Alana Liu
“Let’s go to Crew tonight.”
“Can we try to get into SigNu?”
“I have a connection at LEO.”
For some, all it takes is one text like this, and suddenly they’re four shots deep, heading over to the frats. The Yale party scene is full of surprises: Will you end up at the highlight of the semester, or will you find yourself tapping out after five minutes of mediocre music and awkward interactions? Will you seamlessly join a crowd of high-energy dancers, or will you be stuck waiting on the steps of Sigma Nu for what feels like an eternity?
I’ve heard that navigating the party scene at Yale can be a real challenge. So, how do you decide which nights are meant for the unpredictable world of campus parties and which ones are better spent with pizza and a movie in your suite?
After chatting with several first years on campus, it’s clear that your night hinges on what type of partygoer you are. Let’s dive into how they navigate the scene.
The ROTC Kid/Athlete: Lovingly Known As The Mom
Whether they’re scared of the U.S. Air Force or their ruthlessly aggressive soccer coach, these sober superheroes valiantly protect their adopted children each weekend. But are they having fun? One local mom recounts her experiences with several notorious brotherhoods: they only let in her friends who were wearing revealing clothing, which she hated. “But free alcohol is free alcohol, so I guess you got to do what you go to do,” she laughs. Spending her nights shutting down men, carrying inebriated collegemates to their dorms and rescuing her suitemates from awkward social interaction, this mom thrives on the exhilarating chaos of frat motherhood. The question is: how long will her tolerance for disarray last?
The mom’s final words, “I don’t feel scared in a frat, but I probably should, though.” I guess when you have an unfathomably aggressive Army General to fear, frat bros don’t seem all that intimidating.
Frat Enjoyment Ranking: 7/10 (A little generous)
Frat Fiend: You know who you are
You go out religiously, never missing a night at the frats. And once in your party mode, you attract the crowds.
Whether sweating in humid Zeta Psi basements, dancing against strangers at SigNu or luring a hookup at LEO, Frat Fiends never fail to gain some lore. One fiend mentions that she loves doing wild things to keep her friends on their toes and enaged.
The fiend laid out her thoughts on each frat with candid flair. Her favorite adventure: dancing in the pouring rain at a heavyweight crew party. Her horror story: leaving a frat with a guy who insisted that she “beg for it” and “call him daddy.”
She acknowledges the frats are going through a tough decline. She doesn’t enjoy SigNu as much as she used to, noting a drop in attendance and music quality. While she appreciates Alpha Epsilon Pi’s music and vibe, their crowds are seriously lacking.
Despite the decline in party quality, the frat fiend can’t resist the call of a night out. The intoxicating thrill of unpredictable frat chaos keeps her coming back for more. This could be the weekend you make new best friends or find your Youlmate (Yale Soulmate). Probably not, but there’s always a chance.
Frat Enjoyment Ranking: 6.7/10
Consistent Partier: C.P. For Short
So, you’re not a hermit, nor are you the life of the party, but you still enjoy a solid night out. What’s the move? For a consistent partier, it often boils down to the right frat. A C.P., after a detailed breakdown of her experiences, revealed her top pick: AEPi. “The Jewish frat is top tier. I don’t know how or why, but the Jews know how to party.” As a fellow Jew, her words definitely gave my Jewish pride a little boost, though most first years on campus don’t share her hot take.
For nights that AEPi isn’t throwing, this C.P.’s not-so-healthy attitude of “it’s only fun if you pregame enough” doesn’t exactly flatter Yale’s party scene. But after witnessing some disturbing antics at a notoriously foul house, she’s reconsidering her approach and is tempted to stay a bit more alert in the future. Yikes!
Frat Enjoyment Ranking: 5.5/10
Fortnight Fratter: F.F.
You party every so often, but can’t quite make it a common habit. Maybe you’ve had some missteps in the past or just don’t feel the frat appeal that strongly, so you discipline yourself to a biweekly bash. But is that every-other-week outing really worth it?
A F.F. mildly enjoys her nights out. Frats shine like beacons at the end of each two-week academic tunnel. Whether deep in the pits of mathematical purgatory or trudging through the trenches of studying for an Orgo midterm, the next frat serves as a glimmer of hope beyond the realms of academia. Yet, once she’s out, the F.F. thinks that the parties are subpar. “I can’t go too often, or I’ll start remembering the blehness of each night and lose my comfort thought.”
If you’re cursed with an Ivy-League memory, maybe it takes more than two weeks to forget the dull vibes. Perhaps bimonthly is the sweet spot for some of these frosh!
Frat Enjoyment Ranking: 5/10
Anti-Fratter: A.F.
You don’t like drinking. You don’t like loud music. You’re not a social butterfly. And you absolutely hate going to the frats.
Pro: You never have to decide whether you want to go out.
Con: FOMO?
An A.F. eloquently stated, “I’d rather use my time productively than attend an event that doesn’t offer much long-term value.” So Yale.
She says alcohol can wreak quite the havoc. Sure, at night you’re dancing with your friends and maybe even scoring a romantic partner, but the next morning, you’re deep in contemplation, questioning every life choice that led you to spilling a liter of Parmesan in the pizzeria on Chapel — something this A.F. has seen first-hand.
To fill her weekends with fun, this A.F. socializes in smaller, quiet settings. Whether watching Mean Girls with her suitemates or laughing with (at) the stumbling inebriated frosh on Old Campus, she thoroughly enjoys her weekends at Yale.
Frat Enjoyment Ranking: 0.5/10
Yale’s night scene offers something for everyone — whether you’re the cautious Anti-Fratter savoring a cozy night in, the occasional Fortnight Fratter just dipping your toes in the muddy water or the Frat Fiend diving headfirst into chaos. As the semester rolls on and the frats continue to evolve (or devolve), the answer to the infamous question of whether or not to frat remains somewhat unclear.
Ultimately, navigating the Yale frat scene comes down to your party archetype. Each weekend presents the opportunity to decide between a raucous night out and a cozy night in. Just make sure to wear the right shoes and stay true to your vibe.