6B = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
ENTERTAINMENT
THURSDAY,NOV.29,2001
Party bus keeps revelers rolling from home to bar and back again
By Lauren Beatty Jayplay writer
The Jack Flanigans Party Bus is gaining in popularity with large groups who go barhopping in Lawrence. The Party Bus is rented for $50 an hour, and the driver will drive almost anywhere while he is on the clock.
In another life, the Jack Flanigans Party Bus was just another yellow school bus filled with the chatter of children on their way to school.
Since its resurrection by Jack Flanigans Bar & Grill owner Dannie Thompson, the bus has come alive on weekend nights with the revelry of slightly older passengers.
the revelry of signiy older passengers Thompson said he couldn't resist the good deal he saw on an old bus last fall.
"I noticed how many people were renting buses for pub crawls and I wanted to offer an alternative," Thompson said.
After he purchased the bus, he painted it Jayawk crimson and blue. The bus made its debut in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on Massachusetts Street last year.
Massachusetts Street library. Thompson said the bus was its own advertisement and the calls starting pouring in soon after the parade. He said people wanted to know what the party bus was used for, and by spring break, the bus was a hit with renters.
Used mostly for parties and pub crawls, the 62-passenger party bus is rented for $50 an hour, with a three-hour minimum, by Flanigans, 806 W.24th St.
gans, 806 W. 241H S.
Riders are allowed to drink alcohol on the bus as long as it remains away from the driver's seat, Thompson said.
driver's seat, Thompson said.
The party bus takes its clientele wherever they want to go within Lawrence, but the partygoers must start their evening at Flanigans for at least one hour.
Guests on the bus can bring along all types of music to be played on the 1,000-watt stereo. Disco balls and strobe lights pulse in time with the music.
"When you're in here, it's like a club inside with all the music and lights and speakers," Thompson said.
Jason Rine has been the driver of the bus for seven months. Rine said he liked driving the bus because the job allowed him to meet all kinds of people.
all kinds of people. Rine said that the bus also gave bar patrons an alternative to drinking and driving. The bus picks people up from a gathering point and drops them off at the end of the night.
"Everyone's having a blast the entire night," Rine said. "Everyone just lets loose because they don't have to worry about driving."
they don't have to worry about the Thompson said that so far, the reaction to the bus had been positive.
"It's been wonderful," he said. "The police like it because it gets 60 drunks off the streets."
Thompson said the bus was sometimes used for bachelor parties and was also popular with fraternities and sororities.
Sarah Morrison, Leawood junior and social chairwoman for Delta Delta Delta
"Everyone'snaving a blast the entire night. Everyone just lets loose because they don't have to worry about driving."
Jason Rine
Bus driver
sorority, said her chapter rented the bus for its annual "date dash" in September. Morrison said the chapter chose the bus because of the price and the atmosphere.
of the price and the attitude. "It was a good way to get the party started." Morrison said. "It's like a little party on the way to the party."
the party. Morrison said her sorority sisters were a little shocked when the bus pulled up at their house.
their house.
"I didn't even realize that was the bus coming to pick us up," Morrison said. "When the bus showed up, we all stood back and laughed."
sucked up, we wanna look back at The bus sometimes draws similar reactions when it rolls down Massachusetts Street, Thompson said.
"It's good to see that reaction on the streets," Thompson said. "It's good to see their faces."
Delta Delta Delta rented the bus from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. The bus shuttled members back and forth from the party all night. Morrison
said she and her sorority members were considering using the bus for a future pup crawl.
"It was a lot of fun and great way to start things off," Morrison said.
Thompson said he didn't mind sending business to competitors. That's because the passengers always spend the first hour of their evening at Flanigans. He said the other bar owners were surprised, but that they appreciated having 60 customers come in at one time.
altering to connect it several times a month it stops here," said Jeff Johnson, manager at the Cadillac Ranch. 2515 W. 6th St. "It brings in anywhere from 10 to 40 people two to three times a month. It allows them to have a good time and not drive on the roads."
Thompson said making money was not his objective in running the party bus.
his objective in life is to "We're not trying to make money, we're trying to provide a service," Thompson said. "What I charge just covers the cost of running the bus."
Chompson said that in the future, he would like to make deals with apartment complexes, where he would offer a shuttle service between the complex and Jack Flanigans. Thompson said he wouldn't charge for the service.
the service.
For now, Thompson continues to rent out the bus to those looking for a different way to have a good time.
to have a good time.
"There's nothing like it," Thompson said.
"Nothing that is decorated and colorful and fun."
Contact Beatty at 864-4810
5.
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Come see women's basketball compete in the Holiday Inn Jayhawk Classic Tournament this Friday at 5:00 pm St. John's vs. Oregon and at 7:05 pm Kansas vs. Alabama State. The tournament continues on Saturday at 5:00 pm (consolation game) or 7:05 pm (championship game) in Allen Fieldhouse.
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