James Madison University
- Nightlife

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James Madison University - Nightlife - Nightlife - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.85

Nightlife

Quick Stats

Primary Areas with Nightlife
  • Apartment complexes
  • Downtown Harrisonburg
  • House parties
Student Favorites
  • Buffalo Wild Wings (BW3’s)
  • Calhoun’s Restaurant and Brewing
  • Main Street Bar & Grill
Other Places to Check Out
  • Bourbon Street
  • Chubby’s Sports Bar
  • Clementine's Cafe
  • Dulaney’s Lounge
  • L’Italia
  • Luigi’s
  • McCormick’s Pub and Restaurant
  • Mill Street Grill
  • Mulligan’s Pub and Eatery
Local Specialties Local beer on tap at Calhoun’s:
Favorite Drinking Games
  • Beer pong
  • Beirut
  • Card games (A$$hole)
  • Century Club
  • Flip cup
  • Kings
  • Never Have I Ever
  • Power Hour
  • Quarters
  • Screw the Dealer
Useful Resources for Nightlife
  • The Breeze
  • Daily News-Record
  • www.beeradvocate.com
  • www.pubcrawler.com
  • www.stiggy.net

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

House and apartment parties at JMU are where the drama goes down, the beats get dropped, and the hookups are made. The cool thing about Madison parties is that they’re hardly ever exclusive; the more the merrier! JMU parties are also a spiffy place to rub elbows with peeps from neighboring schools. Since so many chicks and dudes have significant others from other schools, it isn’t uncommon for a Virginia Tech guy and his boys to show up at a party you threw because your friends from UVA were coming up. JMU students like to spice up the mix and attach themes to their shindigs. Favorite party themes that have created some big waves are prom, underwear, pajamas, pimps and hos, waiters and waitresses, ‘70s, ‘80s, frat bros and sorority hos, movie stars, and of course, togas.

Creativity and a low budget is the key to having a good time in Harrisonburg, VA. You can’t be too picky, because your options are a little slim around the ‘Burg,’ although there are several bars in town. The older students are the ones most likely to frequent the bar scene, since most are far enough away that they require a set of wheels and a valid ID. Freshmen get a double whammy on this one, being under-age and forbidden to keep a car on campus. If the nightclub scene is what you’re thirsting for, I’m afraid Harrisonburg might fail to satisfy. However, Washington DC is only a couple hours away by freeway.

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James Madison Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Nightlife at James Madison University

ruizvajx

Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing '13

5.0
A+

Bars, Bars, Bars

Downtown there are a ton of bars, and if your 21 and over nightlife is awesome. If your not 21 or over there are parties pretty much at every student housing apartment complex. Just take your pick.

May 18, 2012

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Nightlife at James Madison University

dukedog92

Biology '14

3.8
B+

DRUNK BUS

The JMU drunk bus is a right of passage. Even if you don't party, you should at least experience it. As far as parties go, there is always something going on. Some weekends are better than others, but rain or not there will probably be something.

Apr 10, 2012

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Nightlife at James Madison University

trebleclef624

Elementary Education '14

3.8
B+

Parties

Most of the nightlife is off campus in apartments - there aren't many people that go out to bars and there really aren't any clubs. Transportation by walking, designated driver, Saferides (only to get home though), taxis, and city buses (free of cost to students)

Mar 10, 2012

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User rating for James Madison University - Nightlife is 4.6 out of 5 based on 33 user reviews.

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

Closing Time

1 a.m.–2 a.m.

Cheapest Place to Get a Drink

The Little Grill on Jamaican theme night

Organization Parties

Occasionally, you might get tired of the frat/house/apartment party scene and feel like traversing another route for your weekend entertainment. Check out the JMU Web site (www.jmu.edu) and click on one of the calendars to see what’s up and coming. Clubs and organizations on campus sometimes put together a dance party or dance lesson instead of recruiting a guest speaker or setting up an informative booth. Some examples of alternative fun are when organizations like the Latino Student Alliance and the JMU Swing Dance Club arrange dances and lessons on weekends. You and your friends can play pool for free almost every weekend late at night at Corner Pocket. With your JAC card and a few dollars, you can settle down for an evening of contemporary or modern dance when the theater and dance department puts on concerts.

Bar ListingsWhat's This?

The Artful Dodger

With numerous events hosted throughout the year, the Dodger is a hot spot for students looking for more to do than just drink. Their Thursday Salsa Nights have been a huge hit, as well as the live bands that play while people relax, eat, and drink.

47 Court Square

(540) 432-1179

www.artfuldodger.org

Highlawn Pavilion

Highlawn is another frequently visited spot in the ‘Burg’ where the 21-and-over crowd can get their groove on. Open from 10:30 p.m.–1:30 a.m., Highlawn features a full-service bar, American food, a dance floor, and live entertainment every Friday by local artists.

2061 F. Evelyn Bird Ave.

(540) 434-7282

Encounters Lounge

Encounters Lounge at Massanutten Resort serves light meals and, during ski season, cocktails. On Friday and Saturday nights, you can listen to live regional bands, or cut a rug on the dance floor. Just be prepared to fork out a little dough initially, as there is a cover charge.

VA Route 644

(540) 289-9441

Main Street Bar and Grill

Rebuilt after a damaging structure fire in 2001, Main Street came back strong with dancing, DJs, Ladies’ Night, and great drink specials.

153 S. Main St.

(540) 432-9963

The Little Grill

Expect cheap drinks and tacky trinkets from other generations, including an old bicycle, a single crutch, and a rusted Muppet Show lunch box. And the food’s not bad either!

621 N. Main St.

(540) 434-3594

Calhoun’s Restaurant and Brewing

Calhoun’s is Shenandoah Valley’s premier microbrewery, featuring 11 original brews with names like “Eat Your Oats Stout,” “Honey Blonde Ale,” “Calhoun’s Kolsch,” and “Smokin’ Scottish Ale.” When the beer munchies hit, Calhoun’s also features a menu full of grub that is sure to fill your belly.

41-A Court Square

(540) 434-8777

Buffalo Wild Wings (BW3’s)

If you love sports, beer, and wings, chances are you’ll be a regular at BW3’s. The place is dark and smoky, but hey, it is a bar. And you can’t beat sports, the tube, and 39-cent wing night every Tuesday.

1007 S. Main St.

(540) 438-9790

www.buffalowildwings.com

The CD Pub

Every week, the Pub hosts live shows and serves American food and brew continuously.

1950 Deyerle Ave.

(540) 432-0610

Casey’s

Casey’s, located in the Sheraton Four Points Hotel, is the place to be throughout the week. The fun is in the lounge offering DJs, live bands on weekends and Thursdays, and a game night.

1400 E. Market St.

(540) 433-2521

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

Apartment and house parties are the in-thing at JMU, and not only for the age-challenged. Foxhills’ renowned block parties and Ashby’s perpetual weekend soirees are a constant source of entertainment for upperclassmen and underclassmen alike. Since Harrisonburg is no huge city with a raging nightlife, house and apartments are your best bet for an eventful Friday/Saturday night. In all actuality, the parties are so numerous, that they’re really all you’ll need. Frats are also an option, although they’re usually significantly more packed and dirtier than shindigs at non-Greek pads.

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Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Rosemary Grant
Hometown
Alexandria, VA
Major
English/Media Arts & Design

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

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