If you're familiar with the University of Northern Iowa, you know that our drinking establishments reside just a few steps off campus. The Hill. An actual hill with several bars and random shops down it. There's a few sub shops and pizza places, an Insomnia Cookies, some barber shops, hot yoga studio, and a coffee shop. But what does the Hill have the most of? (Not pizza places, even through there's three.) Bars.
To the bars! To the bars!
Now, I've gone on two "tours" of the Hill. One when I was freshly 21, and one when my roommate turned 21. You should at least visit all the Hill has to offer at some point in your UNI experience, but some places you don't need to return to or ones become "your place."
Sharky's
"Sharky's," "Shark Tank," whatever you call it, it's probably the last place I'd choose to go. It's got a bit of a reputation on campus for numerous reasons, but bless 'em, they've had quite a loyal crowd.
Suds
If you like the "small town" bar vibe Suds is for you. If you can find it. In a way, it's a bit of an adventure to actually get into Suds, as you have to go up some stairs, up and down some more little steps as you walk around the building. And if signed bras hanging on the ceiling is your thing, you'll love the bar area. There's also a little outdoor beer garden on the roof of Sharky's. But good luck finding the bathroom. That's an adventure all its own.
The Hydrant
The Hydrant is alright. But the downside of the Hydrant is that it's a bit removed from the rest of the Hill's (drinking) establishments. If you're down to walk the length of the Hill, go for it- they have Jell-O shots served in plastic syringes and a nice atmosphere, just be prepared to have your shoes sink a little into the thick carpet at the end of the night.
Octopus
The Octopus is geared toward a very specific crowd. It's got a bit of a hipster vibe, which is okay, especially if that's your thing. It brings in a lot of live bands and, even though they don't have a dartboard (like everywhere else) they have a pinball machine. AND there's free popcorn, which is pretty lit. (They probably wouldn't appreciate the use of the word "lit.")
The Other Place
The Other Place not only has good pizza, but they've got a bar. Now, I haven't spent a lot of time at The Other Place on a Friday or Saturday night. Granted, I don't think a lot of students have, especially since it's kind of passed by, nestled in with the Hill's storefronts. But it's a good place to meet up with people, especially for pizza and beer, on any given day.
The Library
The Library is rarely packed, which is nice. And it serves a lot of the grad student/community member crowd. Often it gets confused with the actual campus library, Rod Library. So, people might get confused when you say "I'm going to the library." You going to the bar or Rod fam?
Little Bigs
Little Bigs is the successor to Beck's. At first, Little Bigs didn't really have a "wow" factor to me. It was okay at first, but as my group of friends and I kept returning, it grew on us. Though there's a wall between the sit-down area and the dance floor, it's spacious enough and the staff is great.
Social House
Social House is my favorite bar on the Hill. I love the atmosphere (and the specials). The interior is nice too, with a section of booths and plenty of standing room. There's also an upstairs bar as well (which isn't as hard to get to as Suds' outdoor beer garden).
RIP:
Beck's
Beck's was the predecessor to Little Bigs. Now, I never went to Beck's during bar time, but wow I miss their burgers.
Gingers
Gingers was a bar a step to the left of the Hill. They had skee ball and they used to hold Gradfest there. And It was nestled behind what used to be Great Wall.
"Used to?" you say. Well, I'll regale you with the story of Spring 2016. Great Wall, the best drunk Chinese food the Hill could offer, caught fire one fine day close to finals. Campus reeked of fried rice as the fire department doused the flames and Gingers suffered some water damage as a result.
Like I said, these were my experiences with the bars, and y'all have your own preferences. Enjoy the Hill!
