Campus After Midnight (For Non-Drinkers): Entertainment (Or Lack Thereof)

-James Porch, OSU student.

Unfortunately, this claim that entertainment is lacking after nightfall seems to be more or less the truth as far as the immediate campus area is concerned. A survey of High Street, arguably the highest concentration of commercial establishments near campus, reveals a disproportionately large amount of dining options to anything else (so much so that they deserve and receive their own entry later on). A decent amount of drinking establishments also exist, but for the non-drinker options are considerably slimmer. Many of the stores and businesses that may have provided even the opportunity to browse casually are long closed by the time midnight rolls around.

What, then, is left within immediate walking distance of campus? Regrettably, not much. The only business open past midnight unrelated to dining or drinking was the Drexel Gateway located in the new South Campus Gateway. Even this counts on a technicality, as the last listed film showing when visited was 12:00 AM. This same area, however, showed some promise in that at this writing the area is still relatively new, and not all of the new businesses have officially opened. The Skye Bar in particular looks promising, although it's true worth still remains to be seen.

As of now, the best entertainment the area offers for the casual after-midnighter are, believe it or not, the parking garage elevators. They really did a nice job on these, glass walls facing the street with lights gently pulsing through the spectrum on the wall behind them. The parking garage itself is set back from the street, so you avoid even the negligable foot traffic at these hours. The elevators themselves go up to the garage's fifth and top floor, affording one a decent view of the city. It's a little unfortunate that the eye candy of this area's architecture serves it's only after-midnight draw, but the garage is open 24 hours.

If one has access to a car (or doesn't mind a rather long walk), two other options present themselves. The first lies south of campus, and takes the form of the many clubs located within the Short North and Columbus proper; if you're into clubbing, you're bound to find at least something to your liking. The other option lies to the north, in the appropriately-named North Campus Video. This establishment is open 24-hours, and one's experience with it actually improves past midnight. DVD's rented here are due by midnight of the following day; this means that while a DVD rented at 11:59 PM Friday will be due by 11:59 Saturday, the same DVD rented a minute later (now Saturday) won't be due until 11:59 Sunday. My companions and I have found their selection to be better than the Blockbuster across the street, membership is around $5.00 if memory serves, and individual rentals are $1.00 each, due upon return.

In general, the campus area is not kind to those insomniacs and night-owls seeking entertainment in the late-night/early morning hours, except those who find drinking enjoyable enough. I've found that, for the most part, one's best bet is to rely on one's own entertainment (personal DVD collections, gaming systems, etc.) and instead use the area primarily for that which it is infinitely better suited to provide: food.

On to Part 2.
Back to Preface.


Note: This entry was officially finished two days after the listed time due to continued editing.