Lincoln city center bars are not worried about possible beer sales at the stadium

Chelsey Hieronymus, general manager of the brewery at Sixth and P streets, said game days are HopCat’s “bread and butter.” But the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s plan to start selling alcohol at Memorial Stadium could signal a change for the area.

“During the game, since they couldn’t drink in the stadium, we see a lot of people leaving games early if one side or the other is not doing well – and because they want to sit down, have a drink, stay warm or in the cold.”

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents will vote Oct. 4 on whether to allow alcohol sales at all sporting events. Assuming they vote yes, sales would begin next fall at Memorial Stadium and the Devaney Center.

Hieronymus said he doesn’t think the change will be a problem for bars.

“I would say we definitely see a bump in business when they can’t drink there, but I don’t see it affecting us too much,” she said. “Probably my only concern is how long people will be served at the game and then try to come to other places.”

Hieronymus said that after the Huskers’ game against Colorado on Sept. 7, he had servers leave in pairs because of the postgame atmosphere. While she said the last two games have been calmer, her concern is whether similar situations could arise in the future, especially if people drink at games.

As for beer sales at HopCat, Hieronymus said the change will likely affect sales, but maybe not as much as people might think.

“There will probably be some pretty expensive beers (at the stadium) as well and people won’t want to leave their seats and come back,” Hieronymus said. “I kind of imagine the logistics, it’s going to take them a while to figure it out.”

Beer has also been served at Memorial Stadium. When volleyball took over the stadium for Nebraska Volleyball Day in August 2023, beer was sold by companies like Kinkaider Brewing Co. Cody Schmick, co-owner of Kinkaider, said he sees Friday’s announcement as a positive.

“Owning a small brewery here in Nebraska, hopefully we can get one or two of our beers to the ballpark,” Schmick said.

He said he doesn’t anticipate beer sales at the stadium will have much of an impact on his businesses in the Haymarket area.

“I mean, we might lose a beer sale or two, but I anticipate that most people will go up and have a beer or two during the game and then come back and shoot,” Schmick said . “So I don’t see anything in that culture being crushed by this.”

Both bars also have events in addition to game days to boost business. Schmick also co-owns German bar Bierhaus Maisschäler, which hosts Oktoberfest on Saturday. HopCat also has beer for Oktoberfest.

Hieronymus said stadium game days will continue to be a big part of HopCat’s business.

“We really appreciate the Huskers bringing us all their business and so we’re eternally grateful for that,” Hieronymus said. “We just want to make sure everyone is safe.”