All right Bears, if you are looking for something to do on Thursday nights in Berkeley, you have clicked on the right article. Sorry to all the UC Berkeley students who have to study on a Thursday night, have work (ha, that’s me) or other obligations. This may be for you when your schedule is looking a little more sexy and free.
While we will only be outlining four things to do on a Thursday night, they will blow your mind. (That’s probably false, but it’s really fun to be hyperbolic.) Sometimes it can seem a little dry and lackluster around campus, and you may be looking to shake up your week. So, for all of the students who don’t have an early class Friday, check out this guide to spicing up your weekday nightlife.
Funk Night at the Starry Plough
First of all, I would like to apologize to all of the college kids who are not 21 years old yet, because this event is not for you. However, if you’ve reached the fun, liberating age of 21, you can boogie your way down Shattuck Avenue to Funk Night at the Starry Plough. Every Thursday, this Irish pub has great live music and a vivacious crowd. You can watch fellow pub-goers improvise some rocking jams as you dance the night away. So, if you are looking to get your groove on, this is where you want to head to. The Starry Plough is situated in South Berkeley on the corner of Shattuck Avenue and Prince Street.
Catch a film at BAMPFA
The Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, or BAMPFA, hosts great film screenings every Thursday at 7 p.m. After three months or so, the film series changes, so be sure to check the museum’s website regularly to see if the one you’re particularly interested in is showing. BAMPFA just ended the Agnès Varda film selection series. Occasionally, the series are interjected with an unrelated film. For instance, this past week BAMPFA showed “The Godfather,” a timeless classic in cinema. It’s always good to check the site in advance just to guarantee that you’ll be interested in the available showing. However, you usually can’t go wrong with BAMPFA’s amazing film selection!
The Berkeley Marina at sunset
Thursday evening is the perfect time to head to the Berkeley Marina. The pier is usually not overcrowded at this time, but there are still people around for you to converse with if you go alone. It’s a great place to meet Berkeley locals and go to if you aren’t looking to do anything too strenuous. Make sure to bring a jacket if you decide to go. If you check out César Chávez Park on the north side of the Berkeley Marina, you may also want to pack a picnic to enjoy. This is a relatively wholesome but sweet way to spend a Thursday night in Berkeley.
Grab a burrito and head to Indian Rock Park
This is a quintessential Bay Area thing to do. Having grown up here, this was a classic way to spend weeknights in Berkeley. It’s best to go on a Thursday — this little excursion is like a tease for the weekend but chill enough to do on a weekday. However, for this adventure, you will have to be mindful of the bus schedule as you will have to take a ride over to North Berkeley. First things first: Walk down Solano Avenue to grab yourself a burrito from Gordo Taqueria — this step is crucial! After ordering your choice of burrito, take a long stroll up to the top of Indian Rock. If you are unfamiliar with where that is, you can always check Google Maps or ask someone; odds are someone on Solano Avenue will know where to direct you. Make your way up the rock and enjoy the scenic view. This is the perfect festivity to do with friends. It is a great way to distance yourself from campus and enjoy a mellow Thursday night!
Okay y’all, nothing to it but to do it! Hopefully, you can manage to do at least two of these activities during your time at UC Berkeley on a Thursday evening of your choosing!
