Would you be more likely to go to the Student Bar if...

Daysha

cocoa wrote: »

There was a bar membership fee last year. It was done away with this year so ye can stop whining about something that doesn't exist anymore... Sheesh, complaining about having to pay for something you didn't pay for, goodness knows how you keep track of your money...

And complaining about the Union is just bull... Unless you have a better idea just be quiet... Also, for anyone who suggests it would be great if blahblahblah, there is no money left to do that. The union has had to work hard enough to get this one night gig, and have basically no money at their disposal to invest and improve the situation.

So you're saying the Union and the company that run the bar shouldn't have at least the considered ways of bringing IN students, rather than just forcing them out 6 days a week?

monument

c0rk3r wrote: »

Anytime i walk through the hub the place has been empty. People need to realise that the majority of students simply dont want a bar. Thats the reality and the current situation is proof of that.

You're making up a false cause and effect link.

If you actual read the positions being giving here (and on life.dcu.ie) you would see that people don't want the bar back as it was. The general idea looks to be that people want an improved bar which they and others would more likely go to more often. As you can see from more than a few posts, there's a lot of grievances with the way that the bar was being run.

adamski8

cocoa wrote: »

There was a bar membership fee last year. It was done away with this year so ye can stop whining about something that doesn't exist anymore... Sheesh, complaining about having to pay for something you didn't pay for, goodness knows how you keep track of your money...

well if i had known it didnt exist i wouldnt have mentioned it!!!!!!!
on how i keep track of my money, well i gave the university near 6 grand at the start of the year in fees, apologies if i didnt check for the bar membership this year!!!!
and i wouldnt mind paying if it was good/open.

Cid-Highwind

deise59 wrote: »

So you're saying the Union and the company that run the bar shouldn't have at least the considered ways of bringing IN students, rather than just forcing them out 6 days a week?

No, he's saying that the union don't run a bar, and there's no need to shoot the messenger

cocoa

deise59 wrote: »

So you're saying the Union and the company that run the bar shouldn't have at least the considered ways of bringing IN students, rather than just forcing them out 6 days a week?

As has been mentioned, for the past few years Tri-space has been running the bar, not the union, and while the union has the power to advise, it has little more than that. I'm unsure exactly who's handling management of the bar currently, it wasn't entirely clear from the e-mail monument posted earlier in the thread. It may be the union, but I hardly think it's fair to get annoyed at them when they've only just started and the reason why it's only open for one night is because they have no money available to invest in it, not cos they hate fun or don't know how to manage anything properly as some people seem to think.

If it is the union managing the bar now, then they've only just begun, maybe give them a chance? I'd agree that trispace have been appalling though....

LaMer

DCU student union is pretty poor in my opinion, although I prefer DCU to UCD, UCD had a far better union, and the officers seemed much more approachable. I don't even know what some of the DCU SU officers look like??? Or even who is who. In addition, all the events I've gone to organised by the SU were over sold, rip off, etc. etc. All I know is they produce a crappy campus magazine. I've also heard the DCU SU is a freeloader and doesn't subscribe to the Student unions of Ireland? Not sure how true that is but I heard it from a lecturer, so I'll take it as truth.

monument

LaMer wrote: »

although I prefer DCU to UCD, UCD had a far better union, and the officers seemed much more approachable.

Have you ever tried to approach any of the SU officers in DCU?

LaMer wrote: »

I don't even know what some of the DCU SU officers look like???

Photos of the SU officers are on the SU website, and many of them appear in Campus every week.

LaMer wrote: »

I've also heard the DCU SU is a freeloader and doesn't subscribe to the Student unions of Ireland? Not sure how true that is but I heard it from a lecturer, so I'll take it as truth.

There's no group operating by the name "Student unions of Ireland"... do you mean Union of Students in Ireland (the USI)? If so do you know anything about the USI and why should DCU SU pay them for anything?

gizmo

Right, I've cleaned up the spam and flaming in this thread. Anarking has been banned for numerous breaches of the charter. Any replies which directly referenced his posts were cleaned up too. This is clearly an important issue so the thread is staying open but please think before you post folks.

As for the situation itself, well it is pretty sad what's happened but I'd hardly call it a surprise. Business in the bar has been going downhill for the last 4 years with the only busy nights being the promotion nights. It is, unfortunately, a rather vicious circle - the bar won't improve without students going to it and people won't go unless the bar is improved, surely you can all see the problem with that.

That said, what landa mentioned before is also true, there have been many mistakes made which had nothing to do with the students or the SU and which, it appears, could have not been stopped by the latter.

That being said, it is once more an example of what something said to me awhile back, students won't miss the bar until it's gone. This, unfortunately, is becoming a reality but I really do wonder what will happen when it's gone. Whether there is enough outcry to bring it back is beside the point however, as it is the numbers that return which would determine whether it could stay.

There have been calls on the Life thread to explain exactly what has been going on behind the scenes that has led to this situation so I'll refrain from expressing my opinions till then but in the meantime, ask yourselves the question that was put forward at the start of the thread, what would it take to bring you (and other people) back to the bar, and I mean specifically and within reason.

AlkalineAcid

First off well done Gizmo. Here's a new suggestion.

What if the bar was only open during the day (not after let's say 6) and the Tuesday night like the SU have gone with? Maybe 2 to 6 everyday? That would bring some atmosphere into DCU during the day. What do the rest of you think?

LaMer

monument wrote: »

Have you ever tried to approach any of the SU officers in DCU?


There's no group operating by the name "Student unions of Ireland"... do you mean Union of Students in Ireland (the USI)? If so do you know anything about the USI and why should DCU SU pay them for anything?

Yes I did, and I found them to be hard to get to, unresponsive, and had a pretty bad experience all round.

And wtf, Students union of Ireland, Union of Students in Ireland, same ****ing diff, did you read my post, I said I was told it by a lecturer, so I haven't exactly read up on it.

public_enemy

AlkalineAcid wrote: »

What if the bar was only open during the day (not after let's say 6) and the Tuesday night like the SU have gone with? Maybe 2 to 6 everyday? That would bring some atmosphere into DCU during the day. What do the rest of you think?

I don't think it would be very successful. Most people don't drink during the day, especially when they still have lectures at that time. However, I suppose if they started serving decent/affordable food again then it could potentially be a viable alternative to the canteen during those hours.

Having no bar at all open after 6 every day but Tuesday would still kinda suck, even if it's a little better than what's currently being proposed.

Landa2

off topic

LaMer wrote: »

And wtf, Students union of Ireland, Union of Students in Ireland, same ****ing diff, did you read my post, I said I was told it by a lecturer, so I haven't exactly read up on it.

Sorry i probably should go on the previous quote, but heh, The USI are the irish body that cover students unions yes, but they do sweet feck all when it comes to students, you may hear about them now because of the fees debacle but other than that... When i was in dit there was actually talk of voting out of it... The main reason for not being in USI is that a fee is required to be associated...

However, if you do feel strongly about this, and you feel that it is a DCU Students right to be a member of USI, you can have them call a referendum on it...

Article 5 Section 1 of the DCUSU Constitution States,

5.1 A referendum on any issue may be called at the request of any of the
 following:

5.1.1.
Executive

5.1.2.
The Council

5.1.3.
2% or more of Union membership by way of petition submitted to the
 President or the Chairperson of the Council.

Thats a 200 student petition, less actually,

aintnosunshine

I agree with public enemy just look at any other university bar they all serve food.. People go in about 1ish eat maybe a pint and a game of pool!! (In WIT everyone goes to the bar at lunch time to watch home and away it's like a religion down there).

there is also nowhere to eat after 6pm so why not get people to go to the bar it will keep people around the campus and gives people somwhere to unwind!! it is a disgrace that a university can's sustain a bar!! I tihnk the key is to serve decent food.

Ucd can do it for €5.50 a meal (€6 for the roast) i know they have economies of scale but people will pay up to €8-9 even do an offer of dinner and a pint it will defo bring life back to the student bar!

cocoa

aintnosunshine wrote: »

I agree with public enemy just look at any other university bar they all serve food.. People go in about 1ish eat maybe a pint and a game of pool!! (In WIT everyone goes to the bar at lunch time to watch home and away it's like a religion down there).

there is also nowhere to eat after 6pm so why not get people to go to the bar it will keep people around the campus and gives people somwhere to unwind!! it is a disgrace that a university can's sustain a bar!! I tihnk the key is to serve decent food.

Ucd can do it for €5.50 a meal (€6 for the roast) i know they have economies of scale but people will pay up to €8-9 even do an offer of dinner and a pint it will defo bring life back to the student bar!

They used to serve food in the nubar, and it was reasonably priced, but it didn't make more people come and it ran at a loss. Also, I don't think they have the money necessary to invest in that kind of plan.

Personally, I think it's a big challenge and I don't envy the union having the challenge of bringing the bar back to strength, without having very much money to invest in it. I think the only hope really is if people realise the bar won't improve unless they use it. If it was full all the time it was open this semester, then they would probably be able to fix a lot of things next year.

KenHy

There was aways people in the new bar when they served food! If they didn't make a profit than it wasn't due to people not going.

Personally I would go more often if i could play a game of pool or sit down with a pint (in a glass!) to talk. All that would require would be to manage the pool tables properly as well as put in a few tables. They could play music at levels that allow people to talk as well. Food would be good too.

Paddy-Megans-Lo

It was obvious from the state of the place and the complete emptiness of it the past few months that nothing good was coming out of the bar to be honest. Its hypocritcal, yes, to be only now trying to save the bar, but thats because when we had the bar, we didn't need to save it. But now it's everyones problem. It's a part of college life, so people should have some pride in their bar. Going to the slipper down the road or into town just isn't the same.
As has been mentioned in the discussion before, a bit of pride in the bar and focusing on it's potential is the simple start that it needs!

Some of my suggestions, most of which probably won't work, but i'll add to the brainstorm:

-Two bouncers is definitely not a necessity. It's intimidating and a waste of money. One is enough.

-I second the idea of students or postgrads running the bar as staff. It would give a better atmosphere and would bring in friends of the staff and in turn, custom.

-In regards to the big bands that the SU book and the performances which I suppose the pay horrendous amounts for. I mean... yeah it's nice and creates a bit of buzz about the place and about the events but like, is it really necessary? It's a bit of a novelty to be honest.

Take the christmas ball... Mickey Joe Harte and Slade? Ok but both of which are hardly even relevant these days?? Slade were good and it was fun but big acts and names are not gonna make the bar a success, especially when the big acts were 'big' five, ten, twenty years ago?
We are college students?? We do everything on the cheap. Come on - an i-pod speaker on shuffle would amuse us for HOURS!! Even a CD on in the background or a tv playing Bubblehits or TMF or something would create an atmosphere on it's own!
I'm sure there are even a handful of students who DJ who would offer relevant, new and good music as a service for much much less money.

- Drinks promotions are KEY. Talk to ANY college student. We will drink the most vile tasting muck to get drunk, if it's cheap alcohol.
We will go to the most dingiest, run-down smelly place, if it's cheap alcohol! And at that, most college students are accustomed to drinking the cheaper beers and ciders so.. serve them? And after one or two, everything starts tasting mildly similar anyway..
Fair enough bulmers or guinness might not be put on special promotion... well put hackenbug or cashels on special. More often than not, people will drink the cheaper brand name to save money. Offer shot packages. 5 shots for 10/12 euro.

Let's focus on the point of the bar here - alcohol, lots and lots of cheap alcohol. You have to be focused and clever about this. This bar has to rival getting drunk with your friends in an apartment. We have to figure out ways to make it much more enticing!

- Entertainment can be so easily created. Open mic nights. Get the clubs and socs involved - dance soc, music soc etc. put in a jukebox. Think tacky package holiday entertainment, think gaeltacht activites. With enough drink people will create their own entertainment. Sometimes the tackiest and cheesiest things can be so much fun, especially after a few drinks. sort out the pool table situation.
It just takes a bit of being innovation really.


What we need is a group of strong, quick-thinking, pro-active people who are not messing about this to really get it off the ground again. People who know what needs to be done and IS going to get it done.
The SU seem to be making an effort in my eyes anyway. We don't know what they do behind the scenes but I would definitely argue that they are doing more then doing less about the situation behind closed doors.

cocoa

big +1 on the bouncers. I realise there's trouble with the license and such and that's why they need to have this system of bar members and having bouncers, but surely one (friendlier, if at all possible) would be enough.

I have to agree that the best method now would be to aim for cheap drink and any kind of innovative cheap form of entertainment.

Landa2

Paddy-Megans-Lo, has pretty much described the bar in its heyday when Mark Power held the lease and Johnny Mac managed it, or near enough to it. Trispace killed the bar,

Will

Anyone go last night? feed back?

Heard it was ok but pints were full price :-/ and in plastic cups

Nothingcompares

I was there. Finished classes at 4ish headed over to the bar then but it wasn't open (as usual) until 5. Went to the slipper for a few. Came back around 6ish go asked for a STudent ID. About 50/60 people there. Good athmosphere. More and more people came along as the night progressed. Music started soon after, very loud. BAnd did a sound check, very annoying. Band played about an hour later, were pretty good. Hard to talk to people, very loud.

Pints of Amstel were 3.50, paulaner was 4.50 (which ran out). Cocktails were 5 euro (sex on the beach plus 2 others). OTher pints were normal price. Didn't have to queue long at the bar. Some nice people came in and gave out pizzas.

All in all a good night, i went home at 11 due to bus issue and no more money issue.

So very positive in my opinion.

However - if you wanted to go for one or two pints with your classmates I'm not sure I'd go to the student bar. As I've said a few times, the music was very loud and there wasn't much seating.

If i wanted to go on a good session and drink loads I'm not sure I'd go to the student bar either. Have a few cans in the apartment etc. head into the student bar for an hour or two and at 11 you'd have to make a move townwards.

What time does it stop serving?

public_enemy

It was really packed by closing time last night and the atmosphere was great. I'd say it was only about half as full as it would have been on a 3 euro Tuesday in the old days, but it was still easily the biggest crowd the bar has seen all year.

In terms of drinks promotions, there was nothing different on offer from last semester. They stopped serving at 11.30, but I think they have bar extensions planned for every other Tuesday. Apparently the bar will be open every day of RAG Week too. The band and DJ were decent, though I'd agree that the soundcheck was a little long and annoying, but I was there from 5 and nothing at all had been setup on stage, so presumably it'll be quicker in future weeks.

Overall it was quite good. Aslan are up next week, I believe. I'm not overly enthused about seeing them, but if it gets a good crowd into the bar again then I'll be happy.

Paddy-Megans-Lo

Niall Mclave has put a response on the Life.dcu forum, just so everyone knows

Was there last nite, was good, good crowd and good atmosphere, hopefully more and more will pick up on the trend! I still think decent drinks promotions are the biggest way that bar will get revenue, but at least we have the bar more importantly!

Infinitizer

I was in the student bar facilities last night and thought it was pretty kick ass... I got real ****ty and ended up puking in the toilets but i found that everyone around me was very accomodating to my "sick state". I cant wait for another hairy one before the year end. I say bravo to the student union.

legendal

Not a fan of loud music in places generally. When I head out with people for a few scoops I like to make a stab at being able to hear them.

Agreed about the pool tables - all the missing balls is a pain. €1.20's an odd figure to charge as well! But if they could get them sorted out that'd be a plus.

Heading along to Aslan on Tuesday, lets hope it's a good 'un

Adamcp898

Not really a fan of a band playin in a pub type atmosphere tbh and live music isn't where the student bar fell down imo either. It's cut price drink that would get most students into the bar because most look at €4.50 a pint then look at their money and then look at 6 cans for €7 in the shop do that and go to their mates with all their friends that would've been in the bar anyway and have the same brilliant craic they would've had drinkin in the bar only cheaper.
Read the email about events this week and the only drinks promotions mentioned is Amstel for €3.50 and cocktails for a fiver that I could see, now maybe there'll be more on the night but if it's not exactly impressive by any stretch considering Amstel was always €3.50 when the bar was full time anyway. It's not going to attract the cash strapped student which should be the target consumer here. My personal suggestion would be toss getting live act after live act that let's face it arn't that good, save the money and use it do drinks promotions.

lego

Paddy-Megans-Lo wrote: »

-Two bouncers is definitely not a necessity. It's intimidating and a waste of money. One is enough.

Considering that the slipper has no bouncers (though the barstaff look like they could do the job, if necessary) you probably would not need any in the DCU bar. Surely an agreement could be made with DCU security about dealing with a situation, if required. In the entire history of the old bar in the hub there has been one fight there (since 2001 or 2002???).

As far as I recall, they used to serve grub in the old bar right through the day up until 10 or 11 a few years back. They had good custom, but then all of a sudden sales took a nosedive. Maybe we don't have enough humanities students in DCU.

Its really sad that the the bar that is open the most in DCU is The Helix. I went in there for a pint one evening, but at €5 its just too expensive for students.

cocoa

lego wrote: »

Considering that the slipper has no bouncers (though the barstaff look like they could do the job, if necessary) you probably would not need any in the DCU bar. Surely an agreement could be made with DCU security about dealing with a situation, if required. In the entire history of the old bar in the hub there has been one fight there (since 2001 or 2002???).

It's not a matter of dealing with fights, it's the whole 'members' and 'non members' thing. Because they don't have a proper bar license, they have to restrict entry with at least one bouncer.

lego

cocoa wrote: »

It's not a matter of dealing with fights, it's the whole 'members' and 'non members' thing. Because they don't have a proper bar license, they have to restrict entry with at least one bouncer.

So because they don't have a proper bar license they have to pay for a bouncer they wouldn't otherwise need, thus increasing the price of my pint. Sounds like something that needs to be sorted out.

Its not as if loads of non-students are lining up to get in there, the bar is a bit out of the way for someone who wants a pint but isn't a DCU student.

Do UCD have to deal with this 'members only' bureaucracy aswell or do they have a proper bar?

cocoa

Not sure, I don't think they do. To be honest I'd be all in favour of getting the proper license as well, I'm just not sure how feasible that is.

Landa2

eh, anyone who can log into life check this out....

http://life.dcu.ie/discussion/viewthread/79/P60/

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