On The House: Florida Bars Experimenting With New Way Of Protecting Female Patrons

Bars across southeastern Florida are experimenting with fake shots to help protect female patrons who feel uncomfortable or even threatened while out.

The bars and restaurants experimenting with the idea are primarily in Boca Raton, Jupiter and Fort Lauderdale. Staff hanged posters in the women’s restrooms with a new “drink” called the “Owl Shot” that offers instructions to get out of an uncomfortable situation.

The posters read, “Are you on a date that isn’t going well? Are you feeling unsafe, or even just a bit weird? For help, just go to the bar and order an Owl Shot.”

Three options of the “Owl Shot” are available, depending on the situation the woman finds herself in. The first is “neat,” where staff will escort the woman to her car. Second is “on the rocks,” where staff calls a ride for the patron. Third is “with lime” and requires staff to call the police.

Florida Atlantic University's Student Government reportedly came up with the idea as a way to protect students out at the local bars.

“Everyone's on board,” Alejandra Rodriguez, Governmental Relations Director at FAU, told reporters. “Bars owners love it, the administration thinks it's a great idea. There's been really no negative response to it at all.”

Rodriguez said students began reaching out to bars over the 2019 summer break by printing and sharing the posters at local establishments. Some students reportedly put money into the initiative themselves to print more posters.

“The launch of a safety initiative within the community has been long overdue,” Student Body President Kevin Buchanan and Vice President Celine Persaud said. “This initiative outlines the importance for students to continue feeling at home even when they're out engaging with the local community.”