Lehigh University - Nightlife

If possible, the Happy Tap may be even more of a dive than the Funhouse, although it does have a fair amount of character, as most dive bars do. The Tap is probably the least popular of all the bars among Lehigh students, but it’s incredibly cheap, and like the Funhouse, a good alternative to the normal scene.

Leon’s has been a staple of Lehigh seniors for as long as it’s been in existence. There’s nothing overwhelmingly appealing about the bar, other than the fact that it’s the most convenient for the majority of people living off campus. Inside, it’s fairly standard. It has a pool table and the all-important MegaTouch Force machine, which includes the incredibly addicting Photo Hunt game, although Leon’s charges an obscenely overpriced $1 per play. Leon’s also has an outside area in the back with tables that is opened in warm weather. No one’s really sure why there’s a giant sandbox out on the back, but it’s there, and manages to add to the appeal of the bar. The bar’s most popular nights are Thursdays.

Looper’s is one of Lehigh’s underrated hotspots. The food is tremendous, and the bar focuses on martinis. It features more than 30 different kinds of martinis, all of which are specially made. It’s a hit among off-campus dwellers, and whenever anyone is in the mood for a martini or two.

McGrady’s has 40 beers on tap and has $3 pitchers of Miller Light on select nights. They also have trivia on Wednesday nights. The walls are covered with old-fashioned beer signs, and it has a very all-American appeal to it. McGrady’s has about a million times more seating than Leon’s and also features two Photo Hunt machines. One aspect of the bar that’s incredibly annoying is the layout; the actual bar itself juts out so much so that getting into the back seating area on a crowded night is nearly-impossible.

Starter’s is an excellent sports bar and restaurant but is most often frequented at dinnertime and Sunday afternoons for football. It’s a fun bar but not the kind of place one hangs out at to get absolutely smashed.

The Copperhead is probably the closest thing Bethlehem has to a club. The bar has karaoke Tuesdays, a DJ on Wednesdays and Fridays and a band on Saturdays. It’s also the biggest bar in the area and has become very popular with Lehigh seniors as a venue for bi-monthly “Senior Nights.” Copperhead’s main drawback is that it’s a trek from campus.

The Element, located just off Lehigh's campus, features a laid-back, “basement-bar” feel. Flat-screen televisions adorn the walls, which is cool, but to be honest, the bar hasn’t really caught on.

The Funhouse appeared in Stuff Magazine’s 20 biggest dive bars in the country. Upon entering the bar, it will become blatantly apparent why it was honored with such a distinction. The drink selection is considerably limited, the bar is small and dingy, and about the only saving grace is that they have an area sectioned off for musical acts to perform. The Funhouse can be an alternative to the typical Leon’s/McGrady’s bar scene, but it must be taken in small doses.

The Ho is the oldest bar in Bethlehem’s south side. There are plenty of booths, as well as an excellent outdoor seating area, although it’s primarily used during the day for eating. The Ho also has a separate room for live musical acts and another separate game room with pool tables and arcade games, as well as a Photo Hunt machine. The Ho has seen its popularity decline somewhat, especially with the opening of McGrady’s, but the bar’s popular enough and has been such a mainstay that it won’t be going anywhere for a long time.

Attend fraternity parties or drink in your dorm room.