College Park’s social scene just isn’t what it used to be — depending on who you ask, that can either be a positive or a negative. But one thing is clear: For the sake of the city and the entire student body — over 21 or not — something’s got to give.

Gone are the bars that 18-year-olds flocked to, where bathroom flooding was commonplace and drinks were sold for less than a dollar. Instead, they’ve been replaced by the likes of Looney’s Pub and The Barking Dog, which ask a little more from patrons — both in terms of prices and expected conduct — but provide a higher quality experience in return.

For most upperclassmen, these new bars’ more stringent ID-checking poses no issue and actually translates to a better night out — with an air of slight exclusivity, it’s always a more mature crowd.

But students under 21 are finding it a bit more difficult to have a good time. Bouncers at every bar are being tougher at the doors, which is partially due to a local police crackdown. Even though they aren’t of age, younger students deserve stimulating and exciting nightlife options too — apart from the house parties many underclassmen said they’ve been relying on for after-hours fun.

These raucous free-for-alls do nothing for the city’s economic vitality, however, and instead draw police’s human and monetary resources away from other, more worthwhile causes.

So what are students, university officials and city business owners to do? This editorial board encourages all three groups to think outside the box — or outside the bar, as the case may be.

Even though Vito’s Pizzeria ultimately closed its doors this semester, owner Vito Riccio had the right idea: provide a unique destination for students, complete with tasty food and good music. Though students didn’t exactly appreciate paying cover at a pizza joint, Vito’s filled a void that has long been present in College Park.

The city needs more establishments that follow a similar idea and help provide a wider array of entertainment options for students. Alcohol could be served, but not as the business’s primary draw — owners could sell drinks only on certain nights, after a certain time or in a certain section. The point is to incorporate new kinds of businesses that would attract different people, depending on what kind of night they’re looking for.

Big Play Sports Grill — a family-friendly sports-themed eatery that will take over the Vito’s location this month — will feature Wi-Fi, DJ nights and multiple TVs broadcasting non-local games. Likewise, Café Hookah, a new establishment slated to open in the coming weeks next to Marathon Deli, will undoubtedly create a different vibe than at existing bars.

University President Wallace Loh has said he would like to see this city become a top-20 college town. Such an objective would have seemed out of reach about a year ago, when the top-performing bars were Thirsty Turtle — now nostalgically dubbed “the vomit factory” — and Santa Fe Café, whose owner couldn’t get his act together enough to follow city fire code.

Now, Route 1 and the rest of the downtown area appear to be pretty respectable — or at least, they’re getting there, but there’s potential for further improvement. New luxury student apartment complexes have welcomed residents and provided a slew of additional businesses on their ground levels, while new bars have enjoyed a steady stream of enthusiastic customers so far. This expansion needs to continue.

And who knows — if community members demonstrate that nicer businesses can really work in this city — maybe the proposed East Campus development would seem like a better investment for federal legislators, who have to approve funding for the massive project. Officials have long envisioned East Campus as a bustling hub of restaurants, hotels and entertainment venues that would catapult College Park to another level if carried out, but there’s been some doubt about whether it’s realistic for this community.

Continuing to raise the standards of College Park business — as these bars have done — is necessary for continued progress in attracting and retaining higher quality establishments and moving toward Loh’s goal.

Until then, however, house parties it is.