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The 51 Best College Bars In America

Belly up to the best party spots on campus.

Headshot of Hannah DoolinBy Hannah Doolin
cheers

Part of a good college education should really involve in-depth research of the bars on and around campus — let's call it a course in "social sciences" — but lucky for the slackers out there, we did your homework for you. This rundown of the top college bars in every state will ensure you won't go thirsty.

1

University of Alabama: Tuscaloosa, AL

Fun, Tourism, Leisure, Vacation,
Facebook/Houndstooth Sports Bar

Spicy wings, quick service, and plenty of TVs playing current games keeps Alabama students coming back to The Houndstooth. Roll Tide!

2

University of Alaska - Fairbanks: Fairbanks, AK

Community, Event, Crowd, Tourism, Art,
Facebook/The Marlin

UAF crowds pile into The Marlin for a dark, intimate hangout that's pleasantly dive-y, plus occasional live music.

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3

Arizona State University: Tempe, AZ

Font, Signage, State park, Sign,
Foursquare/Terri S.

The open-air patio at Casey Moore's Oyster House is the place to be for cheap drinks and surprisingly good bar food — get the potato skins and oysters with creamy horseradish sauce.

4

University of Arkansas: Fayetteville, AR

Barware, Building, Bar, Wine cellar, Drink, Liquor store, Distilled beverage, Wine bottle, Furniture,
Facebook/Sideways

Less rowdy than some other student watering holes, Sideways boasts an extensive selection of beers on tap, including classics, seasonals, and micro brews, perfect for sipping while shooting pool.

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5

Stanford University: Stanford, CA

Picnic table, Table, Room, Furniture, Building, Wood, House,
Facebook/The Dutch Goose

Stanford students and alumni swear by The Dutch Goose in Menlo Park for its chill back patio. Order sliders, fries, and the famed deviled eggs and discretely carve your name into one of the wooden tables like patrons before you.

6

University of Colorado at Boulder: Boulder, CO

Billiard table, Indoor games and sports, Pool, Games, Recreation room, Billiards, Billiard room, Straight pool, Billiard ball, English billiards,
Facebook/World Famous Dark Horse

Grab a beer and a dose of nostalgia at World Famous Dark Horse. The casual joint is decorated with lots of dark wood and kitschy garage sale-esque items. Chow down on a breakfast burrito and stick around to watch afternoon football games. You won't be disappointed.

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7

University of Connecticut: Storrs, CT

Crowd, People, Event, Nightclub, Night, Disco, Fun, Audience, Music venue, Leisure,
Facebook/The Sports Bar

The Sports Bar in North Windham is the place to be and be seen on Thursday nights. UConn and Eastern students stay entertained with darts and pools inside, or hang out back on the outdoor deck.

8

George Washington University: Washington, DC

Drink, Alcohol, Distilled beverage, Liqueur,
Facebook/Sign of the Whale DC

The GW crowd can be found at Sign of the Whale any given night or weekend. Sure, it's got sticky floors and rowdy regulars, but the staff is friendly and drinks are cheap — especially the fruity Whale Pail cocktails.

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9

University of Delaware: Newark, DE

Town, Urban area, Architecture, Building, Street, Neighbourhood, Facade, Font, City, House,
Facebook/Klondike Kate's Restaurant & Saloon

Smack dab in the middle of Main Street, Klondike Kate's has a spacious outdoor deck and amazing happy hour specials, so you can get a buzz without running up your bar tab.

10

University of South Florida: Tampa, FL

Building, Interior design, Retail, Bar, Restaurant, Tavern, Outlet store,
Foursquare/Jennifer V.

USF students drink up at German biergarten-style Mr. Dunderbak's. The steins of beer pair perfectly with schnitzel and other German specialties, plus there's live music.

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11

University of Georgia: Athens, GA

Red, Building, Architecture, Facade, Restaurant, Night, House, Window, Home, Room,
Facebook/Globe Athens

Those looking for a fun evening out, go to The Globe for fish & chips and a casual pub vibe. UGA students and professors even gather here for meet and greets during the semester.

12

University of Hawaii at Manoa: Honolulu, HI

Food, Dish, Ingredient, Steamed rice, Cuisine, Meal, Fried food, White rice, Nasi liwet, Lunch,
Manoa Gardens

Locals and students alike know Manoa Gardens is a staple. Not only has it not changed at all in all the decades its been around, but it also has good, cheap well drinks and plenty of pupus to go around. Chicken wings, lumpia rolls, and fries are favs.

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13

University of Iowa: Iowa City, IA

Bar, Table, Room, Drink, Distilled beverage, Barware, Furniture, Pub, Chair,
Facebook/The Deadwood

Deadwood Tavern is just the right hybrid of a townie and student bar. While not overrun with drunk college kids, it's got a young, fun feel, complete with pinball, a jukebox and a pool table room. Make sure to order a Bloody Mary.

14

Boise State University: Boise, ID

Games, Room, Recreation room, Bar, Technology, Table, Pub, Building, Bowling, Tavern,
Facebook/Crescent "No Lawyers" Bar & Grill

Whether you want margs and tacos or Bloodys and wings, Crescent "No Lawyers" Bar & Grill is a campus go-to. You can always find big sports game on TV, plus quality music and an outdoor patio for warmer evenings.

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15

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Champaign, IL

Community, Event, Crowd, Neighbourhood, Tree, Team, Leisure,
Facebook/Kams Champaign

Prepare yourself for plenty a sticky floor, crazy-loud music and some unsettling smells, but Kam's is always packed despite it all. Order one of the wacky drink concoctions and that pro alone will outweigh any of the cons.

16

University of Notre Dame: South Bend, IN

Restaurant, Building, Table, Room, Tavern, Pub, Night, Bar, Furniture, Diner,
Facebook/Linebacker Lounge - Across from Notre Dame

Linebacker Lounge — fondly nicknamed "the 'backer" — has been around since the '60s, and it hasn't changed much since. Patrons dig the giant beers, killer burgers, homemade chili, and free popcorn in the company of fellow Fighting Irish fans.

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17

University of Kansas: Lawrence, KS

Winter, Snow, Property, House, Home, Tree, Building, Architecture, Neighbourhood, Plant,
Facebook/The Wagon Wheel - Lawrence, KS

This colorful pre- and post-game spot has plenty of character and charm, and students always find there way to The Wagon Wheel for top-notch pizza and cold beer while they cheer on their Jayhawks.

18

University of Kentucky: Lexington, KY

Drink, Alcoholic beverage, Distilled beverage, Bar, Liqueur, Dark 'n' stormy, Cocktail, Beer cocktail, Beer, Mai tai,
Foursquare/Mooyon K.

College kids flock to Two Keys Tavern to guzzle beers and brightly colored "fish bowls" when UK games are on. The drink deals can't be beat, and the in-house jukebox or occasional DJ keeps the music pumping. Make sure to check out the patio.

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19

Louisiana State University: Baton Rouge, LA

Beer tap, Barware, Bottle, Alcohol, Drink, Bar, Drinkware, Distilled beverage, Liquor store, Liqueur,
Facebook/The Chimes Restaurant & Tap Room

Hum-drum bar food definitely isn't on the menu at The Chimes. LSU students watch their fill of ESPN while tucking into crawfish etouffée, shrimp, and oysters at this chill, Southern spot.

20

Harvard University: Cambridge, MA

Night, Neon, Electronic signage, Neon sign, Building, Signage,
Facebook/Charlie's Kitchen Shows

Charlie's Kitchen has been around for more than 30 years, serving up cheap burgers and beer via quick, diner-style service. Add an outdoor beer garden and extensive drink menu to the mix, and it's no wonder the Ivy League kids keep coming back.

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