DS View: Albatross

After hearing about the limitations on alcohol sales at the Albatross, we at the editorial board believe the restaurant was receiving unfair treatment as a result of the current regulations that put limitations on the amount of alcohol that can be served in one night as well as the strength of the alcohol that is allowed to be served. Albatross has a class three liquor license, meaning that they are only allowed to sell beer and wine.

Many restaurants and bars rely heavily on the revenue generated by alcohol sales, and by making the Albatross comply with the limitations on the types and amounts of alcohol that can be served, the business is definitely being put at a disadvantage. Although the restaurant is in a great location only a short walk away from the Ralph Engelstad Arena, some potential customers may be put off by the fact that the restaurant is not allowed to serve as wide of a variety of alcohol as other restaurants in town since they have limitations on the strength of the alcohol they can serve.

While limitations on alcohol may be effective at preventing customers from getting too intoxicated before hockey games, it makes no difference whatsoever when you take into consideration the fact that the Ralph Engelstad Arena is allowed to serve unlimited amounts of alcohol all night long with no restrictions at all. Furthermore, Albatross is located only a few blocks away from Happy Harry’s Bottle Shop, a liquor store within walking distance of the Ralph Engelstad Arena that would give customers an alternative to buying drinks at Albatross.

Although we do not condone binge drinking before hockey games, these restrictions on liquor sales at Albatross will in no way prevent it from happening. If people wish to be intoxicated at the arena, they will without a doubt be able to do so. By restricting sales at Albatross but not holding the Ralph Engelstad Arena to the same expectations, the policies are harming the local business while having no impact on the amount of drinking on campus, particularly before and during the hockey games.

We do not believe liquor sales all together should be limited and especially not banned. However, if there are going to be restrictions in place with the intention of limiting drinking and preventing the amount of public intoxication, the restrictions are completely pointless if they are in effect at some places but not others.