Princeton University
- Nightlife

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Princeton University - Nightlife - College ProwlerCollege Prowler2.31

Nightlife

Quick Stats

Primary Areas with Nightlife The Street (Prospect Avenue)
Student Favorites
  • The Annex Restaurant
  • Cap and Gown Club
  • Colonial Club
  • Cottage Club
  • Tiger Inn
  • Tower Club
  • Triumph Brewing Company
Favorite Drinking Games
  • Beer pong
  • Beirut
  • Flip cup
  • Quarters

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Princeton hardly has a dozen of social options available, but between the Street, room parties, the bars of Nassau Street, and convenient transportation to both New York and Philadelphia, options exist. While the average night out at Princeton’s clubs and bars tends to be quite average, signature, legendary Princeton “holidays,” such as Newman’s Day and Dean’s Date, which encourage late nights out, more than make up for a somewhat monotonous social scene. Annual special events hosted by the eating clubs, including Houseparties and Winter Formals, provide a nice break from just going out.

For most students, the Street gets old by the end of sophomore year. They have bickered or signed in or gone independent and start looking for more options. Fortunately, by the end of sophomore year, most students are on the brink of 21 and can start going to Princeton’s bars, which will keep them entertained for a few more weeks. By junior year, Princeton students begin to immerse themselves in their independent work, so visiting the Street becomes somewhat of a privilege, as the increasingly rigorous academic work does not allow students to spend too much time out and about junior and senior years. Despite the proximity of New York and Philadelphia, public transportation is somewhat inflexible, as the last train on a Saturday night leaves New York Penn Station around 1 a.m., leaving students stranded in Princeton Junction unless they are willing to pay the hefty late night cab fare.

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Princeton Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Nightlife at Princeton University

njcollegegirl

'12

Geology and Earth Science

3.8
B+

All About the Eating Clubs

Eating club scene is great if you're into going out, seeing people that you know, drinking, playing drinking games, and dancing. There are also bars if you're looking for a more sophisticated crowd. Everything's within walking distance, which is nice.

One of the things I like best about princeton is that there are always people doing fun things around campus, which doesn't qualify as traditional 'nightlife' perhaps, but makes for lots of fun!

Aug 29, 2011

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Nightlife at Princeton University

Ldallett

'12

Political Science and Government

3.8
B+

Eating Clubs and Room Parties

The nightlife is very dependent on your own personal preferences. The main scene is Prospect Street, or "the Street," where all the eating clubs are. There are 10 eating clubs currently open and each has a distinctive atmosphere and membership. I think Princeton gets a terrible rap as being elitist because of these eating clubs, but I've found that they are much more inclusive than I once believed. Freshmen and sophomores often throw room parties if they can't get passes to an eating club, though many clubs don't require passes at all and are thus most populated by freshman on a night out. Some of the eating clubs are deemed more exclusive because most of the people in them are on sports teams or are in certain sororities/fraternities, thus they're only exclusive insofar as you need to be in one of those groups to get in. My club is filled with theater kids, the debate team, Woody Woo majors, and surprisingly, mechanical aerospace engineers. Certain clubs are dominated by Asians, others by whites, others by Asians and Indians, etc. The one demographic that is really missing from the eating club scene is the black community, and I can't speak for why that is. I did gospel choir my freshman year and I know most of those students weren't interested because of the importance of alcohol at the parties. But the school is really trying hard to make the street open to everyone regardless of religious persuasion, financial ability, race, etc., and I think it's only going to get more inclusive down the road. There isn't much going on in the town of Princeton in terms of bar life, but seniors go to Triumph a lot, which is essentially a beer garden. One thing I will say is the school and public safety are excellent about keeping students safe. They don't care if you're underage and drinking, but they care that you get help if you need it.

Aug 14, 2011

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Nightlife at Princeton University

collegelife20129

'13

Economics

3.1
B-

OK

Im not a big partier.It would be nice if there was more nightlife not assosiated with drinking.

Aug 06, 2010

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Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate the off-campus bar and club scene on the following topics

What is the party scene like on campus?

What’s the best way to get to the popular nightlife spots?

Facts

Club Crawler

The majority of Princeton’s club scene comprises eating clubs located off campus. Student membership is determined as “sign-in,” or “bicker.” One of the questions most frequently posed to Princeton students is: “What is an eating club?” Contrary to popular belief, an eating club is not Princeton’s answer to student country clubs. Today, Princeton’s eating clubs are a collection of eleven clubhouses, most of which are lining Prospect Street, that provide upperclassmen with a place to eat and socialize. Originally, nineteenth century eating clubs sprouted up along Prospect to provide upperclassmen with eating options other than the then-atrocious University dining facilities.

Bar Prowler

For those over 21, there are three popular bars in town—The Annex Restaurant, Triumph Brewing company, and the Ivy Inn. The Annex is by far the most inexpensive and has the most personable staff. Triumph, a microbrewery, is popular among young area professionals and often hosts area bands during the weekend. It’s great for cocktails. The Ivy Inn is the closest thing Princeton has to a dive bar and is popular for its weekly karaoke nights

Closing Time

12 a.m.–2 a.m.

Cheapest Place to Get a Drink

Anywhere on the Street

Organization Parties

Most student groups and athletic teams have parties during the academic year. These parties are primarily closed and used to recruit more members or bond with the existing ones. A Chinese restaurant called Good Friends in the adjacent Princeton Junction is a popular venue for such parties, as the alternative venues are rented eating clubs and campus suites.

Did You Know?

One of the questions most frequently posed to Princeton students is: “What is an eating club?” Contrary to popular belief, an eating club is not Princeton’s answer to student country clubs. Today, Princeton’s eating clubs are a collection of ten clubhouses, most of which line Prospect Street. They provide upperclassmen with a place to eat and socialize. Originally, nineteenth century eating clubs sprouted up to provide upperclassmen with eating options other than the then-atrocious University dining facilities.

Club ListingsWhat's This?

Quadrangle Club (1901)

Type: Sign-In. Constantly seeking alternatives to DJs, Quad tends to favor live bands, including Lifehouse, as well as some local bands.

33 Prospect Ave.

Princeton

(609) 258-0375

quad.princeton.edu

Ivy Club (1879)

Type: Bicker. Ivy has always had the reputation for being the stomping grounds of Princeton’s social aristocracy. While it is the only eating club whose members are served dinner on a nightly basis, using tablecloths nonetheless, its events are generally open to all students. Popular events include the annual T.I.-Ivy Olympics.

43 Prospect Ave.

(609) 924-2236

www.princeton.edu/~thevine

Terrace Club (1904)

Type: Sign-In. Terrace provides an alternative environment to the other eating clubs. Not only is it the only club not located along Prospect, but it is the only club that permits cigarette smoking in the dining room. The tap room is painted black, and members tend to be a bit more artsy than the average Princeton student.

62 Washington Rd.

Princeton

(609) 258-1380

www.princeton.edu/~terrace

Tower Club (1902)

Type: Bicker. Tower is home to the majority of the campus politicians and thespians as well as some of the best desserts on the Street. The deck in the backyard allows Tower to throw parties almost every night during Freshman Week before most clubs are open. Members can elect to pay dues based on how much alcohol they consume. Those who claim to be “heavy drinkers” often can be found playing on one of the several Beirut tables in the tap room.

13 Prospect Ave.

Princeton

(609) 924-0473

www.princeton.edu/~tower

Tiger Inn (1890)

Type: Bicker. Tiger Inn, or T.I., is the closest thing Princeton has to Animal House. Drawing from some of the more notoriously rowdy athletic teams, such as the men’s lacrosse and wrestling teams, and Greek organizations, T.I. is the best place for late night partying. Many legends surround the T.I. cuisine, usually noting how members chose to eat hot dogs for a month rather than to go without Beast for the last month of school.

48 Prospect Ave.

Princeton

(609) 924–0255

www.princeton.edu/~tigerinn

Charter Club (1901)

Type: Sign-In. Charter used to be home to the majority of the University’s engineers because of its proximity to the E-Quad, but its weekly pub nights and quality food have enabled the membership to expand. Charter members favor live bands to weekly DJs, and recent acts have included American Hi-Fi.

79 Prospect Ave.

(609) 924-2433

www.princeton.edu/~charter

Cap & Gown Club (1890)

Type: Bicker. Cap & Gown Club (Cap) is generally the club athletes join—especially the track and field, softball, football, and field hockey teams—but it is starting to diversify to include more campus groups. Cap easily has the best salad bar on the Street (Prospect Avenue). Noted alumni include Dean Cain ’88 and Brooke Shields ’87.

61 Prospect Ave.

(609) 921-9795

www.princeton.edu/~capgown

Cloister Inn (1912)

Type: Sign-In. Also known as the “boaters and floaters” club, Cloister’s hot tub and healthy cuisine draws students primarily from the crew and swim teams. Popular events include “Boaters vs. Floaters” races and competitions. Aside from the notorious Cloister hot tub, the outgoing officers brought in a mechanical bull to celebrate sign-ins week.

65 Prospect Ave.

(609) 258-1380

www.princeton.edu/~cloister

Cottage Club (1886)

Type: Bicker. Modeled as a combination of a country cottage and an urban clubhouse, Cottage has tried in recent years to receive historic site status because of its role in the literature of former member F. Scott Fitzgerald ’17, who wrote sections of This Side of Paradise in Cottage’s library, as well as its famous alumni, including former Senator Bill Bradley ’65. Cottage’s membership is primarily composed of student athletes as members of the Greek community.

51 Prospect Ave.

(609) 921-6137

www.princeton.edu/~cotclub

Colonial Club (1891)

Type: Sign-In. After almost folding in 2000, Colonial Club was taken over by members of the Class of 2002 and has enjoyed a soaring membership in the past few years. Bragging weekly pub nights with homemade pizza and quesadillas, Colonial provides a combination of members-only events, such as an annual wine tasting, as well as open events, including a bevy of opportunities to see DJ Bob.

40 Prospect Ave.

(609) 924-0255

www.colonialclub.com

Bar ListingsWhat's This?

JB Winberie Restaurant & Bar

Winberie’s is popular with local thirty-somethings at happy hour, but the bar is not a regular hang out for University undergrads. The bar is only a small component of Winberie’s, which means that it gets crowded easily.

1 Palmer Sq.E.

Princeton

(609) 921-0700

Triumph Brewing Company

While the beer and cocktails may be more expensive than what other bars in town have to offer, the atmosphere at Triumph is worth the cost. Whereas Winberie’s is popular for young professionals in their 30s, local twenty-somethings flock to Triumph. The beer is made on-site, and the food is fantastic.

138 Nassau St.

Princeton

(609) 924-7855

Yankee Doodle Tap Room

Most students will not go to the Yankee Doodle Tap Room during their undergraduate career, as it is mostly Nassau Inn patrons who go there. The cocktails are relatively expensive for a student budget, and it has the definite feel of a hotel bar.

10 Palmer Sq. E.

Princeton

(609) 921-7500

The Annex Restaurant

Because of its proximity to Firestone Library, the Annex is popular with both students and faculty. The food and drinks are affordable, and the happy hour specials are difficult to pass. The Annex also hosts pub nights for the senior class each year.

128 1/2 Nassau St.

Princeton

(609) 921-7555

Debasement Bar

D-Bar, in the basement of Pyne Tower, is a student-run, members-only bar for Graduate College students. One of the only non-profit bars in the country, the D-bar offers cheap drinks (everything is sold at cost), live music, DJs, and karaoke.

Pyne Hall

On campus

www.princeton.edu/~dba

Ivy Inn

The Ivy Inn, not to be confused with the Ivy Club, is conveniently adjacent to Hoagie Haven. Featuring nightly specials, the Ivy Inn does not even pretend to have any class, and it is a good place to go as an alternative to the Street.

248 Nassau St.

Princeton

(609) 921-8555

What to Do if You're Not 21What's This?

Even if you are under 21, you can sometimes gain admission to Princeton’s eating clubs, but they sometimes check IDs before serving alcohol. Princeton itself provides Blackbox Inc., a nightclub in the basement of Wilson college for students only. They throw theme parties and have live music, but serve only non-alcoholic drinks.

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