Some places shout about greatness. Mikey’s Late Night Slice proves it with a crisp crackle, saucy swagger, and a room buzzing like a Saturday night kickoff.
You come for a slice, stay for the drag brunch and bar energy, then realize the sauce bar just made you loyal. If Columbus had a pizza heartbeat, it would thump from North Pearl Street.
The Iconic Late Night Slice Experience
There is a precise moment when the crust snaps and you understand why locals talk in absolutes. Mikey’s runs on simple math: hot pies, fast hands, fair prices, and a room that hums until well past midnight.
You grab a cheese or pepperoni slice, watch the steam rise, and realize the line keeps moving because the crew is dialed in.
That sauce bar deserves its own fan club. Garlic, tangy, a little salty for some tastes, but perfect when you want a punchy finish on a late night bite.
Sit under the glow of sports highlights and music videos, and make friends with a stranger over which dip belongs on pepperoni.
If you chase energy, not ceremony, this is your place. The vibe is equal parts campus heartbeat and downtown den, with bartenders who remember faces and regulars who recommend unicorn bars without hesitation.
You will leave full, maybe a touch saucy, and already planning a second round.
What To Order First
Start simple, then wander. A classic cheese slice lets the fundamentals speak: crisp edged crust, balanced red sauce, and a cheese pull that holds just long enough for a grin.
Pepperoni brings the crowd pleasing cupped edges and a savory puddle that begs for a dunk.
Breakfast pizza during drag brunch is the curveball worth catching. Eggs, cheese, and that salty crunch land differently with a mimosa in hand.
Vegan options get real respect here, from barbecue vibes to hearty mushrooms, proving flavor wins regardless of toppings.
Round it out with garlic cheesy sticks and a unicorn bar if your sweet tooth chimes in. Order by the slice to sample broadly, or call your shot with a whole pie if friends cannot stop hovering at your table.
Keep sauces close and napkins closer, because good decisions may get messy.
Drag Brunch, Bar Vibes, And Late Hours
Sunday drags are not an afterthought. Queens command the room, bottomless mimosas keep tables sparkling, and the staff juggles tickets like seasoned pros.
Energy stays high, laughs carry, and the breakfast pie moves fast.
On non brunch days, the bar holds court. Big screens beam sports, bartenders like Hunter or Anna keep the mood easy, and you will meet out of town fans swapping stories between slices.
Craft taps sit next to familiar domestics, so nobody gets left out.
Hours run late enough to rescue a night or launch a new one. You can land after a show, before karaoke, or between arcade rounds and still find a hot tray.
The key is timing: order fresh, eat hot, and linger just long enough to watch the room tilt into that sweet late night groove.
Insider Tips From Regulars
Go early for brunch if you want prime seating and a calm ramp up. Lines move quickly, but popular pies vanish when the room bursts, so order decisively.
Keep an eye on the sauce bar and sample small to find your match before committing.
Late nights favor fresh trays. Ask which pies just came out, and snag a slice the moment it hits the rack to avoid cooling.
If you run cold on salt, choose a lighter hand with the dips and let the seasoning on the pie carry the bite.
Bring cashless convenience, a patient appetite, and someone who will share the last chew of crust. The staff handles crowds with good humor, and a quick thank you goes farther than you think.
Finally, save space for dessert, because saying yes to a unicorn bar has never been a mistake.
Sauce With Straightforward Swagger
The sauce tastes like ripe summer tomatoes and a pinch of backbone. It is uncluttered, balanced, and bright, with enough salt to make cheese sing.
A light sweep across the dough keeps things lively without drowning the slice.
You taste clarity rather than sweetness, a clean finish that invites another bite. There is restraint in the herbs too, letting tomato lead the conversation.
A hint of garlic shows up late and exits politely. When the slice cools, the flavor holds.
That consistency is the kind of confidence you can trust.
Cheese Pulls That Mean Business
Mozzarella here does not try to be fancy. It just melts right, browns in tiny caramelized bubbles, and gives you that satisfying pull.
The blend leans creamy rather than greasy, which means your slice stays tidy. Each bite lands balanced, with dairy richness that never bullies the sauce.
Small browned spots add nuttiness and a soft crunch along the edges. You get flavor layers without heaviness.
The cheese cools gracefully, still supple and stretchy. That is the sweet spot between art and common sense.
Service With Zero Fuss
When you walk in, the menu is clear and the line moves. No theatrics, just quick greetings and slices ready when hunger knocks.
You get your order, a napkin, and a nod that says enjoy. It feels like a place built for regular days and real appetites.
Prices make sense and the crew remembers faces. There is comfort in that rhythm, an easy ritual you can rely on.
No frills, no fluff, just what you came for. Good pizza, fast, and friendly.