If you’re thinking this is a horde of older frat boys palling around bars and talking about sports, politics, and women, you’re not entirely right (you’re not entirely wrong, either). For one thing, bunches of newcomers join up with some of the original First Thursday crew and this keeps the crowd mixed.

Tice reminisces about how the first invitations to the events were spread.

“Back then, there was no e-mail,” he said. “It was all word of mouth. If you saw a cute girl, you were like, ‘Hey, come to First Thursday!’”

Blind Pig attracted a varied crowd in addition to the First Thursdayers. There was no shortage of young professionals or middle-aged workers celebrating the approaching weekend with happy hour drinks. By 7 pm, the long, dimly lit bar was packed with ladies and gents. Draft beer flowed, burgers were gobbled, and chatter abounded.

“Our college friends are all out in the suburbs now,” said Tice. “But we get a good group to meet up.” Add a charming bar to the mix, and you’ve got a hot Thursday night recipe.