Athens is home to over 20 different bars, most residing on Court Street. When Ohio University students are in town, all of the bars are usually at capacity and busy during the week. When students are away during the summer, however, the bars' atmosphere differs drastically, according to employees.
Nate Dedrick, a fifth-year studying urban planning sustainability, works at The J Bar and said the business in the summer is night and day compared to the school year.
“During the summer, we have weekends we'll get busy,” Dedrick said. “... It's tough to draw in customers, but we're doing all right.”
Dedrick said during the school year, the bar typically reaches its capacity of 160 almost every night. According to Dedrick, lines also form outside the bar around 11 p.m. once the bar reaches capacity with bouncers outside. During the summer, however, Dedrick said there has only been one weekend so far where the bar was close to the capacity.
The J Bar, located at 41 N. Court St., holds promotions during the week to help draw in customers. An example of the promotions include Whiskey Wednesdays, where shots of whiskey are only $3, according to Dedrick. The bar also has a pong table set up inside to help draw in customers inside.
“We usually just set up specials (outside),” Dedrick said. “... (The) CI and Crystal have pool tables. So during the summer, people gravitate towards that. But with the pong table, when people walk by see the specials and see the pong table and they’ll stop in. It’s great.”
The J Bar is working on rebranding this summer, as well. An example is the bar switching to use fewer plastic cups and more traditional glass. This change will be expected to carry on through the school year.
Emily Weible, a senior studying social work and psychology, has worked at Lucky’s Sports Tavern for over a month. Weible said the difference in crowds has dramatically calmed down since commencement weekend.
“Especially since starting working at the end of the school year, it was really busy (with) commencement weekends and stuff,” Weible said. “Now it's very much slowed down.”
Even though it has been slow in business, Weible said it has given her time to learn the job and become familiar with the bar’s menu. She said it takes time to learn everything and feels the time over the summer will help prepare her for when the school year starts.
Lucky’s, located at 11 N. Court St., hosts events like Trivia Night to bring in customers. Weible said Trivia Night is one of the biggest nights of the week next to the liquor pitcher Wednesday special.
“I think I just really love the job because it's busy and fast-paced,” Weible said. “But over the summer it's not, so I'm just really excited for students to come by and get into that busy work environment.”
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