Afamous passage in the Old Testament has God telling Abraham that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars. One could make an argument that what God meant to say was, "...as numerous as the bars."
Here in Charlottesville, we have our fair share of ABA (American Bar Association) licensed establishments to keep even the most alcohol-thirsty happy. This array of choices creates a dilemma when deciding where to go on a Thursday night. Or a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday...
Just like friends or fraternities, experienced Corner-goers would say that each bar has a personality all its own. This allows for favorite bars, bars for different moods or bars for different days of the week.
How does one go about learning which bar is best -- that is, other than through strenuous personal experience, no doubt resulting in much stress in a touch-and-go, trial-and-error process?
For those unfamiliar with bars -- or for those who simply enjoy reading about their favorite Saturday spot -- what follows is a guide to some favorite C'ville drinking establishments.
AMIGOS
Let's start at a Wednesday night favorite -- Amigo's. It's a place where one can sit on the patio, sip a margarita and hope in vain that Charlottesville briefly will be transferred into something straight out of a Kenny Chesney song. Amigo's is the place to go for a south-of-the-border experience.
The colors, the music, the staff, the menu and the drink specials all call for a fiesta frame of mind.
O'NEILL'S
Walking up University Avenue leads us past Little John's -- which bar-goers pass initially, but pack after last call -- to O'Neill's.
Aye, the Irish and their affection for alcohol are inescapable no matter what college campus you choose, and with good reason. O'Neill's comes equipped with pool tables, two floors of bars -- though separated by rather treacherous steps -- and usually a dense and large crowd.
Third-year College student Jordan Berryhill said that O'Neill's is his favorite atmosphere for a bar, though he added that "Mellow Mushroom has the best beer selection."
Date functions, bar nights and fraternity rush events are plentiful at this Corner stop.
JABERWOKE
After the tab is paid at O'Neill's -- if the ability to walk isn't too impaired yet -- Jaberwoke greets us. Here, an open atmosphere created by one large room differentiates this bar from the pack.
Another feature noticed by all who pass through the red rimmed doors is the can't-miss-them stage where bands perform. They're a diverse group on stage, and this works both for and against the bar. For those who find the music to their liking on a given night, they may be enticed by the omnipresent feature of the sound. However, conversation and eardrums both can take a beating if a band's flavor does not mix with the customer's taste.
THE VIRGINIAN
A little further down the red brick road, it is almost easy to miss The Virginian. Filled predominately with booths, this smoky setting is intimate and not one of the most talked about bars around Grounds.
"I know it's on the Corner Meal Plan, and it is amazing late-night delivery," second-year College student Julie Daniel said. Daniel said she has only been there a few times, opting for the more spacious bars instead.
"Well the downfall of The Virginian is the lack of mobility. It's like a one-way hallway, and that is definitely bad when you're avoiding someone you don't want to run into," she said.
Daniel suggested Bang, the bar near the Downtown Mall, as an alternative to the Corner.
BILTMORE
Those not willing to pay for the cab home from the Downtown Mall continue their walk over to the threesome of bars on Elliewood Avenue. Affectionately known to students as "Coupe's," "Bilt" and "Buddhist," Coupe de Ville's, Biltmore Bar and Grill and Buddhist Biker Bar and Grill all lay claim to a fair number of Wahoos on any given night.
Second-year College student Rachel Brandt named the Biltmore as one of her favorite bars.
"My friends and I all like Biltmore because of the cheerleader bouncers," Brandt said. "But my friend Mina works at O'Neill's, so I like going there when she's working too."
Sometimes described as "the athlete's bar," the Biltmore lays claim to Survivor Hour at 8 p.m. on Thursday nights. This homage to reality television draws students out at this relatively early hour on the night many consider to be the start of the weekend.
"I've never been there for Survivor Hour," first-year College student Mairi Kincaid said. "But I've eaten dinner there, and their salads and deserts are incredible."
Apparently, alcohol isn't all that bars are good for.
BUDDHIST
Fourth-year College Student Brent Moses said he likes Buddhist on Tuesdays.
"Buddhist is nice on Tuesday night because of the cheap pitchers," Moses said. "So if you're going for volume..."
Moses said there are no bars he doesn't like. "I mean, what's not to like?" he said.
The somewhat removed location of Buddhist may lead some people to think that it isn't as well attended as some of the other bars, but clearly University students make sure each bar gets an equal opportunity.
OFF-THE-CORNER
In fact, even some of the off-the-Corner bars are frequented by students.
Down Under, a popular spot for fraternity and sorority date functions, is a favorite watering hole.
First-year Architecture student Andrew Daley smiled as he spoke of his rush events there.
"Nobody remembers Down Under," Daley said. "That's why it's awesome."
Another off-the-Corner spot for date functions is Northern Exposure. Described by some as a slightly more upscale venue than Down Under, Northern Exposure was chosen for the a cappella formal earlier this semester.
First-year College student Amanda Bagwell, a Hoos in Treble member, liked the atmosphere.
"Northern Exposure is pretty classy, except I had my digital camera stolen," Bagwell said.
The attraction of these social settings after a hard week (or day) at the University is hard for students to resist. Fortunately, students have plentiful options available and do not have to pick a favorite. Maybe the beauty of these options is that one can go from Wednesday margaritas to Thursday Survivor Hour to Saturday bar hopping and find different atmospheres and people along the way -- if they can remember.
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