Students find IDs, costs deterrent to clubbing

Boston University student Elise Yancey, a College of Communication sophomore, said she finds going to clubs difficult.

“Boston has such strict rules about fakes [identification] and I just I feel that I have a good enough social life,” she said. “I just don’t think it’s worth the hassle and getting in trouble.”

Yancey, among other BU students, does not include clubs in her weekend plans.

“The boys are sketchy at clubs,” said Ally Westervelt, a College of Arts and Sciences sophomore who has only been to a club once. “I think all types of girls will go to a club but there’s only one type of guy who will go to a club. A really sketchy guy who wants to get with any girl and as many girls as he can.”

Roxy Ardebilchi, a CAS senior, said she used to go clubbing in Boston but no longer does.

“I went clubbing here because I didn’t know it sucked in the beginning, and now that I know it sucks, I don’t go,” she said.  “The crowd is not good and it’s just creepy, sweaty guys.  I don’t like clubbing ‘cause there’s not a lot of talking; it’s a loud, humping situation.”

Christian French, a COM sophomore, said he does not personally care for clubbing.

“I never go clubbing,” he said. “I don’t have a fake ID.”

While other students avoid the social scene of clubs, Carlin Stiehl, a CAS sophomore, said he enjoys going to clubs.

“Your friends go clubbing and it’s fun to go with a group of people,” he said.  “You don’t really go clubbing here with just two people, with close friends.  A lot of people go clubbing.”

Stiehl said he likes the social atmosphere of clubbing.

“[Clubbers are] very scene, like, socialite type of people,” he said.  “The ones who go clubbing all the time are the ones in the photos of all the stuff.”

Some students said they do not go to clubs because they are not 21 and cannot drink at clubs.

“I can’t really drink so I don’t see the point of going,” said Richard Seibler, a CAS junior. “I’ve already had, like, six fakes taken away back home, so I don’t even want to try here.”

Yancey said she thinks other activities appeal better to people under 21.

“Sometimes, I’ll just stay on campus and one of my friends will throw something at their apartment,” she said. “Being that Allston and Cambridge have so many college students, it’s not hard to find something that’s oriented to the below 21 crowd.”

Other notable deterrents to clubbing include the cost.

“It’s kind of expensive,” Yancey said. “I know friends who will spend $80 just for one night. So that’s also a factor as well.”

Stiehl, who also goes clubbing in other cities, said Boston is particularly expensive.

“It’s expensive here — the cover charges are outrageous in Boston,” he said.
“They know that college kids are coming, so they rip you off. It’s like, a $30 cover charge at Bijou, [so] it’s pointless to go if you’re not with your friends there.”

However, French said he sees how some people can enjoy clubbing.

“I think what is productive is subjective,” he said. “If you think of being productive as going to a club and meeting lots of people and making lots of friends and making lots of connections, then go to a club and be productive, if that’s your thing.”