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Nightlife:

B+

(explain this grade)

Comparable Schools'
Nightlife Grades:

Quick Stats

Useful Resources for Nightlife

  • www.studentguidetopittsburgh.com/food/bars.htm

Student Favorites

  • Bar 11
  • Calico Jack's
  • Mario’s South Side Saloon
  • Matrix
  • McFadden’s
  • Smokin’ Joe’s

Primary Areas with Nightlife

  • Oakland
  • Shadyside
  • South Side
  • Station Square
  • Strip District
  • Waterfront

Local Specialties

  • Iron City Beer

Other Places to Check Out

  • Bourbon Street
  • Iron City, Penn, and Rolling Rock breweries
  • Jekyl and Hyde
  • Shootz Cafe & Billiards
  • St. James' Place

Favorite Drinking Games

  • Beer pong
  • Card games (A$$hole)
  • Century Club
  • Power Hour
  • Quarters

Bars Close At

2 a.m.

Cheapest Place to Get a Drink

Casey’s Draft House

Souper Bowl

College Prowler Take

Most students feel that Pittsburgh has plenty to offer by way of bars and clubs. Many are within walking distance of the University, and the others are a quick taxi drive away. The bars and clubs in Pittsburgh are very strict with IDs, and if you are under 21, you will have a tough time getting into the popular spots. There are many clubs that also offer under-21 nights. The South Side is, without question, the favorite spot among students for bar hopping. It is just a quick walk back to Duquesne.

Besides frequenting the bars and clubs, many Duquesne students visit the other local universities in search of parties. Duquesne lacks in the party department, due in part to the strict dorm rules, as well as the large amount of commuters not present on campus on the weekends. Pitt and CMU provide many opportunities for those not yet of age to find amusement.

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Students Speak Out

Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:

Anonymous says:

Being in the heart of an urban...

Being in the heart of an urban center, there are tons of bars and clubs around Duquesne. Definitely not a lack of things to do. Just make sure you have a designated driver. A favorite spot is the South Side since it’s just a quick walk with pretty views from Duquesne.

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Anonymous says:

There are loads of pubs and clubs....

There are loads of pubs and clubs. It’s amazing. I never would have thought Pittsburgh was like this.

Nightlife
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Anonymous says:

I think this city is seriously in...

I think this city is seriously in need of AA. Not that that is a bad thing, though. There are bars and clubs everywhere you turn, but most require an ID. Many can spot fake IDs. Just be careful, or drink in the dorms.

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Anonymous says:

The parties here are nothing...

The parties here are nothing compared to Pitt’s or CMU’s.

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Anonymous says:

There are a lot of bars in...

There are a lot of bars in Pittsburgh, especially in the South Side and the Strip District. The club scene has gotten larger in the past few years with the addition of several large night clubs.

Nightlife
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Facts

Club Crawler

Pittsburgh is awash in clubs and bars. Many feature particular themes, and most have nightly drink specials. The following is a short list of some of the most popular clubs in Pittsburgh.

Organization Parties

Greek life has mixers, but you have to be in a fraternity or sorority.

Club Listings

Matrix actually encompasses four different clubs at the farthest end of Station Square: Liquid, Exit, Goddess, and Velvet. Music and dance ranges from techno, rap, and trance to Top 40 and even Latin. It is open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Proper dress is required.

Matrix

7 E. Station Square

Station Square

(412) 261-2220

This Hispanic style bar has great margaritas and drink specials

Calico Jacks

353 North Shore Dr.

North Shore

(412) 322-7380

This t-shirt and jeans kind of club has great college specials - especially on Thursdays!

Buckhead's Saloon

W. Station Square Dr.

Station Square

(412) 232-3101

Under 21? No problems! This 18-to-enter and 21-to-drink dance style bar is fun for all ages.

Stratus Nite Club

Smallman Street

Strip District

(412) 281-4600

Bar Listings

A combination Mexican restaurant and bar, Mad Mex features a great selection of beer and food. Popular among Duquesne, Pitt, and CMU students.

Mad Mex

370 Atwood St.

Oakland

(412) 681-5656

Bar 11 is a fun dive bar with a tree growing through the floor, cheap drinks, and cheesy toys and candy necklaces to go with them. Not the most elegant environment, but popular with the college crowd.

Bar 11

1101 Bradish St.

South Side

(412) 381-0899

Bar Louie features music of all genres with many arcade games. Although offering no specials, it offers a huge indoor space with views of the Monongahela River and downtown.

Bar Louie

240 Station Square Dr.,

Station Square

(412) 394-0500

Featuring mainly rock music, Sports Rock is a sports-oriented bar. A popular spot for college students from Pittsburgh.

Sports Rock Café

1400 Smallman St.

Strip District

(412) 552-1000

Jack's is one of the oldest bars on the South Side. The patrons are often times regulars. This is a true Pittsburgh bar.

Jack's

1117 E. carson St.

South Side

(412) 431-3644

Offers a decent menu and moderately-priced drinks. Located along the South Side’s main drag, it’s a convenient stop during a night of bar hopping.

Mario’s South Side Saloon

1514 E Carson St.

South Side

(412) 381-5610

Popular among Duquesne students, Casey’s is located right across the 10th Street bridge, just a short walk from the University. Features a pool table, but offers just your basic bar atmosphere. You can also buy the entire bar a shot for $10. If you choose to do so, a midget named “Man-Boy” appears and pours a shot for everyone. Strange and not necessarily politically correct, but entertaining.

Casey’s Draft House

1811 E Carson St.

South Side

(412) 431-3595

Ref’s features all types of music, nightly karaoke, and arcade games. Ref’s is located inside Station Square Mall, which also features many eateries.

Ref’s Sports Bar

Commerce Court Office Building 4

Station Square

(412) 594-7337

Smokin’ Joe’s has over 50 beers on draft and more than 250 varieties of bottled beer as well as a pool table and a seating area.

Smokin’ Joe’s

2001 E Carson St.

South Side

(412) 431-6757

The Funnybone is a combination comedy club and bar. Also situated in Station Square, this is a popular destination for those light-of-heart and 21 or over.

Funnybone Comedy Club

242 W Station Square Dr.

Station Square

(412) 281-3130

The Souper Bowl features inexpensive bar food and cheap domestic beers. Most notable for its location—it’s right down the street from the University.

Souper Bowl

910 Fifth Ave.

(412) 471-0416

This is a very blue-collar, laid-back environment with great prices—a different type of bar than many that are found in the South Side.

Cupka’s Café II

2314 E Carson St.

South Side

(412) 431-9691

This trendy bar/restaurant, located in an old church, is classy and a little more expensive than the average college student could afford on a regular basis, but the food is excellent. The old altar area now holds a movie-screen-sized TV.

Charlie Murdoch's

1005 E. Carson St.

South Side

(412) 381-7645

What to Do if You're Not 21

This bohemian coffeehouse is a great place hang out if you are too young to get into the bars. There are places to relax and read, as well as a separate room for studying. The coffeehouse also features games and an amatuer art gallery.

Beehive Coffeehouse

1327 E. Carson St.

South Side

(412) 488-4483

Under 21? No problems! This 18-to-enter and 21-to-drink dance style bar is fun for all ages.

Stratus Nite Club

Smallman St.

Strip District

(412) 281-4600

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Lauren A. Hensley
Hometown: Nazareth, PA
Major: Journalism

Lauren traveled across the country as a part of a documentary crew in summer 2008.

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