University of California Los Angeles - Bruin Life / Southern Campus Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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Nothing ' s better than a bar near a college, especially a gargantuan UCLA; Story by Rocel Ryan and Eric Mah From old-fashioned Westerns to the hit sitcom Cheers, the image of the bar has inundated American pop culture. For some, bars are associated with lone rangers, bloody- shoot outs, gruesome brawls, and Clint Eastwood. Although today ' s bars are a far cry from the saloons of the Old West, one attribute remains the same: a bar is a place to have fun, fun, fun! Nothing ' s better than a bar near a college, especially a gargantuan university like UCLA. For students, local bars were a convenience compared to driving out to downtown L.A. Bars in Westwood including Maloney ' s, Mainline Brewing Co., Monty ' s, and Poncho ' s brought in lucrative profits. Stratton ' s, once a popular hot spot, was temporarily closed down this year due to liquor-license infractions. The fact that I ' m meeting new people on a daily basis makes this bar a fun place to work, said Christy Fletcher, a bartender at Maloney ' s. A lot of people get drunk and obnoxious, especially on Thursday nights. But this adds to Maloney ' s fun and festive atmosphere. The proximity of Westwood bars to each other and the UCLA ' s campus conveniently allowed for bar hopping, a universal collegiate pasttime. The flashy neon lights, the deafening pulse of music, and the boisterous mobs of people attracted many students. Others were lured into the bars due to their devotion to sports. Fans can root for their teams in front of the TVs provided by their favorite bar. Most places also reserved a small space for dancing, which made meeting new people a little easier. Cheesy pick-up lines don ' t really bother me, said Vicki Korn, a third year Sociology major with a Business emphasis. The huge dance floor and restaurant at the Mainline Brewing Co. make up for this kind of ' small talk. ' I also love to hang-out with all my friends in Mainline ' s relaxed atmosphere. Bars are also ideal for celebrating birthdays especially for students turning twenty-one! However, for those not quite of age, bar-hopping can be a risk not worth the effort. While underage drinking is a concern of UCLA Police, Westwood bar owners share the same concern for underage drinking, but for slightly different reasons. Selling an alcoholic beverage to a student under the age of twenty- one could mean a $1000 fine for a merchant ' s first offense. On-going violations increase the level of the fine, and excessive violations can lead to a bar ' s loss of its liquor license. Students under twenty-one, themselves, face potential legal hardship by choosing to drink. There are monetary fines and almost inevitable community service penalties. Furthermore, California recently adopted the Zero Tolerance law. Those drivers under the age of twenty-one found to have blood alcohol levels exceeding .01% face a minimum penalty of a one year license suspension and a $100 fine. But whatever the reason legal-aged students give for frequenting Westwood bars, the underlying principle that they are a place to unwind, let loose, and go wild will forever hold tme. f 22 People

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Michelle Chang Farmer ' s Market 21

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Max Andrews A Vlio said you needed alcohol to have a good time? Partying hard does not always necessarily mean drinking hard. Sometimes it ' s just nice to spend time with friends and have good, clean fun. Friends could always find a good time at Maloney ' s. 4 The Mainline Brewery, Co. is not only a bar but also a restaurant. Friendly bartenders will always make everyone feel welcomed. Max Andrews Westwood Bars 23