University of California - Irvine - Nightlife

C+

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Quick Stats

Primary Areas with Nightlife		Anaheim Costa Mesa Newport Beach
Student Favorites		Anthill Pub & Grille Pier St. Annex
Other Places to Check Out		Arrowhead Pond The Grove of Anaheim Malarky’s Irish Pub
Local Specialties		Rally Monkey Martini:
Favorite Drinking Games		Beer pong King Cup
Useful Resources for Nightlife		www.pubclub.com/losangeles/orangecounty

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Being in the heart of morally conservative Southern California, home to upper-middle-class denizens, Irvine isn’t exactly what you might call a party town. No matter how much students might fight it, this young city is, ironically, already set in its old-fashioned ways. But, party animals, don’t fret—parties still abound both north and inland of Orange County. You just have to drive to them or find transportation elsewhere. Anaheim and LA are all within an hour’s driving distance, and if you don’t have a car, you can catch a ride on a frat bus (and drink on the way) if you’re off to one of their parties. Many students enjoy the serene, laid-back atmosphere of the Newport Beach bars such as the Tiki Bar.

Nightlife around campus does exist, but it’s mostly grounded in wholesome, straightedge fun—definitely nothing wrong with that. Although wild parties on campus aren’t unheard of, the campus disciplinary force is notorious for cracking the whip swiftly and harshly on underage drinkers. With a police station right by the housing areas, it’s hard for students who frequently throw parties to not receive some form of punishment. Just party smart, and you’ll have nothing to worry about. If you’re one of the busy people who don’t have time to party, you’re not alone, so you don’t have to feel like you’re missing out on anything.

UC Irvine Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Nightlife at University of California - Irvine

mendude

'15

Civil Engineering

B

At Night

Nightlife is good if you know where to look, or know people that know where to look.

Dec 17, 2011

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Nightlife at University of California - Irvine

jmarti

'13

Urban, Community and Regional Planning

C-

Boring

UCI is incredibly boring. I come from LA, so when I first came here everything just seemed so much quieter, slower and lame. There's nothing fun to do around here and if you want to have fun you'll probably need a car or know someone who has one so you can check out the club/party scene in Newport. The only place on campus that is remotely fun is the pub, but obviously you can't go there if you're under 21, plus most of the grad students hang out there. I know some on campus clubs do hold club events and offer transportation to these places but they're honestly not my cup of tea so I've never been to one. Your best bet is to meet some people who throw some damn good house parties, though it's kind of rare. UCI and the Irvine area really need some more variety in clubs/lounges.

Nov 21, 2011

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Nightlife at University of California - Irvine

kathydnvu

'13

Business Administration and Management

C

Underage Nightlife

If you're underage, I assure you, there isn't much to do. Granted there are some 18 and over clubs, however some are located about an hour away. Most of the clubs around here are 21 and over. The best things to do is probably go to the beach or hang out with friends at a local restaurant or fast food job that is open late like Jack in the Box.

Aug 25, 2011

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First

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

Nightly entertainment revolves mainly around the surrounding cities outside of Irvine. One of the drawbacks to living in a safe, upper-middle-class community is that there is no real student life past eight o’clock, aside from a few pocketed places where students can hang out.

Bar Prowler

The parties aren’t as loud down here in Orange County, but you can still find some places with good drinks at reasonable prices. Most bars in Southern California are a sort of two-for-one deal, where you can not only drink, but dance, too. For most students, though, bars really aren’t their preferred social scene.

Closing Time

1 a.m.–2 a.m.

Cheapest Place to Get a Drink

Anthill Pub & Grille

Organization Parties

The campus housing groups and clubs typically throw one or two quarterly or annual bashes for their residents and members, renting out a hotel lounge, and having the party open to all. Dress is typically semi-formal for these stunts, but if you’re not into being fashionable there, have no fear. You should find a few fashion stragglers even in Southern California at the casual BBQs and picnics that also are frequently held by clubs.

Club ListingsWhat's This?

Pier St. Annex

Laid-back and relaxed, the Pier gets packed all week long, especially on post-final Fridays. Although the Pier is mainly geared towards the late 20s/early 30s crowd, students still can steal the social scene. Costs are a bit pricey in comparison to the previously-mentioned student hangout, but it’s still reasonable nonetheless.

330 E. 17th St.

Costa Mesa

(714) 646-8500

The Boogie Nightclub

The Boogie Night Club is probably the most well-known club in central and northern Orange County, featuring four dance floors, two bars and a smoking patio for the rare non-health nuts. The Boogie Nightclub Anaheim is quite large in comparison to most nightclubs in Orange County. DJs at the Boogie play everything, like techno, trance, house, club, and hip hop.

1721 S. Manchester Ave.

Anaheim

(714) 956-1410

Bar ListingsWhat's This?

Anthill Pub & Grille

The Anthill has lots of quality drafts and microbrews. Just make sure to bring cash, since the pub doesn't take credit cards.

Student Center

(949) 824-3050

Tiki Bar

Anteaters here will get a good taste of the locals around northern and central Orange County. Friday nights the bar scene gets flooded with locals who have finished their work week and students who’ve had it up to here with blue books and exams.

1700 Placentia Ave.

Costa Mesa

(949) 548-3533

tikibaroc.com

Rudy’s Pub and Grill

A sports bar with good food and reasonable prices, this is a great place to watch a game with a group of friends and grab some drinks. They make an event out of every sporting event there is.

3110 Newport Blvd.

Newport Beach

(949) 723-0293

rudyspubandgrill.com

The Catch

For the upscale, chic students of UCI, this is the place to celebrate a night out before a cool concert at The Grove, or the Arrowhead Pond. Known for its high priced, and high quality seafood fare, the Catch’s bar often gets overlooked. Die-hard Angels fans, however, will simply fall in love with the Rally Monkey Martini and the chance to spot some of their favorite local players right before a big game.

1929 S. State College Blvd.

Anaheim

(714) 935-0101

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

Fox Sports Grill

The Fox Sports Grill has quickly risen in the ranks of places to be for the average Joe who’s into sports. If Dave & Buster’s was the Chucky Cheese’s for adults, this is the Chucky Cheese’s for athletes and sports fans. The restaurant and bar area are bombarded with sports themed activities, which include FOX Sports broadcasts of games, billiard tables, high-tech sports viewing, and Rocky-inspired music.

31 Fortune Dr.

Irvine

(949) 753-1369

Dave & Buster’s

Okay, okay, so there are still drinks served at the joint, but think of this as a Chucky Cheese’s for both grown ups and young adults and you’ll get why D&B falls into this category. Arcade games, virtual reality simulators, pool halls, and shuffleboard areas make this the perfect scene for the college students who aren’t yet ready to grow up and give up on their glorious childhood.

71 Fortune Dr.

Irvine

(949) 727-0555

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Most Recent Student Author

College Prowler guides are in the hands of students throughout the entire process. Because you can't make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who write, edit, and survey their peers for every guide that we publish. Thanks to our most recent student author at UCI

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Major: Business Economics

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Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

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What is the party scene like on campus?

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

Facts

Club Crawler

Bar Prowler

Closing Time

Cheapest Place to Get a Drink

Organization Parties

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Nightlife at University of California - Irvine

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Nightlife at University of California - Irvine

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

Bar Prowler

Closing Time

Cheapest Place to Get a Drink

Organization Parties

Buy The Guidebook

Most Recent Student Author

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Scholarships

Reviews

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University of California - Irvine
- Nightlife

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

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