Hofstra University - Nightlife

Lily’s is very deceiving on the outside, disguised as a small Irish pub. It opens up to a huge dance floor with an over-sized bar. They feature live music and some of the area’s hottest dance DJs. The attire is casual, and there’s never a cover. In addition to their late-night attractions, you can go early and have dinner as well. The food is far better than most places and on the cheap side. The best times to go are for the live rock-n-roll bands on Friday and Saturday nights.

Mirage is a true dance club in every sense of the phrase. It’s a place that makes you feel as if you’ve ventured into New York City, when actually you’re just five minutes away from campus. It’s an Egyptian-themed club with a dance floor said to be biblical in size. Thirty feet above the dance floor are six mega, plasma screens supplying trippy dance visuals. Large Corinthian columns surround the dance floor, while Egyptian statues stand guard over the bar. Make sure, though, that there is plenty of green in your wallet, as Mirage is by far one of the most expensive places around. There is always a cover charge, and drinks are $5 or more. Be prepared to spend about $80–$150 for a night out here. Dress code is very important as well, semi-formal and very fashionable; you’ll need everything but the bowtie. As far as specials go, sorry guys, but you’re going to have to fork over full-price all the time. Ladies’ Night is Wednesday, and they get half-priced drinks, so find a good girl and latch onto her. Mirage is closed on Monday and Tuesday, and opening times vary on other days. If you’re looking to get that New York experience without having to travel into the city, this is the place to go.

Mulcahy’s is one of the most popular places around, both for Hofstra students and young adults in surrounding towns. There’s pretty much something different going on each night and always a drink special to be had. There are two separate floors, so it has the advantage of simultaneously acting as a sports bar and dance club. The attire is best described as a neat casual dress—jeans and a polo shirt are perfect. The cover charge varies depending on the type of activity going on. The best times to go are on Tuesdays and Thursdays; the crowd will be smaller and there are great specials.

This elegant nightclub is described as a Soho-meets-Manhattan type of atmosphere and is located just a few minutes east of the University campus. The music ranges from top 40, to dance, to hip hop—the dance floor is very large and always packed. To get in, you have to be over 21, and the dress code is cleverly listed as ‘fashionable.’ There’s always a chance of running into other Hofstra students here, but it is mostly an older crowd. It’s a very popular place for younger adults in their mid-20s to early 30s. Still if you head over with a group of friends, you should fit in just fine. Any night is good to go, and there is only a cover charge on Friday and Saturday nights.

Croxley’s beer list is quite extensive, and they brew their own beers. It is also only a short drive from school.

Dublin Pub is popular for Hofstra, Adelphi, and Nassau Community students alike. Hundreds of regulars call themselves the “screaming scallywags” of Dublin Pub. It’s sometimes a sports bar, other times a live music venue, and it tests out the nightclub thing once in a while. Bartenders here are infamous for throwing around free shots, so don’t wander too far from the bar. When the weather is nice, they have a patio out back that almost doubles the capacity. There’s a cover charge only on weekend nights, and the attire is casual. There are no particular drink specials. When you’re there, be prepared to “drink lots and drink loud.”

Located a bit farther down Hempstead Turnpike than some students like to travel, this is truly a great spot for any student looking for relief from the local Hofstra bars. They are very dedicated to rock music, and they feature live music everynight whether it’s local or major bands. Bands like Coldplay and Finger Eleven have played shows there. The attire is casual, and there’s only a cover on Friday and Saturday nights.

Minnesota’s is one of the numerous beach bars around the area. Chances are most of you won’t discover Minnesota’s until senior year, if you ever do at all. Minnesota’s prospers in the summer, but also is a great place to go early in the fall semester when the weather is still nice. Every Thursday night is college night, Fridays feature kicking happy hours, and Saturday nights are sponsored by Z100, New York’s number one pop music station. On Sunday, they completely change gears as you can listen to a live reggae band all through the night while sipping down your drink just steps away from the water. Don’t let the great bar fool you; they also have quite an extensive dinner menu featuring some of the area’s best seafood.

This is a favorite bar of Hofstra students. They offer lots of cheap drink specials, a great happy hour, and they become a happening club on the weekends.

You probably won’t find quite as large of a Hofstra crowd at Effin Gruven as you would at other bars nearby, which is exactly why you might want to check it out. Similar in style to Croxley Ale House, they have many exotic beers on tap and bottled. Drink prices are more expensive than other options, but there is no cover charge to get in. The bartenders there are very knowledgeable when it comes to the beers they have, so be sure to ask them for help if you can’t make up your mind; they’re always more than willing to point out their personal favorites. As far as drink specials go, don’t expect much, and just enjoy the variety and calm atmosphere that Effin Gruven has to offer.

All three of the Hofstra bars have changed their policies so that it’s 18 and over to party, and 21 to drink. This is both a good and bad thing, as it allows for a wider variety of people, but also jams things up in the process. A lot of older students have stopped going to these bars on account of this. Here are a few other places to go if the ID doesn’t read 21 yet:

Crystal is very much an alternative place for younger students to go. It’s only open until midnight, so it guarantees that you’ll be back in bed on time to wake up for class the next morning. Some of its cooler features are the 15 pool tables scattered around the rooms and live music and bikini Thursdays. Yes, that’s right guys, bikini Thursdays. Music ranges over a broad spectrum with meringue, house, cumbia, and reggae. The DJ comes on at 9 p.m. and plays until midnight.

Zachary’s is closely tied to Savannah; in fact, many students mistakenly think they are one in the same place. At Zachary’s, you’ll find a younger crowd because you only have to be 18 to get in. The atmosphere is very energetic, so bring your dancing shoes as this place doesn’t kick people out until the sun comes up.