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- Nightlife

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Iowa State University - Nightlife - College ProwlerCollege Prowler4.24

Nightlife

A-
Where does this grade come from?View all Nightlife rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Nightlife Grades:

Quick Stats

Primary Areas with Nightlife Campustown
Student Favorites
  • Mo-Jazz
  • Paddy’s Irish Pub
Other Places to Check Out
  • The Boheme Bistro
  • Coco’s Bar
  • Deano’s
  • Fox I
  • M-Shop (on campus)
  • Tradewinds Lounge
  • Whiskey River
Favorite Drinking Games
  • “Screw” the Dealer
  • Beer pong
  • Card games (A$$hole)
  • Power Hour
  • Quarters
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 Author OverviewWhat's This?

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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Iowa State Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Nightlife at Iowa State University

ejhayek

'14

Elementary Education

4.6
A

Best Nightlife

Lots of house parties to go too around Campus Town. Everything is within a short distance. We have Jimmy Johns open until 2:00 A.M. and we also have lots of super dog stands on the main street.

Feb 05, 2012

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Nightlife at Iowa State University

kibeso

'13

Agriculture

5.0
A+

Ames Bars and Clubs

Clubs in Ames are quite fun, less crime and heavily patrolled by policement. They are accessible and there are many options to choose from. Des Moines city (Iowa Headquarters) is only less than half an hour away where there are more options of night life.

Jan 02, 2012

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Nightlife at Iowa State University

dlund

'14

Business Administration and Management

2.7
C+

Nightlife!

The nightlife at Iowa State either is very fun on weekends or very boring. A lot of people have over their friends to their apartments. I would say that apartments are more popular in Ames, Iowa than houses. The bar scene isn't very popular at our school, since many of my friends and me of course aren't of age yet. There are many frat hours that have people over as well, but a lot of those places aren't that fun unless you have a boyfriends or really good friends that live in the frat house.

Nov 21, 2011

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Page 1 of 13

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate the off-campus bar and club scene on the following topics

What is the party scene like on campus?

What’s the best way to get to the popular nightlife spots?

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.

Closing Time

2 a.m.

Cheapest Place to Get a Drink

A lot of the places in Ames have awesome specials

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 ListingsWhat's This?

People’s Bar & Grill

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

2430 Lincoln Way

(515) 292-4501

www.peoplesrocks.com

Sips

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.

124 Welch Ave.

(515) 292-6887

Welch Avenue Station

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

207 Welch Ave.

(515) 292-2334

Paddy’s Irish Pub

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

124 Welch Ave.

(515) 296-1400

Chaser's

2402 Chamberlain

Mickey’s Irish Pub

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

109 Welch Ave.

(515) 292-7378

www.feedthemoose.com

Mo-Jazz

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

2518 Lincoln Way

(515)268-9775

What to Do if You're Not 21What's This?

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.

Most Recent Student Author

College Prowler guides are in the hands of students throughout the entire process. Because you can't make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who write, edit, and survey their peers for every guide that we publish. Thanks to our most recent student author at ISU

Name: Staci Harper

Major: English/Rhetorical Studies/Speech minor

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