Since I have recently started spending more time writing online, I thought I should comment on a post at Buck’s blog at Radioball.net

A fun and somewhat related anecdote: While at the START Holiday Arts fair this past December I had a T&G employee tell me “it is a proven fact that nobody actually reads news online”. So If you’re reading this and it was news to you, please go back and forget the experience immediately.
Equally fun and anecdotal, advertising revenue here on RB for the same period is up 345.74%

Recently, The Irish Times has been in the news in reference to police activity on Main St. Here’s what Worcester Magazine had to say about the subject:

Alcohol is a big component of Gemme’s argument. In one section of his report, Gemme reports that “licensed alcohol establishments … generate a disproportionate level of police activity in the city of Worcester.” According to Gemme, five of the top 23 locations in the city for multiple arrests between June 2006 and June 2007 were so-called “pouring locations:” Irish Times with 245 arrests, Voodoo with 74, Jillian’s with 35, Palladium with 34 and Sh-Booms with 23.

Conversely, The T&G actually spent the time to dig a bit deeper into the story:

“We see a lot of binge drinking,” Officer Thomas M. Hast-ings, a member of the unit, said on a recent Thursday night. “Some will even drink on Main Street while walking to the bar.”

“Some kids think they can drink a whole bottle of Captain Morgan — which would put an experienced drinker out cold — before they go in,” added Detective Capt. Edward J. McGinn Jr.

Many of the young adults caught by police don’t have Worcester addresses. Leicester, Spencer, Winchendon, Fitchburg and Webster were some of the hometowns of the young adults arrested in early January.

Some are college students. Others still have the drive home at the end of the night. Capt. McGinn, commander of the Detective Bureau, said drunk, inexperienced drivers hitting the highways at 2 or 4 a.m. are dangerous.

“The only result can be disaster,” echoed Police Chief Gary J. Gemme.

The Irish Times, the focus of the Thursday night enforcements, does a great job enforcing the liquor laws, the police officials said.

The key point that Worcester Magazine missed in their quote was that all but a small handful of the “Irish Times arrests” were people who had never even entered the bar. Between the underage drinking arrests in surrounding parking lots and the searches we used to do at the door, the number of actual arrests inside the bar last year was single digits.

The Irish Times prides itself on being one of the safest places to have a good time, listen to live music and dance in the city. We have daily police details and more security staff on then anyone else in the city. It may cost us a bit more, but in the long run, our customers are safer.

We applaud the Worcester Police Department in their efforts to clean up the underage drinking, as it makes our job inside the bar a bit easier.

A lot going on during “St. Patrick’s Week” here at The Irish Times.

March 9th, or “Parade Day” as we call it here in The Woo, we are throwing the biggest POST-PARADE PARTY in the city. No cover, free buffet and live music by “The Drunken Uncles”. The party starts at 7:30. So after you have used and abused Park Ave, don’t forget to stop down to the biggest Irish Bar in town.

March 16, cult-heroes “The Saw Doctors” will be playing at the new theater downtown. To celebrate their show and the kickoff of St. Patrick’s Day, we are having the unofficial SAW DOCTORS POST-PARTY here at The Times. Chad Clement will be performing live, and Saw Doctors music will be playing as well. For the first 50 customers of the night, we’ll be giving away 50 traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinners at midnight.

March 17…..THE BIG DAY! Back by popular demand, THE HIGHLAND ROVERS make there way up to Worcester to play The Irish Times. They are bringing a bus-load of people with them to the show, which starts at 8pm and goes ALL NIGHT! We’ll open at 10 AM for those who want to get a jump on things and have giveaways, t-shirts, hats etc. all day long. Year after year, this is the best St. Patrick’s Day party in town. 2008 will be no different.

Cheers.

From all accounts, The Foo Fighters show at the DCU center last night was a success. Several people coming from the show raved about the sound and the band. As usual, The Times was packed before and after the show. If you haven’t been here on the night of a big show, do yourself a favor and stop by. It’s always packed and a really good time. Here is the schedule for both The Palladium and The DCU Center.

Two great mainstays on the stage this weekend: 2/22 Ryde & 2/23 No Alibi

REHAB is hoppin every Friday and Saturday night.

Pool on the second floor.

Good Food. Good People. Great Times.

See you here.

Two great musical acts coming to the Times this weekend. Bruce Jaques on 2/15 and Syndicate on 2/16.

Also, join us any or every Tuesday night at 8PM is Open Mic Comedy Night featuring James Dorsey, winner of the Twin Rivers “Catch a Rising Star” Contest.

So, the Giants won the super bowl. It’s Tuesday. I know. I know. You would have been at the NE Patriots Victory Parade today. And it’s a bit disappointing that you have to go to work instead. Almost as disappointing that you didn’t get to go home with Gisele after the game. Poor Brady.

But, you still have an excuse to leave early from work or go late: It’s super Tuesday. So you can still go vote in a contest that really matters… for your favorite presidential candidates.

I guess the internet isn’t always right. Hopefully not.

It’s only 3 days away. The weekend that is. And there’s no Patriots to watch. So, I’m sure you’re looking for something to do. We have two great cover bands this weekend. Here’s a bit about them.

Five Hole:

Five Hole got together in the middle of 2006. With diverse backgrounds and musical history, all members bring their unique style and tastes to their music. When these are merged, the result is a band that can handle most genres and songs while still giving the songs that Five Hole sound.

Ten Year Vamp:

Ten Year Vamp is a female fronted, high energy, radio friendly, pop rock band. Based out of Albany, NY, they have been touring the northeast for more then 3 years playing 2-5 shows per week in more then 50 venues over 7 states. They can go head to head with any male fronted band and come out on top. The band’s front woman Debbie, has a sexual maturity, talent and energy that keeps audiences captivated long after the music stops. The bands catchy music, chemistry, personality, and energy on stage easily makes fans out of anyone who experiences them.

See you this weekend.