The line for Looney’s Pub snaked outside the door, down the front steps of the Varsity and continued onto the sidewalk Friday night.
The pub opened its doors that evening for the first time, and several of-age students said it has the potential to fill a much desired nightlife void. The new bar boasts state-of-the-art ID scanners that hold every patron’s information and a venue for live music — something upperclassmen said the city has needed since Santa Fe Café shuttered more than a year ago.
The establishment had initially planned for a soft opening Wednesday, but bar owner Bill Larney said the restaurant did not receive the necessary county documents in time. However, Larney said he was able to secure his use of occupancy permit in time for the Friday night bar crowd, and the venue’s first weekend went off without a hitch.
The bar — which will hold its grand opening Oct. 11 — attracted an over-21-year-old crowd, according to patrons, and many said they were excited about a new option in the city for weekend entertainment.
“Last year I was subjected to deal with the only two bars left [near the university],” said senior mathematics major Kevin Venner. “I see this as a light at the end of tunnel.”
Looney’s high-tech carding system prints a wristband for bar patrons that holds all of their driver’s license information, enabling employees to remember unruly bar patrons with every visit. Larney said the system was put to good use for the opening night after one patron caused the only issue for an otherwise tame night.
“We had one problem, got him out of here [and] took his wristband. He’ll never be back,” Larney said, adding that most people who act up will be given “one more chance.”
The bar’s no-tolerance approach toward underage drinking will make it a hotspot for the of-age crowd, according to Venner.
“They were very strict with their IDing, which I see as a good asset,” Venner said. “[The Thirsty Turtle] was taking in the freshman and sophomore crowd and that kind of took away what I was looking forward to my senior year.”
Many students said Looney’s differs from the rest of the city’s bars and will create its own reputation that sets itself apart from other competition, such as Cornerstone Grill and Loft, R.J. Bentley’s and The Barking Dog.
“This has a better vibe,” senior women’s studies major Kara DeMilio said. “It just seems better organized. Service at the bar is a lot better. The people are there within 30 seconds, and you don’t have to push to the front. There’s not a huge line, and it’s not really packed inside, so I feel that they actually monitor how many people are going in and out.”
Senior civil engineering major Haley Puglia said the bar’s live entertainment combined with $2 drink specials will give it a leg up on other local competitors. She said she visited the bar twice already since its opening three days ago and plans to make the venue her new nighttime staple.
“There’s a nice dance floor, and everyone was dancing and getting wild,” Puglia said. “Compared to The Barking Dog, I think this will do really well.”
Larney said he is confident his business — which is also located in Bel Air, Canton and Maple Lawn — will be successful within the scope of the city bar scene, especially after positive feedback from the weekend crowd.
“Our food speaks for itself and our drink prices [are] across the board,” Larney said.
bach@umdbk.com
