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University of California - Irvine
- Nightlife

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University of California - Irvine - Nightlife - Nightlife - College ProwlerCollege Prowler2.69

Nightlife

C+
Where does this grade come from?View all Nightlife rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Nightlife Grades:

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.

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UC Irvine Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Nightlife at University of California - Irvine

cnnazareno

Public Health '15

2.3
C

Nightlife

On weekends, no one is really around because everyone goes home on the weekends.

Mar 28, 2012

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Nightlife at University of California - Irvine

cehernan

Anthropology and Archaeology '14

1.2
D

Nightlife in UCI

The nightlife at UCI is calm. If you want to party you need to search for the parties. There is not much to do in Irvine if you don't have a car. Transportation is horrible all day long.

Mar 22, 2012

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Nightlife at University of California - Irvine

heyclaudiaaaa

Public Health '15

2.7
C+

Transportations

If you don't have a car, you don't have very many options. You can take the buses, maybe the school shuttles if they're even running at the time and go to Fashion Island or the Irvine Spectrum. If you walk, you can go to the University Town Center which has some food places and a movie theater.

Mar 17, 2012

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Page 1 of 11
User rating for University of California - Irvine - Nightlife is 2.3 out of 5 based on 31 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

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

Become a Contributing Author Learn more »

Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Tracey Xuan Nguyen
Hometown
Hawthorne, CA
Major
Business Economics

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

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