If you couldn’t tell by the yellow trash cans overflowing with solo cups and beer cans at tailgates, LSU fans love a good beer.
But until this August, they were only able to drink in restricted areas of the stadium.
This May, that all changed when the Southeastern Conference lifted the ban on in-stadium alcohol sales. Now, individual colleges can determine whether they want to serve beer and wine at athletic events.
Effective Aug. 1, LSU fans ages 21 and older with valid IDs will be able to purchase beer and wine at Tiger Stadium concession stands. Alcohol sales will be authorized in all areas except the student section.
In the past, alcohol sales were restricted to exclusive areas like the ground-level food and drink spot The Chute and the Skyline Club, an open-air seating area and bar. Ticket holders can pay $20 for access to The Chute. Admission includes two alcoholic beverages and the opportunity to purchase food, water and soft drinks, and guests can watch the game on a giant HD video board and multiple HD TVs. To access the Skyline Club, fans must purchase the Skyline Club member package.
“This is a response to fan feedback over a pretty long period of time,” Senior Associate Athletics Director Robert Munson says. “Fans have let us know through surveys and in person that this is something they want for their experience at our events. We want to respond positively for what our fans are asking for.”
With the new policy comes more changes. To monitor the sale and consumption of alcohol, the university will add additional staff throughout the stadium to watch for visibly intoxicated fans, underage drinking and guests sneaking in outside drinks.
All alcoholic drinks sold in the stadium will be poured into plastic cups, and no more than two adult beverages may be purchased per transaction, according to LSU’s new policy. The stadium will use clear cups to help identify alcoholic beverages, Munson says.
Tiger fans will be able to purchase beer and wine until the end of the third quarter. To ensure football enthusiasts aren’t drinking and driving, the LSU athletics department will be collaborating with food services company Aramark to offer a designated driver program beginning this fall.
For more details on LSU’s policy and code of conduct for the sale of alcoholic beverages, head to the athletics department’s website. LSUsports.net
This article was originally published in the August 2019 issue of 225 Magazine.
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