Bar creates petition to extend curfew for OSU National Championship game

A group of Columbus bars and restaurants are asking Governor Mike DeWine to lift the state’s recently-imposed 10 p.m. curfew for a single night on Jan. 11.

With the Buckeyes ready to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide for the National Championship Monday evening, area establishments stand to generate a large amount of revenue. If they can stay open, that is.

The game kicks off at 8 p.m. Monday, meaning likely won’t wrap up until after 11:30 p.m. What’s more, primetime and postseason contests—through extended halftime events and other add-ons—often run even longer.

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To ensure local businesses relying on game day crowds can maximize this opportunity, Threes Above High, a University District bar that regularly screens OSU games, launched a Change.org petition directed at DeWine.

“The economic impact of allowing bars and restaurants to stay open past curfew for this one time National Championship event could make a huge difference to many struggling businesses in our state,” reads the petition.  

“All COVID-19 guidelines would still be implemented during this minor extension in time request. This could be an amazing way to reward an already bruised and beaten industry that has been following the instituted guidelines every step of the way.”

Launched five days ago, the petition has collected over 1,025 of the target 1,500 signatures at the time of this publication. Currently, however, DeWine has not publicly responded to the request, and there’s no indication whether or not he will, meaning  all local bars can do at this point is hope the ball bounces their way.

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