Under 21
by Kate Thrane
photography courtesy of Amanda Willis
Nightlife in Boston can be difficult for college students under the age of 21 in Boston, especially once the thrill of fraternity parties wears off. However, there are lots of options in the city of Boston for the 18+ crowd.
Glow Boston is a freshman rite of passage for college students in Boston. They are hosting a back to school event on September 27, called Fall Fest, at the House of Blues. It’s a festival with a rotation of DJs, dancers and interactive—body paint provided. This festival goes from 7 to 12 p.m.
“I went to Fall Fest during my freshman year with a bunch of friends from my dorm,” Jaime Bearisto (COM ’21) said. “It was a great bonding experience and a nice break from the Allston crawl.”
Havana Club, located in Cambridge, is 21+ on Fridays, Saturdays and Thursdays; however, on Mondays and Tuesdays this club is 18+. On those days, anyone is welcome to go and learn how to salsa dance—beginners welcome! On Mondays, there are bachata lessons from 8 to 9 p.m. and then a bachata social dance from 9 p.m. to midnight. Similarly, on Tuesdays there are bachata lessons from 8 to 8:30 p.m. and salsa lessons from 8:30 to 9 p.m. Then, from 9 p.m. to midnight there is a salsa social dance. No partner is required, no alcohol is allowed and the dress code is smart casual.
For a different kind of nightlife, enjoy College Night at Boston’s Museum of Science from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, September 21. The night admission is free to college students with a valid ID and students will be able to roam the halls and take in “lightening,” an electrifying presentation featuring lightning bolts, electricity and storm safety, a live animal presentation that highlights the ecology and behaviors of a variety of animal species and “Space: An Out of Gravity Experience” which will blast you into outer space with an interactive adventure that mimics the experience on board the International Space Station. The exhibit offers the opportunity to learn how astronauts live in this environment. This makes for an out of this world night out!
Third Thursdays at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum are a great way to visit this beautiful museum from 5:30 to 9 p.m. On these nights, the museum puts together a number of special events. On September 20, the offerings include the opportunity to try Qigong, a Chinese system of physical exercises and breathing control, a movement workshop with music from a variety of African nations, a concert by the Nor’Easters and poetry readings. Student tickets are $10 with a student ID, but if you bring a book to donate to the young people at Boston's Department of Youth Services, the price drops to $5.
There’s much more to Boston nightlife than 21+ venues. It’s an exciting and lively city with lots of fun nighttime options for the younger crowd, too.