By: Greg Cerchione
Still in the Cinco de Mayo spirit? In the mood for a Mexican bite with a beer on the side? If so, head to Zen West for Tuesday taco night–0ne dollar special and discounted beers.
Zen West is cooling down after a crowded, rowdy first weekend of May. Students come to blow off some steam and casually sip on a wide selection of draft beers. As usual, the bar was jam-packed and the DJ was busy switching tracks.
Zen West has the atmosphere of modern disco bar. Junior hip-hop artist and marketing major James Pierra (JMP) is a regular customer, event planner, and promoter for Zen West. He said, “Head to Zen on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I work those nights and the crowd is heavy and looking to have a good time.”
Junior communications major Donald Foshay said, “It was good night, had a great turnout, a lot of friends, and a lot of fun.”
Part of Zen West’s success comes from its versatility. Zen offers great and affordable bar food, a wide drink menu, and a full sized dance floor illuminated with strobe lights. This is one of the reasons why it is referred to as the classiest bar on York Road. In the eyes of its competitors, Zen West is the King, and proud to serve a wide variety of ages starting from young to middle aged adults. It presents a clean atmosphere, compared to the dungy, dilapidated Favorite’s Pub and Murphy’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill. Some students meet professional established adults who provide them with not only internships but also business connections in Baltimore.
Junior and communications major Fran Iula stated, “I met and had an in depth conversation with a worker from Under Armour… He gave me some good pointers for the future.”
Zen West is a large property that is suitable for hosting a wide range of events. Other Zen West specials and events include beer pong tournament Thursdays and corn hole competitions.
The inside is heavily decorated with memorabilia including a Rout 66 sign, a sample of every license plate state in the United States a pinball machine and light up signs. The atmosphere is mellow and classy. The bar surface is liquid concrete with a speckle of colorful stones mixed in. This creates a rustic, but sturdy feel. Several flat screen TV’s line the walls.
Zen West has summer availabilities and events and future plans of installing a dartboard, with intentions of bringing together a young and older crowed for a skilled game of darts.
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The Loyola Maryland Reporter 