Frequency is one of the first 18+ clubs located in downtown Chico. No alcohol is served at this club; instead, Frequency provides substance-free beverages. This is a great place for Butte College students to meet up with friends and have some sober fun with trendy music.
In order to enter the 18+ club you have to come equipped with these few items. First, bring your valid ID; this will inform the bouncers that you are of age and welcome into the club. Then, bring at least $12-$15. At the door, you will be charged $12 to enter the club or $15 for a wristband.
This wristband will ensure that you can leave and re-enter the club as much as you’d like during your visit. While having the VIP experience, I received a free wristband which came in handy while interviewing.
Next, remember to come sober. This club is a no-alcohol environment; however, if you’re a little buzzed and looking for some curing slushies and a safe place to party, you’re welcome at the Frequency. Be warned, if you arrive extremely intoxicated, the trained bouncers will refuse entrance. Lastly, do not bring any weapons such as knives, pepper spray, or tasers. Bags will be inspected before entering the 18+ club. If said items are in your possession, you will be denied entrance.
The number one intention of this club is to provide a safe place for all college students. This club provides a secure environment with no pressure or temptation to drink. Part-owner Tony Dominguez states, “We created this club to provide a safe environment for college students who prefer not to attend dangerous and exclusive frat parties.” This club is aware of the unsafe frat parties taking place in Chico and wants to ensure a comfortable and fun place for those who prefer safe fun.
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DJ of 14 years, former Butte College student, part-time owner of eclectic sound and part-time owner of Frequency, George Martinez, poses for a photo outside of his 18+ club; September 13th, 2024; Frequency Downtown Chico
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DJ, part-owner of ecletic sound and part-time owner of Frequency, Jake Ryan, poses for a photo outside of his 18+ club; September 13th, 2024; Frequency Downtown Chico
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Part-time owner of Frequency, Tony Dominguez, poses for a photo outside his 18+ club; September 13th, 2024; Frequency Downtown Chico
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Frequency has three part-owners: Tony Dominguez, Jake Ryan, and George Martinez. Each owner shared their reasons for the opening along with their thoughts on being the first 18+ club in Chico. Martinez shares his breakdown of why they opened this club, “This club intends to create a safe place for people 18 to 20 to call their own.”
House parties become the go-to social spot when a town doesn’t offer 18+ clubs, especially for a college town with thousands of incoming freshmen every year. According to Dominguez, “House parties are getting a little too dangerous for everyone’s liking in the community. We just want to give an alternative to college students where they can come hang out, socialize, and don’t have to be at a house party, you know, in the middle of the danger.”
Dominguez continued, “We’re very excited to be opening an 18+ club, I feel like there’s a lot of 18 to 20-year-olds out here always looking for something exciting to do.”
Jake Ryan, the third partner, answered, “I just want to provide a safe space and atmosphere for young adults to come and enjoy dancing, music, and all the great things that represent our community in terms of art and culture.”
Two lovely ladies, Ella Floss and Sarah McMurray, gave me intel on what it is like working at the club and the opportunities Frequency offers for beginning drink mixologists.
Floss explains, “Honestly, I’m just happy to have the experience. I really enjoy the people that I work with. It’s a very fun and uplifting environment, which is great. So I’m really excited to see where the rest of my time here takes me, and hopefully, it opens up new opportunities for me as well.”
McMurray replies, “I’m hoping to just get some experience on making drinks and meeting new people so hopefully when I turn 21 I can get out there, go work at a bar, and hopefully get to know even more people.”
The bar offers $5 mocktails such as Lemon Fizz with your choice of lavender haze or strawberry, blueberry or mango Mock Mules, Crimson Rush and my favorite, the Dragon Blaster, and Crimson Rush. With my VIP pass, I had two free drink tokens so I tried the Dragon Blaster (fresh lemon juice, dragon fruit syrup, ginger beer and Red Bull) along with a blue raspberry slushy.
Both drinks were incredible, the mocktail was such an exotic flavor and the slushy left my mouth bright blue. Speaking of slushies, their slushy menu has strawberry, mango, fruit punch, lime, pineapple, and as I stated before, blue raspberry. All flavors cost $4. The bar also has other individual beverages such as non-alcohol beers ($6), creek water or CBD cans ($6), seed lip spirits ($5), liquid death ($5), Gatorade ($4), Red Bull ($5) and bottled water ($3). Part owner Martinez informed me that the bar will soon be carrying cold brew and kombucha.
What does the VIP experience include? Well as I have mentioned throughout my article I received free admission along with a wristband. I also was given two free drink tokens which I happily used. And lastly, I was given a tour of the bar and an explanation on how things are run. I of course also was permitted to interview owners/employees and photograph the club. This might have been due to being a member of the press, but it was still a great privilege.
Overall, I think the intentions of the 18+ club are very inspiring.
The owners are very lovely people with big ambitions for the 18+ community. The staff was also super sweet and friendly, making the perfect environment for comfortable fun. I really enjoyed the scenery with all the flashing lights and the big, sparkly disco ball hanging above the dance floor. Service, drinks, music, and the people were all amazing and created a wonderful experience for me. I will most definitely be attending Frequency again this weekend during their Y2K night! And so should you!!
