Thursday nights at Purdy Lounge. Photo: Jipsy

Speak up!

By Elizabeth Stewart

It's Thursday. You stare in the mirror asking yourself: when did suits and stockings come into your wardrobe? You suddenly feel an urge to relive your college days by starting the weekend a day early. Although flashes of keg stands keep running through your mind, a fun night no longer means being surrounded by under-agers belting out "Sweet Home Alabama." Thursday nights at Purdy Lounge offer the ideal alternative for those seeking a laid back scene with a little more of a "grown up" crowd.

After lifting your jaw from the floor upon realizing you walked into a SoBe spot without ANY hassle, you'll notice that -- minus the black light posters and bean bag chairs -- Purdy doesn't stray too far from your friend's basement. The small but adequate space is lined with comfy couches and candlelit tables and stocked with a pool table and every board game under the sun. It won't be long before you kick back and make yourself at home while reminding yourself how awesome you are at Jenga.

But what really makes this feel like a college-style girl's night out is the fact that ladies drink for free. We're not talking Jell-o shots and hunch punch, but a wide selection of vodka, rum and tequila well drinks. And while this may not quite be a scene for Carrie Bradshaw and her crew, Purdy also keeps the cosmos and apple-tinis flowing free of charge. The crowd is as easy going as the vibe -- mostly of 20 and 30-something locals looking to put the "fun" in a dysfunctional work week.

Music is also a key element at Purdy. While CDs provide most of the eclectic choice of tunes (think anything from Gwen Stefani to Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean"), the lounge keeps its authenticity by also featuring garage band-style live music. This may mean you have to yell a little louder when declaring your victory in Connect Four -- but is that really a bad thing?

Published: 10/08

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