While some students are used to the usual dining hall fare and self-serve style, many are surprised to find a Dining Services facility that openly serves a cold beer or cocktail alongside its famous sandwiches.
The BU Pub is located in the basement of the BU Castle on Bay State Road, which leads many people to believe it is one of the best-kept secrets on campus. Closed to the general public, the pub is exclusively open to faculty, staff, alumni, overage enrolled students and invited guests. However, although the pub does not have a specific drink limit for customers, they do reserve the right to refuse alcoholic sales.
Pub manager John Romard said although there is no official limit to the amount of alcohol a student can drink in one day, the pub and its bartenders have the right to refuse service once they feel someone has had too much to drink.
“We deal with a lot of inexperienced drinkers,” he said. “It’s very frequent that we ask someone to slow down or switch to a non-alcoholic beverage.”
Pub bartenders, who must be over 18 to serve alcohol, first receive a Training Intervention and Procedures Certification. This prepares them for handling various types of situations they may experience while serving alcohol, including customers who have had too much to drink.
Favorite activities among pub visitors are the Quests, in which students have the opportunity to participate in the Knight’s Quest and then proceed with the Lord’s Quest. To participate in the first quest, a person must drink all 60 types of beer sold at the pub. The Lord’s Quest requires the participant to try various forms of shots.
The Knight’s Quest, which has been around for 12 years, has seen 125 participants in the past year. The Lord’s Quest has seen only 90 participants in its three-year tenure.
Although there is no time limit on Quests, there are rules set in place to discourage heavy drinking. For example, according to the terms and conditions agreement that must be signed before starting the challenge, a student cannot complete the Quest in less than three weeks.
“We don’t want to encourage excessive drinking,” Dining Services Marketing Director Michelle Vitagliano said. “That’s not the point.”
Romard said the business has been in operation for 15 to 20 years.
“No one really knows how long it’s been here,” he said.
Initially called the BU Club, the business changed its name two years ago. With a 35 member staff of mostly undergraduate students, they serve various types of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as sandwiches.
College of Arts and Sciences junior Alex Smoligovets initially heard of the pub his freshman year and paid a visit on his 21st birthday. He now considers himself a frequent customer.
“A lot of students don’t know about [the pub],” he said. “But it definitely has a loyal following.”
Aside from alcohol, Smoligovets said the pub’s sandwiches are popular among diners, particularly because they can be purchased with BU dining points.
“I love their sandwiches,” he said. “I go every Friday after class just to get one.”
Aside from bartenders, pub employees include sandwich makers, door staff, bus workers and bar backs, who do general cleaning.
Bartender Robert Elliot, who has served drinks for all four years of his undergraduate career, said the pub has evolved over the years into a classier establishment.
“I’ve seen all types of bars,” the CAS senior said. “The atmosphere, the food, the clientele … this pub is a rare find.”
Elliot said the pub puts a lot of attention on employees and the way they perform their jobs.
“It’s more on the job,” he said. “[Romard] is a lot more aware of each employee’s individual strengths and weaknesses … They definitely pay attention to the staff.”
In compliance with their liquor and private club licensing, the pub is not allowed to advertise or promote its business. Instead, Romard said he and his staff try to give their customers an enjoyable experience so they keep returning.
“Getting people to find out about the place is the hardest challenge,” he said. “Because of that, we try to give them the best experience.”
Romard said there is also a strong sense of community among its students, specifically those who are more involved within the university.
“We attract the pro-BU student,” he said. “Students who are more active on campus make up 90 percent of the people who come here.”
There are several events that the pub hosts, including Tuesday trivia nights and occasional live music on Thursdays. The trivia games, which Romard said are very popular, hand out prizes that range from apparel to glassware. The live performers are usually current BU students.
“We host these events to make people happy,” he said. “It adds to the atmosphere of the place.”
Some students, even those underage, said they think having an exclusive pub on campus is a good way to boost a sense of community.
“It’s a really convenient location and a good meeting place for friends,” College of General Studies sophomore Joanna Widmann said. “I also like that it’s so low-key.”
Other students said they agree that having a private pub quality adds to the bar’s mystique.
“The best part is the fact that it’s hidden,” College of Communication junior Alejandro Goicouria said. “I absolutely love that it brings a secretive aspect.”
Smoligovets said he recommends all students visit the pub during their time at the university.
“Definitely go once while you’re here,” he said. “As soon as you turn 21, just go.”
Elliot said although he should have spent more time on other aspects of his undergraduate career at BU, his time at the pub has been memorable.
“Looking back, I should have been focusing on internships for my major,” he said. “But I wouldn’t have traded this for anything.”
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