There’s a solid chance many of you made some of your best damn memories at these Florida college bars. You may have also shamelessly made out with your ex at these too, but hey, college! Whether it’s a complete dive, a sports bar, or an over-the-top dance club, here are some of the best college bars in Florida.
Club Recess
705 S Woodward Ave, Tallahassee, (850) 570-8535
For a club frequented by college students, this place is pretty swanky. With cabanas, a pool and even bottle service, this is definitely one of the dare we say, classy college hangouts Tallahassee has to offer. However, (after a few bottles from the cocktail waitresses of course), that doesn’t mean the crowd has to be.
Photo via Recess/FacebookColiseum
Varsity Shopping Center, 1833 W Tennessee St, Tallahassee, (850) 727-4555
Although it’s true that the best trash college bars are usually found in nondescript shopping plazas, Coliseum is a rather large nightclub, and yes, it’s located right smack behind the CVS Pharmacy. It’s been said that the security at the door is tighter than the TSA and there’s no real room to breathe, Coliseum is also home to Bianca’s pizza, so that’s worth it.
Photo via Coliseum/FacebookBalls Bookstore
1716 W University Ave, Gainesville, (352) 366-1188
Yep, this college bar is just as trash as it sounds, but man does it offer some good deals. Located right across from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, this hole-in-the-wall graffitied bar is just the place for a really cheap, trashy college night out.
Photo via claudzv/InstagramCopper Top Pub
5112 E Fowler Ave, Temple Terrace, (813) 988-8656
Here, $20 gets you all you can drink and all you can eat wings, plus the regular Copper Top amenities like pool tables, darts and foosball. This bar, (which actually does have a copper top), has been quenching the thirst of USF students for decades with $9 all you can drink specials and all the cheap beer they could ask for.
Photo via burtalicious/InstagramGilt Nightclub
740 Bennett Rd, Orlando, (407) 504-7699
Formerly known as Roxy, a.k.a the first bar you’d ever go to as a college student and get hit on by 40-year-old men, Gilt has become the Mecca for UCF students on a Thursday night. With ridiculously cheap bus tickets to get there and stupid cheap drink specials, Gilt has become the club that kicks off the weekend for UCF students looking to party.
Photo via Gilt Nightclub/FacebookStagger Inn
12190 Collegiate Way #140, Orlando, (402) 270-9604
Just as the name insinuates, this is the place to walk, stumble or stagger your way into for a cheap beer, especially after happy hour at Pub. Although the bar is only two years old, it’s gained as much popularity among UCF students as Lib or Pub because it just so happens that many UCF students really value a bar that is acceptable to wear flannels to.
Photo via Stagger Inn/FacebookThe Knight Library
11448 University Blvd, Orlando, (407) 704-7477
Named the No. 1 college bar in America at least once, Knight’s Library has established itself to be worthy of the award. Why? Three words: free liquor pitchers. But also, Karaoke night.
Photo via Knight Library/FacebookKnight’s Pub Inc.
3910 N Alafaya Trail, Orlando, (407) 720-8713
It’s no doubt that Knight’s Pub is a true UCF staple. Even though it has not topped the charts of best college bars in America like Library has, it’s likely that if you’re a UCF student, or live remotely close to UCF, you have blacked out at happy hour, double fisted free drinks or had your fake ID taken from here at least once.
Photo via bchectnutphotosSalty Dog Saloon
1712 W University Ave, Gainesville, (352) 375-6969
Located in the heart of Gainesville’s Midtown, Salty’s really is the college dive bar. Here, you can expect large crowds, cheap food and dangerously cheap drinks. With happy hour offered daily and half priced food items, it’s no wonder this is a haven for UF students . Also, be prepared to listen to country music, a lot of it.
Photo via phat_chicken/InstagramSandbar Sports Grill
3064 Grand Ave, Miami, (305) 444-5270
The Sandbar definitely offers a more chill vibe among the bustling and bougie Miami scene, and was at some point, such a trash bar it’s even been on Spike’s “Bar Rescue.” Tacos, draft beer and sports. What more could a college student ask for?
Photo via kaleofkrypton/InstagramTavern in the Grove
3416 Main Hwy, Miami, (305) 447-3884
It may sound surprising, but Miami does in fact offer a place for students to get away from the expensive South Beach clubs for cheap drinks in a college-bar atmosphere. In fact, Tavern in the Grove has actually made numerous lists when it comes to best college bars in America, who knew Miami had it in them to stray from their fancy overpriced clubs?
Photo via Tavern in the Grove/InstagramRockey’s Dueling Piano Bar
112 S Main St, Gainesville, (352) 505-0042
Offering up live music, comedy and of course, drink specials, this bar, while frequented by students, is more than just a typical college bar serving up drinks out of a plastic cup that’ll you’ll for sure regret the next day. Thursday here is college night, and since it’s a piano bar, all drunken song requests are filled, from current hits to of course, Billy Joel’s classic “Piano Man.”
Photo via Rocky’s/FacebookO’Brians Irish Pub
51 SE 1st Ave, Boca Raton, (561) 929-3732
It’s no secret that you don’t choose to go to school in Boca Raton if you’re trying to do anything for cheap, however, O’Brian’s is that saving grace all FAU students are looking for when trying to give their wallet a break, because this hole-in-the-wall Irish pub is definitely an escape from the upscale Boca lifestyle that surrounds it.
Photo via trlax14m/InstagramPotbelly’s
459 W College Ave, Tallahassee, (850) 224-2233
This beer garden and concert venue is one of the most quintessential bars at FSU, hosting events throughout the semester to help carry Tally’s hard-working college students through, including Fake St. Patrick’s Day, Friday happy hours and Mugapalooza.
Photo via Potbelly’s/FacebookTiki Bar
18051 S Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, (239) 267-7900
Who the hell knows why FGCU students party at the back of a Days Inn, but who could pass up a frozen fruity drink that will taste so sweet in the beginning, then make you hate your life the next day.
Photo via Tiki Bar/FacebookKeys Bar & Grill
Gulf Coast Town Center, 9905 Gulf Coast Main St, Fort Myers, (239) 433-3323
Dueling pianos seem to be the trend amongst college students these days. The Keys Bar offers live music, cheap(ish) drinks and yes, dueling pianos. It’s impossible to find and there is absolutely no parking, but going to school in Fort Myers will leave your party options limited, so it’s worth the journey.
Photo via Keys/FacebookThe Ritz
185 3rd Ave N, Jacksonville Beach, (904) 246-2255
The Ritz isn’t the trashiest bar in America, but UNF kids (known as the Ospreys) flock there, and it does have one very special, classy college touch to it. At the end of the night when you’ve had your fill of bottom shelf vodka or cheap beer and need something a little more filling, look to the Ritz’s glowing neon sign, where you’ll find they have their very own hot dog stand ready to serve all the drunkies.
Photo via Ritz/FacebookThe Study Ale House
1925 E Fletcher Ave, Tampa, (913) 631-7859
Only open four days a week, this ale house may come off a little more exclusive than the usual college bar. There is even a Mug Club Monday for those dedicated to the beloved bar enough to purchase one of its custom beer mugs. Honestly not going to lie, they look pretty cool actually.
Photo via The Study/InstagramFat Daddy’s
1702 W University Ave, Gainesville, (352) 372-3200
Some say it’s the atmosphere here that makes you walk in and say, “I’m ready to get f***ed up,” others claim it’s the slushies that truly make the Fats experience what it is. Recently named “Best Trash Bar in America” by The Tab, Fat Daddy’s is the place for dancing, drinking and of course, drunken, awful, singing.
Photo via wake_n_bake_420/Instagram
