As anyone between the ages of 17 and 30 knows now, Gainesville is cracking down on drinking. In a college town that has become known for binge drinking and excessive partying, the local government and UF president Bernie Machen have stepped in to try to give it a better image. While I'm all for regulation on drinking, it is getting excessive and annoying! Swamp, Cantina, and Rum Runners have all fallen victims of government regulations and are no longer allowed to permit people under the age of 21 to enter the bars between 9 PM and 2 AM. This law is really hurting the businesses. Swamp and Cantina usually have good business every night. Since July 1st, when the law was put in place, I've seen the two bars close early half of the nights I go there. This used to never happen. Granted there are fewer people in town because it's summer, these bars are still usually reliable places to go to meet friends. Before, you could literally not talk to any of your friends and just show up at Swamp or Cantina and be guaranteed to find somebody to hang out with. Not anymore! Not since the government stepped in.
Another law that has been put in place that is stupid is no "discriminatory" drink specials. This includes nights like "Ladies' Night" at Copper Monkey. The government says this is discriminatory against men. As a man... I DON'T CARE! What guy in his right mind would actually be offended that girls get to drink free while we can't. Luckily, Copper Monkey is getting around it by doing a "Shaved Legs" night on Wednesdays.
As I said, I'm all for regulation, but this is getting out of hand! The bars are losing business and we are missing out on a lot of fun time with our friends!
Article explaining the drinking ban
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