The Daily Illini
URL: http://www.dailyillini.com/index.php/article/2008/02/bar_owner_tries_to_extend_unofficial_by_one_more_day
Current Date: Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:31:53 -0600
Bar owner tries to extend Unofficial by one more day
The founder of Unofficial St. Patrick's day and local bar owner, Scott Cochrane, is promoting Unofficial 2008 as a two-day event, for both Friday and Saturday.
Cochrane, who was not available to comment on his decision, owns several campus bars including The Clybourne, Firehaus and C.O. Daniels, which will welcome Unofficial celebrations on Saturday.
Not every campus bar is following Cochrane's lead with a second day of green.
Kam's Bar will operate in the same way as it does every weekend but with a larger security staff, said Eric Meyer, manager of Kam's. The bar is not planning on Unofficial being a two-day event.
"We're not opening our doors until after the start of the Iowa game Saturday," he said. "(Cochrane's) bars are the only bars that are attempting to open early."
Meyer added that he has no interest in making the event two days.
"I've been asked by the mayor and the chancellor to tone this event down," he said. "We're respecting those wishes."
Transforming Unofficial into two days exploits the event, and there is no reason to further grow it, Meyer said.
"We want to have a very safe Unofficial day," he said.
Kam's is operating on a 'no-tolerance' policy and will not allow (visibly) intoxicated students into the business, Meyer said. The bar will also assist overly intoxicated students home.
"Our staff will be prepared," he said.
Armando Acosta, assistant general manager of Brother's Bar and Grill, said the business is not expecting Unofficial celebrations to occur on Saturday.
"We are just promoting this event for Friday," he said.
Making Unofficial a two-day event encourages over-intoxication, Acosta added.
The bar will be in compliance with the emergency order from the city of Champaign, including having 21-year-olds working the door.
Bill Riley, chairman of the Champaign Liquor Advisory Commission, said he has had some conversations with Cochrane about Unofficial.
"He is marketing an opportunity to bring people to his establishments," he said.
Riley added that making Unofficial a two-day event increases the number of criminal offenses.
Jon Doyle, president of Irish Illini on campus, said the organization does not plan to celebrate Unofficial as a two-day event either.
"We are just celebrating Friday," Doyle said.
Irish Illini will begin their celebrations at Joe's Brewery where the Irish dance group, IDentity, will perform, he added.
"I don't see Saturday happening," he said. "One day is enough."
Most Popular
- Memes, Y U so addicting?! |
2/7/2012 - 7:42 PM
Posted in: Different Perspectives - Despite another ring, Eli is still not as good as Peyton |
2/7/2012 - 1:58 PM
Posted in: DI Sports Wrap-Up - For better or for worse |
2/2/2012 - 6:43 PM
Posted in: Different Perspectives - Don’t sleep on the Big 12 |
2/1/2012 - 12:23 AM
Posted in: DI Sports Wrap-Up - Eli Manning and Tom Brady represent the unstoppable passage of time |
1/30/2012 - 7:23 PM
Posted in: Different Perspectives
- Troyer accepts full-time employment in department of psychology | 5 comments
- Not all users ‘like’ the Facebook timeline | 4 comments
- Note to Occupy participants: Peace is stronger | 6 comments
- Email scandal occupies center stage | 5 comments
- Obama should take his cues from Brazilian president Rousseff | 15 comments
- undemeGuece on Illinois Safe Schools Alliance forum addresses LGBT bullying codes in schools
- Steve on Students should be aware of companies labor practices abroad
- oven21 on What should you do with your significant other this Valentine’s Day?
- Kenneth Goldberg, Ph.D. on Unique bonds formed in Illini Mentor Program
- Dirk on Tea Party prioritizes tone over substance in GOP candidates







Reader Comments
Be the first to comment on this article!
Post new comment
You Should Know: The Daily Illini reserves the right to remove any comment deemed racially derogatory, inflammatory, or spammatory. Repeat offenders may have their IP address banned from posting future comments. Please be nice.
Comments will not appear until approved by a site moderator.