Illinois State University - NightlifeCollege Prowler3.85

Nightlife:

B+

(explain this grade)

Comparable Schools'
Nightlife Grades:

Quick Stats

Useful Resources for Nightlife

  • www.theuguide.com

Other Places to Check Out

  • Brew-Ha’s
  • Illinois Brewing Company
  • Killarney’s
  • Maguire’s Pub
  • Windjammer

Favorite Drinking Games

  • Beer pong
  • Card games
  • Century Club
  • Power hour
  • Quarters

Bars Close At

1 a.m. on weekdays

2 a.m. on weekends

College Prowler Take

ISU’s nightlife can’t be beat. With the stress of classes and work, students take full advantage of having the weekends off. For many students who are unable to join in the bar scene, their weekends start on Thursdays. Students who are 21 generally start their weekends on Wednesday night at the Pub II for $3 pitchers. each week, the bar with the best drink special or best crowd of hotties is the place to be. Freshman and sophomore students generally hit the frat scene on the weekends. The frats are known for having theme parties and basically being wild all around. House parties are also very popular, and streets such as Willow and School are known for having the most. Freshman students are advised to walk around these streets if they don’t have anywhere to go on the weekends. It is a sure bet that they will find something interesting. Junior and senior year is usually a celebration of being 21, and many upperclassmen can be seen at the bars. Downtown Bloomington is what makes ISU’s nightlife so exceptional. all colleges may have house parties, but ISU’s bars are what set them apart. The quantity of house parties also makes ISU such a great nightlife school. Students are always able to find somewhere to go on the weekends. The students who throw the parties are very welcoming and will let anyone come party with them.

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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:

blairbear says:

Illinois State University 2011

Arts, Visual and Performing

Alright, Still.

B-

It's easy to find a party at ILSTU. The old stand-by is The Island if everything is else dry. It's scum-city is there but you're guaranteed to dance and and least suck down some jungle juice. Kids go to The Island to hook-up. If you're looking for something chill, I would not advise it. Lambda Chi is, hands down, the best Fraternity. The dancefloor is specious, the boys wonderful and friendly and they don't chide you if you just want a water. Honestly, it's probably best for your psyche if you just go to an apartment party or something more intimate. Chances are it'll resonate more and you won't spend your Sundays lying in waste watching Boy Meets World re-runs while you hug your trashcan for support. The bus system is easy to navigate, not to mention fun.

Nightlife: March 17, 2010
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krbrook says:

Illinois State University 2010

Other

No Clubs

C+

There aren't any nightclubs for anyone under 21. The transportation options are not very convenient either

Nightlife: January 20, 2010
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Anonymous says:

The parties here are great! I...

The parties here are great! I always have a great time when I go out. The bars are also tons of fun because it gives you the opportunity to meet people that you usually wouldn’t hang out with.

Nightlife
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Anonymous says:

The parties here are boring. The...

The parties here are boring. The bars are good because you don’t have any underage teens acting dumb and then having the police come. So if you are 21 or older, just skip the house parties and hit the bars.

Nightlife
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Anonymous says:

The parties are fun, but watch out...

The parties are fun, but watch out for cops. The bars are fun, also. I like the Pub II and Mulligans the best. We don’t have many clubs, though. Downtown is mainly bars, and everyone just hangs out and drinks.

Nightlife
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Interested in
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Facts

Club Crawler

The club scene is not very prevalent at ISU. Bars take up most of the nightlife in town. For ISU students looking for more of a club scene, Peoria, Ill., approximately 40 minutes away, is where many clubs are located.

Bar Prowler

Bars are where the majority of ISU students go on the weekends. A majority of the bars are located along the same street, so bar hopping is never a problem. Check out what bars ISU students go to:

Bar Listings

A classic sports bar, Elroy’s has big screen televisions surrounding the bar. The rectangular layout of the bar tends to be inconvenient and causes the bar to get crowded easily. However, this is the place to be when a big game is broadcast. You can be certain that this bar will be packed on game day.

Elroy’s

102 W. Washington St.

Bloomington

(309) 828-0142

As one of the more classy bars, the Loft has a dress code. This martini bar usually has a jazz band playing, but there is also a DJ on certain nights. While the image of an upscale bar may seem to push students away, this bar is extremely popular on Thursday nights. One of the drawbacks is the location, as it is not on the same street as the majority of other bars.

The Loft

220 E. Front St.

Bloomington

(309) 828-8464

Fat Jack’s is one of the bigger bars at ISU, but what makes this bar unique is that it is known for its cigar room. The quantity of space also allows bar-goers to roam the bar to check out who is in attendance. Students are able to play pool, sit at the bar, lounge on one of the many couches, or get down on the dance floor, where a DJ is usually playing hit music. While there may not be a band every night, there is always a cover charge.

Fat Jack’s

511 N. Main St.

Bloomington

(309) 821-9222

www.fatjacksinc.com

Many students are attracted to Daddios because of the bands that perform there. Maggie Speaks, Hairbanger’s Ball, and Bottle of Justus are just a few that perform there on a regular basis. Daddios has also become known for its Thursday night special, “$2 You Call It.” For students who like to dance, there is a dance floor, but come early because it tends to get crowded. If you are one to just listen to music, there are also areas to sit or play pool. A $5 cover fee is paid at the door.

Daddios

527 N. Main St.

Bloomington

(309) 828-4434

www.daddioslive.com

Mulligans is known for its Long Island Iced Tea served in a mason jar. It’s a drink that is sure to leave you feeling good. This bar has a homey feel to it, and it’s a great place to stand around and drink with friends. They recently added on an outdoor beer garden that is equipped with outdoor TVs, so the local sports fanatics can enjoy the game. Over the years, this bar has gained popularity and has become a staple in any bar-goer’s weekend activities.

Mulligans

531 N. Main St.

Bloomington

(309) 827-7796

Rhino’s is a new bar in town that has received a reputation for strict carding. Be wary if you are using a fake ID—the bouncers will call the cops. One of the perks is that the bar generally has a band playing, which also means there is a cover that is generally $5. Classic ‘80s songs play throughout the night as well, so the dance floor is usually full of students.

Rhino’s

602 N. Main St.

Bloomington

(309) 829-5926

The atmosphere is what makes Pub II one of the most popular bars at ISU. The dress code can be as causal as a sweatshirt and jeans to black pants and a nice shirt. The most popular night to be here is Wednesday for $3 pitchers of Miller Lite or Bud Light. Sports are usually broadcast on the TVs throughout the bar, and students can even be found playing Flip Cup at the island tables.

Pub II

102 N. Linden St.

Normal

(309) 452-0699

What to Do if You're Not 21

The Coffeehouse is a great place to hang out with friends and listen to the nightly entertainment. Local musicians, poets, and storytellers can be found displaying their works on certain days of the week.

The Coffeehouse & Deli

114 E. Beaufort St.

Normal

(309) 452-6774

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