Nightlife at Skidmore College

1.) Giddy Up, Riders!:

If you love “Thirsty Thursday,” the Skidmore College Pony Club is your gateway to all the downtown fun. Friending Pony Club on Facebook will grant you access to specific bars and clubs honoring discounts and promotions for Skidmore students who are 21+ on any given Thursday (Paddock’s Lounge is a Pony Club favorite). You can always take the bus to and from campus, which is free for Skidmore students and less than five minutes travel time! Don’t feel like drinking? Become your friends’ hero and offer to be the designated driver (DD).

You can obtain a yellow wristband at Skidmore’s Health Services Center, entitling all DDs to unlimited, free soda at bars and clubs on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Want a free taxi back to campus after a night of partying, without a DD and without having to wait for the bus? If you’re out past 4AM, you’ll get a free ride courtesy of Saratoga Taxi Service!

2.) Furtive Finds:

Want to leave campus for a night of unadulterated, underground fun? Go to Vapor Night Club! It’s truly a hidden gem. Though I went the first time apprehensively, I couldn’t get enough of it after. I saw a well-known band, The Neighborhood, here for free. Yes, for free. After the show, I hit up the casino (located in the same, enormous building) and tried my luck playing some Roulette.

Let’s just say I enjoyed the show far more. If you like music or gambling from time to time, Vapor is your go to spot! Putnam Den, a bar/club frequented by most Skiddies, also has live entertainment. There’s always a cover charge, but it’s well worth it. If you’re 21+ you’ll get a discounted admission price. The good news: anyone 18+ can attend.

3.) Want to Stay On-Campus?

Whether you’re into music, literature, or arts of any kind, Falstaff’s and The Tang Art Gallery are the hangout spots for you. Student bands typically play on Fridays at Falstaff’s, while The Tang frequently shows a multitude of student artists’ work. The “Big Gym,” however, is reserved for The Big Show, where established artists perform during both fall and spring semesters.

During my years at Skidmore College, I saw Janelle Monae, TV on the Radio, Blue Scholars, Danny Brown featuring Action Bronson, Dirty Projectors, Mayer Hawthorne, Chance the Rapper, and many, many more. If you know the band Ratatat, I bet you didn’t know they were Skidmore students!

Of course, it’s not all a party. Check out 5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Attending Skidmore to stay out of trouble.

4. School-Sponsored Events You Actually Want to Go to:

Sex Toy Bingo, anyone? This is just one of Skidmore’s many quirky, eccentric shindigs. Prizes include condoms, vibrators, and the like. Hey, we’re not judging here. Morbid, Skidmore’s notorious Halloween party, is nothing short of chaotic, crazy fun. Too many freshmen and sophomores end up getting their stomachs pumped, and you definitely don’t want to be one of them.

Warning: pace yourself! Ah, then there’s Fun Day, a day dedicated to outright drinking on the campus green in late April. You can hit up the beer garden if you’re 21, and if you’re under 21, well, filling up a water bottle works just fine, too (hint, hint). There are bands, free food, and even a giant foam pit. Definitely wear a bathing suit!

5.) Friday VS. Saturday Feud:

Which night is better? Off campus parties typically occur on Fridays at the notorious houses that love to throw down (“Alpine,” “Woodlawn,” and “Stables”), all of which are walking distance from campus. Other party houses are just a short cab ride away, less than five minutes. If you’re into music, Saturdays are best for shows and concerts. Last year alone, I saw Phantogram, Dr. Dog, Bob Dylan, Wilco, and My Morning Jacket each on Saturday nights. However, hanging out with friends, ordering Domino’s or Legends (a Skiddie favorite), and binge-watching Netflix is always a great option, too.

Krista Polumbo, a graduate of Skidmore College in 2014, holding a BA in English with a focus in creative nonfiction writing.