College demands you learn useless junk, like "formatting a bibliography", "basics of anatomy", and "ethics". Putting to use some actually valuable college know-how -- making people happy via alcohol -- the guys behind Recess.

Helmed by two former U. of Maryland roommates, this sleek, dance-happy subterranean club's an extension of their College Park days of throwing campus bashes big enough to be regularly kiboshed by the fuzz; the two split up when one moved to NYC and the other became a lawyer, but now are back together, with no fear of dis-bar. Lined with long, black-leather couches and recessed wooden columns, the open tush-shaking-floor is lorded over by a massive DJ booth fronted by a hulking, raw slab of wood, which the owners say will host mix-masters from all over the country; it's also home to a special VIP "Ambassadors" table, populated by "influencers and tastemakers" -- some of whom will be chosen via online application, so get that digital photo ready, Elijah Cummings! To influence your mind, the neon-lit bar serves up all manner of specialty cocktails, from the vodka/prosecco/sweet basil "Blackberry Fizz" to the Gran Sierpe/honey-sweetened-peaches "Peachy Pisco Sour", certain to Machu Peach you.

True to their collegiate roots, Recess plans to eventually party 7 nights a week, but'll initially be open Wed-Sun, with Sunday nights dedicated to power-ballads, an admitted bid to "bring back the slow dance" -- or, your first brush with those anatomical basics.

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They're hoping to soft-open this week in preparation for the post-Thanksgiving, grand-opening blowout, and are currently accepting Ambassador apps. Check out RecessDC.com for more info, and get to work on those essays.