The Post headed out to talk to over 70 people at 20 bars in Athens to get the scoop on who you can find hanging out at each bar.
The area surrounding Ohio University’s campus has more bars than Athens has libraries, book stores, dining halls and Division 1 men’s sporting teams combined.
“If you take away the bars from OU, it’s a just a good education,” said Austin Pegouske, a junior studying communication.
And each bar has its own identity.
Frequenting a bar can have its benefits. For example, at Lucky’s Sports Tavern, regulars can buy a mug for $45 a semester and receive half-off drinks, said Matt Winters, a bartender.
The crowd can also fluctuate based on the time of week. Most bars count the weekends as prime customer times, but Laura Tobar, a bartender at The Smiling Skull Saloon, said Wednesday karaoke night is the most popular, and Jordan Scali, a bartender at the Cat’s Den, said Tuesdays are “because dollar shots.”
With bars lining the main drag in Athens, it’s awfully easy for OU students to grab a drink.
“I think people outside the university, if they don’t go to OU, that’s how they identify OU as a party school image, all the bars down Court Street. It’s just a part of the whole town,” said Brad Wharton, owner of Broney’s Alumni Grill.
The Post headed out in Athens, interviewing more than 70 people to see whom you can find at each bar in town.
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Broney’s Alumni Grill
7 W. Carpenter St.
Signature drink: Champagne slushies, $4
What group goes here?
“We get such a wide diversity, any college-aged crowd. We get a lot of foreign students. It’s a very wide breakdown.” — Brad Wharton, owner of Broney’s Alumni Grill
“Definitely upperclassmen. They’re harder on IDs than most bars. ...It’s more like a restaurant so they have to keep the reputation.” — Jake Schany, junior studying marketing
“Alumni. A lot of older people — locals too.” — Greg Pax, senior studying health administration
“A lot of alumni. ...It’s not really fratty. ...It’s a mix of everybody,” — Michael Powell, senior studying engineering
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Courtside Pizza
85 N. Court St.
Signature drink: Adios, $4
What group goes here?
“We see a wide range of people. It’s not just a specific group. I see all types of people here.” — Kaci Knicely, bartender
“Everyone is really friendly and polite (at Courtside). ...I don’t think there is a certain clique that comes here; everyone comes to Courtside.” — Sophia Biafora, customer
“(Courtside is) more of a relaxed carefree vibe. ...I think it’s a mixture of everyone.” — Tamara Robinson, junior studying child and family studies
“Llamas. ...It’s a group of bartenders that used to run the town. ...It’s a mixture of Courtside, The Pub and Cat’s Eye (bartenders).” — Mike Huntley, OU alumnus
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Stephen’s On Court
66 N. Court St.
Signature drink: Stephen’s Lemonade, $6
What group goes here?
“Probably it’s a mix (of people) — sorority and fraternity probably.” — Melanie Hoskinson, bartender
“During the day, they have a more of an upper-class dining scene. During the night, it’s a little crazy with a younger crowd of younger girls and guys.” — Cole Gordon, a senior studying applied nutrition
“It’s more of like a sophomore crowd, a lot of sophomore women. ...There’s an older crowd for food during the day.” — James Hrabak, sixth year studying sociology and criminology and in the national guard
“Its a variety of people.”— Jenna Finer, senior studying journalism
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Casa Nueva Restaurant and Cantina
6 W. State St.
Signature drink: Bloody Mary, $5.50
What group goes here?
“It definitely depends on what kind of show we’re having or what time of day it is. A lot of the time during the day there’d be some 30 to 40 townies in there. If we’re having a dance night, it’d be more college-age students. ...It’s really a mix.” – Candida Stamp, human resources coordinator for Casa Nueva
“Hippies ... townies.” — Olivia DeLaval, Athens resident.
“I think there’s a variety of people. ... It’s more of a townie spot.” — Matthew Martin, Athens resident
“It’s definitely not the jock, fraternity group.” — Taylor Rhyan, Athens resident
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The Pigskin Sports Bar and Grille
38 N. Court St.
Signature drink: Black Widow, $3 Thursdays, $4 normal
What group goes here?
“I would say older crowds, like seniors, and we get a lot of grad students. We have a mix.” — Brandon Pumphrey, bartender
“Regular students — not particular group. Mainly juniors and seniors.” — Trent Kusar, junior studying management information systems and marketing
“Definitely older — grad school or definitely Greek.” — Rachel Niese, junior studying business
“An older crowd.” — Karlee Wolke, junior studying sociology, criminology and psychology
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The Cat’s Eye Saloon
12 N. Court St.
Signature drink: Angry Pirate, $3.25 deal or $3.75, Monster Bombs $4
What group goes here?
“We get a lot of club sports and locals, Cleveland fans.” — Willie Griffes, bartender
“There’s a few club teams, Browns fans in the fall, locals all year round.” — Evan Rothwell, Athens resident
“I know they’re the Cleveland-backing bar, so a bunch of Browns fans go there on Sundays.” —Eli Burris, junior studying strategic communication
“It’s a pretty diverse group. Every time I’ve been here it’s never been one group taking over.” — Frank Valentour, senior studying finance
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The JBar
41 N. Court St.
Signature drink: Junction Punch, $4
What group goes here?
“We kind of get the athletes, but juniors and seniors mostly. ... We don’t really have a set group.” — Tommy Ashman, head manager at JBar
“I would honestly say every kind of student (comes to JBar). I would say it’s the coolest bar in town.” — Logan Gabler, a graduate student
“I would say athletes, probably.” — Michael Stephenson, alumnus
“Greeks, I don’t think much frat, but sorority.” — Drew Cremeans, alumnus
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The Pub
39 N. Court St.
Signature drink: Aquariums $3.50 happy hour, $4 normal hours, Rainbow shots (8 for $10, 10 for $12)
What group goes here?
“We literally have the best mix of people. ... Everyone always has a good time. That’s what I love about The Pub.” — Keanu Oettinger, bartender
“Laid back people. ... Older (residents).” — Shea Tarvin, senior studying marketing and management information systems
“Probably athletes — overall there’s a little bit of everyone.” —B Barett, Athens resident
“Here and Pawpurr’s brings the most diverse crowd, I’d say.” — Steve Smith, Athens resident
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Pawpurr’s Bar
37 N. Court St.
Signature drink: Blackouts, $4
What group goes here?
“I would probably say Pawpurr’s is one of the most diverse bars just because we don’t have a set crowd. There’s a bunch of different people; there’s Greek, athletes, just a whole different variety of crowd.” — Greg Fuller, bartender
“I would say not Greek — that’s why I keep coming here. ...It’s a wide mixture, just not Greek.” — Joe Ranallo, senior studying physical education
“I would say a mixture (of people come to Pawpurr’s).” — Jess Bendokas, senior studying accounting
“Lots of little frat buddies. ... (It’s a) frat, sorority spot.” —Cameron Long, customer and student at Columbus State University
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Red Brick Tavern
14 N. Court St.
Signature drink: Well drinks, Brick Break ($1 domestic bottles, pints, well drinks)
What group goes here?
“We get a really large selection (of people) for Brick Break. There’s an entire frat that comes in for Brick Break on Fridays.” — Haley Dunfee, bartender
“I’d say freshman, but that’s from hearsay.” — Collin Lohnes, junior studying management information systems and accounting
“Freshmen.” — Sam Flannery, senior studying sports management
“On Wednesday and Thursday, freshman.” — Katherine Myers, sophomore studying interior design
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Tony’s Tavern
7 W. State St.
Signature drink: Hot nut, $2.50
What group goes here?
“Locals.” — John Terry, bartender
“The old farts. Tony’s is a bar of regulars, and we are a lot of older professional people.” — Lori Linnevers, Athens resident
“I’d say alumni and upper classmen and local folks.” — Beth Bordonaro, OU alumna and Athens resident
“Locals.” — Chris Casey, Athens resident
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Cat’s Den
110 W. Union St.
Signature drink: Dollar shots on Tuesdays, $1.25 mixed drinks on Wednesdays
What group goes here?
“It just depends on the time. We have more of a local crowd during the day. After 8 p.m., more students. ... Between 8 and 10 p.m., we see the two cohabitate.” — Jordan Scali, bartender
“Depends on what time. Early in the evening, from like 2 to 7 p.m., more of a working class as compared to students. ... After 10 p.m., more students.” — Max Roederer, Athens resident
“It’s a mix of an older happy hour crowd and a student crowd at night.” — Keenan Garrett, bartender
“I’ve been coming a long time. ... Early crowd is old guys, just guys getting off work …(Later is) students.” — James Roederer, Plains resident
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Lucky’s Sports Tavern
11 N. Court St.
Signature drink: Liquor pitchers, $5 on Wednesdays, Lucky’s Lemonade, $1.75 happy hour, $2.50 normal hours
What group goes here?
“We get more of an older group of people from like 23, 24 and up as opposed to the freshly 21 crowd. More girls ... a lot of townies during break. We don’t get a lot of frats.” — Matt Winters, bartender
“Some bros, frat boys, undergraduate students.” — Ashley Hopkins, graduate student
“Seniors.” — Denise Sams, undecided sophomore
“Older people go to Lucky’s.” — Imani Sellers, a sophomore studying pre-med and biology
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The C.I.
32 N. Court St.
Signature drink: Vegas Bombs, $3
What group goes here?
“A lot of hockey guys (come here). We do have frats and srats. ... I think we get all types of people.” — Ryan Snyder, bartender
“It’s pretty balanced. There’s like a small population of Greeks here whenever we come, but it’s a good balanced of basic drinking, and they’ve got two pool tables. It’s a pretty middle of the road, generic bar.” — Austin Pegouske, junior studying communications
“There’s not a lot of athletes here — they all just go to JBar. A lot of business frats come here. People in cluster come here a lot.” — Alex Della Flora, junior studying finance and marketing
“I wouldn’t say athletes or Greeks, just normal students, not anyone in particular.” — Ellyse Portuner, junior studying business entrepreneurship
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The Crystal
34 N. Court St.
Signature drink: Crystal Ballers, Kansas City Water, Porch Rockers, $2.75 small guy, $4 big guy
What group goes here?
“A lot of Greek life is in here a lot; that’s common at any bar.” — Geoff Akin, bartender
“Greeks, I would say athletes come in here occasionally.” — Kat Cook, senior studying journalism
“Greeks.” — Connor Sullivan, junior studying finance
“A lot of Greek life.” — Mallory Harrington, senior studying early childhood education
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The Smiling Skull Saloon
108 W. Union St.
Signature drink: Pitchers of Pabst Blue Ribbon, $5.50
What group goes here?
“Townies, that’s all who’s here now.” — Laura Tobar, bartender
“College students and residents (come to The Skull). Come nighttime, students fill the place. They taught me some dance moves.” — Tina Hedges, Athens resident
“It’s such a diverse group.” — Kenner Sims, previous student at Hocking College and Rio Grande University
“Townies.” — Tammy Hays, Athens resident
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Athens Uncorked
14 Station St.
Signature drink: Wine, about $6-$11 a glass
What group goes here?
“Probably OU faculty. A lot of people that are just wanting to unwind.” — Nate Hayes, co-owner
“I think it’s an eclectic mix of the later on students, graduate to professors. More mature students.” — Shannon Venezia, a Ph.D. student
“A lot of professors, a lot of community members. I don’t see a lot of students.” — Taylor Weaver, Athens resident
“It’s an eclectic gathering of people older than undergrads.” — Penny Morgan, Athens resident
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The Overhang
63 N. Court St.
Signature drink: F-bomb, $3.50, Brainstomper $4
What group goes here?
“We have a lot of regulars. Building a clientele takes a lot of bars a while to get their regulars. (We have) a mix of younger professionals, grad students and people who are graduated.” — Eric Moss, owner
“It can do any group of people. I’ve been here when there’s old people here and young people here. ... It’s such a variety. Their prices are reasonable; that’s why I come here. ... It’s a newer bar. There’s no main clique here.” — Luke Grasso, senior studying engineering
“I think there’s not much of a (certain) group, … but I would say upperclassmen or grad students.” — Jake Santora, alumnus
“I think it depends time-wise. I would say during the day, older, and at night the under or right at 21.” — Jonna Smith, a graduate student
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Jackie O’s Pub & Brewery
24 W. Union St.
Signature drink: Jackie O’s Beer, most pints $4
What group goes here?
“We have a lot of local people and a lot of professors and a lot of grad students. We don’t get a lot of students until late at night.” — Jess Adami, bartender
“Unique people — a lot of alumni and grad students. Anyone who is into the culture of Athens.” — Hayley Herock, senior studying human biology
“I see everybody here — grad students, tourists, alumni.” — Danny Young, Athens resident and alumnus
“Tourists.” — Maja Blanusa, alumna and graduate student
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West End Cider House
234 W. Washington St.
Signature drink: Cider, usually $6 for house ciders (16 oz), specialty $6 (10 oz)
What group goes here?
“Older students and professors, for sure. And West-siders.” — Deanna Schwartz, owner
“It’s an older crowd but ... also there are some grad students that come ... and some more mature students.” — Taylor Dimmick, alumna
“Mostly professors, grad students — the quieter students.” — Jesse Pyle, alum
“Younger families with kids who like the couches and play games.” — Kelli Pyle, alumna
Signature drinks provided by employees at each bar
@reb_barnes
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