2008 Woodie Awards
10 students kicked out of Money bar for underage drinking
New management has cracked down on underage drinking, drug usage, owner said
Nicole Smith
Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: News
An 18-year-old female student was arrested last Friday for underage drinking after she was found lying on the grass next to Wofford Hall, smelling of alcohol.
According to police reports, when the arresting officer asked the student if she had been drinking, she stated she had had a mixed drink at The Money.
The Money, located at 110 S. Cherry Road, is a club popular with Winthrop students for its Thursday College Night and band shows.
Though he's only been with the club for almost six months, new owner Robert "Woodstock" Bader has already put his mark on The Money. These marks include instating a dress code, cracking down on drug use and fights and, overall, improving the place, he said.
"The Money has had such a bad reputation for so long," Bader said. "I would go to the club and wonder why Winthrop students were never there."
So with these changes in place, how did the 18-year-old student get an alcoholic drink?
On the Friday night of the student's arrest, Bader said he had escorted about 10 people out for underage drinking.
"I ID everyone, including bands, and keep my eyes on those who are underage," Bader said. "There are always a few problems with alcohol. Humans have emotions, and alcohol tends to pull that out."
Students come in big groups, Bader said, and although he cards everyone, there may be some who are of age and will buy the minors alcohol.
"I have people undercover that stay near the bar and watch [for this problem]," he said. "They advise me of what they see."
Bader began his improvements by severing ties with old clients, bringing in his own bartenders, who he refers to as his "crew," and instead of hiring burly bouncers, has what he calls "coolers."
"The coolers cool down the situation and get at the root of the problem," he said. "Now, I put a hand on someone's shoulder when they're acting out and they know and say sorry and calm down."
This has also helped cut down on the amount of fighting.
"Sometimes there were like three fights a night," Bader said.
He added that business has been steadily increasing, especially among Winthrop students, since he began enforcing a dress code.
If an underage student is caught consuming alcohol, they and the person who bought them the drink are banned permanently from The Money, Bader said. Another punishment could be a one-month ban.
"I try to rectify problems as quick as possible and nip them in the bud," Bader said.
According to police reports, when the arresting officer asked the student if she had been drinking, she stated she had had a mixed drink at The Money.
The Money, located at 110 S. Cherry Road, is a club popular with Winthrop students for its Thursday College Night and band shows.
Though he's only been with the club for almost six months, new owner Robert "Woodstock" Bader has already put his mark on The Money. These marks include instating a dress code, cracking down on drug use and fights and, overall, improving the place, he said.
"The Money has had such a bad reputation for so long," Bader said. "I would go to the club and wonder why Winthrop students were never there."
So with these changes in place, how did the 18-year-old student get an alcoholic drink?
On the Friday night of the student's arrest, Bader said he had escorted about 10 people out for underage drinking.
"I ID everyone, including bands, and keep my eyes on those who are underage," Bader said. "There are always a few problems with alcohol. Humans have emotions, and alcohol tends to pull that out."
Students come in big groups, Bader said, and although he cards everyone, there may be some who are of age and will buy the minors alcohol.
"I have people undercover that stay near the bar and watch [for this problem]," he said. "They advise me of what they see."
Bader began his improvements by severing ties with old clients, bringing in his own bartenders, who he refers to as his "crew," and instead of hiring burly bouncers, has what he calls "coolers."
"The coolers cool down the situation and get at the root of the problem," he said. "Now, I put a hand on someone's shoulder when they're acting out and they know and say sorry and calm down."
This has also helped cut down on the amount of fighting.
"Sometimes there were like three fights a night," Bader said.
He added that business has been steadily increasing, especially among Winthrop students, since he began enforcing a dress code.
If an underage student is caught consuming alcohol, they and the person who bought them the drink are banned permanently from The Money, Bader said. Another punishment could be a one-month ban.
"I try to rectify problems as quick as possible and nip them in the bud," Bader said.
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