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University of Kentucky - Nightlife - College ProwlerCollege Prowler4.24

Nightlife

A-
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
  • Around campus
  • Downtown
Student Favorites
  • Cheapside Bar and Grill
  • Kitty O’Shea’s
  • Two Keys Tavern
Other Places to Check Out
  • Austin City Saloon
  • Buster’s
  • The Dame
Favorite Drinking Games
  • Beer pong
  • Categories
  • Flip cup
  • Power Hour
  • Quarters

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

If you are an underage student at Kentucky, prepare to get funny looks from bouncers at bars when they eye your fake ID like a UK professor eyes a plagiarized term paper. There will be plenty of house parties around campus to go to, but be prepared for anything. Most students go to apartments first and hit the house parties around 10 or 11 p.m. Staying out until 2 or 3 a.m. isn’t unusual, unless the police show up to clear house. If you are of age, Lexington has a wide variety of clubs of various sizes and styles for everyone.

If all else fails, you can always drive to Cincinnati or Louisville to experience the bars and clubs in larger cities. Bar hours in Lexington have been extended from 1 a.m. to 2:30 a.m., so you will actually get the chance to stay out a bit longer than generations of Kentucky students before you.

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Kentucky Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Nightlife at University of Kentucky

moxieangel

'15

Equine Studies

4.6
A

Pretty Damn Good

A lot of clubs around Lexington hold 18-and-over nights for students that want to have fun on Thursday thru Saturday nights. Frat parties are pretty awesome as well and are housed off campus due to our dry campus. There are plenty of places to have fun though, within walking and driving distances.

Jan 22, 2012

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Nightlife at University of Kentucky

lastei2

'12

Finance and Accounting

3.8
B+

Parties

Freshman year is always the most fun when it comes to parties because you get to go to your first frat party and so on. There are also a lot of places to go once you turn 21, too. There is something for everyone here at UK, you don't have to be in a fraternity or a sorority to have fun.

Jan 22, 2012

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Nightlife at University of Kentucky

oakakers

'13

Natural Resources Conservation

4.6
A

Nightlife at the University of Kentucky

There is plenty of entertainment on and off campus. There are under 21 clubs that are cool and always a house party going on. Since I turned 21 it has been fun to go to the bars, but I am usually the designated driver. I don't mind it because I don't drink a lot anyway because I don't want it to interfere with my healthy diet and lifestyle.

Jan 02, 2012

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Page 1 of 10

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

2:30 a.m.

Cheapest Place to Get a Drink

Any bar that’s having a specials night, they vary constantly

Did You Know?

A ban on smoking has been placed on bars in Lexington, but the city extended bar hours until 2:30 a.m.

Bar ListingsWhat's This?

Redmons’

This bar is smaller and more downtown than near campus, but definitely worth it if you’re not looking for an overcrowded night out. Watch for live music performances from the owner, Larry Redmon.

269 W. Main St.

(859) 252-5802

Rosebud Bar and Scarlet Lounge

Rosebud Bar and Scarlet Lounge are actually two bars that operate adjacent to one another. Rosebud is usually filled with college students on the weekends, while Scarlet Lounge is a little swankier and tends to cater to a more yuppie crowd (as well as the occasional celebrity). They’re both stylish places, though, and the walls are covered with interesting artwork. Cover is usually $5 at the door.

121 N. Mill St.

(859) 254-1907

Two Keys Tavern

One of the most popular places for UK students, as it has a mix of dancing and just drinking. The cost is average, and there are pool tables and a dance floor, as well as an outside drinking area. There’s a bar outside and one inside. The tavern also opens up for a comedy night once a week. Two Keys is nearly a guarantee for a good time. Make sure to get there early as it gets crowded the later it gets.

333 S. Limestone

859-254-5000

McCarthy’s Irish Bar

This popular Irish bar has an atmosphere as laid-back and Irish as Dublin itself. It’s owned by an Irishman, employees have the accent . . . overall, the bar has an authentic and eclectic feel. Make sure to get to McCarthy’s for a quieter, cozy, Guinness-filled scene.

117 S. Upper St.

(859) 258-2181

Banana Joe’s

Every night, after the drinks stop flowing, this dance party opens up to everyone ages 18 and up.

509 W. Main St.

(859) 255-8863

Cheapside Bar and Grill

Cheapside features live music almost every night of the week, as well as affordable eats. Almost every night of the week, Cheapside’s has a drink special. Check their Web site for updates and upcoming events!

131 Cheapside

(859) 254-0046

www.cheapsidebarandgrill.com

Kitty O’Shea’s

This little bit o’Ireland features live Irish music every Tuesday night.

381 S. Limestone

(859) 255-3078

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

House parties, campus activities, bowling, movies. Banana Joe’s is 18 and up after-hours when the alcohol is no longer served. In Richmond, there are bars and clubs where students only have to be 18 to party.

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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 UK

Name: Rachel Schilling

Hometown: Cold Spring, KY

Major: English

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