Tehya is Tired of…Boston’s lack of Club Culture

Written by Tehya Tenasco

I’ve been 21 for almost half a year, so why am I heading back home from a night out at 2AM when my freshman/sophomore year self would be out until nearly 5AM? Is this stark contrast because I’m getting older? Of course—sometimes I arrive at the function already thinking about collapsing into my bedsheets, I won’t lie. It’s astonishing how drastically bodily needs shift after four years. 

Nevertheless, Boston has a serious clubbing culture issue: 2a.m. is the nightly limit (most of the time). For the amount of college students condensed into one city, you could think clubs staying open past 2a.m. would be a no brainer. Coming from New Hampshire, a state with relatively loose alcohol sale restrictions, I was surprised at first by how strict the liquor laws in Massachusetts are. I don’t know about some people, but to me, 11p.m. seems far too early for a last call at liquor stores. 

Boston has never been known for their nightlife, but the frantic rush to get to the pregame and make it to the club before the line gets too long is somewhat of an inconvenience. A night out is supposed to be stress-free— why are we debating the logistics of travel time between functions? ManRay, Dani’s, Middle East, BSMT—whichever club you frequent on the weekend—the line is bound to be around the block by the time you get there. Even popular bars reach full capacity somewhere between 10:30PM and 11PM, and the last thing I want is to elbow past people to grab my vodka cran before it’s knocked over by a wave of people moving to a free corner before another group snatches it. 

While I can flame Boston all I want, ultimately it comes down to Massachusetts state law. It’s out of my hands, but I really wish it wasn’t, for the sake of 21 year olds everywhere. All this thinking about clubs and bars and cover fees has me reminiscing on the frat parties of my younger years. I remember dressing up and taking the train out to Allston in sophomore year, my dissatisfaction with the club scene had me itching to reignite an old flame. Surprise, surprise, I left after 30 minutes of pushing my way through sweaty bodies on a jungle juice splattered floor with music blasting from a speaker that cannot handle the bass. It just wasn’t the same anymore. But there was a time… 

I’m enjoying my time as a 21 year old so far. I like the new freedoms, the new experiences, ordering a fancy drink at a bar purely because of a cool name (Green Eyed Lady at Lou’s in Harvard Square for example, before they took it off the menu). Some days I feel younger than I did at 20.