Nearly every college has that one bar that embodies everything that represents that particular school -- its spirit, its students, and its natural inclination towards cheap liquor.
Since I moved to Baton Rouge, it seemed like the all too famous Reggie’s was king of Baton Rouge’s finest establishments, and a vital freshman tradition. After I first stepped foot inside, I felt like I would never to be the same again. To help you come to as steadfast a decision as I did, here’s all you need to know to get over your Reggie’s rage.
1. It’s disgustingly crowded. People are mass-producing within the walls. On any average Thursday night, this place gets packed from wall to wall and becomes less fun as the night goes on. I’m not even remotely claustrophobic but, damn, this place makes you feel like packed sardines.   Â
2. Regular Reggie dwellers aren’t exactly the crowd you want to be stuck with for three hours. I'm not saying that every single person is terrible but, overall, proud patrons of Reggie’s are not normally people you’d want to chill with. I’ll just leave it at that.  Â
3. It’s not always the safest. What’s a college bar without a petty fight between fraternities, West Side Story style? Last time I checked, I was here for drinks not a MMA match.  Â
4. The drinks are cheap, but not exactly quality. But, hey, if you care more about the prices -- no matter if they taste like toilet bowl water -- then you’re at the right place, my friend.  Â
5. There’s standard-bar-gross, and then there’s Reggie’s-gross. This place doesn’t even have doors to the bathrooms. You didn’t even know it, but you have prime access to watching dudes pee in a metal sink.    Â
6. They were charging cover on Boys’ Bid Night past midnight. Like, what type of sick joke is that?  Â
7. Beware the stage. Nothing good ever happens on that platform. At first, you think it's harmless and #yolo, right? You go up there with all the dignity you had left, and you get thrown off with that same dignity stripped from you.
8. You wake up the next morning like death is at your door. It’s almost magical how clearly different a Reggie’s hangover is. It’s like waking up a hungry sinner who would rather cut off your arm than move from your bed.  Â
9. Remember, you do have other options. It’s called Tigerland. There are tons of other places to quench your thirst on Thursdays.  Â
In hindsight,Â
I had #noragrets when it comes to my short history with Reggie’s, but now that I’m a little bit older and a little less naïve, I think it’s best to move on to bigger and better things. However, everyone should experience it once just to know that you did and never will again.