by Debbi | May 15, 2010 | Graduation, Guest Blogs, People
Last week, we posted a request
on this blog, Twitter, & Facebook for Sandbar graduates- college
students who frequent the Sandbar and are graduating this spring,
leaving Lawrence and the Sandbar behind (or not, in some cases).
We've profiled graduates in the past, usually employees because
they have to answer my questions if they want to keep their job (not
really), but this year we got lots of responses from graduating
customers. We're excited to share their stories with you!
Today's profile features Vanessa, a regular for quite some time now.
What's your favorite Sandbar jukebox song? Bonus points if you tell us why.
I absolutely love “Fishing in the Dark.†I didn’t know the song very well before numerous trips to the Sandbar. Now I love singing along and joking about its double meaning with my friends!
Tell us the funniest moment you remember at The Sandbar- whether it involves you or not.
It’s hard for me to pick just one favorite funny moment from the Sandbar, but if I was forced to pick one I would say it was it happened during my s
orority’s moms’ weekend last year. A large group of us wanted to take our moms to the Sandbar. One girl’s mom was already a big fan of the Sandbar (because her son had worked there a few years ago) and insisted on buying a Hurricane. So here we are six girls on the bar with one mom in the mermaid outfit having the time of her life. We not only danced to the Hurricane but also to “Working at the Car Wash†and “Shake your Tail feathers.â€Â
Remember the first time you came here? Tell us your first impression.
I could probably pin down the exact date of my first Sandbar experience, but I will approximate it as early December 2008. I had wanted to visit the Sandbar 
for quite some time but having an early birthday makes it hard when none of your friends are 21. Finally a few of us were all 21, and we set off to the Sandbar. I immediately felt like I had been transported to an island oasis. I am a big fan of beaches and warm weather so anything to make December in Kansas seem a little warmer was a big plus for me. Pretty much from that point on Sandbar became my favorite bar and still is today!
What's your drink of choice? The one you'll miss the most?
My drink of choice is Landshark. I love the fact it is on tap, but I could probably get a Landshark somewhere else so I will pick another. The Shark Attack is by far 
my favorite tropical drink from the Sandbar. It is more than just the drink I like. It is the whole experience of the drink. I love tipping my little shark upside down to mix the grenadine into the blue liquid. Also what is not to love about getting a free toy?!
Tell us what you're doing after you graduate- sticking around town? Moving on to greener pastures?
Graduation, yikes! Is it really next weekend? Anyways, I am spending my final summer in Lawrence before heading off to Los Angeles. Keeping my fingers crossed, I will find a job in public relations.
How many hours have you waited in line?
I have waited many of hours in line at the Sandbar. Two of my longest waits actually happened in one weekend. Homecoming brings a lot of alums back to KU, which means longer lines, but both hour waits were completely worth it once inside! I have discovered if you come around 9:30, the line is usually fairly short!
by Debbi | May 14, 2010 | Graduation, Guest Blogs, People
Last week, we posted a request
on this blog, Twitter, & Facebook for Sandbar graduates- college
students who frequent the Sandbar and are graduating this spring,
leaving Lawrence and the Sandbar behind (or not, in some cases).
We've profiled graduates in the past, usually employees because
they have to answer my questions if they want to keep their job (not
really), but this year we got lots of responses from graduating
customers. We're excited to share their stories with you!
Today's graduate: Katy, a Tropical Thursday regular
This spring semester, me and two of my best friends decided we were not going to miss a tropical Thursday at the Sandbar. So, for the whole
semester, every Thursday the three of us went to the 
Sandbar, usually
with our Bahama Mama glasses in hand and bellied up to the bar for a
few drinks. It is one our favorite places in Lawrence and really has
become a home away from home, especially for me because my real home is
in Virginia where I live on the water, so the beach shack theme really
hits home for me. We are sad to go, but the three of us look forward to
meeting again one day down at the sandbar, hey!
What's your favorite Sandbar jukebox song? Bonus points if you tell us why.
I don't think it's any secret when the three of us are at Sandbar
that one to three Disney songs are going to play. The personal
favorite though of the group I'd have to say is Hakuna Matata from the
Lion King. We all know all the words and always make sure to sing them
at the top of our lungs.
Tell us the funniest moment you remember at The Sandbar- whether it involves you or not.
I'd say the funniest moment I ever had at the Sandbar was taking my
mom there when she came to town to visit. I ordered her a Shark Attack
and it was like watching a kid in the candy story when she poured in
the "blood" and I'm pretty sure she finished it in like 5 minutes and
wanted another. She was also excited to keep her shark, when we got
home she said, Make sure I don't forget my shark when I leave"
Remember the first time you came here? Tell us your first impression.
Me and my friends had always heard that Sandbar was the hardest bar
to get into with a fake ID, so we 
promised ourselves that Sandbar would
be the bar we saved for when we were actually 21. We all went together
the night we got back into town from Summer break and had the time of
our lives. We thought we had found bar heaven. Of course we weren't shy
to put on the mermaid costumes and do the Hurricane. From the first
moment we walked in, it became a Lawrence favorite.
What's your drink of choice? The one you'll miss the most?
After trying all of the drinks, the two I will miss the most are my
Pink Flamingos and the new skittle shots. I love the color pink and
skittles are my favorite candy, so they were always my preferred
choices.
Tell us what you're doing after you graduate- sticking around town? Moving on to greener pastures?
I will be moving to New York City and attending the NYU Summer Publishing Institute.
How many hours have you waited in line?
We learned our
lesson early and have never waited in line, because we always got there
early enough to avoid the painstaking line. I heard it can be crazy,
so we avoided it at all costs.
In closing…
We love the Sandbar and I'm going to dearly miss it, but I'm glad I'll
always have a place to come back to. Thanks for all the memories and
the great times!
by Debbi | May 13, 2010 | Graduation, Guest Blogs, People
Last week, we posted a request
on this blog, Twitter, & Facebook for Sandbar graduates- college
students who frequent the Sandbar and are graduating this spring,
leaving Lawrence and the Sandbar behind (or not, in some cases).
We've profiled graduates in the past, usually employees because
they have to answer my questions if they want to keep their job (not
really), but this year we got lots of responses from graduating
customers. We're excited to share their stories with you!
The third Sandbar 2010 graduate this week is Juliana, a weekend regular.
What's your favorite Sandbar jukebox song? Bonus points if you tell
us why.
Either
The Way You Make Me Feel by Michael Jackson or Don't Stop Believing by
Journey — I love to dance to Michael Jackson, and Journey is always a
good one to get the whole bar singing to.
Tell us the funniest moment you remember at The Sandbar- whether it
involves you or not.
Where
to begin. I have so many funny Sandbar memories. One of the funniest
memories is going there with my roommate Vanessa to celebrate her 22nd
birthday. It was a Tuesday so the bar wasn't overly crowded. But we
managed to have a good time. After 
making sure Vanessa got liquored up
with completely unnecessary shots (such as the firecracker), she then
requested to be a mermaid, and that they play her favorite song
— Sweet Caroline. Then proceeded to explain to me that we needed to go
upstairs and take pictures in the sand. Needless to say, we left
shoeless, covered in sand and completely intoxicated — all in all
making a good birthday and a great Sandbar memory.
Remember the first time you came here? Tell us your first
impression.
I
came there Saturday night April 4th 2009, at approximately 11:56pm and
waited outside. At 12:00am April 5th I turned 21 and entered Sandbar as
the first bar I went to legally as a 21 year old. I have been there
every weekend since. — obviously I loved it. I made a dollar bill that
is still on the wall! I love the atmosphere, the music, the dancing,
the drinks, the company, and the staff — definitely my favorite bar in
town!
What's your drink of choice? The one you'll miss the most?
Shark
Attack!!!!! Or any of the Bahama Mama drinks. We have so many of the
duck toys and sharks as decorations around our apartment. I'm not sure
what to do if I don't have a local bar to provide me with more!
Tell us what you're doing after you graduate- sticking around town?
Moving on to greener pastures?
I will be around for the summer, but then I plan on teaching English in Europe for a year before attending law school in Boston!
How many hours have you waited in line?
Well my friend and I went to Sandbar once or twice a
weekend, I think we have waited over an hour before, but it is always
worth the wait!
(photo taken in Gulf Shores, Alabama, over spring break 2010)
by Debbi | May 12, 2010 | Graduation, Guest Blogs, People
Last week, we posted a request
on this blog, Twitter, & Facebook for Sandbar graduates- college
students who frequent the Sandbar and are graduating this spring,
leaving Lawrence and the Sandbar behind (or not, in some cases).
We've profiled graduates in the past, usually employees because
they have to answer my questions if they want to keep their job (not
really), but this year we got lots of responses from graduating
customers. We're excited to share their stories with you!
The second Sandbar 2010 graduate to respond to our request was Gena.
What's your favorite Sandbar jukebox song? Bonus points if you tell
us why.
My favorite songs would have to include Neil Diamond and Kool &
the Gang songs. There are too many favorites to pick just one.
Tell us the funniest moment you remember at The Sandbar- whether it involves you or not.
My funniest moment was from several years ago on Cinco De Mayo. It
was a saturday night and I arrived at the Sandbar already having
started my celebration at El Mezcal (margaritas!!). After being at the
Sandbar for an hour or so, X (a certain coach who will remain nameless on this blog) arrived. I turned to yell at my
friend to tell her he was there and by that time he was standing right
by me. As I turned to my friend, I spilled my popcorn down the front
of his shirt. The rest of the night I kept going up to him and talking
about the team. From that night on, every time I see X he comes up to me and says "I remember you." 🙂
Remember the first time you came here? Tell us your first
impression.
I do remember my first night at the Sandbar. It was in the Spring
of 2004, and I had an absolute blast. I was definitely dancing on the
benches within the first half hour! 🙂
What's your drink of choice? The one you'll miss the most?
My drink of choice would be a Bahama Mama….and even though I will
still remain in the area after graduation (and will still frequent the
Sandbar), I would miss the shotski the most.
Tell us what you're doing after you graduate- sticking around town?
Moving on to greener pastures?
I will be working at a pharmacy in Ottawa, Kansas.
How many hours have you waited in line?
Ha ha, I have waited in line quite a bit. After many years of
waiting, I have figured out the secret of the best time to arrive in
order to avoid the lines. 🙂
In closing…
Even though I will be sticking around town after graduation, I would
just like to thank Dave and his wonderful staff for so many years of
enjoyment. I will always be a big fan of the Sandbar!
by Debbi | May 11, 2010 | Graduation, Guest Blogs, People
Last week, we posted a request on this blog, Twitter, & Facebook for Sandbar graduates- college students who frequent the Sandbar and are graduating this spring, leaving Lawrence and the Sandbar behind (or not, in some cases).
We've profiled graduates in the past, usually employees because they have to answer my questions if they want to keep their job (not really), but this year we got lots of responses from graduating customers. We're excited to share their stories with you!
First up: Matt.
What's your favorite Sandbar jukebox song? Bonus points if you tell
us why.
I
definitely can't pick just one because I've got a set of three valuable
songs that I always play with my dollar. It starts with Phil Vassar's
"Six-Pack Summer" because it goes extremely well with a cold Landshark.
Next is a song that can't be found on any other jukebox around town —
"Kiss the Girl" on the Little Mermaid soundtrack. Sure, it's a bit
embarrassing, but it's always worth it when the entire bar is into it
and every guy and girl in there knows all the words. Finally, Jimmy
Buffet has to be played at the Sandbar so I always round it out with
"Volcano"
Remember the first time you came here? Tell us your first
impression.
I
remember waiting in line for half an hour or so just to get in the
first time. It was the weekend after my 21st birthday and my friends
bought me dirty banana shots. The first thing I remember thinking was
how uniquely "Lawrence" it is, but at the same time unlike anything
else in town.
What's your drink of choice? The one you'll miss the most? 
The
first thing I order is always a Landshark. It's the perfect summer beer
and every day is summer at the Sandbar. However, the drink I'll miss
the most is Surfer on Acid because even when I order it other places,
the setting usually isn't right.
Tell us what you're doing after you graduate- sticking around town?
Moving on to greener pastures?
I'm
moving on to the pastures of Northern Ohio in the town of Bowling
Green. If you think Western Kansas is flat, you should check out this
area of the country… I'll be a Master's student in Bowling Green
State's College Student Personnel program and look forward to
potentially coming back to KU to work someday.
How many hours have you waited in line?
I've never had to wait longer than 30-45 minutes because the
Sandbar is amazing on a nice, late afternoon so I usually go then when
there is no line.
In closing…
The Sandbar is one of the great Lawrence traditions that I will miss
when I have to leave this place. I hope nothing major ever changes
about it so that I can always look forward to coming back and enjoying
good times and great people!
Thanks, Matt! Good luck to you in Ohio, and be sure to stop by when you come back to visit KU!
