Current Issues in Journalism

LAWRENCE, Kan.—Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches experiences a great rush of bar-goers after 2 A.M. when the bars on Massachusetts Street close.

According to Amber Adams, a Jimmy John’s employee, sales greatly increase during this time. Adams says, “Sometimes we are busier during the bar rush than at lunch time. The restaurant becomes really full. I mean, we have five delivery drivers.”

Friday and Saturday nights bring in more profits than other days of the week. Adams says, “How busy we are really depends on the day, but weekends are generally the busiest.”

Michael Corson, Kansas University junior, Overland Park, goes to Jimmy John’s to eat after leaving the bars on Massachusetts Street. He says, “I am usually hungry after I have been out drinking, and it’s way easier to just come here and grab a sandwich than to cook something when I go home. It sucks because I don’t realize how much money I spend after I’ve been drinking, but I guess it’s worth it.”

It is usually intoxicated people who frequent Jimmy John’s after hours. When asked about the intoxicated to sober people ratio Adams laughed and replied, “Well, its called the bar rush, so we definitely see way more drunk people after 2.”

Corson also stated, “A lot of my friends will come here too after the bars close, so it’s a place we can go and kick it before we all go home to go to bed. Some really funny stuff has happened here. I’ll remember some of it for the rest of my life.”

LAWRENCE, Kan.- At 2 a.m., when the bars close on Massachusetts Street, the work is just beginning for the employees of The Pita Pit on Massachusetts Street as they prepare for a huge rush of drunk customers.

Nick Maciag, a The Pita Pit employee, says that on the big bar nights, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, “It does get crazy because you are dealing with impatient, intoxicated people.”

When dealing with these customers Jon Peach, a The Pita Pit employee, says, “You have to have a thick skin. It’s almost like bartending. You just have to try to get them through the line as fast as you can. In the morning most of them won’t even remember they were here the night before.”

The Pita Pit has not had to call the police on any customers but according to Jon Peach this is not because there aren’t any problems. He says that though there are never any fights, customers do try to steal things like pita bags, but the restaurant chooses to deal with these incidences itself.

There is no formal training at The Pita Pit when it comes to dealing with unruly drunks. It is left up to the employees, but there is a general understanding that when dealing with this crowd sternness is the best approach. Maciag says, “We do not curse at the customers or any thing like that, but sometimes you have to tell them what’s up and put them in their place.”

Mass Street at Closing
LAWRENCE- If you stand on the corner of 9th and Mass around 6 am, you can catch a glimpse of Mike Amyx opening his barbershop for the day.

Amyx, a professed morning person, opens his shop for all of the men, local and passing through, who need a cut before work.

"I think it adds a lot to downtown, and I get the opportunity, I think, to open it up. I just like being here early," said Amyx.

Mass Street is the social center of the City of Lawrence. On a Friday or Saturday night, the streets are crowded with people going to restaurants, bars and clubs.

The Pita Pit is one of the Mass Street restaurants that stay open late. According to Pita Pit employee, Lorrin McElroy, the Friday and Saturday night crowds surpass the lunch crowd on any given day.

"The line is typically out the front door. It's all college students that come in after the bars close," said McElroy.

Once places like Pita Pit and Jimmy John’s close at about 3am, people can head over to Java Break for a late night snack or coffee. Java Break is the only 24 hour a day establishment, and they too see a rush of people that come in the 2am hour.

When it looks as if Mass Street is finally going to slow down for the night, Amyx opens his barbershop.

What happens on Mass Street at closing?

Well, it never really closes.

LAWRENCE, Kan.- With its many hot bars and restaurants, it's no surprise that Massachusetts Street can get pretty chaotic after hours. The commotion caused by many heavily intoxicated people being forced to relocate can become quite dangerous, causing someone like myself to wonder how this chaos affects other local residents and businesses.

One restaurant that is no stranger to the after hours madness is Pita Pit, located on 1011 Massachusetts Street. As a restaurant that stays open until 3 a.m., the employees on duty cater to their fair share of bar-goers looking for a place to continue the party.

Lorrin McElroy has worked at Pita Pit for about four months, and has repeatedly worked the closing shift. When asked about the mishaps that happen in the restaurant during bar closing hours, McElroy just sighs and laughs.

"Things always get spilled, trash cans get knocked over and trash goes everywhere. One time a drunk girl pushed our whole tray of cookies over." McElroy said.

"We used to have it really bad," says Phillip Peck, a manager at Pita Pit, "our signs would get stolen and people would throw-up everywhere."

Peck notes that these situations frequently happened the first year that Pita Pit opened in January 2006, but haven't happened much since.

With all the uproar these highly intoxicated customers bring, one wonders if it's even worth it.
"It's just part of the deal if you're going to be open that late." said Peck.

Obviously this restaurant aims to please when it comes to their customers, no matter what mayhem they have to undergo.

LAWRENCE, Kan.- For students, Massachusettes Street is the place to be on weekends. There are 26 bars in a one mile strip. The amount of alcohol consumed on the average weekend there is insane. So is the amount of students driving home.

"I'd say that probably 70 percent of people who drink on Mass. drive home," says Jesse Allen, bartender at Louise's downtown. So why do these students risk driving home when there are services such as SafeRide and SafeBus? I began calling SafeRide on Saturday night at 2:00 a.m., the time bars closed and patrons headed home.

After the ninth attempt, I finally got through and a ride was on the way. At 2:47 a.m. Bob, a SafeRide driver, arrived. When asked why he thought more students weren't using SafeRide, Bob replied, "Probably because they don't want to wait for our service."

He said that there were six cars on duty, and each car takes home about 20 people on the average Saturday. That's only 120 people using SafeRide per weekend night.

With an estimated 5,000-10,000 people consuming alcohol on Massachusettes Street every Saturday , that is a lot of people driving or walking home.

I surveyed 50 people on how they were getting home before leaving downtown. 27 people were driving or riding with someone in their group, 14 were walking home, seven were calling SafeRide and 2 had designated drivers picking them up.

When Chris Deekman was asked why he was not taking advantage of the SaferRide service on Saturday, he replied, "I tried calling them, but it was always busy."

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Even though exit signs are clearly lit and sprinkler systems are put in all bars, the problem of confusion in bars around closing time on Massachusetts Street, when the customers have consumed mass quantities of alcohol, still remains. Although people may be well rehearsed in the course of actions to take when faced with a fire, they may not be fully aware or capable of making coherent decisions or understanding what to do in case a fire breaks out in a bar. As a result of consuming multiple alcoholic beverages, a customer’s sensibility is reduced making it more difficult to make appropriate reactions. As Amanda Schwartzhoff, Chicago junior, says, “No! I would have no idea what to do because I would be really confused.”

Alcohol is to blame when it comes to a customer’s lack of coherency and it is not the fault of the Fire Department which has made sure that all the bars are up to date with fire codes and regulations. These bars on Massachusetts Street have been prepared and checked many times to ensure the safety of all the people who attend the bars. Lt. Wilson, who has been with the Fire Station #3 for 29 years, states “We inspect nightly and make sure they aren’t over occupied.”

LAWRENCE-KU students are constantly threatened by the dreaded "DUI,"but the alternateives are becoming dangerous as well. Many students have to resort to walking long distances to get home after a night of drinking.

After a lengthy night of partying on Massachusetts Street, Wichita freshman Grant Warren found himself leaving Abe and Jake's with a long walk ahead of him back to his residence in Templin Hall. When asked if he was scared to walk home Warren explained "I am more worried about how long this walk is going to take than if anybody is going to mess with me."

Students face the threat of all kinds of things including, getting mugged, raped, or even hit by another drunk driver on their intoxicated journey back from Massachusetts Street to the dorms.

KU students do have other options. SAFERIDE is available from 10:30p.m.-2:30a.m. weekly, and many chapters in the Greek system provide safe rides for their members; however, many students become tired of waiting.

Derby freshman Chris Brown, explained "When I'm ready to go home, I'm ready to go. If i have to walk, I guess I have to walk." When asked why he did not call SAFERIDE or a taxi Brown explained, "SAFERIDE takes forever, and I just don't have the money for a taxi."

The wait for SAFERIDE becomes frustrating. If students cannot bare the drunken wait for a safe ride and feel they must risk walking back to campus on their own, at least they are keeping themselves out of jail.

LAWRENCE KU- KU students are becoming weary of using Fake ID's and noticing that bars are seeming to be less crowded lately. Thursday night in Lawrence is a popular night for kids to go out and enjoy themselves. Two boys standing outside of Quintons on Thursday night had the same view that students are beginning to use fake ID's less and less. Jared Hodgson, one of the boys, was standing outside getting ready to get picked up. When asked what he thought about the recent spike of Minor in Possession and Fake ID charges he responded by saying, "I'm 21, actually, so it hasn't affected me in anyway, but a lot of my friends won't come out with me anymore. It's made it less fun." Fake ID's are obviously illegal, but are used or attempted to be used at many of the bars on Mass Street. When Michael Johnson was asked outside of Quintons what he thought about KU students using fake ID's to get into bars he responded with, "Well everyone uses fake ID's. I know tons of people that do. A sh**load of my friends won't go out to the bars though anymore because they are nervous. I would be." The students becoming more skeptical to come to the bars has not gone unnoticed. Hodgson remarked, "The bars have seemed less crowded lately. I like it." The skepticism of underage kids using Fake ID's is changing the way kids are spending there time at night. Fake ID's are illegal and can have serious consequences. Underage kids are starting to take this charge more seriously.

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Closing time on Massachusetts in downtown Lawrence is always a time of laughter, memories and drunkenness. Hundred of students pour out of the bars at 2 a.m. on Mass. after consuming a few alcoholic beverages of choice. The only problem with this picture is that some of these people partaking in this Lawrence ritual are not of the legal drinking age.
How are they able to get into the bars, you ask? “Fakes are so easy to get around Lawrence,” says Mace May, Springhill, KS. “All you have to do is just ask around. Everyone knows someone.” Once you have a fake though, it may not be as easy as you think to get into your favorite bars. “My boyfriend is 23 and he gets asked all the time for a second form of I.D., especially at Abe and Jakes and The Jazz House,” says Ashley Ruzick, Lenexa, Senior. Its seems to be a general consensus on Mass St. that it is much more difficult for guys to get into bars than it is for girls, no matter what bar you go to. People are always going to try to beat the system. “There is never going to be a stop to using fakes until they get police officers to start working the doors.” says May.

Lawrence, Kan.-- Sure there is SafeRide and the new SafeBus, but when living close to Mass. Street, how safe is it to walk home after a night at the bars. These services are offered towards the "Student Ghetto," but if the wait is ridiculous, why not walk?

The "Ghetto" is just a couple blocks over and a few streets down from Mass. Street. The "Ghetto" is where a lot of older homes in Lawrence are rented out to college students. This is certainly in walking distance of Mass. Street and walking home may be a safer choice than driving. Or is it?

Sophomore AJ Larson was wandering home last year after a night of drinking whe a group of guys jumped him. "I went outside because it was too hot and started walking down the street, this is when I was pushed down and after that I can't remember what happened."

Former bouncer at It's Brothers, Brian Lebaron said, "All the security guards at the bars stand outside at closing." This ensures that every one makes a safe exit from the bars, but what about the bouncers themselves? "I would walk home around 3:30AM and I felt safe, my house was only a block away and te only cars on the road were cop cars. Even after my roommate got jumped, I was not afraid, because I'm not the type of person people usually go after."

To be truly safe, walk with friends or wait for a ride, unless you want to risk what may be around the next corner.

LAWRENCE, Kan.- Massachusettes St. is a unique area full of locally owned restaurants, bars, and shops. It is common to see street performers, families and students during the day but deep into the night downtown Lawrence has become a less welcoming place.
“I moved to 17th and Tennessee so recently I’ve been walking home from work but I don’t always feel safe. I get off (from work) at around 2:30 a.m. and you never know who you’re going to encounter. Last week I was chased all the way to Ohio St. by people threatening me for no apparent reason,” says Quinton’s door manager Andrew Alldredge.
“I’m from Lawrence and it bothers me that I no longer feel safe in the town I grew up in.”
Alldredge’s co-worker Matt Herrington has had a similar experience, “I used to live above Chipotle. One night I was chased down an ally when I was walking home from work. It seems to be getting worse I’ve noticed more and more creeps out there, I’m a big guy but it still makes me uncomfortable (leaving work). I always walk the girls (that he works with) to their cars.”
While working at a popular bar Herrington deals with his fair share of police officers but wishes they would spend their time focusing on the safety of Massachusetts St. “The cops are usually here two times a week checking ID’s and what not. They should spend more time making sure that people aren’t getting attacked when they try to walk home.”

LAWRENCE, Kan.- It’s 2:47 in the morning on the block of 9th and Massachusetts street. Not much has taken place with the exception of a couple young males hanging outside of Chipotle. However there’s activity going on across the street at Jimmy John’s, It’s closing time.
The employees are cleaning while Billy Joel’s “Mony Money” plays in the background. It’s rough, but it does have its rewards: interacting with the masses that are coming straight from the bars nearby. Amanda Witucki, a KU student who works the late night shift says “It’s fun, but it sucks when we’re closing. But drunk people aren’t needy. They come in, eat in twenty minutes and leave.
However Witucki and her co-workers were quick to talk about some of the intoxicated people who walk in late at night for something to eat. “One time, this guy came in with a huge chunk of his finger missing. Apparently he got into a fight and punched a guy in the mouth and knocked out his tooth. He was trashed and didn’t realized that he had blood dripping every where, I had to stop what I was doing just to bandage him up”
Another employee, Jamie Crawford remembers one awkward situation, “ One time this drunk girl passed out in the bathroom with her pants all the way down, we had our manager come carry her out.” Working late hours of the night may not be popular, but these employees will always have a funny story to tell people.

Massachusetts street is a two faced street because its different during the day than at
night. At night it changes when all the shops close into a place mainly filled with college
students as the bars open for the night.

Massachusetts street at night transforms from a regular downtown shopping street for people
of all ages to a party place occupied by fun seeking college students. It becomes a place
where college students hang out and have fun but also some crazy stuff can happen like
fights to people who are drunk just being stupid.

When asked how Massachusetts street changes form day to night, Lance Freeman, University of Kansas student, said "It's moms and pops shops during the day and French quarter at night."
Freeman said that while Massachusetts is not as much of a party as the French quarter it
still can get crazy.

Also another University of Kansas, Michael Vonbehren, told me that Massachusetts street is
different mainly because there is more college students at that time. Vonbehren said that
one main thing is different is "drunken confrontations" with drunks at closing time.

Massachusetts is has two different sides to it one during the day and one during the night.
Massachusetts street is as Ashley Minden, student at the University of Kansas, said "It's
the nightlife of Lawrence."

LAWRENCE, Kan. - After the recent UCLA incident where a student was tazored in a local library, a controversy is drawn on whether or not police officers are being trained on how to properly use the weapon in certain situations.
Just recently on Tuesday at Quinton's Bar & Deli (after closing hours) such a case arouses curiosity on whether or not Lawrence officials are being properly trained on when and where to use their weapon.
Eye witness Evan Horowitz witnessed a case in which officers fired a tazor gun at a young woman of Hispanic decent. "It was crazy; cops were in Quinton’s kicking people out at closing and a woman starting running out the door. She was chased by a cop down Massachusetts Street and shot in the back with a tazor. She dropped and started screaming in pain.”
The University of Kansas Junior, Shawnee Mission, also said that she was not being violent at all but rather she was simply intoxicated and decided to run out the door. This spawns curiosity on whether someone should be tazored for doing something that seems to not need punishment at all, let alone an electric shock from a tazor gun.
Nate Milburn, a Quinton’s bar frequenter on Tuesday nights, was also a witness to this showing. “I thought it was funny at first until I saw the bright blue light on the tazer and the girl go down. She might have been underage, I guess, but that tazor has got to hurt.” Milburn also said that it seemed like the officer could have resulted to other “non-violent measures.”

LAWRENCE, KS- After a long night of many drinks, it is no surprise that the Mass Street bar goers have to use the restroom right around 2 a.m. However, 2 a.m. is closing time for the bars and their restrooms.
“Our store just gets slammed at 2 a.m. And although our sales greatly increase, I know not everyone comes in to order sandwiches,” said Brian Schrader, manager of Jimmy Johns Gourmet Sandwiches.
Having just been rushed out of the bar, a crowd heads over to Jimmy Johns to start a line at the restrooms.
“The line for the bathroom is almost always as long as the line for sandwiches. It just amazes me that all of these people don’t think to use the restroom before closing,” said Schrader.
For some, the line at Jimmy Johns is much more painful than it would have been at the bar.
“I had to go to the bathroom right as the bar the closing, so I thought I would hold it until I got to Jimmy Johns. Well little did I know, that I would be waiting in this ridiculously long line,” said Lexie Peterson, Kansas University junior.
Although the line is irritating for those waiting, Schrader does not seem to mind.
“Working on Mass Street, we know people are going to come in to just use the restroom. I don’t mind, it can be very entertaining,” said Schrader.

LAWRENCE, Kan. - There is always something to do in Lawrence; especially at nighttime. For many college students on the KU campus, the most popular spot to bar-hop is on Massachusetts Street.
There are numerous bars and restaurants that stay open for the after hours “sober-up meal”. Once the bars hit closing time, many of the very intoxicated people make the decision to trek to the nearest open restaurant. The very popular deli, Jimmy John’s, is definitely a bar-goers favorite in the town of Lawrence.
Brian Schraeder, a Jimmy John’s employee, frequently works the night shift. When asked about how business picks up after the bars close Schraeder stated, “It depends on which night, but most nights end up being really crazy. Most of the people come straight from the Replay or the Jazz Haus to grab a bite on their way home.”
Jose Terrozez, a fan of the Replay, is definitely a frequent at Jimmy John’s. “It’s the first place I go after a late night of drinking on Mass and it’s definitely an easy place to spend my last dime,” Terrozez declared.
With only a few restaurants open after hours, it is no surprise that Jimmy John’s is successful. The after hour crowd that goes to Jimmy John’s makes it beneficial for the business profit wise. Schraeder stated “The purpose of staying open late is specifically to make the profit from the Mass street bar-goers.”

University public safety officer Zeke Cunningham once told May Davis something that has stuck with her throughout her term as transportation coordinator of KU on Wheels.

What Cunningham said was in regards to SafeBus, a Student Senate initiative that began this year and provides free Friday and Saturday night transportation to university students with a valid KUID.

“He said that if we could keep one person from getting in the car after one too many drinks, then we’ll be doing our job,” Davis said. “We want to keep drunk drivers off the streets.”

Davis said that the majority of SafeBus’ riders are from around the Massachusetts Street area, and Tom Cox, the head of the subcommittee of the transportation board that created SafeBus last year, estimated that “quite a few hundred” students are served in the Massachusetts Street area every weekend.

He said that SafeBus had stops around Massachusetts Street but not on the street itself because “traffic is so slow,” he said. “But no matter where you are on Mass you won’t have to walk very far [to get to a stop].”

Cox also said that while “drinking and driving is obviously a problem in college towns” and that SafeBus is there to prevent drinking and driving from occurring, it serves other non-alcohol related purposes as well.

“It’s a way for students to get around,” he said. “Some students don’t have vehicles or don’t want to drive. It’s a college friendly weekend way of getting around.”

LAWRENCE, Kan. - For years the Massachusetts Street area has been a central hangout place for KU students. However, Grant Adams, Hays Freshman, and friends have decided against frequenting the many bars and clubs on Mass and New Hampshire. Instead they have decided to host parties at their house, just north of 19th and New Hampshire.
"I don't really go to clubs very much, except for Neon every once in awhile, and I don't like it. We throw parties here to provide something to do for our friends who don't want to go to clubs." says roommate, Luke Underwood, Overland Park Sophomore, "We may live near Mass, but we never party at clubs on Mass."
Nick Packauskis, Hays Sophomore, says that a key reason for their exodus from Mass St. Area clubs is the uptight bouncers in clubs as well as increased security for people under 21.
Adams claims that another reason to leave the Mass St. Area scene is the expensive door prices bars and clubs place on college students. "Clubs aren't very efficient because you can't drink if you're under twenty-one, and they are far too expensive. We do house parties, there's no door costs." explains Adams.
These night timers may be an exception right now. However, as door prices and drink prices continue to be expensive, house parties may become a key alternative to bars and clubs in the Mass St. Area.

This was a special walk for parents with toddlers with Leukemia. The idea of strollers going down Masschusetts Street though is thought provoking this is not to mention the balloons and fireworks. There were no copsbut just people recognizing a cause.My source Zoe McCartney said" it was just a happy time. "She went ahead to say "It was very special for the parents." To add to the festivites there was a wedding that was planned. It was a fancy affair that would end up at a restaurant. The two events were planned.
There was paper and confetti and each child was rolled down the street in the parade. This was for the parents too. At this hour there was nothing much on. It was a time for parents to share the idea of loving their children despite the handicap.My source said that it was not something that was advertized.There were also refreshments and clowns. The walk was not long.

LAWRENCE, KS- Every weekend Kansas students face one certain challenge: how to get

home after Mass. Street closes? After a night of drinking, junior Brett Coupe begins his long

trek on home, on foot. “Id rather walk home and avoid any chances of a DUI. Too many of my

friends have gotten DUI’s in the past years and I don’t want to deal with it. Safe ride has

not been dependable for me in the past; I don’t even try to use it”.

Some students are willing to walk as far as Bob Billings Parkway to avoid a run in

with our favorite law enforcement officers. Juniors Seth Turner and Katie Manning walk home

from the bars almost every weekend. “Walking home after a fun night of drinking is not only

safer than driving home drunk, but also gives us time to be with each other with out

worrying about studying for tests. Besides, safe ride is a joke”. Whether students are

walking home to avoid a DUI, or to spend some quality time with one-another, at least some

students in this town are being safe and not driving drunk.

LAWRENCE, Kan -Closing time on Massachusetts Street is chaotic with countless KU students emptying out of the bars. Many of which have consumed numerous drinks and will continue partying until much later in the night. However, the employees of the bars on Mass. Street do not get to leave as soon as the bars are closed.
Have you ever wondered what the bar scene is like after all of the drunk people are gone? “Basically, we pick up the empty bottles, wipe down the tables, and mop the floors. Depending on the night we get out between 2:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. It’s not the most glamorous part of my job,” says Sandy Ta, a Quinton’s cocktail waitress.
Matt Katz, a bartender at a bar on Mass Street explains, “ We clean up and count money after the last person leaves. Friday however, was not the normal closing routine a guy was found inside after close with a dislocated elbow. We had to call the ambulance he was very intoxicated. But, other than this rare occasion it is the same routine usually getting us out between 2:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. depending on how busy we were that night.”
Working the late night shift might help benefit their pocket, but cleaning up after the bar goers are gone is not as glamorous.

LAWRENCE, Kan.- Jayhawks are hitting the bars with Budweiser in one hand and a tuba in the other.

Musicians at the University of Kansas are in the 10th year of Bar Band, a tradition during football season.

“We caused a riot at The Wheel,” Daniel Hames, Wichita senior, said. “People hanging from the ceiling fixtures, dancing on tables, it was crazy.”

Hames said the band consisted of 20 to 25 members who barhopped each Friday night before a home football game to play fight songs for Lawrence residents.

Participating local bars offer the musicians compensation for entertaining the crowds within. The Sandbar on Massachusetts Street gave the group matching “Bar Band” T-shirts from Adidas to wear each night.

All of the bars provide the band with free malt beverages before their performance. Hames laughed and said the quality of music went down as intoxication went up, but “everybody loves us more.”

“People come up to us and say, ‘We came here tonight because we knew you were going to be here,’” Tyler Metzger, Oskaloosa junior, said. “We get to party like rock stars.”

Metzger said The Sandbar was so full one evening, his instrument was smashed into his mouth by a woman dancing on the bar. He added that management frequently had to order the crowd to settle down or leave the bar.

Metzger said the Lawrence Bar Band is invitation-only to current students and alumni, and not affiliated with any University bands.

LAWRENCE, Kan: Staying open after the bars close just seems to make good business sense and Pita Pit is one of the few places that seems to have it.

“The restaurant becomes really busy as soon as it turns 12:00,” says employee Laura Kitzmiller. “Pita Pit is really close to most bars and, therefore, a lot of people seem to prefer it to other restaurants.”

Paul Gottsch seconds Laura. “I am a delivery driver at Pita Pit and I am the busiest after 12 am” he says. “Most people become very hungry after a few drinks and Pita Pit is conveniently close.”

Gottsch also mentioned that he had seen quite a few cases of drunken people turning unruly in the restaurant. “I’ve seen some really funny instances,” he says. “Once a guy actually overturned a few tables.”

But Kitzmiller contradicts him by saying that the place has been pretty peaceful since she joined a few weeks ago. “I have not seen or heard about anything out of the ordinary,” she says. “Though that is strange since we get so many intoxicated people.”

Pita Pit seems to be the favored eatery for many an intoxicated person. Varsha Desai, Kansas University junior, Overland Park says, “I always make it a point to come here with my friends after leaving the bars. The prices are decent and it is very convenient since it is so close to most of the bars. I recommend it to everyone I meet.”

LAWRENCE, Kan. --When the bars close in Lawrence, an unsettling trend is taking place. Fights break out almost every night after closing time.
The fights have been on the rise, and they are out of hand. Fights after a game day, when tailgates were long and blood alcohol levels were high, are especially wild.
One manager at The Jayhawk Cafe has even been pepper sprayed by a policeman. Emily Sherwood, a local bartender has seen her share of fights. "It is ridiculous how much fighting goes on after hours," she says.
Several other bar employees have seen the riots as well. Katie Ault, also a local bartender is fed up with all the activity. "I am really sick of all of the fighting and something needs to be done. Whether it is more police action or what I'm not sure, but it should be done soon."
The details of these fights are hazy, but the real issue here is that the Lawrence police force and bar owners need to have better crowd control tactics. If a structured plan is put in place, we can avoid these types of riots and more easily remove the individuals who are too rowdy.

LAWRENCE, Kan. — After the bar doors close for the night on Massachusetts Street, it seems the only butts sitting around are on benches. Contrary to many non-smokers' beliefs, since the Lawrence public smoking ban went into effect in 2004, there is not a noticeable increase in the amount of cigarette litter lining downtown city streets and sidewalks.

An employee of the Replay Lounge who wishes to remain anonymous acknowledged that although there are small amounts of cigarette litter around the front of the building, typically from exiting patrons, there is not a noticeable increase in the amount of this litter since the start of the pubic smoking ban. "We have a large outdoor patio [at the Replay Lounge], and a lot of people come here for that so they can smoke."

Lawrence city code requires all downtown businesses to keep the sidewalks in front of their businesses swept clean of litter. Adam Pousson, patron and former employee of the Red Lyon Tavern added that "the sidewalks get swept regardless." Pousson worked at the Red Lyon both before and after the public smoking ban was enacted. "I don't think businesses have a harder time keeping things clean now. I know people who will go outside to smoke, but it seems like the places I frequent get the sidewalks swept on a regular basis."

LAWRENCE, Kan. -- After a night at the bars last October, Kansas freshman Amy Duthler had a choice: an epic walk home to distant Oliver Hall, or rely on SafeRide. She ended up not having as many options as she thought.
"Bad idea relying on SafeRide, they never picked up," says Duthler, "I had to have called six, seven times. Not once did I even get the phone answered."
The K-U on Wheels website says that there are seven SafeRide vehicles out that give an average of 150-200 rides every Friday and Saturday night -- and with thousands of intoxicated K-U students out and about, there are many students left to their own devices in returning home. But this fall, the University of Kansas has implemented a new program to make up for these stranded students: SafeBus.
"SafeBus picks up students from Mass Street nine times after closing time, with six different buses running three routes," explains transportation director May Davis, "The buses are not too full, we want more people to take advantage of this program."
There are SafeBus routes that run through campus and two different residential areas that typically have high student populations. There are on board cameras to record any possible altercations that might arise, but May says that no fights or major problems have arisen on the buses.
"I would have definitely taken the SafeBus if it was available at the time," says Duthler, "it would have been better than that long walk home."

LAWRENCE-Kan You’re sure to find many different kinds of people on Mass. Street at night. On a Saturday night after a blow out win over Florida International the most common that you will find are fans.

Dave Peterson of Topeka said he started drinking at 11 a.m. Asked why he started drinking so early Peterson said “Why not, to have fun and it’s gameday!” Peterson was not the only one who was excited about gameday. Joe Coletta from Leawood started his fun at 2:30 p.m. “I had family coming down for the game and I went to a friends tailgate for beer and bar-b-q.” Both of them went to Quinton’s Bar & Grill after the game.

Peterson said he went for the hell of it while Coletta went because a friend invited him for a keg at the bar after the game. Even with the bars closing both were continuing their celebration. Peterson said he wasn’t done drinking for the night. Coletta had other ideas on his mind. “Besides Taco Bell, I need some single ladies. Maybe I’ll go to a house party.” Gameday has almost become a holiday in Lawrence. Many students have been waking up and pre-gaming early for the game. Students like Peterson and Coletta continue their celebration late into the night.

While students stay up for different reason such as Taco Bell, girls or just to keep drinking it all comes down to one reason. Gameday.

LAWRENCE, Kan.- Massachusetts street is more widely known for it's bar and restaurant scene, but when there is a need to study or just relax there is Java Break. Java Break is a 24-hour coffee shop that is frequented by a wide array of patrons. Sophomore Rebecca Fitzgerald credits a friend for finding out about
Java Break.

"I found this place last year when a girl in my dorm and I were studying for chemistry. We got a lot done and I kept coming back to study or read especially during finals."

Java break not only has cheap coffee and free Internet but a great atmosphere that creates a group of regulars, and those regulars all agree that a string of drunks would ruin that atmosphere. Kelsey Huff frequents Java Break with her friends usually later in the night.

"It's really unusual for people to come here after the bars, but I have seen the employees having to kick a group of wasted homeless guys out. It really wouldn't be the same if everyone flocked here after a night of drinking on Mass."

There is plenty Java Break has to offer besides a cheap cup of Joe. It is a great hang out spot to people watch or to get work done, and a great alternative to the bars.

September 25, 2007

LAWRENCE, Kan. – K.U. athletes who are under 21 have only a few options for entertainment after hours because of the obligations that accompany membership on a sports team. Isadora Rangal and Caroline Americo, both from Sao Paulo, Brazil, along with their teammate Brittany Williams of New Orleans, Louisiana, are all members of the KU Volleyball team and spent Saturday night at Abe & Jakes to hear the band Son Venezuela play. This concert was one of the few events in town where underage students could soberly have fun but when the band stopped at two am the next question became “where do we go next?”
Isadora Rangal, a sophomore in journalism, referred to herself and her teammates as “Mass. Street junkies” because when they’re not at practice or studying they are usually downtown. She said that they are rarely tired at closing time and usually end up walking around on Massachusetts Street. “We usually go to the Hookah house, IHOP, or a house party.”
Occasionally, on days like Saturday, the girls are just too tired because of their intensive daily activities and wind up in bed. Brittany Williams, a sophomore studying chemistry, said that she sometimes feels weighed down by the responsibilities that go with being on the Volleyball team. “There’s this air of responsibility, you can’t do anything, but just because we play volleyball doesn’t mean we have to eat, sleep and breathe volleyball.”

LAWRENCE, Kan.- While finishing closing duties friday night, employees at Abe and Jake's had an unexpected visitor after the doors closed.

After the bars were wiped down and all the patrons made their way across the bridge, one man somehow found his way back into the building and passed out in a corner. Needless to say Abe and Jake's employees were a bit startled. Among the alarmed was bouncer Alex Earl, who had the privilege of escorting the man back outside.

“He was so drunk I couldn’t understand a word he was saying and his shirt was covered in blood," Earl said. "I just wanted to get him out of there and back across the bridge which is where our responsibility ends.”

Devon Patterson, a doorman at Abe and Jake's also witnessed the situation with the drunken man but had a different reaction. Situations like this are nothing new for Patterson who has also worked at the Granada and the Tai House.

“People-watching after hours is really fun," Patterson said. “I once saw a guy sleeping in the bushes at sixth and New Hampshire with bottle in hand. I woke him up and he told me to leave him alone and curled up and went back to sleep. I also made a guy mop up his pee when he urinated on the Granada.”

Massachusetts Street transforms after the sun goes down and it takes a certain type of individual to work on it. In case you were considering applying for a night job but have issues with bodily fluids and/or occasional confrontation, you need not apply.

LAWRENCE, Kan.--In the early hours of the morning, the nightlife of popular Massachusetts street bars are abandoned and hungry partiers are left to scavenge for food. On the abandoned street finding food seems hopeless, except for the huge Pita Pit sign that beckons the intoxicated mind. Pita pit is one of the only restaurants open late for the purpose of partying. Being open until three A.M. really has its benefits in a college town. Especially, when you are located at the ultimate party place. A Pita pit employee shares her opinion on the late night shift. “ We get really busy late at night when all the other restaurants close, and especially after the bars close. It’s probably when we get the most business. We are convenient to get to and we deliver. It’s a pretty good deal.” says Laura Kitzmiller, a Kansas City Sophomore. The idea to stay open late has probably been a great business decision and the bar hoppers on Mass aren’t complaining either. There have been some interesting stories about late night shifts, but not too many that would affect business in a negative way. Therefore, the notion that staying open late on Mass is a negative thing when the bars let out is arguable. The businesses seem to benefit, and so do the customers. More Mass Street Businesses should hop and the bandwagon and give closing time a new meaning.

LAWRENCE, Kan. - The big question upon leaving the bars at around 2 a.m. is “what am I going to eat?” There are a multitude of options, but you want something healthy, with fast and friendly service. Undoubtedly, Pita Pit comes to mind. With service until 3 a.m., this establishment is a late night into the wee hours of the morning hot spot for night owls with hunger pains.
What late night patrons will not have to worry about is being turned away minutes before closing time. Liz Wasman, a Pita Pit employee said, “customer service always comes first.”
Being open until 3 a.m. provides for some interesting entertainment from intoxicated customers. “One night, some guy was pole dancing on one of our poles. It was funny, it’s very entertaining,” said Wasman.
Astonishing or not, Pita Pit makes the most profit after people leave the bars. “A little more then one third of our business is made in that late night rush. People want food until 3 a.m.; it’s non stop,” said manager Phillip Peck.
There are definitely perks to working the third shift, such as big tips. “The best tips come from working the closing shift. By far, late night drunks are your best tippers,” said Peck.
So what sets Pita Pit apart from other businesses and entices night owls to walk through their doors? According to Peck, “the main thing is that we are the healthy one; the alternative to eating pizza or burgers.”

LAWRENCE, Kan. - Downtown Massachusetts Street in Lawrence for years has been a place for students and most young people to go and socialize, often drinking, with many bars and concert halls to choose from. These places are most frequented on Thursday through Saturday nights, with activity moving into the early hours of the mornings.

The potential for fun and entertainment is followed by putting oneself at risk. To avoid such risks as mugging, rape, or being harassed, the bar goers usually resort to not so ideal ways of getting back home. Due to the slow reaction speeds of local designated driving services such as Safe Ride, most people drink and drive, or go back home on foot.

Scott Bowman, a Kansas junior, said “I'd rather not go out at all, but thats rarely an option with most of my friends doing the opposite. I live a few miles away from Mass, so that usually results in one of my friends drunk driving us back home. Its dangerous and I worry about their safety each weekend.”

I later encountered another Mass St. area bar goer at the intersection of 9th and Vermont. "Yeah, I'm just walking home tonight. I tried calling my friends after I was done but they were either already passed out or too drunk to drive and SafeRide didn't answer any of my calls," says Boice, "I don't really want to risk walking and being mugged but you kind of have to pick your poison in this situation.”

LAWRENCE, Kan-- Lawrence bars that open their doors to underage drinking unintentionally are partially to blame for teenage drunk driving.
In the most recent Safety Statistics provided by SADD, Three out of every four students have consumed alcohol before graduating high school. 28 Percent of 15 to 20 year-old drivers who had been drinking were killed in motor vehicle accidents, and between 1995 and 2005, the number of teen fatalities increased by four percent.
“We have no way of knowing if students are underage or not because we require that all of them bring in a valid form of identification,” said Cadillac Ranch employee, Kelsi Grow. “We are trying to help, and keep out kids who are not of age to drink, but it is too difficult for us to know for sure who is and who isn’t.”
After a late night out at The Hawk or Quinton’s, some students find it more convenient to just pack in a car and get home quick, even if they have been drinking. Safe ride, and the newly installed Safe Bus offers free rides to students on the weekend, but according to most, waiting for them can take almost too long.
“There have been times that I have called safe ride, and it takes them a half an hour to arrive. I don’t know if they’ve forgotten me or not, so usually I just find another way home,” said Corban Goble, Mission Hills Senior. “I understand they get busy, but it’s just not too convenient for me or my friends.”
In 2005, approximately 3,467 teens were killed and 281,000 more suffered injuries due to driving under the influence, according to Accident Attorneys. This fact is scary considering that last spring KU enrolled 19,222 undergraduate students, over half of them being underage.

LAWRENCE, Kan.-- At 2:00 a.m. on Mass Street a bartenders job is daunting. Many students might guess that rowdy patrons are large problem for late night workers, however the real challenge lies in getting rid of the countless number of people that end the evening making out.

Quinton’s bartenders are well aware of the difficulty that lies within removing lip-locked customers during closing time.

“It’s awkward,” says Quinton’s bartender Annemarie Deslauriers. “If we have an obnoxious customer our bouncer or one of the big guy bartenders takes them outside, but when people are making out no one wants to interrupt them and ask them to leave.”

The problem is not restricted to bars. PitaPit worker, Liz Weisman says once the make-out crowds leave the bars they travel to after hours food establishements.

“It’s not uncommon at all to see two people all over eachother here late at night,” says Weisman, “but it is pretty funny to watch.”

The real question lies in what makes these people comfortable enough to be all over eachother in public and why patrons of public places are forced to watch two people display their affections for one another.

Megan Barnes, St. Louis Senior, says, “after a while you get used to it. I’ve seen people making out in bars since I was a freshman, now we just laugh when we see people doing it.”

Regardless of the why or how, it’s out there and it makes a bartenders job a tough one at 2 a.m.

LAWRENCE, Kan. - At 2:30am, John Davis, manager of Louise's Bar, goes through a stack of IDs and covers the backs of each in super glue.

"We actually don't see that many minors with fake IDs. We are known for being a 'hard bar to get into', and I like having that reputation". Davis explains that he and the doormen actually read the information on IDs rather than only comparing the person to the photo, unlike other Lawrence bars.

"I know the consequences. If Louise's is caught serving a minor, it is a thousand dollar fine. Plus, if we are charged with multiple accounts, the authorities can shut us down for a weekend or even revoke our liquor license".

Louise's promotes their strict policy by posting a sign in the front window explaining that they will take fake IDs and keep them. Davis then presented the "ID Wall". Above the bar, roughly 375 fake IDs collected over the past few months are displayed. "We stick them here each week".

Travis Reynolds, a doorman, explained that he keeps an average of five IDs per weekend. He added, "Tonight one boy fought with me, trying to reclaim 'his ID', which was obviously fake. I put it behind the bar, picked up the phone and said 'Fine, we'll just call the police down here and you can work it out with them'. Then he ran out the door."

Louise’s means business. They will not tolerate fake IDs. Hence, if you aren’t quite 21, enter at your own risk.

LAWRENCE, Kan - Safe Ride can often be a very reliable ride home for students who enjoy participating in the wild night life in Lawrence, Kansas. The free student cab service can also be extremely hard to get through to. Some students rely solely on Safe Ride, some rely on designating their own friends for a safe ride home, and some students will resort to walking. All of these ways can be a safe way to get home but walking can be dangerous and time consuming. Sometimes your "designated driver" does not stay sober, and Safe Ride is infamous for not answering the phone or sometimes they do not show up for long periods of time or not at all.

Olathe Sophomore, Amber Tinsley says, "Generally my experiences with Safe Ride have been very positive. The last time I used Safe Ride for a ride home we got picked up from Jefferson's. The driver was on time and very friendly to us".

Other University of Kansas students have not had such positive experiences with Safe Ride.

"My friends and I were all at Brother's one night and we needed a ride home. So we called Safe Ride, they never picked us up so we ended up walking all the way back to McCollum" says Littleton, Colorado Sophomore, Kevin Lavene.

The unreliability of Safe Ride can often put students in danger. Walking home at two o'clock in the morning can be very dangerous for students because they face the danger of being hit by cars or even abducted. Not being able to catch a ride with Safe Ride can also cause students who have been drinking to drive themselves home or ride with a friend who has been drinking.

"I think that Safe Ride is a good start to cracking down on drunk driving. I think that students who want to rely on Safe Ride for transportation might need to call the service earlier in the evening before the business really picks up to guarantee they will be getting home safe" says Lavene.

LAWRENCE, KS- On the always crowded Mass Street, bars up and down the stretch stay open until the early hours of the morning. Putting bar after bar in a condensed area not only leaves the opportunity for a dangerous environment to erupt but makes late-night restaurants into safe havens.
Pita Pit employee Darren Eddy recalls an incident where an intoxicated female came in for help. “She had fallen down outside and demanded a band-aid then sat here for an hour until we closed, trying to put it on.”
Restaurants that stay open later than the bars are not only making profits from the hungry bar-goers on their way home, but they offer a safe-place for those roaming Mass St. after hours.
“A couple of girls were getting harassed by some guys one night and they came in here to slip out the back so they couldn’t follow them home,” Eddy remembers.
Most stores on Mass Street close between 5 and 7 pm. In a somewhat deserted environment, sans intoxicated patrons filing out from the bars, restaurants offer a sense of security.
Hailey Shepherd, a Junior at KU, admits she has been one of the many to wander out of the bars in the early hours of the morning. “After a show at the Granada, or being out at like Brother’s, its nice to know places are still open. I know there are sober people working there, which is nice if I’m ever in trouble.”

LAWRENCE, Kan.- In regards to bars and closing time, usually alcohol consumption and fights go hand in hand. Sometimes, these fights occur off the property of the bar and/or there are too many brawlers for the doormen working to handle, such was the case on Saturday the 22nd at Abe & Jakes Landing. As a doorman working this particular night, I witnessed the fight occur, a fight too big for myself and fellow doorman Joel Gill to prevent. Typically when there are as many people leaving the bar as did this night, police officers are usually there to enforce no violence. This was a rare sight for Joel Gill, a journeyed doorman. “I usually see cops, it was weird to see nobody there. There have only been a couple times in my life where police haven’t been there.” A verbal altercation occurred inside the bar and like most nights, ensued into the parking lot. It was a large group of 15-20 people exchanging insults and threats, to finally one involved blindsided and knocked his screaming counterpart out. In the parking lot, the doormen are not responsible for what occurs. Louie Disney, door manager explains, “It’s a personal thing, not an Abe & Jakes thing.” With that many people involved, police officers should have been there to enforce the nonviolence, especially since the doormen are not responsible for outside the property line, putting many in danger. “We have no control, and with that many people, cops not being there, I felt I had to be out there.”

LAWRENCE, Kan.- Everyone knows that after a night of drinking, there's nothing better than soaking it all up with some quality grub. Thats why the fun doesn't stop on Mass. street just because the alcohol stops flowing. Jimmy John's and Pita Pit are so close to the bars that even a drunk person can't miss them.

Both restaurants offer a healthy alternative to the usual late night greasy pizza. Also, one can purchase almost more than enough food for under ten bucks at both establishments. Their locations are ideal for the late night zombie that are so oftenly produced by the bars on Mass. Lobbies at both dining establishments stay open until 3 a.m. which is about one hour later than most bars.

Jimmy John's is known for their "gourmet sandwiches", all of which are made in the "sub" style and topped with healthy options such as avocado spread or brussel sprouts.

When asked why she got food after a night out, Jamilla Saadi said, "Because I'm hungry and I crave it, and I also like the food. Its a healthy alternative to fast food."

On the other side of Mass. is the other late night gem. If for some reason your drunken unconscious tells you that you want something other than usual sandwich check out Pita PIt. Pita Pit offers a variety of different pitas along with vegetarian food and salads.

"You can get Jimmy John's delivered anytime, if your drinking on Mass. you have to get some PIta Pit, plus its fan-freakin-tastic." exclaimed Jordan Harper.

So next time you find yourself stumbling down Mass. street in the middle of the night, don't stumble on an empty stomach. Stop into one of the great late night restaurants, get some healthy food, and save some money.

LAWRENCE, Kan – Mass Street is a feeding ground for commotion; this was no different Friday night. Just before bar close at Quinton’s, an altercation broke out between a male and female student. This encounter led to a later conflict.

The male student initiated conversation with the female student at the bar. She began to feel threatened because he was intoxicated. She thought it was in her best interest to leave the bar.

The male student proceeded to follow her back to her apartment. Once he arrived he was confronted by the female’s male friends. One of her friends, Phil Mix, was the first to confront him, “After I spoke to him, the situation seemed to be resolved. I was walking him and his friends out of the complex when one of my friends started swinging at them. This is when the night took a turn for the worst.”

After Phil’s friend threw the first punch, he was pushed and tumbled down a hill near the complex. He hit his head on a parked car and the street pavement. An eyewitness, Katherine Kahn, was quoted saying, “No one knew what to do because the victim was unconscious and had blood pouring down his face. Everyone realized the only option was to call 911.”

The police soon arrived with the paramedics. The victim was placed on a stretcher and taken to Lawrence Memorial Hospital. The police arrested the individual that followed the female student home.

LAWRENCE,Kan.- Quintons has been a great place to eat in Lawrence throughout the years, and when the sun goes down the place gets even better by turning itself solely into a bar. How do they make the switch from a restaurant into a bar though? I went down to Quintons and found out how.
I interviewed Greg Mann, a manager at Quintons, and he said that the way they switch over from a restaurant to a bar is when ten o clock rolls around they put a doorman at the door to start checking ID’s. He said that they go around and ID the people that are already there to check to see if they are 21.
Greg said, “There is no difference between the summer months and school time months with the amount of business that they do.” The bar is open every day of the week but is busiest on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday during the school year. During the summer he said the bar was busiest on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights. “Quintons is a really relaxing environment.” Chris Kelliher, bar patron, said.
Not only does Quintons have a great downstairs environment, but they also have an upstairs that is even better. As the bottom fills up management will put a doorman at a back door to let people go upstairs. When going upstairs you can either stand out on a patio or you can go inside and sit down at one of their booth type seating sections. If you are looking for a good time to relax and have fun, Quintons is the place to go.

LAWRENCE, Kan.- Massachusetts Street is no new scene to Lawrence. However, this isn't to say that it's not exciting. The downtown area has been a favorite to University students and locals alike for years. During the day, Mass Street is an easy-going shopping and dining atmosphere. By night, the scene turns a little more extravagant.
Come about 2 am, the bars of Mass Street close and the only thing left to do before retiring for the night is to get food. The obvious choice may be a steamy slice of pizza from the Wagon Wheel. Unfortunately, the Mass Street bar attendees will most likely not make the trek to 14th and Ohio Street. Lucky for them, there are a few options conveniently located right on Mass. The two competing companies seem to be Pita Pit and Jimmy John's. "There's usually a long line at Pita Pit, but I like going there a lot. I just like the food better than Jimmy John's," says Liz Lilley, a student of the University of Kansas and frequenter of the Mass Street bars. Lilley also stated that the line Jimmy John's is typically just as long as Pita Pit. For many students, the choice may be made by line length. "If the lines get too out of hand, I just go home and order food, usually from Pita Pit," Lilley explains.
Others completely opt out of the Mass Street food stop. "I always get a burrito from Burrito King instead because it's right down the street from where I live," says Melissa Murphy, another student and bar-goer.
Regardless, Jimmy John's and Pita Pit remain for now, as the hot spots during Mass Street closing time.

LAWRENCE, Kan – On any given night, a substantial number of homeless people claim Massachusetts street as their bed. During the day, the homeless on Massachusetts street may expect a handful of people to throw them change, and an even fewer number of people who actually make eye contact with them. However, according to two area homeless men, communication with local citizens after 2 a.m. becomes a much different interaction. Both individuals, who were found sitting at the bus stop on 9th and Massachusetts street, claim to spend most nights around that area. Without hesitation, the men described an increase in verbal assault, as well as physical assault aimed at them after the bars close at 2 a.m. “I’ve been chased down the street by a drunk kid with a baseball bat.” recalls one of the men. The other man describes that while people are usually more liberal when giving their money after 2 a.m., they are also more likely to verbally attack for no reason. “When it gets late, I would say there’s a lot more people who are gonna call you anything they can think of.” When asked why they believed hostility towards them increased after closing time, they agreed that the cause is that nature of people leaving bars around 2 am is usually less than considerate.

LAWRENCE, Kan. For most college students, closing time at a bar means time to find the perfect snack to gratify a craving before either continuing on to another party or heading home
Restaurants, along the bar filled Massachusetts Street, have an advantage, with their location to prosper from the late night cravings of the bar going student. Open until 3 a.m., The Pita Pit is one of the prospering franchises.
"The majority of our business around closing time for the bars comes from the Granada, the Music Hall or other bars close to our block. We definitely have increased income at that time on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. It is a nice bonus for business and very entertaining," said John Peach, owner of The Pita Pit.
The hour between closings provides opportunity for a large jump in income for the restaurant on weekends. Most customers, already inebriated, spare no expense in satisfying their hunger. For most individuals it just makes sense to finish at a bar and conveniently walk across or down the street for food.
"I always go to Brothers' and afterwards it's just a short walk to The Pita to get a Dagwood to end the night with," said Brandon Wise, Hutchinson senior.
There is no question that 2 a.m. is a great time to be in the pita business.

LAWRENCE, KS- Lawrence is a city that truly never sleeps. The proof lies within students and party patrons alike, keeping the downtown area busy at all hours. Massachusetts Street
and the surrounding downtown area provide a variety of businesses that keep their Open signs lit well beyond the locked doors of the book stores and retail shops that line this college town's streets.

The downtown area has many late-night places for grab n' go “grubbers”, caffeine fiends, alcoholics, and those who just want to be out into the wee hours of the morning.

Next-door to the cop controlled Last Call bar, the Bottleneck is not only a popular concert venue, it also provides an excellent opportunity for 80's babies and wanna-bes each Thursday night for "Neon".

"I can tell you that 80's night is the biggest crowd that we have. We reach capacity nearly every Thursday." says employee and KU student Bryce Benton.

Neon consists of punk rockers, dress-uppers, and an artsy crowd (that usually ends up back on the steps of Hashinger Hall) that moonwalks their way down to the Bottleneck.

Regular Neon attendee Damian Riniker loves the atmosphere, but says, "Underage drinking is a huge problem there, there's so many kids with fakes and so many of-age (people) willing to buy." Neon has issues beyond the drinking though.

"We also have a problem with gay males going into the girl’s restroom. I understand that people have different sexual orientations but we really have to keep the males out of there. the last thing we want is some creepy guy messing with girls in the bathroom."

Neon is yet another Lawrence late-night locale, but it goes beyond the usual downtown scene. This crowd is sure to have a Boy George look alike or two.

Leonard Byrd

LAWRENCE, Kan. --- Friday night came to an end at Abe and Jakes, a local bar visited by KU students just off 6th and Massachusetts Street, the DJ announced, "Last call for alcohol."

The abundance of nicotine attics poured their way back into the bar from the patio attached to the back of the nightclub. Most smokers discard their cigarettes before re-entering the building, but others had to drag that last puff before discarding the remains. This particular night a man entered the door, only to toss his flaming ash into the base of a decorative tree filled with woodchips.

I stepped on the butt removing the fire hazard, and my roommate said, "Good thing you saw that, it could have been a fire." I thought to myself, how efficient are the evacuation procedures of the local bars? After surveying my surroundings, I realized that the people in attendance that night were unaware they were at risk for tragedy. Everyone was pouring out one exit, and there was not another visible anywhere.

Hannah Frederick, an Overland Park sophomore and Abe and Jakes employee, said this of the popular nightclub. "There have been many times when fights break out, and people rush for a door. I just try to get out the way, and not get trampled."

Sam Krause, Texas, Junior, lives across the street from the Hawk, another frequently visited bar amongst students. He visits there regularly as well, and had this to say, “I have been inside and trapped downstairs in the Hawk. I had to climb over people to get out, because there wasn't any other exit. If there were an emergency someone could definitely get hurt."

LAWRENCE, Kan.-Just because the bars are closing does not mean your night is done and over with. The Hookah House is the place to be at the end the night.
On the weekends the Hookah House does not close until 3 o'clock in the morning leaving bar patrons an extra hour and a half to enjoy their night out on the town.
The hookah tobacco helps relax the drunken patrons which allows for a really laid back and peaceful end to the night. Hani Chahine, an employee of the Hookah House, said
"The Hookah House can be a great way to get that one on one time with a girl that you can't get while in the noisy atmosphere of the bar." Despite being on Mass Street, the patrons who visit the Hookah House have yet to cause any trouble for it's employees. Ronnie Yu, a KU student who frequents the Hookah House three times a week including on the weekends said," The craziest thing I have ever seen, was when two guys passed out on each other right when their hookah had arrived." Ronnie comes to the Hookah House for it's great atmosphere and relaxing environment. Next time you are out and about, check out the Hookah House, it is the happening place to be when all of the bars close.

LAWRENCE, Kan., Sept. 24 - Officials with KU on Wheels report that downtown stops for the newly chartered SafeBus are among its most popular routes.

Jessica Mortinger, Student Intern for KU Parking and Transit, reports that a high number of their riders boarded the SafeBus at various downtown stops. Mortinger says that SafeBus routes are, "designed to serve the nighttime, downtown crowd," and that all three SafeBus routes make stops near Massachusetts Street and the downtown area.

May Davis, KU on Wheels Transportation Coordinator says that the success of downtown stops is no surprise. "Before the launch of SafeBus we surveyed students about their favorite nighttime hangouts. Over 50% reported that the downtown area was a weekend favorite," Davis reported. Ridership on SafeBus is highest between 2 a.m. and 2:30 a.m., Davis said.

Davis also cited a need for transportation to Massachusetts Street and surrounding areas as a possible source of ridership. "Because few students actually live on Massachusetts Street, most require transportation to it. As a result, SafeBus is a popular choice," Davis said.

Because all three routes make stops near downtown, the area is an important route transfer point. "Lighting in the downtown area is as good as any place in the city and provides a safe place for students to stay while waiting for an alternate route," Davis said.

The KU on Wheels SafeBus was a 2005 Student Senate initiative. It operates between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

LAWRENCE, Kan. - After a long night in downtown Lawrence, some people may have trouble just spelling their own name. However, for local graffiti artists, the abandoned alleys provide canvases for exactly that.
We've all seen the giant collage of hand painted initials, names, and murals that spans the alleys off of Massachusetts Street, but most likely have never seen these illegal pieces of artwork being created. "Around three o'clock is when I feel safe writing", says Lawrence resident Josh Derby as he scrawls his tag name, Twig, onto an electrical meter box behind the Jackpot, "I haven't been caught yet, and I don't plan on it", he added. Derby is one of hundreds of Lawrence graffiti artists who put their tag names around town to gain notoriety.
Many people carry stigmas against graffiti because of its roots with gangs and because it's vandalism. However, upon looking closer at many of the graffiti pieces in downtown Lawrence, it's evident that these have evolved from territory markers to being an art form. "I write because I enjoy it. There's a really deep culture in graffiti that most people will never understand", says Derby "When I hear someone say 'oh, that's defacement' I guess I know where they are coming from, but to me this is art, this is my way of expressing myself".
It may be too risky for most people to pick up a can of spray paint and 'go to town' in an alley way off Mass, but next time you're down there look around and try to see past the vandalism. Who knows, if you're out late enough you might even see some in action.

LAWRENCE, Kan.- Massachusetts Street offers a plethora of late night attractions and is a local hotspot for the college crowd. The problem many a times is how the students get there and back.

Don Richardson, KU Sophomore, says “A lot of times it’s easy finding someone to give you a ride to Mass. but it’s a whole different story trying to get a ride back.” He said in his experience he could often times catch a ride with a few friends, but as the night progressed, it became less clear if he could get the same ride back.

Since drinking is prevalent during the weekends, someone that may have driven to Mass. St. may not be able to drive back. Other times, the driver may want to leave sooner than the friends that came with. Whether one is consuming alcohol or not, there are many transportation options available to students.

One can call a friend to pick them up, or use the Safe Ride and Safe Bus system. Safe Ride is available at 785-864-7233, and the new Safe Bus system passes regularly through Massachusetts Street. Both are free to University of Kansas students.

In addition to these options, students may find that their nights go much smoother if they make any kind of prior arrangements. Student Raven Lee says, “All it takes is a little planning, if I tell my roommate beforehand that I may need a ride, he’ll come pick me up no problem.”

LAWRENCE, Kan.- Apparently flahing one's penis is the new trend amoung late night restaurants. Post bar crowds often venture to Pita Pit and display absurd behavior.

While placing his order with an employee behind the glass covering, one man proceeded to unzip his pants and to bring forth his penis. "He did it like it was nothing and the normal thing to do " says Paul Peach, the employee taking this man's order.

Paul seemed to have been the only one to have noticed until another man in the restaurant yelled at him to "put that shit away." The man with his penis hanging out yelled right back defending his genitals. Just as Paul was about to kick both of the men out, they decided to take this situation outside themselves.

Both men went outside, genitals and all. Paul Gottsch, another Pita Pit employee who was working while the incident occured, describes the scene saying that, "they both were yelling at each other and the guys penis was still hanging out! Everybody inside was watching and laughing like crazy."

Just when everyone thought that the two men were calming down, the man with his penis out for show proceeded to punch the other man in the face, knocking him out cold. He then just simply walked away.

While this incident seems ridiculous many employees say that this happens all too often. From flashing to vandalism, the post bar crowds more often than not become rowdy and destructive. Although Pita Pit often is forced to take the brunt of this intoxicated crowd, they say that the business is too good for them to ever consider closing earlier.

LAWRENCE- Massachusetts Street, to many people, defines this city almost as much as the University of Kansas itself. It is an epicenter of culture in Lawrence, being home to several popular local businesses, as well as countless live music venues, ranging from hole-in-the-walls like The Jackpot Saloon, to the larger Granada, which often draws nationally recognized talent to its stage. Families stroll Mass St.’s sidewalks by day, window shopping, getting lunch and people watching, and by night the bars and clubs are swarmed by KU students and recent graduates seeking to partake in its legendary nightlife. But after-hours, the famous street almost seems to die.

It is rare to find people out on Mass. St. at two in the morning, even rarer that they are doing anything other than ambling home. “It’s just dead at this hour,” commented Lindsay Major, a KU student.

Indeed, Massachusetts Street is a different place after last call is announced and bouncers herd the last few patrons of their bars out the doors. After this last rush of tired people has vacated the downtown area, Mass. St. becomes eerily quiet and empty. “You might see someone trying to find a bar that’s still open, but there aren’t a lot of them,” noted Major. “It’s just a really weird contrast.”

When it is so well known for being the social and cultural center of Lawrence, the appearance of a dead and deserted Mass. St. is not something many would believe exists. When they do, it is clearly jarring.

LAWRENCE, Kan.—The Granada Theater located at 1020 Massachusetts street has been home to hippies and music goers since 1928. With a new face lift in 2003 and a brand new group of Saturday night employees the Granada is taking on a new client group: Greeks. “The Granada is making an effort to draw in the largest consistent bar going group,” said Reilly Pharo, Granada bartender.
Every Saturday night the Granada will be promoting a new themed event geared towards Greek chapters, along with drink specials that are competitively priced. To accomplish their new goal the Granada hired new bartenders, shot girls and bar backs from each Greek chapter in an attempt to draw in multiple variety of Greeks. In charge of Public Relations is Scott Havens; “my job includes picking the bands up from the airport, getting them settled in a hotel and just making sure they are enjoying themselves when they are in Lawrence.”
This Saturday the Granada will host a homecoming pre-party with live music by Imminent Domain from 10 p.m. to 12 p.m. “The Granada has a lot planned for the next two months, some highlight include a Pat Green cover band on the 20th and a Halloween party, we’re looking forward to making every Saturday at the Granada the place to be,” said Pharo.

Jessica McMillan
Jour. 201
LAWRENCE, Kan.- Morgan Fulmer, a junior at the University of Kansas finishes up her night waitressing at The Granada on Massachusettes St. on a Tuesday night and walks to get into her car and drive home, all the while dodging beligerant drunks who yell and harass her. But this is nothing compared to what happens inside the Granada while she works after closing time serving alcohol to customers.
Fulmer, who began her job waitressing only one month ago, is among many newbies who work at restaurants and bars on Mass. that must learn quickly how to respond to the rediculous and sometimes rude antics of drunks. One main concern for people beginning this job is that drunks won't tip them very well, or at all."The worst part of putting up with [drunk people] so far has been the people that hassle me the whole night and don't give me any tips for it," Fulmer said. Fulmer feels that being drunk is not an excuse for being a cheap-skate. Her fellow co-worker, who also began working at the Granada very recently is junior Scott Havens, agrees. "Just because you're drunk doesn't mean you can forget how to tip," he said.
Another annoyance that first-time Mass. St. employees must quickly accept is general pestering by drunks. Fulmer learned this first hand on her first night waitressing on August 25 when the Granada hosted a toga party. "Some guy literally followed me around all night and wouldn't leave me alone even though I had asked him to stop several times," Fulmer said. "He kept hitting on me and it totally creeped me out."
Drunks are common on Mass. St. after hours so while they may not have the best manners, those new to working these late hours must learn to deal with them.

Lawrence, KS-- One of the biggest fears of going to college is the ever so dreadful thought of gaining weight. Well the late night restaurants that are open on Massachusetts street are not helpful to students in that area. Places such as Jimmy Johns and Pita Pit stay open as late as 3 a.m. and when people exiting the bars at 2 a.m. on Mass. street pass by these restaurants on their late night walk home, it's like hitting the jackpot. Jimmy Johns employee, Libby Yingling says, "On some nights most of our business comes from the late night eaters when the bars down here close."

Although these restaurants may be satisfying for students in a drunken state, many of these students kick themselves in the morning when they realize they ate more than they planned. Many students have realized that the freedoms of college allow you to let loose a little more than one would like sometimes. After a long night at Qunitons, Chicago senior, Christina Davalle was headed home and could not surpass that big bright Pita Pit sign without grabbing a bite for the road. "I've tried to do the whole diet thing before just to stay healthy, but these restaurants are not helping anyone out when it comes to dieting. They are just too hard to pass up after a long night."

The late night restaurants do have some positives though. Considering the restaurants are right on Massachusetts it prevents students from hoping in their cars and driving to McDonalds or Taco Bell after a long night, the food offered at these restaurants are also offering healthier options than the typical late night spots. So, late night food after a long night at the bar, a good thing or bad? I think most students on Mass. at 2 a.m. would agree that they love the late night options on their way home from the bars.

Lawrence, Kan. – By now Mass St. has become an infamous staple to KU student's drunken weekends but increasingly it is the student population as employees rather than patrons that are hindering business. Whether it is a friend who works the door or a bartender with a crush, downtown bars are losing money on fellow students indulging in their own personal interests over their job.

Betsy Heffinger, a KU student and Mass St. regular knows how great it can be to have “connections” at her favorite bar. “It’s great because you can skip lines, get free drinks, and hang out past closing time,” she said. She won’t disclose which bar she is enjoying these luxuries at because she recognizes that her benefits compromise her friends job. “I’m sure it takes away money that they could be making off of us,” she acknowledged.

More and more, bars are experiencing an influx in under aged drinking. “A lot of times, I know some door guys will let their friends in as 21 even if they know they are under-age,” Heffinger explained. This can compromise a lot of business from the bar, even if they make a quick buck off the younger crowd. A bar risks losing its liquor license all together if faulted too many times for allowing under-aged kids to drink.

Additionally, some employees are even indulging in their own luxuries after hours. Cara DeCoito, an employee at The Granada, says “We’ve had employees use their key to come in and drink once all the bars have closed. Once this happens it is hard to find employees you can trust and furthermore you have to really narrow down the employees who have a access to money, alcohol, ect.”

We all know college students love free stuff, but where should the line be drawn? Is an employee benefit used for a patron stealing? Will one person's special treatment result in a bad reputation? It is clear that the student population brings big business to the Mass St. scene however it may very well be those same students that are a detriment in the end.

Lawrence, Kan.- Massachusetts St., thriving downtown area of the small college town of Lawrence, has both restaurants and bars packed to capacity on the weekends. Most of the downtown nightlife is restricted to the 21 and up crowd. This may leave anyone below the legal drinking age out of luck.
Abe & Jakes, a bar right off of Massachusetts St. on 6th is looking to change things. They recently converted their bars to 18 and up.
"We wanted to diversify our business," said Abe & Jakes general manager Ryan Lantz. "We wanted to allow more people to come to the club but of course there is the obvious problem of underage drinking."
According to Lantz, they do have kids trying to enter the club already drunk or they go into the bathrooms to wash the X's off of their hands.
Adam Marinello, a manager at Louise's Downtown, a bar that is notorious for checking ID's, thinks that having an 18 and up bar would cause too many problems. "We have only had one Minor In Consumption in our sixteen years of business. It is just easier to keep it 21 and up and the underage drinkers out."
When asked if there was a difference in the age groups at the bars, Marinello said, "Turning 21 is a rite of passage to go to the bars. People of legal age to drink generally show more maturity which makes for a better bar going experience."
As for right now, Abe & Jakes is the only bar lowering its age limit which, Lantz feels, has been good for business.

ARE THE RESTAURANTS SAFE?

LAWRENCE,Kan - After a late night on Massachusetts street bouncing from club to club many find themselves wondering looking for a bite to eat. Two of the spots open late are Jimmy Johns and Pita Pit. With the bars there are bouncers working to keep the crowd under control. With the restaurants there are no bouncers. So is it a safe environment?

Brian Schraeder of Jimmy Johns was asked if he feels safe as an employee working those late hours? He states, “ Yeah. Cops are quick enough to respond and only about four problems have happened since I have worked here.” Although, Schraeder from Jimmy Johns and also Kevin Rogers from Pita Pit both say that they feel safe both restaurant have had dangerous incidences outside of their buildings.

At Jimmy Johns the most dangerous situation Schraeder has been in was, “ Last fall two guys got into an argument and one pulled a knife on the other guy. [We] called the police but their friends had pulled them apart before anything happened.”

Rogers from Pita Pit witnessed an even more dangerous event when, “ Two years ago one guy was stabbed out front.”

So many may feel safe when inside the restaurant but remember when you step back out onto Massachusetts street things could become very dangerous again.

Walking downtown when the bars are closing can make a person fear for their life. The downtown area is always crowded Friday and Saturday nights with people, on their way home, looking for some place that is still open, or just wandering aimlessly. As soon as the bars close, the crowds are forced onto the streets with few places left to go.
Leandra Monreal, a KU student and frequent downtown patron, has experience with the night life. “It gets crazy out there. After drinking or dancing, all you want is a place to sit and relax, and talk with your friends.” Compared to the number of bars and clubs that are closing at the early hours of the morning the number of open places to go to after are surprisingly few.
Aimee’s Coffee House is only open until 11 p.m. The store manager Cary Strong said he has considered staying open later, but has yet to try. Strong has concerns about the safety and security of his store. “I don’t know if our bathroom is going to get messed up, if our store is going to get torn apart, I just don’t know.” With the hours they stay open, Strong, and his employees, such as Ben Katz, have never had trouble with customers, or passersby. With the reputation the crowds at closing time have, Strong feels reluctant to see how his store would fare during the bar-rush.

Bar Patrons, Employees Have Different Opinions on Closing Time

Lawrence, KS – Have you ever been at a bar and been forced to leave because it was closing, in your opinion, too early? If you answered yes, then your perspective has been embraced by many local KU students and other Lawrence bar patrons.

Many patrons of the Lawrence drinking establishments feel that the bars close too early for everyone's best interest. Patrons feel that closing later would be beneficial to the drinking establishments as well because they could make more money operating longer hours.

“If the bar stayed open later everyone would win. We [students] get to drink more, bartenders get more tips and the bar in general makes more money,” said KU junior Colin Tinley.

However, many bartenders and other employees do not agree with this view. They say there are several reasons why the bars close when they do.

Jake Beard, a KU senior and bartender at The Bar said, “Last call is at 1:30 am but we [bar employees] don’t usually get home until after 3:00 am. With mostly students working at the bars here, it could get hard to staff if we closed later.”

Some patrons mentioned later closing times at bars in bigger cities as a reason for their complaints. Despite student’s desires, there is no indication that the bar closing time will change any time soon.