Where everybody knows your name

Almost everyone is familiar with the classic NBC sitcom, "Cheers." Back in the '80s, audiences related to the show's colorful cast: a group of Boston locals who frequented a bar (the show's primary setting) to indulge in bubbly libations, shoot the breeze and have some fun. \nIf the fictitious bar were an actual place, it would be hard to visit and not find the same customers drinking the same thing every time you dropped by -- and in some cases, they'd be sitting in the same seats. \nThe "Cheers" crowd represents people that are found across the country. They are the people found in their favorite pubs, bars and grills six out of seven days a week. They are the people who know the owner by name, children's names, birthday and favorite color. They are the people who may have a tab large enough to buy a small house. They are the "regulars."\nAccording to the coincidentally-named Cheers, beer and wine magazine, total alcohol sales at bars and restaurants in the United States reached an all-time high $57 billion by 2000. With staggering figures like these, it's no surprise bars have long demonstrated customer loyalty -- and as long as people keep going to their favorite places, sales will be a distant concern for these restaurants.\nAside from raking in a dependable cash flow, bars enjoy building rapport with customers as it fosters customer relations and secures dedication. \nIU sophomore Grant Heger works as a host at Claddagh Irish Pub in Indianapolis. He attests that having a band of regulars is helpful, and is something far from exclusive to the '80s sitcoms.\n"We get tons of the same people stop by," Heger says. "Some come in before work, after work, whenever they want to stop by and have some fun. We have a group of three that comes in every other night just to hang out with friends."\nHeger also says being a regular establishes more of a kinship with the customer.\n"If the same people come in all the time, you definitely get to know them a lot better and they get to know you a lot better," he says. "Pretty soon the entire staff gets to know them."\nHe also says that being a regular is not exclusive to any "type" of person.\n"All sorts of different people stop by," Heger says. "Even people from other restaurants come in regularly and hang out with our staff."\nIn Bloomington, familiar favorites like Nick's English Hut and Kilroys are no different. More than one college kid has been known to "whet their whistle" on a usual basis, and local Bloomington bars provide them an outlet to satisfy their alcohol needs in a fun, relaxed environment with friends -- which, of course, are the building blocks to becoming a regular in the first place.\nFrequenting bars is something that has long been a traditional way of kicking back after a hard day's work in America for as long as anyone can remember. But even old habits can get stronger over time. Cheers Magazine reports that total imported beer volume is up over 10 percent today compared to the late '90s. Also, bars have been selling even more bottled beer. Corona, for example, has seen a 21 percent increase in sales since 1998. \nNearly 10 years later, the bar business has proven itself one that has (and will continue to) stood the test of time.\nWith that in mind, it should come as no surprise that college kids spend more than their fair share of cash at these venues. Being a regular is not an inexpensive habit by any means, and for college students, the price may be more than just an extra few bucks here and there.\nForbes magazine ran an article entitled, "13 Financial Tips for College Kids." In the article, one of the first issues author Scott Reeves addresses is spending on booze.\n"Some say they only spend $20 a week on beer -- well, kids, that comes to $1,040 a year," Reeves writes. "The total shocks most students."\nAnd that's only on average. Imagine how much the total would grow in the case of a "regular." Knowing the name of the owner's Schnauzer and his wife's birthday won't help you reduce the bill.\nSo what tips does Reeves offer in the way of college students spending their hard-earned cash at bars, and spending in general?\n"Mad money should be sane and sober," the article reads. "Set a limit for walking-around money and stick to it. Hitting up the ATM for another fistful of crisp twenties is easy -- and guaranteed to deplete your bank account."\nThe article also suggests that going out on the town to celebrate good friends and spirits may not always be a good idea.\n"This will save you big bucks," Forbes says. "Don't eat regularly at fast-food restaurants because it will reduce your bank account while bloating your belly. At the supermarket, buy the house brand and increase your savings."\nWhether picking up a six-pack of Coors at Kroger will save you more money than going out to the bars ultimately depends on the individual. Maybe being a "regular" in your own living room with your friends will be easier on your wallet than making your rounds on Kirkwood.\nBut that's not to say hitting the bars doesn't have its perks -- if nothing else, there's that sense of stability.\nAs "Cheers" regular Norm once said: "I'm in a gambling mood, Sammy. I'll take a glass of whatever comes out of that tap"