Downtown bar pulls in college crowd
By Kelley Deck
Phoenix Staff Writer
Eighteen and nowhere to go? A bar in Jackson has opened its doors on Friday nights to those 18 and older. The Rocket's College Night runs from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. every Friday.
Melanie Sanford, The Rocket's general manager, said they noticed that there's not really anything for the 18-to-20 crowd to do in Jackson. "This gives (them) a chance to experience the night life," Sanford said.
College Night usually features a DJ playing hip-hop music for dancing. It also books bands for special events. Students in that age range who have a college ID are allowed in for $5. Those without a college ID pay $10, Sanford said. People 21 and older who go to the Rocket are asked for basic information such as name and age, which the bar uses for its database. That helps the bar keep tabs on its crowd, Sanford said.
The Rocket has several bouncers who put an X mark on the hand of those younger than 21, and give wrist-bands to those 21 and older. "If the X is washes off, then they will be re-marked," Sanford said. She said the Rocket gets help controlling the college crowd.
"JPD (Jackson Police Department) are in all the time to deter underage drinking," Sanford said. Jackson's Deputy Chief Matt Heins said minors don't have to have a beer in hand to attract police attention. "If we smell alcohol on their breath, we can give a (breathalyzer test)," Heins said. "We have legal authority to check anyone." Heins said police walk through the bar and ask the bartender and/or bouncers if they're having any problems with minors trying to get served. If there seems to be a problem, they may send an undercover officer in.
Heins said he doesn't know how often police are called to the Rocket, but it's "not that often. The bar "polices its own" with bouncers, Heins said.
The Rocket also has a dress code to help avoid fights. Customers can't wear jerseys, sweat pants, jogging suits, bandanas, do-rags, or knit caps. Hats must be on straight and worn forward only. Camouflage is not allowed on any kind of clothing. Bouncers check both the dress and behavior of people entering the bar. "(Bouncers) will turn people away if they're not according to dress code, and most will go change clothes," Sanford said.
Mike Haire, 21, a Jackson Community College student, said he felt unsafe at the Rocket. "You could kill six people and get away with it," he said, because it's so packed.
But Matthew Ellis, 19, said he felt safe at the Rocket. "There are a lot of big bodyguards," he said.
"It seemed like they took the right precautions," said Whitney Pelton, a JCC student. She said she would go back as long as "all my friends would drag me back."
But safety isn't the only issue. Ellis said he wouldn't go back to the Rocket because it was too expensive. Haire said he would not go again "unless someone covered my $5 fee and bought me my first three drinks." And, he said, "the music is so loud" the sound system can't handle it.
But Keithous Hall, 23, a JCC student, found the atmosphere "pretty lively, a lot of energy and is always packed. It is a lot of fun." "Dark, spacious, loud and fun," David Cavender, 19, described the Rocket.
Cavender, a JCC student, said he'd go again "if the price was lower and if (G-Unit rapper) Tony Yayo comes back."