Fives Up High, the Old North number bar near Ohio State University, will close in May, shortly after the school's senior bar crawl, as its owners shift their focus to a new campus location. The decision follows the end of the bar's lease and a plan to move Fives' liquor license into a basement concept closer to campus. Students and regulars say the move is set to redraw High Street's bar scene this spring.
As reported by Columbus Business First, the closure was confirmed on March 9, and owner Scott Ellsworth is at work on a new campus-facing spot called Twos Under High. According to Business First, the ownership group plans to concentrate staff and resources at Twos instead of running multiple bars within a short walk of campus.
The Lantern noted that the news broke in an Instagram post that read, "Fives has been a huge part of our brand, but as we grow, we evolve." The campus paper reported that the owners added they would be "moving the spirit of Fives (and the liquor license!)" into a basement space they are aiming to open in August.
What’s Next for High Street’s Number Bars
Ellsworth's run of "number bars" - Threes Above High, Fours On High and Fives Up High - has become a familiar presence along High Street, and management is presenting the change as a consolidation designed to strengthen the brand over the long term. Columbus Business First reports that the team plans to reinvest in the Twos concept and transfer employees and equipment from Fives to the new location.
According to The Lantern, Twos Under High will fill the basement beneath Dirty Frank's at 2036 N. High St., and student reactions to the tradeoff have been mixed. Some regulars told the paper they will miss Fives' patio and basketball hoops and the more relaxed, spacious feel, while others said they are curious to see how the crew brings that same energy into a tighter, campus-facing basement setup.
Fives Up High is expected to keep pouring through May events, after which the ownership group plans to pivot fully to Twos Under High and its anticipated summer opening. For now, the shift marks one more turn in High Street's ongoing rotation of bars and concepts aimed at Ohio State's constantly changing crowd.
