Whether you want to party like it's your birthday or just put your thing down, flip it and reverse it, finding a D.C. club that fits the student body is a problem. Many of the hottest venues are 21 and over, leaving most underclassmen behind the velvet rope. High cover charges and lack of a peer clientele can also deter entrance to a quality club. The best bet is to attend one of the many college nights put on by the some of the hottest nightspots in the city like VIP Club, Dream, Platinum Night Club and Club MCCXXII.
More local clubs like Club Daedalus, Passport Restaurant or Ooh La La Nightclub have parties on an irregular basis, advertised through a flurry of fliers. Generally, these offer a less authentic club experience since they are targeted exclusively towards this campus and eliminate the diversity, ambiance, and professionalism of a major club. Not to mention it can get a little weird dancing next to someone who sits nearby in a lecture, or glimpsing your T.A. showing off her T 'n' A.
College nights also insure a varied, but similar-aged group, because many feel that dancing around an older crowd on a normal evening can verge on the sketchy side.
"If the people aren't your age it isn't always as fun," said freshman Danielle Custer. "No girl likes an old creepy man grabbing her ass because he can't get any anywhere else."
College nights offer some of the best clubs on students' terms. Lower cover charges and weekday events make college nights the optimum way to party across the city and still have money for Ramen noodles.
Club VIP dubbed its college night "Glamour Sunday," where the music leans on the heavy rap side, attracting a mostly black crowd.
"The club in itself was jumpin', but the music and some of the people hanging around were questionable," said freshman John White. "If you don't mind dancing next to some folks having sex on the dance floor, then I'd say hit up VIP for a mighty fine evening."
Mixed drinks hover around $10 and beers around $4, but club-goers get them instantly from the smoothly run bar.
Students under 21 can only get into the Dupont area Club MCCXXIII ("12-23") on "Spank Me Tuesdays," their college night that offers discounted cover fees for the luxurious venue. After Britney Spears danced scandalously on stage at the NFL opening ceremonies, (oops!) she did it again at this club. Despite the star influence at MCCXXIII, others name different clubs as their favorites.
"For my taste, being a New Yorker, I would have to say that Dream is the best club. Not only is it clean, but the crowd is beautiful. It offers you a high class atmosphere from the first to fourth floor," said junior Lauren Pezzo.
Dream is 21 and over every night except "Earth Thursday." "Student Bodies," an upcoming event on Oct. 30 looks to make up for that lack of collegiate focus. Don't miss this advantage to get into this exclusive venue for cheap.
Club Platinum's many small bars quickly become overrun and are equally overpriced, but the main attraction is dancing.
"It looks like a ballroom ... it's stylish," freshman Ruth Kemmish said. The chandelier and upscale details complement the sweating, gyrating bodies on the small dance floor and multiple stages. These parties are powered by mostly mainstream hip-hop that gives people a chance to sing the words and get pumped up over familiar beats. D.C. radio station Hot 99.5 hosts college night every Thursday at Platinum, located across the street from Club VIP.
For students' needs, these clubs' special college nights are the best time to get busy and turn someone on into the early morn. So grab your chemistry lab partner, bob your head and ask, "What is love"