It's your senior year. It's bound to happen: That fearful night when, suddenly, the Street no longer holds its old allure. While a typical Princeton night out does present various entertaining activities (the usual range of room parties, campus performances, alcohol initiative events and "eating" clubs), sometimes, the idea hits you that, maybe, life has something else to offer between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. So what do you do about it? Well, first you turn 21 because, sadly, that's the law. Second, you gather a group of close friends, a 'Prince' photographer and some cash and hit the road.
That's just what the 'Prince' Street section did this past weekend in a whirlwind tour of happening downtown Princeton. After some serious investigative reporting, here's what we turned up:
Triumph Brewing Company
In its not-so-humble Nassau abode with vaulted ceilings, multi-tiered dining room and in-house brewery, Triumph Brewing Co. has plenty to offer. Go there for high quality beer, a funky ambiance and good live music, but don't expect cheap drinks ($4 pints) or a dance floor. Crowded during their live music nights, but still with room to move, it's definitely a good place to hang with a group of friends. Music often goes from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., and if you get there early enough, try some food from the seasonal menu. It's both classier and more pretentious than the Prospect 11, so don't expect the waste-face atmosphere you get at the Street.
A lack of proactive "recruiting" hints that Triumph isn't a regular stop for Princeton students on a night out. "Well, you have to think that probably 60 percent of the University is underage. What's left tends to drink for free," Manager Erik Nutt said.
Perhaps, but let's imagine that weren't true: What would be the Triumph pitch? "It's a different scene, number one, and it has handcrafted beer, number two," Nutt said. "If you're sick of Bud [or Beast!], try a pint, see if we can change your mind."
And besides, while the beer may be a plus for of-age students, Triumph also offers a remarkable list of musical performances. In a normal week, musicians play Wednesday through Saturday nights, although, Wednesday is the only night without the five-dollar cover. Wednesdays are primarily jazz, while Triumph boasts more blues and rock Thursday through Saturday, with booking manager Roxeanne Klett sometimes bringing in national acts. Visit their website at www.triumphbrew.com to get the scoop on this week's music, and look out for Triumph's Oktoberfest celebration in the coming week as well.
Ivy Inn
Nope, not at all related to that Ivy on Prospect, although, you still need a pass of sorts to get it on a Saturday night; but that's just a five-dollar bill. A great place to start off the night: three televisions, darts and pool. Take advantage of one-dollar pints of Rolling Rock, or gather around the tables with your friends and share a pitcher. On some Saturday nights, the Inn will have live music, but it'll cost you.
"I like Ivy Inn a lot," Berke Nayman '05 said. "There was good music, relatively cheap beer and a good crowd."
The select Ivy Inn crowd is mixed, young and old and often includes Princeton students. If you're from out of the country, expect to show multiple forms of identification, and bouncers will even occasionally "facebook" Princeton students at the door. But even if you do get held up, look out for this witty door-duo: "We got warm beer and cheap drinks, but bring your own ice," Eric Vashon cracked.
Winberies
Winberies, better known as J.B.'s by its regulars, is centered on the bar, with tables along the perimeter for groups.
It's not as laid back as Ivy Inn, but also not as upscale as Triumph. Pick music from the jukebox if you like, and get a back room for a large party.
Marcelo Pinheiro GS loves J.B.'s so much that he came all the way from Chicago to visit. "It's close to a neighborhood club, and the bartenders are friendly if you come a lot. It's less pretentious than Triumph and reasonably priced."
This might be a place to have some drinks and talk, but don't let its wholesome atmosphere seduce you off the bat; the drinks are still expensive, and our budgets are still tight.
Annex
At the very least, the name is fitting. Housed in the basement of a Nassau St. building, the Annex serves up the stereotypical bar and restaurant combo. "Come here for value. More than anywhere else in town, you get a bang for your buck," owner Rich Carnevale said.
Nothing fancy, but not exciting.
"You get what you'd expect from a place that's showing 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' on its television," Nayman said.
The bar is small, and you'll do better by grabbing a table in the dining room if you're with a crew. The kitchen closes at midnight, so don't show up expecting late night munchies either. The crowd is often a mix of grad students and older people, and the atmosphere is pretty tame. No need to risk those tricky stairs when Triumph and Ivy Inn are just down the road.
D-Bar
At the end of the night, you can count on the D-Bar to liven things up. There's always music on a Friday night, and make sure you're prepared for a wild theme party, especially on the 70's and 80's nights.
"We went there a lot last semester," Haris Hadzimuratovic '05 said. "It's more relaxed than the Street . . . and I don't need passes to get in, ever."
Multiple rooms with plenty of pool tables, places to sit and talk, a dance floor and an extensive bar, the D-Bar definitely wins for variety. While the grad students may gratify any and all expectations you have for their type, they also host a good party.
To get there, walk to the grad college and descend to the basement at the far side of the quad. On a busy night, you'll need ID and a grad-student to sign you in, or you won't get past the bouncers.
And don't think that you'll be the only undergrads there. Engineering grad student Laurent Puyeau commented, "More undergrads are coming these days. It's definitely a good thing."
Small World Coffee
Coffee shop by day, night club by . . . night. Well, on a Saturday night, that is. If you're looking for a different crowd early on a Saturday night, go check out this month's (and every month's) live music series at Small World. No cover charge to listen, so feel free (and even obligated) to drop by and listen to some local artists. Small World is small, so the music is in your face, but the crowd is not the college student type. You'll see a good amount of townies and middle-aged folk. Since performances start at 8:30 p.m. and last until 10:30 p.m., you don't have to worry about it hindering your late night plans. This Saturday night, Oct. 2, Katy Pfaffl will be hitting the stage with her signature blend of rock, folk and soul music.
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