New and returning students who haven’t yet reached 21 years old are still able to get together and hang out both on campus and around the Manhattan community.
On campus, the Union Council Program (UPC) offers entertaining events and activities free of charge.
“UPC gets students involved on campus and around the community, offers leadership opportunities and a chance to make friends,” Erika Davis, program adviser for the K-State Student Union, said.
The UPC offers a variety of events ranging from magic shows to paintball tournaments. This year’s events began with the Week of Welcome during the first week of school. These events included a hypnotist, henna tattoos, an activities carnival and much more.
“The Union Program Council hosts substance-free events every Friday night.” Megan Varhola, president of UPC, said. “They are dedicated events for students specifically under the drinking age.”
Varhola said she believes the Union is a comfortable place to be.
“The Union is like the living room of campus,” Varhola said. “Most of my best college memories were at these events. I’ve met incredible people I may have never met before. There is always something going on, and it’s so conveniently located near campus, and best of all, almost all the events are free.”
Beyond campus, Tubby’s Sports Bar and the Dirty Dawg Saloon in Aggieville allow students that are under the drinking age to enter.
Emily Jagels, graduate landscape architecture student and Tubby’s bartender, said Tubby’s is a great place to hang out and work.
“We have a patio, sports bar and a dance floor,” Jagels said. “We are one of the few dance clubs in Manhattan that actually admits minors.”
Tubby’s is known for their various theme parties on Thursday nights.
“My favorite theme is ‘Throwback Thursdays,'” Jagels said. “We play old ’90s hits and everyone has a good time.”
Also located in Aggieville, the Dirty Dawg Saloon is a country two-step dance bar. Dirty Dawgs also offers billiard tables, dart boards and a back patio.
Dirty Dawgs doubles as a concert venue for various country bands and singers. They have been known to host performers such as Granger Smith, Kyle Park and Bart Crow.
Underage students have various options both on and around K-State’s campus during the school year to hang out with friends. K-State’s UPC and underage bars in Aggieville offer minors a place to hang out, meet new people and create new memories.
