Cape Girardeau's club T-Zone gives teens a safe place to hang out, play games

For young adults in the area looking for something new, club T-Zone in Cape Girardeau has opened as a teens-only nightclub.

"Club T-Zone is a teenage hangout with a dance club, five pool tables and an arcade," owner Maria Agbayani said.

The club often features live music and a high-quality sound and lighting system during the Saturday dances.

Agbayani said the club provides a fun environment where young adults can leave their stress behind and just be themselves in a friendly atmosphere.

She opened the club because her teens always had friends over to her house and she wanted to give them somewhere fun to go. "Sometimes I would have 20 kids at my house," she said.

Jackson High School senior Taylor Barrett, 17, said he enjoys spending time at the club.

"It's pretty neat," he said. "There are drinks and cool games. They play good music. I definitely recommend it. It is pretty cool. It is a safe place for teens. It is a great environment, and parents can know we're safe."

His band, Small Town Boyz, has performed at the club.

Since opening the doors on Sprigg Street in October, Agbayani has already started adding new features to the club. The latest addition is a teens-only pool league.

"I am currently accepting applications for five-member teams," Agbayani said.

She said the club plans to host a billiards competition in February with the chance to win prizes donated by local sponsors.

She said she also plans on hosting talent shows for area teens featuring anything from dancing to comedy.

Agbayani said one of the coolest features of the club is the graffiti wall.

"The wall is painted in fluorescent paint, and there are black lights shining on it," she said. Each new guest to the club is encouraged to sign his or her name on the wall.

While the club offers a fun, high-energy place for teens to hang out, parents can relax knowing it is still a safe, adult-supervised environment.

"On dance nights, I have bouncers," Agbayani said. "One of my bouncers is an off-duty cop."

She said patrons receive a weapons check before entering the club.

She said she tries to meet all of her guests' musical preferences, but the club doesn't allow offensive lyrics. If the song doesn't play on the radio, it doesn't play at club T-Zone.

The facility is smoke-free, and no alcohol is allowed on the premises. The club offers refreshments such as chips, candy and soft drinks.

The arcade and billiards room are open to all ages from noon to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday. From 3:30 p.m. to closing at 9 p.m., it is teens only.

The occasional teen dances are from 8 p.m. to midnight on Saturday nights. There is a $3 cover charge for the dances.

More information is available by calling 573-382-6044.

Look for special events at club T-Zone on semoEvents.com.