GREENER PASTURES

In only a couple of weeks–assuming I do not sleep through final exams or forget to correctly bubble in my name on the Scantron–I will finish my college career. What’s more, the four years of hard work is finally going to pay off, as I’ll be passing with flying colors. Provided Iowa City nightlife has occupied a decent chunk of my time for the past four years, it seems fitting to pause and reflect on the best way to spend my time before I move on to hopefully “greener pastures”. That is, other than the continuous caffeine fix and frantic, last minute brain-crunch, I also plan to frequent a few of my favorite haunts to get my buzz on one last time. All this in mind, I’ve decided to list out my top five must-visits when in Iowa City.

1. Piano Lounge–An excellent choice for all of your late night entertainment. Before you hit the pillow, why not have that extra glass (or bottle) of wine to make all of the night’s shameful moments appear a little less shabby and your taste slightly more refined. Along with your savory glass of Pinot Noir, experience a few of your favorite songs being played live. And if you’re really daring, feel free to amble on over to the piano and sing along.

2. The Mill–If music is your fix, look no further. The Mill books national acts all season long sure not to disappoint. Monday’s also mean open mic–needless to say, I’ve had some of my most memorable and shameful nights on stage contemplating why I was out singing to a room of 10-12 people, having been drinking since the late afternoon.

3. Mickey’s–Cool yet casual, Mickey’s sports a drink special 7 nights a week. It’s also a nice break from the typical, overcrowded, over-priced bars that suck in the bulk of the city’s people. There’s no live music, but sometimes that’s for the best.

4. Martinis–It’s no secret that my relationship with Martinis has always been somewhat of a love-hate connection. Even still, their patio is spacious, inviting and phenomenal. Weather permitting–it’s where you want to be.

5. Sanctuary–Sanctuary’s most valuable selling points are its expansive, tasteful beer collection along with its Old English locale. The crowd is always an eclectic, diverse mix of people, most of whom are eager to solve all of the world’s most dire problems. It’s off the beaten path, but it’s fireplace and cozy, comfortable décor is enough to make amends for the extra mileage.