Nightlife Central
Partying Help For The Socially Challenged

Fat Daddy’s - Fat Fridays
2510 East Market St.
York, PA
755-8843

by Sam Iamason

It’s been a long time coming, I’m sure you’ll agree. A nightclub in Central Pennsylvania with a dress code.

Oh, it brings back memories of those great dance clubs of the ’80s where the guys dressed to impress and the ladies always looked incredible, and no one would dare wear a pair of blue jeans out to a club.

Can that be the image Fat Daddy’s is trying to establish with their new Fat Fridays dance party? Apparently so. With radio and print advertising clearly stating that patrons should “dress to impress,” Fat Daddy’s is inviting a new, up-scale clientele back into the spotlight.

And Fat Daddy’s is obviously serious about this party. How serious?

First, the music is guaranteed to be the absolute best you’ve ever experienced, short of partying in DC or New York City. Why? Because DJ Pumpin’ Paul is behind the wheels of steel (or reflective polymer based plastic).

There is no competiton to Pumpin’ Paul, and he invites anyone to challenge his selection, programming, and mixing skills. 

So does MODE.

And then there’s the light show. Fat Daddy’s recently made a significant investment in the installation of intelligent lighting systems, and expanding their control booth. These additions take their dance club experience to the next level. You certainly won’t think you’re in Central PA until you leave to get in your car.

And if that isn’t enough, Fat Daddy’s is serious enough to broadcast their Fat Fridays dance party live from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. on WLAN-FM 97 out of Lancaster. The show is called the Fat Fridays Ultra Megamix. Hosted by radio personalities Toby Knapp and Ronnie Ramone, it’s the exact same music you’ll hear in the club each Friday night. I guess if you’re underage, you can have a party in your basement — and if you’re over 21, you can get warmed up listening to the exact same jams you’ll enjoy in the club.

Throughout the night Knapp and Ramone remind the listeners what they’re missing and encourage them to come to the club. Couple that with all the great giveaways and they’re pretty justified.

For those of you who have never been to Fat Daddy’s, it’s a two-floor entertainment complex with an outdoor deck that can’t be beat during the good weather. Downstairs features mostly live entertainment, Karaoke on Wednesdays, and a killer Happy Hour on Fridays. Upstairs is the dance club which features a triangular dance floor, plenty of booths, and two island bars that offer unobstructed access to the bartenders.

There’s not a lot left to the imagination. The cover charge varies according to the band playing that night, but averages $3. Possibly the only downside to Fat Daddy’s Fat Fridays would be waiting on line outside to get in. Again, we can’t stress enough to arrive early. The longer you wait to get there, the longer you’ll wait to get in, and if you’re planning to make Fat Daddy’s your “fashionably late” last stop, beware, they could turn you away at the door. 

Boo hoo.