Xavier University
- Nightlife

Red Cheetah

The Red Cheetah is a high-energy dance club that bills itself as a premiere club, with lines of club-goers waiting to get in nearly every weekend night. The draw? It has an uptown club feel, with a mix of high-energy dance tunes ranging from techno-pop to hip hop combined with intimate, VIP seating areas. Bold red carpet and cheetah motifs everywhere give the club a wild flavor that attracts the 20-something crowd. The place is spacious, offering plenty of room to dance and mingle.

Metropolis

Metropolis is a triumvirate of clubs in the Forest Fair Mall: Rodeo’s, a country music dance bar; the Underground, a techno club; and the Matrix, specializing in the latest pop and hip-hop tunes. The club is 21-and-over on Saturdays and Thursdays. Fridays and Sundays are 18-and-over. This allows all XU students to show up for contest night on Thursdays (Wet T-shirt, Best Butt—you get the idea), Mardi Gras Night on Fridays, and Ladies Night on Sundays. Metropolis is your typical bump-and-grind night club, with average prices, and a young, energetic atmosphere. For Xavier students who enjoy a good club scene, Metropolis is worth the drive off campus.

Norwood Café “The Woods”

The Woods is another favorite among the “big three” dive bars in walking distance from campus. Slightly more worn down and a little more favored by the locals than Soupie’s or Dana’s, the Woods is an extremely laid-back place to sit and have a drink with friends. With $2 drafts being the standard and the chill atmosphere as the norm, the Woods is the place to go for the over-21 crowd to get away from the bells and whistles of Soupie’s and relax in a more traditional bar-type atmosphere. One little known fact is that Charles Manson said that if he had a day out of prison, he would go to the Norwood Café and have a drink. Here’s to hoping you’re not there on that day.

Dana Gardens “Dana’s”

Dana’s is the favorite hangout of Xavier’s older crowd. While it’s tastefully worn down, aka a dive bar, Dana’s is steeped in tradition and familiarity. Most of these regulars are XU students, past and present, who enjoy the simpler things in life, namely a cold beer and a Muskie burger. With a second level with an outdoor deck available for when things get really crowded, Dana’s is the epitome of a local college bar. Whether you are up for darts, drinking, eating, or just acting like a drunken idiot (an XU pastime), Dana’s has you covered.

The Buzz Coffee Shop and CD-O-Rama

Buzz is definitely one of the hottest places to be near campus. Only a short drive away, this coffeehouse/CD store is a great place to hang out, relax, and talk with friends. Serving all kinds of interesting cappuccino and coffee mixes, Buzz caters to the sense of taste, as well as the sense of hearing. Buzz is a great place to be late at night as well, especially if you’re tired of loud dance music and people spilling beer all over you. The store has plenty of couches and tables, and usually isn’t too crowded, depending on what time you go. If you’re looking for a rare used CD, or want to chill and listen to pretentious indie rock, Buzz is your place. Hours: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–2 a.m., Saturday–Sunday 11 a.m.–2 a.m.

Bogart’s

Bogart’s is less of a club and more of a concert venue these days, bringing in the biggest names in alternative rock and hip hop. Holding about 1,000 people at most, the larger shows, such as Dashboard Confessional, sell out immediately. People from UC, Xavier, and northern Kentucky come out to see their favorite acts and enjoy the “rock club” feel that Bogart’s has to offer. Tickets are usually between $10–$20, depending on the act, but it is always well worth it. Bogart’s is located next to Buzz Coffee Shop, so you can go and decompress after being rocked all night long. Almost all the shows are for all ages, and anyone is welcome if they are into the music.