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Comparable Schools'
Nightlife Grades:
Quick StatsUseful Resources for Nightlife
- Daily Campus
- Dallas Morning News
- Dallas Observer
- Quick
- www.guidelive.com
Student Favorites
- Chaucer’s
- Jack’s Pub
- Margarita Ranch
- The San Francisco Rose
Primary Areas with Nightlife
- Deep Ellum
- Downtown
- Greenville Avenue
- Mockingbird Station
- SMU/Yale Boulevard
- West Village
Local Specialties
- Frozen margarita - Originally created here in Dallas
Other Places to Check Out
- Club Blue
- Club Nikita
- Gyspy Tea Room
- Mike’s Treehouse
- Ozona’s Bar & Grill
- Suede Bar & Grill
- The Candle Room
- The Ginger Man
- The Granada Theater
Favorite Drinking Games
- Beer pong
- Card games (A$$hole)
- Century Club
- Kings Cup
- Power Hour
- Quarters
Cheapest Place to Get a Drink
Chaucer’s
College Prowler Take
In the beginning, the possibilities for going out seem nonexistent and as if there is nothing to do but hang out in the Greek life arena. But Dallas has several well-known and eclectic venues tucked away all over the city. The major nightlife scene caters to an older and more sophisticated crowd, and the only challenge is to avoid becoming comfortable in the same bars and clubs—keep trying new ones! Students tend to find their favorite nightlife spots and hold tight until they graduate. For those who are under the drinking age and enjoy live music, there are music spots not far from campus, such as the Granada and the Gypsy Tea Room, which host bands on a nightly basis. If you’re really feeling adventurous, head down to Deep Ellum and walk the enormous strip of clubs. Most only require a small cover charge to get in, and there are a number of clubs specifically for people under 21. But turning 21 changes everything. It not only means that you can get into the SMU favorites, like Chaucer’s and Margarita Ranch, but that you can actually legally partake in the fervor of getting wasted. For freshmen girls, frat parties are great because it’s free beer and a close walk home. On the weekends though, the campus becomes completely desolate, minus the buses for Greek parties. Other groups, such as athletes, partake in the social scene and throw a few of the biggest parties aside from Greeks. There are also always parties in people’s homes, so there is no reason to ever complain that there is nothing to do on a Friday night. This school offers a brilliant networking system, both on the career side and unintentionally through nightlife. Whether you are relaxing with a movie, some friends, and beer, or out at a club or bar, going to all different kinds of parties is the best way to meet new people. 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:  |
The parties on campus are...
The parties on campus are dominated by Greek life. Not being a member of Greek life is definitely a handicap if you are looking into partying on campus. Off-campus bars and clubs are really fun but nothing like you would find in, say, Boston or New Orleans. |
Anonymous says: |
I am going to be a senior, so I...
I am going to be a senior, so I hang out with an older crowd. The fraternity parties are always a blast and a great way to make new friends. I met many of my friends and even my last boyfriend there. I have outgrown the theme parties, so I prefer bars like the San Francisco Rose, where I know everyone. If I want to escape SMU, I relax at the Ginger Man in a different neighborhood. |
Anonymous says: |
SMU is very much a party school....
SMU is very much a party school. Starting on Wednesday, you can find a party easily; especially on Thursdays (the beginning of the college weekend). Most are frat parties, which require being on a list, but all you need is to know people. You can also go bar hopping. Jack’s Pub has a good environment and beach volleyball. Lower Greenville is also a good place to hang out. |
Anonymous says: |
Parties are always fun. You get on...
Parties are always fun. You get on a bus, and they take you to the place where the party is. There are always parties going on at the fraternity houses. One bar that people go to is Bar X (10) because it’s close, and on the 10th, they have ten-cent drinks. |
Anonymous says: |
The parties are pretty good. They...
The parties are pretty good. They are Greek dominated. The bars, well, I’m spoiled because I have friends with connections to the Candle Room, which I enjoy since it’s upscale but laid-back. The best bar in Mockingbird Station is Spike. They have the best mixed drinks since the fruit mix is hand squeezed instead of just using syrup. Club Blue is fun. The Samba Room is great for pre-drinks. The Latin dance club across from the Samba Room is fun, too. |
FactsClub Crawler
The clubs and bars in Dallas cater mainly to Dallas professionals and trendy 20-somethings. Nightlife varies by area. The more sophisticated bars are located in West Village, whereas the jeans-and-a-T-shirt bars are on Greenville Avenue and Yale Boulevard. Most of the bars close at 2 a.m., but on Saturdays, clubs in Deep Ellum shut their doors at 4 a.m. If you are under 21, you will be branded with black “Xs” on each hand. For an SMU student, Dallas has a great variety of bars to try, and eventually, you will find your favorite ones.
Organization Parties
Several of the organizations on campus will rent out restaurants/bars and clubs for private parties. Most of them are all Greek. Although you may not be able to get on the bus to the party because they are lists-only, you can drive yourself there and still reap the benefits of nightlife. Fraternities and sororities pair up and host events at different venues together or separately. As a freshman, you will be introduced to the bars and clubs through these parties. Greek parties contain the highest number of students.
Bar Listings
For a more chill and laid-back atmosphere, the “Rose” is the place to be. Your chances of getting the evil eye for wearing jeans and a T-shirt are much lower here than at other bars. The setting is comfortable: there is a jukebox, an old telephone booth, big screen televisions, and several pictures adorning the walls. There is also an outdoor patio. You must be 21 to drink and make it past the bouncer. The San Francisco Rose 3024 Greenville Ave. (214) 826-2020
Margarita Ranch is Mockingbird Station’s other college moneymaker. The bar/restaurant is located on the ground level near Chaucer’s. Quiet and charming on the inside, Margarita Ranch is a great place to just sit down with friends and enjoy different types of margaritas. Margarita Ranch is preferred for late night because of the free chips and salsa. There is also an outdoor patio area. The dress code is hip and trendy, but casual in the sense that nice jeans can be worn. Just recently, Margarita Ranch lowered the age to 18 for admission; however, you must still be of-age to drink.
For the traditional Irish experience, students head to Trinity Hall for beers, whiskey, and great Irish food. Trinity Hall offers nightly entertainment like pub quizzes, poker nights, and live music. Every Tuesday is Tasting Tuesday. Throughout the month, you can sip different whiskies, wines, and beers, depending on the week. They also offer PPV rugby and soccer matches. Trinity Hall 5321 E. Mockingbird Ln. (214) 887-3600
This bar caters to SMU students. The drinks are cheap, the music is good, and the bar is small enough to be cozy but not packed. If students aren’t into dancing or lounging on the patio, the bar also houses three pool tables for additional enterntainment. Speakeasy 2104 Greenville Ave. Dallas (214) 826-6376
This bar is always open to 18 and up and it is easy to get to. It has an upstairs balcony and a downstairs patio. The club takes car of its drinkers by having both an indoor and outdoor bar. M Street’s signature drink is its $2 frozen margarita. You will definitely see other SMU students here, but M Street also caters to an older crowd.
Public House offers a relaxed atmosphere for the bargoer who wants a break from trendy nightclubs. Live music is common, and the most popular part of public house is its second floor patio wth full bar and amazing view of downtown Dallas. The venue is 18 and up during the week. Greenville Ave. Public House 2010 Greenville Ave. Dallas (214) 828-4900
Al-Amir is not only able to showcase excellent Lebanese food, but it also has a great nightlife scene. The building itself seems like a maze because there are several different dance areas above and below the main entrance. There is a DJ that plays multicultural dance music, and at 9:30 p.m., there are authentic Middle Eastern belly dancers. Upon entering the club, you will notice a fountain as well as a gazebo, where you can eat and partake in the hookah experience. You must be eighteen to be admitted and of-age to drink. There is a cover charge if you are 21.
This trendy new lounge is located on lower Greenville. The venue is two stories. Students who want to dance stay on the first floor, while those interested in sitting back and relaxing go to the upstairs patio which looks out over the Dallas skyline. The full service bar and pumping music downstairs keep the club upbeat, while the large, white beds on the second floor help to set a social atmosphere. Lost Society 2008 Greenville Ave. Dallas (214) 823-9600
Home Bar is run by the owners of the former Green Elephant, which was an SMU favorite. For large parties, you can rent out the entire venue of Homebar. This can be free, or cost up to $500, depending on the day, time, and type of party. There are two bars, lounge areas, and an outdoor stage with seating. While a lot of students miss the Green Elephant, Homebar is beginning to fill that void.
What to Do if You're Not 21
Curtain Club and Liquid Lounge are well-known for live music. Local musicians and regional bands frequent both venues. If you enjoy kicking back and chilling out to live music, this is the place for you. Wear comfortable shoes because you will be standing the entire time. The calendar of performers is listed online. The doors open at 9 p.m. for anyone under 21. There is a small charge of $3 unless there is a big concert, then the fee is a bit higher. Other music venues that are 18-and-over: Across the Street Bar, the Granada, Lakeview Theater, Trees.
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