I used to be raised within the small city of Groton, Connecticut (inhabitants round 40,000). I graduated from Mary Morrison Elementary Faculty, Robert E. Fitch Jr. Excessive Faculty and Robert E. Fitch Sr. Excessive Faculty. And, as is the case of most small cities, the “authorized age” residents (like myself again then) had been normally searching for one thing enjoyable and/or thrilling to do put up commencement.
I used to be in luck that yr. It was 1980 and the nightclub scene in Groton and the encircling cities and cities was lit! Once more that is wayyyyyyy again within the day so Disco music was very fashionable. And the dance scene was all the fashion. Saturday Night time Fever had already proven on the films so everybody was seeking to out-do John Travolta and his associate on the dance ground (smile). I personally favored Disco Music as a result of it was quick paced with heavy bass and many beats. Disco dance tunes additionally appear to go on without end when dancing.
I so vividly keep in mind this time in my life. Going to nightclubs at 18 (which, by the way, was the ingesting age again then) and having loads of choices to select from. It was a unique time, as an example I used to be in a position to survive on little or no sleep (smile). So beginning the Summer season earlier than I left for faculty, I’d ‘membership’ 4 or 5 nights every week and nonetheless handle to rise up in time to work not one, however two jobs – as a full-time Drive-By way of-Window Cashier at Wendy’s Hamburgers in Groton and as a part-time Cashier at a small grocery retailer straight up the road from Wendy’s.
I recall on weekdays diligently packing my massive in a single day bag with my Wendy’s uniform, my grocery retailer tunic and Levi denims, and my nightclub gear. I had an extended day forward of me so preparation was key (smile). After getting off from the grocery retailer, I’d excuse myself and go to the women room within the rear of the shop to scrub off and dress for the night. My bff Connie would then choose me up If I used to be not driving my mom’s blue Mustang (smile).
And grabbing meals on the go was a cinch as I actually had a cast-iron abdomen. I’d inhale Wendy’s French fries dipped in tartar sauce for breakfast and wash it down with a scrumptious chocolate Fribble. Lunch would generally include a Wendy’s Crispy Fried Rooster with Cheese Sandwich and a Dr. Pepper. Dinner might be a Junior Whopper with cheese and fries courtesy of Burger King. Wholesome consuming was not a think about my life then. And “clear consuming” to me consisted of washing my palms earlier than and after I ate and wiping the corners of my mouth whereas consuming a messy burger (smile).
Rhana Pippins, situated in a shopping mall known as Lighthouse Sq. in Groton, was the premier Disco nightclub in addition to ya lady’s private fav. There have been different nightclubs on the town however everyone went to Rhana Pippins on Wednesday nights and I imply everyone! Because it turned out, the atmosphere was key – it was lovely inside with gargantuan frogs which served because the motif and doubled as audio system. Additionally Wednesday nights was the standard Women Night time and phrase had unfold shortly all through Connecticut about free admission for the women, the Chippendale male strippers, a budget drinks and the hunky males who arrived afterwards…
Saturday nights at Rhana’s Pippins had been additionally Fireplace! There was a unique vibe on Saturday nights although, individuals got here dressed to impress. Saturday Night time Fever had revolutionized the nightclub scene so it wasn’t unusual to see males wearing open collared shirts and designer threads. It additionally wasn’t unusual to be entertained with an upscale style present and/or different nightclub occasion. I discovered the gang older and extra subtle on Saturday nights and subsequently most popular the Wednesday night time crowd (smile).
Enjoyable reality: Rhana Pippins means frogs in Latin. I usually questioned why the dance ground was surrounded by gargantuan frogs that doubled as audio system. I additionally uncovered this tidbit: West Hartford, Connecticut’s personal native Suzanne Langlois designed the inside of the nightclub. Very Cool…
Anyway on Wednesday nights at Rhana Pippins, me and my BFF Connie, recent out of highschool and feeling ourselves, had been fairly actually the primary females to interrupt out with dressy shorts, good blouses and low heels. At first the opposite females had been taking a look at us like we had been loopy for sporting shorts at night time (dressy or not!) after which abruptly everyone was doing it (smile). We additionally couldn’t neglect our sun shades. Sun shades at night time. It made us look cool, darkish and mysterious (smile).
Connie and I had been on the age the place we didn’t suppose we had been cute, we knew we had been cute (LOL!) and we went to Rhana Pippins on Wednesday Nights not as a result of the Chippendale dancers had been there however due to the free admission, low cost drinks and hunky males who got here in later.
My drink of selection again then was at first Seagrams 7 & 7 after which Alabama Slammers or higher often called a “Southern Slammers.” By the point I used to be in my early 20s, I had graduated to Lengthy Island Iced Teas (you’ll be able to’t go unsuitable with 7 totally different liquors – LOL!).
As quickly because the Chippendale dancers start to return out on the dance ground me and my BFF Connie shortly headed to the rear of the nightclub near the big bar, sipping our drinks on the bar stools and watching the comedy parade unfold. The “30+ one thing” married ladies had been all the time one of many largest demographics on Wednesday nights and appeared to even be essentially the most aggressive, waving their greenback payments within the air and gyrating their hips like they only don’t care (smile). The previous was so the Chippendale dancers would come over to present them huge kisses and extra…
Connie and I weren’t paying them any thoughts, we had been doing our personal factor, chit chatting, snapping our fingers to the music and slowly sipping our drinks till the “actual males” arrived. By this time we had been completely liquored up and able to partaaay!!! We had been younger and cute and subsequently all the time requested to bounce. As soon as out on the dance ground we gravitated in the direction of the center the place the massive mirror ball hung with its glowing multi-colored lights and misplaced ourselves within the music…
At 2am, Rhana Pippins shut down for the night time however Connie and I weren’t able to go dwelling. IHOP in Groton was the place to be after all of the nightclubs closed. And round that point we had been famished so we ordered massive breakfast meals (pancakes and sausage and low or eggs, bacon, toast and low) and talked all through the night time with our respective dates.
I’d get dwelling simply in time to get in 2 hours of sleep earlier than the alarm clock went off then I’d bathe, costume and begin my day yet again. Frog eyed and Bushy Tailed (smile).
P.S. Rhana Pippins was my primary nightclub selection again then however listed here are some notable mentions: The Love Boat, Christopher’s and Atlantis in Misquamicut, Rhode Island simply to call just a few. Nevertheless, they nonetheless didn’t evaluate in my eyes to Rhana Pippins which to me had all of it: atmosphere, music, style exhibits, dance-offs, quite a lot of specialty drinks and many eye sweet (smile).
And by the way, Sundays had been for Church service and Mondays had been our ‘official relaxation days’ (smile).
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