First-year College student Yin He was stuck in the first-year rut. Every weekend involved either a trip out to Rugby Road or a movie night with her suite mates. Last Friday, however, He went to Club Rev at Starr Hill for what she called a nice change of pace.
"My friend had already been and she recommended it as an alternative to frat parties," He said. "Sometimes, I feel like the social scene is dominated by frat parties, especially for first years without cars. Without a car, it is just easier to stay on campus than to try to go downtown on the trolley."
Club Rev began last year at Espresso Royale Cafe on the Corner and now is held at Starr Hill Restaurant downtown. The Club now appears sporadically, drawing increasingly larger crowds as students search for an alternative to the Greek scene on Grounds.
"When we first started the club, the attendance was about 300 people," said Neal Raina, co-owner of Club Rev and a third-year College student. "Last Friday, we had about 1,000 people circulating through the club."
Club 216 is another nightclub and bar located downtown. The club is owned and operated by the Piedmont Triangle Society and promotes a "gay-friendly environment" as well as an alternative place to go out for the homosexual community at the University and in the City, according to the club's Web site.
On most nights, the club only is open to members who pay dues and their guests. However, the club opens its doors to the general public 12 nights a year in order for people to come see the club and evaluate possible membership.
Club Rev is owned and operated by Raina, 2003 University graduate Arthur Hovanesian, fourth-year College student Arshak Hovanesian, second-year College student Panikos Christofi and first-year College student Robert Aravganian.
"We started the club because Charlottesville lagged behind on having something other than going to a frat party or out to a bar," Raina said. "I think more people have started to come out as word of mouth has spread throughout campus. We have even started receiving requests to host private parties for various organizations around grounds."
Clubbing also provides an alternative for international students. Both Club Rev and Club 216 play a mixture of hip-hop, international and top 40 music, according to Raina.
"Clubbing is a good change in scenery," first-year College student Cliff Usher said. "When you go to frat parties you always run into the same people. I go clubbing to see a different side of U.Va."
He said that she likes going out and not having the emphasis be on getting drunk.
"Going out to clubs isn't just about blatant drinking," He said. "It's focused more on the music and dancing and not so much around alcohol."
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