Rutgers University: Bars, Bars, and More Bars

Rutgers University's New Brunswick campus is very small compared to other nearby cities such as Newark or Manhattan but there are a few well known spots in the area to have fun, grab a beer, or socialize with other intellects, if you must. Forget everywhere else, George Street and Easton Avenue are the two streets always packed with students from all over campus.

Of course there are other alternative hang outs in the area but who cares, they're losers and you want to hang out with the cools kids, right? So stick with the mainstream. Here's a run down of some of the bars in the College Avenue area.

Also, keep in mind the smoking ban is in effect in New Jersey. So if you want to light it up, take it to the streets!

George Street

While the posh scene is slowly growing around this area (trying to capture the snubbed-nose crowd of collegiate elite) there are a few popular places to check out until more options come about.

The Harvest Moon is an interesting bar/restaurant in that it's the only bar in the neighborhood that brews its own beer. I get mix reviews on the quality of taste, but if you feel the beer sucks, there's always the live band playing to distract you. A big plus, the bartenders are very welcoming and have good personality. What class.

Glow is a very small corner bar that sort of gives you the feeling that you're hanging out in Hoboken or downtown New York. A very different atmosphere than what you would get from the rest of the neighborhood. The place is also dimly lit which gives you a very calm and intimate feeling despite the crowd.

For some expensive Latin cuisine and a very colorfully lit bar the Nova Terra has it. A block away from George Street, this place is a great alternative for some different culture the neighborhood has. If Latin food doesn't settle right with your tastes, you can skip the restaurant and come at night when the bar area opens. Live band for dancing and entertainment of course.

Easton Avenue

A much longer strip filled with bars and eateries, Easton Avenue is where you'll find cheap food, beer, and drunken college kids walking up and down this street at night.

Very Hey Look, I'm A Writer atmosphere, the West End coffee bar is a cool and alternative-like hang out for Teacher's Assistants and students. If illegal drugs aren't your thing, this place is the best for housing a place to study with legal speed readily available. It also gives you the option to choose between this or the Starbucks on George Street. Ah, Democracy at its best.

To embarrass yourself by singing drunk (or sober!) in front of a group of strangers the Golden Rail is a lively entertainment joint to go to. Every Wednesdays stroll on up one step to school the audience on how to really sing.

Stuff Yer Face has a spacious outdoor area to booze and smoke at the same time, that's why warm weather is great! Forget the indoors, go here if you like lung cancer with your badly beaten liver.

Olive Branch

Throughout college, all I've ever heard about was this bar, so I decided to give this place a section of its own. Its a few blocks off of Easton but I'm sure you can find it by asking any college student who's not a newbie. It's just famous for their money saving specials such as dollar Coors, Yuenglings, and pizza. Or maybe because it's surrounded by a really good amount of off-campus housing?

Though small, New Brunswick is a developing "city" so in time, I'm sure this place will blow up to be more of a diverse area.