Baylor University
- Nightlife

Scruffy Murphy’s

Scruffy’s is the local neighborhood dive bar that has been around forever, is still popular, and no one knows why. The place reeks of stale smoke and beer, but their $5 Long Island ice teas will knock you down. There are pool tables in a different section of the bar where the air conditioning never works. You have to pay $.50/song on the jukebox, and part of their décor is walls covered in graffiti. It’s tradition to leave your mark somewhere in Scruffy’s before you graduate. They actually have some very good live bands come up from Austin, and even local bands play all the time. Despite the clouded and sketchy environment, Scruffy’s is packed on weekends. If you get there late, expect to wait in line. On Friday and Saturday nights, IDs are heavily checked. You will meet a lot of locals here, most of them are friendly and talkative, and some are content in keeping to themselves. Drawbacks? Well, the furniture is aging, and they haven’t spent much on décor or ambiance. But with beer prices ranging from $2 to $4, it’s well worth it.

George’s Restaurant

Home of the Big O, George’s is mainly a restaurant, but at night the bar is packed. Mostly known for the alumni that show up and a country music crowd, George’s offers a different scene than the rest of the Waco bars. George’s party tent is present for tailgaters and always full at football games. The bar closes at midnight, and it’s easy to get in and enjoy the environment under 21, but they do ID to drink.

Cricket’s Grill & Draft House

Cricket’s seems to be one of the premiere places to be and to be seen. On the weekends, this place is packed with the college crowd. They have pool tables, shuffle board, and video games, but good luck getting one unless you get there at 9 p.m. You’ll have to fight your way to the bar, and stand there for a half hour until the bartender notices you, and even then you’ll be overcharged for the drinks. Big screen TVs are up front usually playing whatever sporting event is on, and when out of town teams come to play Baylor they usually party here. The atmosphere is nice during the week, but on weekends the place is a zoo. The crowd is typically all dressed the same, acts the same, and tends to get pretty sloppy as the night goes on, but if you’re looking for a place to meet new people in a relaxed environment, this is the place. IDs are checked heavily at the door, but you can get in under-21 if you’re going to the restaurant.

Clicks Billiards

Clicks has a bar, but it is mainly a pool hall. They have full-sized Brunswick tables and charge to play by the hour. This is a popular hangout for the 21-and-under crowd.