The Z-word

It all started off as a bit of a joke.

“What!” A friend exclaimed. “You’ve never been to Ziggy's?” I shrugged. “It never seemed that appealing, all that walls sweating and everything.”

I’d laughed at her gaping mouth and thought no more of it. Then, last week, she comes up and tells me we were going to Ziggy's.

So, last Wednesday we donned our best/worst outfits, did a bit of pre-drinking on campus, and headed into town about 9pm. By bus, of course, those Ziggy's heels were not for walking in.

First stop: Lowther for cocktails and vodka. I always abuse their two cocktails for £3.50 deal and drink two at once: makes life that little more interesting. Then, move on to the Artful Dodger for a drink that by this point I’m having difficulty remembering. I remember the Jelly Shots though. I remember finding it imperative that I lick every last bit of jelly out of the shot glass. Oh, the things we do when drunk that we don’t realise must look awful.

We headed into Ziggy's about half ten – yes, fairly early, I know, but we were plastered already, anyway so that rule was ticked. And there was the benefit of no queue. I’m not even sure the bouncer looked at my ID or student card. He must have done, but my memory only gives me a picture of me simply strolling into the club.

Well, I say club. The thing about Ziggy's is that it doesn’t feel like a club. It feels like some rich kid has decided to have a massive house party and invite the entire school, like in those annoying American teen movies. Normally in clubs, I get annoyed because I can’t find anyone I know, but in Ziggy's, I didn’t care: I wanted to see everyone I didn’t know.

I don’t know how long we were there. I don’t know everyone I spoke to or what I said.

So, what do I know?

I had fun.

But why was this? I don’t like clubbing; the idea of sweat on the walls had always disgusted me; I’m not good with crowds and I’m generally quite sensible with my alcohol – so why did I like Ziggy's?

Firstly, as I said, it doesn’t feel like a club to me. Secondly, if you’re drunk enough, wiping whatever you get your hands covered in from touching the walls on the arm of a guy you’ve just met seems like a perfectly respectable thing to do. Thirdly, crowds are annoying, but endurable, and drinking is a mandatory part the experience.

But most of all, I think, Ziggy's is a dream for those wanting to escape for the night.

As someone who writes blogs under a pseudonym, I like playing a role and being a character. Ziggy's, is therefore, perfect. Everyone’s drunk, so it’s fairly unlikely they’ll remember you: thus the perfect opportunity to reinvent yourself. I liked Ziggy's because for a few short hours I could pretend I was somebody else. It was like freshers week in that respect, except I knew that it was only for the night and I wouldn’t have to live with the consequences.

Guess what?

This Wednesday we’re hitting the town again.

I’ve had an awful start to the week.

So bring on Ziggy's!

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