VASO Rooftop Lounge: Come for the Views, Stay for the Food

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Looking for a casual dinner, night out with friends or a spot for after work drinks? Check out VASO Rooftop Lounge. With endless views of the Scioto River and historic Dublin, you'll come for the views and stay for the food.

Disclosure: I was a guest of Diamond PR to cover the grand opening of the AC Hotel Columbus Dublin. All opinions are 100% mine.

VASO Rooftop Lounge

Perched at the top of the AC Hotel Columbus Dublin, the VASO Rooftop Lounge is a Spanish-inspired rooftop restaurant and bar.

If you're thinking, "Oh, but I don't like Spanish food." You haven't had Spanish food until you've eaten at VASO. Every bite is perfectly seasoned. Every ingredient is thoughtfully chosen. Your taste buds will thank you.

Overlooking the Scioto River and historic Dublin, VASO Rooftop Lounge offers shareable tapas in a casually elegant setting. From gorgeous wood tables to leather chairs and suede couches, no detail has gone unnoticed. There are even purse hooks and outlets with USB ports at the bar!

Outside Patio

The views begin the moment you step into the glass elevator. And they don't end once you reach the top. You'll enjoy endless views inside or on the patio.

Pro-tip: The glass elevator is on the Northwest side of the building past the AC Lobby Lounge.

Had a long day? Stretch out on one of the private cabanas.

Or cozy up to a fire pit.

Private Dining Room

Want a more intimate setting for dinner? VASO Rooftop Lounge offers a private dining room that seats 25.

A Little Bit of Spain

As you step off the glass elevator you're greeted by the hostess standing behind a gorgeous desk.

With its leather etching, metal rings, and boot rail, the desk looks like it belongs in Vaquero bar (cowboy bar).

If you use the lobby elevator to get to VASO, you're greeted with a podium hostess stand and this large leather and wood chair.

During the Grand Opening event, the artist was working on her painting.

You don't have to be a guest at the hotel to enjoy the food, drinks or views at VASO Rooftop Lounge. But you may want after reading my review of the AC Hotel Columbus Dublin.

The Food

I was fortunate to eat at VASO twice during my 2-night stay. As part of the hotel's grand opening, servers brought tray after tray of delicious food and drinks. I worked my way down the menu, one item at a time.

Croquetas Con Salsa Picante

The vegetarian croquetas bombas are a delightful Spanish version of a hushpuppy filled with potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, and some other vegetables.

Empanadas De Chorizo

The chorizo empanadas are a tiny slice of comfort food.

Tabla De Queso Y Charcuteria

For the Grand Opening, they laid out an entire Charcuterie table complete with freshly sliced Jamon Serrano (Serrano Ham), chorizo, Manchego Cheese, Arzula Cheese, Mahon Cheese, Crostini, grapes, nuts, olives, and toasted breads.

I love a good charcuterie plate and this did not disappoint. I couldn't identify the orange cheese but that cheese. OMG. I would have smuggled a wheel in my suitcase if I could.

And who can resist fresh ham?

Flan Mousse

The Flan Mousse isn't on VASO's dessert menu but it should be. Light, fluffy, airy, all the goodness of a mousse with the flavor of flan in two perfect spoonfuls.

After a fun day exploring Dublin on a food tour, we returned to VASO for dinner.

Sopa De Calabaza

We started our meal with a cup of Sopa De Calabaza (roasted butternut squash bisque) with crispy pepitas. I love everything butternut. After being outside all day, a hot cup of soup was just the ticket.

Alcachofas Rostizadas

I don't normally like arugula salad. Because it's usually bitter. But this roasted artichoke salad with hearts of palm and sun-dried tomatoes and lots of arugula was sublime. Instead of letting the arugula mature too long which causes the bitter taste, these arugula leaves were harvested on time.

Pan Con Ajo

I've never been a fan of olives until I had Pan Con Ajo at VASO Rooftop Lounge. Toasted bread with garlic and grilled Manzanilla olives never tasted so good.

Salty and with some crunch and a sprinkle of cheese, I could eat Pan Con Ajo for a snack every day. Even better because olives contain oleic acid, a healthy monounsaturated fat.

Pan Con Tomate

The combination of the soft tomatoes with the toasted bread and manchego cheese created a good balance of texture with just a hint of garlic to give it flavor.

Queso A La Parilla

Think Spanish styled grilled cheese for adults! This was AMAZING! You have not had a grilled cheese until you've had a queso a la Parilla. Made from super thick bread and sprinkled with Honeyrun local honey, this tapa was sweet, savory, and carb loaded. And comes with a small garnish of arugula salad.

Pollo Rostizado Con Salsa Romesco

These bite-sized pieces of roasted chicken in romesco sauce with onions, piqullo peppers, and local squash is a nice choice if you want mean but don't want to order the steak or pork.

Gambas Al Ajillo

Garlic chili peppered sauteed shrimp, do I need to say anything else? We had these on both the Grand Opening and the next night.

Entrana Con Salsa Vizcaina

Looking for a meat and potato dish? The flavorful Entrana Con Salsa Vizcaina (hanger steak with a sweet red choricero pepper sauce) with roasted potatoes is sure to please meat lovers.

Flan

The flan at VASO was perfect! The custard was baked to perfection, not too jiggly, not too rigid. I could easily eat several orders of flan.

Churros Con Chocolate

These mini churros are dusted with espresso and sugar. Dip into the thick pudding-like spicy chocolate sauce for a kick. The VASO Rooftop Lounge churros were more like Mexican churros vs the churros I've had in Madrid, Spain. It was a bit hard to dip the churros in the sauce. It might be easier to spoon the chocolate on your churro.

As you can see we tried almost everything off the menu. And yes, we were completely stuffed. But not in that I can't move. I feel a food coma coming way. But in the I'm stuffed but very satisfied. And my clothes still fit way.

Check out VASO Rooftop Lounge's dinner menu.

The Drinks

As with their food, VASO takes great pride in their drinks. VASO partnered with Columbus based Watershed Distillery to create a custom gin for their G&T. The result, Four Peels Gin.

Copper shakers remove any impurities in the alcohol. And they get your drinks colder faster.

VASO designed a drip irrigation system for their Garden Stroll cocktail. The process steeps the citrus rinds and basil leaves with alcohol to enhance the flavor of the drinks.

Calimocho

Made with Tempranillo, house-made cola syrup, and carbonation, a Calimocho (also known as a Kalimotxo) is a popular drink in Spain. This Calimocho is easily drinkable with flavors that don't clash with any of VASO's delightful tapas. It reminded me of vermouth.

The VASO Sangria

If you only have time for one drink, choose the VASO Sangria.

The VASO Sangria (red, white, or sparkling) is the VASO's signature drink. Having only had red sangria, the VASO Sangria was a pleasant surprise. Perfectly blended, not too sweet, and like the Calimocho pairs well with everyone on the menu. If you like Cava, you'll love the sparkling version.

While I didn't try drinking it by Porron but I received a small Porron as a collectible and the VASO Sangria recipe.

Pro-tip: A glass of VASO Sangria is $8. But a Parron (at least 4 glasses) is only $25.

G&T

You haven't had a gin and tonic until you've had the G&T at VASO. The G&T at VASO uses custom-made Four Peels gin from Columbus' own Watershed Distillery, a spray of baby's breath, tonic syrup, soda, and some bitters. It's an experience not to be missed.

Although sometimes, the spray of baby's breath is corsage sized...

Garden Stroll

The Garden Stroll was an intriguing drink made with Titos vodka, basil, eau de vie, apricot brandy, and lime. To get the right flavor the basil steeps in the vodka for days using a special beaker system.

Check out VASO's drink menu.

Conclusion

From internationally inspired food to handcrafted inventive cocktails, VASO Rooftop Lounge is a great location for any event.

With endless views of the Scioto River, historic downtown Dublin, be sure to arrive early to enjoy the sunset. Or stake out your claim to a firepit or cabana.

Plan on sharing because tapa portions are generous and meant to be shared. If it's chilly or you need some comfort food start with the Queso A La Parilla or the Empanadas de Chorizo. Be sure to save room for some flan or churros con chocolate.

Park in the AC Hotel Columbus Dublin's parking structure for free or on the street.

VASO Rooftop Lounge
6540 Riverside Drive, Dublin, OH 43017
614-698-2525

4pm to midnight daily
Bar closes late.

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