Commentary: Is Fredericton boring, or are we too boring to go out?
The question that keeps young people talking for hours in hallways and lounges is simple: Is Fredericton a “boring place,” or are we just too boring to go out and have fun?
Over the past few months, I've noticed several new places opening across the city, and that has made me feel hopeful about what Fredericton has to offer.
As a 22-year-old student trying to make the most of university life, seeing these new spots pop up genuinely makes me happy.
Being a student means that life can get a little hectic, especially during midterm season or mid-semester.
Life gets busy, and so do our bank accounts.
Over the last two months, we’ve seen an increase in new restaurants/clubs in the city, which has helped increase the variety of places to try and, most importantly, has given the opportunity to get jobs around the city faster.
A must-add to your Friday night plans
The Hideout had its opening night this past Saturday, Oct. 24th. The nightclub is located in Wilmot Alley in downtown Fredericton, taking over the former Dooley's space.
For a while, the nightclub kept a low profile, without announcing anything on social media, while teasing young people, especially university students, to stay tuned.
On Friday night, just one day before its opening night, Hideout finally made it official with an announcement on Instagram.
Jaws dropped, plans were postponed and suddenly, Hideout was at the top of everyone's weekend to-do list.
The entry fee was only $5, which isn't too bad for a student and can easily fit into a weekly budget.
The Hideout is something Fredericton has been waiting for a long time.
The perfect place where you can go out and have a girls’ night or celebrate and treat yourself after a long week of papers due and midterms.
Coffee runs by day, dinner dates by night
Milltown took a significant risk by opening The Lab, introducing a new concept to its brand.
On July 21, The Lab opened its doors to Fredericton residents for the first time.
Although Milltown has built a strong customer base in the city, the company decided to expand its brand with a concept of its own, ‘The Lab’.
The Lab builds on Milltown's coffee-shop identity while adding a new twist with its “lounge nights”. It's the perfect balance between productivity and socializing, especially for university students trying to make it out alive this school year.
Students’ lives revolve around grabbing a cup of coffee every other day to meet deadlines, group projects and school in general.
What better way to romanticize student life than to step out of your comfort zone, grab a cup of coffee, pull out your laptop and start locking in?
When you think it can’t get any better, it turns out it can. After a long day of writing essays and highlighting your textbook for a midterm, you can head to The Lab to relax.
Forget about DoorDash, grab your purse, and go get some great food
Not to sound like my mom, but trust me when I say that people need to get out more often, try new things, taste new food, and meet new people.
CoBa House offers Fredericton residents a lovely place to enjoy Vietnamese cuisine.
As a family-run restaurant, it gives you the chance to enjoy great food while supporting a local business rather than a franchise.
The restaurant officially opened its doors this summer, on Aug. 31, giving people a new favourite spot to add to their weekend plans.
Although it might not be part of your daily meals, it's a great way to explore new food and experience a different culture through a quick taste test.
From Old Town Noodles to the Hot Stone Beef Plate with Black Pepper (Bo Ne), the restaurant showcases the authenticity and variety of Vietnamese cuisine.
The restaurant is also a great place to celebrate birthdays, enjoy a graduation dinner, or go on a first date!
So, is Fredericton boring, or are we just too boring to step outside our comfort zones?
Personally, I think it depends on how you choose to live your life: whether you want to complain about things over and over again or choose to find joy in the little things.
Fredericton might be a small city, but if you put yourself out there, you'll discover what the city has to offer.
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