University of Florida
- Nightlife

University Club

Gainesville’s gay and lesbian club, which sometimes features drag shows.

Eight Seconds

Line dancing all night, and one of the best places for it in Gainesville—assuming you don’t mind the occasional awkward synthesis of hip-hop and country. Thursday is Ladies’ Night—women and cheap drinks all around.

Bank at 22

A one-time Playboy "College Bar of the Month," Bank is a little more upscale than its G-ville neighbors, though it still attracts a primarily college crowd. Good martini variety available.

Salty Dog Saloon

Possibly the most popular bar in Gainesville, the Salty Dog serves up inexpensive drinks all day, every day (particularly domestic pitchers). There’s no particular atmosphere or vibe to the place, just a general come-and-hang-out mentality that consistently attracts bar-goers every night of the week. The place also offers an enormous beer selection.

The Swamp

A popular Greek hangout, the Swamp can be an oddly expensive place to grab a drink, despite its dive-ish atmosphere. Still, if you don’t mind $3 beers in a town where you’ll usually pay $1, the Swamp is a popular, crowded, and often fun place to spend an evening.

The Top

The Top offers sort of an alternative vibe, probably due to its extensive vegetarian menu. Known more as a restaurant during the day, The Top does offer decent drink specials and an extensive wine list, making it a popular place among students during weeknights.

Grog House Bar & Grill

A true dive, Grog House is a packed, cheap, fun college hangout (if that’s your scene, anyway). The place can get somewhat sketchy after last call, but with a different drink special every night, the Grog House remains one of the cheapest places to get a drink in Gainesville.

Calico Jack’s (CJ’s)

Affectionately referred to as “CJ’s” by UF students, Calico Jack’s is one of Gainesville’s most popular night spots and restaurants, especially to catch a game. The cheap wings and oysters—particularly the latter—are excellent, and the occasional live music only makes the place even more popular.

Durty Nelly’s Irish Pub

Every college town seems to have some establishment that offers a “best pint of Guinness,” and in G-ville, that’s Durty Nelly’s. The Irish pub-style atmosphere makes the place a little more upscale than some of the other area bars, but Durty Nelly’s still attracts quite a big college crowd.

Gator City Sports Grill

Gator City offers cheap food and drinks throughout the week and several plasma TVs for watching sports.