Your cheat sheet to downtown bar specials every day of the week

Because budgeting for alcohol is the most important thing you need to learn in college

When coming to Penn State, you must understand that we, as students, know how to study and more importantly we also know how to party. Once we turn 21, it’s quickly realized that the money in our savings account doesn’t stick around as long as it used to. But good news – there is always a bar with a deal every night of the week and I hit up every one of them for a week straight. Here is how I got the most for my money and you can, too. You’re welcome.

Mad Mex Mondays

Big Ass Margs – $6

What better way to start the week than with a margarita? After a long, brutal case of the Mondays head over to Mad Mex, a restaurant chain that also doubles as a super cool bar. With their awesome atmosphere and acceptable walking distance (right next to the Days Inn), Mad Mex is a great place to take a load off. The best part? Big Ass Margs go for $6 starting at 4pm. Perfect for an after class pick-me-up.

Den Tuesdays

Long Island Iced Teas – $2

Ah yes, you guessed it, my friends. While Tuesday might not seem like a typical day to go out, here in State College it is a night that is as sought after as Friday. With all of us broke college students, this deal of Long Island Ice Teas (lovingly known as LITs) for $2 is too good to pass up. Plus, The Lion’s Den is a great bar to take the edge off and dance until your feet hurt or, in a more personal experience, until you fall on your butt. The three different bars and the two floors will give you ample room to show off your moves—and how much you can drink. Just try to beat the endless line that forms to get into the bar considering that happy hour starts at 10.

Gaffaoke Wednesdays

Liquor Pitchers—$6 (and Karaoke)

The Shandygaff is one the most loved bars in Penn State, and maybe that is because it’s one of the oldest bars here. The Gaff is a great bar to head over to on Wednesdays because it has a great deal on one of their signature drinks, liquor pitchers, and also because Wednesday night is the highly anticipated karaoke. Make sure to drink as much liquid courage you might need and sign yourself up for that Natasha Beddingfield song you always sing in the shower. Everyone will either be too drunk to hear you or you will be too drunk to care. Either way, Gaffaoke is a great time.

Indigo Thursdays

Long Island Iced Teas – $1

Yes, you read that correctly. One. Single. Dollar. Four quarters. Skip doing your laundry and spend that money on a drink at Indigo this Thursday. Not only is this a great deal, but Indigo is a fantastic bar—or should I say club. Much like Lion’s Den, Indigo offers a DJ and a huge dance floor. By the end of the night, your quads will be on fire from how low you’ve dropped it, but all that will be numbed by the five dollars you spend on FIVE drinks. A perfect broke college student deal.

P-man Fridays  

Beer of the Month – $2

Primanti Brothers offers a cheap beer rather than cheap liquor and sometimes that is just what we need. It’s all about pacing. At Primanti’s you can get their chosen beer of the month for only $2. This bar is one of my favorites considering its atmosphere is one of the most laid back of all the bars in State College. There are booths to sit in, high top tables to stand or sit at, and plenty of room to congregate with your friends surrounding the actual bar. There is also never a cover at this bar—a very important factor. AND you can get a slice of pizza for $1.50 from 10-12. What’s not to love?

Bar Bleu Saturdays

Fishbowls –$5

While many might overlook Bar Bleu, it is a hidden gem. It appears deceivingly small from the outside, but in all actuality, there are two floors much like the Lion’s Den. The atmosphere here is much like that of Primanti’s: very laid back and a good time. Plus, their deals on fishbowls are hard to beat. A whole actual fishbowl filled with liquor for $5? Say no more.

Saloon Sundays

Monkey Boys – $5

Saloon Monkey Boys are the perfect way to finish out the week. If you thought that Gaff’s liquor pitchers were a one-way ticket to Blackoutville, think again. Saloon gives you an actual HUGE pitcher filled with so much liquor. You can pick a flavor (there’s even one called Bong Water that is surprisingly not that bad) and then pay $5 to sell your dignity to the bartender. You won’t need another drink after this one. Saloon is also cool because there is usually a live band—something to Snapchat about and show everyone that even on a Sunday, you know how to have a good time.


So there you have it. While this daily schedule of drinking might scare those non-Penn Staters, we must gently remind them that it’s only alcoholism if you don’t stop after college. So take it in my fellow Staters. And remember: there is never a wrong time to drink.

More
Penn State