The Daily Reveille's Dining and Entertainment Guide 2009

lsu living The Daily Reveille’s Guide for College Students

dining and entertainment guide

PAGE 2 freshman guide

dining & entertainment

CONTENTS

CUPCAKE CREATIONS

Local bakery brings petite treats to Baton Rouge with different flavors for every palate and lifestyle, page 4.

FARMER’S MARKET

Local vendors offer seasonal produce and premade cuisine downtown every Saturday, page 6.

NEW NIGHTLIFE

The Cove, Lucy’s hope to bring a fresh feel to the Baton Rouge bar scene with new venues, page 8.

EVENING EVENTS

Live After Five provides free entertainment with regional sounds as part of an effort to revitalize downtown, page 9.

WINE WALK WEDNESDAYS

Local businessmen show off the upscale side of bar crawls with downtown strolls, page 10.

REASONABLE RENDEZVOUS

Students search for low-cost, original options for college couples on a budget, page 11.

LOTS OF LAUGHS

Humor, comedy provide a relaxing release for many stressed students, page 13.

LEGENDARY LOCALES

Northgate has rich history with venues such as The Chimes and The Varsity Theatre, page 14.

COVER PHOTO PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MEGAN J. WILLIAMS PHOTO OPPORTUNITY PROVIDED BY HELLO SUSHI

CHOOSING CHEAP

Students do their best to make economic choices by picking offcampus options instead of meal plans, page 5.

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PAGE 4 dining & entertainment guide

Cupcakes emerging as dessert staple Local bakery spins classic cake

By Lindsay Nunez Entertainment Writer

A television show based on sex, scandal and friendship created a petite dessert obsession, resulting in specialty

cupcake bakeries popping up across the country.

In a 2000 episode of “Sex and the City,” Sarah Jessica Parker’s character bit into a New York City’s Magnolia Bakery pastel cupcake, and the shop’s sales skyrocketed.

Nine years later, hordes of sweet-toothed New Yorkers and tourists still line the

MAGGIE BOWLES / The Daily Reveille

Cupcakes line a tray in a display case at Sweet Wishes cupcake bakery on Perkins Road in Baton Rouge.

sidewalks to taste the delectable treats.

Baton Rouge coworkers and friends Rhonda Weeks and Sheetal Verma-Bueche searched for a unique and trendy project that incorporated Weeks’ cooking flare and Verma-Bueche’s business savvy. While watching a special about a cupcake bakery in Washington D.C. called “Cake Love” on the Food Network, Verma-Bueche was instantly inspired.

“We just thought Baton Rouge needed one,” Weeks said.

Today, Baton Rouge has its very own cupcake confectionery — Sweet Wishes — on Perkins Road.

The shop features gourmet cupcakes ranging in flavors from the Plain Jane to the Banana Split to the Toffee Temptation. Sweet Wishes also

offers a variety of breakfast cupcakes made with sausage and cheese.

Not only does Sweet Wishes have more than 40 gourmet cupcake flavors available, it also has an assortment of decorations. Custom white chocolate candies with company logos and photographs can be added to the top of any cupcake for added flair.

Weeks and Verma-Bueche see their creations as a new, fun twist on a classic dessert. They were able to revamp the mini cakes with distinctive flavors and decorations without losing the practicality and youthful vibe.

“They remind me of my childhood,” Weeks said. “But cupcakes aren’t just for little kids. We have a lot of professional clientele and many adult CUPCAKES, see page 16

dining & entertainment guide PAGE 5

Off-campus dining offers options Students look for cheaper choices

By Sarah Lawson Contributing Writer

Saving money is at the front of most students’ minds this year, and smart shopping could be a good choice for off-campus students.

First-year, on-campus students are the only students required to purchase a meal plan for the year. And with meal plan price tags ranging from $635 to about $1,700 per semester, some students are leery about springing for a semester’s worth of meals on campus.

David Heidke, director of LSU Dining and Concessions, said eating on campus is worth the price. He

SHAINA HUNTSBERRY / The Daily Reveille

David Fabian, petroleum engineering junior, shops for groceries, Aug. 16, at Winn-Dixie on Burbank Drive.

acknowledged that students and parents are daunted by the seemingly up-front price tag of meal plans, but said students’ main concern is time. He said the convenience of the on-campus stops is what matters most.

“I just don’t think

there’s a comparison in terms of what we offer the students,” Heidke said.

But some students don’t agree. Elizabeth Took, biology sophomore, said her first week of groceries at her off-campus home will cost about $40. She said bring-

ing food to campus is more convenient for students who live off campus.

David Fabian, petroleum engineering junior, buys groceries at Winn-Dixie on Burbank Drive.

“It’s more convenient when I’m off campus,” he said. “I try to live cheap. I don’t spend much money.”

In a 17-week semester, meal plans will cost students from $37 to $100 each week and about $160 to $425 a month, depending on the plan they choose.

Kim Roberts, University Auxiliary Services marketing coordinator, said TigerCASH users spend an average of $35 to $50 a month at off-campus locations. She said 1,500 to 2,000 individual users DINING, see page 18

PAGE 6 dining & entertainment guide

Farmers market offers local produce Vendors create community feel

By Kristen M’lissa Rowlett Contributing Writer

Students trying to buy local cuisine and produce can find it every Saturday morning at the Red Stick Farmers Market in downtown Baton Rouge.

The farmers market averages 40 vendors who sell seasonal produce and premade cuisine every Saturday on Fifth Street at Main Street from 8 a.m. to noon and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Perkins Road, said Big River Economic & Agricultural Development Alliance Executive Director Copper Alvarez.

BREADA started the Red Stick Farmers Market

KRISTEN M’LISSA ROWLETT / The Daily Reveille

Customers buy produce Aug. 15 at the Red Stick Farmers Market in downtown Baton Rouge. Forty vendors set up weekly at the market.

in 1996 to create a venue for local farmers to sell their seasonal produce and create a community, Alvarez said.

BREADA’s mission is to create a gathering place for vendors and patrons to get to know each other and enjoy

local produce and cuisine, Alvarez said.

“You go to Walmart, and you want to get in and out as quick as possible, but here it seems like a nice Saturday experience,” said mechanical engineering junior Christine

Woodfield.

Although not all produce at the market is organic, all produce is evaluated to ensure it is farmed responsibly and meets BREADA’s standards.

Regardless of the inspection, the sense of community is incentive for farmers to bring the best crops to the market.

“Everything at this market that’s edible, I eat it, and I bring it to my children and grandchildren ... I don’t bring second-class stuff,” said Bud Benton, professional farmer and vendor.

Frank Fekete also keeps his produce up to standards for patrons he has come to know through the market.

“You don’t want to spray and give [produce] to people MARKET, see page 15

freshman guide PAGE 7

PAGE 8 dining & entertainment guide

New bars open in Baton Rouge The Cove, Lucy’s nightlife hotspots

By Olga Kourilova Contributing Writer

Pirates and surfers are spicing up Baton Rouge nightlife.

Located in the Citiplace Shopping Center between Albasha and Ruffles N’ Britches, The Cove is hidden to those not looking for it. The bar opened in June and boasts the largest import beer selection in the city, with about 70 countries represented on its menu.

Pirate flags hang above a 65-foot bar, and small cocktail tables provide additional seating for Cove patrons. Owner Thomas Ange said the theme started as a joke among friends.

“There are no gimmicks except our inventory,” Ange said.

The bar began with $250,000 worth of inventory, including $50 beers and $1,000 shots of Absinthe. Although he rarely sells them, Ange said he enjoys having them on hand to educate customers.

Ange said he hopes to offer Baton Rouge bar-goers an upscale place to relax. A stepped up dress code means no muscle shirts or white T-shirts for men, although he’s more lenient with his female customers.

The Cove has a 21-year-old age requirement.

“We’re kind of snobby, but I don’t like that word,” Ange said.

The Citiplace location had to be rezoned in order to allow a bar to operate on

KRISTEN M’LISSA ROWLETT / The Daily Reveille

Patrons order drinks Aug. 13 at The Cove. The Cove is one of several bars that has opened recently in the Baton Rouge area.

the premises.

Ange also owns Port Royal Lounge, which will continue to stay open until the building is torn down in summer 2010. Both bars subscribe to the pirate theme.

On the other side of town, Lucy’s Retired Surfer Bar will open in late Sep-

tember or early October on Third Street in downtown Baton Rouge.

Owner Bruce Rampick said he was initially attracted to the downtown area because of its potential and diverse crowds.

“It’s really growing, BARS, see page 16

Downtown area hosts free events Concerts, museum attracts visitors

By Brianna Paciorka Contributing Writer

With the ongoing efforts to revitalize the downtown area, students can take advantage of the many free weekend events offered in Baton Rouge and explore what the downtown area has to offer.

Students looking for something to do on Friday evenings can attend Live After Five, a weekly outdoor concert series showcasing local and regional bands held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Galvez Plaza.

‘‘

‘The goal is to provide free entertainment for the city.’

Kerry Ruiz

Live After Five marketing and event coordinator Live After Five will kick off its eight-week fall concert series Sept. 11 with Neighborhood Stars and will team up with the University’s Athletic Department for the event, said Kerry Ruiz, Live After Five’s marketing and event coordinator.

“We’re going to have DOWNTOWN, see page 19

dining & entertainment guide PAGE 9

PAGE 10 dining & entertainment guide

Wine Walk serves drinks downtown Local ‘bar crawl’ winds around city

By Sheena Mannina Entertainment Writer

Students may be wary of visiting downtown Baton Rouge late on Wednesday nights, generating a picture of deserted streets, construction, homeless wanderers and empty restaurants.

But Baton Rouge native and local businessman Chris Laureles and his business partner Wardell Junius plan to change this image through their project, Wine Walk Wednesdays.

“Our goal is really to bring more vibrancy into the downtown area,” Laureles said.

The walk is a different version of a pub crawl that

KRISTEN M’LISSA ROWLETT / The Daily Reveille

A group enjoys glasses of wine Aug. 12 at Tsunami during Wine Walk Wednesday. Many downtown restaurants participate in the weekly event.

takes place each Wednesday beginning at 5:30 p.m. at a previously announced starting place. Each location hosts walkers for an hour

before the groups move on to the next location.

A $10 wristband guarantees three or four wine tastings and discounted

glasses of wine or menu items at each location.

Laureles and Junius kicked off their first wine walk May 13 with a group of five.

By mid-August, the walk stampeded with almost 200 “walkers,” seven venues and 28 tastes of wine.

The current list of participating venues for the downtown walk includes The Wine Loft, Stroubes Chophouse, Capital City Grill, Tsunami, The Roux House, Boudreaux and Thibodeaux and Avoyelles Cafe, though the rotation changes weekly. Walkers can pick up an itinerary from Laureles upon arrival.

Ben LeBlanc, sports administration junior and Stroubes server, sees a WINE, see page 22

Students enjoy fun, cheap date options Locales include parks, breweries

By Jake Clapp Entertainment Writer

The average college student isn’t rolling in money.

With fee bills, textbooks and apartment rent, students’ bank accounts are slowly draining away.

As academic and living expenses continue to increase, cuts to a student’s budget are bound to occur, oftentimes in areas associated with social activities.

Dwindling fund may make having fun seem difficult, especially for those on the dating scene, but some originality and thought can

make dates exciting and fun without breaking the wallet.

Baton Rouge can offer many date choices beyond the worn out dinner and a movie idea.

Alex Sedevie, physics junior, and her boyfriend, Randall Hopson, physics senior, said going out on a date doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.

“We took a date out to Highland Park and flew kites once and just went walking around downtown and on the levee another day,” Sedevie said. “It was simple but really fun being outside together.”

Baton Rouge houses a wide array of parks and arDATES, see page 22

dining & entertainment guide PAGE 11

PAGE 12 freshman guide

dining & entertainment guide PAGE 13

Comedy club offers bar alternative Humor can relax students

By Sarah Eddington Contributing Writer

Comedic stage hypnotist Tony Lucero counted for 10 seconds as his 15 volunteers on stage imagined stepping down a flight of stairs at the Funny Bone Comedy Club.

“Breathe in. Breathe out,” Lucero said. “It is now 200 degrees. You are in Jamaica, and you are so hot your clothes are sticking to your skin.”

The participants all began fanning themselves and tearing at their clothes despite sitting in an air conditioned room.

Lucero later had his hypnotized volunteers believe their chairs were burning every time the song “Ring of

Fire” played. The participants down with some friends and leapt from their seats while the see a good show,” she said. audience roared with laughter.

Pancoast attributes the The Funny Bone hosts club’s popularity to its uniquecomedy shows like Lucero’s ness. every Thursday, Friday and “It’s a change of pace Saturday nights. from your The club has typical college been in Baton bars,” he said.

Rouge for 22 Clay Lanyears and has dry, electrical featured comics engineering including Dave sophomore, Coulier, Jeff said the Funny Foxworthy and Bone is more Pauly Shore. relaxed and Russell Matthews Univerless aggressive assistant professor, psychology sity students than going to a make up a substantial part of bar. the club’s demographic, said “This is definitely not a Tommy Pancoast, the club’s normal Thursday night,” he general manager. said. “I can’t see a fight breakBrittany Bourg, agricul- ing out in here.” tural business senior, has been Activities like going to to the Funny Bone multiple a comedy club are important times. for a student’s mentality, said “It’s a cool place to sit Russell Matthews, assistant

‘‘

‘Stress gets higher if you don’t think about other things every once in a while.’

professor of psychology.

“It is important for students to disengage from the craziness that is their lives,” Matthews said. “Life isn’t just about work and school.”

The Funny Bone offers something fun and enjoyable, and comedy is something everyone can enjoy, Pancoast said.

“It transcends all boundaries of age, race and ethnicity,” he said. “Everyone can relate to it.”

Matthews said laughter creates endorphins which make people resilient to stress.

“Humor is a recovery mechanism,” Matthews said.

“Stress gets higher if you don’t think about other things every once in a while.”

Contact Sarah Eddington at seddington@lsureveille.com

PAGE 14 dining & entertainment guide

Varsity and Chimes offer rich history Northgate block holds legacies

By Emily Slack Entertainment Writer

Musician Leroy White has been playing the guitar and harmonica in front of the Varsity Theatre for more than 11 years.

White’s choice of venue, the sidewalk outside of The Varsity Theatre and The Chimes, is as much a landmark as he is, opening its doors 72 years ago.

“For some reason some force attracts the greatest people in the world here,” White said. “Lots of kids have grown up with me, and a lot of students have graduated and come back to visit me.”

White grew up in CHIMES, see page 20

JENNIFER MATLOCK / The Daily Reveille

The Chimes restaurant and The Varsity Theatre have been part of The University’s culture for 72 years.

dining & entertainment guide PAGE 15 MARKET, from page 6

that you like. I don’t spray it because I eat it,” Fekete said.

The market also offers scheduled events such as live music and local cuisine cooking demonstrations.

Students may be intimidated by the idea of cooking, but vendors are always willing to talk about their produce and give cooking tips, said Rebecca Hadley, nutritional science senior and BREADA volunteer.

“We find that a lot of students are cooking now that the economy is going crazy and restaurants are kind of expensive,” Alvarez said.

Prices are competitive with the produce found at grocery stores, but the quality and the freshness is worth the price, she said.

Produce sold at the market is usually picked within the past 24 hours of the market for optimal freshness.

“If you go to any of the

stores in Baton Rouge, [the produce] might be seven days old with no flavor,” Fekete said.

Along with quality of the produce, shopping at the farmer’s market also supports local farmers. Dollars spent at the market stay local and create activity for downtown Baton Rouge, Alvarez said.

“The whole idea of buying from a local producer, keeping them in business, is really important to students,” she said.

With a decline in farming, farmers like Benton hope the farmer’s market will help save local farms.

“Small farms are disappearing now at an alarming rate,” he said. “Years ago small farms were the backbone of the nation. We’re losing that connection.”

Contact Kristen M’lissa Rowlett at krowlett@lsureveille.com

PAGE 16 dining & entertainment guide CUPCAKES, from page 4

cupcake addicts.”

Weeks said cupcakes are ideal for large events. Unlike regular cakes that must be cut, cupcakes are hassle-free and less messy.

Portion control also appeals to the adult clientele, she said. The cupcake’s versatility allows customers to accommodate multiple flavors to suit everyone’s sweet tooth.

“The best part is coming up with new flavors,” Weeks said. “We just start with batter and throw in new ingredients.”

Some trials were flops, but others resulted in a delicious success, she said. The duo began with recipes used during their youths and later incorporated their own unique ideas and suggestions from friends, family and clients.

Sweet Wishes even offers cupcakes for gluten-free, sugar-free or vegan diets.

After being diagnosed

with celiac disease — a reaction to the gluten protein in wheat — Verma-Bueche couldn’t eat her own cupcakes, so the duo concocted the gluten-free cupcakes, which they said are not differentiable from the originals.

But humans aren’t the only ones that get specialty diet cupcakes. Their line of “pup cakes” is specially made for dogs. They are sugar-free and contain cheese, oatmeal and honey.

“Our golden retriever, Zach, used to eat all of our tester cupcakes right off the kitchen counter,” Weeks said.

“We just had to make him his own cupcake topped with a dog treat.”

Sweet Wishes also offers LSU Dairy ice cream, Community Coffee and wireless Internet access.

Contact Lindsay Nunez at lnunez@lsureveille.com

BARS, from page 8

and we wanted to be a part of that,” he said.

Rampick became interested in the area while visiting his daughters, who attend LSU and Our Lady of the Lake College.

Even with the current economy, Rampick said he thinks Lucy’s will be a success because of its moderate prices.

“We just had our busiest year in New Orleans,” he said.

The Baton Rouge location will follow in the steps of the Lucy’s in New Orleans as a hybrid bar and restaurant. Kids, students, and professionals are welcome to experience the California-Mexican cuisine for which Lucy’s is famous.

The original New York City location opened in 1985 and was a huge success, Rampick said. The theme came together because three

surfers in Manhattan missed the food and energy of their home in Southern California, he said.

“I didn’t go to New York to get into the restaurant business,” he said, “It was kind of an accident.”

The same is true for Lucy’s relocation to New Orleans. Rampick said his wife, Susan, attended LSU. “We fell in love and ended up in New Orleans,” he said.

Twenty-four years and several locations later, Rampick is excited about reaching Baton Rouge.

Other new Baton Rouge venues include The Box, opened in the old Tiger Bar location in TigerLand, and Coyote Blues, set to open on Acadian Thruway.

Contact Olga Kourilova at okourilova@lsureveille.com

freshman guide PAGE 17

PAGE 18 dining & entertainment guide DINING, from page 5 pay with TigerCASH each month, including students, faculty and staff. The average sale is between $15 and $20, she said.

Roberts said WinnDixie tops the list of TigerCASH vendors in sales each year. Other top locations include Pluckers Wing Bar, Izzo’s Illegal Burrito and CVS Pharmacy.

But Heidke said he is pleased with the interest of students in meal plans who aren’t required to purchase them.

He said the number of voluntary meal plans purchased has increased every semester by about 7 percent for the last five years. Of the 4,167 meal plans purchased in fall 2008, 964 were voluntarily chosen, and in spring 2009, 1,058 were chosen — nearly a 10 percent increase.

Annual transactions at all

on-campus dining venues ume allowed in purchasing reach nearly 2 million. for the Mini-Mart accounts Heidke said virtually all for higher prices than offof the roughly 110 days of campus stores. a semester can be covered He said the freedom by meal plans. At the door, of the University to name Heidke said breakfast costs prices at restaurants var$5.95, lunch $9.15 and din- ies from franchise to franner $9.95 in dining halls. chise — Chick-fil-A sets its L S U own prices, Dining revwhile Pizza enues were Hut allows $687,038 the Unifor this past versity to fiscal year, choose from according to a range.

Jason TollHe said iver, Univerhis departDavid Heidke sity Auxiliament looks ry Services Dining and Concessions director around Badirector. He ton Rouge said the University hired for competitive prices at Chartwells, an external other franchises of the same company, which purchases chains. food from purveyors across The new McDonald’s in the state. the Student Union features While Heidke said he is less items on its menu than sensitive to students when its West Lee Drive counterpricing on-campus mer- part with no Dollar Menu chandise, the lack of vol- and a price increase of $.10

‘‘

‘I just don’t think there’s a comparison in terms of what we offer the students.’

or more on popular items.

The Union’s Chick-fil-A and Pizza Hut feature only a fraction of their other Baton Rouge locations’ menu items but with comparable or favorable pricing.

In an effort to increase convenience and reduce the monotony of eating on campus everyday, Heidke said his department is always expanding students’ options. New developments include an Einstein Bros.

Bagels in the Union for the fall, the reopening of the Pentagon Dining Hall with a new Quiznos in the spring and an overhaul of Tiger Lair in the Union for the spring.

“You’re ready to eat.

We’re open,” Heidke said.

Contact Sarah Lawson slawson@lsureveille.com

dining & entertainment guide PAGE 19 DOWNTOWN, from page 9 a great band. Players and coaches, the LSU cheerleaders and Mike the Tiger come out and have a great time to promote all of what’s going on downtown for college students,” Ruiz said.

Musical acts range from swamp pop to rock ‘n’ roll, Ruiz said.

“We try to get bands that appeal to all ages that represent the eclectic music that Louisiana has to offer: music that is indigenous to this part of the country that really creates a good party atmosphere,” Ruiz said.

Live After Five is produced by the Downtown Business Association, a nonprofit group of businesses promoting the growth of downtown Baton Rouge, and will run until Oct. 30.

“The goal is to provide free entertainment for the city of Baton Rouge, so they can come downtown ... and have the opportunity to see the downtown area, eat at the restaurants and bars and maybe go to the museums down there,” Ruiz said. “It’s just something to really promote downtown Baton Rouge so people know what’s going on.”

The first Sunday of every month is Free First Sunday, which offers students the opportunity to visit the LSU Museum of Art, Louisiana Arts & Sciences Museum, the Old State Capitol, Louisiana State Museum and the USS Kidd for free from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Free First Sunday can be both fun and beneficial for students, said Renee’ Bourgeois Payton, marketing director for the LSU Museum of Art. “Sometimes art professors might have projects for their art classes where students might need to come over to see an exhibition, so it can be used for research

purposes,” Bourgeois Payton genre that you’re interested said. in, then you might just want Also on Sundays is to mark your calendar for Sunday in the Park, another that particular show,” Gorweekly concert series intro- don said. ducing regional and national The Arts Council of Bamusicians of ton Rouge crevarious genres ated Sunday in to the Baton the Park as a Rouge comproject free to munity.

The the public to event is held in bring people Lafayette Park out to enjoy from noon to 3 music and p.m. downtown BaDerek Gordon The fall ton Rouge.

CEO of the Arts Council concert series “It has, of Baton Rouge will begin Oct. over the years, 4 with Fete Louisiana, featur- become a great gathering ing Feufollet and Cedric place for people on Sunday Watson, and end Nov. 8 with mornings,” Gordon said.

Trombone Shorty and Or- “People will come and bring leans Avenue. a picnic, or they’ll go to Derek Gordon, CEO of brunch and come back to listhe Arts Council of Baton ten to the music. It’s a place Rouge, said they try to pro- to meet and for people to be vide a variety of music to the together in Baton Rouge.” public. The musical acts range from zydeco to contemporary Contact Brianna Paciorka at singer-songwriters. bpaciorka@lsureveille.com “If there’s a particular

‘‘

‘[Sunday in the Park is] for people to be together.’

PAGE 20 dining & entertainment guide CHIMES, from page 14 Baton Rouge near the Northgate area, and after an honorable discharge from the Navy, he returned and later began entertaining University students.

Brunch at The Chimes on Sundays and many concerts at the Varsity, including performances by Grammy-winning artists, are long-standing

traditions for University students.

“This area was the sole focus of the LSU campus,” said Clark Cadzow, owner of Highland Coffees. “Anything that was important to LSU in those early decades had to happen here.”

Cadzow has researched the Northgate area extensively and hosted a show featuring

Daily Reveille file photo

The Chimes, previously Tiger Tavern, stands on Highland Road in 1955.

the historic photographs of the area in his coffee shop about a year ago.

“What’s interesting about this neighborhood are all of the individual stories and connections it has with other people in the city,” Cadzow said.

When the University moved to its current location in 1925, businesses opened around the campus — particularly in the Northgate area.

Students referred to Northgate as Tiger Town from the 1920s to 1980s.

Before The Chimes occupied the corner of Highland Road and Chimes Street, a bar called Tiger Tavern occupied the site in 1927. It became a restaurant called Campus Lunch Room in 1936, but was torn down a year later.

The Cangelosi family built The Chimes in 1937, but it began as a pharmacy called Sitman’s Drugs. Sitman’s later closed and became Maxwell’s Drugs in 1950. Maxwell’s then became Tiger Town Pharmacy

in 1966, which was turned into The Chimes restaurant in 1983.

The Varsity opened alongside Sitman’s in 1937 as a movie theater until 1983 when it became a dinner theater, allowing customers to bring their dinner into the movie theater.

Mike Ryan and Tim Hood purchased The Chimes in 1986.

At the time, it mainly served as a bar and live music venue.

The Varsity became the live music venue it is today in 1991.

In addition to pharmacies and a restaurant, the building the Varsity and The Chimes share has been home to a clothing store, book store, record store, hair salon and survey equipment shop. “[The Varsity and The Chimes] are the backbone of LSU,” said Trey McLean, nutritional sciences senior.

Contact Emily Slack at eslack@lsureveille.com

freshman guide PAGE 21

PAGE 22 dining & entertainment guide WINE, from page 10

behind-the-scenes version of the walk each week and notices a uniqueness in the environment and people involved.

“It’s not a Tiger Land kind of crew,” Leblanc said.

“It would be a great starter for going out ... and a cool deal for a date.”

The atmosphere of the wine walk is on the opposite end of the spectrum as a night in Tiger Land.

Stroubes Chophouse, for example, serves drinks in glasses, showcases modern art and offers its guests cozy seating and open-window views of downtown.

The wine walk provides students an affordable ticket into some of downtown’s high-end hangouts and a chance to socialize and network with a diverse, professional crowd.

Scott LeJeune, Wine Loft general manager, said

students should look beyond the bars surrounding campus and drive the extra five minutes to downtown for a more sophisticated night out.

“There are so many people who forget about downtown,” LeJeune said. “But the options you have when you come down here ... an upscale wine bar, now you have a sports bar, you have places where you can dance, places with live music, you have the pub atmosphere — you can make several people in a group happy.”

Laureles and Junius hope to expand the walk to other hotspots of the city.

The two took on Corporate Boulevard on August 17 and hope to reach Perkins Rowe and Towne Center in the near future.

Contact Sheena Mannina at smannina@lsureveille.com

“Just take me fishing,” Hannah Dickinson, biology eas that are great for outdoor junior, said. “It’s easy, and the lakes are a great place. activities.

A full list of city parks Sometimes if the date is different, it could can be found on be better, more the Recreation special.” and Park ComFor people mission for the over 21 years Parish of East old, many beer Baton Rouge breweries ofWeb site. fer free tours On a sunny and sometimes day, students Barrett Allen free beer samcan take a date out to the Pa- mass communication junior ples.

The Abita rade Ground and throw around a baseball Brewery in Abita Springs is or bring a blanket and sand- a great place to take a tour wiches to the Indian mounds and see how beer is made and enjoy samples of almost to enjoy a small picnic.

The University lakes every Abita Beer.

Information and direcalso offer a great opportunity for couples to take long tions can be found online about the tours, which run walks or bike together.

The University Student Wednesday through SaturRecreational Complex even day.

For an artsy date, the offers free two-hour bike rentals to LSU students to Baton Rouge Gallery offers a experience any of the many CHEAP, see page 23 bike paths in the area.

DATES, from page 11

‘‘

‘A simple date can be great.

Your heart has to be in it.’

dining & entertainment guide PAGE 23 with a little more creative thought can be more personplace for a sophisticated date al and unique.

So the next time a date is that won’t break the bank.

“All of the gallery’s ex- not going well or the budget just won’t allow hibits are free for a big, expenand open to the sive date, get to public,” John know LSU by Michael Byrd, hunting for the special events hidden apple coordinator tree on campus for the gallery or by looking at said. “People a great view of are free to walk Hannah Dickinson the area from in anytime.” biology junior Howe-Russell’s The Baton roof. It may be Rouge Gallery also offers programs fre- a great way to save money quently throughout the year, and to kick start something like the “Movies and Music special.

“As long as it’s well on the Lawn” program that runs on the last Saturday of thought out and planned, a simple date can be great,” each month until October.

The exhibits and pro- Barrett Allen, mass commugrams change often, but cur- nication junior, said. “Your rent information, times and heart has to be in it.” future events are offered on the gallery’s Web site.

Expensive dates do not Contact Jake Clapp at always mean better dates, and sometimes original dates jclapp@lsureveille.com

CHEAP, from page 22

‘‘

‘Just take me fishing. It’s easy and the lakes are a great place.’

PAGE 24 freshman guide