When severe weather threatened the University of Arkansas at Monticello’s fall semester welcome-back concert, a new student lounge became the unexpected hero.
On the evening of August 18, UAM held a grand opening for Weezy’s, the campus’s new sports-bar-style student lounge in the John F. Gibson University Center. At the same time, country artist Patrick Averill performed on the University Center lawn in UAM’s first campus concert since 2016, bringing students, faculty and staff together for a long-awaited night of music and entertainment.
Then the clouds rolled in.
Shortly after the concert began, rain and lightning swept across campus, and hundreds of people fled back to their cars and dorms. However, instead of ending the festivities, more than 100 students sought refuge in the University Center, setting the stage for an unforgettable opening night at Weezy’s. Students packed into the lounge, filling the couches and chairs and mingling beneath the glow of Weezy’s bright neon-green sign. Averill happily continued his acoustic setlist inside, turning Weezy’s into a concert venue.
With the storm in the background, students sang along, cell phone lights glowing in the air, and Weezy’s became exactly what it was designed to be: a welcoming place to connect, unwind and build community.
Weezy’s grand opening represented the culmination of a project that began in 2023, when a committee was formed to revitalize the space. In 2024, funds from the UAM Centennial Grant allowed for the installation of shades. Repairs followed in 2025, along with brainstorming and planning for the space. In the summer of 2026, the room was renovated, completing its transformation into Weezy’s.
Located in the University Center in the space formerly known as the Patio Café, Weezy’s is accessible from both the exterior of the building and the interior hallway leading to the campus dining hall. UAM Athletics and UAM Intramurals memorabilia are spread throughout the lounge, creating a sports-bar atmosphere. The room features three 4K televisions in the main sitting area and one 100-inch 4K television, which can display up to four games simultaneously. The televisions have access to sports-streaming platforms, including YouTube and ESPN, and feature UAM athletic competitions when available. Weezy’s is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Faculty and staff are welcome to use the space.
Students can order from a limited menu of high-quality, pub-style food, including burgers, chicken strips, curly fries, onion rings, chips and fountain drinks. Food is available through Grubhub from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, using a declining balance or a debit or credit card.
For students attending the grand opening, the new venue felt like a place they could call their own.
“Weezy’s is such an amazing place for students to get together,” Aiden Manley, a senior accounting major from Pittsburg, Texas, said. “It’s going to be great to have a spot like this on campus. I’m so happy and so grateful to everyone who did this for us.”
Victoria O’Neill Rivera, a junior business administration major with an emphasis in marketing from Warren, Arkansas, and the current president of the Student Government Association at UAM, also welcomed the addition of the new lounge. “I really like the space, and I think it’s a great way to bring the campus community together. I love the vibe and the sports-bar feel to it, and I think other students will, too.”
Dr. Landon Grimes, vice chancellor for Student Engagement at UAM, said, “I was excited to see the student turnout for the opening of Weezy’s and the Patrick Averill concert. When the weather forced us to move inside, the atmosphere was great, and the energy in the room was amazing. Students and staff all seem to enjoy the space and look forward to using it. We are planning more events in Weezy’s this semester and hope students take advantage of it during the day and enjoy the food during the late-night dining hours.”
With its grand opening complete, Weezy’s is ready to begin its new chapter as a regular part of campus life. The next event is a Poetry Night hosted by Lemon Pepper Poetry Slam on September 8 at 7 p.m.
For more information about Weezy’s, contact the Office of Student Engagement atstudentengagement@uamont.eduor 870-460-1053.
Article courtesy of the University of Arkansas at Monticello.
