It advertises weekly through posters, e-mails, and flyers sent to the townhouses, apartments, and major parking lots at the beach. There are drink specials everyday, where every Thursday is “Dollar Bottle Thursday.” Friday is happy hour from 6-8 p.m. with $1 bottles, and free food like fried raviolis, mozzarella sticks, Buffalo wings, chicken fingers, and quesadilla wedges.
The Levee continues to try to search niches here on campus, but despite all the promotions, most students remain unimpressed.
“The Levee needs more people and events,” said Mellissa Hushion, ’04. “I would go for live events and good music.” A common complaint of students is that The Levee does not meet their social needs.
The bar has been open for seven years on Fairfield’s campus, and began this school year without its traditional bar and restaurant style, since it served as a temporary snack bar until the new facility reopened in the Barone Campus Center. The Levee reopened Homecoming Weekend 2001 as a bar only, licensed to sell only beer and wine-no liquor or mixed drinks.
“Liability insurance increases with a liquor license,” said University Pub Manager Jerry Aversano. “This hurts business because we don’t have a full selection, and a lot of students thought we were still only a restaurant once the Stag moved back to Barone.”
There is no cover charge at the Levee, and students under 21 can enter. Underage drinking is not tolerated and is virtually impossible.
“I instruct my employees that there’s only one person you don’t card, and it’s your mother,” Aversano said.
The Levee is sectioned off into two areas: a section for 21+ and another for under age students. Underage students are not allowed in the 21+ area, but the remaining area is open for all. It will soon offer pool and foosball tables, dartboards, and playing cards at no charge. Four televisions, including a big screen, with surround sound and 800 Direct TV channels and local cable are in full use at all times. Live events do attract students to The Levee.
“Events not having to do with bar business, like Mega Bingo and Open-Mic Night, don’t bring in business, but only bring in those people who participate in those events. Bands draw a crowd, and it becomes a place for students to go,” Aversano said.
Within the next year, The Levee expects to renovate to provide a new atmosphere for students. An alternative to the church pews for seating and brighter walls will clean it up.
On April 6, The Levee sponsored a Hunger Cleanup event, which included performances by Fairfield student bands such as Crosseyed Charlie, Mr. Furious, and Awkward Silence.
“Saturday night was really a great time for all. We had about 250 total patrons, with roughly three-quarters being of legal age to drink,” Aversano said. Many students attended the event, despite the strict rules on drinking and a no smoking indoors policy.
The Levee also competes with the infamous beach hotspot bar, The Sea Grape. Most students of legal age venture to the Grape, where it is more convenient, just as cheap, and filled with students every single weekend.
“I don’t get sick of the Grape,” said beach resident Ryan Washington, ’02. “All of my friends are there all the time, so it’s fun to go there. The location of the Grape is perfect for me since I don’t have to worry about how I am going to drive home.”
The Levee offers an alternative to the frequent parties at the Point, with live guests and contests. “We pulled in a big crowd on Superbowl Sunday because we raffled off a Play Station 2 system. We’re trying to do more events like this to promote student attendance,” Aversano said. “On Senior Mug Night in November we pulled in 400 people. That was a huge turnout.”
Overall, Aversano is happy with the progress the Levee has made. “I hope the returning employees continue to develop the Levee into a more popular place to be.”
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