College is all about finding your niche. Some people "find" themselves in books; others discover themselves in bars. Whether you're a punk or just like to get drunk, the following nightlife picks should help you fit in.
- For punk rockers: Where else but the Triple Rock? Friday night the West Bank club has New York punk band the Casualties. Side note: If you're a poor, hungry college student, check out Wednesdays -- free bacon night.
- For Latin lovers: Two of the busiest Latin music nights in the Twin Cities happen at the Loring Pasta Bar in Dinkytown, every Friday and Saturday (10 p.m., $6, 18 and older).
- For frat boys (and girls): Take your pick: the Library, Sally's and Blarney Pub can fill your drinking needs.
- For beer lovers (U of M): The University of Minnesota's best craft beer bar just got better. On football game days, Stub & Herb's turns its patio into a raging beer garden with Surly and Schell's beer trailers. Also: Don't forget about Town Hall Brewery, the area's best brewpub.
- For beer lovers (St. Thomas/St. Kate's/Macalester): The Groveland Tap has more than 30 tap beers -- seven of them dedicated to every Summit style available.
- For goths: One of downtown's most popular gay bars, the Saloon, has "Hard Mondays" and something it calls "Harder Mondays" (second Monday of the month), where the weekly industrial-goth night gets amped up with Mistress Jean Bardot. There's always Ground Zero in Northeast, too.
- For hip-hop heads: When the Dinkytowner closed, underground hip-hop fans lost a favorite venue. One of the club's best nights, "Last of the Record Buyers," is now held at the Fifth Element in Uptown every third Thursday. It's an open mike for producers to show off their beats. Members of Heiruspecs will be featured next Thursday (9 p.m., free, all ages).
- For rich kids: Tiffany Sports Lounge in Highland Park is still the spot for St. Thomas students. Thursday nights get so packed, they offer bottle service for college kids wanting to experience the VIP lifestyle. For cash-strapped students, Thursdays also feature $8 all-you-can-drink Premium Light (10 p.m.-1 a.m.).
- For rastas: On the West Bank, the Nomad World Pub hosts a Wednesday reggae night by the III Kings Sound System. The Kings bring in some big artists, such as Pato Banton Sept. 21 and the Itals Sept. 30. DJ Verb X also spins reggae on Tuesdays.
- For geeks: OK, you're not necessarily a geek if you hang out at the Tea Garden, because this place is supercool. You don't need alcohol to have fun when you have an abundance of bubble tea -- that colorful Asian drink filled with tapioca balls. DJs spin music on weekend nights at the U of M and Macalester locations.
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