Luther's Blues, 1401 University Ave., is now allowed to offer happy hour drink specials between 4 and 8 p.m.
Previously, due to an agreement made with the Alcohol License Review Committee and with urging from the university, Luther's alcohol license restricted them from offering such drink specials. On Wednesday the ALRC approved a change in one line of the license agreement to allow the specials, according to Susan Crowley, head of the University of Wisconsin's Policy Alternative Community and Education Coalition.
Crowley said Luther's argued that they were at a disadvantage. She said they deserve the switch and that it is unfair to single them out and make them comply with rules that other bars in the area do not have to recognize.
\Also, since they adopted the voluntary conditions they have complied completely. So, when they wanted the opportunity to have drink specials it was hard to say no,"" Crowley said.
LaMarr Billups, special assistant to the chancellor, said that in terms of drinking, the university's main concern is the health and safety of students. He said the change in Luther's drink special policy will not negatively affect students in terms of exacerbating the situation.
Crowley agreed and said, ""From our perspective, we are mostly concerned with late-night drink specials. Four until eight will not target a student crowd.""
Billups said the change will only assist Luther's from a business standpoint.
""They are a model establishment and they have done a wonderful job. This will help to level the playing field for them in relationship to other bars in the area,"" Billups said.
Benjamin Schubring, general manager and event coordinator at Luther's, said he is also looking forward to being on the same level as other local bars and agrees that they deserve the change. In the three years since their establishment in the area, they have had little to no problems in terms of police involvement, no violations of their liquor license and no tickets involving drinking-related issues.
Schubring also said he hopes the change will have positive financial effects on the bar.
""It is a revenue builder and hopefully it will increase sales at a typically slow time,"" Schubring said.
