Michigan State University
- Nightlife

Whiskey Barrel Saloon

Greatest country bar around! Line dancing, country karaoke, and a mechanical bull—this is a very popular spot for many MSU students. Open Tuesday–Saturday 7 p.m.–2 a.m. Check the Web site for great drink specials.

The Dollar

Located across from the Brody Complex, the Dollar is usually a 21-and-over club but offers college nights every Thursday. The 18,000-square-foot club boasts a 740-square-foot dance floor, five pool tables, and 10 televisions including a large projection TV (about 80 inches), which on Tuesdays plays videos as the DJ simultaneously spins the song.

Reno’s East Side Sportsbar & Grill

A decent sports bar, Reno’s has many big screens, and the enthusiastic crowds are great. Free popcorn is an added plus.

PT O’Malleys

This is the bar most frequented by Greeks. But it’s cool in that it’s Irish-themed and the drinks are pretty cheap. The best night of the year is St. Patrick’s day when green beer and green eggs and ham are served all day.

The Peanut Barrel

The Peanut Barrel is a no-nonsense bar with a couple of TVs, a great juke box, two pool tables, a couple dart boards and video games—and, of course, peanuts. Come check it out. It’s a student favorite.

Rick’s American Café

The best place in town to hear live music, Rick’s can really pack students in with the large standing room area and huge downstairs. If someone good is playing, be prepared for long lines.

Spartan Sports Den

Located off the beaten path, the Den isn’t really busy, but it’s worth checking out.

Roadhouse Pub

The Roadhouse Pub, located next door to the Harrison Roadhouse, is a cool little watering hole where the beer’s always cold, the popcorn’s usually fresh, and somebody’s always willing to test your skills on the dartboard or the pool table. Nightly drink specials and a nifty patio area make the Pub a hard place to leave. Just ask the loyal “Roadies” who scramble to get back to these cozy quarters whenever they can.

The Riv

One of the more spacious bars on campus, the Riv is a place that many students add to their bar-hopping stops, shooting some pool, watching sports on the big screen, and then continuing on to the next bar.

The Landshark

The ambience of this bar is a basement college hangout. The food is fantastic for your typical bar fare, and the scene is lively and driven usually by a talented DJ. Get there early on Thursdays or during home games ‘cause the place is jumping!

BW-3

With pool tables, darts, trivia games, and giant TVs, Buffalo Wild Wings is a cool place to watch a game or just lay low. And you can do either while eating wings dipped in 12 different sauces and sipping on domestic, imported, or specialty brews or your favorite cocktail.

Bistro 37

Located in the Marriot, and open until midnight each night, Bistro 37 is a nice place to sip wine and order a few appetizers, but definately not a place to get rowdy.

Beggar’s Banquet

Open until 1 a.m. Monday–Thursday, 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 12 a.m. on Sunday, Beggar’s has weekly specials, such as half-off wine and appetizers on Wednesdays, $2 Coronas, Dos Equis, and margaritas on Thursdays, pitcher and jager bomb deals on Friday, and $3 flavored vodka martinis on Saturdays.

Crunchy’s

Crunchy’s is every MSU student’s first exploration into binge drinking, thanks to the Buckets of Beer. The inside has painted green walls adorned with old framed Spartan photos and paraphanalia. The bar is very small, but the fun is to try and pack as many people into the tiny booths as possible.

KC’s Lounge

KC’s is your typical, aniseptic hotel lobby bar. The style is modern, with lots of gray metal and glass. There are a couple TVs behind the bar and a seating area that has about six tables. But the service is outstanding, and it’s next to the front desk. If you want a quick drink before a game or event at the Breslin Center, get one here and you’ll be at Breslin within five minutes.

Harper’s Brewpub

This is East Lansing’s first brewpub, and they got it right the first time! It’s a great place to come and watch the game, shoot pool, or try a sampling of their brews. All-in-all, students rarely are disappointed, and the brewpub supports MSU by proudly displaying green and white.

El Azteco

The rooftop deck is definately a reason MSU students come here and order a pitcher of margaritas and watch passerby’s below. There’s good Mexican food here, and the restaurant is always trying to get a bigger crowd by offering cheaper deals to students.

House parties are big at MSU. You can find many parties going on every weekend at many of the fraternities, or you can find big block parties on Gunson Street. The trick is to ask around and get on an e-mail list that can give you weekly updates on all the latest events. Some MSU house parties charge a small cover (around $5) since they provide you with beer and a cup, although if you’re female you usually don’t have to pay.