By Maddie Wood, Senior Staff Writer
Green Beer Day is right around the corner, and the spotlight is on Miami's infamous drinking culture. With more than 10 bars Uptown, and three that admit 18-year-olds, Oxford offers students of all ages a taste of the nightlife.
Ohio is one of 45 U.S states to allow underage alcohol consumption under certain circumstances, and one of eight states to allow underage consumption on alcohol-selling premises with parental approval, according to the Minimum Legal Drinking Age's website.
Because of this law, bars are legally allowed to admit 18-year-olds if they choose. While 18-year-olds cannot be served unless in the presence of their parents, they can legally still get in to select bars in Oxford.
"The fact that the school is located in Ohio contributes to the increased consumption of alcohol," said first-year John Regan. "Allowing 18-year-olds into bars has significant influence on whether or not we are a so called bar school because almost the entire student body can go to the bars if they desire."
Brick Street, The Wood's and Pachinko Bar & Grill are three establishments in Oxford that allow 18-year-olds to enter for a cover fee. Although these bars choose to admit 18-year-olds, they still have the ability to deny them entry if the bar reaches capacity.
Sophomore Megan Moore thinks the bar culture is a vital part of Miami's drinking scene.
"The bars here are all close to each other, and in the same area," Moore said. "People do not need to take a bus or call a cab to get anywhere Uptown as opposed to bigger campuses."
The accessibility to bars and alcohol in general is something that sets Miami's drinking apart. Ohio University, another school with a prominent party culture, only has one bar, Red Brick Sports Pub, that lets in 18-year-olds everyday.
Even though underage consumption is still illegal in Ohio, most students do not find it difficult to get drinks or even get into 21-and-up bars.
"[It's easy] for underage kids to get drinks at bars because they can just ask people with 21 IDs to buy them something," first-year Mackenzie Wright said.
Students said they regularly go to 21-and-up bars underage with no problems. First-year Shallyn Hatcher said she prefers 21-and-up bars to 18-and-up because they have a better crowd.
"Eighteen-and-up bars are more of a freshman and sophomore scene, while 21-and-up bars are more juniors and seniors usually," Moore said. "I have seen a recent rise in the amounts of sophomores in 21-and-up bars because usually you only have to show two forms [of identification] to be able to get in."
Sophomore Haley Windahl agreed.
"I think everyone goes in 21-and-up," she said.
Although Ohio allows underage consumption in some circumstances, Miami University has a strict policy against alcohol consumption in the dorms. According to the Residence Life website, Miami University does not allow alcohol delivery, consumption possession or serving in any residence hall currently housing first-year students. These regulations help contribute to the bar popularity, especially for the younger students.