Making plans to go out with friends has proven to be anything but simple. A lot of the time, what you do and where you end up is mostly just dependent on the group of people you're with. We all have different preferences when it comes to how we spend our free time at the end of a long week, but it seems that at this age, going out to a bar is a top choice for most. While I definitely enjoy going to places that have a cool DJ that plays a lot of today's radio hits, I have a deep love for hearing throwback jams at a bar. While any throwback is a good throwback, I prefer the kinds of songs you would have found on my Myspace page or OG iPod shuffle. Thankfully, such an event exists where you can hit up a bar, party with a bunch of people, and hear a great DJ set filled with your favorite angsty childhood songs. That event is known as Emo Night Brooklyn.
If you're willing to try something new or don't know if you want to, here are just some of the reasons you should consider taking a night away from your local bar scene to see what Emo Night BK has to offer:
1. Nostalgia
As I mentioned, most of the songs you'll be hearing during Emo Night will bring you back to your younger years when band updates were only found on Myspace pages and Glamour Kills was all you wore. Granted, the music I listened to back then is heavily mixed in with my latest music obsessions. I can't seem to let go of the glory emo days, which is why this gathering is beyond perfect for me. It's like handing my iPod over at a party and having all the guests jam out together. It's basically a dream come true.
2. Friends
If you have super cool friends like I do, then you will also have to drag them along to experience this night. It's fun singing to these tracks regardless, but it's twice as fun if you get to look over at your closest friends and dramatically act out the lyrics like you would in the privacy of your own home.
3. Price
If you're paying money for a big DJ set somewhere, it's probably not the cheapest function you could be putting your money toward. Alternatively, going out to a typical bar would cost you around $10 for a cover charge and additional fees for drinks when you might not even have that great of a time. For Emo Night Brooklyn, the price range is usually about $8-$10. You still have to pay for your own drinks, but if you pre-game beforehand then dishing it out for an $8 ticket sounds just as amazing for the unbelievable time you're going to have. How can you resist trying it out for such an affordable price in exchange for a memorable night?
4. Alcohol
Even if you get there and find yourself miserable (you won't), you can at least count on the fact that alcohol is served. Good music, good drinks, good people--enough said.
5. Travel
Whether or not you're not from Brooklyn or the surrounding areas, you can still catch the show elsewhere from time to time. The event has made its way to D.C., Texas, Boston, Florida, and even as far as Las Vegas. If you happen to be from New York, attend one night, and find yourself obsessed with the experience, it'd be pretty cool to book a trip and go to it while it's out of town. A vacation AND a show sounds like an incredible opportunity.
6. Perks
While a lot of the attendees go just for a fun night out with some classic songs, others may want to make it more extravagant. You can choose to purchase a package that grants you the ability to skip the line, get some cool merch, have VIP access for some of the set, and sometimes allows you to pre-game with the founders themselves.
7. After parties
More recently, the Emo Night BK team has expanded their horizons from random pop-up events to tour after parties. Groups such as New Found Glory and Bayside have partnered with them to host their usual sets after some of the bands very own tour dates in various locations. Rather than be hype men opening acts, they're continuing the party after concerts to keep the good time going!
8. Guest DJ's
The insanely great opportunity of the previously mentioned partnership probably blossomed from established connections made thanks to the guest DJ slots they have during their sets. These guests are notable band members from well-known groups in the music scene in which the songs from the nights playlist derive. While you're not getting a live concert, you are getting to hear and rock out to some of your idols prime emo song choices from their own personal collections. Some guests from the past include Ryan Key of Yellowcard, William Beckett from The Academy Is..., and Kenny Vasoli of The Starting Line.
9. Founders
It's just a nice fun fact that these shows began by two best friends just having a good time to music they love. It wasn't something that just came out of already big name events or companies looking to profit off of music lovers struggling to find locations that will play their particular genre of music only. Instead, it's just music lovers extending an invite to alike fans that just want a cool spot to celebrate that one shared interest.
10. Atmosphere
The room itself feels quite similar to that of a concert. It's loud, energetic, and filled with strangers that can often feel like friends. There's a sense of unity and understanding as everyone is singing along to the songs that made them who they are. I can honestly say that attending an Emo Night event last July was the highlight of my summer. It's more fun than you can imagine. It's truly something you have to experience for yourself to know the extent of how good of a time you will be granting yourself to have.
