University students are taking a detour from the drunk bus’ Tigerland route to venture into other nightlife alternatives. With more than 40 venues in the area, Baton Rouge has many nightlife destinations for University students who are willing to venture from the beaten path. Shanekia Hall, sports administration junior, said she prefers to unwind at local reggae dance hall Club Culture on Oklahoma Street. Hall described the venue as a vibrantly colorful place where she can dance away the stress of her day. Hailing from Jamaica, Hall said the club’s Caribbean-style music and flag-adorned ceiling remind her of home. “Most of the time, it feels like we are back at home – not in Baton Rouge where we don’t know most of these songs,” she said. Hall said although the club plays mostly reggae music, anyone can enjoy the atmosphere and appreciate the culture. The club, which also plays Afro-pop and hip-hop music, is open to the public Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. It can be rented out for private parties Monday through Saturday. Mechanical engineering sophomore Hayden O’Neal enjoys live music at the Texas Club. O’Neal said although he does not frequent the club casually, he regularly attends the fair-priced concerts. “I had a good time at the Easton Corbin concert – one of my favorite country artists,” O’Neal said. The nightclub has become a staple in live music with a long list of performers – including country superstars Kenny Chesney and Garth Brooks – gracing the venue’s stage. General manager Kyle Balding said the club specializes in country music but caters to a vast audience by playing all music genres. “We are probably one of the most diverse nightclubs in Baton Rouge,” Balding said. Designed to accommodate large crowds, the spacious nightclub has a 1,000-person capacity and has held more than 425 concerts since opening in 1984. The venue has also hosted more than 1,025 male revue shows for its female visitors over the years. Ashley Heard, sociology senior, said she doesn’t usually attend Splash on Highland during its event nights, but it’s her favorite place to enjoy dance music. “It’s a good place to go if you want to actually dance and not get hit on by creepers,” Heard said. Quentin Little, Splash’s general manager, said the club plays a variety of music to please its diverse crowd. He said the second floor of the venue is dedicated to music videos, ranging from hip-hop to country hits. “We want everybody to come out and have fun, no matter who or what you are,” Little said. The club boasts six drinking bars, a professional light show, two floors and a temperature-controlled dance area. Little said these amenities are most useful when the club holds more than 900 guests on its Artist vs. Artist nights, where the songs of two popular musicians are played back-to-back throughout the night. The Bulldog on Perkins Road offers a different type of diversity to its 21-and-up clientele. The dog-friendly bar allows patrons to bring their canines on the tree-lined patio to join in the revelry. Remi Dematto, the venue’s owner, said the bar’s atmosphere is the reason for its high appeal with University students. The owner said he is proud to be one of the only bars in the area to offer more than 80 draft beers. “Between the patio, the interior and the lounge seating, it’s a little more upscale than your average beer bar.” Dematto said. Rick-N-Robins on Mead Road also offers rare forms of entertainment. The 21-and-up bar gives free jitterbug and West-coast swing lessons, as well as an opportunity for patrons to belt out their own tunes during karaoke every Thursday. The club, which is open Thursday through Saturday, also features live bands on most weekends.
 
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