Every college town has a bar, or two, that students flock to for a good time and to let loose after a stressful test-filled week. Here, in Tallahassee, we are blessed to have one of the best nightlife and bar scenes with something to do almost every night of the week if you really want to. Each student has their favorite place that they frequent more than others, but every now and then, they venture to other bars thirsting for adventure and looking to have a good time. 

For many students in Tallahassee, Baja’s Beach Club was the destination of choice. Sadly, Baja’s closed after the end of the fall 2014 semester, but my sources tell me that it is only because of a renovation and it will soon be making a return. I wanted to take this time to remember the original Baja’s and reflect on the many experiences that were had.

I remember my first time going Baja’s. It was fall of my freshman year and, being new to the nightlife game, I was just excited to be going out with friends and having a good time. I boarded the party bus that always stopped in front of Landis Hall to pick up students, and was transported to a mystical land filled with drunken debauchery and ratchetry (yes, I just said that) among other things. The music was loud, cover was fairly inexpensive, and the place was packed. I had a good time and stayed until close declaring the night a success as it was only the second time I had actually gone out to a bar. Like anything, though, you begin to hear others’ experiences and, in the case of Baja’s, I was astounded.

Each bar has its own vibe and thing it is known for. In the case of Baja’s, it was known as the place you have to experience at least once in your life and the stories you have from that night will live on like folklore for later generations. Luckily, I don’t have any crazy stories about Baja’s so I decided to ask others about their nights out and will now share them with you.

“I saw my first bar fight in Baja’s, good times.”

“I was dancing, and the girl I was with licked me all over my face.”

“I was walking around, and someone bit me. I didn’t see who it was, but there were teeth marks.”

“I didn’t remember what Baja’s looked like on the inside until the fifth time I went there.”

“Went there as a freshman, pretty sure I saw someone get stabbed.”

“I saw Dillon Francis perform there freshman year, one of the best shows I’ve ever seen.”

“Someone licked me” (different person).

“Pretty sure I saw someone doing the dirty on the dance floor, one time.”

I have more stories, but I deemed them to be too inappropriate to write about. 

Baja’s offered some good times, though, among the crazy shenanigans that took place, and for that I thank you, Baja’s, for adding some color to the stories and memories students will reflect on for the rest of their lives. You were never my favorite place to frequent, but you were to many. Farewell, old Baja’s. I look forward to the day you reopen and the many new stories that I will surely hear.