By By Erika Luft
Walking down Hempstead Turnpike on a Friday afternoon, one may not expect such a large crowd gathered in front of a bar, but who can say no to McHebes Happy Hour?
Founded by the Tau Kappa Epislon fraternity in 1997, Happy Hour has become a staple among the fun-loving bar fans at the University. Beginning at 4 p.m. on Friday afternoons, crowds begin to filter into McHebes, enjoying the 80s music, beer pong tables and casual atmosphere.
“I like Happy Hour because it starts early and I’m usually pretty tired at the end of the week,” Jeff Kuprycz, a junior audio and radio major, said. “I can get my dose of enjoyment and [go to] sleep pretty early.”
Happy Hour tends to be more casual than a typical night at the bar, with an easy, no-frills atmosphere.
In the past year, McHebes has livened up ordinary Friday nights with a line of C-list celebrities, like Dustin Diamond, from Saved By The Bell, the stars of MTV’s Real World San Diego and Viva La Bam and the April 2005 Playboy Playmate.
Although celebrities are always fun, the real allure of Happy Hour is the ordinariness of it all. People like to just hang out and unwind from busy weeks. It does not require hours to choose an outfit or do your hair and make-up; it’s just a time to hang out with your friends at the local bar.
“Happy Hour is a relaxing way to spend time with friends after a long week of classes and papers,” Kuprycz said. “Everyone has the same vibe when they go to Happy Hour, relax, drink and just have fun.”
This seems to be the general feeling: everyone just wants to chill out and have a great time.
“When I bought the place and re-opened it in April of 2000,” Rob Verderosa, owner of McHebes, said. “I just recreated it and added my own flair of what it is today: 80s music, specials, etc.”
He has done just that. Happy Hour is a main attraction, leaving many people’s away messages referencing “the happiest of hours” each and every Friday afternoon. It has collected a loyal following and the crowds continue to increase.
“Happy Hour is my favorite part about the week,” Lindsay Brandt, an audio,/video/film major, said. “After classes end on Thursday all I want to do is grab a pitcher of Miller Lite at McHebes and sing along to some oldies.”
McHebes’ signature night of the week has such an abundant following that there are currently two clubs on thefacebook.com “Happy Hour Regulars” with over 100 members and “Happy Hour Groupies,” with 35 members and growing. There is something in the air at Happy Hour. The fights are few and far between, the drama ceases and the smiles are abundant.
“The best part about Happy Hour is that it isn’t just an hour, it’s more like nine,” Brandt said. “It’s the best crowd of kids at Hofstra getting together to forget about studying and just party. It should be a required activity for all students, at least once before they graduate from Hofstra.”
It seems that each week more and more people choose to begin their weekends early Friday afternoon at McHebes, and many students do fulfill the suggested requirement of attending Happy Hour at least once. Most, however, do return for second and third trips, since the faces each week seem to vary only slightly. Some weeks there are a few new faces, but for the most part it is the same smiles, holding the same beers, having the same great time.
Happy Hour at McHebes begins every Friday at 4 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m.