The Chenango Room brought beer back to its menu this week, but with most students old enough to drink legally living off campus, the success of the Room’s latest venture is still in question.
The Chenango Room now offers alcohol between 5 and 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday, during a period called “After Hours.”
Michelob Ultra, Yuengling, Budweiser and domestic beers sell at “After Hours” for $3.75; Guinness, Amstel Light, Labatt’s Blue and imported beers sell for $4.25; and craft beers sell for $5. Wines cost between $5.50 and $6.50 per glass.
Bob Griffin, Sodexo’s district marketing manager, called “After Hours” a financial risk for Sodexo, and said it depends on student support for its success.
“[Students] wanted this for a long time, they’ve wanted to be able to have beer and wine on campus,” he said. “We want this to be a success, but we need the students for that to happen.”
“After Hours” averaged 50 customers per night this week, Griffin said.
“Is that going to be sufficient for us to cover our costs and having the hours that we’re currently offering?” he asked. “I don’t have the answers for that yet.”
Olivia Rodriguez, a senior double-majoring in English and cinema who lives in University Plaza, said After Hours just doesn’t fit the schedule of most students living off campus.
“I mean, I can go anywhere to drink, why would I stay on campus when I don’t even live there anymore?” she said.
Jeff Dahlgren, a senior double-majoring in psychology and political science, also doubted that of-age students would stay on campus, in part because After Hour’s prices are too steep.
“I just don’t see why upperclassmen would ever go to campus to pay for overpriced drinks when they can go to a restaurant or a bar,” he said.
Griffin said the prices are determined by Sodexo’s labor costs.
“You can’t expect us to compete with Applebee’s or a local bar or pub’s pricing in every instance,” he said. “I wish we could offer $2 appetizers, I really do, but that’s just not possible.”
Many students, though, are excited about the prospect of getting a quick drink after class.
“I would just go after class — I have late class,” said Robert Ross, a senior majoring in electrical engineering. “They should go later than 9 though.”
And Daniela Jimenez, a junior majoring in integrated neuroscience who lives in Hillside, was encouraged to see Sodexo listening to student requests, and could see herself attending “After Hours.”
“I think it’s a cool idea, and it’s nice to see that Binghamton and Sodexo are really taking their older students into consideration,” she said. “It’s nice to have somewhere to go have a beer with a friend without having to leave campus.”