The Den at the U of C has been responsible for nearly four decades of intoxicated students (names of people in photo will be provided by photographer)

What does every post-secondary institution have besides stuffy lecture halls and overpriced bookstores? Bars.
    Call them campus pubs or student watering holes, these establishments are as big, and arguably important, a part of college life as academics. They’re the social hub of the student body — a central spot where freshman kids indulge in their first legal taste of alcohol and graduate students come to blow off the stresses of student life. This is where the salad days of being a student take place, relationships are forged and new discoveries unfold, especially after a few cold ones. Even the profs aren’t strangers to these parts, often seen discussing the subtleties of general semantics or debating the balance of global powers over a pint with students. Higher learning indeed.
    With classes back in session, and students feeling the need to extend summer and procrastinate on initial assignments, here’s a breakdown of the bars at Calgary’s three major campuses, including the vibe, entertainment and, because all students are cheap, the specials.

THE DEN, UNIVERSITY OF CALGARY
• The lowdown: A blurry U of C tradition since it first opened in 1969, The Den has been responsible for nearly four decades of intoxicated students. Prior to its renovation in 2001, it was easily the dingiest student drinking hole in the city — its tacky red carpet permanently stewing in spilled booze, vomit and sweat, and its trashy picnic tables lined with jugs of dirt-cheap pitchers on its legendary Thursday nights. Its sidekick, the Black Lounge, previously a dank, smoky pit dubbed “the Black Lung,” was also revitalized.
    The Den was taken over by the Students’ Union in 2000, and when the bottle shop reopened as a completely reinvented, polished bar, attachment was so strong that some felt the bar’s cachet was gone and a part of their student career was lost. However, it was in desperate need of a facelift, and remains a fun place to party after — and, ughh, before — midterms, major papers and finals.
    • The scene: The Den takes on three personalities at once: nightclub, campus pub and restaurant. It has cheap booze and is a chill place to hang with classmates and faculty in between lectures and labs. Thursday through Saturday nights the place goes off with loud music and a packed dance floor. The Den has a pretty big following that extends to the general Calgary bar crowd, so get in early to avoid long lineups, especially on the weekend.
    • Before, during or after class: Open Monday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to midnight, and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. until 1 a.m., The Den and Black Lounge have affordable meals for those looking to escape the food court atmosphere in Mac Hall. The standard pub-fare menu offers everything from burgers and pizzas to wraps and salads to get you through a gruelling study session.
    • Specials: Monday — Dino Monday is 15 per cent off with game coupon, Molson pints $3.50 all day; Tuesday — Clubs Night is 15 per cent off with clubs card, Molson pints $3.50 all day; Wednesday — Campus Rec. card gets 15 per cent off, hi-balls $3.50 all day and 25 cent wings; Thursday — Student Appreciation Night offers $3.50 hi-balls, $2.50 Molson pints, $7.99 Molson jugs; Friday — $3.50 domestic bottles, hi-balls, draught and shooters, and  2-for-1 plus a loonie food items; Saturday — Cabaret Night gets you $9.99 mini-jug hi-balls.
    • Off-campus alternatives: Kilkenny Pub (800 3630 Brentwood Rd. N.W.) — finely decorated Irish pub with a killer sun-facing patio, expansive selection of beers and delicious grub; Moose McGuire’s (25 1941 Uxbridge Dr. N.W. ) — good place to watch the game, reasonable drink prices and free peanuts (bonus for the starving student — plus you get to toss the shells onto the floor).

LIBERTY LOUNGE, MOUNT ROYAL COLLEGE
• The lowdown: A renovation several years back left the students of MRC with a cool bar to call their own rather than having to trek to U of C for any kind of party vibe. And it’s set to expand again soon.
    The Liberty Lounge is located in the heart of the college’s student hustle in Wyckham House. Definitely the spot to be if you want to hang with the rest of the college crowd, and a great place to raise a glass to a solid A+ on your paper or erase all memories of a bombed exam. With MRC’s student population being smaller than that of the university, familiar faces come and go like you’re in an episode of Cheers where everybody knows your name. Just watch your bar tab.
    • The scene: No pretenses here. In fact, you’d think the dress code called for hoodies, ball caps and unkempt five o’clock shadows — the Liberty is a mellow hangout where overworked students mix with overworked instructors. The Lib’s appeal is augmented further with its chock-full lineup of live music acts that roll through on tour. Good sound quality and clear sightlines from anywhere in the bar make it one of the city’s premier music venues. Bands such as the Weakerthans, Buck 65 and Broken Social Scene have all played here.
    • Before, during or after class: While not known for having an extensive menu, standard pub food is served from noon to 6 p.m. with lighter snacks available at night. Speaking of which, the Liberty hosts themed nights Monday through Friday ranging from karaoke to games night to distract you from homework.
    • Specials: Monday — free pool; Tuesday — Wyckham student night features drink specials and the Liberty expands to include Wyckham House; Wednesday — karaoke begins at 8:30 p.m.; Thursday — free live bands and DJs; Friday — live music, special events, club and society parties
    • Off-campus alternatives: Richmond’s Pub & Eatery (3919 Richmond Rd. S.W.) — with regular nine-cent wing nights, music trivia and games in high-definition, this spot is a no-brainer destination for the student crowd; Bass Bros. (2 Richard Way S.W.) — contemporary décor, large padded booths and dimly lit ambience make this pub the ideal spot for both a date or a large group night (order the loaded burger).

THE GATEWAY, SAIT
• The lowdown: The Gateway is the only restaurant and lounge on the SAIT campus. Located in the Campus Centre on the east side, it’s the spot students migrate to for a variety of cheap eats and drinks among friends. Students and visitors can enjoy a variety of cheap eats and drinks while chatting with friends. The Gateway also acts as a live music venue, bringing in some of the biggest names in Canadian music as well as bands from across the globe.
    • The scene: With a view that overlooks the city, the Gateway is a place to hang with friends after a hard day of studying, or a place to come when there’s a live band playing that you just have to see. A lot of SAIT’s staff and students frequent the bar, but this place also sees a steady flow of regulars outside the student body who come to check out the stellar events lineup.
    • Before, during or after class: Open 8 a.m. to midnight, Monday to Thursday, with hours extending till 2 a.m. on Fridays, you can indulge in breakfast, lunch, dinner or late-night cocktails.
    • Specials: Jugs of draught beer are on special daily for $10, and there are various beer and liquor specials throughout the week. On Monday, have a burger and a beer for $10. September events include performances by Social Code, Tupelo Honey and Bedouin Soundclash.
    • Off-campus alternative: Loco Lou’s (1324 16 Ave. N.W.) — Sporting one of the largest patios in northwest Calgary, Loco Lou’s is a popular student haunt across the street from campus, mere stumbling distance from class.