By Ariana Arias
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Josie Cook was almost there.
After waiting for more than 30 minutes on a line that stretched down the block and around the corner, the junior communication studies major at Towson University was finally nearing the front door of The Rec Room.
Like other TU students who hit the York Road bars and restaurants on what has become known as “Thirsty Thursdays,” Cook was used to the long waits. But for her and the rest of the crowd, the wait was worth the effort as students try to decompress after a long week of classes.
“It is just known that Thursdays and Saturdays are the nights to be out,” Cook said. “Vibes are up.”
Benjamin Skaggs, a senior studying accounting at Towson, agreed.
“It lowers stress and makes the weekend feel longer,” he said, adding that Thursdays give students a chance to unwind without cutting into their responsibilities.
But not everyone is happy about the crowds on York Road.
Some residents who live near the bar scene say that while they appreciate that students needs to unwind, they don’t always like what they see.
Catherine Burke, who lives near Banditos Tacos & Tequila on 31 Allegheny Ave., said Thursday nights follow a routine.
“It starts off with music and then the people in the parking lot, and then the employees leave,” she said. “Three cycles: music, crowds going to the car, then employees. Everyone is loud.”
She said she does not call the police for every disturbance, only when it seems serious.
“Now if I hear something, I call the non-emergency line every time there are loud arguments or lasting fights,” she said.
In response to neighborhood concerns, Baltimore County police say they have increased enforcement in recent weeks.
Detective Trae Corbin, a public information officer for the Baltimore County Police Department, said police try to “collaboratively address the concerns in the Central Towson area.”
“Due to increased crowds, additional officers were deployed for increased visibility and carrying out necessary arrests of individuals with unlawful intentions,” he said. “An increased police presence will be maintained moving forward to ensure public safety.”
He said there were eight arrests on the first week of the TU semester on Aug. 28 and two on Sept. 2.
Corbin said the department does not publicly disclose the number of officers it deploys.
Burke credited BCP for what they do. “They are not trying to arrest but get them [students] home safely,” she said. “That is the goal. Get in the car, go home, it is over, you are going to bed, leave.”
Anthony Skevakis, the associate vice president for student affairs and dean of students at Towson, said the university takes concerns about Thirty Thursdays seriously.
“I was made aware about safety concerns for pedestrian safety and large crowds on a Thursday night from outreach with our partners in the county,” he said.
Skevakis said a meeting was held where he learned that Thirsty Thursdays was being promoted, which resulted in large crowds and disturbances within the community.
“We are partners with our neighbors in the community, and we work together regularly,” he said. “It is through engaging in direct communication, fostering partnership, investing in the community, and upholding the student code of accountability that we address issues when they arise.”
He said that about a dozen members routinely attend the meetings. The biggest concerns, Skevakis said, pertain to parking, trash and noise.
His message to students: “Think for a moment. Would you want to be your neighbor? It is your responsibility to abide by city codes, state laws, and the code of student accountability. Consider those around you and how your behavior may impact their day-to-day lives.”
Students admitted that not everyone handles Thursday nights the same way.
“The rowdy ones ruin it,” said Cook, the TU junior outside the Rec Room. “But a crowd is harmless in itself.”
“It comes down to how drunk people are,” Skaggs added.
Connor Puls, a senior studying sports management at Towson, said the culture of the campus drives the turnout.
“The majority of students don’t have class on Fridays, as well as it being known as a suitcase school,” he said. “People are still around on Thursdays before they head home.”
Puls said there are two types of students who party on a Thursday night.
“I think maturity separates these two types of students.” Puls said. “If people are responsible with their drugs/alcohol and understand common decency, then there is little to no problems.”
Greg Mrosek, a senior studying kinesiology, said he doesn’t go out every week, but when he does, “It’s a good way to be social at the end of the week.”
The Reservoir, a bar on the strip, said through its Instagram team that bars and restaurants in uptown Towson have a responsibility to students and neighbors.
“We feel that the local business has a lot of responsibility for the night lift crowds,” The Reservoir said in its statement on social media “The decisions of the late-night business, bar and eateries, have a direct impact on the streets of Towson.”
The restaurant said it takes steps to ensure students are safe.
“We keep safety in mind from the time customers walk in, with scanning for weapons and checking bags, to when they leave,” The Reservoir’s statement said.
“For us, college students are rarely the problem,” the statement continued. “Most issues come from those not in school… people not a part of the local community that may drive from other areas or take the bus to Towson.”
The Reservoir said some local bars try to attract customers by hiring out-of-town promotors. Some of these promoters, the Reservoir said, make false claims that, for example, underage people can still get drinks.
“The biggest issues with the promoters bringing people from out of town in, is that it drives out the college students by creating an unsafe environment for them,” The Reservoir said. “The non-college crowd seems to be more interested in bring drugs and their own alcohol to party in the street rather than engage in commerce with the local businesses.”
With many videos on TikTok surfacing about Towson’s nightlife, Cook said the viral attention has cause mixed emotions.
“It’s funny, but also embarrassing,” she admitted.
For now, Thursday nights remain a staple for nightlife in Towson. As tensions still rise between students, neighbors, and local businesses, many agree that safety and responsibility remain at the center.
“It honestly helps me stress wise because it feels like my weekends are longer,” Puls said. “I usually fit all my work into the first half of the week so I can enjoy my social life stress free on the weekends.”
Outside of the entrance to enter Barley’s Backyard, Brianna Mittman, a TU senior studying mass communication, said another attraction of Thursday nights are the lower prices offered by local establishments.
“Thursday night is when most of the bars on the strip do sales on drinks,” Mittman said. “Usually, when I go out, it’s after I’ve had a long week— it’s a good way to just let loose and have a little fun, not take life too seriously.”
“Some people were just raised right, meaning knowing your limits when it comes to drinking, knowing that you could have fun without getting sloppy,” Mittman added. “Not screaming like a crazy person, falling down the street, or trying to get into fights with people. That is all classless behavior.”