The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (which, by the way, is located in Champaign-Urbana) is basically known for its bars. When you turn 19, it's more significant than you're 10th, 16th, and 18th birthdays combined. However, some bars are better than the others, and here is your plug for the best UIUC bars.
1. The Red Lion
Do you want to dance on (fall off of) tables? You want to barstool it for three hours? Do you want to stand outside in the beer garden? Do you want to stand in line for an hour to pay $15 cover? Do you want to take a notorious picture in the nasty bathroom? Do you want dark lights and loud music? PERFECT. Lion is the place for you!
2. The Clybourne
Four words: Wine. Night. Tiki. Bar. That is all.
3. Joe’s Brewery
Come to Joe’s if you want to see underage freshmen sitting and “having dinner” until happy hour starts!
4. KAM’S
You’ll either lose your shoe because the floor is sticky or face plant because it’s slippery and then end up smelling like stale beer for the rest of your life. But as long as you take a picture in front of Alma holding a Blue Guy to show your friends that you do indeed have a social life then it’s all worth it!
5. Murphy’s Pub
Do you feel like Ted Mosby or Barney Stinson? Head to Murphy’s for the perfect “How I Met Your Mother” experience.
6. Legends
Grad students. Grad students everywhere.
7. Brothers Bar and Grill
Middle-aged men stuck in college that just want to play trivia gosh dang it.
8. Firehaus
Let’s just say if you block here, you shouldn’t even be in Greek Life.
9. Illini Inn
Is this place even open? That is an actual question.
