The senior class recently faced a rude awakening – and it had nothing to do with the fact that the year is nearly half over.
Two-dollar Tuesdays, where all drinks at the Seagrape Café are $2, is a staple for seniors living at the beach.
However, the Grape has instituted a new “DJ charge,” a $2 cover required for entry into the bar on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The Grape, notorious for cheap drinks in large plastic cups, has never had a cover charge, a feature many seniors appreciated. But because of rising costs for the DJ to perform, management said last Tuesday that extra funds were required.
Miles Stevens, manager of the Grape, agreed that the bar needs the extra money to pay the DJ. However, Stevens made no apologies and argued that the Grape is still a great deal.
“Where else can you get $2 drinks on a Tuesday? Nowhere,” he said. “So, you’re paying $2 to get in, but you’re also not paying for $6 drinks.”
However, some students said that the Grape is simply trying to rip off the hundreds of students who frequent the bar, some of whom visit up to four nights a week.
“Don’t they make enough money off of Fairfield drinkers?” asked Aimee Trainor ’08. “I don’t mind paying it, but I really don’t think they need the extra $2.”
Lauren Wood ’08 agreed: “I think it’s crap. That’s one drink I’m paying for before I even get in,” she said.
Though the Grape’s cover is less than the Snickering Squirrel Saloon’s $5, other bars such as Bravo don’t have any door fee. But because of the Grape’s proximity to most of the seniors’ houses, many have just accepted the cover charge as another drinking expense.
“The cover charge is ridiculous, but it’s still the only bar within walking distance of my house,” said Kristen Daly ’08.
“Two dollars is cheaper than a cab to Bravo,” she added.
However, some students refuse to accept the new charge without a fight.
“I guess they’re going for a theme: $2 cover charge, $2 Tuesdays,” said Alyssa Ockerbloom ’08. “But I’m not a fan of it. Some students have been stewing over it since it started, and there have been talks of a boycott.”
A comprehensive boycott has yet to be planned, but Trainor also had an idea to get rid of the charge.
“Whatever, I’ll DJ,” she said.
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