Opinion | A study of the Orange bars
Thursday night is known as “college night” for the bars in Old Towne Orange (the Circle). What is the specific draw of these three local bars for Chapman University’s students?
Care’s Corner is the weekly advice and opinions column of The Panther. Opinions Editor, Caroline Linton, dives into relevant Chapman and college life topics that are on the minds of real university students. All student quotes in Care’s Corner are kept anonymous, with grade level and major provided, in order to garner the most genuine answers possible in the case of sensitive or controversial subjects. You can submit questions for advice, college confessions and any issues you would want to see in Care’s Corner here.
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The anticipation to celebrate my first Thursday night at the Chapman bars last spring was unmatched. I had heard stories for years now and experienced all my housemates leaving me at home, while one by one they all became the legal drinking age. I remember stepping into The District Lounge (more commonly known as “The D”), freshly 21, and thinking I had finally made it. Now a mere five months later, I am a senior and realize my naive self had only yet to unlock the magic of the Orange bars.
The D, Paul’s Cocktails and O’hara’s Pub are the three spots that make up the Chapman University bar scene. The D, known for its good music and infamous photo booth, is the first stop of the night for most Chapman students. When energies are high, a little wait in the line outside is worth it for a good sing-along session with the friends or a frat flick on the floor. Slowly but surely, most bargoers then make the short walk next door to Paul’s. As the ultimate place to run into that one group project partner from your sophomore year GE course, Paul’s holds an indescribable kind of positive energy. As the night progresses, the interior and patio areas become bustling with intermingling groups of long lost friends. From then on, people end their night chatting away at Paul’s or make the trek to O’hara’s. Being the one place that locals do not shy away from on Thursdays, O’hara’s lighter crowds, booths and pool tables provide a mellow and calming atmosphere to conclude a night at the Orange bars.
Although their close location is an undeniable appeal of these three bars, they mean much more to the community than a convenient place to drink. For students over the age of 21, every Thursday this mini crawl through the Orange Circle provides a reset and recharge. Each week, the exciting prospect of who you will run into walking onto Paul’s patio or waiting in line for The D bathroom fills the air with a completely non-alcoholic buzz.
Let’s hear what the students have to say:
“I think Thursday nights are the time to relax a bit and finally be able to let go of everything bad that happened in the week, or vent it all out with random people from class.”
“I always get so excited for Thursday nights. During the week, I barely have time to see anyone, but I know everyone will come together for a mini reunion at the bars. It’s kind of a tradition and worked into everyone’s schedules.”
“It’s a very social scene. Chapman’s a very small, kind of anti-social school, and I feel like this is one of the biggest social events of the week. It’s a good bonding experience for everyone that’s over 21”
Local bars are a staple in every college community and Orange is no different. Thursday nights are that time for socialization and reconnection after a long, hard week of demanding university life. You can finally close your laptop on that thesis pitch, put down your seminar reading and forget about that looming 10-page paper that has been bogging you down. For the next few hours, you can remember that college is not only about academics. It’s about making connections, dancing with your friends, rehashing memories with people you have lost touch with and safely and smartly letting your hair down and enjoying life.