There are about 25 cocktail lounges, taverns and nightclubs in Ames and they all offer different atmospheres, drinks, food and games. What most don’t offer is a dance floor with a big-city feel.

Phillip Trimnell, the owner of Friends Nightclub in Des Moines, tuned into the Ames bar scene when he began to notice an increase in the number of Iowa State students standing in line at the Des Moines clubs on the weekends.

Recognizing the need for a dance venue, Trimnell set out to create a big city club atmosphere in Ames.

“We noticed that a lot of people from Ames were coming to the club in Des Moines, and things were beginning to get busy and congested,” Trimnell said. “There is an outlet here (in Ames). Now people don’t have to drive to Des Moines and deal with the congestion.”

After several months of planning and designing, Trimnell opened the doors of the Ames’ Friends Nightclub on March 11 and is now celebrating its second week of operation.

“Response has been pretty encouraging so far, even through break,” Trimnell said. “I think it will continue and probably increase.”

Although Main Street is lined with bars, a night at Friends is unlike a night at any other Main Street bar. While most of the Main Street bars are places to go when looking for a quiet evening, the dance floor and stage in Friends immediately promises a night of music and dancing.

With Hunky Dory’s on the south end of Ames, Tazzels and Dean’s List in Campustown and The Zone close-by, Friends faces a bit of competition. Trimnell, however, isn’t worried because he believes that Friends is different from the other dance venues in Ames.

“I think we have something different to offer,” he said. “We play a lot of 90s music, pop, R & B, techno and house. We have the best sound system in town.

“We’re also friendlier than other places,” he continued. “We provide a friendly atmosphere for friendly people to come and get to know each other.”

One patron agrees with Trimnell. Dawan Anderson, junior in sociology, has found out that the club scene in his hometown of Chicago, Ill., is far different than FAC in Ames. Anderson finds Friends Nightclub more like home.

“I like the set,” Anderson said, “and the music they play is the best in Ames. It’s the closest thing around here to home.”

Friends’ biggest attraction is its dance floor and stage. However, for those who don’t dance, there is a pool table and several places around the club to sit, relax and watch friends on the dance floor.

Drink specials include $3 all-you-can-drink wells and draws Wednesday and Thursday, and $5 all-you-can-drink wells and draws Friday and Saturday.

Friends Nightclub is located at 115 Main St. and is open from Wednesday to Sunday from 4 p.m. until 2 a.m.