College and drinking are basically synonymous -- after all, what else do college students do on Friday nights? There's no doubt that every college is different, each with its own vibe and culture. And since students students spend so much of their time at bars, their bar of choice says a lot about their school.
To demonstrate this variety, we asked 44 schools in North America (and one bonus from India) what their most popular campus bar is, and they were more than excited to share.
From lounges with rooftops to dive bars that have mechanical bulls, each college bar is unique, and that's why the students love it. College bars have become the new place for students to relax after class, to catch up with friends or to have a great night out. They've become a second home, and seniors will never forget the first time they puked their guts out or the last time they had a night out with their friends at their beloved bar.
If your college made the list, we hope that seeing this bar brings back happy nostalgia. And if your college didn't, maybe this is a good time to explore outside of your comfort zone and see what these other schools are all about. But beware, you may be in for a crazy night...
1. Binghamton University (Binghamton, NY): Tom & Marty's
Photo courtesy of Flickr user Chris Waits
If you're looking to have a good night, Tom & Marty's is the place to go. It's known for fun events like Taco Tuesdays (with cheap margaritas) and Trivia Wednesdays. And if that doesn't draw you in, then the shot wheel and beer towers will.
What you're getting: A free shot, because that comes with your cover. Can we say yassss?
2. Boston College (Chestnut Hill, MA): Mary Ann's
Photo courtesy of hiddenboston.com
Mary Ann's in Cleveland Circle is the epitome of the typical college dive bar. If you're looking for cocktails or decent food, this is not the place (hey, it's nicknamed Scary Ann's for a reason). But if you're looking to get wasted with your homies, you've found the right place, because everyone here is from BC.
What you're getting: Beer, because that's just about the only thing they've got here.
3. Boston University (Boston, MA): Tavern in the Square
Photo courtesy of Tavern in the Square's Facebook page
Tavern in the Square, or TITs as the BU students call it, actually has a couple of locations in the Greater Boston Area. It's a classy place by day and a hoppin' bar by night. You can get massive fishbowls to share with your friends, and if you make it back for brunch the next morning, you can get Bloody Marys with anything from hamburgers to chicken wings on top.
What you're getting: The craziest-looking drink you can find. #insta
4. Bucknell University (Lewisburg, PA): Bull Run Tap House
Photo courtesy of middlecreeksigns.com
Bucknell students love Bull Run for its pub-esque atmosphere. It has cheap drinks and gives students somewhere non-fratty to socialize (because you know, it's hard to really make conversation at frat parties). And they have karaoke on Thursdays, making "Thirsty Thursdays" infinitely more fun.
What you're getting: Any drink, because they're all decently cheap.
5. College of the Holy Cross (Worcester, MA): Leitrim's Pub
Photo courtesy of streetartofworcester.blogspot.com
Leit's is in the perfect location because Blue Jeans pizza is right across the street, making it so much easier to satisfy those drunchies. #SpoonTip: Don't crowd around the bar -- hit up the dance floor instead.
What you're getting: Anything and everything, from sex on the beach to jello shots.
6. College of William & Mary (Williamsburg, VA): Paul's Deli
Photo courtesy of paulsdelineighborhoodrestaurant.com
Sometimes food > alcohol. At Paul's, you can have both. Known for its satisfying food, W&M students frequent Paul's because it's the ideal place for just eating, drinking and chilling with friends.
What you're getting: The cheese fries aka the perfect pairing for your beer.
7. Cornell University (Ithaca, NY): Level B
Photo courtesy of Heather Ainsworth for The New York Times
Level B is a bar, lounge and dancefloor in the heart of Collegetown. It has an electric atmosphere that will keep you coming back. But what really will keep you coming back for more is their Wednesday night drink specials. From $2 shots to gallon fishbowls, there's plenty of reason to get schwasted on a weekday.
What you're getting: The fishbowl special. $18 for a gallon? Win.
8. Drake University (Des Moines, IA): El Bait Shop
Photo courtesy of cleaneatingveggiegirl.com
With 180 taps, El Bait Shop has America's largest selection of beers on tap. That's enough for you to try different ones every time you come here. Even if beer isn't your thing, their finger food most definitely will be. As Drake student Rebecca Block says, "Come for the beer, stay for the tots!"
What you're getting: Bacon-wrapped tater tots and your beer of choice.
9. Duke University (Durham, NC): Shooter's Salon
Photo courtesy of the bluedevilbucket.wordpress.com
Shooter's Salon is a Wild West-themed bar and night club dedicated to Duke students. Unlike many places, you're allowed in if you're 18 -- you just can't drink. But that doesn't mean you'll be missing out. With a mechanical bull and cages to dance in, you'll have plenty of entertainment. And if you are 21, this is every drunk college student's dream.
What you're getting: Just get on that mechanical bull. You know you want to.
10. Emory University (Atlanta, GA): Maggie's Neighborhood Bar and Grill
Photo courtesy of Maggie's Neighborhood Bar and Grill
Maggie's is an Emory staple, and for good reason. Seniors feel a strange sort of nostalgia about the place and the times they've spent there, and freshmen are excited to bond with their friends in an entirely new atmosphere. Besides, Maggie's has a comfortable, laid-back ambiance that allows for you to be social or just retreat into a booth with your close friends.
What you're getting: The cheap beer.
11. Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton, FL): Night Owl
Photo courtesy of nightowlboca.com
It can be hard to find places that have cheap drinks and tasty late night food. Night Owl thankfully has both. It's become the go-to spot to watch a game or grab a drink. And since they have specials all Thursday through Saturday, you have an excuse to stop by all weekend.
What you're getting: The parmesan garlic wings (they're way better than the classic buffalo wings).
12. Franklin & Marshall College (Lancaster, PA): Brickyard
Photo courtesy of brickyardsportspub.com
Restaurant by day, bar by night, Brickyard is a student favorite because it's close to campus and has a good selection of both beer and hard alcohol. It's your typical bar with pool tables and classic drinks, which means you'll always know what to expect.
What you're getting: The old classic -- a Tom Collins. But anything is good really, especially if you're already drunk.
13. George Washington University (Washington, D.C.): Sign of the Whale
Photo courtesy of dcafterfive.com
Sign of the Whale is a bar straight out of the movies. It has sticky floors and cheap drinks, but more than that, it has college students doing some crazy shit. You'll see people dancing on the bar, making out with the bartender or doing a strip tease (anything for a free drink, right?).
What you're getting: A Whale Pail (mixed drinks served in cocktail pitchers).
14. Hamilton College (Clinton, NY): Village Tavern
Photo courtesy of The Village Tavern
There are only two bars in Clinton, but VT clearly takes the cake. It's dark and dingy, but has good, cheap drinks. Dollar draft nights means you can totally justify getting drunk on a Tuesday.
What you're getting: Beer. As much beer as you can hold.
15. Indiana University (Bloomington, IN): Kilroy's on Kirkwood
Photo courtesy of agoodrun.com
KOK has daily food and drink specials, enticing students to come here basically every day of the week. It has a more laid-back atmosphere than many of the other B-town bars, making it the bar of choice. Plus, they have $2 Long Islands on Tuesdays, which is a fantastic deal.
Don't get too sloppy though -- you'll probably run into at least a couple of people you know here, hence the disclaimer: "Kilroy's where everyone knows your shame."
What you're getting: Stuffed breadsticks and Long Islands (you can't say you've been to KOK unless you've tried both).
For more schools:
16. John Hopkins University
17. Lafayette College
18. Louisiana State University
19. Manhattan College
20. McGill University
21. Miami of Ohio University
22. New York University
23. Northeastern University
24. Northwestern University
25. Notre Dame University
26. Pepperdine University
27. Rochester University
28. Rutgers University
29. Santa Clara University
30. Southern Methodist University
31. St. Louis University
32. Texas A&M University
33. Texas Christian University
34. University of California Los Angeles
35. University of California Berkeley
36. University of Delhi
37. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
38. University of Maryland
39. University of Michigan
40. University of Oregon
41. Vanderbilt University
42. Virginia Tech (Top of the Stairs
43. Wake Forest University
44. Washington University in St. Louis
45. Yale University
Original post by Nancy Chen for Spoon University - Northeastern.
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