Bar time is a source of big business for many Madison eateries, but with increased hours and often-rowdy patrons, the shift is not without its drawbacks.
Like many downtown restaurants, Taco Johns, 1234 Regent St., is open until 2:30 a.m. Thursday and Friday, and until 3 a.m. Saturday night. The extra hours provide a place for partying students who are looking for a late night snack.
We get quite a bit of late night business,\ said General Manager Martin Downer. ""On the weekends the bar rush is the main rush of the day.""
Aaron Upton, owner of Real Chili, 449 State St., said ""bar food"" is a source of income for restaurants and a source of nostalgia for patrons.
""It is good for business,"" Upton said. ""Lots of people have fond memories of going out to eat late night,""
Not only is there a change in the number of people, but also in the makeup and mood of the clientele when restaurant doors remain open as tavern doors close. The late night crowd is mostly made up of college students, many whom have been drinking heavily.
""The atmosphere definitely picks up,"" said Nick Stratman, assistant manager at Ian's Pizza, 319 N. Frances St. ""Just with the clientele change brings an automatic atmosphere change. The majority of them are college students.""
Real Chili's Upton said late-night hours are often better than normal shifts.
""It is much louder, more energetic and more fun,"" he said.
But in serving many intoxicated students on weekend nights, problems can arise. Fights, stealing and people taking the wrong orders off the counter all are common after 2 a.m.
""We will get people in here who have had too much to drink and either want to pick a fight, can't hold anything down or can't move,"" said Downer of Taco John's. ""I've had a couple of fights break out where they have broken windows, but I haven't had anyone go so insane that we haven't been able to control it.""
An employee of Jimmy John's who wished to remain anonymous said confusion often prevails at bar time.
""Sometimes people wander off with the wrong sandwich,"" he said. ""Sometimes people steal stuff and sometimes they steal signs off the wall.
""This doesn't happen during the day generally,"" he added.
Ian's Pizza is open during the week until 2 a.m. and until 3 a.m., Thursday through Saturday. Due to the increased amount of weekend customers, Ian's has even had to hire a ""door person for crowd control,"" manager Stratman said. Instead of checking IDs, the door person is charged with making sure customers behave and do not exceed the restaurant's capacity.
""We have heard criticisms for having a ‘bouncer,'"" Stratman said. ""But we have a capacity law that we have to abide to.""
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