Students under 21 will have more access to local nightlife as a result of ASM and city-sponsored efforts allowing Madison bars to provide regular under-21 events.
ASM's main goal is providing a better alternative to house parties, said Dylan Rath, Chair of the group's Special Forces Committee. He insisted that drinking would be carefully watched at under-21 shows.
There's still alcohol served,\ Rath said, ""but there's more attention paid to an underage event night.""
He noted additional security and ID checks that would prevent underage drinking.
Yet, most bars currently do not have increased security staff for 18-and-up nights. Wristbands, different colored cups, and stamped hands are the most significant measures used by local vendors to monitor underage drinking.
The Annex, 1206 Regent St., does not increase security for 18-and-up nights. Manager Pat Connaughton said there is usually no rowdiness, but added that his bar has its own way of dealing with out-of-hand students.
""We kick them out and we don't give them a second chance,"" he said.
Kimia Lounge, 14 W. Mifflin St., does not increase security either. But according to owner Kami Eshraghi, the bar has trained employees and has a strict policy for checking IDs. Eshraghi said security is especially tight when there is a live DJ performing, whether for an underage event or not.
According to Eshraghi, Kimia Lounge actually experiences less trouble with 18-and-up crowds and employs fewer security guards for underage events.
""They have proven to be much more manageable group of people,"" he said of under-21 students.
Bars such as Kimia Lounge and Club Majestic, 115 King St., charge a cover for under-21 events, often ordering underage patrons to pay more than others who are 21 or older.
Mayor Dave Cieslewicz supports specific under-21 nights at Madison bars. Cieslewicz spokesperson George Twigg said such events allow underage students to enjoy music and art they might not otherwise to see. He added that under-21 nights also help downtown bars and clubs.
UW-Madison freshman Alex Lintvedt said preventing underage drinking would not be difficult if bars make the necessary effort. He said 18-and-up music events at bars will bring more business to local vendors and expose artists to
bigger crowds.
""A large majority of the college population is actually under the age of 21,"" Lintvedt said. ""So I think it would be a good thing to get everybody involved.""\
