November 21, 2011 - 7:56pm
Upgrade/Downgrade: Skeeps
BY LAURA ARGINTAR
After frequenting the notorious bar Scorekeepers more times than I’d like to admit, I always leave questioning why I continue to go back — sometimes even up to three times a week. Skeeps has this crazy power to either make your night in the biggest way, or completely ruin it until you vow that you’re never going back (that is, until you do…)
Upgrade: Scorebelievers
Let’s face it: a great night at Scorekeepers is like hooking up with an all-time crush — you’re instantly elevated to a high and you keep recapping the experience for days. That night automatically goes down as the best night of the semester and one that is often brought up while reminiscing with friends. Think about after we just won the Notre Dame game under the lights and all rushed to Skeeps, still in our game-day clothes, dancing together and rejoicing as one, with unprecedented Michigan spirit. Nights like that justify why we keep coming back.
Between $2 tequila Tuesdays and overflowing pitchers (albeit watered down just a tad), Skeeps offers reasonable deals on drinks and the possibility of an epic night. Not to mention, Scorekeepers has its own mascot: the infamous No Cover Guy. Although he goes by the pseudonym “Jon Party Taxi,” his real place is on the dance floor at Skeeps where you and your friends can always dance with him, should you ever find yourself alone. Shout-out to No Cover Guy: How did you earn the right to cut the line and not pay cover? And, can you hook me up?
And, even though we promise ourselves we aren’t going back each Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday, the truth is this is where are friends are and nothing beats a great night out with your favorite people.
Downgrade: Scoreweepers
When did Skeeps become such a mingle session? Why do I want to drunkenly chat with people I already saw (and avoided) earlier that day? Especially in brightly lit, sweaty and crowded conditions?
The line itself makes it all the more miserable experience. Is it really worth the forty-five minute wait (which is actually unnecessary and excessive as most nights the bar is half empty, but the bouncers like to keep the people outside) to get inside? It is interesting to note that Scorekeepers is slowly changing into the “A Night at the Roxbury” club in which more people are waiting to get into the bar than are actually at the bar. Sometimes, in fact, I arguably have a better time meeting new strangers while waiting in line commiserating together than being shoved and spilled on once inside.
Scorekeepers also happens to be the only bar on campus where patrons can’t wait until 2 a.m. when the bar finally closes to pair off with a significant other, in a routine many of us know as the “1:30 a.m. scramble.” The problem with the scramble is that couples are not really avoiding being seen leaving together, as everyone is thinking and doing the same exact thing. At Skeeps, there is no such thing as anonymity.
