The Megaron Bar - An Institution Itself

As many of you already know, the Holywell Manor Bar (sometimes referred to as the Megaron) is a main centre of graduate life in the MCR. Hold on to your hats kiddos, because this bar is unlike any other!

Firstly, it works on the honour system, and you're extended your very own credit-line. Just take a drink and then mark it down in the book on the sheet with your name on it. At the start of next term you'll find out on your college bill exactly how much you've had to drink . . . hopefully you'll remember it all!

The Megaron is a great place to gather for conversation, snacks, and drinks of all kinds. It has very few rules, but they're important:

1. Please don't steal.

The bar has always worked on an honour system, and this fact is in large part responsible for its laid-back homey atmosphere. Drinks are very cheap, often cheaper than the off-licence, but they're not free. Inside the bar area you will find a large book with a page for every graduate student.

When you take a drink or a packet of crisps, mark it off in the book. You will be charged on your battels (term-bill) at the end of term. You can also pay in cash, at the same prices. A beer, a glass of wine, and a measure of spirits all cost £1. Premium malts and spirits are £1.25 per measure. Bottles of ice team, red bull, and J2O are £0.60. Crisps, chocolates and glasses of juice or other soft drinks are £0.43. During bops only cash is accepted and prices are inflated.

2. Please be respectful of other Manorites.

Try not to make too much noise, especially very late at night, and even more especially *not in the garden*.

3. Use of the Bar

The bar is always open and manned Friday and Saturday from 10 to 12. Anyone may sign up to tend the bar during these times, and earn a £10 credit on their battels. That person is responsible for opening the bar, serving drinks, loading the dishwasher and closing the bar. This is a great way for you to learn everyone's name, since you have to tick off their purchases. The bar manager will post a sign-up sheet for shifts inside the bar at the start of term.

Other than those times, the bar may be opened by anyone on the MCR executive committee, anyone on the Bar Committee, anyone doing a bar shift, or the Bar Manager. Anyone else wanting to open the bar for any reason should call or email the bar manager.

4. The Bar Committee

The Bar Committee is a list of six people who can check out the bar key from the porter's lodge. These people also assist the bar manager infrequently, usually by helping me clean or stock, and by taking shifts at bops. The list will be populated by the bar manager on a first-come basis.

5. Our Premises License (Important Legal Stuff)

The Megaron Bar is licensed by the Oxford Council Licensing Authority, as detailed in our Club Premises Certificate, and required by English Law (Licensing Act 2003).

It is MCR policy for the official closing hours of the bar to be 23:00 (Sunday-Thursday) and 0:00 (Friday-Saturday). Alcohol may not be consumed in the garden after 22:00.

The following extra conditions apply to our Certificate:

1. The designated Bar Committee shall take all reasonable measures to ensure that no nuisance is caused by noise emanating form the premises.

2. All external doors and windows must be kept closed, other than for access and egress in all rooms

3. The Premises Certificate shall not include the garden area after 22.00.

The following is especially important to note:

Licensing Act 2003 s.73(4) "any alcohol supplied for consumption off the premises must be in a sealed container." This means that while you may purchase an unopened bottle of beer or wine at the bar and carry it off the premises (to your room, a kitchen, or the bbq), you may not carry an open container off the premises.

6. Enjoy

The bar is a very relaxed and enjoyable place to hang out. There's plenty of
non-alcoholic stuff like juice and soft-drinks and candy available. And there's plenty of beer, wine and spirits. If there's anything you like that isn't being stocked, just email the bar manager.