Cheers to Top Flite and the Bathroom Bestie’s I May Never See Again

As Told By Cam🌻
Aug 23, 2017 · 4 min read

Wednesday to the average American is just like any other day. It’s “Hump Day,” making the weekend that much closer, but to Rattlers and even faculty of Florida A&M University; Wednesday means Top Flite. What’s Top Flite Wednesday you ask? It’s one of the most turnt happy hour karaoke spots to bless the outskirts of FAMU campus.

The Flite is a small quaint lounge, that from the outside looking in may look like a hole in the wall. It’s centered right between houses, making it an easy commute for the locals and about a 5-minute walk for students from campus. The Flite is best known for having THE STRONGEST drinks in all of Tallahassee, Florida. The heavy-handed bartenders bless their patrons with more than a half a cup of liquor and a splash of soda or juice.The lines at times get long, but it’s worth the wait. The wings are just as essential as the drinks, especially when you first arrive and shortly after to soak up the liquor.

When you enter the lounge, the ambience is laid back. It’s dimly lit with small tables scattered throughout. In the front, there’s a step-up stage where all the karaoke greatness takes place. If you’re smart, you’d get to the Flite early to be able to find a spot front and center, to witness all the drunken debauchery. Usually, the older crowd flock to the stage first, drink in hand, setting off the mood with some old school Rnb.

Whose Uncle is that?

Once night classes end, that’s when the faculty and students make an appearance. I’ve bumped into too many professors, some that I’ve just seen an hour prior in class. There are the professors that would pay the students no mind and others that would talk students ears off; clearly the Flite drinks kicked in for those few. But after one drink the awkwardness passes and the professors are just like anybody else in the Flite, just trying to vibe and have a good time.

The karaoke song selections would be a mix of artist that empowered women like Destiny’s Child and Beyonce’, or the well-known Florida hit-makers like Plies, Trick Daddy, and Trina. Whatever song was chosen, the crowd was sure to hype up the amateur singer and scream the lyrics right along with them.

For the ladies, the Flite was a fashion show. It was a place to witness black girl magic. Like:

“Girl, didn’t I just see you in a hoodie and some sweats 30 minutes ago, in class? “

The transformation was real! The women’s bathroom was also a safe space for black women. It was a place we could go to not only relieve ourselves, but express to each other how fly we were. Woman could vent with their peers about running into their ex, and get sound drunken advice from perfect strangers. If toilet paper was stuck on someones shoe as they were about exit-

“No worries girl, we got you!”

If you need a picture taken — we got you! If you need some lotion — we got you! If you’ve sweated out your hair — Girl, use my last hair tie!

Thanks to a combination of black unity and strong ass drinks, the women’s bathroom was a place to look out for one another. I’ve survived many nights at the Flite thanks to bathroom besties I may never see again. So, here’s to you women out there helping get folks lives together in the Flite bathroom, and here’s to you Top Flite. Thanks for making my college experience that much more greater.

Cheers!

​What was the name of your favorite college hangout spot? Comment below!

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As Told By Cam🌻

Written by

Blooming writer based in Atlanta, here to spread love, laughs and my truths.

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