Where the ‘in-betweeners’ – ages 18 to 20 – can hang out in Wichita

College students eagerly await the ultimate benchmark of their college years, the Holy Grail of birthdays — the big 2-1. At 21, you can hit up clubs, go to liquor stores and make a toast with something besides Welch’s sparkling grape juice.

But I’ve got a year and a half to go before I hit that benchmark. I fall into the awkward age group of 18 to 20 year olds who are kind of grown-up but aren’t completely adults. This age group is faced with many tough decisions, such as what to declare as a major or where to live over the summer, but the hardest and most crucial decision is figuring out where to go on the weekends.

Wichita offers a lively night life scene full of bars and clubs, but not all of these establishments allow those under 21 to enter. Have no fear my fellow almost-adults because there’s still fun to be had. Here’s a list of 10 places in Wichita for the not-quite-of-age crowd to hang out on the weekends:

1. Club Rodeo

Club Rodeo, age 18 to enter, is a country-themed nightclub that holds concerts sponsored by radio station 102.1 The Bull, hosts live and mechanical bull-riding and is home to the largest nightclub dance floor in the state, according to the club’s website. Rodeo has a fun atmosphere with prize drawings and plenty of opportunities to two-step. Friday night before 10:30 p.m. is College Night, where students with valid student ID get in for half price and those over 21 with a student ID get in free. Regular cover for ages 18 to 20 is free before 8 p.m., and after that it’s $12 for women and $15 for men. Rodeo’s first performers of 2016 will be Michael Ray on Jan. 14 and LoCash on Jan. 18. Details: Open 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Wed., Fri. and Sat., 10001 E. Kellogg, 316-613-2424, www.clubrodeoks.com

2. The Loony Bin

The Loony Bin welcomes stand-up acts from across the country. If you’re wanting to loosen up and laugh, this is the spot to hit up. The Loony Bin serves a full menu of food and beverages. A majority of shows are 18 and up to enter, however some are 21 and up. On Thursday nights, shows are usually $8. Up this weekend: Skip Clark (7:30 and 10 p.m. Fri. to Sat., $12). Details: Open 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thurs., and 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fri. and Sat., 215 N. St. Francis, 316-618-4242, www.loonybincomedy.com/Wichita

3. Headshots Bar & Grill

This bar and grill offers your basic American pub style food and drink but with a twist. Headshots is Wichita’s only video game-style bar and grill where you can sit at your booth and order whatever food, drink and video game you want. It offers a range of games on consoles from Xbox 360 to PS4. Headshots also boasts a stockpile of board games for those who prefer classic gaming. It holds a daily happy hour from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with $3 appetizers. Headshots is 21 to enter after 10 p.m. Details: Open 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Mon. to Sat., 6140 E 21st St., 316-260-4370, www.headshotsbar.com

4. Emerson Biggin’s Sports Bar & Grill

Emerson Biggin’s in Old Town provides the best of both worlds for us in-betweeners. You can hang out with your big-kid friends while they drink and still enjoy yourself because Emerson isn’t 21 to enter until after 10 p.m. Emerson Biggin’s has pool tables, foosball, shuffleboard and over 27 high-definition TVs. They bring in live bands and DJs on the weekends and have half-price appetizers from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Emerson Biggin’s offers a fun and rowdy environment to watch your favorite team and hang out with your friends. Details: Open 11 a.m. to midnight Mon. to Tue. and open 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Wed. to Sun., 808 E. Douglas, 316-303-9800, www.emersonbiggins.com

5. Mead’s Corner

A fair-trade coffee shop tucked into the corner of Douglas and Emporia, Mead’s Corner is a relaxing place to spend a night de-stressing from a week full of too many tests and not enough sleep. Aside from a large variety of coffees and teas, Mead’s serves a breakfast and lunch menu as well as tasty gelato. It offers a 10 percent discount to college students with a valid student ID. Mead’s also provides entertainment, hosting open mic nights, improv shows and live music. It offers free Wi-Fi and provides plenty of cozy seating if you’re in the mood to curl up with a hot drink and watch (or binge) your favorite Netflix series. Details: Open 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mon. to Thurs., 6:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fri., Sat., and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sun., 430 E. Douglas, 316-201-1900, www.meadscorner.com

6. The Alley

There is an upside to being an almost-adult, and it’s that we still get to enjoy the games we played as kids. The Alley, a local indoor entertainment company that offers bowling, go-karts, laser mazes and an arcade, understands that. There’s also AJ’s Sports Bar, equipped with multiple TVs, that serves food and drinks from 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday. The Alley has cosmic bowling – where the lights are dimmed, techno and dance lights come on and music is played – on the weekends from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. with specials all night for bowling, go-karts, the laser maze and arcade area. The Alley also holds a Hip Night for ages 18 and older from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Monday with $8 packages of bowling, billiards and the laser maze or $10 packages of bowling, billiards, the laser maze and go-karts. Details: Open 9 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Mon., 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tue., noon to 11 p.m. Wed., 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thurs., noon to 1 a.m. Fri., 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sat. and 11:30 a.m to 11 p.m. Sun., 11413 E. 13th, 316-448-8583, www.thealleyonline.com

7. Heroes Sports Bar & Grill

Heroes is another one of those places you can go to enjoy your night and not be completely separated from your of-age friends until after 10 p.m., when the bar closes to those under 21. With a full lunch, dinner and drink menu alongside 36 high-definition TVs, pool tables and a jukebox, Heroes is a great spot to meet up with friends and catch a game or relax and eat some good food. This location understands the struggle of college students, so they offer free Wi-Fi and 69 cent tacos from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays. Details: Open 11 a.m. to midnight Mon., Tue., 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Wed., Thurs., 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Fri. to Sat., and noon to midnight Sun., 117 N. Mosley, 316-264-4376

8. West Acres Bowling

No matter the age, we all enjoy a little karaoke. The best part about West Acres Bowling is that you can bowl, karaoke and chow down all at the same place. West Acres holds karaoke at 9 p.m. Saturday at Crummy’s Sport Bar inside the alley. West Acres also holds cosmic bowling nights from 11 p.m. to 1:45 a.m. on Saturday, when bowling and shoe rentals are $10. West Acres provides a fun atmosphere where you and your friends can bowl, let loose and show everyone at the bar just how high of a note you can hit. Details: Open 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Mon., 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tue. to Thurs., noon to 1:45 a.m. Fri., 9 a.m. to 1:45 a.m. Sat., and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sun., 749 N. Ridge, 316-722-5211, http://www.westacresbowling.com/

9. The Bean Scene

This is a laid back hang out spot that sells coffee and doubles as a hookah bar. The Bean Scene provides free Wi-Fi too and offers group seating. If you’re looking for a night away from the hustle and bustle of downtown , this is your place. The Bean Scene has TVs mounted on the walls and allows patrons to play music and videos from their laptops. Hookah rates vary by flavor, but prices can be split among groups. Details: Open 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Mon. to Sat., and 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sun., 8606 W. 13th St. N., 316-729-0055

10. The Cotillion

The Cotillion seems to often be forgotten as a hangout spot for my age group, but it’s one of my favorite venues in the area. Hosting a variety of concerts and comedians, the Cotillion is a small and affordable place that lets you kick back and jam to some of your favorite artists. The Cotillion’s 2016 lineup includes big names such as Hinder and Tech N9ne, and ticket prices are hardly ever more than $30. Doors usually open an hour before the show and seating is general admission, but table reservations can be made. Details: 11120 W. Kellogg, 316-722-4201, www.thecotillion.com

Delaney Hiegert is an intern at the Wichita Eagle.

This story was originally published January 6, 2016 at 3:38 PM with the headline "Where the ‘in-betweeners’ – ages 18 to 20 – can hang out in Wichita."