Every Gator and Nole shares the special bond of extensive rivalry, whether it be sports, academics or basically any aspect of life. However, I think the most talked about and popularized rivalry, besides the sports, is the night life. The age old question of where is nightlife better, at the Swamp or in Nole Nation? For the safety of the individuals I interview, their names shall remain anonymous.
Tally
Where all UF students go to take a break from the well- known Midtown nights. We all know and can admit that FSU is the place where UF students go to look for some adventure on new territory. A night out on the town at FSU is described as a place where no matter what day of the week it is, the bars are always packed. Whether you’re venturing off to Pots, Coloseum or even “The Strip," it's bound to be packed with enthusiastic Noles partying the night away. Additionally, bars and clubs are open later than at UF; instead of 2am, places stay open until 3am or even 4am in Tallahassee.
A UF student recalled to me of her trip to FSU that “there’s definitely a larger variety of places to go to, including more places which accept ages 18 and older. People at FSU tend to go clubbing more than students at UF where rarely my friends and I will travel downtown to go clubbing. FSU is always a crazy weekend.”
On the flip side, where there are always a conglomeration of places to go to on a Friday night, it makes it harder to meet up with other people you know, or even just casually bump into friendly faces. Moreover, the more places to go to the more cover you’ll have to pay, so a night out in Tally will definitely render some more expenses on your part.
The Swamp
On occasion, Noles will swallow their pride and endeavor southward to prowl around the excitement brewing in the Swamp. Whether you want to go out to midtown or downtown, each location is within a walk-able distance, which is something you can’t expect at FSU. Even though there might not be as many bars or clubs, midtown and downtown provide you with the luxury of a more intimate experience.
A student from FSU reflects on his experience out at midtown:“I definitely feel that at UF I can actually talk to people and have real and meaningful conversations, which is something I don’t expect to have when I go out at FSU. Even though I’m a student at FSU, when I visit UF I always bump into at least a couple people I know from high school. This is something that would be considered a rarity going out back home.”
Going out on the town at UF, there is never a problem of talking to someone and forming new relationships. However, If you’re not at the age of 21, it may restrict the amount of places you can go out to at UF. But thankfully some of the most popular bars at midtown like Cantina, Swamp and Schucks do let individuals of 18 into their bars.
As with anywhere you go, there will always be positive and negatives aspects that await you. Either way, regardless of whether you go to UF or FSU, we all find a way to share the best of both worlds by visiting either territory, but still hang onto our strong, unwavering school spirit. Go Gators!
