There aren't a lot of places for people under 21 to hang out in East Lansing. Only two major bars — The Temple Club and Mac's Bar — cater to the younger set, hosting 18-and-older live shows every night.
The problem is, many underclassmen don't have the means to get out there on a regular basis.
Soon, the only club drawing in any underage customers might be The Temple Club. Mac's is looking into cutting down on the number of live shows and experimenting with the concept of a 21-and-older venue.
Arguably, Mac's doesn't make a lot of money right now from those who are underage and can't buy alcoholic beverages.
But it's part of building a clientele.
Taking away the biggest feature of Mac's — live music every night — would hurt the bar, even if Mac's continues to allow those under 21. If you have nothing to offer underage customers, they will not come at all.
It might seem that younger students have no intentions to come anyway. Part of the problem is with the distance from campus. Even from Brody Complex, the bar is a good mile away; a big deterrent for a would-be regular.
Sometimes it's just convenience.
It can be easier to go to underground clubs, which are popping up, to listen to some good music. When it's easier to walk to someone's basement to hear a good live band, why bother going out to Mac's?
At the same time, the underground scene shows a need for this type of entertainment in East Lansing. Mac's provides a source of culture for the city.
The city has taken that for granted, despite good publicity.
The bar brings in a lot of good bands at reasonable prices. But it's hard to do much to increase patronage when it's a pain to get there without a car.
Still, the management needs to realize the change in culture these potential policies could bring. The booking agent for the bar, Steve Lambert, admits a change to a 21-and-older club would affect the music scene as well as the patronage.
Sure, it might equal better profits for the bar in the short run. But if they take away the 18-20 year-old crowd in a college town, they also cut out a large demographic.
When people turn 21, what's going to make them come in? Why should they drive to Mac's when there's something else within walking distance?
That would hurt the bar a lot more than not having as many people buying drinks tonight.
