We'd always heard about squadron bars in Air Force ready rooms and were always amazed that was allowed...
But it seems that may have had a part in the demise of the O club.
Zip,
I don't believe the AF squadron bars led to The Club demise. We always had a pretty robust squadron bar culture during my years and both co-existed well and complemented each other.
At Beale on a Friday, we would hit the squadron bar for a while, then head to the Big House and meet the spouses and girlfriends... and would carry on into the night. The Club scene died at Beale around 2000. I saw some good Clubs still going on elsewhere as late at 2004.
What killed the O'Club culture? I don't know. It didn't help when subsidies went away and beer was more expensive than off base. Some always blame the "DUI" thing... but I believe it goes deeper.
Will "The Club Culture" ever come back? Maybe at select "special events" at an HQ base like Randolph AFB. But I'm glad for the great O'Club memories I have because I believe they are extinct at most places.
Different but similar story... changing tastes amongst the current generation has resulted in Beale's 18 hole golf course to close a few months ago. By Spring, it will be an unmowed field of weeds.