Spring Break
Column: Lowering bar age is a better solution
Bryan Rolfsen/Columnist
Issue date: 4/7/09 Section: Opinions
When I was an underclassman, I could not wait until I was 21 so I could go see some live music.
Now that I am of age, it's great.
There are generally multiple shows every weekend.
It turns out several venues host good bands that play on a regular basis.
Unfortunately, if you are not that sought-after age, going to shows is risky.
This Saturday marked the bust of Mad Hatter's.
Everyone was bumming around the bar enjoying themselves after the Staff Blues Band concert when people started freaking out, fretting about how the police were there.
I wasn't worried, but I can't say the same for all my friends.
The of-age group meandered out the door while the underage group was instructed to stay inside.
It was quite the scene.
The bar was swarming with police officers inside and out, preparing to write drinking tickets.
Though this is the law and the officers were simply doing their jobs, I think the policy could be stronger.
Lowering the bar entry age is a commonly discussed subject that elicits a fair amount of debate.
On one hand, there are people who think this will promote underage drinking.
I'm not sure where people of this faction think they are, but this is a college town.
Underage drinking is a real, prominent and unstoppable occurrence.
Still, there is some validity to this law. Alcohol can be an extremely dangerous drug when used in the college fashion.
On the other hand, lowering the bar entry age could be good. It doesn't even have to be a universal or constant thing.
For example, it would be awesome if specific bars could, by choice, open their doors to younger people on given nights, like when there is live music.
This would be beneficial to the music scene as it would allow more people to hear the local talent.
Furthermore, it would give students something better to do than get wasted in their dorm rooms or some random house party.
Really, I'm not sure what the best solution to this problem is - I'm obviously not a legislator - but it seems to me that the current policy could be reworked in such a fashion that would benefit businesses and the individuals involved.
Bryan Rolfsen is a senior biology major. He can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENopinions@gmail.com.
Now that I am of age, it's great.
There are generally multiple shows every weekend.
It turns out several venues host good bands that play on a regular basis.
Unfortunately, if you are not that sought-after age, going to shows is risky.
This Saturday marked the bust of Mad Hatter's.
Everyone was bumming around the bar enjoying themselves after the Staff Blues Band concert when people started freaking out, fretting about how the police were there.
I wasn't worried, but I can't say the same for all my friends.
The of-age group meandered out the door while the underage group was instructed to stay inside.
It was quite the scene.
The bar was swarming with police officers inside and out, preparing to write drinking tickets.
Though this is the law and the officers were simply doing their jobs, I think the policy could be stronger.
Lowering the bar entry age is a commonly discussed subject that elicits a fair amount of debate.
On one hand, there are people who think this will promote underage drinking.
I'm not sure where people of this faction think they are, but this is a college town.
Underage drinking is a real, prominent and unstoppable occurrence.
Still, there is some validity to this law. Alcohol can be an extremely dangerous drug when used in the college fashion.
On the other hand, lowering the bar entry age could be good. It doesn't even have to be a universal or constant thing.
For example, it would be awesome if specific bars could, by choice, open their doors to younger people on given nights, like when there is live music.
This would be beneficial to the music scene as it would allow more people to hear the local talent.
Furthermore, it would give students something better to do than get wasted in their dorm rooms or some random house party.
Really, I'm not sure what the best solution to this problem is - I'm obviously not a legislator - but it seems to me that the current policy could be reworked in such a fashion that would benefit businesses and the individuals involved.
Bryan Rolfsen is a senior biology major. He can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENopinions@gmail.com.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 15
Not worth it
posted 4/07/09 @ 6:59 AM CST
The bar age used to be lower in Charleston.
It got raised because younger kids, like local high school students, can gain easier access. After years of finding 15 year old boys passed out in alley-ways around town, police kinda just got fed up. (Continued…)
Natalie Wood
posted 4/07/09 @ 12:39 PM CST
What a shock, students complaining about not being able to get into the bars. Here's an idea, vote in local elections, run for city council, etc. Instead of complaining, making empty student government campaign promises, and getting upset that your buddies got busted the weekend before, do something about it. (Continued…)
Ditto
posted 4/07/09 @ 1:20 PM CST
^^ what they said. Definitely not worth it. I was around when the age was 19, and it was a mess... dumb idea to lower it again.
No
posted 4/07/09 @ 3:07 PM CST
I believe that this is a giant misconception. Look at the University of Illinois, and Champaign's current law for the bar-going crowd. People still get in and the music scene up there is greatly benefited by this. (Continued…)
Avide Reader
what?
posted 4/07/09 @ 7:20 PM CST
Stricter doormen and lax drinking age? I don't think so. There are reasons the age is 21. Like a 15 or 19 year old drinking too much and passing out in alleys. (Continued…)
What?
posted 4/07/09 @ 9:18 PM CST
Yes, in order to keep 15 year-olds from drinking illegally, we make it illegal for adults to drink. That makes lots of sense.
Grow up
posted 4/07/09 @ 9:31 PM CST
Bryan - is your aim to support a lower legal age to enter bars or to find ways to support "the music scene?" Your logic seems to be based on the premise that the only place one can hear live music is at an establishment which serves alcohol, so naturally, these places should allow younger people to come in . (Continued…)
Right
posted 4/08/09 @ 1:48 AM CST
Yeah, because these underage kids really want to go to the bar JUST to hear a band. I doubt that. If you are so into the band scene and are so concerned about getting into a quality place and not for the drinking, then take a trip to Champaign. (Continued…)
Doormen
posted 4/08/09 @ 9:52 AM CST
As a doorman myself at a bar in charleston, I find it hard sometimes to tell if an ID is fake, especially on women. The women here have either change their hair color, got fat, tanned, basically most of the women look nothing like their ID. (Continued…)
Timeout!
posted 4/08/09 @ 5:25 PM CST
At 18 years of age you can fight and die for your country...why not be able to have a beer? Those that abuse the privilege are punished indiscriminately anyway. (Continued…)
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