BUSINESS

Top Columbus Uber spot is a fun destination, while Lyft's is the airport

Dan Gearino
dgearino@dispatch.com
This driver, making a stop at Los Angeles International Airport, drives for both Lyft and Uber. In central Ohio, Uber drivers drop passengers at drinking and dining spots most often, while Lyft drivers here often take customers to less 'fun' spots, including John Glenn Columbus International Airport and Kroger. (Mark Boster/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Columbus customers of Uber like to drink, and eat, and drink some more, based on a list of the ride service's top destinations for 2017. The top spot was Short North Pint House.

Meanwhile, customers of Lyft have more practical concerns, such as catching a flight. The rival service's top destination was John Glenn Columbus International Airport.

Looking at the top 10 for both companies, a picture emerges of how people use each service, with Uber making lots of stops at watering holes and sports venues, and Lyft with a more diverse mix that include some bars but also Kroger.

Several places show up on both lists. For example, the Pint House ranks sixth for Lyft in addition to being first for Uber.

"It's very cool," said Reed Woogerd, president of the company that owns the Pint House. "Beyond alleviating lot of parking issues ... people are no longer taking the risk to drive when they're going out."

His other businesses, Forno Kitchen & Bar and Standard Hall, also appear on one or both of the lists. All are located in the Short North, a neighborhood where parking is often difficult to find.

"I think it comes as no surprise to us that the Short North Arts District would rank as a top destination," said Betsy Pandora, executive director of the Short North Alliance, a group that supports the neighborhood's businesses.

"As a vibrant area where evening parking is often a challenge, the presence of Uber and other ride-sharing services has been a welcome and helpful addition."

Uber and Lyft are both mobile-app-based services that have become formidable competitors for taxi cabs and other forms of transportation.

Uber says the top destination in Ohio is Progressive Field in Cleveland, home of the Indians.

Notably absent from the Uber and Lyft lists is Ohio Stadium. Woogerd think he has an explanation for that:

"Uber can't actually drop you off at the stadium," he said, referring to game-day traffic rules. Instead of going directly to Ohio Stadium, somebody going to a game likely would be dropped off on a nearby street and walk.

Uber's top 10

  • Short North Pint House, 780 N. High St.
  • Pins Mechanical Company, 141 N. 4th St.
  • Brothers Bar and Grill, 477 Park St.
  • Union Cafe, 782 N. High St.
  • Sheraton Columbus Hotel at Capitol Square, 75 E. State St.
  • Mapfre Stadium, One Black and Gold Blvd.
  • Express Live!, 405 Neil Ave.
  • Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd.
  • Forno Kitchen & Bar, 721 N. High St.,
  • Grandview Cafe, 1455 W. 3rd. Ave.

Lyft's top 10

  • John Glenn Columbus International Airport, 4600 International Gateway
  • Union Café, 782 N. High St.  
  • Standard Hall, 1100 N. High St.
  • Kroger, 1350 N. High St.
  • Pins Mechanical Company, 141 N. 4th St.
  • Short North Pint House, 780 N. High St.
  • Brothers Bar & Grill, 477 Park St.
  • Walmart Supercenter, 3657 E. Main St., Whitehall
  • Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd.
  • Easton Town Center, 160 Easton Town Center