An ode to Zaphods

Being in your twenties is difficult. Like, really difficult. Despite the fact that pretty much every adult in life has warned me of this up to this point, it's still a tough time. How am I supposed to pay for rent, food, bills and still have money have for fun. Like, beer. What's more is it's not always easy to figure out where to fit in. You are older, but not old. You are still young, but not younger. Ultimately you are entering adulthood, begrudgingly.

Last night my friends and I, after playing a made up drinking game about how well we know each other (by the way I found out even after 8+ years of friendship they hardly know me, ouch) we decided to stop being so lame and have a night out on the town. Being in that age group where it's not only  considered uncool, but is also just plain ridiculous to skank yourself up to go to a bar, I find myself feeling like an old lady. And no, not the kind of old lady you would find in Sons of Anarchy. The kind of old lady that finds herself yelling to the young ones in barely there dresses with no coat waiting in lines in -20 degree weather saying "goosebumps are not sexy! put on pants!"

After wandering our Ottawa streets it became obvious that there are too few places that could satiate our appetite for both normalcy, cheap drinks, and dancing. Oh and no sleeze balls. Enter, Zaphods.

Though it being a long time favorite bar of mine, Zaphods is almost always put in the "no" pile of options for places to drink and dance. Thanks to my group of guy friends who feel it just "too weird". Other than going to see a show, I haven't found my way to Zaphods dance floor in too long. What we all came to realize last night - what I already knew - is that Zaphods is the best bar in Ottawa for someone in their mid to late twenties. Not only can it boast a cheapish cover, its average patron can be described as laid back, type-B sort of person.

Coat check is full? No problem, throw your coat in a corner someone and it will be fine. The unspoken "I got your back" rule is in affect upon stepping through the Zaphods doors. Oh you've just come from work and are in your uniform still? Meh no worries, no judgement here. It's the best place to let out your long awaited exhale and just be.

Being in my mid twenties means I was born in the late 80's. Meaning I grew up in the 90's. Finding a seat in the dimly lit semi-seedy palace while the DJ was spinning mega hits like Thrift Shop it became obvious that this was the type of place I want to hang out. Zaphods on a Friday night is the ultimate place for a sweaty dance fest. We heard Blink 182, Sum 41, Destinys Child, Outkast, Dexys Midnight Runner, House of Pain... the list goes on.

Zaphods felt like the center of the universe on Friday night. It took me from feeling like an old lady to feeling eighteen again. With an extra large Budweiser in hand it felt so good to gyrate among the other normal "weidos" to the songs that make sense to dance to, while losing my voice to singing along to every lyric. It was more than satisfying to find a place to jam out like it was 1999.