Hope you had a blast over summer, college cats, since it's back to the old grind mere days from now. Bitch and moan all you want, but classes at the various campuses of Arizona State University and other nearby colleges will resume over the next week, which means your life will once again become a flurry of textbooks, teachers, and tests.
If you'd like to get in one last gasp of freedom from the world of academia, however, what follows is a list of five college-themed and back to school events of the nightlife variety scheduled over the next week.
See also: Seven Phoenix Shops Perfect for Back to School Essentials
We've even got the lowdown on some options for those who aren't of legal drinking age. And, no, that doesn't mean we're gonna tell you how to score a fake I.D.
Maya Day & Nightclub You could probably learn a thing or two about nighttime revelry from DJ Soulman. He's visited high-profile nightclubs on four different continents, tipped bottles with models, and served as an O.G. member of onetime Arizona party kings Phunk Junkeez. You might wanna ask the dude for a pointer or two when he appears at the Saddlebag Trail pool spot starting a 9 p.m. tonight for its Maya University event. The first 50 people through the gates get a free backpack loaded with giveaways and promo items.
Martini Ranch Good news for underclassmen at ASU who also happen to be underage: You don't have to sit in the dorms while everyone else heads to Mill for drinks after the first day of classes. Slippe and the other party gurus at Platinum Nightlife have a place for you to dance, a ride there and back, and a way to get in for cheap. They're putting on a "Back to Twerk" event on Thursday, August 22, at Martini Ranch, there will be buses to can from campus, and the cover will be reduced for anyone in Arizona State apparel until 11:30 p.m. A "Sexy Sun Devil Twerk Contest" will also be conducted for those big on the rump-shaking thang. Doors are at 10 p.m.
Q Lounge: You don't need to be a PhD candidate to realize that the specials at All-Star Thursdays' Back to School Party are advantageous to anyone looking to get inebriated in an inexpensive fashion. Just look at the numbers and work the math on scratch paper, if needed: $2 you-call-it drinks and $75 Ciroc bottles until 11 p.m.; while AMFs and Long Islands in 12-ounce pint glasses go for $3 and five-buck Hennessey cocktails are available until midnight. Make sure to factor in the Q Lounge's stronger pours as well. DJs like Phlava, Dark Vader, and Freshmaker will be in the mix. Doors are at 9 p.m.
Gringo Star Street Bar If this downtown Tempe drinking haven's close proximity to ASU's main campus and its collection of arcade and console video games weren't already enough to draw in the college-age crowd, the special guests for its "Maui Mill" event on Thursday, August 22, might cause you to want to visit. The amusingly named EDM duo Lazerdisk Party Sex, who's members wear stormtrooper helmets, will bring a wonky, hyperactive party vibe to Gringo Star. The staff will join in the fun as they'll be dressed in costumes as well. Two-for-one Fireball and Rumchata shots can also be scored all evening. Things start at 10 p.m., and there's no cover.
Venue Scottsdale If you've had 101.5 Jamz on lock anytime in the last week or two, no doubt you've been blasted with advertisements for its Back II School Bash. The Top 40/hip-hop station's staff probably needn't worry about there being a low turnout as the event is all ages and completely free. Expect to be jockeying for prime vantage points at the event venue if you hope to catch a good view of such R&B performers as Jake Miller and former ASU football star/recording artist Nate Jetson, as well as pop cuties Camryn and Jasmine V. The show runs from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
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