Last call for campus saloon
To make contributions to the Derek Morg Fund, helping sponsor Morg’s bone marrow transplant, please donate to:Derek Morg Fund
2692 Spearpoint Dr.
Reno, NV 89509
Fritz owner Derek Morg is selling his bar in order to raise money for a bone marrow transplant. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease earlier this year. Photo by Clint Demeritt / Nevada Sagebrush.
Located conveniently near campus on Virginia Street, Fritz Bar and Grill is a significant figure in the University of Nevada, Reno community. Inside the bar, customers have regularly been greeted by posters covering the wood-paneled walls and rock ‘n’ roll music playing from speakers or a small platform designated as the stage on which local bands and DJs have often performed.
During its nearly six years of operation, the bar has provided students with a lively environment in which to see live music, enjoy inexpensive food and drinks, and socialize. The bar’s comfortable atmosphere, local focus and special events have made it a favorite for many college students.
But on Dec. 20, as the semester comes to an end, owner Derek Morg will close the bar so he can sell it to raise enough money to have a bone marrow transplant to continue his battle with cancer.
Morg opened the bar in March 2003, while he was in his early 30s. Originally intending to open the bar with a friend, Morg became the sole owner when his friend backed out of the deal.
“I had been a bartender for years,” he said. “I always wanted to open a college bar. I think people have had a good time here.”
Earlier this year, Morg was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease, also known as Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. The disease causes lymphatic cells to grow abnormally and spread beyond the lymphatic system, making it difficult for the body to fight infection. Advances in technology and medicine have made the disease more treatable than it has been in the past, with a higher potential for full recovery.
“I found out that I’ve got a rare case of the disease,” Morg said. “I’ll have to be in the hospital for four to six months.”
After undergoing chemotherapy treatments this summer, Morg plans to receive his bone marrow transplant in January.
Many local patrons are disappointed about and saddened by the bar’s closure and the circumstances under which it must close.
“Fritz was by far my favorite bar in Reno,” Aidan O’Connell, a 23-year-old journalism major, said. “It was a laid-back place. Everyone that worked there was awesome and always down to have a good time. ”
Waitress Lindsay Dimitri takes Even Haft's, 23, order. Photo by Clint Demeritt / Nevada Sagebrush.
Throughout the years, Fritz has hosted many special events for students, including karaoke nights, snowboarding video premiers, bikini bull-riding and concerts featuring local bands.
“We formed a pretty good group of friends with those shows,” O’Connell said, “but that’s how Fritz was. It was a place where I could always count on a friend being there. It was kind of its own community within Reno.”
Morg helped O’Connell arrange the first show for his band, Red Hot Radio, at Fritz in 2004. Their friendship provided O’Connell with many opportunities.
“He even gave me a job for about a month there as a cook,” O’Connell said. “That’s the kind of guy Derek is. I needed a job — he helped me out. A band needed a place to play — he hooked it up.”
Morg has enjoyed bringing different crowds of people to his bar with the different special events he has organized.
“We did whatever we thought we could get away with,” he said. “I think a lot of people consider it a good local spot. We catered to a unique group of people, a lot of skiers and snowboarders.”
Due to its drink specials, entertainment opportunities and central location near the university campus, Fritz became a favorite place for many students to spend their time.
“I mainly like how it is right next to the campus where most of my classes are,” said Andrew Altman, a 21-year-old radiologic technology major. “I prefer it because it has more people my age and most of my friends go to that bar. Basically, my favorite memories are just getting drunk with my friends and trying to walk back to the dorms.”
As the bar approaches its final days open to the public, many of its loyal customers are sorry to see it go.
“I was really saddened to hear it was closing and that Derek is sick,” O’Connell said. “He’s always been a great guy, and I probably spent more time hanging out at the bar with him than anything else I did in Reno. I practically lived at Fritz. I’m sad to see the bar close, but we need Derek around for a lot longer.”
Altman agreed that he is sad to see the bar close its doors for good.
“I’m absolutely devastated,” he said. “It’s one of my favorite bars in Reno, and I will miss everything about it.”
Fritz Bar and Grill will close for the final time on Dec. 20, ending a six-year run. Photo by Clint Demeritt / Nevada Sagebrush.
Before its closure, Fritz will host “Punk For a Cause,” a benefit for Morg to help pay for his surgery, from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday. Local groups Beercan, Til It Goes Click, Misfritz and Anti-Panti will perform. All proceeds from entry fees, raffle tickets and purchase of products will go toward the fund for Morg’s surgery.
“My best friend owns [production company] We Ain’t Saints, and he’s been organizing all of this,” Morg said. “I’m stoked that a lot of people have been helping out and donating products for raffles. Thanks to everybody in the neighborhood and longtime locals for their support.”
Although many students will miss the bar after its closure, Morg plans to return to work after his surgery and start anew.
“I’m going to miss a lot of the locals I’ve met,” Morg said. “I’ll probably start another bar when I get all done with this.”
Casey O’Lear can be reached at colear@nevadasagebrush.com
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