{{Short description|Gay bar and nightclub in Columbus, Ohio, U.S.}} {{Infobox venue | name = Axis Nightclub | nickname = | native_name = | native_name_lang = | fullname = | former_names = | logo_image = | logo_caption = | image = Axis nightclub, Columbus, Ohio.jpg | image_size = | image_alt = | caption = Signage | pushpin_map = | pushpin_mapsize = | pushpin_map_caption = | pushpin_label_position = | address = 775 North High Street | location = [[Columbus, Ohio]], U.S. | coordinates = | type = [[Gay bar]] | event = | broke_ground = | built = | opened = <!-- {{Start date|YYYY|MM|DD|df=y}} --> | renovated = | expanded = | closed = | demolished = | owner = | operator = | surface = | scoreboard = | production = | cost = | architect = | project_manager = | structural_engineer = | services_engineer = | general_contractor = | main_contractors = | seating_type = | capacity = | suites = | record_attendance = | dimensions = | field_shape = | acreage = | volume = | tenants = | embedded = | website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} --> | public_transit = }} '''Axis Nightclub''' is a [[gay bar]] and nightclub in [[The Short North]], [[Columbus, Ohio]].
==Description== [[File:Columbus, Ohio, October 2018 - 04.jpg|thumb|[[Nina West]] performing in her annual Halloween show at Axis, 2018]] The multi-level dance club<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/03/clevelands_gay_bars_evolve_in.html|title=Cleveland's gay bars evolve in age of greater tolerance|website=Cleveland.com|date=28 March 2017 |accessdate=22 October 2018|archive-date=22 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022232451/https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2017/03/clevelands_gay_bars_evolve_in.html|url-status=live}}</ref> has hosted drag acts and competitions ("So You Think You Can Drag?"),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dispatch.com/news/20180128/gay-rights-advocate-nina-west-has-long-used-drag-queen-act-to-raise-money-for-charities|title=Gay-rights advocate Nina West has long used drag-queen act to raise money for charities|first=Mike|last=Wagner|website=Dispatch.com|accessdate=22 October 2018|archive-date=22 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022232515/https://www.dispatch.com/news/20180128/gay-rights-advocate-nina-west-has-long-used-drag-queen-act-to-raise-money-for-charities|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dispatch.com/photogallery/OH/20180920/PHOTOGALLERY/920009998/PH/1|title=Photos: Weekends events for Columbus and central Ohio, September 21–23|website=Dispatchc.om|accessdate=22 October 2018|archive-date=22 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022232502/https://www.dispatch.com/photogallery/OH/20180920/PHOTOGALLERY/920009998/PH/1|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.columbusalive.com/entertainment/20170927/community-feature-local-to-compete-in-miss-gay-america-pageant|title=Community feature: Local to compete in Miss Gay America pageant|first=Erica|last=Thompson|website=Columbusalive.com|accessdate=22 October 2018|archive-date=22 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022232630/http://www.columbusalive.com/entertainment/20170927/community-feature-local-to-compete-in-miss-gay-america-pageant|url-status=live}}</ref> including Miss Gay Heart of America<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.columbusunderground.com/annual-miss-gay-heart-of-america-pageant-hits-axis-this-weekend-gf1|title=Annual Miss Gay Heart of America Pageant Hits Axis This Weekend|date=4 March 2017|website=Columbusunderground.com|accessdate=22 October 2018|archive-date=22 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022193506/https://www.columbusunderground.com/annual-miss-gay-heart-of-america-pageant-hits-axis-this-weekend-gf1|url-status=live}}</ref> and performances by ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race]]'' contestants [[Alaska Thunderfuck]], [[Asia O'Hara]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.columbusunderground.com/event/white-party-with-asia-ohara-of-rpdr-10|title=White Party with Asia O'Hara of RPDR 10|date=22 May 2018|website=Columbusunderground.com|accessdate=22 October 2018|archive-date=22 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022200536/https://www.columbusunderground.com/event/white-party-with-asia-ohara-of-rpdr-10|url-status=live}}</ref> [[BenDeLaCreme]], [[Bianca Del Rio]], [[Sasha Velour]], [[Shangela]], and [[Yuhua Hamasaki]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://1870mag.com/bar-battle-axis-vs-union-cafe/|title=BAR BATTLE: Axis VS Union Café|date=2018-06-04|website=1870 Mag|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-09|archive-date=2018-12-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209124439/http://1870mag.com/bar-battle-axis-vs-union-cafe/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.columbusunderground.com/rupauls-drag-race-season-10-contestant-to-perform-at-axis-tm1|title=RuPaul's Drag Race Season 10 Contestant to Perform at Axis|date=2 May 2018|website=Columbusunderground.com|accessdate=22 October 2018|archive-date=22 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022193508/https://www.columbusunderground.com/rupauls-drag-race-season-10-contestant-to-perform-at-axis-tm1|url-status=live}}</ref> among others.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://inmagazine.ca/2014/06/three-cheers-for-columbus/|title=Three cheers for Columbus|date=2014-06-20|website=IN Magazine|language=en-CA|access-date=2018-12-09|archive-date=2018-12-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209124139/http://inmagazine.ca/2014/06/three-cheers-for-columbus/|url-status=live}}</ref> Local drag queen [[Nina West]] hosts the show "Heels of Horror" annually,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thelantern.com/2013/10/review-heels-horror-combines-pop-culture-halloween/|title=Review: Heels of Horror combines pop culture, Halloween|website=Thelatern.com|date=21 October 2013 |accessdate=22 October 2018|archive-date=22 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022232556/https://www.thelantern.com/2013/10/review-heels-horror-combines-pop-culture-halloween/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.columbusunderground.com/mega-weekend-fall-2016-vol-5-top-things-to-do-columbus|title=Mega Weekend Fall 2016 – Vol. 5|date=20 October 2016|website=Columbusunderground.com|accessdate=22 October 2018|archive-date=22 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022200547/https://www.columbusunderground.com/mega-weekend-fall-2016-vol-5-top-things-to-do-columbus|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as drag competitions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thelantern.com/2012/02/king-trumps-queens-in-axis-drag-search/|title=King trumps queens in Axis drag search|last=Harriman|first=Katie|website=The Lantern|date=25 February 2012 |language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-14|archive-date=2018-12-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215121845/https://www.thelantern.com/2012/02/king-trumps-queens-in-axis-drag-search/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Rajesh Lahoti is an owner of the bar.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.columbusmonthly.com/article/20140206/NEWS/302069420|title=The Fallen Kings of the Short North|website=Columbus Monthly|language=en|access-date=2018-12-09|archive-date=2018-12-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209165144/http://www.columbusmonthly.com/article/20140206/NEWS/302069420|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://columbusmag.com/section-suitless-article.php?id=390|title=C Magazine / columbusmag.com|website=columbusmag.com|access-date=2018-12-09|archive-date=2016-05-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503060645/http://columbusmag.com/section-suitless-article.php?id=390|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.columbusalive.com/entertainment/20170614/statement-from-unionaxis-founder-rajesh-lahoti|title=A statement from Union/Axis founder Rajesh Lahoti|last=Lahoti|first=Rajesh|website=Columbus Alive|language=en|access-date=2018-12-09|archive-date=2018-12-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181209123609/http://www.columbusalive.com/entertainment/20170614/statement-from-unionaxis-founder-rajesh-lahoti|url-status=live}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thelantern.com/2001/04/columbus-dance-clubs-attract-worlds-top-djs/|title=Columbus dance clubs attract world's top DJs|last=Gehrig|first=Mike|website=The Lantern|date=23 April 2001 |language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-14|archive-date=2018-12-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216032602/https://www.thelantern.com/2001/04/columbus-dance-clubs-attract-worlds-top-djs/|url-status=live}}</ref> 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]]".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.queerty.com/columbus-nightclub-breaks-record-worlds-largest-drag-show-20140730|title=Columbus Nightclub Breaks Record For World's Largest Drag Show|last=Allen|first=Timothy|date=2014-07-30|website=www.queerty.com|access-date=2018-12-14|archive-date=2018-12-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216073717/https://www.queerty.com/columbus-nightclub-breaks-record-worlds-largest-drag-show-20140730|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in 2014, Axis hosted the inaugural Shooting Star Awards, and won the award for Best Nightclub.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.queerty.com/award-winners-exclusive-photos-first-ever-shooting-star-awards-20140729|title=Award Winners and Exclusive Photos from the First Ever Shooting Star Awards|last=Allen|first=Timothy|date=2014-07-29|website=www.queerty.com|access-date=2018-12-14|archive-date=2018-12-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216031714/https://www.queerty.com/award-winners-exclusive-photos-first-ever-shooting-star-awards-20140729|url-status=live}}</ref> The nightclub hosted Miss Gay USofA at Large in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://usofa.org/miss-gay-usofa-large-2016-recap/|title=Miss Gay USofA at Large 2016 Recap|last=Burk|first=Scott|date=2016-11-01|website=USofA Pageants LLC|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-14|archive-date=2018-12-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216033917/https://usofa.org/miss-gay-usofa-large-2016-recap/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Reception== 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".<ref name="Kelley">{{cite book |last1=Kelley |first1=Shawnie |title=Insiders' Guide to Columbus, Ohio |date=July 1, 2008 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |page=104 |isbn=9781461746881 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mre1DQAAQBAJ&pg=PA104 |accessdate=December 8, 2018 |archive-date=December 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203174403/https://books.google.com/books?id=Mre1DQAAQBAJ&pg=PA104 |url-status=live }}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Portal|LGBTQ|Ohio}} * {{Commons category-inline|Axis Nightclub}} * [http://shortnorth.org/businesses/axis-nightclub/ Axis Nightclub] at Short North Arts District
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[[Category:Culture of Columbus, Ohio]] [[Category:LGBTQ nightclubs in the United States]] [[Category:LGBTQ in Ohio]]