When Thursday night rolls around, most assume there isn’t much to do. Some students have classes on Fridays, but for others, Thursday is their Friday. Since there is often a lack of Thursday night activities, ASLU hosts Late Night at Dillin once a month. Although Late Night at Dillin has been going on for a while, Nov. 14 was a little different. This time around, ASLU offered the usual freebies such as free food and free fun, but they added free alcohol for 21+ as well.
The night consisted of the classic everyday Dillin pizza with a variety of different toppings for different taste buds, line dancing, and, of course, the free alcohol including beer and seltzers.
On the right half of Dillin, tables and chairs were moved to create a dance floor for line dancing. Surprisingly, the dancers line danced to more than just country music; a lot of pop songs were thrown into the mix as well. To listen to what kinds of songs the line and swing club dances to, their Instagram has a Spotify playlist linked in their bio that showcases their variety of music.
Most attendees were more focused on their conversations and watching the experienced dancers and seemed less into participating themselves. While not many were brave enough to try line dancing for the first time, a few tried their hand at dancing with the experienced line and swing club members. From the looks of it, they got the hang of it pretty quickly and could keep up with the pros.
“It was a lot of fun and low pressure,” said Paityn Croy, Linfield Line and Swing Club President, “Even though we didn’t teach it to them, people still got in and danced.”
For the left side of Dillin, there was a closed-off area sectioned off by stanchions, the dividers seen at places like movie theaters, for 21+. In this section, of-age students were enjoying their beers and seltzers while chatting and playing card games. This section was a bit more lively than the right side of Dillin.
According to Nick Gabelman, the addition of alcohol to Late Night at Dillin, “created a more inviting environment to go out and meet other people.”
In other words, it loosened people up and made them more likely to talk to people they hadn’t before. It is safe to say 21+ Wildcats are fans of the new addition.
Now why do students attend Late Night at Dillin? Students can easily get these things themselves, so why do they go to Dillin, a place they visit every day, to get it? Students attend Late Night at Dillin because they hear the word “free.” Free pizza, free beer, and in the past free pancakes and free ice cream. Broke college students are attracted to the word “free” like moths to a flame. If it is free, they will be there.
Not only is there free food, ASLU makes Late Night at Dillin a fun experience with things like line dancing and karaoke to ensure Wildcats don’t have a boring Thursday night.
“I go to Late Night at Dillin to connect with friends through fun activities, unwind after a long day and create memories that last a lifetime,” said freshman, Sophie Dunckel.
As Dunckel mentioned, Late Night at Dillin carries further than just Thursday night, it travels with Wildcats throughout their lives through memories.
