Chippewa bar owners push back on age restrictions

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - While some Buffalo lawmakers and businesses push to make parts of Chippewa Street inaccessible to anyone under 21-years-old at night, other businesses are pushing back.

In a letter to Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan, Representatives for VENU and Bottoms Up say there is broad support for College Nights and 18-plus events to continue on Chippewa, and Rec Room owner Chris Ring, who is President of the Chippewa Alliance, is the only business owner pushing for age restrictions.

"This is being pushed by Councilman Mitch Nowakowski," said Bottoms Up Manager Tim Walton. "We have 22 people signed off on this letter... The President (of the Chippewa Alliance) is pushing this saying everyone is on board... How can you say the Chippewa Alliance is on board if the bars are all signing and saying, 'We're for this?'"

Walton said he believes forcing a 21-and-up Chippewa will mean businesses close.

Walton said that recent fights and criminal activity that have brought attention to Chippewa have not occurred on Thursday nights during Bottoms Up's 18-plus events. He points out the majority of problems happen during the summer, when college is out of session, meaning the usual 18-and-over crowd is out of town.

Instead of making new rules for age restrictions, Walton said an increased police presence, like what happened this past weekend, would solve many of the problems that are seen in the area.

"Last week was the first time we saw big change," Walton said. "My understanding was that there was about 77 tickets given for open container. In the past five years I don't think I've seen one issued. You got in a fight with a bouncer, before they were telling you to move along and they'd be back in 30 minutes... last week, the first time it happened you were in handcuffs and taken away for disorderly [conduct]."

They're asking the Mayor to veto any legislation that would prevent Bottoms Up or any bar from hosting 18-plus or College Nights.