The Outpost Grill started selling beer Wednesday after a beer and wine license was issued on Feb. 10, according to the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control website.
The Outpost, operated by auxiliary organization 49er Shops, first applied for a beer and wine license in August. The restaurant is the second alcohol vendor on the technically “dry” campus.
Don Penrod, chief executive officer of 49er Shops, cited in August a possible increase in revenue, recent renovations to the restaurant and service to the student community as reasons for the idea.
Junior human development major Marcella Santia said she may drink more often on campus now that the Outpost serves beer close to her classes. Santia said the distance between her classes and the Nugget discouraged her from going to the Nugget often.
On Wednesday, when the restaurant began serving beer, there were only a few students drinking.
Graduate student Will Crook said he only found out the Outpost started serving beer Wednesday when he stopped by.
Crook also said he appreciates the Outpost’s proximity to his classes but doesn’t think it will take away from the Nugget’s popularity.
“I’ll probably come here the same rate because it’s where I have all my classes,” Crook said. “But, the Nugget is more sociable than the Outpost.”
Senior aerospace engineer major Teddy Mendoza said the Outpost, which is located near the engineering buildings, will give other majors a place to socialize.
“It will make engineers more social,” Mendoza said.
But not all students were able to get a beer today, even if they had an ID.
Edgardo Guzman, a senior aerospace engineering major, said he tried to purchase a beer but his ID was not scanning through the system so he wasn’t able to.
49er Shops was not available for comment.
How much?