When students flock to college, they become far from their families.

But for one weekend in the year, parents and families are surrounding the university nightlife.

The Family Weekend celebration begins today.

As far as the nightlife goes, Charleston offers a varied selection of places to go.

Katie Copenhaver, general manager of Stu’s, said they take in a good portion of business during this weekend.

“We get a lot of alumni, former employees, students here now, siblings, so it’s a very good weekend for us,” Copenhaver said. “A good thing we have is our martini lounge, so parents come to relax, and later in the night, people come to play pool and dance.”

Copenhaver said Family Weekend brings Stu’s a five figure weekend. It was around $15,000 last year and expects somewhat the same result this year.

She also said that the specials for the Saturday of Family Weekend will offer $2 domestic beers, $3 Amaretto mixers, $3 whiskey mixers, and $4 Appletini’s.

Uptowner owner Kevin McGugan said the live music and laid back atmosphere brings visiting families to his establishment.

McGugan said students come with their parents and like to play pool or darts, drink, watch some football, listen to live music and overall, enjoy the cool environment.

He also said some of the live bands that will be performing will be the UV Hippos on Friday, Eastern alum Kyle Dean on Sunday, and as Saturday goes, he said he usually plays the jukebox.

Panther Paw owner Chris Clayton said the Paw usually gets busy around Family Weekend.

Clayton said during Family Weekend, they’re busy regardless if the concert that weekend sells out or not.

Clayton said they become busier if the concert sells out more because there are more people in town.

Lefty’s Manager Jess Stevens said Lefty’s is not terribly busy with parents during Family Weekend.

“I wouldn’t say we’re extremely swamped, but it probably would be a good place to go for parents to go into town, but still have time with their kids,” Stevens said.

Stevens said Lefty’s is a place that does not attract parents because a lot of the students who go there consider it a regular spot, and parents come on event nights. Parents don’t notice Lefty’s and doesn’t consider it an attraction spot.

She also said the specials that are going on are their usual specials, like $3.50 for a 24-ounce can of beer, $8 for a 32-ounce pitcher, and $2 shot specials.

Larry Keck, owner of Jerry’s Pizza & Pub said Family Weekend has seen more business than on normal weekends.

Keck said business changes during Family Weekend because of the economy, and most of the hotel rooms are located in Mattoon.

“Compared to past Family Weekends, our business fluctuates,” Keck said. “The economy has a little to do with it and we’ve lost several hotels in the last t10 years.”

Keck said Jerry’s Pizza & Pub sees a 30 percent increase in revenue during Family Weekend than that of normal weekends where nothing is going on.

Jose Gonzalez can be reached at 581-7944 or [email protected].