For seniors such as myself, this year’s return to Syracuse was accompanied by surprising and exciting news: the opening of a new bar on Marshall Street.

Indeed, many of us had often speculated about what the old Maggies space would be turned into — another apparel store, a new dorm, Chipotle?! But none of us could’ve been at all prepared for the shock and wonder of the discovery that the old Maggies had reopened as Maggies: The Sequel.

Officially, the new bar is called DJ’s on the Hill, a strange name for a bar located on a flat street with no music. To be fair, the name might have something to do with the bar’s location on the biggest hill in the city, but as many of us know, alcohol and the big picture rarely mix well.

Thus far, DJ’s most positive attributes include no cover, proximity to Chuck’s, no cover and the nostalgic aura of days gone by. Do you remember being a freshman, getting into Maggies with a 6-foot-8 kid’s green card, feeling special, totally ordering yourself a drink and fraternizing with people cooler than any single human being you’d ever met? Those were good times.

Unfortunately, DJ’s does appear to closely check IDs. But eager freshman girls are always invited to wait by either of DJ’s two convenient entrances for exiting seniors who are so over the bar scene and are just looking to make a really good new friend.

On my first foray into DJ’s on Friday night, I found the crowd of greeks (Lucy’s was packed), non-greeks (so was Chuck’s) and randos all chatting among themselves. It seems as though talking is quickly shaping up to be one of the most popular things to do in DJ’s. One random alumnus happily reminisced about his days at Syracuse University with me for about a half-hour before disclosing that he had actually gone to college somewhere else. The place seems promising.

Best of all, DJ’s comes complete with an exclusive, roped-off VIP lounge — an ideal location to sip on some Dom Perignon and mingle in high company. It’s also an ideal location to stow away one’s jacket and befriend the bouncers, nice people who might hook you up with a free beer if you’re even remotely attractive. Clearly, there’s something for everyone.

As far as the Marshall bar scene goes, DJ’s seems to fit right in. Its very presence increases your options, your opportunities, your potential plans for the evening. It allows you to extend the depth and scope of your social life, broaden your horizons, push your boundaries. Your chances of running into people you know have now increased. You must work harder at looking hotter. Don’t let the subzero temperatures or concerns about pneumonia throw you off. Don’t forget about that VIP section.

Regardless of what it’s called, Maggies will always have a special place in our hearts. Thus, DJ’s on the Hill is worth checking out, if for no other reason than the fact that there is no cover and the best things in life are free. How can you say no to that? The personal ad practically writes itself.

Marina Charny is a senior English and textual studies and writing major. Her columns appear every Monday. She can be reached at mcharny@syr.edu.

Published on January 22, 2011 at 12:00 pm