No drinks required for a good time

College students both older and younger than 21 enjoy hanging out in local bars

Hitting the bars is an appealing pastime for many college students, whether they are older or younger than the age of 21.

Even younger than the legal drinking age of 21, many bars still find ways to make going out fun and enjoyable without consuming alcohol.

Shooters has a weekly beer pong night on Tuesdays, Fridays after class (FAC) and tend to have theme nights such as country music night.

Ferris computer information systems freshman Bret Bays claims he goes to Star Shooters, Gypsy Nickel, Blue Lake Tavern and Buffalo Wild Wings, and enjoys going for the “food and women.”

Ferris HVACR freshman Jason Sweet enjoys going out to the bars and sports bars in Big Rapids despite being a minor to hang out with friends and enjoy the food available. In addition to this, he is able to meet new people around Big Rapids.

Ferris elementary education junior Lauren Donkin is recently of the legal drinking age and enjoys going out to bars in her free time. In Big Rapids, Star Shooters is her favorite bar to attend, but in general she prefers going to East Lansing for the many more bars available.

Before she turned 21, Donkin said that going out to the bars was a way to hang out with friends without being loud in somebody’s house, and it was a good way to meet new people. She only went to Star Shooters on Ladies’ Night because admission was free for women.

Whenever Donkin would visit bars, the other patrons would often be friendly, and would just talk to one another whether they knew each other previously or not.

“It was a way to get out and do something and not be stuck in your room, apartment or dorm the entire night,” Donkin said.

Ferris music and entertainment business sophomore Nicole Hollinsky enjoys Star Shooters because there is a dance floor, and she believes that can be very appealing to college students that are not yet the legal age of 21.

“There are very few bars who actually let under-21s in. Even Star Shooters will stop letting minors in if it is a busy night because they will make more money from the 21 crowd,” Hollinsky shared.

Star Shooters is open Tuesday through Thursday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., and 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.