The Gasthaus is a favorite hangout for University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee students to play pool and darts, eat, watch a sports game and, of course, get a drink — even at noon.

From the time the Gasthaus opens daily at 11 a.m., you can find students drinking beer, sipping mixed drinks and even taking shots of hard liquor.

While college is sometimes characterized by Jim Belushi in “Animal House” — a character who parties intensely and has come to symbolize an aspect of the college experience — most of the daytime-drinking students in the Gasthaus are tame. Studying is a common practice here for day-drinkers, as is a friendly conversation with comrades.

Though students’ peaceful demeanor doesn’t resemble a house party in the least, daytime drinking is generally not thought of as a social norm and is often considered a sign of a drinking problem, Norris Health Center experts said.

Little if any research has been done on daytime drinking and its effect on students, but much of the research that has been conducted has consistently shown that in most cases, the more a student drinks per week, the worse that student’s academic performance is.

Paul Dupont, senior psychologist for the Norris Health Center, said there are a number of factors in determining whether or not this behavior is a cause for concern.

“With daytime drinking specifically, I think I’d have to ask more questions,” Dupont said, “such as why during the daytime, how early, how many drinks, how often does this occur and what effect this is having on the students’ functioning.”

Students who drink during the day and in-between classes said the draw to the Gasthaus is its atmosphere. Students cited the dim lighting and gathering of peers that make it a relaxing haven on campus.

“I have a couple drinks maybe twice a week before bowling class,” said Jack Wolf, a junior who can be found sipping a whiskey and Coke. “I wouldn’t before an academic class or final though.”

In fact, most students interviewed admitted to having one or two drinks once in a while before a class, but do it socially and are quick to cut it off. Most said they have a drink because of stress, a problem that most feel is more relevant than when they drink or how much. Students said that having a drink or two before or after a class “takes the edge off.”

“We’re usually the busiest at the beginning and end of the semester,” said Mike Minor, a bartender at the Gasthaus. “It’s probably because (students) are stressed to start school and stressed over exams.”

He said most customers rarely have too much to drink during the daytime.

The drinking behavior of around 31 percent of students, however, still puts them at risk of drinking problems during college and after graduation, according to statistics provided by the Norris Health Center.

Students acknowledged that they only drink during the day because they’re in college and it’s a fun experience.

Students feel that as long as their behavior doesn’t have serious adverse effects, there isn’t a problem, and most doubt they’ll practice daytime drinking after they graduate, have a job and face greater responsibilities.

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