University of Massachusetts - AmherstNightlife Summary

Not only is the nightlife at UMass unlike anywhere else, you can find a party just about any night of the week. The most popular nights for partying are Thursday through Saturday, but Tuesday is also a common going-out night. The bigger parties usually occur at the frat houses, off-campus apartments, and downtown Amherst, whereas the smaller parties generally happen in the dorms. Most of the fraternities and one of the sororities throw parties every weekend, and these are mostly attended by freshmen and people looking for random hookups. The bars in Amherst are good, while the clubs are few and far between. As you meet more people at UMass, it gets easier to find parties on and off campus. Most likely, if you don't know of any parties yourself, someone you know does. It helps to get involved in a sport or a club, but if all else fails, you can usually find a party just by wandering around popular party areas like Puffton or Southwest. Getting off campus—or even across it—to parties is easy if you use the bus system. In fact, the majority of students say they prefer to use the PVTA to get to parties, while a smaller percentage prefers to walk. Other options include using a designated driver or a cab, though taxis can sometimes be expensive. Prominent off-campus party areas include: Hobart, Puffton, townhouses, and houses owned by various sports teams and organizations.