The Best Nightlife Places, Bars in Durham, NH

When it comes to partying and nightlife, college students are notorious for being the kings and queens of getting it done. They stay out late, can drink plenty, and have a knack for scoring the best deals at the bar. It’s tough to find the places where the scholars hang out though. Most colleges are located in places where the bars outnumber the student body. However, one of the best places to go out and party with a bunch of cool college kids is located in the sleepy town of Durham, New Hampshire. Durham is the where the University of New Hampshire located. U.N.H. is the largest public university in New Hampshire and home to 10,000 undergrads and faculty. Although Durham is a small town, it offers plenty of options when you decide to go out and have a few cocktails and play pool against some of the aspiring academics. All of the bars are centrally located, so bar hopping is a must for those visiting and looking for a good time.

The first place you need to check out is Scorpion’s Bar and Grill. Scorpion’s has a bar upstairs and another one downstairs where a DJ spins music for dancers on the spacious dance floor. They have deals all week, but Monday’s have $.25 wings and dollar drafts, so when Monday Night Football rolls around, head here for some cheap beer and munchies. Tuesday’s are the biggest nights around, so go early and find a place to hang and put your beers. All the college kids head here for dollar pitchers until 11 p.m., and they’ll keep filling them up as long as you keep bring them empties. It usually gets pretty crazy, so be prepared to wait for beer and bumping into old friends and colleagues. Scorpion’s is located at 45 Main St. and can be reached a 603-389-9084.

Neighboring Scorpion’s is Libby’s Bar and Grill. Libby’s is one of the classier joints in town, and they have a great selection of beers on tap, and the restaurant has a great menu including local fare like seafood and steak. Just like Scorpions though, the real action happens on Tuesday nights when they usually have a local band or DJ playing music in their large dancehall downstairs, and dollar well drinks upstairs where you can play pool against any number of coeds, athletes, and faculty. They also have dollar pitchers, so if it looks like Scorpion’s is going to be filled up, head over here where you can watch the game on their big screen TV. Their specials usually last until around 11 or 11:30 p.m., so get there early, garb a table and get some of the cheapest drinks around. Libby’s is next door to Scorpion’s at 47 Main St. their number is 603-868-5542.

One of the most unique places to get drinks in town is Murphy’s Tin Palace, located right in the heart of downtown at 2 Ballard St. Murphy’s has the best selection of draft beer in town and when it’s nice out you can go and have a few while sitting on their patio and enjoying the sun and scenery. The best time to hit up Murphy’s is Wednesday nights when they have Irish night. They have traditional Irish bands playing great music complimented by $3 draft Guinness. Murphy’s also has a menu, and is available for takeout by calling 603-868-7456.

If you are looking to have a good time in a mellow college town, then check out Durham. You’ll find great drink specials and plenty of people to meet. You won’t be waiting in huge lines like you would at some big city clubs, so take the time and go have a few drinks at some of the best nightlife places around.