The Social at Midtown, the popular sports bar situated on West University Avenue across from campus which closed May 5, is set to reopen in Summer B as MacDinton’s, an Irish pub.
“The Social will be missed but we are HYPED to bring the party to Gator Nation,” MacDinton’s wrote in an Instagram post Wednesday.
MacDinton’s is a Tampa-based Irish pub that serves classic Irish food, pub grub, and alcoholic beverages. Its Tampa location only serves customers over the age of 21.
The Social at Midtown allowed students under the age of 21 to eat in its restaurant during the day, but only allowed students over the age of 21 to enter during the evening. MacDinton’s management stated that its Gainesville location will be 18+.
Max Kappalman, a 21-year-old UF political science and psychology major, said that he does not expect to see significant changes to The Social as it becomes MacDinton’s. However, he said he is concerned about Midtown culture and how MacDinton’s Gainesville will contribute to it.
He said many newer Midtown bars don’t allow students under the age of 21 to enter.
“On one hand, you don’t have these places that freshmen can go, and I guess that can be seen as detracting from the culture [of Midtown],” Kappalman said. “At the same time, these places really haven’t been safe for freshmen.”
He also questioned whether the placement of bars encourages underage drinking.
“At what point is having all these bars across from all of these freshman dorms making people consider getting fakes?”
Evelyn McDaniel, a 19-year-old UF psychology junior, said she is excited to see what changes the new management makes.
“I think that they understand the love that people had for The Social and will make sure to give people what they want,” she said.
Contact Avery Parker at aparker@alligator.org. Follow him on X @AveryParke98398.
Avery Parker is a third-year English and History major covering university affairs for The Alligator. Outside of reporting, Avery spends his time doting on his cats, reading, and listening to music by the Manwolves.
