See also: Ten Must-See Back to School Parties in Tempe and ScottsdaleToday's gonna be a hard one for the college crowd. It's the official start of classes at Arizona State University and few other institutions of higher learning throughout the Valley, which means students are about to be deluged with syllabi and loads of required reading assignments and homework.
Sounds like students will probably need a drink after hours of dealing with textbooks and teaching assistants. As we reported last week, there are more than a few "welcome back" celebrations taking place near campus, all of which boast both libations and distractions to help students blow off some steam. Here are nine more the check out over the next few days.
Rips Adrian Flanagan, one of the regular DJs at trendy dance affair Obscura, hosts "We Rule the School," a special one-off party at the CenPho on Saturday evening. Drink specials will be available and a variety of tunes from classic and current indie rock tastemakers will be spun by Flanagan. The event starts at 9 p.m. Admission is free.
Smashboxx Models dressed in schoolgirl outfits and other sexy apparel will strut their stuff during a fashion show during the club's "Smashboxx University" party on Thursday. The beat-dropping foursome of Thomas James, Juany Bravo, Nathan Reeser, and Will Power will be manning the mixers all night. Drink specials will be offered to anyone with a student ID, with $1 cocktails going to those ladies who are dressed as schoolgirls. Doors open at 9 p.m. Call 480-946-3510 for cover.
ASU Student Recreation Complex Feel like attending a massive outdoor mixer? The folks at Devils After Dark will present the annual "Sparky's Welcome Back Carnival" on Saturday evening at the complex's soccer fields and will offer games, prizes, free eats, and the chance to mingle with fellow students. Those who attend ASU's downtown Phoenix campus shouldn't feel left out, however, as there will be a separate carnival taking place at Civic Space Park. Both events begin at 6 p.m. Admission is free.
School of Rock The promoters behind the weekly UK Thursdays affair have an offer you can't refuse: College students can get free admission into tonight's edition the popular dance night at this Mill Avenue club. which will feature performances by Atlanta dubstep wunderkind Popeska will perform, as well local DJs Sens1, Dirty Doses, and D.R.E. Doors open at 9:30 p.m.
DWNTWN The "End of Summer" party at the Central Avenue danceteria promises a slew of swimsuit-clad females in attendance, as well as plenty of "party rockin', fist pumpin', LED waving, shuffling, [and] jumpin'" taking place. Better load up on some energy drinks beforehand. A $500 cash drop will also happen and the trio of DJ Astonish, DJ Class, and DJ Big Latin will spin all night. The 18-and-over event will feature after-hours action until 4 a.m. and no cover before 11 p.m. for people in swimwear. Doors open at 10 p.m.
Crave Cafe & Lounge This Mill Avenue hookah joint and nightspot will be filled with the both smell of flavorful shishas and the sound of electrified EDM beats during Party Rock Saturdays. Drink specials include $12 domestic beer buckets and $6 Monster vodkas and Skyy bombers. The fun starts at 10 p.m. Call 602-326-1455 for cover.
Dollhouse Cocktail Lounge Complimentary champagne will be available for the ladies during the Dollhouse's back to school fete that will be happening this evening at the lounge and dance club. As always, fresh-cut roses will also be given out to members of the fairer sex while DJ Design will be the beat-juggler for the evening. Doors open at 9 p.m. Cover charges vary.
The Firehouse A five-alarm fiesta will be transpire inside this former fire station tonight during its massive "Back to School Bash" hosted by Steven Soltero. DJ Convince will be the selecta for the evening, dropping Top 40, club bangers, remixes, and electronica for those populating the dance floor. Meanwhile, the outdoor patio will be busy with cornhole matches and plenty of babes and bros trading the latest in hot gossip. The party starts at 9 p.m. Admission is free.
Tempe Marketplace We'd be remiss if we didn't mention our upcoming Back to School Pub Crawl taking place on Friday night at the outdoor mall, which will offer drinkers the chance to suck down some suds and spirits at five different establishments and possibly win some prizes to boot. Participants will check-in at Thirsty Lion before heading to such locations as Cadillac Ranch, Kabuki, and San Felipe's. One complimentary drink and an individual playing card will be given out at each stop. And the person boasting the best poker hand at the end of the evening will earn a trip for two to Las Vegas or other swag. The crawl starts at 8 p.m. Admission is $10 in advance, $15 at the event.