MORGANTOWN — Barwatch is an app, launched in Morgantown, that lets bar and club patrons sneak a peek at what the crowd is like at their favorite spots.
The idea came to founder Nick Winslow his freshman year at West Virginia University, where he went for two years.
Winslow said went home, asked his roommate about his night and was told it was terrible — the place he went wasn’t the vibe he was looking for. Looking online, there was no solution to the problem — Google Maps and its crowd meters aren’t party-goer nightlife friendly.
“So we founded the idea for Barwatch right there in my dorm hall,” Winslow said.
That idea came in February 2020. Once a user registers on the app, he or she have the option of following participating bars and clubs, which each have their own Twitter-style homepage where they can advertise the night’s specials.
The main feature though, is that Barwatch places a camera in each bar, allowing customers to check the vibe before deciding where to spend the night.
“We have some college students who are using it to make sure that wherever they go out that it’s the vibe that they want with the dancing and everything. And then we have people who are 29, 30, 33 years old that have DM’d the Instagram and like, ‘This is amazing. Like, I now have a seat at the bar everywhere I go, because I know it’s open,’” Winslow said.
In August 2021, the app was soft-launched with two Morgantown bars, Almost Heaven and 4th & Goal, Winslow said. In January, the app officially launched with 11 area bars and clubs.
Mac Laban, owner of The Bank, 344 High Street, was part of that official launch.
Laban said a good buddy of his who used to be a liquor rep told him about Barwatch.
The live streaming aspect is a big hit with customers, Laban said. Once the camera gets noticed, the questions about how to see themselves and get on it start. Laban directs them to download Barwatch.
Barwatch can be an asset to any bar or club and Laban said he encourages his friends to use it in their establishments.
“I think it would benefit any bar or a club and Morgantown. And you know, if they don’t want to, you’re not obligated to stay with them,” Laban said. “So, you know, I always tell the burners and I know, friends of mine and a majority of them are on there. So, they gave it all a shot. I think it does well.”
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