At most colleges, the bar scene is defined by age: It could be the bar that the students are going to (i.e., freshmen to one and seniors to another) or if you go to bars altogether (i.e., freshmen to fraternities and house parties and juniors and seniors to the bars [with sophomores just being left somewhere in the middle]). However it works in your town, if you've been, you'll relate to the list below.
1. The Too-Far-Gone
Let's get this one out of the way. Whether it's you, your friend or the random next to you, a little too much has been imbibed, and trust me, the whole bar knows. Friends are asking the bartender for water, the tables and chairs are moving in front of you, and you swear you've only had a few. (Honey...)
2. The EX-Whatever Sighting
Sh*t! Sh*t! Sh*t! He's here. You haven't seen your ex-whatever in just the right amount of time, so of course, they'd be at the same bar at the same time on the same day you are. And you'll handle it one of three ways:
A. If you're lucky, it's packed and you can just drop out of sight. (Yes, I mean literally drop behind the nearest tall person and cling to the safety of the hiding spot until you can make a quick exit.)
B. On just the right day, say a Tuesday maybe, when you're thinking, "No one will be out! I'll have my girl time, we'll dance and have the place to ourselves, it'll be (*singing voice*) "faaabuullouuussss," he'll walk right in to the empty bar and you'll handle the lack of hiding spot availability and awkward eye contact with all the grace you can muster (none).
C. You'll shove your happiness right in their face — and it'll feel awesome.
3. Stranger Bonding (most likely in a bathroom)
You'll find your best friend for the next two hours — girls, most likely in the bathroom, and guys...just doing what you do wherever you do it...probably over a sports team or a hot chick who just walked by. Whatever the location/reason, the bond will be built, and it'll feel like it's going to last forever. But in all reality, you'll introduce yourselves, talk, laugh, give brief life details and probably never talk after tonight, but hey, why not, right?? You two were meant to be (right now)!
4. The Crying Girl/Fighting Couple
We've all witnessed it or, if we're really unlucky, been a part of it. It's obviously alcohol-induced, and it's probably about him looking at his drink like he loved it more than her, but right now, the world's friggin' ending. Who knew the cover charge included a show?
5. The "I'm trying to hit on you"
There are a few levels to this one. There's the "awkward but cute, but it's loud and I can't hear what you're saying" flirtation, the "why the heck do you keep touching me and whispering in my ear and promising me a lifetime of happiness" situation, and then there's the somewhere in between. Bar pursuits are handled situation-to-situation, so there's no real advice I can offer other than the obvious safety warnings.
6. The Couple Who Dances Too Hard/Thinks They're Alone
This is by far one on of the most awkward can't-take-your-eyes-off situations in the history of dance floors. They're grinding hard and doing things you've never seen: upside down, no-hands, no feet...
7. THE ACTUAL, LITERAL PERFECT NIGHT
All right, I don't talk like that. But every once in a while, you go out and it's the most ideal night you could imagine. You're just the right amount of happy. You've got your best friends, and everyone's in a good mood (that's key), and you have the time of your life.
No matter the town, bar or people, we've all been in one (and most likely all) of these situations.
