Brittany Bott / Staff Photographer / bb211605@ohiou.edu

On a Thursday night at Red Brick Tavern, college students can be found socializing, drinking and having a good time — Red Brick is one of many Uptown bars frequented by shufflers.

Hitting each of Athens’ 21 Uptown bars in a single night might prove difficult for even the heaviest drinker — assuming they get the chance.

At least two bars aren’t keen on the infamous “shuffle,” a pilgrimage to every one of Athens’ Uptown bars that hundreds of Ohio University students embark on each year.

Those who undertake the journey usually stop at each bar for a drink or two, but even during their abbreviated stay, owners and managers have encountered trouble.

“We don’t allow it, but (the shufflers) still manage to make their way in,” said Chris Bruno, co-owner and marketing coordinator of Casa Cantina, 4 W. State St. “There are social issues surrounding supporting binge drinking, and we try to stay away from that.”

Bartenders know when a person has had enough to drink, Bruno said, adding that responsible bartenders shouldn’t serve severely intoxicated shufflers.

The Pigskin Sports Bar & Grill, 38 N. Court St., also frowns upon the shuffle, prominently displaying a large sign that reads: “No shufflers or anyone carrying indelible markers admitted at any time.”

Shufflers traditionally sign bathroom walls as part of their booze-fueled marathon.

Brenna Randel, general manager of Red Brick Tavern, 14 N. Court St., cited defaced bathrooms as the biggest concern with allowing shufflers into the bar.

“It’s a big problem; we don’t like to keep it up because of the lunch business we get,” Randel said. “There are families that eat in here too, and it’s just not necessary.”

Bill Cash, general manager of Skipper’s Bar and Grille, 22 W. Union St., recognizes that the shuffle is a long-standing tradition among OU students, but still has expectations of those who partake.

“We obviously hope that shufflers drink responsibly and stay away from binge drinking,” Cash said, adding, “We hope they respect our property, too, and don’t deface the bathrooms or steal anything.

“It’s a great tradition, and a good way to bond with friends. It just needs to be done in moderation.”

Though the vibes associated with the infamous bar crawl are exciting, bars can face severe penalties if they cater to shufflers or binge drinkers.

According to the Ohio Administrative Code, “No liquor permit holder, and no agent or employee of a liquor permit holder shall encourage or allow any game or contest that involves the drinking of alcoholic beverages or the awarding of alcoholic beverages as a prize.”

“Bars can be cited for over-serving, or promoting excessive drinking,” said Julie Hinds, spokeswoman for the Ohio Investigative Unit.

The citation is a third-degree misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
There are, however, incentives to supporting the tradition.

Bars can also expect a jump in profit during the shuffle season, as larger groups are going bar-to-bar seeking drinks.

“We really support it. It brings in good business,” said Liz Means, a bartender at The Pub, 39 N. Court St., adding, “The only problem is the writing — people not only write in the bathrooms, but on the tables, too.

“It’s usually the same story every time — just a bunch of drunk people.”