Northern Arizona University - Nightlife

Second only to Maloney’s in reputation, Boardwalk is right up there as one of the most popular places in Flagstaff. Not only does it offer the cheapest drinks in town with the Thursday night $2 U-Call-Its, but other popular drink specials are offered throughout the week. Boardwalk also offers underage nights where the 18-year-old kids can get a chance to strut their stuff on the dance floor. Also, after 2 a.m. each night, Boardwalk will open its doors to the younger crowd. Boardwalk is always hoppin’ on the weekends and is definitely the place to be for dancing.

The consensus of most students is that the Mad I seems to be the place to go for beer. It’s right across the street from The Joint and just a short walk from Boardwalk. Mad I is usually a good place to go to watch the game or meet up with your buddies. Connected to it is Studio 111, a venue where numerous events go down. Some nights, it’s a local band playing to try and make a name for itself; other nights, it’s 18-and-up dancing until late in the morning. You may even catch a campus organization renting the place out and doing their thang until the sun comes up.

The Joint stands as a fun place to check out. It’s right across the street from the Mad I and just down the street from Boardwalk, so many students will kill several birds with one stone and pay a special visit to San Francisco Street’s triple threat. Located in the back of The Joint is The Strip Joint, Flagstaff’s one and only topless bar. Because alcohol is served, patrons do need to rock the proof of age. The girls working at The Strip Joint, for the most part, are not very attractive. Once in a while, you’ll stumble upon a hottie that will make you go numb in the pants. Couple that with The Joint’s ever-changing assortment of drink specials, and you have yourself a fun night.

The Museum Club is Flagstaff’s answer for a rootin’ and tootin’ good time. This Southwest-style, country-music playing bar really plays up its place alongside Route 66. Regulars will tell you that the best nights are always the karaoke nights. The Museum Club is also famous for its spectacular cowboy square dancing. Be on the lookout for live music, as well. Drink specials vary throughout the night, so you have to keep your ears ready and waiting to hear what the bartender will shout out.

Brews and Cues is the partner brewery of the popular restaurant Beaver Street Brewery. It’s one of the newer bars in Flagstaff and is always filled with people. The popular draw of Brews and Cues is the selection of homebrewed beers. Currently, six brews are on tap all the time, and there are always seasonal flavors rotated throughout the year. If you’re curious as to what each tastes like, you can buy a sampler set of all six for only 50 cents. The pool hall is also popular. Most students grab a bite to eat at Beaver Street and then hop next door for a brewski and appetizers.

For students, The Wine Loft is the class outside of the classroom. In a small college town like Flagstaff, finding such a laid-back, classy place amidst the hustle and bustle of downtown is rare. The Wine Loft caters to the students who wish to avoid the crazy, in your face, led-by-the-crotch atmosphere of many other bars in town. If you’re looking for a peaceful, very elegant experience, The Wine Loft is your place.

Gypsy’s Hideaway is a bit of an unknown treasure amongst the majority of NAU students. It serves as a very popular karaoke bar and hosts many themed events that always prove to be a good time. Because most students don’t know about Gypsy’s, it is rarely packed to the point where you feel uncomfortable. So if you have the guts, you’re always able to sing a few songs if you so dare. Frequenters are often very good singers, and once you visit a few times, you’ll get to know the same familiar faces.

Maloney’s is the most popular bar in Flagstaff. On a typical Friday or Saturday night, Maloney’s will be jam-packed with students. Many fraternity and sorority members attend here. The general feeling amongst most students is that if you want to meet someone, Maloney’s is the place to be. The people who frequently visit tend to be attractive and heavily intoxicated. Maloney’s is located in a central spot downtown, so it’s always a must-visit when you’re in the area bar-hopping.

Mogollon is slowly making its way back into the college crowd circuit. According to mythical folklore and legend, Mogollon used to be popular in years past, but due to a falling out of sorts with management, it really lost touch with students. Now, with a new plan and a new direction, Mogollon is really making a comeback. You’ll see them out at the football tailgates in the parking lot of the Skydome, and they frequently offer student specials, many of which can be found advertised in the school newspaper the Lumberjack. Boasting many homebrewed beers, Mogollon is beginning to really pick up steam in terms of popularity. They feature live music every week, and the ‘80s Ladies Nights always have great drink specials for the girls.

San Felipe’s is another extremely popular bar in the downtown area. San Felipe’s claim to fame is the infamous Tequila Tuesday where tequila shots are half off. Brave individuals are encouraged to take the tequila challenge, a list of about a hundred different shots of tequila. Once contestants complete the list over time, their name goes on the wall, and they receive a T-shirt. San Felipe’s is always filled to the brim with people, and drink specials vary by the night. Students have even been seen dancing on the bar Coyote Ugly style! However, San Felipe’s is a bit pricey for the thirsty, cash-strapped student, so boozehounds beware.

The historic Monte Vista Hotel reeks of culture and history. Its place along the historic Route 66 is clearly evident in the pictures and antiques that litter the lobby.However, the fantastic past and generations of culture aside, most students come to the Monty V for booze. The Monty V’s cocktail lounge is a small establishment, but it offers drink specials several nights of the week. Live music and DJs also frequently show up. The Monty V doesn’t seem to be as popular on the bar scene as some of the other establishments, but because of its prime location on the downtown circuit, it remains an always-present option.

Campus Coffee Bean is located just down the road from Reilly Hall on University Drive. Much like the people in Flagstaff, this spot has a very laid-back, casual atmosphere. It’s always a popular spot for the underage crowd. Unfortunately, Campus Coffee is only open until 10 p.m. during the week and 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Now, while in most towns a retail department store would not be considered a place to hang out, Flagstaff sings a different tune. If you’re under 21 and bored on a Friday night, Wal-Mart is usually the place to go to cause trouble. Popular time-killing games include “Hide the DVD,” “The Electronics-to-Sporting-Goods Dash,” and “Who Can Get Kicked Out the Quickest?”