DeKalb | “Last call” is what bar-goers hear toward a bar’s closing time. Soon, it may be “last call” on 50-cent draft night altogether.

A proposed DeKalb ordinance could adjust legislation titled “Happy Hour Prohibited.” Mayor Frank Van Buer, acting as liquor commissioner, has advocated doubling the minimum price of liquor.

Currently, the cheapest price bars can charge for one ounce of beer or wine is four cents. Under the new legislation, the price could change to eight cents.

This legislation could potentially eliminate the popular 50-cent draft night which many area bars hold.

“It’s ridiculous,” said junior marketing major Alan Wegrzyn. “As a 21-year-old college student, I can’t have cheap fun. They are just trying to control our behavior.”

The adjustments made to “Happy Hour Prohibited” would also include hard liquor, changing the price from 50 cents per ounce to one dollar per ounce — one shot glass equaling 1.5 ounces. The DeKalb City Council will decide whether to pass the legislation tonight at 7 p.m. DeKalb memos say the main reason the liquor commissioner is pushing this legislation is to help prevent over-consumption on specials nights. Liquor prices in DeKalb have not changed since 1995.

Jeff Dobie, owner of Fatty’s Pub and Grille, 1312 W. Lincoln Highway, said if the legislation is approved he will raise the prices. Dobie said he is not in favor of the government being in charge of the prices, but this is a welcome adjustment.

“We will raise the prices,” Dobie said. “I don’t have a problem with that. Bar owners are lowering their prices just to get people in the door.”

Dobie also said he would rather see patrons going to a bar because of its atmosphere, not because the prices are cheap.

The only specials night Dobie can see the new legislation affecting at Fatty’s is 50-cent draft night. He said because 50-cent draft night at Fatty’s is a Tuesday night, he hasn’t had a problem with over-consumption. He says he gives credit to college students who are responsible if they have class the next day for not having any problems.

“I would like to see bar owners not let prices get this low,” he said. “It’s our responsibility to watch prices.”