The University Pub, like all of the best social spaces, both past and present, is the product of Drewids’ commitment to crafting the campus culture they want to see. Today, the Pub is a staple for upperclassmen looking to unwind after a long week with an Angry Orchard, a game of cards or a live set from one of Drew’s musically inclined students. The Pub, with its low lighting and lively buzz of energy, is an important third space where students meet up outside of their classes and dorm rooms. Today, the Pub is one of the last remaining third spaces crafted by the Drewids of previous decades. This week’s article will dive into the Pub that found its seat in the center of campus and how students rallied behind the importance of shared social spaces.
In 1972, a vacant space in the University Center (which once occupied the space where the Ehinger Center is today) sparked excitement among the student body about the potential for an on-campus pub. The space, which once contained the campus dining hall, sat empty following the construction of the Commons. Because this space featured a kitchen, the area was suited for serving food and beverages. An idea for a “coffee-house pub” quickly cropped up. The proposal for the space included a small stage for entertainment, a way to screen films for the social committee and a game room complete with pinball machines. The Coffee House Steering Committee also proposed the idea of serving alcoholic beverages, since there was a demand for a pub circulating campus. However, the obstacle of acquiring a “club license,” which allows for an establishment to serve beer and wine, suspended the dream of serving booze in limbo.
The students also faced another obstacle—University President Robert Oxnam’s opposition to an on-campus pub. Oxnam’s approval was necessary to begin the process of gaining the license needed to serve alcohol on campus. Unfortunately, Oxnam harbored several aversions to an on-campus pub.
As reported in an Oct. 6, 1972 Acorn article, Oxnam argued that “it would discriminate against two-thirds of the student body,” since the legal drinking age in New Jersey was 21. Less than a year after conversations about the coffee house pub started, a new law came into effect on Jan. 1, 1973 which lowered the drinking age to 18. In the face of the change, a call for an on-campus pub was stronger than ever.
Oxnam’s arguments against the pub continued. In November of 1972, the Acorn published an article titled “Oxnam: No Pub,” which outlined a meeting between representatives from all three of the schools on campus and President Oxnam. The representatives pled their case, even getting a lawyer involved, but Oxnam held his position. Since the license would “require approval from Madison Borough,” Oxnam feared it would “face opposition from the town’s people.” He feared the “resulting public attention would not be in the best interests of the University in its present stage of development.”
In spite of the opposition, students continued to sound off in support of making the Pub a reality. In the Nov. 17, 1972 edition of the Acorn the student body spoke up about the issue. One article titled “The Pub Problem” provides a short case study of Rider University and Seton Hall, which both opened campus pubs in the early 1970s. The article laid out various arguments for on-campus pubs, citing the safety of partaking in drinking within a controlled environment. Importantly, the article pointed out that at both of the schools examined, “the president and the Board of Trustees came out strongly in favor of pubs on campus.” Students at Drew weren’t so lucky. The author specifically called out the way Oxnam “turned a deaf ear to students’ wishes” in the name of avoiding controversy and maintaining financial security. The author reminded his readers that “students are the ones who foot most of the operating costs,” and that students were more likely to pay the four years’ worth of tuition if they could enjoy themselves on campus.
The conversations about the pub continued through the end of 1972. According to the Dec. 14, 1972 edition of The Acorn, a round table discussion between administration and the student body representatives took up the issue of the pub. This time Oxnam “stated that his main concern for the university lies in possible consequences outside the actual boundaries,” since “Drew is within 200 feet of a Methodist church.” Again, he feared bad publicity. The students fired back, claiming that “the trail of Drew students on Friday afternoons walking up Route 24 carrying cases of beer” didn’t help publicity either. The students advocated for the admission to truly consider the club license, and finally, they listened. This first success proved as the author of the article writes, “The pub will result only through cooperation and a unified effort among the Drew Community.”
The collaboration began. Nearly a year later, in 1973, with a new 18-year-old drinking age in place and the administration’s support, the legal battle for a club license began. Student Government alongside University Center employee Richard Morgan and a newly formed Pub Steering Committee took up the heavy lifting and legal work. The club licensee presented a new set of obstacles with a lengthy set of stipulations. Those interested in tackling the issue sought out creative solutions.
In 1974, the process officially began. Student Government put the pub issue to a referendum. It passed. In April, students established The Center Pub Association and started soliciting members. In order to be considered for the license, the Association needed at least 60 paid members. Memberships cost $1 annually. Students, staff, faculty and alumni had the opportunity to buy in. In August, the Madison Council approved the Association’s by-laws. Then the waiting game began, approval of the club license from the Alcoholic Beverage Commission. In anticipation of successfully securing the license, plans were laid for the upcoming fall semester. Recent graduate Martin Duus (C ‘74) took on the full-time position of pub manager and financial arrangements for profits were made.
By the end of September, after a three-year wait, the Pub had the club license and set an opening date for early Oct. 1974. Campus buzzed with anticipation. According to one account from the Oct. 4, 1974 edition of The Acorn, “after all the talk about apathy on this campus… something has finally united the student body.” Students made opening night plans and alumni pledged to support the pub by frequenting the establishment. On Oct. 8 at 4:30 p.m., the Drew Pub opened its doors for business.
The Pub, open Tuesday through Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to midnight (with special late hours on Fridays and Saturdays!), promised to keep the prices of beer and wine low and the environment lively. Shortly, the Pub revised their hours due to low late-afternoon patronage. A new opening time of 8 p.m. prevailed. The pub became a social space for everyone on campus. Students, alumni, faculty and staff looking to lay back, chat, have a drink or listen to live music were welcome. Years of community collaboration driven by excitement finally resulted in a pub at the center of campus.
Today, the pub looks a little different. A new location, three days of operation a week and only patrons over 21 years old. Still, students sit at the original wooden bar, which was moved with the Pub over a decade ago. Make sure to ask the bartenders about the secret hidden detail!
Sadly, this semester’s Pub attendance is low. “There are days where it’s busy, but there’s no pattern anymore,” says Luiza Vaskys Lima (’25), a pub manager who has worked at the Pub since the early months of 2022. There’s an unpredictability to running the place. To combat low attendance and bring people into the pub, special events such as bingo, trivia and karaoke are held regularly. “We’re always open to collaboration from other parts of the Drew community and we’re always open to people approaching us,” says Natalia Rakviashvili (’26). The efforts continue to make the pub a lively and vibrant community space—the only thing missing is student buy-in. Still, three nights a week, the committed bartenders staff the pub from 6 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Yet, drinks are cheap and the occasional live music events are worth stopping in (or sitting in the hallway to listen in if you aren’t yet 21). Last Friday, in a brief interview, the bartenders put together a short wish list for the pub’s future. In the spirit of Drew Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow here is what the bartenders dream about—
“More student engagement,” “Cocktails,” “More live music,” “Dance Parties,” “expansion to the patio space outside,” “a disco ball” and “higher wages.” So stop by the pub, show your face, drag your friends along, dance a little, sign up to play a set and don’t forget to leave the lovely committed bartenders a generous tip!
Jocelyn Freeman is a senior double-majoring in English and history, with a minor in Chinese.
Featured image caption: Students enjoy the lively atmosphere of the crowded campus pub. Courtesy of The Oak Leaves 1974.
