Ichiban to open a night club

October 3, 2013 7:32 pm0 commentsViews: 558
Photograph courtesy of funinnewengland.com

Photograph courtesy of funinnewengland.com

Ichiban Japanese and Chinese Restaurant recently announced that at 10 p.m. every Friday night it will open its doors as a night club for the South Hadley area.  In particular, the restaurant plans to target young adults with this new, revamped image. Now, Mount Holyoke students searching for nightlife off campus can travel to Ichiban for music and dancing.  Ichiban will not only have a DJ, but will also be free for Mount Holyoke students with their Student IDs.  The weekly  Night Club is open to all people 18 and over.

Ichiban, which is less than four miles away from the College, is a small, locally owned restaurant. With a vast majority of its dishes falling under $20, it is a favorite of many MHC students.

Now, Ichiban plans to be part of a new, developing nightlife in South Hadley. There is a dance floor lined with booths for socializing and eating on either side. The dance floor faces a bar stocked with alcoholic beverages for adults 21 and over as well as  non-alcoholic beverages available to all.  In addition to drinks, Ichiban will also provide customers with a late night menu.

Ichiban owner Tina Huang claimed that on Friday nights the restaurant will become a place for local students to enojy themselves.  “It is a party for students,” she said. She, along with the other staff of Ichiban, is incredibly excited about the upcoming events which will include magic shows and feature a variety of DJs. This local restaurant is designing its events especially for the college students in the area, creating a free and fun way to start the weekend.

This new source of recreation in South Hadley will serve as an opportunity for Mount Holyoke students to get off campus and participate in social events around the area. Ichiban also welcomes students from other nearby colleges.  The Ichiban staff hopes that the restaurant will become a new hotspot for students to relax, meet and de-stress from the intense college week.

Special holiday events have already been scheduled, including a Halloween event, taking place on Nov. 1.  Halloween at Ichiban will include music, games and a costume competition with up to a $100 prize.

Many students happily anticipate a new way to celebrate the beginning of the weekend.  “Just in case nothing is going on around campus,” stated Michala Sawyer ’17, “It’s a perfect Friday or Saturday night option.” Duy Tien Pham ’17  also  believes that the nightclub will be enjoyable. “I’m really excited to go there, hang out with friends and have a good time,” she said.

However, not all students plan on utilizing this new option.  Sundus Noeen ’16 thinks, “the atmosphere around Mount Holyoke is very congenial to learning and positive recreation and the place should remain that way. Parties on and off campus cater to those who want to experience night clubs.”

In addition to hosting parties on the weekend, Ichiban will continue serving its food to the MHC and South Hadley communities.  It is known by both past and present students as being welcoming, often giving complimentary desserts and tea. For students who crave Chinese and Japanese food, it will still provide a place to eat Asian cuisine. Moreover, for those with an appetite for the nightclub atmosphere, the new changes will be sure to provide a weekly option of fun and free entertainment.

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