ABOUT US
28 Stories High. Infinite Stories Deep.
Stories on High is Columbus' tallest rooftop bar, towering 28 stories over High Street and offering 360-degree views of the city from our two terraces. It's the perfect date-night destination blending cultured conversation with uniquely crafted cocktails and sophisticated small plates.
Every item on our menu has a purpose – a story behind it and why it was curated specifically for the skybar. We invite our guests to discover those stories as they create their own through their experience at Stories on High.
MEET OUR TEAM...
Rustun Nichols
Beverage Director
Rustun comes to us via Brooklyn and Seattle. A relative new comer to the Midwest, he brings 20+ years of hospitality experience. Most recently, Rustun served as the Beverage Director at Spring Studios, The Wythe Hotel, Our/New York Distillery and The AC Hotel in Columbus. While not mixing up new ideas for the bar or designing wine menus, Rustun enjoys time with his wife and daughter, a hard-fought pro-wrestling match, a daytime baseball game and bowl of Cincinnati Chili.
Bill Hardgrove
General Manager
Bill joined Hilton Columbus Downtown in January 2024 as Food & Beverage Supervisor supporting all of our outlets, before being promoted to General Manager of Stories on High in September 2025. A lifelong learner, Bill brings a strong background in employee development and a deep passion for education and the arts. For nearly ten years, Bill has been part of the Columbus Museum of Art Docent Program, and served as Chairperson and was on the Executive Committee. Outside of work, he’s studying for his ASA 104 Bareboat Cruising certification and loves sharing his enthusiasm for learning through initiatives like Hilton’s “Virtual Book Club” that he launched company-wide.
Carter Gadd
Senior Sous Chef
Carter has been cooking for 10 years. During this time, he has experimented with many different culinary arts and has fallen in love with Asian cuisine. In his spare time, Carter enjoys researching different fermentation and food preservation techniques.
