Every time Friday night rolls around, many Ball State students find themselves wandering to the Village, looking for friends and the best drink specials.
The term "bar-hopping" can't be found in the dictionary, but students describe it as an adventure to find friends and have a good time.
Senior Dave LeFevre has watched the night scene evolve over the years. He considers himself to be a regular at the Village bars.
LeFevre usually keeps the same routine every weekend. He first spends time preparing himself for a long night of going out to the bars. His routine usually begins like so many other Ball State students: with a shower.
He listens to music to get him in the mood while he is getting out of the shower and deciding what to wear.
When he's finished and has taken that last look in the mirror, he's ready to hit the town. He meets up with his friends and begins the first stage of his weekend bar-hopping.
"If it's Thursday, Friday or Saturday night, drink specials don't matter when going out," LeFevre said. "During the weekend the drink specials aren't as good as Tuesday and Wednesday nights."
Before LeFevre and his friends go out, they pre-drink, saving money they will eventually spend at the bars. When they get to the bar, they attempt to keep the good feeling going with sustainers.
"Sustainers are something to keep the buzz going, but definitely nothing over the top," LeFevre said.
Students frequent BW-3, Dill Street, Scotty's Brewhouse and The Speakeasy the most. Other student hangouts in the Muncie area include The End Zone on Kilgore Ave. and The Landing downtown. The bars have other things to offer students as well.
According to Derrick Ramsey, a supervisor at BW-3, Thursday night karaoke night is one of their most popular nights.
"It's popular because it gives the people something to do," Ramsey said. "As hokey and as annoying as karaoke is, it's a big draw for anybody to just have fun and act stupid."
When LeFevre and his friends leave the bars for the night, they pick up some food at LaBamba's or Carter's.
"There's also a social aspect to food," LeFevre said. "Everybody's talking, but sometimes it's bad. Yelling and fights erupt every once in a while."
The final stage of LeFevre's night is the decision of whether to call it a night and go home or to find a house party and continue a long night of drinking.
Whether it continues or not, his night will ultimately end like a lot of other students' nights, in a bed asleep, waiting for the whole process to begin the next day.
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