Written by Lem Atanga McCormick
Amherst students have to fend for themselves as far as partying and drinking are concerned. Having realized, somewhere in the 19th century probably, that the unstylish town of Amherst will not bring salvation to hedonistic and fun-loving hearts, students have taken it upon themselves to learn the much sought-after skill of party-throwing. Over the generations, alumni have passed it on to current students, seniors to freshmen, until we got to where we are today. Amherst nightlife is becoming quite fashionable. During weekends and some weekdays, parties happen all over the school, and all you have to do is get the weekly lowdown from friends and start hiking from dorm to dorm. So-Co (the Social Council) organizes theme parties, all of which seem to involve crazy dancing and no alcohol.
Outside of the College, however, things are bleak. There are several bars in the town of Amherst, which some seniors and upperclassmen frequent. The bars offer a place to chill in peace. Dance clubs do exist in Northampton, but very few Amherst students ever go due to the distance, students’ laziness, and the fact that large parts of the Amherst student population hang out close to home. Students at Smith and Holyoke usually get bored pretty fast with their parties, and many of them come to Amherst College for a good time. Even UMassers, who live in the loudest and raunchiest place in the area, sometimes choose Amherst on weekends. In short, if you come to Amherst, you’ll be partying mostly close to home.