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Summer Ball Bars to be Cashless

Jun 15 2008 22:41

The Dark Knight

The Summer Ball will operate a cashless bar system to reduce queuing times, but drinks will be more expensive.

Bring your change to exchange for tokens!

Bars at next week's ICU Summer Ball will not be accepting cash, with a token-based system in operation instead. The move aims to speed up service times, which caused problems at last year's event. A simple exchange of tokens for a drink will be required: with no tills in use staff will not be waiting around to put a transaction through. The reduction in cash handling will also help to avoid under- or over-charging and cash going 'missing'.

Tokens for the bars will be available in the queue-line on entry to the event and whilst inside from a station by the Queen's Lawn. The Union is recommending that people use cash to purchase their tokens in order to bring queueing times down, however card machines will be available. Tokens will be taken in all 7 bars (dBs, da Vinci's, Union Bar, Queen's Lawn, Ante Room, MDH, Great Hall).

Faster bar service will come at a slightly higher price, with drinks prices rising to allow a flat-rate token system. Tokens will cost £1 each and be available in strips of 5, with no refunds available.

Pricing has not yet been fixed, however soft drinks (except Red Bull) are likely to require 1 token, draught lagers, beers, ciders and house spirits+mixer will be 2 tokens with a glass of wine going for 3 tokens, alongside premium spirits. Bottles of wine and champagne will also be available.

The dinner is a sell-out with entertainments-only tickets also selling fast. The Union building will be shut from 4pm on Saturday 21st for preparations, so don't expect to get your pre-Ball drinks there!

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Discussion about “Summer Ball Bars to be Cashless”

The comments below are unmoderated submissions by Live! readers. The Editor accepts no liability for their content, nor for any offence caused by them. Any complaints should be directed to the Editor.

1. Robert Ward

Jun 15 2008 23:12

Sounds like a very good idea.

However, I hope that this doesn't make the queue for the tokens even longer. Also; will we be able to refund unused tokens after the event?

2. umm

Jun 15 2008 23:45

Yeah sounds good. Why would you have unused tokens? It's the summer ball FFS, get wasted mate.

3. Matty "pedant" Hoban

Jun 16 2008 00:11

So according to that picture we have to pay in US currency.

SNARF SNARF.

4. Matt

Jun 16 2008 00:32

I've been to music festivals that use this system, it should work pretty well :-).

5. Ashley Brown

Jun 16 2008 09:44

An interesting piece from Nouse at York, talking about our Summer Ball:

It?s time to banish the cheesy acts

6. Hmmm

Jun 16 2008 13:56

"Why would you have unused tokens?"

because you turn up in a pretty dress with the intention of getting wasted on spirits and the occasional mixer, only to find out that the new cashless bar has sped up the service so much that all the popular drinks have sold by eleven and you really can't bring yourself to drink carling.

And no you won't be able to get a refund...

Is anyone running a book on when the first drinks run out this year? Or is that against ssp?

7. engineer

Jun 16 2008 14:03

I can see a black market for unused tokens developing...

8. hummmm

Jun 17 2008 10:41

nouse seems to be under the misimpression that we actually get proper acts for the summer ball, rather than just paying some ridiculous amount to have someone vaguely famous sit in the dj box and do a worse job than someone who is actually competent but less well known

9. ho hummm

Jun 17 2008 13:06

@8: reminds me... alexa chung anyone?

Speaking of tokens though... wonder how many they'll be ripping you off for a glass of a shot and mixer.

Why does the union seem to think that everyone drinks snake bite or beer. Well, I think last year's 'dry bar' is just an excuse to encourage copious drinking pre-pre drinks and dinner.

10. engineer

Jun 17 2008 13:11

The article tells you that... 2 tokens for house spirit+mixer.

11. w

Jun 18 2008 01:33

What if you want a double?

12. snowman

Jun 19 2008 17:44

So if I just want 2 beers, I am forced to buy my tokens in a strip of 5 and shell out ?5 instead of ?2?? seems like a way to make extra money from us due to tokens not being used I think

13. Pro-token

Jun 19 2008 17:59

It should be 3 tokens for house double and mixer, more expensive than a Friday night, but cheaper than every other day, they'll sell more and still make a profit... everybody wins.

Or else it will be 4 tokens for a double and mixer and everyone will get angry.

:-)

14. also pro-token

Jun 19 2008 18:46

snowman:

If you actually had some friends, you could share the huge outlay of ?5 between you all to buy your shandies

15. York student

Jun 23 2008 22:47

@8: You know what? That's why we don't get jealous. It'd be cool to tell everyone about but it wouldn't blaze any musical trails on the night.

Give me some Alphabeat anyday ;)

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