Years: 1981-1985
With dad’s weekend on the horizon, I sat down and talked with a few alums of the university about their experiences with U of I nightlife. To say the times have changed would be an understatement.
1. Describe campus nightlife when you were on campus.
"Lots
of house parties. There were five popular bars when I was on campus. The greeks
mainly went to KAMS, the older people (grad students and seniors) went to
Murphy’s, the rugby players went to Illini Inn and the places I went to the
most were COD’s, Cochran's and Round Robin. There was also a place called
T-Birds, it was in Urbana and all of the freshmen went there because they would
allow freshmen in there. As I got older I went to more house parties and less
bars."
2. What was your favorite bar and describe it?
“I
liked Round Robin the best because I could sit at a table and talk to my
friends. I could hear myself think. Lame, I know.”
From the sounds of it, this appears to be a bar comparable to Firehaus or White Horse. More casual and not as much of a party scene.
3. Talk to me about KAMS.
I
only went to KAMS twice and I was not a fan. There were a lot of athletes and bros
there and they would do a “lap.” They would walk around the bar and see if they
could find a girl. It might be what they still do, I don’t know.
Glad to hear that everyone’s favorite “frat lap” was still happening in the '80s.
4. When you went out what type of atmosphere were you looking
for?
"I
think most of the time it was somewhere where I could talk. I wasn’t looking
for too crazy of a time. In the '80s it was pretty crazy. There were tons of
cheap drinks and people would get very drunk: nothing that has changed now.
Once a year they had a thing where they tried to break the record for the
number of 'little kings,' which is a high alcohol beer in a little bottle.
Cochran’s used to have this contest once a year and they broke the world
record."
5. What was the craziest day on campus?
"Halloween. They closed
all of the roads and people would party in the streets. There were riots when
I was there and Halloween was by far the most insane day of the year. We played
Michigan once on Halloween and we won the game and then there were crazy riots
in the streets."
Note: Unofficial was not a thing in the '80s.
6. What are you expecting KAMS to be like when you go for dad’s
weekend after all these years?
Probably just about the
same. I imagine it to be no different. Putrid rotten beer smell and a lot of
frat boys. Honestly, I have no idea what to really expect but it will be an
experience, that’s for sure.
