Yale University
- Nightlife

Gotham Citi Café

Gotham Citi Cafe was originally geared toward the gay and lesbian crowd but has become a popular place for all sorts of people, including college students. Thursday is College night, Friday is Latin night, and Saturday is Gay/Lesbian night. Look for drink specials.

Toad’s Place

Toad’s Place has been rockin’ since 1975, establishing itself as one of the premiere music halls in the country. Besides hosting incredible concerts, Toad’s hosts Wednesday and Saturday night dance parties specifically geared toward college students. You must be 19+ to party and 21+ to drink. THE place for dancing, partying Yalies. Also look out for foam parties (you've never experienced anything like it...really).

Alchemy Nightclub

Alchemy has three incredible clubs under one roof. One room is dedicated to the best of hip-hop on vinyl (yes, real vinyl). The second section is home to Connecticut's largest dance floor and a 30-foot-wide waterfall. The third section is Elevate Lounge and Event Space, located upstairs. Alchemy is easily one of the coolest places to dance in New Haven.

Elevate

Elevate boasts the subtitle, "Connecticut nightlife just grew up," and it's true. This lounge is more sophisticated and luxurious than its fellows and is a popular venue for college dances and Screws. It has a great dance floor and comfortable settees to settle on when those four-inch heels become a little too much. Also check out their podcast!

Oz After Hours

With no specified closing time, Oz after Hours is designed to take in those patrons who get kicked out of other clubs at 2 a.m. but aren't ready to call it a night. Located at Gotham Citi Café.

Keys to the City at Caffé Bottega

Keys to the City is home to Connecticut's only Dueling Piano Bar. A popular hang out for groups of students enjoying great live jazz music and a good drink.

Rudy’s Restaurant

Rudy’s is more of a New Haven bar than a Yale bar. Expect to rub elbows with nostalgic hippies and Yale-grads-turned-state-governors alike. The beer selection is great, but Rudy's is especially well-known for its Belgian-style frites (like french fries) and huge selection of dipping sauces. Yum!

Richter’s Café

Richter’s is New Haven’s oldest bar. While space can be a bit tight, it may be well worth the squeeze to sit back with one of Richter's legendary half-yard-tall glasses of beer. The food can be a bit pricey, but the Scotch and whiskey selection are very good. A great place to catch a game, too.

The Anchor

The Anchor is one of New Haven’s classic seedy bars and was reportedly one of Jodi Foster’s favorite hangouts when she was a student. The food and drink are basic but pretty good (and budget friendly). It's really the atmosphere you're after: the crusty locals, mediocre waitstaff, and inexpensive fare equal your new favorite local place.

168 York Street Café

168 York Street Café is New Haven's only gay owned and operated bar, as well as one of the oldest gay bars in Connecticut. It generally caters to an older crowd but has a great Sunday brunch!

Diesel Lounge

Established in 1998, this new candlelit bar is at once cozy and energetic.

BAR

BAR's BruRoom specializes in brick oven pizzas and micro-brew beers. Its BARtropolis Room is a high-energy dance club playing everything from hip-hop to tribal. Check out Thursday's "College Night" with popular dance music by DJ Noelle and $2 drinks.

Toad's Place

If you are 19+, you are welcome at Toad's to party, but you must be 21+ to drink. Concerts are open to everyone (and they're GOOD concerts).

On campus parties!

Dance parties, campus-wide themed events (Safety Dance, Trolley Night, Prohibition, etc.), after-parties for shows, secret society bar nights, and room parties. Yalies LOVE to have fun.