Teen Nights to Take Off? Bar Owner Puts Summer Event on Hold
By: Kim Behrens
Updated: June 20, 2012
BLOOMINGTON--Just when teens thought they'd have a new club hangout, some city leaders are considering pulling the plug.
Last week the city liquor commission gave Daddios the go ahead to hold teen nights in its bar.
But now the owner isn't sure the special events will even happen.
The owner of Daddios says his goal had been to give students a fun evening out.
Teen nights were supposed to start at the club this week.
But instead of lightning up, it's just sat dark.
Daddios and the city liquor commission agreed to hold the event on Tuesday, an evening which tends to have fewer crowds downtown.
Only 15 to 19 year olds would be let inside, and all liquor would be removed from the scene.
"I'd love to have them get a message that you don't have to consume alcohol to whether you're 15 or 25 to have a good time," said city liquor commissioner Rich Buchanan.
Everything seemed to be going smoothly.
Students thought they'd soon have their own spot to hang.
"I think it would be a safe alternative to just floating around doing whatever," said 18 year old Lindsay Carr.
Carr says this summer she's stuck in limbo.
Headed to college, she's too mature for high school activities, but not yet old enough for nightclubs.
"You are just 18. You're an adult. But you can't really go anywhere so there's nothing to do," explained Carr. "Bowling and movies gets old after awhile."
But Bloomington police say youth crimes are on the rise this summer.
Putting them near bars with alcohol isn't the best combination.
"Its cost us considerable amounts of overtime to staff the bars in the downtown area because of problems we've had downtown," explained Bloomington Police Chief Randy McKinley.
McKinley says he supports Bloomington businesses and wants teen night to be a success.
But he worries the evenings could get out of hand if the wrong element comes through the doors.
"My fear is that we're going to have another mix in there and it may be a problem for us."
Daddios owner declined to comment about the status of teen nights until he talks the issue over with city leaders.
He plans to meet with the mayor and police chief on Friday.
