If you type thirsty into the Google search engine, the first suggested result is “Thirsty Thursday.” Thursday seems to have become known widely for college student alcohol consumption.

Some students said Thursday is the new unofficial start of the weekend.

Popular musicians, such as rapper Asher Roth, have rapped about drinking on thirsty Thursday.

In Richland Township, managers at Quaker Steak & Lube have advertised specials promoting the unofficial weekly holiday.

“At the Lube Johnstown, we have your cure for thirsty Thursday — $3 Lube Island Teas, all day,” according to the Richland Township Quaker Steak & Lube Facebook page.

At another area bar, the Windber Hotel, Thursdays are advertised as college night with $1 specials on beer, such as Miller Lite and Bud Light. The promotion attracts crowds of college students every week.

Windber Hotel co-owner Scott Penrod said the college night specials are not due to a college drinking fad.

“We had a decent Thursday night crowd once, and it got better,” Penrod said.

Woodside Bar and Grill, another popular college bar, does not advertise a college night or thirsty Thursday promotion but does offer their cheapest drink specials of the week on Thursdays — $5 domestic pitchers all day and $1 mixed drinks between 8 and 10 p.m.

Pitt-Johnstown graduate Nick Eidem said weekly stress is part of Thursday drinking

“Because you can’t wait until Friday,” he said.

Many college students drinking Thursday night at the Windber Hotel, including Stacy Kostyk, said they usually indulge in Thursday consumption, but can’t pinpoint why.

“That’s when my friends go out,” Kostyk said. “I don’t know why they go out, but they do.”

A friend of Kostyk, Dylan Hoffman, 21 of Sidman  joined her that night.

“I drink on Thursdays because I can,” said Hoffman.

Pitt-Johnstown senior Emily Cernic had a different perspective on the Thursday night binge.

She said although Thursdays seem like a designated college night, they are a time to see friends before they leave for the weekend.

“If friends go home on the weekend, that’s the last time you can go out with them,” she said.

Pitt-Johnstown junior Jessica Bear said she only started drinking Thursday nights upon turning legal age.

“This is the only place (the Windber Hotel) I go on Thursdays,” said Bear, referring to college night.