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Nightlife:

B

(explain this grade)

Comparable Schools'
Nightlife Grades:

Quick Stats

Useful Resources for Nightlife

  • The Datebook, printed Thursdays in the Des Moines Register
  • www.amesbeat.com/ames/ames-all.htm
  • www.amesonline.com/html/entertainment/bars.html

Student Favorites

  • Mo-Jazz
  • Paddy’s Irish Pub

Primary Areas with Nightlife

  • Campustown

Other Places to Check Out

  • Coco’s Bar
  • Deano’s
  • Fox I
  • M-Shop (on campus)
  • The Boheme Bistro
  • Tradewinds Lounge
  • Whiskey River

Favorite Drinking Games

  • “Screw” the Dealer
  • Beer pong
  • Card games (A$$hole)
  • Power Hour
  • Quarters

Bars Close At

2 a.m.

Cheapest Place to Get a Drink

A lot of the places in Ames have awesome specials

College Prowler Take

Nightlife doesn’t really come alive for ISU students until the magical day when they turn 21. Until then, Iowa State students just don’t have a lot to do, in terms of clubbing and bar-hopping, unless they go to Iowa City or Des Moines. But there are plenty of parties around, and the social scene is definitely alive. There are things to do if you are not 21, you just have to look a little harder for them.

For students who aren’t as comfortable with the bar scene, activities and concerts in the Memorial Union are available, and there are always movies to see at one of the movie theaters. The dorms clear out a lot on weekend nights, with students either going home or going to parties. So, if you don’t party, find others who don’t either, and get together and watch movies or play games. Otherwise, weekends can get really lonely. For most students, though, nightlife is just fine. Students who are 21 seem to be very satisfied with the nightlife in Ames. If you enjoy rowdy parties, Iowa State is right up your alley!

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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:

ISUAB says:

Iowa State University 2013

Communication and Journalism

House parties are fun if you know...

House parties are fun if you know the right people. The bars can be fun at times, but you have to be 21 to get in. Overall, it just depends on who is out and what kind of mood you're in. I would suggest Mickey's, Paddy's, and Outlaws.

Nightlife: April 13, 2009
Report

ISUbs says:

Iowa State University 2016

Other

Most good parties happen at houses...

Most good parties happen at houses just off campus or some frats and apartments. I don't go to clubs, but I do know most of the town bars are fairly popular.

Nightlife: April 01, 2009
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Anonymous says:

Parties can be great if you know...

Parties can be great if you know people at them, and even if you don’t, check out the areas near Campustown, and you’ll often find a huge party where everyone is welcome. People’s often has good music, Welch Avenue. Station has some great pool, and the M-Shop has a lot of great all-ages shows throughout the year.

Nightlife
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Anonymous says:

On-campus parties in the residence...

On-campus parties in the residence halls are fairly limited. Some happen, but they tend to be organized floor events. Parties in the apartment-style student housing (Frederiksen Court) tend to be larger and less restricted. Since a majority of students living in that area are supposed to be upperclassmen (and over 21), you’re a lot more likely to see parties with drinking.

Nightlife
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Anonymous says:

Parties typically take place off...

Parties typically take place off campus at student houses, apartments, or Greek houses. Alcohol is not allowed in the dorms, so parties in the dorms run a high risk of being written up and students being fined. Welch Avenue in Campustown has many bars. Boheme and People’s Bar & Grill are popular places to hear bands and enjoy the scene. For clubs, students usually drive to Des Moines or West Des Moines to go to Coconut Joe’s or Drink.

Nightlife
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Facts

Club Crawler

A few of the bars in Ames feature dance floors and DJs, but there aren’t any that are strictly clubs. For clubs, students head to Des Moines to dance and drink at Coconut Joe’s, Drink, or other establishments.

Bar Prowler

A vast majority of the bars in Ames are located in Campustown, which is on Welch Avenue, or are on Main Street. You need to be 21 to get in a bar, and they are really strict about people with fake ID’s.

Organization Parties

Many of the campus clubs and organizations sponsor parties and dances. You just need to poke around to find out which ones, because they are not usually very widely publicized. Since ISU is so large, most of the parties rely on word-of-mouth advertising.

Bar Listings

Great food and fun. Prices are a little high, but there is never a cover charge.

Welch Avenue Station

207 Welch Ave.

(515) 292-2334

Located in the heart of Campustown, live music is a popular feature.

People’s Bar & Grill

2430 Lincoln Way

(515) 292-4501

www.peoplesrocks.com

Located under Paddy’s, this is a popular Greek hangout. Prices are said to be a bit higher here, but they play dance music at this bar.

Sips

124 Welch Ave.

(515) 292-6887

Mo-Jazz has great dance music, friendly staff, and good deals on beer.

Mo-Jazz

2518 Lincoln Way

(515)268-9775

This pub has specials from 10 p.m. until close and offers Tuesday night karaoke and a balcony.

Mickey’s Irish Pub

109 Welch Ave.

(515) 292-7378

www.feedthemoose.com

Chaser's

2402 Chamberlain

On Tuesdays, Karaoke is king! Pool tables, darts, a jukebox, and free peanuts and popcorn make this a campus favorite.

Paddy’s Irish Pub

124 Welch Ave.

(515) 296-1400

What to Do if You're Not 21

To be perfectly honest, there’s not a lot to do in Ames if you’re not 21. A vast majority of the bars in Ames are for people who are 21 or older, so if you’re looking for something to do and you’re underage, check out on-campus parties or Coconut Joe’s in Des Moines. Fines for underage drinking are more than $120. Also, if you are up for a two-hour drive, you can go to Iowa City and hang out in the bars there, which admit people 19 years and over. The Boheme Bistro is a great hangout, and the M-Shop in the Memorial Union can also be a source of entertainment, as it features live performances by local and international acts.

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