COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A restaurant and nightclub co-founded by rapper 2 Chainz is closing its downtown Columbus lounge, but promises to reopen at a new location next year.
Esco Restaurant and Tapas at 31 E. Gay St. will permanently shutter by the end of the year and has transitioned to takeout only starting this week, the eatery announced on social media. The restaurant is hosting one last in-person celebration, a “pop-out balloon event,” at 10 p.m. on Friday.
“We’re transitioning and gearing up for our next chapter,” the social media post said. “Thank you for rocking with us through this journey. Let’s end this chapter strong.”
The restaurant’s social media page also says a new yet-to-be-determined central Ohio location will open in spring of 2025.
Esco first launched in Atlanta by Tauheed “2 Chainz” Epps and entrepreneur Mychel “Snoop” Dillard. Owned and operated by Akron-based entrepreneur Jessica Kay, the Columbus franchise became Esco’s third location nationwide in February of 2023 and marked the brand’s first outside of Georgia. It replaced the Irish-themed Pub Mahone, which left Gay Street in March of 2022.
The lounge’s menu features dozens of seafood platters, Southern-inspired brunch entrées and a slate of cocktails, including one aptly named “The Grammy” that’s infused with bourbon, ginger beer and lime juice.
Customers can order dinner plates like lobster tail, blackened salmon with shrimp, and a chicken and beef sausage gumbo. Peach cobbler French toast and red velvet waffles are just a few dishes served for breakfast.
According to Esco’s menu, a selection of Hookah flavors and reservations for bottle service are also available to patrons.
Esco is open 3 to 10 p.m. daily through this Saturday for walk-in to-go orders and on Uber Eats.