James Madison University
- Nightlife

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

The CD Pub

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

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.

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.