It's another weekend at Brockport, and kids are pre-gaming throughout town. They ask themselves two questions: What bar should we go to? Where should we get drunk food?
More often than not, Rocco's Bar is the answer.
On Tuesday, December 22, 2015, Brockport police revealed they intend to have Rocco's closed, according to 13 WHAM. The sudden interest in closing Rocco's is because underage customers have been in attendance at the bar, according to police.
Police claim that not only have underage patrons frequented the bar, but they also bribe the doormen in order to enter. Police say they found all this out from information that came forward, which stated underage patrons are able to enter if a certain amount of money is given to bouncers.
An anonymous, underage, source came forward to talk about their experiences at Rocco's. The source is a Brockport student.
"The few times I've tried to go to Rocco's with friends, they always take a look at my school ID card, then tell me I have to pay to get in," the source said. "It's Rocco's, like I'm definitely not paying to get in there."
WHAM also writes that Brockport Police Chief Daniel Varrenti has requested that the bar's liquor license be "immediately suspended and subsequently revoked out of concern for the health, safety and welfare of the Brockport Community."
SUNY Brockport students, needless to say, are less than pleased about the situation.
An anonymous source, who is a student a Brockport, said, "Rocco's is my fav, but I'm 21 so the bribe situation didn't really affect me at all. Sad situation for all parties."
When the source was asked if they have ever witnessed someone have to pay to go in, they said "Yes."
Erica Tardone, a senior, said, "Rocco's was honestly one of the most fun parts of Brockport and it will be missed. Couldn't have been college without it!"
"I mean I don't love it 110 percent, but I do like it!" a different anonymous, underage source, who another student at Brockport, said.
When asked if the source had ever paid at the door to enter they said, "I did once because my friend who knows the bouncers walked in without me."
It seems as if the Brockport Police Department's allegations aren't false.
But is the issue a loss of a good time, or a loss of a bar that underage patrons had some form of access to? Could closing Rocco's potentially end some of the violence that occurs outside on the street the bar resides? There has been a murder, a stabbing, and various fights right outside of the bar.
The Brockport Police are holding a press conference at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 22 to address the issue.
