The Red Lion doesn’t need hockey to show its patriotism before the sun rises. On Saturday, Sept. 27, the bar will open at 6 a.m. for an America themed party inspired by last February’s 6 a.m. opening for the USA Olympic hockey game against Russia.
Following that game, a video of the bar’s patrons celebrating USA forward TJ Oshie’s game-winning goal attracted national attention.
“It was awesome, everybody was loving it,” General Manger Ben Long said. “The level of excitement, the energy- it was something I’d never seen before at Red Lion.”
Long wanted to try to recreate that energy with a party early in the school year, when students are looking to go out and have fun.
It will be free to get in to the event, but there will be a voluntary cover charge benefiting the American Cancer Society and the Boys and Girls’ Club of America until 2 p.m. Drink specials for the event include $1 mimosas and $1 Natural Light drafts. The bar will be decorated with American flags and patriotic posters, a DJ will play American classics, and the TVs will show college football games when they begin.
At noon, either The Dirty Larry’s of Phi Kappa Psi or The Social Alcohol Band of Delta Tau Delta will take the stage; both bands will play a 45-minute set.
The managerial staff settled on the 27th because the Illinois football team plays Nebraska on the road at 8 p.m. that night, which ensures the party doesn’t interfere with the game or any scheduled tailgates.
The Red Lion is rented out for private tailgates on most Saturdays in the fall, an event better known as “block” in the Greek community. To get in to The Red Lion’s block events this year, patrons are required to wear a wristband that is only given out to the Greek organizations that pay for the event. The American themed party will be the only time in the fall that patrons will be allowed in the bar before noon without a wristband.
“Red Lion Block is a very popular thing. Everybody wants to go to Red Lion Block so I’m feeding off of that mentality of the kids,” Long said. “This event is an opportunity for people who can’t come to Red Lion Block on Saturdays because they don’t have that wristband.”
The Red Lion created a logo, designed by manager Emilie Johnson, a senior in Tri Delta, with the slogan “Block Out for America,” which can be purchased on a t-shirt, tank or long sleeve shirt at eventstand.com.
Long reiterated that the event is not an excuse for excessive drinking and that The Red Lion does not condone that type of behavior, but he is aware that some people will question why a bar needs to open at 6 a.m.
“To be the top bar on campus, you have to do risky things like opening up at 6 a.m. for no reason other than just to help make college more fun for the students,” Long said. “I can guarantee you that no one will forget that hockey game last year. All we’re trying to do is just give kids memories from college that they will never forget.”
