In my first two years as a student everything was still sort of confusing and now that I’m a junior, it seems as if everything has fallen into place — except dating. I’ve gotten my own apartment, a job, semi long-term life plans etc. but if there’s anything my Jewish mother reminded me of over break, it was that I have no boyfriend. Don’t get me wrong, it would be nice, but it’s not something I’m actively seeking at the moment. But as all my friends and I approach our infamous 21st birthdays, our dating lives are going to surround bars rather than frat parties (fine by me) but it will undeniably be different.
I’ve only spent a brief amount of time at La Jolla dive bars. There’s really only one (London’s West End), and the crowd there is questionable to say the least. I have spent my fair share of time at LA bars, which is pretty much a straightforward douchefest, but I can’t help but keep going back.
The thing I like most about San Diego is its straightforwardness. For some reason, I’ve gotten a sense that beach people are more honest than city people (or at least LA city people), There are a few types of people you will meet at a hip Los Angeles bar (i.e. Harvard & Stone in East Hollywood), none of which you’d want to bring home to Mom. There’s the aspiring actor/musician/yogi. There’s the guy who looks constantly bitter because he thinks he’s above the bar scene yet he seems to be there every night. There’s a plethora of guys that want to hit it and quit it. There’s the guy you gave your number to last time and end up avoiding the whole night. And once in awhile there’s a guy that you have good conversation with that seems legitimately interesting until you drop the bomb that you’re on winter break and have to return to college in just a few short weeks. All of the above should be pictured with facial hair and/or a douchey hat. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to hipster shame (there are few things I appreciate more than a good looking hipster guy), but just going out to bars on a Saturday night sets a tone for one’s experience in itself.
But now that I’m back in San Diego and I’ve put my bi-city lifestyle to rest for awhile I’m curious what’s in store for the next quarter. Will I eventually find a fun bar in San Diego? I’ve been meaning to check out Seven Grand, the whiskey bar in University City. Will I have to give OkCupid another shot? I hope not, but I’ve seen so many good relationships come from it that it’s almost tempting. And what I’m most curious to find out, will I actually miss the LA bar scene while I’m here? After spending some quality time making small talk with real live adults, it makes it hard to take talking about “kickbacks” seriously.
Having a taste of the 21+ LA life has given me this sense of urgency to graduate on many levels, but I know it’ll only take an hour after receiving my diploma before I start freaking out about post-grad life. I wouldn’t be shocked if I immediately started talking about how I wish I was still in freshman Dimensions of Culture classes (okay not really). I’m no optimist but spending winter break in LA has sort of made me realize that I need to milk these last five quarters of college and enjoy being an undergrad. Once I graduate, I’ll have all the time in the world to chat up questionable people over $14 cocktails.
