After a six-month hiatus, College Dropouts re-enrolled Thursday as another pre-game and post-game spot for ASU students, just in time for football season.
The bar, located on College Avenue and Sixth Street in Tempe, is close enough to Sun Devils Stadium that patrons can feel the building shake when ASU scores, owner Kevin Jones said.
Since temporarily closing in February because of economic and leasing complications, Jones has remodeled the entire bar, adding a brand new oak bar top, more detailed interior design and a new set of handcrafted beers, including Four Peaks, Sleepy Dog and Dead Guy Ale — “the beer drinker’s beers,” Jones said.
“We actually did (the remodeling) in 21 days, but it’s fully decked out and looks better than ever,” he said. “We worked 20-hour days for the last three days.”
Food and nutrition management senior Adam Hackbarth has worked at College Dropouts as a Barback for more than three years.
“I love the crowd,” Hackbarth said. “It’s a lot of young college people. I love this place. I drink here, I work here. This is my bar.”
Hackbarth said College Dropouts is the closest bar to the stadium. Many people rush in during halftime because there is no alcohol allowed inside the stadium, he said.
“It’s all college kids here, but it’s very homey … We’re a family bar.” Hackbarth said.
Anthropology junior Kerie Hawkins has worked at College Dropouts as a bartender since it opened in 2008.
“I love the environment,” she said. “We were in a big rush to get this place open today, but we’ve put a lot of work into it.”
Jones said patrons can expect to see the “Drinkin’ with Lincoln” penny draft beer specials back soon. He also plans to have a three-two-one special on Thursdays, offering a $3 shot of Three Olives, a $2 shot-of-the-week and $1 off drafts.
Additionally, Jones said he wants to bring in musicians for live music nights.
“We’ll have local artists, which will make it a more chill alternative to the top 40 DJs that you primarily see on Mill Avenue,” Jones said.
Reach the reporter at kmmandev@asu.edu
