Old North Columbus

Old North Columbus is a make believe neighborhood that exists only in the imagination of its twelve permanent residents. Its fictional borders extend from Dodridge to the north to exactly one block south at Duncan Avenue. Its western border is High Street because none of the students west of High would ever consider claiming such an idiotic ‘hood. To the east, it ends at Findley Avenue… because that’s where Dodridge dead ends and basically no one who doesn’t live on Dodridge or Duncan would ever admit this «neighborhood» exists.
Prior to the neighborhood’s conception, locals attempted to convince city council members and other decision-​makers that partying on North Campus was out of hand and a serious detriment to the permanent, older residents who supposedly populate the area. Residents had, for years, complained about drunks walking up and down their sidewalks, (god forbid) parking on their public streets, and speeding up their narrow, neglected avenues. They complained so much that they managed to get the liquor licenses of several small businesses revoked, and even more businesses were harassed.
In the end, these complaints could only offer temporary relief. Ultimately, something drastic was required, and so those twelve arbiters of change got together and had a brain storming session. It went something like this:
Resident 1: Man, what we need is an identity! Something that separates us from campus, our current «identity».
Resident 2: By George, you’re right! But whatever shall we call it???
Resident 3: Well, what of the other popular destination neighborhoods in Columbus? They don’t have our issues, the youth drinking in the streets, having fun at our parking spaces’ expense.
Resident 4: What neighborhoods do you speak of?
Resident 5: Why I believe she means Olde Towne East and the Short North.
Resident 6: Ah hah! I have a name!!!
Resident 7: What name have you?
Resident 6: How’s this sound to your earholes? Old North Columbus!!!
Voice of Reason: Uh, but all you did was take two words from Columbus’s most popular, trendy neighborhoods and combine them…
Resident 8: Who is this naysayer? Where do you live, sir???
Voice of Reason: Um, Blake and Neil…
Resident 8: This man doesn’t even LIVE in Old North Columbus!!! His views do not represent our vast population!!!
All: OFF WITH HIS HEAD!!! THREE CHEERS FOR OLD NORTH COLUMBUS!!!
Somehow, these yokels even managed to procure funding for a Short North-​esque archway bearing the name of their pseudo-​hood. The rest, as they say, is faux-​history.

Old North Columbus is a sub-​neighborhood of the larger University District, but well worth giving special attention. The neighborhood avoids the typical douchebag bros found south of Lane Ave, for the most part. This is the live music capital of Columbus and on top of that has a variety of restaurants from ethnic to higher-​end and for nightlife you not only have the live music venues to choose form, but numerous unique bars and hookah lounges. While N High offers the bulk of what’s on offer here, you’ll definitely want venture down Summit off of Hudson where there are a couple of commercial blocks dotting this otherwise residential street. This is perhaps the most overlooked neighborhood in the city.