Where’s the Beer at Bernie’s?

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Back in the day, a student of legal age could swing by what is now Bernie’s and pick up a cold one right on campus.

By Erin Munsterman

This past Friday was National Beer Day. With the sweltering heat and sun-lit haze upon the University, there’s nothing a number of Marymount students would rather do than lie back, unwind, and enjoy an ice-cold beer. And, in years past, they would be able to do just that. Back in the day, a student of legal age could swing by what is now Bernie’s and pick up a cold one right on campus. It wasn’t until some years back that the selling of alcoholic beverages on school grounds ceased, and students were left with the question: “Where’s the beer at Bernie’s?”

“That was a long time ago, before Bernie’s even became Bernie’s,”said Vincent Stovall, Director of Campus Programs and Leadership Development.

According to Stovall, the store on campus sold both beer and wine. Both were available for the students to purchase, age permitting. Several current students were astounded to hear of this, unaware of the previous selling of alcoholic beverages at Marymount, and seemed to hold an interest in its reappearance. So why did the campus store stop selling beer?

“The students just didn’t buy it,” Stovall said.

“I imagine it must’ve been expensive,”said junior Samantha Healy, providing insight as to why students might not have been interested. “If I’m going to pay bar prices I want to be out at a bar and not sitting in Bernie’s. It would be cool if MU started selling it again, but in reality, it must’ve been lame if people weren’t buying.”

“I think it would be neat,” student Aaliyah Aranjuez said. “I don’t see the harm in it if controlled.”

Aranjuez explained her hesitations, considering the fact that Bernie’s closes before students normally start drinking, and that no one really drinks during the day. “I think, however, if respected, it could create a positive environment and likely stimulate conversation between peers.”

“Watching teachers get drunk is weird and we don’t even have any big sports teams to pregame over,” student Rose Conway said. “However, beer would be cool and I would want it to come back, especially because I’m about to turn 21.”

In the grand scheme of things, the decision to sell beer once again on campus ultimately depends on Marymount’s contract with Sodexo. It seems many students, although with some hesitations, are patiently awaiting its comeback in a new and improved way.