College fun at JHU, sans the screwdrivers

Drinking seems to be a staple of college life. Beers and Bacardi are what everyone think of when imagining the social scene -- drinking at frat parties and secretly in dorm rooms and apartments until you turn 21, and then finally drinking legally in bars.

But while those throwing back a few, or throwing up, stories are dominant in the minds of students, nights and weekends don't have to be that way. Plenty of venues are provided both on and off campus for those who choose not to consume, and quite a few places provide a scene for both parties to relax together.

Practically every event on campus is alcohol-free, although high levels of caffeine may be involved. For those desiring a more mellow Friday night, E-Level in Levering Hall offers Coffee Grounds every week at 8 p.m. The artsy ambience will inspire you to do your own improv poem, or at least sip some java while digging the lyrics of others.

E-Level is also open during the week for students and faculty. Stop by in-between classes or after a full day of research. The video games, pool table and munchies are sure to provide a reprieve much more helpful than a Heineken.

Weekend Wonderflix works hard to transform Shriver Hall into an on-campus Cineplex. Aside from some Hopkins student films, the group shows movies on relatively often weekends that have made it through the theaters but not to the rental circuit. Recently, Nemo "was found," and upcoming movies and times are posted on http://www.jhu.edu/~jhufilm. Even better, freshly popped popcorn is sometimes offered. At $3 a person, it's a great date idea, or a way to enjoy a Friday or Saturday night without dealing with the drinking scene.

Believe it or not, though, students can get down and dirty at frat parties without getting drunk. While frat parties are always linked to heavy drinking and round after round of beer pong, other elements are highly enjoyable. Most have music pumping and a small area in the basement for dancing, and partygoers generally stick with people they know and chat all night.

Sure, you get your fair share of those who, after they make it down to the basement, can't make their way back up without being carried -- but there also are plenty of others who go with a bunch of people and just plain have fun, even if they run the risk of getting beer accidentally poured down their shirts.

Charles Village Pub and PJ's are mainly for the drinking crowd, but surprisingly, the Hopkins campus is surrounded by a few places that offer a dual-purpose atmosphere. Xando's is a coffeehouse with a small bar. An eclectic crowd can order s'mores, caf?? mochas, and coffee cocktails and share an evening of subdued splendor.

One World Caf?? sets a similar scene, with a more extensive menu, bigger bar, and pool table to boot. The espresso bar closes at 10:30 p.m. every night (except Sunday, when One World closes at 5 p.m.), but the kitchen serves food until 12 a.m., and the actual bar mixes drinks until 2 a.m. Even if diet coke is your poison, you can chill at the neighborhood joint until closing time.

For freshmen and sophomores, sticking close to the supposedly alcohol-free dorms on the weekends isn't always a bad idea. The power of hours of girl talk while swapping spoons and pints of Ben and Jerry's ice cream is immeasurable, and you can't savor the joy of Chunky Monkey while downing a couple pints of Guinness Extra Stout.

And let's not forget, for those who can get someone to drive, or feel like spending the money on a cab, venturing off-campus is best done sober. Towson, White Marsh, and Inner Harbor are hotspots that shouldn't be sacrificed for a night of liquoring it up -- and if the driver isn't allowed to drink, it would be respectful if the rest of the caravan laid off as well.

Drinking is something a lot of people do in college. It's not something everyone does, or even enjoys. And while the scene will inevitably be there, you don't have to join it if you don't want to. Numerous other on-campus and off-campus activities are provided for those who wish to stay dry, and believe it or not, places exist that cater to both crowds.

Bottom line: plenty of people of both persuasions exist at Hopkins, and one interlinking and intralinking factor is the need for students to kick back, relax, and have a good time. As long as you make the effort and stick to your guns, you should be fine.