• Organize and track the schools that YOU are interested in.
  • Get matched up with schools that fit your personality.
  • Determine your chances at each school CP covers.
  • Calculate your costs at any school.

Nightlife:

B+

(explain this grade)

Comparable Schools'
Nightlife Grades:

Quick Stats

Useful Resources for Nightlife

  • www.triadnightlife.com
  • www.wakestudent.com
  • www.winstonsalemevents.org
  • www.yesweekly.com

Student Favorites

  • Burke Street Pub
  • Freddie B’s
  • Ziggy’s

Primary Areas with Nightlife

  • Burke Street
  • Deacon Boulevard
  • Fourth Street
  • University Parkway

Other Places to Check Out

  • Fox & Hound

Favorite Drinking Games

  • Beer pong
  • Flip cup
  • Kings
  • Quarters

Bars Close At

2 a.m.

Cheapest Place to Get a Drink

Black Bear Tavern

College Prowler Take

There are a few popular bars within a few miles of campus, but the club scene in Winston-Salem is non existent. Some students that are desperate for a decent club drive a half hour to Greensboro for a taste, but it is generally too inconvenient to make it a habit. All bars check IDs, so students are out of luck if they’re under 21 or without a good ID. Among the most popular bars are Black Bear Tavern, Cobalt, and Freddie B’s. Ziggy’s, a small concert venue, brings huge acts to the area every week.

The lack of compelling nightlife options in Winston-Salem isn’t crippling to Wake’s overall social life because there’s plenty to do on campus. The under-21 crowd’s only options are fraternity parties, while those of age will occasionally step out and hit the bars. However, Winston-Salem isn’t exactly a college town. But, local businesses could do a better job of catering to Wake students.

Free Profile Tools

Do I Stand A Chance?

Calculate YOUR chances of admission at every school CP covers!

__%

Personality Match

Calculate YOUR personality match with every school CP covers!

__%

What'll It Cost Me?

Estimate your out-of-pocket costs at every school CP covers!

$__,___

Students Speak Out

Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:

Anonymous says:

There’s one bar on campus,...

There’s one bar on campus, Shorty’s, and I think they only serve beer. The bars around town are okay. They cater to college kids.

Nightlife
Report

Anonymous says:

There are a lot of bars, but no...

There are a lot of bars, but no clubs around, unless you want to drive to Greensboro. Some good bars are Black Bear, Fox & Hound, Freddie B’s, and Cobalt. They card, so you need ID to drink there, unless you know the bouncers.

Nightlife
Report

Anonymous says:

Ziggy’s is pretty big for music...

Ziggy’s is pretty big for music and concerts. It’s where a bunch of bands come play. We had Lifehouse play there, and John Mayer came. Blues Traveler came to campus. There are a few clubs in Winston-Salem, and you can find a bunch more in Greensboro, which is about 30 minutes away.

Nightlife
Report

Anonymous says:

Unfortunately, Winston does not...

Unfortunately, Winston does not have much of a nightlife. However, most people find the fraternity parties an acceptable alternative. There are some bars, but the only club I know of in Winston is a gay club. There are some clubs about 30 minutes away in Greensboro.

Nightlife
Report

Anonymous says:

There are a few bars in town. The...

There are a few bars in town. The ones that most people go to are Cobalt and Ziggy’s. Ziggy’s always has famous bands coming in. Wake definitely lacks a club scene. People who really want to go clubbing usually drive to Charlotte, NC for the night, but that’s over an hour away.

Nightlife
Report

Facts

Club Crawler

Winston-Salem isn’t known for a club scene. You’ll have to drive to another, bigger city to get any clubbing in.

Organization Parties

Many clubs and sports teams at WFU will often rent out a restaurant or bar and throw private parties. Frankly, these are no different from the parties that sororities typically hold at Freddie B’s, just a different sponsoring body. However, for a non-alcoholic option, several student groups have party-like events throughout the year, including dances (especially popular is the Shag on the Mag), concerts, and lock-ins.

Bar Listings

Freddie B’s is a sports bar located right next to Groves Stadium. They have big-screen TVs, so it’s a great place to go during WFU away games, as well as after the home games. They also frequently host Greek functions.

Freddie B’s

513 Deacon Blvd.

(336) 748-9444

Gatsby’s is a private club, so you’ll need to be a member or be with a member to get in. To become a member, all you need is an existing member to sponsor you and $5 for a membership card. It’s worth it if you like a more laid-back, intimate atmosphere. They’ve also got pool, darts, and foosball to keep you entertained.

Gatsby’s Pub

1157 Burke St.

(336) 722-7637

This relatively small bar is a major concert venue that somehow manages to draw in several big-name acts every month. With cheap drinks in addition to cheap ticket prices, Ziggy’s is by far the premier name in Winston-Salem’s music scene.

Ziggy’s

433 Baity St.

(336) 748-1064

Management claims that Black Bear is an uptown atmosphere with a college bar price. But let’s not kid ourselves---Black Bear is known for its cheap drinks, not the atmosphere.

Black Bear Tavern

1131 Burke St.

(336) 724-5724

You get two bars in one at Burke Street Pub. There’s your typical sports bar with ping-pong, pool, and darts. This is complemented by an outdoor “beach bar,” where “bathing suits are optional, but fun in the sun is mandatory.” Known for their $1 drink specials, this is probably the most popular bar for Wake students.

Burke Street Pub

110 Burke St.

(336) 750-0097

Cobalt is Winston-Salem’s first patio bar and is generally kicking before and after football games. This is a great place to watch Demon Deacon away games.

Cobalt

505 Deacon Blvd.

(336) 750-0030

What to Do if You're Not 21

Hit the frat parties. Since there are no clubs to speak of in Winston, Ziggy’s is really your only option for going out.

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Aubrey V.
Hometown: Lexington, KY
Major: Political Science/Studio Art

Aubrey is happy to report that she has hugged Orlando Bloom.

Contributing Author Internship

College Prowler is actively seeking talented students to be "Contributing Authors," and assist with updating the College Prowler guide to their school. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain internship experience, be a part of a nationally recognized company, gain tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college. Read more about the internship.