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. Thursday Salsa Nights have been a huge hit, as well as the live bands that play while people relax, eat, and drink.
Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar
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.
Casey's Lounge
Casey's, located in the Holiday Inn, 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.
Harrisonburg
(540) 433-2521
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.
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. to 1:30 a.m., Highlawn features a full-service bar, American food, a dance floor, and live entertainment every Friday by local artists.
2601 Evelyn Byrd Ave.
Harrisonburg
(540) 434-7282
The Little Grill Collective
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!
The Pub
Every week, the Pub hosts live shows and serves American food and brew continuously.
1950 Deyerle Ave.
Harrisonburg
(540) 432-0610
What to Do if You're Not 21What's This?
House Parties
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, houses and apartments are your best bet for an eventful Friday and 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.