With the start of a new semester, students are pouring back onto campus still in a summer haze.
Those who want to continue partying as if classes don’t exist may be in luck, as several venues will host back-to-school events.
Spanish Moon was the first bar to welcome students back with a bang, hosting the third annual Naughty School Girl Party and costume contest Monday night.
Some of the event’s specials included a free cover, $1 “Principal’s Office shots” and awarding a winner of the costume contest a $30 bar tab.
Justin Bourgeois, general manager of Spanish Moon, said that this back-to-school tradition is a rehash of old-school theme nights that were popular at the Moon in the ‘80s.
“Our intentions are to have a more classic school girl, as opposed to wearing a bikini top and some fishnets,” Bourgeois said. “We prefer more tongue-in-cheek and a little less trashy.”
He said the past two winners of the school girl costume contest were not, in fact, girls. Bourgeois hoped that a female would walk away with the coveted bar tab this year.
He said he thinks syllabus week is prime time for bars to host events.
“The beginning of the semester is the best time to throw an event because everybody’s back,” Bourgeois said. “Whether they’re happy to be back, or mad that they’re back, or discovered they’ve taken on too much and are stressed.”
Splash Nightclub is also in the spirit of back-to-school specials with its annual Back 2 School Foam Party, which will be on Saturday, Aug. 25.
Quentin Little, bar manager, said cover is $10 for “a night of bubbly fun.” Doors open at 9 p.m.
Little said that this year is set to be bigger than ever, with up to four foam machines ready to amp up the good times.
DJ Jayskee will also be bumping out beats to help students get down for the evening, Little said.
“We host a back-to-school party for everyone to have a huge event and to be united with their friends again,” Little said. “It’s like a kick-off of the school year, something special for a welcome back.”
Students looking to stay dry on Saturday can head over to Fred’s Bar or Reggie’s Bar for Roux Loux, an outdoor music festival.
Encore Entertainment is helping to put on the fête, and partners of the New Orleans-based promotions company wanted to give students a weekend of fun while waiting for football season to begin.
Matthew Chatelain, Jonathan Brisbi, Nick Puipuro and Ryan Roach are four childhood friends who decided to bring their party to the Red Stick.
“We wanted to bring something to Baton Rouge, specifically Tigerland, because it’s an on-tap resource, and it’s never been done before,” Brisbi said. “The students haven’t had a chance to experience something like this.”
The partners said they strived to rake in mainstream names for Roux Loux.
The lineup will consist of a blend of genres, including hip-hop and rock, but with an emphasis on electronic music.
Luke St. John, Force Feed Radio, Super Mash Bros, Cobra Starship and Krewella will take the stage equipped with LED screens for light shows.
Chatelain said lesser-known DJs will be playing in the bars during the breaks between sets to help attendees keep cool.
Puipuro said he hopes to make the event a Tiger tradition for years to come.
“We’re hoping that it becomes a thing for freshmen to do at LSU and that it becomes an annual syllabus week staple,” Puipuro said.
Roux Loux’s gates will open at 3 p.m., and the shindig lasts until a little after midnight. Online tickets are $20 with an LSU or Greek Life promotional code, $25 at the door.
