Mory's cracks down after liquor license loss

By Jill Silverman

For decades, Mory's nights have been a rite of passage for Yalies who spent many good times there bonding with friends and drinking out of the famous cups. A suspension of the club's liquor license, however, may only serve to strengthen a recent trend of stricter carding practices at Mory's.

Mory's president Herbert Emanuelson said that over spring break the club was subject to a "three-day [liquor license] suspension for an illegal incident." According to Emanuelson, the charge was substantiated by only one student. The club, however, "thought it would be most proper and expedient to accept the suspension rather than have a long hearing," he said.

Students familiar with Mory's said that while the establishment has recently cracked down on underage drinking, they have yet to be affected by the stricter carding policies. Andrew Diamond, CC '98, who as an active member of the YPU has attended many toasting sessions at Mory's, said that he has talked to members of the Mory's staff about its strict carding policies, which he believes to be detrimental to the Yale community. "It's hard on them because they understand the significance of Mory's to undergraduates, but at the same time they want to make sure they get to keep their liquor license."

Diamond said that he has never had a problem when he has held a toasting session for the YPU. "We generally have underclassmen, but we tell them not to drink. We don't want to cost Mory's their license and take them away from the community."

Dylan Tornay, CC '98, president of the Calhoun College Council, agreed. Although "we haven't had any major Mory's nights since Mory's started carding," Tornay said the stricter carding policies have not kept his organization from Mory's.

Some organizations, however, have been affected by the changes in Mory's policy. Mike Buchwald, SY '00, a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, said the fraternity used to have Friday `lunch club' at Mory's which included drinking. When the rules became stricter, Buchwald said `lunch club' came to an end. "It's a shame that the Connecticut law has to be enforced even there, because I don't feel like a crime is being committed." Back to News...