Clubbing Connoisseur

As a 22-year-old retired competitive dancer, it’s no surprise that I love a night out dancing with my best friends. I’ve grown to really enjoy house and EDM music thanks to the nightlife I’m most frequently exposed to outside of Atlantic City. I’ve had the chance to see some incredible DJ sets, including Tïesto, Subtronics, and many others.

Most recently, on the Fourth of July, I had the opportunity to attend HQ2 Dayclub and see Cloonee perform a fantastic set. I especially loved the vibe of the crowd—many of the people there were clearly experienced ravers, which made for more positive and friendly interactions on the dance floor. (Although my friends and I did have to call security on one highly intoxicated man.) On a brighter note, I received my first sprout—a meaningful gesture in the rave community—which more than made up for the earlier mishap. Overall, I had a great time and loved the energy of the environment.

Bikini: Hollister

After my morning at the dayclub, I headed about an hour up the Parkway to Point Pleasant. It was my friend’s and my first time checking out Jenk’s Beach Club. There was a live cover band playing inside and a DJ out on the beach. Honestly, I didn’t catch the names of most performers, except my favorite—Sean Patrick and The Alibis—who played on the 5th. I had seen people online complain about the atmosphere on the 4th, and honestly, I agree. Compared to the 5th, the energy was a little off. The second night definitely had better dancing, better vibes, and more people who seemed genuinely into it.

Also, huge shoutout to the food at Jenk’s—the chicken tenders were fabulous. All in all, I had a fun time, and I’m excited to see what the beach club is like outside of a hectic holiday weekend.