{"id":88726,"date":"2025-08-29T16:20:26","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T21:20:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=88726"},"modified":"2025-08-29T16:20:41","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T21:20:41","slug":"lokal-country-bar-offers-safe-lively-atmosphere-for-fort-hays-students-and-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=88726","title":{"rendered":"Lokal country bar offers safe, lively atmosphere for Fort Hays students and community"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By GARRETT WELLBROCK<\/strong>
Tiger Media Network<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

HAYS, Kan. \u2014 Lokal, a new country bar near Fort Hays State University, is becoming a popular hangout for students and locals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Open to anyone 18 and older, Lokal owners Tara Thorne and Bob Shuvert opened the bar this summer with the goal of making a safe place that is fun and full of music. Patrons 21 and older get in free, while 18-20-year-olds pay $10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe wanted a safe place for students and town people to have fun without worrying about anything,\u201d Thorne said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lokal has a lot of space inside and outside, with tables and yard games including cornhole and pickleball, and bar games such as darts, pool, and Polish horseshoes. There is also a dance floor and live music most nights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every Thursday is \u201cCountry Night\u201d with country music and line dancing. Fridays and Saturdays have a mix of music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe DJ actually watches the crowd to see what they want,\u201d Thorne said. \u201cSome people like country and line dancing, and some just like to dance to other songs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thorne said she and Shuvert weren\u2019t sure how busy Lokal would be over the summer, but they were happy with the crowds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe were worried about the summer, but we had a steady crowd,\u201d she said. \u201cWhen school started again, it got really busy and fun.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thorne says the staff is friendly and welcoming, and the bouncers are always there to keep patrons safe. She said safety is especially important for students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy biggest message is for the girls \u2014 you are safe here,\u201d she said. \u201cWe have bouncers all the time. There\u2019s plenty of space, fewer fights, and lots of things to do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lokal is planning its first big music festival on Sept. 20. There will be DJs inside and live bands outside. Doors open at 5 p.m., and music starts at 6 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thorne said they want to keep making Lokal better by listening to students and the community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe want this to be a place for everybody,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Story for INF 349<\/em> Convergent Media Lab<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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