Donovan’s Pub, commonly referred to as “Donnie’s,” will now be open until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The kitchen will also operate until 30-60 minutes prior to closure. These scheduling changes, made based on feedback from a student survey, is part of a larger effort by the school to increase the number of late-night options available to students.
Dean of Students Dorsey Spencer Jr. wrote in a Sept. 26 email to students that Fridays@Donnie’s — a weekly event featuring dancing, food, drinks and a student DJ from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. — would become a permanent fixture in the ’Gate After Dark calendar. ’Gate After Dark, which launched last year, partnered with Donnie’s in hopes of it being a venue where the campus community could come together and unwind.
The new hours were announced in an Oct. 31 follow-up email. As a safety precaution, Spencer noted that students will not be allowed to enter with backpacks, bags or bottles after 10 p.m. Visually intoxicated students will also be denied entry.
“We are committed to ensuring that Donovan’s Pub remains a fun, safe and inclusive space for everyone. Whether through diverse programming (e.g., deejays, comedians, trivia nights, etc.) or just providing a venue where all students (and their guests) are welcome,” Spencer wrote. “We want Donnie’s to be a space on campus for students regardless of class year.”
With Donnie’s recent schedule, students like senior Angie Ramirez have something new to look forward to on Friday nights.
“I have been enjoying them so much. I have been exposed to new songs that I’ve never heard before, and I feel like I just always have a good time with my friends that I [bring] to these things,” Ramirez said.
Although Spencer’s email reported high attendance and positive feedback, some students are dissatisfied. Sophomore and student DJ Aiden Scully approves of Fridays@Donnie’s in theory but thinks its top-down marketing discourages people from going.
“I certainly enjoy DJ-ing for people — but I think that the idea that it’s [University-run] dissuades people from coming,” Scully said. “Also, because it’s on Friday nights from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., people would much rather hang out with their friends than go to a school-run event.”
Scully agrees that there should be inclusive ways for the student body to unwind but is so far underwhelmed by the programming.
“I think this school fosters an environment where people work really hard during the week and want an outlet to forget about their problems on the weekend. I just don’t think Friday’s@Donnie’s adequately satisfies that need,” Scully said.
Ramirez also suggested that the University update their advertising for Friday’s@Donnie’s events.
“I feel like maybe their posters could use some more work,” Ramirez said. “They should not call it a dance party. They’re calling it a dance party, and I feel like people can see that it’s a school event.”
Spencer encouraged students and student-led organizations to reach out to Donovan’s Pub with suggestions for events or ideas for other late-night programming.
