Pour me something tall and strong

The Pub opens after recent extreme make over

Kathryn Gariano / contributing photographer Bartender JC Callis and Richmond resident Will Treakle enjoy the new surroundings at The Pub after its reopening earlier this month.

Alston's Pub — JMU's unofficial Tuesday night social Mecca — is no more. Fear not weeknight partiers, Alston's Pub's name officially has been changed to "The Pub."

The name change comes with other changes. Minor renovations included repainted walls, refelted pool tables to reflect JMU colors and "we took down a lot of the NASCAR stuff," bar manager Mike Jeffrey ('03) said.

The more expensive renovations to the business include additional bars in the room, a big screen television and a new stereo system, which Jeffrey said he plans on using to play a greater variety of music. He said there will be "not so much country (music) now that the Jukebox is out of commission. Anyone who has been to The Pub on a Tuesday night knows how hard it can be to get to the bar, so additional satellite bars in each corner of the building are being added in an effort to reduce congestion."

According to general manager Kerry Finnegan, The Pub estimates that the renovations cost roughly $10,000. Although the remodeling is slated for completion by Feb. 8, The Pub will continue to add to and improve on the venue even after its grand opening, from Jan. 9 to Feb. 8.

Harrisonburg residents and long-time Alston's Pub patrons Billy Long and Bob Kline also said that the change was not bad, but it was not needed. The loyal Alston's Pub pair expressed no problem with the name change, but also felt that there was nothing wrong with the way the venue was prior to the remodel and name change.

A wall of new restaurant-style booths will replace several of the older tall tables. There also will be a change in the menu. Though no food additions officially have been announced, Jeffrey said menu construction is underway in efforts to provide "better food."

The remodel is part of an effort introduced by co-owner Sam Hagedon to revamp Alston's Pub into a more modern, energetic establishment, and lose some of the "country bar stigma," according to Jeffrey.

Following its official reopening last Tuesday, The Pub experienced its most profitable day of business to date, according to Jeffrey. The Pub has hosted live music acts for some time to attract students to Tuesday and Thursday's karaoke nights, according to general manager Kerry Finnegan.

"I'm not a live music fan, and the main draw to Tuesday is the karaoke," senior Steph Hihn said.

The Pub plans to add drink specials to every day of the week — not just Tuesday — a move that is likely to lure college students back more than once a week. "More drink specials would probably be a little enticing," senior Julie Critchelow said.

For more information regarding the new features of The Pub, check out www.dothepub.com.