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- Nightlife

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University of Arizona - Nightlife - Nightlife - College ProwlerCollege Prowler4.24

Nightlife

Quick Stats

Primary Areas with Nightlife
  • Congress Street
  • Fourth Avenue (near the UA), downtown
  • Speedway Boulevard
  • University Boulevard
Student Favorites
  • Bison Witches Bar & Deli
  • Buffet Bar
  • Cactus Moon Café
  • Che's Lounge
  • Club Congress
  • Dirtbag’s
  • O’Malley’s
  • Sam Hughes Place Championship Dining
Other Places to Check Out
  • 1702 Pizza & Beer
  • The Auld Dubliner
  • Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar
  • Champs
  • El Parador Restaurant
  • Fuku Sushi & Japanese
  • Golden Nugget Tavern
  • The Historic Rialto Theatre
  • Johnny Rockets
  • Level Bar & Lounge
  • The Mint
  • Pancho Villa's Grill
  • The River's Edge Lounge
  • Rusty Nail Tavern
  • Sky Bar
  • Skybox Restaurant & Bar
  • Touchdown Restaurant & Bar
  • World Sports Grille
  • Zen Rock
Local Specialties
  • Beers at Gentle Ben's Brewing Co.: Gentle Ben's has a lot of different microbrews, including Tucson Blonde, Barrio India Pale Ale, and Taylor Jayne's Raspberry Ale, just to name a few.
  • Bloody Mary at Club Congress: Cocktail consisting of tomato juice, vodka, and usually another ingredient (Worchestershire sauce, Tabasco, etc.)
  • Fun Dip Shot: This is a specialty shot, found only at the Buffet Bar.
  • La Bandera: This is a frozen strawberry margarita-esque drink you can get at Guadalajara Grill.
Favorite Drinking Games
  • Bar golf
  • Beer pong
  • Flip cup
  • King's cup
Useful Resources for Nightlife
  • Arizona Daily Wildcat
  • Tucson Weekly
  • www.azstarnet.com

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Big-city students will say that the Tucson club and music scene sucks, but they're wrong. Once you turn 21, Tucson is a different place than it was before the big birthday—there's a bar or club for just about any sort of personality. Downtown Tucson, Congress Street, and Fourth Avenue are weekend hot spots, and decent music venues populate the downtown area, as well. In the end, the UA always offers some form of high culture entertainment to attend, like poetry readings, concerts, or political forums for those who aren't interested in drinking or dancing.

Hanging out with a steady group of friends is important because it gets you out of the house and away from schoolwork. And that’s important—very important. There are some music venues that are worth checking out, and karaoke is always fun if you have the right guys and girls by your side to laugh at you. Greek parties are synonymous with college, and the same goes for Greek life parties at the UA. A large percentage of under-21 parties is hosted by Greek life, making it a popular choice for those looking to have some (potentially drunken) fun. The UA administration has done its best to regulate and keep Greek parties in check, with varying results; any freshman can tell you where the parties are and how often they still happen. That being said, Tucson can be challenging to find things to do on Friday nights, as it's often necessary to "make your own fun" here. For those willing to put in the work, Tucson's nightlife becomes a pleasant surprise.

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Arizona Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Nightlife at University of Arizona

Pharmgirl0305

Pharmacy Studies '14

3.8
B+

Have to Find the Fun

Campus is close to 4th avenue which always has a lot going on on weekends. Downtown Tucson is not far either and there are a few decent night clubs there. Lots of laid back spots to have a nice dinner and grab a few drinks with friends spread throughout town. Plus Vegas and California are just s short drive making weekend trips to those locations a common college occurrence.

Apr 27, 2012

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Nightlife at University of Arizona

trallen92

Journalism '15

4.6
A

Frat House Frenzy

You can find a party almost every night at the University of Arizona. Frat houses have parties every weekend and that's usually where all of the girls goto party. Sadly, guys aren't allowed in unless they belong to the frat. During the week you can usually find a house party on campus or a party in one of the student apartments. I've never been to the bars, but that is where all of the upperclassmen go. Everything's walking distance, but I take taxis to be on the safe side.

Apr 27, 2012

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Nightlife at University of Arizona

Nessa1292

Physiology '15

1.2
D

Not Too Much to Do on Campus

You have to take public transportation to get anywhere where things are happening. It's almost impossible to find anything on campus. Hardly any parties. Hard to get Ito frat parties if you're a guy. Easy for girls but lots of competition. Cops always shutting parties down quickly. Especially if alcohol is there.

Apr 25, 2012

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User rating for University of Arizona - Nightlife is 4.6 out of 5 based on 56 user reviews.

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

Closing Time

2 a.m.

Cheapest Place to Get a Drink

Bison Witches, Buffet Bar, Club Congress, Shelter Cocktail Lounge

Organization Parties

Fraternities have events for people who can’t go to the bar, and as long as you have a friend who knows someone in the fraternity, you are let in. Just make sure you don’t show up too wild and crazy because cops do hover around these parties to cite students for MIPs, DUIs, public urination, and disorderly conduct.

Club ListingsWhat's This?

DV8 Nightclub

DV8 is a hot spot for just about everyone. Techno and hip-hop music fill the huge, two-level dance floor area. Theme nights like "‘80s Night" and "Shagadelic Sunday" keep the partygoers coming every night of the week. Need a break from dancing? Chill out in the ‘70s-style lounge rooms overlooking the dance floor.

5851 E. Speedway Blvd.

Tucson

(520) 885-3030

www.dv8tucson.com

Bar ListingsWhat's This?

No Anchovies

870 E. University Blvd.

Tucson

(520) 623-3333

www.noanchoviespizza.com

O’Malley’s on Fourth

O’Malley’s is another popular hangout with lots of young UA students and young people from around the city. It’s close to campus, so getting there and stumbling home is a breeze.

247 N. Fourth Ave.

Tucson

(520) 623-8600

Maloney’s on Fourth

Reminder: Fourth Avenue is within walking distance of the UA and is a big hangout place in "the Old Pueblo" on the weekends. Maloney’s is a popular place to go. You’ll always find a crowd of students with drinks in hand here.

213 N. Fourth Ave.

Tucson

(520) 388-9355

Iguana Café & Bar

The Iguana has karaoke nights, so anyone looking to start their road to stardom can start here.

210 E. Congress St.

Tucson

(520) 882-5140

Kon Tiki

This place has really cool '70s decor.

4625 E. Broadway Blvd.

Tucson

(520) 323-7193

www.kontikitucson.com

Plush

The furniture here is super. The red lighting and overhead music will keep you relaxed whether you’re by yourself or if you’re with someone. Plush is also a popular venue for bands.

340 E. Sixth St.

Tucson

(520) 798-1298

plushtucson.com

Shelter Cocktail Lounge

4155 E. Grant Rd.

Tucson

(520) 326-1345

The Wildcat House

The Wildcat House has huge screens to watch games, a dance floor in the middle of the facility, a restaurant, pool tables, and a bar. It’s dimly lit and a cool place to go eat or just to relax. They have Top 40 nights, alternative dance nights, and Tejano and Tex-Mex music.

1801 N. Stone Ave.

Tucson

(520) 622-1302

thewildcathouse.com

Sharks Bar

A hardwood floor in a vintage building downtown just about sums this place up. There are pool tables in the back. There’s also live music and karaoke.

256 E. Congress St.

Tucson

(520) 791-9869

Sam Hughes' Place

This place has a great casual dining atmosphere.

446 N. Campbell Ave.

Tucson

(520) 747-5223

www.championshipdining.com

The Shanty

An old-school bar with brass countertops, heavy bar stools, billiards, foosball, friendly bartenders, and well-mixed drinks.

401 E. Ninth St.

Tucson

(520) 623-2664

Guadalajara Grill

Guadalajara offers a variety of delicious Mexican food, in addition to fresh margaritas.

1220 E. Prince Rd.

Tucson

(520) 323-1022

www.guadalajaraoriginalgrill.com

Cactus Moon Café

Cactus Moon is a yuppie bar. Popular music here is Top 40, hip-hop, and country. Oftentimes, drink specials are accompanied by free appetizers.

5470 E. Broadway Blvd.

Tucson

(520) 748-0049

www.cactusmoon.net

Che's Lounge

Nightly specials include $1 PBRs!

350 N. Fourth Ave.

Tucson

(520) 623-2088

www.cheslounge.com

Buffet Bar & Crock Pot

This is Tucson's oldest bar!

538 E. Ninth St.

Tucson

(520) 623-6811

thebuffetbar.com

Ain’t Nobody’s Bizness

Just know that if you go here, you don’t have to tell anybody because it’s none of their business. It’s been voted Tuscon’s best lesbian/gay bar more than five times.

2900 E. Broadway Blvd.

Tucson

(520) 318-4838

Bison Witches Bar & Deli

Bison Witches has four locations, including establishments in Norman, Okla. and Lincoln, Neb.

326 N. Fourth Ave.

Tucson

(520) 740-1541

www.bisonwitches.com

Chicago Bar

Chicago is near strip clubs and hosts a lot of live bands. It also has mad love for the karaoke machine.

5954 E. Speedway Blvd.

Tucson

(520) 748-8169

chicagobartucson.com

Frog & Firkin

"The Frog" is near campus and is like a restaurant, too, so you can get grub. It’s usually really packed on the weekends. It has a good-sized crowd all week, too. It also has outside seating, which people like. On the weekends, they have live music.

874 E. University Blvd.

Tucson

(520) 623-7507

www.frogandfirkin.com

Gentle Ben's Brewing Co.

This place has award-winning microbrews!

865 E. University Blvd.

Tucson

(520) 624-4177

gentlebens.com

Famous Sam’s Restaurant & Bar

Famous Sam’s is a great place to watch a game or get lost in dark rooms. The food is good, and various locations have karaoke and pool tables. There are also locations on West Ruthrauff Road and East Golf Links Road.

1830 E. Broadway Blvd.

Tucson

(520) 884-0119

www.famoussams.net/tucson6.asp

Club Congress

Club Congress is a popular spot for cutting-edge bands and live music. The dance floor is a hot spot for students looking to dance the night away.

311 E. Congress St.

Tucson

(520) 622-8848

www.hotelcongress.com/club

Dirtbags

This bar is a student favorite for its nightly drink specials and low-priced menu. There’s always something great to try, like the "Sicilian Whore" shot or the famous Dirtburger.

1800 E. Speedway Blvd.

Tucson

(520) 326-2600

www.dirtbagsbar.com

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

Golf N’ Stuff

Golf N' Stuff has miniature golf, bumper boats, laser tag, and batting cages, among other things.

6503 E. Tanque Verde Rd.

Tucson

(520) 296-2366

golfnstuff.com

Epic Café

Plenty of coffee and ice cream to eat and discuss the latest bands.

745 N. Fourth Ave.

Tucson

(520) 624-6844

www.epic-cafe.com

DV8

Fridays are 18-and-up nights.

5851 E. Speedway Blvd.

Tucson

(520) 885-3030

www.dv8tucson.com

Become a Contributing Author Learn more »

Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Joe Dusbabek
Hometown
Scottsdale, Arizona
Major
French/Linguistics
Grad Year
2012

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