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Comparable Schools'
Nightlife Grades:
Quick StatsUseful Resources for Nightlife
- The Northern Star
- www.dekalbcounty-il.com/nitelife.html
Student Favorites
- Fatty’s Bar & Grill
- Molly’s
- Starbusters Bar & Grill
Primary Areas with Nightlife
- Greek Row
- Lincoln Highway
- Pappas Drive
Other Places to Check OutFavorite Drinking Games
- Beer pong
- Card games (A$$hole)
- Circle of Death
- Flippy Cup
- Power Hour
- Quarters
- The OC Drinking Game
Bars Close At
1 a.m. Sunday–Wednesday
2 a.m. Thursday–Saturday
Cheapest Place to Get a Drink
Molly’s
College Prowler Take
There are 10 or so decent bars in the area, most of which are within reasonable walking distance if you live anywhere near the school. Starbusters is probably the best of the bunch because of its capacity, frequent live music, and beer garden. Molly’s, Fatty’s, and Lord Stanley’s are also popular. Local bar owners have been hit hard with citations and fines in recent years for allowing underage drinking, so fake IDs aren’t effective or recommended. If you’re under 21 and unwilling to commit fraud, your options are pretty sparse, with the House Café serving as DeKalb’s haven for minors.
Bottom line: If you are looking for an exotic club-going lifestyle, don’t come to NIU—or else be prepared to make the hour-and-a-half trek down I-88 to Chicago every weekend. Otherwise, there are a variety of bars and on-campus parties to fill up your Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights with. Sunday through Wednesday? That’s probably asking too much out of this quiet farm town. Students Speak Out
Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:
Anonymous says:  |
There aren’t dance clubs...
There aren’t dance clubs around here really, and that’s a drag. Not that I would dance with many of the people you see at some of these places. |
Anonymous says: |
The bars tend to be extremely busy...
The bars tend to be extremely busy and extremely expensive. Fatty’s and Lord Stanley’s are great bars because you can actually carry on a conversation without being drowned out by excess noise, and they have cheap specials almost every night. Starbusters is a popular place to go but usually charges way too much. Molly’s has their Ride the Rail special where you could get blitzed for 25 bucks and then get a T-shirt at the end. |
Anonymous says: |
The parties on campus are usually...
The parties on campus are usually pretty good, especially when you know people. The best spots to go to are Molly’s and Starbusters. |
Anonymous says: |
As an underclassman, Greek Row is...
As an underclassman, Greek Row is a great way to get your kicks. As an upperclassman, the bars are where to go. Personally, I do not care for the ‘college bars.’ I prefer Lord Stanley’s. |
Anonymous says: |
Since I’ve been back here,...
Since I’ve been back here, good parties for me have been nonexistent. I don’t know if it’s bad luck or what, but it’s been a boring year so far. Usually, Eco Park, Greek Row, and the Blue Grays are good spots to find something going on. That has been completely different this year. As for the bars and clubs around here, I can’t really give an opinion on them there. They’re really strict about enforcing the 21-and-up law, and I have yet to turn 21. From what I hear, Molly’s and Starbusters are the best places to go. |
FactsClub Crawler
There is a real scarcity of nightclubs in DeKalb as most business owners choose to go the bar route.
Bar Prowler
Clubs aren’t for everyone, especially those who are more laid back and like earning their headaches by drinking a lot, instead of standing next to pounding speakers. DeKalb has several bars to support the large student population. Here are some of the favorites:
Organization Parties
Many clubs at NIU will often rent out restaurants or facilities at NIU and throw private parties. These parties are usually a lot of fun and are thrown by cultural groups interested in touting their way of life via food and spirits.
Club Listings
Since 1985, Otto’s has been the definitive place to watch live music in DeKalb at an affordable price. Bands such as Wilco, George Clinton & P-Funk, the Violent Femmes, and Ted Nugent have played the expansive venue, which has a solid sound system and an excellent ambiance. Music geeks flock to it, but it doesn’t get overtly crowded. The downstairs area has pool tables that see a lot of use. Otto’s Niteclub & Underground 118 N. Lincoln Hwy. (815) 758-2715
Bar Listings
A large capacity, expansive seating area and wide stage with an excellent sound system are just some of the reasons that many consider this DeKalb’s best bar. Almost every Saturday, some notable regional act or cover band plays to a packed house. It also has the best beer garden in DeKalb with full bar and comfortable lawn chairs. Cover can get pricey and the crowds can be suffocating, but the atmosphere is worth it. Starbusters Bar & Grill 930 Pappas Dr. (815) 756-3438
Andy’s is nothing special, but therein lies its charm. It’s just a nice, quaint little place to get a drink at a reasonable price. It’s farther away from campus than most bars, but worth the trip on Wednesdays, which is a karaoke night. Andy’s Lounge 317 E. Lincoln Hwy. (815) 748-3314
Lord Stanley’s is the consummate townie bar. It draws older patrons than most bars and doesn’t make an effort to be flashy. Nothing is better here than a pitcher of beer and a large sausage pizza to soak it up. Lord Stanley’s 142 E. Lincoln Hwy. (815) 756-8718
Most bars attempt to assault your senses with loud, blaring music and end up silencing conversation and fun. Not Fatty’s. It has a rather subdued atmosphere that makes for a comfortable gathering spot for friends after a tough day or week. Fatty’s also has the best bar food in the city, which might be the reason that it often draws large crowds after events at the Convocation Center. Fatty’s Bar & Grill 1312 W. Lincoln Hwy. (412) 681-5656
Simply put, Molly’s is a hell of a good time. It has a very festive atmosphere and nice décor. It really makes an effort to pack in the students even on slow days with theme nights and good specials. The waitresses are usually friendly and attractive, as well. Molly’s also has the distinction of throwing the definitive end of the year tent party. Molly’s 1022 W. Lincoln Hwy. (815) 758-2120
What to Do if You're Not 21
The House had been home to some wild shows over the years, but it looked like it was curtains for this haven for minors and alcohol-phobes after it shut down for several months. That is, until an NIU music professor purchased and reopened the quaint, cozy establishment. The House now rocks once again with multiple acts visiting it every week. It serves as an excellent showcase for local talent. The House 263 E. Lincoln Hwy. (815) 787-9547
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