PRC Publications on Bar Study Results

Juliet Lee Senior Research Scientist Prevention Research Center

Two publications from a study conducted by the scientists at PRC (R01AA019773; PI: JP Lee) highlight risks related to over-concentration of alcohol-serving establishments in communities. PRC scientists collected and analyzed data in and around bars across 6 mid-sized California cities. Innovative methods in this study included a micro-environmental approach to analyzing area effects, and a mixed methods design integrating both qualitative and quantitative ethnographic data collected in bars with archival data on crime and area conditions. The researchers found that assaults were associated with both neighborhood conditions (greater bar density, greater physical disorder, lower population density, and lower income) and barroom conditions (more patrons, more dancing and louder music). They further found that loopholes in local policy conditions allowed establishments licensed as restaurants to operate as de facto bars and clubs, in effect adding to the density of bars in communities, including bars operating under risky conditions, in late night hours. PRC scientists in this study have included Juliet Lee, Chris Morrison, Paul Gruenewald, Anna Pagano, Christina Mair, and the late Andrew Treno, as well as past-PRC scientist Friedner Wittman.