Going out in Cotati consists of overindulging in alcohol, conversations you'll never remember the next day, and socializing with people from your classes that you never talk to at school. Prior to turning the legal drinking age of 21, I only heard stories about the "Cotati crawl." Now that I have experienced the bars myself, I can tell you that most of the rumors and stories are true.
Depending on which way you like to crawl, starting out at The Eight Ball may be a bad choice and set you out on the wrong foot. It is a great place for some dirty fun and you'll probably leave feeling a little raunchy. If you decide to move past that "biker bar," the next stop is Tradewinds.
If you're hitting up Tradewinds on a Thursday night, which is the only legitimate night to be out at the bars, then you might be lucky enough to catch a good live band. If not, then I tend to find myself heading for the door after one drink. It is a small place to be listening to loud, terrible music. Tradewinds is a bar that always catches me by surprise and I spend a lot more time there than originally expected.
"I feel that the bars [in Cotati] are like the movie "Groundhog Day" with Bill Murray," said Michael Wallace. "Every week is the same people, same drama. That is why I try not to go."
Once you cross over the street of Old Redwood Highway things turn into a small case of Déjà vu. On this side of the street is Friar Tucks, which has made a name for itself from many infamous Thursday nights. Beer pong tournaments on Tuesday and Karaoke on Wednesday have also made Friar's a popular spot for many locals and students.
Even though you see the same people every week, they ask the same questions, as if they are meeting you for the first time.
"It's just frustrating that I'm out trying to have a good time and socialize and the topics revolve around 'What's your major?' and 'Where is Fresno, again?'" said Kevin Coyle.
I assume a female's experience in Cotati is much different then a male's experience. I go to hang out with my roommates and friends that we meet up with at a particular bar and then continue to plan our night from there. The idea is to drink, dance, and see people on the weekends that we always figured would be funny when they are drunk.
Yet the one and only time I went to Spancky's, I felt a weirder vibe. I went inside to look for a friend and was immediately hit on by locals who looked like they had been posted up at the bar since 1979. As the bar's name suggests, when you walk in, you get a spank on the butt.
"It's only useful to go [to the bars] when you're hammered, because the people who frequent the Cotati crawl are insufferable," said Coyle.
I cannot think of a reason why I would ever go to the bars sober. Most of the people I do socialize with are good people and we have a great time, but the night could have done without some disturbing encounters.
If you are feeling like you have had enough on Old Redwood Highway and can make it across the street without getting lost, then you are on your way to the Cotati Yacht Club. On a Thursday night, this place is packed like sardines with a line looped around the building by 10:30 p.m. It is a place for drinking and dancing only because yelling to have a conversation is just not worth it. Here you will find a lot of sloppy girls moving their body in ways that would not be possible if they were not intoxicated.
"Getting girls there is like shooting fish in a barrel and the barrel is made out of fish," said Coyle.
Now speaking from a female's perspective I should be insulted, however Coyle's statement is true. The majority of the people at yacht club are girls, so it is not hard for a guy to find one that will be all over him.
As for me, I like the bars for different reasons and will attend only three of them on a Thursday night. If I know the band at Tradewinds I will start there to listen to some music while having a drink. Once my ears start ringing, I will rally a troop up at Friar Tucks to make the walk over to Yacht Club for some dancing.
Through my experience on the Cotati crawl, the most popular bars are Friar Tucks and Yacht Club. They are comfortable places to be with friends and have a good time.
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