• Organize and track the schools that YOU are interested in.
  • Get matched up with schools that fit your personality.
  • Determine your chances at each school CP covers.
  • Calculate your costs at any school.

Nightlife:

C

(explain this grade)

Comparable Schools'
Nightlife Grades:

Quick Stats

Useful Resources for Nightlife

  • The Portland Phoenix

Student Favorites

  • Joshua’s Tavern
  • Sea Dog Brewing Co.

Primary Areas with Nightlife

  • Maine Street, Brunswick
  • Old Port area, Portland

Local Specialties

  • Sea Dog's beer

Favorite Drinking Games

  • 21 Cup
  • Beer pong/Beirut
  • Card games
  • Flip cup
  • Power Hour
  • Quarters
  • Stump

Bars Close At

1 AM

Cheapest Place to Get a Drink

Cuddy's Bar on Pleasant Street

College Prowler Take

Nightlife is not something Brunswick is known for. With just two places that students frequent, Sea Dog Brewing and Joshua’s, and the on-campus pub, most students do not travel far for nighttime entertainment. If you are willing to travel to Portland, the bar options present a better variety. The club scene in Brunswick is nonexistent, and most Bowdoin students do not really enjoy that scene to begin with and would not travel to Portland for what little they have. Even though students can find these outlets if they put in the effort, many students do not try to root their social life in the meager local club and bar scene.

That being said, there is a lot going on in terms of nightlife on campus, where the social scene is dominated by where the keg is after 10 p.m. But students who do not want to drink will not be pressured to drink if they attend parties. A notable social house that gets consistent upperclassmen attendance is the Ladd House, but except for a few themed parties, upperclassmen generally don’t attend parties at the social houses. Private room parties that grow in size as the word gets around are what draw student interest. At least monthly, the African American Society holds a popular dance party at the Af-Am House where no alcohol is served. The pub also has bands and DJs on Thursday nights and a few Saturday nights. For one week in April, though, nightlife becomes day life during Ivies, a celebration of the fact that it is finally nice out again in Maine. There are constant parties, concerts, and hanging out on the quad. Students are relaxed and usually drunk during most of Ivies.

Free Profile Tools

Do I Stand A Chance?

Calculate YOUR chances of admission at every school CP covers!

__%

Personality Match

Calculate YOUR personality match with every school CP covers!

__%

What'll It Cost Me?

Estimate your out-of-pocket costs at every school CP covers!

$__,___

Students Speak Out

Student at Bowdoin College?
Post your own reviews or take a survey on your school.

Anonymous says:

What bars? What clubs? Parties are...

What bars? What clubs? Parties are decent; I prefer intimate pre-parties, though. Afro-American parties rock, but only if you’re drunk enough to forget the fact that you can’t dance and aren’t black! Nonetheless, they’re awesome!

Report

Anonymous says:

It’s pretty common for...

It’s pretty common for students to pregame with hard alcohol before going out. If it’s not sitting out and you’re not being too loud, you probably won’t be written up by security.

Report

Anonymous says:

Ivies is the best thing of my...

Ivies is the best thing of my life. I go to school from September through March because I know that Ivies is coming in April.

Report

Anonymous says:

Parties are fun because...

Parties are fun because there’s always a different theme every weekend. Whether you feel like dressing up or not, there will always be enough dancing and making out to go around.

Report

Anonymous says:

There are a lot of art openings...

There are a lot of art openings throughout the year at FortAndross and the VAC. It’s so fun to hang out and see your peers work. Sculpture shows are probably the most popular.

Report

Facts

Club Crawler

Clubbing is not a big activity among Bowdoin students, but that is, in part, due to the fact that not many great clubs exist in the area, even in Portland. There are several popular gay clubs in Portland, but if that isn’t your cup of tea, your options are limited. Due to the lack of clubs, pub crawling among seniors and the 21-and-over group remains popular.

Bar Prowler

Many Bowdoin students are regulars at either Joshua’s, MJ’s or Sea Dog Brewing. Joshua’s draws a lot of locals, while MJ’s draws a lot of navy guys, and Sea Dog attracts a more wealthy crowd. In general, the bar scene is very open and friendly. The extra bonus with Joshua’s and MJ’s is that you can walk to them from anywhere on campus. Sea Dog is a bit further, over the bridge in Topsham. Students are encouraged to utilize the weekend shuttle program or plan to have a designated driver when going there. Sea Dog has a good bar, good variety, freshly brewed beer, and excellent food, but it can be more pricey than Joshua’s. Joshua’s is known for its free popcorn and friendly atmosphere. All three offer a good time and have local bands play often.

Organization Parties

Without the existence of frat parties, organization parties rule at Bowdoin. Organization parties revolve around athletic team houses and the social house system. In general, Ladd House reigns supreme for hosting the most fun and all-out parties on campus. They generally have good themes and a good upperclassman turnout. The other social houses attract a strong first-year and sophomore crowd, but juniors and seniors would much rather party in their more apartment-like domains. Notable house parties are the Ladd Luau, Baxter Graffiti Party, and Ladd Toga. The lacrosse team owns a house off campus more affectionately known as the “Crack House.” Parties there are considered dirty but fun. Red Brick is filled with members from various sports teams and is another off-campus alternative. Organizations might have parties, but they will be in the residential buildings.

Club Listings

Advanced tickets for all of the Station’s shows are available at Bull Moose Music. This club hosts primarily rock music. All ages welcome. Opens at 6:00 p.m., and cover charges vary according to the show.

The Station Night Club

272 Saint John St.

Portland

(207) 773-3466

The Pavilion feels a little more like a big-city club than most around here.

The Pavilion

188 Middle St.

Portland

(207) 773-6422

This is Portland’s closest thing to a portal to Louisiana, focusing on good ol’ smoky blues. An assortment of local and national blues, rock, and funk acts play all through the week. Open from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Cover varies from $3 to $7.

Big Easy Blues Club

55 Market St.

Portland

(207) 871-8817

www.bigeasyportland.com

Bar Listings

Joshua’s is the campus favorite for seniors. With 21 taps, live entertainment on weekends, excellent food, a full bar, pool, foosball, and darts, Joshua’s offer any student a fun time away from campus.

Joshua’s Restaurant and Tavern

121 Maine St.

Brunswick

(207) 725-7981

MJ’s is directly across the street from Joshua’s, so it is equally convenient for students to walk to from campus. MJ’s also includes a nice restaurant if you’re looking for a good dinner and then a night out.

MJ’s Grille & Tavern

94 Maine St.

Brunswick

(207) 729-6574

www.mjsgrille.com

Sea Dog is enjoyed by faculty, students, alumni, and parents. They offer something for every desired taste. They brew their own authentic ales and offer creative pub fare with flair on a scenic spot that looks onto the Androscoggin River.

Sea Dog Brewing Company

1 Main St.

Topsham

(207) 725-0162

What to Do if You're Not 21

Most students who are under 21 don’t need to leave campus to have fun. There are many things to do on campus, whether it be athletic competition, comedy shows, or many parties on the weekend where students can have fun despite being underage.

Write for Us!

College Prowler Internship

College Prowler is actively seeking talented students to be "Contributing Authors," and assist with updating the College Prowler guide to their school. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain internship experience, be a part of a nationally recognized company, gain tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college. Read more >