Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute - NightlifeCollege Prowler3.08

Nightlife:

B-

(explain this grade)

Comparable Schools'
Nightlife Grades:

Quick Stats

Student Favorites

  • Brown's Brewing Co.
  • O'Leary Tavern
  • The Ruck

Primary Areas with Nightlife

  • Downtown

Local Specialties

  • Brown’s Brewing Co.

Other Places to Check Out

  • Northern Lights
  • Valentine’s

Favorite Drinking Games

  • Beer pong
  • Card games
  • Flip cup
  • Movie drinking games
  • Power hour/Century Club
  • Quarters

Bars Close At

4 a.m.

Cheapest Place to Get a Drink

The Ruck’s happy hour

College Prowler Take

Troy is a smaller city, so people from larger, urban areas find the nightlife slow and lacking. Albany offers much more, and there are numerous venues that regularly host concerts there. RPI has three large contingents of students: the club-goers, the bar people, and the students who don’t go out. Club goers will head to Allsports in Troy, or head down to Albany to see the clubs there. People usually tend to go to the Ruck, which is more of a sit-down, relaxed bar. It all depends on your personal preference as to which spots you consider good. If you are looking for anything beyond these, you’re in the wrong place. There are a few nicer bars around, but if you’re underage, there’s no way you’ll ever get a drink in your hand.

As far as other options, there really isn’t much beyond what is offered on campus in the evenings. This includes some good movies, as well as all the facilities the Union offers, but of course, these can get old after awhile. For the most part, those under-21 and those who get sick of the bar scene will have to be creative. There is one thing to be sure of—RPI students know how hard they work at school and know how to relax when they have the time.

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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:

RPIBO says:

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 2011

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

There aren't really parties on...

There aren't really parties on campus, but you can usually find a good party at one of the frat houses near campus. Girls can almost always get free drinks for flashing a smile. If you are underage and don't have a fake ID, your best bet is a frat.

Nightlife: March 12, 2009
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JRW0416 says:

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute 2014

Architecture and Planning

Not much nightlife

B

Not much unless you're in Greek Life or know someone. Since there's many more guys than girls, girls can usually get in just about anywhere. Guys need to know someone responsible for the party in order to be guaranteed to get in. Near campus there's O'Leary's pub; on-campus, there's the Union Clubhouse Pub, and there's a number of breweries in Troy proper.

Nightlife: February 18, 2010
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Anonymous says:

Typical American club fare. If...

Typical American club fare. If you’re not 21, just wait ‘til you are.

Nightlife
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Anonymous says:

The Ruck is the main nightspot in...

The Ruck is the main nightspot in Troy that RPI kids go to. There are a number of places in Albany, but there are so many that it’s hard to mention them all. Northern Lights and Valentine’s often get big-name live performers.

Nightlife
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Anonymous says:

Fourth Street in downtown Troy is...

Fourth Street in downtown Troy is lined with bars and one club. In Albany (15- to 20-minutes south), there are a number of different clubs. However, the best bar is located in the basement of a frat.

Nightlife
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Facts

Club Crawler

If you want to go to clubs, go to Albany.

Bar Prowler

The most popular bar among RPI students is by far the Ruck. The Ruck is a typical hole-in-the-wall dive bar where you get a good mix of people. There are a few other bars around Troy, but none that attract the college crowd. If you’re looking for a better variety, the trip to Albany is worth it.

Organization Parties

Fraternities hold the vast majority of parties at RPI, although sports teams and certain cliques on campus are known for their contributions to the social scene, as well.

Bar Listings

Crowded on weekends, close to campus so it’s a good spot for students.

O'Leary's Irish Pub

2253 15th St.

(518) 272-6422

The most popular bar among RPI students, The Ruck offers specials every weeknight. Mondays and Wednesdays are 30-cent wings, Tuesday is burger night, Thursday is dollar-off pint night, and Friday is free wings during happy hour. The Ruck, famous for its wings, also makes what is affectionately known as a wingburger—a burger with wing sauce—which is a must-try for burger lovers. $1.25 Coors Light and Bud/Bud Light bottles during happy hour everyday—the cheapest beer you can get in at a bar in Troy.

The Ruck

104 Third St.

(518) 273-1872

Close to campus and frequently packed on Friday nights.

Knotty Pine Tavern

2301 15th St.

(518) 272-4557

Not your typical bar, Brown's is more of a restaurant. Students frequent here for a burger and ale on the weekends.

Brown's Brewing Co.

417 River St.

(518) 273-2337

www.brownsbrewing.com

Students typically gather here. It offers a variety of beers and a few drink,s like Mike’s or Parrot Bay. It’s small and only open until midnight on weekdays.

Clubhouse Pub

RPI Union (Third Floor)

pub.union.rpi.edu

What to Do if You're Not 21

Go to parties around campus or, some bars have under-21 nights.

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