UTM Students’ Union opens pub night season with a trip back to 2016
Students danced to 2016 hits and posed for the Mannequin Challenge at The Blind Duck.
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UTM Students’ Union (UTMSU) and UTMSU Orientation hosted its Back to ‘16 Pub Night at the Blind Duck on September 25. This is the second pub night of the 2026-27 season, and its theme was inspired by music and fashion from 2016.
The party kicked off at 8:30 p.m. and ran until 11 p.m., with an admission fee of $5. A line of eager students piled up outside at doors open, waiting to see if their favourite 2016 hits had made it onto the night’s playlist.
The partygoers were dressed in a range of styles, from comfortable clothes to headbands and T-shirts in 2010s style.
Photo provided by Diana Varzideh
DJ TrayBaby excited participants with iconic hits, from Sia’s “Cheap Thrills” to Justin Timberlake’s “Can’t Stop the Feeling” and DNCE’s “Cake by the Ocean.” Of course, several Justin Bieber songs made an appearance, notably “Beauty and a Beat,” which was released in 2012, and “Sorry,” which was released in 2015.
During the pub night, the DJ and UTMSU executives invited participants to take part in the Mannequin Challenge, a 2016 trend associated with Rae Sremmurd’s song “Black Beatles.” Participants were required to pick a pose (the crazier, the better) and freeze while the photographers went around, recording everyone until the beat dropped. All attendees took part before returning to the dance floor.
Later, students formed conga lines under the orientation decoration hung in The Blind Duck. The night ended with “U of Tears” shots and more nostalgic song mashups.
Some participants shared their feelings with The Medium after the pub night.
Grace Byun, a second-year communication, culture, information, and technology student shared, “Pub Night was really fun because the DJ played many songs that everybody knew and could have fun with. I had so much fun dancing and singing at the top of my lungs with my friends!”
Antony Boby Joseph, a second-year student majoring in physics and astronomy, expressed, “There were a lot of songs [we] missed out on. Where were the Roblox tycoon songs, man?” He added, “I had great company throughout, and the DJ was chill.”
Maria Jose, a fourth-year sociology major with double minors in political science and geography said, “Pub Night was awesome, and the UTMSU joining in on the dance floor was really fun.”
As October rolls around, Halloween decorations and music will take over the Student Centre. Harmonix, the UTM Art Club, the Erindale Gaming Organization, the Department of Visual Studies Student Society, the UofT Gacha Game Club, and UTM Esports will join forces to put on the Halloween Pub Night on October 16. Students can register ahead through club registration links on their Instagram pages.
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