I am not much of a partier. I had never heard of “Thirsty Thursday” until college. I was curious about Tampa’s nightlife, so I decided to hang around Vaughn and see what it was like for students to prepare for a night of partying.
Vaughn lobby was pretty bare when I got there. It was mostly people passing through and a few sitting down. Within 10 minutes, I counted around 20 students walking through Vaughn, meeting up with friends and stopping by the ATM.
Liz Gustaffson, Marissa Derosa and Tia Williams were on their way to the Dallas Bull, a country-themed club. “It’s a nice change of scenery,” Gustaffson said. According to Derosa, the Dallas Bull also has a mechanical bull.
At around 11:20, it was getting quiet in Vaughn, so I stepped outside in hopes of finding people on their way to clubs and bars or coming back from them. I noticed a couple of girls out in shorts even though it was fairly chilly that night. It was clear these ladies were willing to bare the cold in order to show off some skin.
I counted six cabs outside Vaughn waiting to take students to their bar or club of choice, though I have seen more cabs outside Vaughn before. I imagine picking up a group of students is beneficial for both parties. Cab drivers have a steady flow of customers and get paid while students get transportation and can split the cab fee with their friends.
While outside, I could hear the customers at The Retreat having a good time. I have heard them before since I live in Urso, but I had no idea The Retreat could get so busy. I contemplated visiting at some point.
Three students were walking back from The Retreat. One of them invited me to join them. He was obviously drunk. He tripped over his own feet and fell. Thankfully, it was on the grass and was all smiles when he got up.
“The Retreat was a bust,” said a friend of the intoxicated student, who declined to give her name. “They wouldn’t let the three of us in.” She and her two friends got in one of the cabs and left before I could ask any more questions.
At 11:40, I head back inside Vaughn. There is a police officer outside of the elevators checking IDs, but no trouble arises. The are a dozen students hanging around the ATM.
Students Heather Cote and Alexis Farrar were on their way to Hyde Park Café. “It’s more like a bar,” Farrar said. “Café makes it sound more classy.”
I am not much of a partier. I had never heard of “Thirsty Thursday” until college. I was curious about Tampa’s nightlife, so I decided to hang around Vaughn and see what it was like for students to prepare for a night of partying.
Vaughn lobby was pretty bare when I got there. It was mostly people passing through and a few sitting down. Within 10 minutes, I counted around 20 students walking through Vaughn, meeting up with friends and stopping by the ATM.
Liz Gustaffson, Marissa Derosa and Tia Williams were on their way to the Dallas Bull, a country-themed club. “It’s a nice change of scenery,” Gustaffson said. According to Derosa, the Dallas Bull also has a mechanical bull.
At around 11:20, it was getting quiet in Vaughn, so I stepped outside in hopes of finding people on their way to clubs and bars or coming back from them. I noticed a couple of girls out in shorts even though it was fairly chilly that night. It was clear these ladies were willing to bare the cold in order to show off some skin.
I counted six cabs outside Vaughn waiting to take students to their bar or club of choice, though I have seen more cabs outside Vaughn before. I imagine picking up a group of students is beneficial for both parties. Cab drivers have a steady flow of customers and get paid while students get transportation and can split the cab fee with their friends.
While outside, I could hear the customers at The Retreat having a good time. I have heard them before since I live in Urso, but I had no idea The Retreat could get so busy. I contemplated visiting at some point.
Three students were walking back from The Retreat. One of them invited me to join them. He was obviously drunk. He tripped over his own feet and fell. Thankfully, it was on the grass and was all smiles when he got up.
“The Retreat was a bust,” said a friend of the intoxicated student, who declined to give her name. “They wouldn’t let the three of us in.” She and her two friends got in one of the cabs and left before I could ask any more questions.
At 11:40, I head back inside Vaughn. There is a police officer outside of the elevators checking IDs, but no trouble arises. The are a dozen students hanging around the ATM.
Students Heather Cote and Alexis Farrar were on their way to Hyde Park Café. “It’s more like a bar,” Farrar said. “Café makes it sound more classy.”
Tyler, who declined giving his last name, was heading to The Retreat with friends. When I asked if anything special was going on at The Retreat, he shook his head and said, “It’s just a regular Thursday night.” I think that was a good way to sum up the night here at UT.