The Union is a bar unique compared to bars on Court Street in Athens, Ohio. The bar has special nights every week, Tuesday's they have trivia, Wednesdays are bingo, and Thursdays through Saturdays are live events which are usually local bands performing. Throughout this story, the photos represent the feelings of what it is like to be there and the emotions of the people who go to The Union.
Elizabeth Garcia (left) and Robert Lanbor (right) walking into The Union located on West Union Street, in Athens, Ohio, Oct. 3, 2023. “The Union is a blackout booking for the bands, Scott Winland books the bands,” Michael Bart said. “He has been helping out with the band planning for a while now at The Union, he is the best at doing that job.”
Customers enjoy a drink and watch TV at the downstairs bar of The Union in Athens, Ohio, Oct. 3, 2023. The Union is an 18+ bar to accommodate people for the showings/events, a part of two other bars in Athens during shows. “I am unsure about its impact overall on how busy we are with it being 18+,” Michael Bart said. “But it is one of several things that set us apart from some of the other bars in Athens.”
Bartender, Kailey Klimkowski, pouring a drink for a customer at the upstairs bar located at The Union, in Athens, Ohio, Sept. 29, 2023. Although Klimkowski has worked at The Union for about a year now, the environment is what made her want to work there. “I like the vibe of the bar and the great coworkers,” Klimskowski said. “The bar is not a freshman bar environment; it seems like it is mostly graduate students or older people.”
Trynsery Wright playing pool with her friends at the downstairs Union bar, located in Athens, Ohio, Sept. 23, 2023. “We like to come to The Union, because it is peaceful and they always have good deals plus we can play pool,” Trynsery Wright said.
Caroline Bresnahan presents the winner of a bingo round, Regan Rybka, at The Union upstairs bar in Athens, Ohio, Sept. 27, 2023. Bingo night is a collaboration between Bresnahan and The Union are the ones who provide prizes and the materials. “I took a lot of inspiration from my sister’s bingo night, but I occasionally ask the audience to provide feedback,” Bresnahan said. “We also made feedback through google forms, which is how we started Singo!”
Set lists located on either side of the alcohol cabinets in the upstairs bar at The Union in Athens, Ohio, Sept. 26, 2023. The Union tries to limit the amount of branding in the bar, plus the bands who play at The Union get a little space of fame on the wall. “It is cool to see your set list up there with your friend’s band/a touring you loved,” Michael Bart said.
Owen Loughman singing a song with his band, Cid Berry, at the upstairs Union bar in Athens, Ohio, Sept. 29, 2023. The biggest part Loughman became a musician was because his father listened to so much music throughout Loughman’s childhood. “The reason why I came up with the band name is because I was on an acid trip,” Loughman said. “That is why it is Cid and not Syd, because it is inspired by Syd Barrett from Pink Floyd but also LSD.”
The crowd enjoys the music and dances while another audience member blows bubbles during the band performance, Split, at the upstairs bar in The Union, in Athens, Ohio, Sept. 30, 2023. Despite The Union being 18+ the environment of the bar is friendly, compared to the bars in Athens that are 21+.
