JAYPLAY
April 5,2001
entertainment news
For comments contact Erinn R. Barcomb at 864 4810 or jayplay@kansan.com
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PATIO OPENINGS signal to BAR PATRONS
By Aaron Lerner
jaayplay@kansan.com
Jayplay writer
The arrival of springtime traditionally brings longer days, more time spent outside and seemingly emptier classrooms around campus. For many students, spring also represents a more active social life.
That's why it's not uncommon to find local bar employees sweeping the final signs of winter off their patios and welcoming patrons back to their favorite hangouts.
"In Kansas we have these really long winters, and so when the patio opens up it's almost like a rite of passage for people," said Chris Kuhman, manager at the Replay Lounge, 946 Massachusetts St. "Everybody gets really excited. It's a mood enhancer. When people see that the patio is open again, many people take that as a sure sign that spring is back."
The Replay patio, which opened March 15, provides live entertainment for patrons. The nice weather allows bands to perform outdoors, meaning the sound travels beyond the lounge's wooden fence.
"Unfortunately, however.
some of the neighbors that live around Massachusetts Street get upset when the music gets too loud, so we still bring in live bands, but often it's a
softer type of music such as jazz, blues or bluegrass," Kuhlman said.
Open-air drinking changes the atmosphere of some drinking establishments.
"There's an unquestionable difference," said Rob Hagg, Palatine, Ill., junior and a bartender at Fatso's, 1016 Massachusetts St. "We opened up our outdoor area last weekend and all the old, familiar faces came back. Everyone just seems to be having a little bit more fun."
For good reason too. The warm weather not only puts smiles and sants on the faces of students, but it also attracts larger crowds, prolonged visits and puts more money in the pockets of barroom employees.
"I would say I make about 50 percent more money in the spring than in the winter," said Josh Ediger, Prairie Village senior and Jet Lag Lounge bartender. "After we open up the patio we are able to allow almost two times as many people in as we would during the winter months."
As the Jet Lag, 610 Florida St., prepares to open its patio Wednesday night, it will kick things off with a Steak Night celebration, a longtime tradition that allows people to get a steak, salad, bread and dessert for $9.
In addition to the return of Steak Night, Jet Lag will also be offering live music and the
grand reopening of its "Jimm-nium," an outdoor beer stand named after employee Jim Millaway, Tulsa senior. The bar's owner has also designated an area "Brenda's Party Cove" after his wife.
Jet Lag is not the only bar that offers features at its outdoor patio. Chad Trease, Shawnee senior and manager at Fatso's, said it would soon have heat lamps installed on its patio as an addition to the large outdoor bar they have.
"Although the weather is much nicer in the spring, it can still get cool at night," Trease said. "With the number of people that choose to hang outside, a couple of heat posts would definitely make things a little more comfortable."
Patrons of the Crossing, 618 W. 12 St., should beware. Although it's fine to have drinks outside
"For me, going outside on a hot day with a cold beer — there's just nothing better," he said. "I live right next door to the Crossing, so it's easy for me just to walk over and get a couple of pitchers outside on the deck."
Despite the numerous features that many bar patios offer, there are still many students, such as Mark Crawford, Chicago junior, who like to keep things simple by just going out to enjoy a cold beer outside.
on the patio, the minute a person steps off the deck and onto the sidewalk, he or she is crossing a legal boundary. It is illegal to carry alcoholic beverages on public streets.
The same rule applies for the patrons of the Free State Brewery, 636 Massachusetts St., which attracts large crowds Monday nights when it offers a selection of hand-crafted beer and ales at half price.
Beer gardens allow drinkers to escape the smoke-filled confines of a noisy bar to enjoy their beverages outside in the mild spring weather. Wichita senior Katie Binter placed a drink onto a patio table yesterday at the Jet Lag, 610 Florida St. Photo illustration by Thad Allender/KANSAN
Steve Duffy, Overland Park junior, has not missed a Monday night at Free State for as long as he can remember.
"I really go there for their beer," he said. "It's hands-down the best in the Midwest. When the weather is nice, and I can go outside, that's just icing on the beer."
Friends taast Sarah Ammann bottom right, St. Louis sophomore, on her 21 st birthday. The group began its celebration yesterday afternoon on the front porch of The Crossing, 618 W. 12th St. With the onset of spring, more Lawrence bars will be opening their patios.
Photo by Jamie Roper/KANSAN
Edited by Melissa Cooley
JAYPLAY inside
Horoscopes ...2B
Crossword ...2B
Music ...2B
Movies . . . 3, 6B
Fine Arts . . . 5B
Classifieds . . 7B
Burning Sensation
A KU graduate directed an independent film about the Burning Man Festival in Nevada.
See page 38
Temptation University Theatre's production examines Latin-American history, dance. See page 5B
Benefit concert
The Roundups performed last night to raise money for the AIDSRide.
See page 5B
4.
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