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Comparable Schools' Nightlife Grades:
Quick StatsUseful Resources for NightlifeStudent Favorites
- Pigskin Bar & Grille
- The C.I.
- The Junction
- The Pub
Primary Areas with NightlifeLocal Specialties
- Black Widow - The Pigskin is famous for this potent, tart drink, but bartenders aren’t keen on giving away the top-secret ingredients.
- Junction Punch - A sweet, fruity drink that’s the equivalent of four shots at the Junction
Other Places to Check Out
- Buffalo Wild Wings
- Front Room
- Skipper’s
- The Smiling Skull
Favorite Drinking Games
- Beer pong
- Card games (Connections, North Carolina)
- Chandelier
- Drinking Jenga
- Power Hour
- Quarters
Cheapest Place to Get a Drink
Tuesday nights at Pawpurr’s
College Prowler Take
Whether any of the administrators want to admit it or not, OU is a party school. Once a regular on Playboy’s top-10 party school lists, OU is known for its nightlife. Drinking is the most popular student activity, thanks in part to the sheer number of bars that line Court Street. Each bar has its own personality and atmosphere, and most students usually have a favorite spot or two. But everyone agrees that the nightlife at OU is one of the best things about being a student here. The drinks are cheap, the atmosphere is energized, and the people are outgoing. When I say drinks are cheap, I mean drinks are really cheap and there are some great specials throughout the week. Also, there are various promotions for different beers and alcohol throughout the year with games and free stuff. While there is only one dance club, most people don’t have a problem with busting a move in the middle of the bar floor or on nearby tables. The parties have pretty much the same vibe: people drinking a lot, dancing, laughing, and having a great time. If bonging beer and doing shots at the bar isn’t your thing, there are other nighttime options, but keep in mind that it’s hard to avoid the craziness that comes with Court Street. It can get pretty loud and crowded on weekends, which can be annoying when leaving a coffee shop or the Athena. But for those people who enjoy a good, drunken time with great people in an alcohol-soaked atmosphere, OU’s nightlife is a dream come true.
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:  |
Parties around the campus are also...
Parties around the campus are also very mixed. Fraternity parties might have a reputation for being crazy, but many of the best parties I went to were random parties where one friend knew someone who lived there and the rest of us didn’t. It is very common to see 20-foot beer bongs, ice luges, and intense beer-pong tournaments. Many of the block parties close down the whole street, and you can’t even get into a house unless you are on a list. There will also be people at parties who do not want ‘strange’ people there (the ‘who do you know here’ people), as well as the people who really don’t care because they are throwing the party just to have a good time. |
Anonymous says:  |
Parties on campus were so much...
Parties on campus were so much fun! I have many great memories from the college parties I attended. You of course run into the drunken idiots from time to time, though. The bars were such a great time at OU. Most all of the bars were in the same general area, so it was convenient to walk from one to another if you wanted. My two favorites were the Pig Skin and the C.I. |
Anonymous says:  |
The parties are mostly in...
The parties are mostly in off-campus houses, which are just a couple blocks from the dorms. On a typical weekend, there are quite a few parties going on. Also, the bars are very popular for students 21-and-over. Some popular bars include the C.I., Pigskin, and the Junction; however, there are over 18 bars to choose from, depending on what you are looking for. Also, many of the bars have bands and karaoke nights depending on the day of the week. |
Anonymous says:  |
There aren’t really any parties on...
There aren’t really any parties on campus, because most people in the dorms are underage, and it’s just a stupid place to have a party. But the off-campus parties are pretty fun. They get kind of crowded sometimes and lines for the keg can get long, but they’re usually fun regardless. Most people stop going to random parties after freshman year, so it’s not really as bad once you know people who live at the house where the party is. |
Anonymous says:  |
Courtside is great because it’s...
Courtside is great because it’s huge and it also has space outside called ‘The Beer Garden.’ It’s nice because it never feels too crowded there since the bar is so big. Buffalo Wild Wings is great for game days. They have a bunch of big screens and they always have multiple games on. They also have Name that Tune on Tuesday nights (which is really fun) and trivia all the time. Red Brick Tavern has a basement called ‘The Bullpen.’ It’s really popular for socials and date parties (which Greek organizations tend to have a lot, but anyone can rent it out how they want to). |
FactsClub Crawler
Dance clubs just haven’t really caught on with the 21-and-older crowd at OU. Evolution is the only club on campus, and it’s usually packed with the 18–21 year olds. Still, it’s a nice club with really good music and a cool bar, and it definitely satisfies any urges you might have to dance the night away.
Bar Prowler
Much nightlife at OU revolves around the bars. Lined up along Court Street, they are packed with students almost every night of the week. Cheap drinks, good music, pool, and great friends are a staple of each and every bar, though many students usually stay devoted to just one or two. All bars, except O’Hooley’s, require patrons to be 21 or older.
Organization Parties
Most clubs and organizations throw at least one party per quarter. Usually, it’s paid for out of the club’s funds and has one or two kegs. For freshmen, they are usually the hangouts for the night. If you’re over 21 and not into the party scene anymore, they are definitely worth dropping by for at least one beer before heading out to the bars.
Club Listings
If you want to dance in Athens, head to Evolution, a dance club/bar that opened in 2001 to the 18-and-older crowd. Though it can be slow some nights, the weekends are pretty packed with students and townies. Drink prices are only so-so compared to other bar prices, but it’s a pretty fun place to go and dance with a large group. Many sorority and fraternity socials are held there. Evolution 19 S. Court St. (740) 589-6062
Bar Listings
A favorite among rugby players, the Pub has some of the best drink specials on campus, making up for its dark, cramped atmosphere. Its popular Aquariums are only $2 during the Monday–Friday “Attitude Adjustment” hours (4:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m.) and only $1.50 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Pub 39 N. Court St. (740) 592-2699
Although most students view Tony’s as a “townie bar,” those who venture in usually have a great time. Fridays happy hour features 75 cent Killian’s and free nachos. Tony’s Tavern 7 W. State St. (740) 592-9853
Besides selling cases of beer and wine, Lucky’s also serves food and has a nice bar. It’s a great place to watch a game, especially for Steelers fans. Premium beers are just $1.50, and Thursday is “Pitcher Night” with pitchers for $4, and refills cost only $3. Lucky’s Sports Tavern 11 N. Court St. (740) 594-5825
O’Hooley’s is a unique bar because it brews its own beer (cool, huh?), and it features live music acts, some famous and some amateurs. Either way, students love to head to O’Hooleys for the tasty beers, as well as good music. You only have to be 18 (with an ID) to get in. O’Hooley’s Irish Pub 24 W. Union St. (740) 594-BREW
One of the more reserved bars in Athens. it has a great karaoke night (Friday at 10 p.m.), a DJ (Saturday), and live music (Friday, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.). Monday–Friday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., is their “1/2 Price Happy Hour” with all domestic and import bottles half price (as well as appetizers). Red Brick Tavern 14 N. Court St. (740) 594-2077
Pawpurr’s is a pretty nice bar with a couple of pool tables in the back, a jukebox and a mini dance floor across from the bar. Tuesday nights are always packed thanks to their 50 cent drafts, while Wednesdays feature $1 domestics, and Thursdays are Ladies Nights. Pawpurr’s Bar 37 N. Court St. (740) 592-9890
The C.I is one of the most popular bars on campus. Although it’s two levels, it can still get a little crowded, but no one seems to mind. Pool tables and a jukebox are available, as well as two bars. Drink specials vary, though a draft beer costs $1.75 and only $1 to refill (plus you get to keep the “Get High at the C.I.” cup. The C.I. 32 N. Court St. (740) 593-5709
The Cat’s Eye is a great place to hang out, thanks to its size and 50 cent pool games. They also have a great happy hour 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. every day. Friday happy hours are the best deal of the week with a glass of beer starting at 30 cents and increasing by 10 cents every half hour. Cat’s Eye 12 N. Court St. (740) 592-9676
The Crystal is the Greek bar on campus, where sorority girls and frat guys head for a night of fun. It’s probably the biggest bar on campus and has a couple of pool tables, as well as booths. Drink prices vary. The Crystal 34 N. Court St. (740) 593-3679
The Junction is another large bar on campus, and it has its own signature drink, the Junction Punch, as well as the famous Quad Night. The Junction 41 N. Court St. (740) 592-9968
The Pigskin is a pretty large bar with one and half levels and a full patio in the back. Drink specials vary from night to night, and the Pigskin is often host to different alcohol promotions. The majority of patrons are downing Black Widows, the bar’s famous drink. Happy Hour is Monday–Friday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with $1 domestic drafts and 25-50 off all other beers. Pigskin Bar & Grille 38 N. Court St. (740) 594-5002
What to Do if You're Not 21
Go to parties, head to Evolution for some dancing, rent or go see a movie (the Athena shows midnight movies every Friday and Saturday night), head to Lancaster for shopping, join an intramural team, join a program board to help plan campus events, attend a lecture, or visit an art exhibit or go see a performance by the School of Theatre.
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