OLCC eases access for under-21 crowd

The recent approval of all-ages shows in bars and other 21-and-up establishments.
By Scott Younker, special to the Villard Street Pub's blog

Recently the Oregon Liquor Control Commission changed a ruling that barred minors from attending concerts, comedy shows, and various other acts in bars or establishments that sold alcohol. While many local Eugene pubs and bars are going to continue with the ban several, potentially including the Villard Street Pub, are among those that will allow those of us who are under twenty-one in for shows. I strongly agree with this ruling.

What makes the ruling a good thing is that now I have even more options to see shows that I've been unable to see before. Once establishments make it past the transitory stage of implementing this ruling music, comedy, and play lovers alike will definitely benefit from it.

Being twenty myself, there are many shows that I've missed because they were in bars in downtown Portland. For example, I am a huge fan of comedy, but most comedians who go through Portland aren't drawing crowds into the Rose Garden or the Memorial Amphitheater. Instead, they tend to go through the bars. The Crystal Ballroom is just one example. Brian Regan and Lewis Black are just a couple of comedians that I have been unable to see because of the location of their shows. These guys pack people in, but they're not Chris Rock or Robin Williams selling out shows in huge theaters or stadiums.

The worst is for those of us who follow local and territory bands. They almost always only do bar shows. Imagine being under-age and trying to see Pink Martini when they were first coming up in the Portland scene but being unable to do so. It's better in Eugene though.

The McDonald theater has a bar separated from the actual stage and is well guarded to keep minors out. They also get bigger name bands to perform there. Last month the alt rock band 3 Doors Down had two shows there and I saw Flogging Molly in the fall of 2006 there. They also get the smaller local and territory bands to perform there. My favorite cover band, Hells Belles, had a show there last fall, and a band from my hometown, Beaverton, opened for them (in an aside: check out Western Aerial if you like alt rock with a heavier sound). Pink Martini has also performed at the McDonald theater, although you're more likely to see them at the Hult Center these days.

Now, I am not gung-ho about seeing local bands. Trolling locals for a good sound takes a little more energy than I'm willing to put in. However, for those who do like it, the Wow Hall is the best venue in Eugene to get that local flavor. I have several friends who enjoy underground rap, and the Wow Hall gets most of the local solo artists and groups.

The last place that I'll mention for "good" music in Eugene is actually right off the UO campus. The Campbell Club usually has a concert on Friday nights during the school year. My freshman year at the UO, it had a pretty cool concert that featured several rap artists from outside the Eugene area, including one who came from New Mexico. It's easy to get into, and is generally overcrowded, but if you work past all that there are some decent shows there.