Short North gay bar to close less than six months after opening

Black Sheep Kitchen & Spirits is going out to pasture.

The LGBTQIA+ restaurant and bar opened in the Short North at the former home of Bristol Republic on Aug. 6, 2025. This week, less than six months later, the business as we know it will close.

“Over time, it became clear that the strongest moments in this space weren’t about operating on a fixed schedule, they were about the nights we came together with purpose,” the business wrote in a statement to 614NOW.

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Black Sheep is owned by Misty Linn (owner of District West in Downtown Columbus) in collaboration with members of the West family and other LGBTQIA+ partners.

The owners are touting a new concept called Black Sheep Events, an event-driven space focused on private gatherings and community programming.

“This evolution allows us to focus on what has resonated most while continuing to provide a safe, welcoming space for our community,” a spokesperson said.

Black Sheep plans to accept inquiries for private events and bookings. The final day of bar service will be Friday, Jan. 16.

“We’ll be coming together one last time to celebrate all the moments that make Black Sheep what it was,” the owners wrote on Instagram. “This isn’t an ending, it’s a transition shaped by the people who made this space home for everyone. Thank you for showing up, supporting us, and being part of the Black Sheep community.”

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