Even if avoiding alcohol on a Penn State weekend seems as likely as finding a beer commercial without bikini-clad women, someone out there might be looking for a dry alternative to the party circuit.

At least that's what the organizers of Jonah's Drydock, a new nightclub for the 18-and-older set at the Wesley Student Center, 256 E. College Ave., suspect.

The club, the brainchild of the United Ministry at Penn State, opened this month for a four-Friday trial run ending April 10. If enough students fill the center's dance floor, the club will become a weekly fixture in the fall.

"We want to provide an option for people under 21 without the pressure to drink," said Carl Synan, director of United Ministries, explaining the notion behind the club.

"We wanted to provide something non-alcoholic that would meet the college's needs. We have the facility to do that," added Marge Eakin, the Wesley Foundation's administrator.

The club spent several months before Friday's opening stringing together student volunteers and donations from members of area churches eager to add a nightspot to State College's landscape that steers clear of alcohol, said Ann Lutterman, associate director of United Ministries.

The result is a mix of dance music, "mocktails," munchies, pool and pingpong offered for a $2 entrance fee if accompanied by a University ID. Admission without ID is $3.

Robert Rhodes (graduate-higher education), one of the club's student volunteers, said he thinks Jonah's will find a niche with students of all ages.

"A lot of students over 21 who like to dance but don't like the cigarette smoke at nightclubs will come here instead," said Rhodes. "And you don't have to worry about getting picked up by a drunk."

While the opening-night crowd seemed robust enough to confirm Rhodes' prediction, there were a few skeptics among them.

"I'm just here out of curiosity," said Mike Kubinec (sophomore-forest science). "I think this campus is too alcohol-oriented for something like this to work."

Jonah's organizers said return business will make or break the club.

"We can't do this without the students. If we have people come here and dance, tell their friends about it and come back, then we'll call it a success," Lutterman said.