Tired of the same old, same old on Saturday nights? Mirror writer Julie McDermott sacrificed her car -and her liver – on a recent weekend to scope out the scene at some local bars. Here’s what she had to say…

Key West

A.K.A. – Get bombed for a buck

Location – On Post Road across from Athena diner

Best Time To Go – Tuesday’s at 9 p.m. for penny drafts

Have you succumbed to an empty bank account and have been forced to live on nickels and dimes? Although you might not be able to afford any food, go to Key West on Tuesdays and you can spend less than a dollar to become a complete wastoid.

After changing its name from Gizmo’s and hiring some new management this year, Key West has already become very popular amongst Fairfield University students.

“You always get a good group of kids that go, and you can tell the staff likes it when we come,” said Colette Landers, ’03. “They always put out free food and they’re really friendly when we walk in.”

“I like to go to Key West because it’s a change of pace from the Grape and they make a damn good mixed drink,” said Ellen Tiernan, ’03.

Besides the penny drafts on Tuesdays, this tropical-themed bar offers 50 cent drafts and karaoke on Wednesdays, $2 beers, shots, and drinks for ladies on Thursdays, and $1.50 bottles for seniors on Saturdays.

Pool tables, darts, music, fooseball, and the Golden Tee game enhance the environment at Key West. According to one of the owners, Jonny Chlebowski, Key West’s customers are from all different walks of life.

“Of all the bars I’ve worked at, this is the most diverse crowd,” said Chiebowski. “But we are welcoming Fairfield University students with open arms.”

Most students have seemed to take up this offer, as it is known to get very crowded at times.

“I have gone to Key West a couple times this year, and each time it’s been pretty crowded. I usually have a good time when I go,” said Liz Cummings, ’03.

Lauren Mahoney, ’03, is a bartender at Key West and has seen many students from Fairfield University come to the bar.

“There’s a bunch of different groups that come to Key West to have a good time,” said Mahoney,” and of course, to see me bartend!”


The Grape

A.K.A. – The Black Out Bar that’s always to blame for: the unknown place you wake up the next day, the random hook-up the night before, and that new “friend” who somehow knows your name

Location- On the corner of Reef Rd and Fairfield Beach Rd.

Best time to go – Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays after 10:30 p.m.

Ever wonder why that guy who sits behind you in religion all of a sudden is saying hi to you? Or why you woke up in the wrong house, three doors away from your own? Most likely, the answer is that you went to the Grape the night before.

Located on Reef Road, in walking distance for most Fairfield beach residents, the Grape’s most positive feature is its location.

Most students love the convenience of having a bar a short walk away from their houses.

With a Fairfield University student ID, students can enjoy happy hour from 12 noon to 8 p.m., and Sunday night’s $2 pint night and $3 mixed drinks.

The Grape is known to be mostly a senior bar, and is strict with fake IDs.

“I’ve taken about 25 IDs so far this year. A mix of both real and fake IDs,” said Larry B., a bouncer at The Grape.

The circular shape of the bar is always a highlight for those party-goers who like to do a “lap” around the bar when they go out. The dark lighting, the loud music, the many televisions, and the darts and fooseball create a typical bar atmosphere.

“I love to go to the Grape because you can always count on walking in and seeing tons of familiar faces,” said Caroline Casey, ’03.

“It’s crowded all the time and it doesn’t have anything to offer,” said Jeff Barba, ’03, “but at least you can walk to the naut afterwards.”


Russell’s

A.K.A. – Sacred Scare

Location – 548 Kings Highway Cutoff

Best Time to Go – Thursdays after 10 p.m.

Sick of looking at those familiar Fairfield University faces? Interested in a Sacred Heart hook-up? Then Russell’s is the bar you will want to head to this Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night. Krista Annuzzi, a bartender there, said that besides Fairfield students, customers tend to be Sacred Heart students.

“Usually now there are more Sacred Heart kids in the bar,” said Jack Kershaw, ’05, a regular customer at Russell’s. He said that most of the events held at Russell’s are organized by Sacred Heart University students.

“No one [from Fairfield University] really goes there anymore because of that,” added Kershaw.

If you are immune to the Sacred Heart Scare, then you can enjoy the specials offered each night, including penny drafts on Tuesdays, $2 house shots, and $1 pitchers on Saturdays.

Equipped with two pool tables, fooseball, the 2003 Golden tee game, and four televisions, the environment provides entertainment choices besides just a beer/mixed drink in hand.

According to Annuzzi, a DJ or band usually comes Wednesday through Saturday to spice up the music scene.

For many Fairfield University students, the crowd tends to consist of many underclassmen.

“Russell’s is more of a place for underclassmen,” said Chris Lowery, ’03. “I’ve only been there twice this year. It’s a good time, but it depends on when you go.”

“I’m hardly of drinking age and I feel like I’m the oldest one there when I go,” said James Cahill, ’03.


Villa del Sol

A.K.A. – Tequila Wasteland

Location – On Post Road in the center of Fairfield

Best time to go – Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Excuse me, did you say tequila shots for $1? Margaritas for $3? Yes, it’s true. According to the owner Elsa Ruiz, Villa del Sol’s happy hour begins at 4 p.m and is extended into the night for Fairfield University students till closing. Their specials include dollar tequila shots, three dollar margaritas, two dollar beers, and free food. Although this Mexican bar/restaurant is new to the scene in Fairfield, it has already made a great impression on Fairfield students.

“They have a great happy hour and they treat students very well,” said Rick Voight, ’03.

“I like going there for the hospitality, the environment, and general revelry,” said Chris Martino, ’03.

Located on Post Road where the Italian restaurant Vazzy’s used to be, Villa del Sol has a tremendously welcoming and relaxing environment. Three dimensional stars, decorative banners hanging from the ceiling, and lit candles scattered around the restaurant all give the Mexican eatery its own sense of style and decor. Pictures of frequent and popular customers hang all over the Villa del Sol walls, creating a place of personality and fun.

“Students put on the Mexican hats and sing,” said Ruiz. “Some of the guys invented their own shot, called the Fairfield University testosterone shot.”

The Fairfield students that have found themselves at Villa del Sol, all seemed to enjoy this Mexican bar.

“It’s always a lot of fun and they always give us free tequila shots,” said Allison Wren, ’03.

“I like the great atmosphere, the great bartenders, and you can’t forget the dollar tequila shots…oh wait, you probably will,” said Thomas Callahan, ’03.

“They’re all different [the aforementioned bars] in their own individual ways, but they all do the trick to get you wasted,” said David Hines, ’03.

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