Since last summer, Route 1’s slimmed-down bar scene of Cornerstone Grill and Loft and R.J. Bentley’s has gained three new options.

Local business owners are finding it takes more than a fresh coat of paint to win customers in Route 1’s saturated bar scene, where six establishments will soon occupy a stretch that held just two bars last summer.

Students have had a wider range of options since The Barking Dog, Looney’s Pub and Big Play Sports Grill opened their doors – in August, September and April, respectively – and may see Terrapin Turf open at the former site of the Santa Fe Cafe as early as September. With added competition from Cornerstone Grill and Loft and R.J. Bentley’s, some of the new owners say they have had to change their strategies and prices to attract the large crowds needed to stay in business.

Bar owners said they expect to gain more business in the fall after spending months testing their focus, whether on happy hours, live entertainment or craft beers and upscale food.

Many students said Looney’s Pub, located under The Varsity apartment complex, found its niche early. Manager Christine Meagher said during the semesters, about 80 percent of patrons are students and the bar reaches its capacity of 518 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. In the summer, the business still sees a steady stream customers from the area.

Looney’s has made a few changes since it opened, lowering prices – “They didn’t start off that high, either,” Meagher said – and adding trivia nights. And as the bar is farther from the campus, it accommodates students by offering a shuttle service, which also aims to prevent drunk driving, she added. During the school year, bands play Thursday through Saturday, and Looney’s also offers karaoke and DJs on those days.

But another new bar, The Barking Dog, has decided to cut back on its live entertainment because hosting local and student bands was losing money, said bar manager Christiana Hallas.

“I think they’ve had a lot of trouble getting the word out about their happy hour specials and stuff,” said senior English and chemistry major Chris Kelly, who enjoys The Barking Dog’s microbrews and craft beers. “I think only one time I’ve actually seen it … crowded.”

To amp up business, Hallas said the bar has lowered prices, changed its menu and extended its happy hour. Next semester, she plans to offer specials to fraternities and sororities for their bar crawls, socials and meetings, Wednesdays will feature salsa-dancing lessons and karaoke. and its top level will host parties every Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

Several students said the bar has not yet shown it has staying power, even though the restaurant promised a more upscale environment than its predecessor when it came to Route 1 last summer, erasing Thirsty Turtle with a coat of green paint.

“The staff is totally different, the specials are different, what we’re carrying on draft, who we’re trying to cater to is totally different,” Hallas said.

Senior Russian and history major Alex Gran said he likes The Barking Dog for its relaxed atmosphere, though that same low-key feel may be at the root of the bar’s troubles.

“Everyone still kind of wants it to be Turtle, and it’s not Turtle,” he said. “Once everyone like that goes away and a new crowd of people come in, I think it’ll actually stay afloat.”

Big Play Sports Grill, the most recent addition to the city’s nightlife, replaced the space that used to hold Vito’s Pizzeria. One of the owners, Allen Morrison, said the bar sees about 100 people in and out each weekend night.

“The feedback that we’ve gotten back so far is all positive,” he said. “Our food has been carrying us, really, so everyone that comes here has pretty much loved our food, loved the atmosphere.”

He said he thinks the restaurant competes with bigger sports bars such as Cornerstone and Looney’s because it offers a true sports bar experience, though some students said the space is awkward.

“The layout’s kind of poor, and kind of cramped, but the staff was really nice to us, so I can’t complain too much,” Gran said.

For the fall, Morrison said Big Play Sports Grill plans on touching up the space after the wear and tear of summer and market heavily toward students.

Advertising and marketing efforts are not yet on the mind of one bar owner, Mohammad Afshar of Terrapin Turf. His plans include an “all-star buffet” for game days and a projector to show Terps sports, but he said the bar’s doors remain closed for now due to permit delays.

Afshar said he applied for building and occupancy permits four months ago from Prince George’s County and was frustrated to still be waiting, as he is nearly finished renovating the space – he still must finish installing the bar’s sprinkler system, for which he is also waiting on a permit from the county, and plans to adjust the building’s exterior.

College Park Public Services Director Bob Ryan said the city months ago issued Terrapin Turf a stop-work order until the proper permits could be issued. He said the bar owners can clean and paint without permits, but that interior finishes have to meet fire regulations.

“He might have to redo [the work] if it was done without permits,” Ryan said of the construction.

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