SUNY Stony Brook University
- Nightlife

Nubar

Definitely a step down from Bianco’s, but still a fun place to go. They occasionally have performances from hip-hop artists and special promotions or themed nights. These flyers can also be found under your door once a week, as well as written on chalkboards in some of your classes. Nubar has a bit more of a relaxed atmosphere, but still a place to go to get out and meet some new people.

Urban Spirit

Live entertainment on Fridays, DJs on Saturdays, and tailgate parties on Sundays. With 15 TVs, darts, and pool tables, this is a sports lover’s dream.

Viper Bar

State-of-the-art lighting and sound, spacious dance floor, 3 large bars, 11 plasma TVs, VIP Section, outdoor seating. It’s 18 to party and 21 to drink. Come in and check out one of the hottest spots on LI. Every Monday night is Teen Night (better known as Parents’ Night Out—the age restriction is strictly 13-17).

Bianco Ultra Lounge

Promotions for Bianco’s are all over campus, from flyers under your dorm room door and even written on chalk boards in class. There are often free rides given out from the SAC Loop from taxi companies provided by the people promoting the club. It’s definitely a “dress to impress” kind of place and most girls interpret that as “wear tiny dresses and stiletto heels.” So if you’re a dude, this is definitely a place to check out some scantily clad ladies.

Harleys N’ Honeys

This club takes after Coyote Ugly, with hot girls dancing on the bars, encouraging a crazy night of partying and drinking. This place is known for its edgy atmosphere and good pub food and burgers.

Intrigue (aka Allure)

Intrigue is a perfect spot for the best hip hop DJs in the area. With different areas for drinking, dancing, and lounging, this club offers a place for everyone. It’s open Thursday through Sunday.

Myst Lounge

Myst Lounge is a trendy, upscale bar with dancing, music, and great mixed drinks like apple martinis and cosmos. Check it out Monday nights to hear karaoke.

Metropolis Bistro

For a nicer drink—good martinis (even if some concoctions are a bit of a stretch). If you’re there you should stay for a great dinner.

John Harvard’s Brew House

In addition to the fine restaurant you’ll find a great beer menu (with the in-house microbrew) and happy hour appetizer specials. Its Route 347 location makes it a convenient pre- or post-movie stop.

Shamrocks

Shamrocks is a small bar in St. James that gets totally packed Thursday nights. They offer $1 or $2 beers and sometimes run a special where you can fill up any cup you bring (7/11 big gulp, anyone?) with beer for only $1. Pretty relaxed atmosphere and definitely a good time.

Village Pub

Only a few doors down from Tara’s, but I don’t know anyone who has ever entered it. If you’re looking for some live heavy metal you need look no further. A good place to catch a local band on the weekends.

Velvet Lounge

Attached to Curry Club, Velvet Lounge offers a good time with its outdoor patio and live entertainment. Open-mike poetry readings 9 p.m. Tuesday, ‘cept third Tuesday of the month.

Tara Inn

Cheap food ($1 burgers that are definitely edible) and drink, pool and other games ensure that Tara’s is always packed. They have the best $1 burgers in town and a Happy Hour that’ll ease your pain. There are several TVs for the sport enthusiast as well as billiards and a video assortment. From 4–7 on weekdays and from 4–8 on Friday, you “pay what you pull,” meaning that you select one of five possible entries on a ticket and receive the indicated discount.

Full Moon Café

This place can be a good spot to catch a game or put back a few, but is often packed with undergrads. It also has a small pool table and darts. Restaurant, bar, disco.

Billie’s 1890 Saloon

The typical local pub, complete with food and drink specials. Miller drafts are only $1, and bar drinks are half-price weekdays from 4–8. Billie’s is world renowned for its burgers and snacks. It’s usually not too crowded during the week unless it’s time for Monday Night Football.

Backyard Café

The Backyard Cafe has a bar, live entertainment, and dancing.

104 Main Street

$1 Budweisers & nachos await you there along with some of the best billiards, darts, and trivia around.

Checkmate Inn

An old house gone townie bar with a good jukebox, darts, and a pretty good beer selection. Free 6 ft. hero on Mondays, live music (bluegrass, etc) on Tuesdays, and a terrible DJ on Saturdays makes it fun all week long! (Graduate students hang-out spot).

Dublin Down Tavern

A class Irish-style pub that offers some great drink specials every night of the week. Monday nights are $15 all you can eat wings and draft beer from 8 p.m. until 12 a.m. Tuesdays are $5 burgers and pitchers all night (and karaoke!). Wednesdays are penny beers from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m., and Thursday night is ladies night.

Driftwood Inn

When to go: TUESDAYS. This may be a good break from studying, if you don’t want to get too far away from school. A relatively large crowd of people of all ages gathers every Tuesday night for a weekly casual swing dance party organized by Swing Dance Long Island. It’s only $2 to get in with a student ID (otherwise $3). There is usually a dance lesson at 8p.m.: an East Coast Swing/Lindy Hop Beginner lesson every first and third Tuesday; West Coast Swing every second Tuesday; Intermediate Swing every fourth Tuesday of the month. By 9 p.m. you should be ready to rule the dance floor. There is no age requirement, there is a bar to hang out at if you get tired, and other ballroom dances to try out in between the swing songs: cha-cha, mambo, tango . . . close, cheap, fun. Featuring oldies, country, swing and dance music with DJs, too!

Country Corners

Not usually crowded so it’s a great place to meet up with a few friends, also serves food. It’s a great place to listen to some tunes, play some chess, and make new (and unusual) acquaintances. Specials include free wings on Friday from 4:30 to 7 p.m.,with a variety of domestic and imported beers.

Stephen Talkhouse

Stephen Talkhouse is named after an Indian chief from Montauk, and has been a live music legend since 1969. The Talkhouse hosts an eclectic swirl of some of the best artists around, from international superstars, Richie Havens, Suzanne Vega, and Lyle Lovett, to local performances by resident celebrity musicians like Paul Simon, Billy Joel and Jimmy Buffett. There are also innovative acts like Nancy Atlas, Zen Tricksters and Steve Forbert. The music ranges from mainstream rock to funk, blues, jazz, and folk. They are open seven nights a week during the summer, but switches to a Thursday-to-Sunday schedule during slower months. On music nights, there is a cover, so call ahead to make arrangements.

Tiger Lily Cafe

The Tiger Lily Café is a juice bar/coffee house that offers both vegetarian and non-vegetarian sandwiches and snacks in a laid-back setting of music, art and cultural influence. On weekend afternoons, one can see live acoustic musicians perform. Hours: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.– 6 p.m., Sunday 9a.m.–5 p.m.

Jillian’s Groove Shack

The Groove Shack has DJs playing music from the ‘70s through the ’90s, 9 p.m. Thursday–Saturday. There are also live bands and a free buffet. The club is 21-and-older after 10 p.m., with a $5 cover.

Rudy’s Coffee Bar

This place has live entertainment Fridays and Saturdays. You can also find a Risk or chess tournament at 7 p.m. on Thursdays. As for the caffeine fix you might need, this place serves a variety of coffees and specialty drinks. There’s no cover here.