Sorry, freshmen.
Underage drinking will likely only get harder in Gainesville, thanks to a new ordinance that punishes local bars, clubs and restaurants for underage drinking violations.
Under the ordinance, passed at Thursday's city commission meeting, alcohol-serving establishments that exceed a specific number of underage drinking incidents will be restricted from admitting patrons under 21 after 9 p.m.
The ordinance will be effective immediately, but enforcement of penalties won't begin until April 1, said City Attorney Marion Radson.
"This is really going to hit hard, I think, when the next fall season begins," Radson said.
A major complaint students had about the ordinance is that it can restrict the age of guests at private events held at penalized establishments, Commissioner Jeanna Mastrodicasa said.
Mastrodicasa is also assistant vice president of student affairs at UF.
UF Student Senate President Jordan Johnson also spoke to the commission about the effect the ordinance could have on events held by student organizations.
"These events would not be a success if they were closed down for passing, you know, that five or 10 drinks the week their event was to occur," Johnson said.
Another issue discussed was the number of underage drinking strikes a venue can have before being penalized.
For bars with a maximum occupancy of less than 201, a penalty will be enforced after more than five incidents of underage drinking, according to the agenda.
Bars with maximum occupancy loads of more than 201 will be penalized after more than 10 incidents. The penalty periods will range from 90 days to one year.
If an establishment fails to follow the Underage Prohibition Order, a $500 fine may be issued, according to the agenda.
Continued violation may result in the arrest of the owner or other employees.
During public discussion before the commission's vote, several local bar and restaurant owners voiced their opposition of the ordinance.
"This ordinance is just going to place undue burden on responsible business owners," said Robert Zeller, a co-owner of Grog House, XS, the Copper Monkey and Gator City.
Zeller said he's already doing his best to crack down on underage drinking, holding up a stack of 68 IDs his employees collected over three months to emphasize his point.
