Junior Adam Levine throw a party at The Exchange Saloon, they know what attracts students to the 17th and G streets bar - location, location, location.
"(The Exchange) is an ideal bar for GW students. It's very close to campus so when people go out they don't have to walk very far," Levine said.
With two Foggy Bottom bars recently opening their doors to the under-21 crowd, students are taking advantage of a vibrant social scene within a few blocks of campus.
The Exchange, along with Karma, cater to GW's underage population, allowing patrons who haven't hit the legal drinking age of 21 to party with an older crowd. By welcoming students 18 and older, these venues stand to earn more revenue from the steady stream of nearby college bar hoppers.
The Exchange, which opened in 1973 and began admitting underage patrons in September 2004, has become a staple of GW's nightlife. Bar owner Jim Nicopoulos said he frequently rents out The Exchange to Greek-letter groups and student organizations throwing private parties.
With lines of people waiting to get inside the bar on most weekends, Nicopoulos said he doesn't mind the large crowds that The Exchange attracts. He describes his slightly younger clientele as a "good wave of kids."
"They just want a place to socialize," he said.
Sophomore Jimmy Simmons said he goes to The Exchange because "it's that sleazy bar that everyone likes."
Nicopoulos said that his team of bouncers ensures no underage drinking takes place, though students under 21 find ways to drink at the G Street bar, just as they do at most other nightspots. The Exchange bouncers check identifications at the door, giving wristbands to patrons over 21.
Only those with the tags are able to purchase alcohol once inside the club, but underage students often use fake IDs to get one of the coveted bracelets. In January, a freshman claimed he was abducted at gunpoint after a night of drinking at The Exchange.
"(The Exchange) is an ideal bar for GW students. It's very close to campus so when people go out they don't have to walk very far," Levine said.
With two Foggy Bottom bars recently opening their doors to the under-21 crowd, students are taking advantage of a vibrant social scene within a few blocks of campus.
The Exchange, along with Karma, cater to GW's underage population, allowing patrons who haven't hit the legal drinking age of 21 to party with an older crowd. By welcoming students 18 and older, these venues stand to earn more revenue from the steady stream of nearby college bar hoppers.
The Exchange, which opened in 1973 and began admitting underage patrons in September 2004, has become a staple of GW's nightlife. Bar owner Jim Nicopoulos said he frequently rents out The Exchange to Greek-letter groups and student organizations throwing private parties.
With lines of people waiting to get inside the bar on most weekends, Nicopoulos said he doesn't mind the large crowds that The Exchange attracts. He describes his slightly younger clientele as a "good wave of kids."
"They just want a place to socialize," he said.
Sophomore Jimmy Simmons said he goes to The Exchange because "it's that sleazy bar that everyone likes."
Nicopoulos said that his team of bouncers ensures no underage drinking takes place, though students under 21 find ways to drink at the G Street bar, just as they do at most other nightspots. The Exchange bouncers check identifications at the door, giving wristbands to patrons over 21.
Only those with the tags are able to purchase alcohol once inside the club, but underage students often use fake IDs to get one of the coveted bracelets. In January, a freshman claimed he was abducted at gunpoint after a night of drinking at The Exchange.
