He also shot down the notion that No Soliciting is a “boys club.” Rather than a name in the reference field, Allen can respect a “I’m looking forward to meeting someone,” response. While there is a “Who do you know here?” tone, Allen says it’s not imperative to have a referral to get in. The application contains all the normal fields-name, phone number, email-but further down, hopeful members are prompted to disclose more unique info, such as their expectations of being a member, what they would tell their 21-year-old selves, and who their reference(s) are. “It’s always nice to have that sounding board of other like-minded people when it comes to business owners to be able to talk to, share with, and understand perspective,” said Allen.Īllen does not consider No Soliciting an eletists’ bar, but stands by the vetting process to protect the unique exclusivity it offers. Wanting to create a space of like-minded individuals, Allen and his team began accepting applications with a vested interest in Columbus business owners. It began with 15 people close to Allen who are now known as the Founding Members. But, it wasn’t long before CEO Troy Allen was persuaded by local business owners and close friends to open the space to the public…curated public, that is. You see, most of the club’s membership is comprised of business owners around the city.Ībout a year and a half ago, before No Soliciting was No Soliciting, the space was simply part of Rise Brand offices. I imagined all the important decisions No Soliciting members made in those booths, all while their heroes watched silently over them. The leather booths adjacent to the bar were adorned with vintage headshots of America’s greatest entrepreneurial spirits-Walt Disney, King Camp Gillette, Alexander Graham Bell. The front bar area was sharp and sophisticated. Bartender Chris Yoha purposefully scorches a bowl of the wood chips and spices before the bar opens. (As a person who can’t usually palate bourbon with ease, I put this handsome devil down effortlessly). No Soliciting’s unofficial official drink is an old fashioned smoked with cedar and cinnamon. Oaky and sweet smells greeted me upon entry. And this, dear readers, is precisely why the talented and trusted Brian Kaiser and I, armed with camera equipment, pen and paper, pretended to be No Soliciting members for an afternoon.įrom the small foyer with the old payphone where members check in, what appeared to be a black panel wall slowly swung open (imagine Addams Family-style, but cooler) and I stepped inside. If you aren’t among the roughly 320 individuals who possess one of those personal codes, it’s unlikely you’ve ever heard of this secret, members-only bar, let alone been inside. Then, one of two things will happen: either you’ll have no clue what the person is talking about, or, you’ll rattle off your personal code and be granted access to one of Columbus’ best-kept secrets: No Soliciting. A voice comes through your earpiece, inquiring about your name and member number. “I don’t recall ever seeing that before.”Ĭuriously, you pick up the receiver and hear a muffled ring on the other side of the wall. “Hm, that’s funny,” you muse to yourself. Imagine strolling down Chestnut Street between 3rd and 4th Streets in Downtown Columbus and you notice an old-timey pay phone behind a glass door.
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