2021 Gumbo final - Book - Page 128
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lineleap’s debut
A
fter being closed for several months due to the
state’s COVID-19 regulations, students over 21
can finally return to Tigerland. Now, the bars are
using an app called LineLeap to ensure they don’t exceed
maximum capacity.
LineLeap is an app that originated in the Midwest at the
Big 10 schools’ local bars and is now used at bars all across
the country.
Users of the app must be at least 21 because users can
order drinks through the app. However, the creators of the
app are finding a way to make the app available to those
who are 18, according to co-creator of LineLeap Max Schauff.
“Starting this in the Midwest and in the Big 10, policies
are completely different for these bars. 99% of them are all
21 and up so that’s why we do that,” Schauff said. “We are
searching for ways to navigate that through the 18 and up
bars at LSU and, for that matter, across the country.”
Under normal circumstances, many bars in the Baton
Rouge area permit patrons over the age of 18. Louisiana’s
Phase 3 reopening plans ban those under 21. Along with the
new age restrictions, bars can only provide table service and
operate at 25% capacity up to 50 patrons.
The idea of the app came to creators Max Schauff, Nick
Becker and Patrick Skelly when they were still in college and
were tired of the long lines that came with going to the local
bars. They soon realized the app could also help bars with
reopening during COVID-19.
“We wanted to be the solution to this problem and
basically allow customers to be as safe as possible while still
having fun at their favorite bars,” Schauff said. “This was
actually born from one of our Minnesota venues that were
forced to eliminate their lines.”
The original features of the LineLeap app were paying
cover in advance, skipping the line and ordering drinks
without flagging down a bartender. With COVID-19, now the
app is used for contactless payments, reserving spots in the
bar and letting users know when the bar is at capacity.
“Each location is different, each city is different and all
the guidelines are different so they each use it in their own
way,” Schauff said. “The whole goal is to, with their limited
capacity, get them to reach that capacity so they are still
operating and able to operate but more importantly keep all
the customers safe and all the staff safe.”
Sports administration senior and LineLeap LSU campus
representative Gavin Assavedo likes that Reggie’s is taking
advantage of the drink ordering through the app and thinks
other bars in Tigerland will soon follow suit.
“The way it works at Reggie’s is that everyone has to sit
socially distanced away from each other,” Assavedo said. “It
isn’t standing like it used to be. One feature of the app is that
you can order a drink through the app. You just show the
server you paid and they bring it out to you.”
Users never have to enter any card information into the
app. A Venmo or PayPal account can be linked to the app to
pay on the spot.
“My favorite part about the app is that you can link it to
your PayPal or your Venmo,” Assavedo said. “You don’t have
to type in any card information and you can pay cover and
reserve your spot.”
Anyone who wants to go to a bar in Tigerland is required
to have the app.
“I think all LSU students should download the app and
reserve their spots in order to keep everyone safe and also
return to some normalcy,” Assavedo said.
Revolutionary new app makes its
way to Tigerland at the perfect
moment in time.