gather to share in a good time. Join us for lunch, grab a drink during Happy Hour, bring the kids for dinner - there's a spot for everyone at Rusty Bucket!
Overall, customers praised the food for being delicious and well-prepared, with specific mentions of items like the salmon, burgers, and pizzas. However, there were also complaints about undercooked or poorly prepared dishes.
Service
Many reviews highlighted excellent service from attentive and friendly staff, with specific servers receiving commendations. However, there were notable instances of poor service and long wait times that negatively impacted customer experiences.
Cleanliness
While some customers noted the restaurant as clean and well-maintained, there were serious concerns raised about sanitation, particularly in relation to foodborne illness and cleanliness of dishes.
Atmosphere
The restaurant was generally described as having a pleasant and inviting atmosphere, suitable for families and casual dining, although some customers felt it could be improved.
EZ
Elizabeth Zuccaro
1 day ago
4.0
Had lunch there with my cousin and dinner with my best friend. They each picked it and I love it so why not
NE
Nick Eggleston
Dec 30, 2025
4.0
Food is pretyy good. Wish they seasoned their wings instead of just frying a raw wing. You're supposed to have good bar food and you fry up flavorless wings. Come on now. The Cuban is really good and the fish and chips arent greasy so thats a plus. Come here for anything but the wings. Our server was very attentive and made sure we weren't left wanting something.
TH
Tresae Hogg
Dec 23, 2025
4.0
We had a party of about forty. We went to celebrate a college grad. The service was fast and the servers were delightful. We had two servers. No glasses were empty. Our food came out hot and fresh. Nothing had to go back. Their pizzas are really good. They have a party room.
KM
Kevin McCafferty
Dec 21, 2025
5.0
Fine food, easy going atmosphere and decent prices.There is ample parking and easy access to restaurant
EF
eric fullam
Dec 16, 2025
1.0
So far 5 of our large party has come down with the nirovirus after visiting gahanna location. Not sure what happened but after that I don’t think I’ll be back. Doesn’t seem like things are very clean now that 5 of us caught the same thing in the same place.
Waitress was great.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern
Does the Rusty Bucket have a Happy Hour?
Yes! Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern offers special pricing on select items Monday through Friday from 3:00 – 6:00 pm. Happy Hour offerings are not limited to the bar area, so guests can enjoy these specials anywhere in the restaurant or on the patio. The Rusty Bucket’s Happy Hour menu includes 1/2 off Apps, $12 Pizzas, $7 Juicy Lucy Burgers, and $1 off Beer, Wine & Cocktails.
Does the Rusty Bucket offer specialty cocktails?
Yes! The Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern offers the perfect cocktail for everyone. The cocktail menu consists of the Cold Brew Martini, Rusty Bucket’s own version of an espresso martini, the Pine Fin, served on the rocks, as a martini, or as a cosmo, two cocktails on draft, the Draft Bucket Punch and the Draft Margarita, and many more delicious drinks. Features may change – to see the full, most current cocktail list.
Can the Rusty Bucket accommodate large parties?
The Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern offers various private dining options across many of their locations. Seating ranges from 10 to 55 guests, dependent upon location, which includes the option of their 4-season, private dining patios. It’s best to call your local Rusty Bucket to discuss your plans and complete your reservation.
What kind of restaurant is the Rusty Bucket?
The Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern is a casual American restaurant and tavern serving the highest quality of food and beverage in a “come as you are” setting. Whether you are celebrating a birthday or anniversary, or having a business dinner, the Rusty Bucket believes that every neighborhood deserves that go-to gathering place where craveable favorites, good conversations, and camaraderie are shared amongst friends and family. Everybody’s welcome, and some even say the Rusty Bucket is a grown-up place to bring the kids.
Does the Rusty Bucket offer Brunch?
No, the Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern does not offer a Brunch menu. Each location offers a lunch menu every day of the week. We recommend calling your local Rusty Bucket for hours of operation.
What’s the Rusty Bucket famous for?
The Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern is famous for their great Happy Hour specials, offered Monday through Friday from 3:00 – 6:00 pm, where you can receive special pricing on select menu items, including 1/2 off Apps, $12 Pizzas, and more.Some of Rusty Bucket’s menu items that stand out include their Fish & Chips, Bucket Burger, and variety of Artisan Pizzas, which are handmade with dough that is made fresh daily. They also offer a range of handcrafted cocktails, as well as a robust beer list with a few local brewery collaborations from time to time.Rusty Bucket’s atmosphere is known to most as a go-to gathering place for any occasion. Whether you are celebrating a birthday, having a business dinner, or watching sports or indulging before or after a big game, it is the perfect place for everyone.
Is there patio seating?
Yes! Most Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern locations offer patio seating, dependent upon location, and some even offer four-season availability. We recommend calling your local Rusty Bucket for more details about these options.
Where’s the best place to park?
The Rusty Bucket Restaurant & Tavern offers free parking with a designated parking lot.
Are Reservations required?
Reservations are not required but they are recommended. The dining room can be particularly busy in the later part of the week. If OpenTable is showing no availability for your preferred day and time, we recommend calling your local Rusty Bucket.
Does the Rusty Bucket offer any fundraising options?
Yes! The Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern has a program called Dine ‘n Donate. Any guests who are a part of an organization looking to raise funds can participate in the Dine ‘n Donate program. Guests can choose a date, Monday-Thursday, the Rusty Bucket will create a flyer, and supporters of the organization can dine in or order carryout any time during business hours on that chosen day. On that chosen date, anyone who presents the flyer will have 15% of net sales (food and soft beverages) donated to the organization. For more information or to fill out the Dine ‘n Donate request form.
Does the Rusty Bucket have any specials throughout the week?
Yes! The Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern offers Daily Drink Features for every day of the week. These features include Monday Motivation- $5 Wheatley vodka all day long, Poppin’ Bottles Tuesday- 1/2 priced bottles of wine, Whiskey Wednesday- specially priced whiskeys, Punch Perfect Thursday- Bucket’s House Bucket Punch on draft by the glass or pitcher, Shaken Not Stirred Friday- specially priced Belvedere martinis, Pine Fin Cosmos & Pine Fin Martinis, Gary’s Famous Margarita Saturday- share a pitcher (or drink a glass yourself), and Bloody Sunday- specially priced Bloody Marys; choose from Not Spicy, Spicy or Stupid Spicy.
Does the Rusty Bucket have a loyalty program?
The Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern offers the Bucket List, an exclusive subscriber list. When you join the Bucket List, you receive a Bucket full of benefits including being the first to know about happenings and new features at the Rusty Bucket, exclusive deals sent straight to your inbox, and a complimentary dessert during your birthday month! Join the Bucket List!
What are the Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern's hours of operation?
Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern is open from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM Monday through Saturday, and from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM on Sunday.
Does Rusty Bucket offer a Happy Hour?
Yes, they offer Happy Hour specials Monday through Friday from 3:00 – 6:00 PM with discounted appetizers, pizzas, burgers, and drinks, available throughout the restaurant and patio.
Can I make a reservation at Rusty Bucket?
Reservations are recommended, especially later in the week. If online availability is limited, calling the local Rusty Bucket location is advised.
Does Rusty Bucket accommodate large parties or private dining?
Yes, various private dining options are available accommodating 10 to 55 guests, including four-season private patios. Contact your local Rusty Bucket to discuss and reserve.
Is there patio seating available at Rusty Bucket?
Most locations offer patio seating, some with four-season availability. It's best to call the local location for details.
What types of food and drinks does Rusty Bucket serve?
Rusty Bucket serves American cuisine including burgers, appetizers, pizzas, sandwiches, and salads, along with beer, wine, and handcrafted cocktails.
What nearby places can I visit before or after dining at Rusty Bucket?
Nearby you can visit Pulp Juice and Smoothie Bar for healthy drinks, Menchie's for frozen yogurt, and Panera Bread cafe; perfect companions for a casual outing around your meal.
Are there convenient services near Rusty Bucket to help plan your visit or errands?
Yes, services like the Fifth Third Bank for banking, UPS Authorized Shipping Outlet for mailing needs, and GEICO Insurance Agent are conveniently nearby.
What entertainment or personal care options are close to Rusty Bucket?
Nearby places include salons such as Studio M by Melissa Gilbert Salon and Fantasy Landx, as well as tattoo parlor Lock stock and barrel tattoos, great for personal care or entertainment before or after dining.
Does Rusty Bucket offer any loyalty or fundraising programs?
Yes, the Bucket List loyalty program provides exclusive deals and a birthday dessert. They also have a Dine 'n Donate program supporting organizations with 15% of net sales donated on chosen dates.