When you decided to come to N.C. State, were you told how great the Raleigh area is? Are you now at N.C. State and thinking there’s nothing to do here unless you are 21 or over?

While the nightlife in Raleigh does cater to bars that love to check I.D.’s, there are plenty of things to do if you are in the 18-20 age range.

Every first Friday of the month, downtown Raleigh opens its doors, and people can tour local art galleries and studios, museums and restaurants.

For example, Friday, March 4 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., The Mahler Fine Art studio on Fayetteville Street will be open for everyone to view art by former students of Marvin Saltzman.

Continuing on the art theme, you can also check out the North Carolina Museum of Art. It has just been remodeled and admission is donation-based. So you get in for $1, or $20 if you’re feeling generous. The Museum of Art also has traveling exhibitions that cost around $15 but they are definitely worth it. Past exhibitions featured Claude Monet and Norman Rockwell.

You can also buy a student membership for only $25 that gets you access to events at the Museum of Art, like concerts and movies. If you will be here during the summer, you need to check out the movies on the lawn, where you sit outside and watch films on a big screen.

If music is more your thing, there are plenty of venues where you can see concerts, including the Museum of Art. The Berkeley Café is probably the better-known club for music if you are under 21. They have concerts nightly, and you can look at the upcoming acts on their website. If you have never heard of the band, there’s a section where you can see what other musicians are comparable to them.

The Pour House also has a great venue for bands. This one can be a little tricky since sometimes those under 21 can get in, but sometimes they can’t. If you see a band you like, just give them a call and see if you can get in. Sometimes you can get into the Pour House underage before 10 p.m. as well, which is usually a good idea since this place can get packed fast!

Lincoln Theatre is my favorite place to see concerts in Raleigh. All shows are open to all ages, but sometimes they have a $2 surcharge for those under 21.

If you feel like a laugh, check out Goodnight’s Comedy Club. In the next few months you can see Bobcat Goldthwait, Tom Green and Steve-O. Comedy show ticket prices range from about $15 to $40. Don’t be scared to go see someone you have never heard of before, he/she could be the next big thing on Comedy Central.  

And always remember, just because it’s a bar, doesn’t mean you can’t go in. Check out the local bars for some great food. My favorites include The Raleigh Times, Cherry Bomb Grill and Tir Na Nog, which also has live music.

So remember, just because you aren’t 21 doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time in Raleigh, you just have to be proactive and do a little research before you go. There are venues out there for all ages

www.godowntownraleigh.com/firstfriday

www.ncartmuseum.org

www.berkeleycafe.net

www.lincolntheatre.com

www.goodnightscomedy.com