77th International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy

June 17-21, 2024

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The Discerning Spectroscopists Guide to Drinking in Champaign-Urbana


by Nick Indriolo: based on a careful 6 year study with funding provided by Dr. Ben McCall



Downtown Champaign




The Blind Pig Co
120 N. Walnut St., Champaign
Beer: Excellent selection, likely largest in town.
Food: BYO
Atmosphere: Usually not too loud, but can get crowded weekend nights.
To do: Darts (real darts, not that crappy electronic BS)
Minimal outdoor seating


Blind Pig Brewery (associated with above)
120 N. Neil St., Champaign
Beer: Excellent selection, including some brewed in-house
Food: BYO
Atmosphere: Not too loud; good for conversation
To do: Pub trivia Sunday @ 7pm (show up early for seating)
Large outdoor seating area.


Cowboy Monkey
6 Taylor St., Champaign
Beer: Good selection
Food: Good
Atmosphere: More mellow outside, can be louder inside.
To do: weekly trivia, open mic, salsa & tango, live music (see their calendar for details)
Large outdoor seating area.


Jupiter's Pizzeria and Billiards
39 Main St., Champaign
Beer: Good selection
Food: Pizza; large selection of toppings and tastes great (see dining guide)
To do: Several pool tables


Esquire Lounge
106 N. Walnut St., Champaign
Beer: Good selection
Food: see dining guide
To do: televised sports
Some outdoor seating


Mike 'N' Molly's
105 N. Market St., Champaign
Beer: Good selection
Food: none
To do: Occasional live music
Large outdoor seating area


Boltini Lounge
211 N. Neil St., Champaign
The local cocktail lounge with a large selection of mixed drinks and appetizers


Soma Ultralounge
320 N. Neil St., Champaign
Cocktail Lounge/Dance club
No conversation here, just loud music and dancing.
Cover charge to enter.


Fiesta Cafe
216 S. First St., Champaign
A restaurant, not a bar, but if you want good margaritas this is THE place to go



Campus Town



Murphy's Pub
604 E. Green St., Champaign
Beer: Decent selection
Food: Good bar fare
To do: pool tables, electronic darts, televised sports
Atmosphere: campus bar with large undergrad presence, but among 2 best in campus town


Legends
522 E. Green St., Champaign
Beer: Decent selection
Food: Good bar fare
To do: pool tables, televised sports
Atmosphere: campus bar with large undergrad presence, but among 2 best in campus town
Moderate enclosed outdoor seating area.


There are a fair number of standard, loud, undergrad bars with minimal beer selection in campus town.
If you're looking for the undergrad bar experience, some possibilities are:
Joe's Brewery
Brother's
Firehaus
and others, but we recommend elsewhere for the discerning spectroscopist.
Finally, and I cannot stress this enough, avoid Kam's at all costs. Seriously, don't go there. You've been warned.


Downtown Urbana



Crane Alley
115 W. Main St., Urbana
Beer: Good selection with rotating drafts.
Food: Some of the best in town (see dining guide).
Atmosphere: Not too loud; good for conversation.
To do: A few pool tables.
Large outdoor seating area.


Iron Post
120 S. Race St., Urbana
Beer: Standard selection
Food: Pretty good
Atmosphere: Low key, local patronage.
To do: Occasional live music (jazz and local bands)
Limited outdoor seating.


Rose Bowl Tavern
106 N. Race St., Urbana
Beer: Standard selection of bottles.
Food: ?
Atmosphere: Low key, local patronage.
To do: Occasional live music (country and bluegrass) and open space for dancing.


Black Dog Smoke & Ale House
201 N. Broadway Ave., Urbana
Beer: Good rotating selection
Food: Without doubt, the best BBQ in town (see dining guide)
This place is relatively small, and crowded every night of the week. You will not be seated until your entire party is there. BBQ is definitely worth the wait, but I'd go elsewhere if you just want a beer.