21 Only Hurting Iowa City Bars
- Thread starter cigaretteman
- Start date
If its hurting business, doesn't that imply that they were making a lot of money off serving those under 21?
Uhm yeah, cover charges and what-not at a minimum and maybe reduced 21 and over patronage.
It's ridiculous that the Field House is paying $15,000 a month for rent. Sounds like some one else was milking a big cow. First thing I'd do is talk to my land lord about an adjustment or find an alternative building.
I can't say I feel too sorry for them. Too many business models based on under 21 kids.
I can't say I feel too sorry for them. Too many business models based on under 21 kids.
I would be VERY surprised if under 21 cover charges and what-not constitute 50% of the bars business. As in the second article linked in the OP states a drop of 50%. If it does, they have an AWFUL business model, and they deserve to go out of business.
Also, I've never been to the Iowa City bar scene during the summer, do they charge cover in the middle of July when all the students are out of town?
But are they paying this to themselves? A lot of business owners own their building/property and rent it to their business...nice wy to pay yourself versus a larger salary. Would be interesting to find out.
They claim that they went from $80,000 to $12,000 from just under 21's being lost. To me, it sounds like they were doing a lot more business to minors than just cover charges.
Yes, they do. As a rule of thumb, expect to pay cover at nearly any bar after 9:00 or 10:00 at night, Thursday through Saturday. That includes the summer. It's ridiculous.
For as long as I lived there, underage kids knew there were two places to go if you wanted to get wrecked with the least amount of effort: The Fieldhouse, and The Summit. I can easily believe that both are suffering; lots of people predicted The Fieldhouse wouldn't make it through the end of the school year if 21-only holds. The Summit's owner was already in the news a few days ago, when his bar was denied an exemption from the law. At least he has a decent restaurant operation during the day to help foot the bar's bill, but since they only sell about 42% food, I doubt he'll make it either.
Most bars in downtown Iowa City incorporated under-21 patrons into their business models.
I'm far from an IC bar expert, but I could also see downtown fun shifting without under 21 people creating an "event" type feeling. Maybe it'll turn into downtown ames.
On one hand, its sad to see another cool, unique party scene taken down by the fun-haters. IC bars were always a blast and a great place to visit for the weekend when your in college.
On the other hand, at least it should help even out some of the nightlife discrepancy between Ames and IC, which could help in recruiting.
On the other hand, at least it should help even out some of the nightlife discrepancy between Ames and IC, which could help in recruiting.
In what may be the best part of the 21+ law, I've talked to a few people who told me their kids and their friends no longer wanted to go to Uiowa. Knowing I went to ISU, they made the typical jokes about the state. When I told them it's probably because of the 21+ law change, their interest perked up. Of the two I have talked to since, one told me his daughter couldn't come up with a reason why she no longer wanted to go, and one admitted it was because of the change. Both are taking a more active roll in their kid's college selection process now, and telling the other parents they know about it.
Sad if true, but may be the case for some.
Guess I'm starting to show my age a bit. That just doesn't make my world go round like it used to.
I thought I remembered there were a few bars in IC that only charged cover to the underage crowd because "they couldn't make money selling them alcohol." So if they're no longer receiving any cover charges, and also no longer serving the underage kids who are most likely to binge drink, I could see that they are losing significant amounts of money.
Serves them right.
Serves them right.
Very few of the bars own the building they are in..... The bar owners might very well be in a pinch until new leases can be written. Most of the buildings have been in families for generations.......they are like Iowa farm land. You would be crazy to own a bar in Iowa City at the moment unless you could get a lease that is at a more reasonable rate.
On a related note, slick willie Brown claims he could make a lot more money pimpin' his girls, if those pesky laws weren't so strict. And damn-it, why can't we get those crack and meth laws changed. It's killin' business. Gotta love IC IQ's.
