Don’t bother bringing study materials to this hangout. Campus staple Northgate Tavern is holding its grand re-opening party Friday, debuting its new name — The Library at Northgate — and a new management attitude.
The bar was called Library Joe’s for 30 years until 1999, according to manager J.D. Menchaca. Since then, it has assumed many names, including Ichabod’s and Northgate Tavern.
Menchaca said the name needed to be changed to separate the bar from bad past associations and to give a nod to the time when the bar was thriving and popular.
With this and other strategies, Menchaca and the two other managers plan to repair the establishment’s finances, structure and reputation. Menchaca said he has been thinking about the purchase, which was finalized in November, for years.
“As much as I like Northgate Tavern as it is now, I can completely respect the new owner’s desire to resurrect an old LSU tradition,” said accounting sophomore Peter Bernzen.
Bernzen said the story often told is that students in the days of Library Joe’s could tell their parents they spent Friday night at the library without lying.
Bernzen added that he has seen an improvement in the atmosphere since the new management took over. He said he intends to frequent The Library more because of the
changes.
Terrence Joubert, mechanical engineering sophomore, said some may get confused with the name change, but he hopes the bar will receive much-needed publicity for it. Joubert said he will
continue going no matter the name.
Geology senior Shane Cone isn’t drawn to the new name in particular, but said the environment is more welcoming under the new management. He said the events and music have won him over.
“They also seem to welcome you and actually appreciate that you are there,” Cone said.
Booking manager and promotions director Jay Price said the bar will now have a more consistent event calendar, with themed nights almost every day of the week, including Karaoke Monday and live music every Wednesday and Friday.
Price said the grand re-opening party will not have a cover and several local bands, including Shoelace and Nil the Prophet, are scheduled to perform. It starts at 8:30 p.m. on Friday.
