A review of Lowell’s hotspots for before and after the game.

Al Gentile & David Rudderham
Connector Editors

After the game’s out, who’s ready to go to bed? Nobody. Exactly what we were thinking.
Therefore, students should take advantage of downtown Lowell. It is in close proximity to the Tsongas Center, situating it perfectly in line with the thirsty/hungry students that will be heading their way.
These are some of the most popular places to go and what we think of them. Remember, shuttles run until two, so have fun and be safe.

Ward Eight:
This bar is a familiar best friend to those who know it. Unlike other bars in Lowell they know to keep the lighting low. Garcia Brogan’s is a big offender in that category. Ward 8’s food is impressive, especially the nachos, and the staff is friendly enough that people like me will order another just to have an excuse to stick around.

The beers on tap change from season to season. Currently they have Pabst Blue Ribbon on draft for two dollars. For college students and hockey fans, this is a godsend. We all know what it’s like to be drinking and wanting more, because overtime isn’t just for hockey. But then you look in your wallet and see that money is getting a little tight. On the opposite end of the spectrum if you have the money you can order their top shelf scotch and feel like you own the place.

Dudley’s:
This bar used to be called Hookslide Kelly’s, and many people refuse to stop calling it that. Hookslide’s ran into some legal trouble awhile back and now it’s called Dudley’s. The place has been fixed up, repainted and re-branded, and now it’s an entirely different place.

Offering both craft beers and cheaper fare (Budweiser, Bud Lite etc.), the big open spaces will be a great attraction for the high-volume stops. There’s a lot of room to dance and two separate bars for when even more people want to dance.

Blue Shamrock:

The youth this bar like a club and the old treat it like an old fashioned Irish pub. Upstairs is “Gemstones,” a place I only go to for seeing musicians perform. Drinks at the Blue Shamrock are pricier than what I would expect. Over priced shots in tiny plastic cups doesn’t exactly make me feel like an adult. It makes me feel like I’m 12 and I’m about to rinse my mouth with fluoride at a dental office. And with the liquor I drink, the fluoride would probably taste better. But that’s my fault. Quite simply, I’ve never had a good time here unless I was with really good friends so if you do decide to go here, go in a group and stay safe. If you want to dance we recommend going to Smokehouse. If you want an Irish pub, go to Finn’s. Combining the two makes this bar the jack of trades, master of none.

El Potro:

Some bars are bar first, restaurant second. El Potro is a Mexican restaurant first and that’s why I recommend this place before the game. You’re going to need dinner before hockey and a night of drinking, and it’s also fun to take family here. As for drinks they have inexpensive domestic beers as well as awesome nine dollar margaritas that really pack a punch. Most bars have drinks in this price range but none make a nine dollar drink this large. It tastes good and it goes even better with their appetizer platter. They have an appetizer dish that I eat as a dinner because it has a little bit of everything. I also really enjoy their quesadillas. Just make sure to not overdo it on the drinks by 8 p.m. here. It’s easy to do because the staff is friendly and the live music that they have on weekends can really put you in a drinking mood. Remember, if the night is young, pace yourself. You still have a whole hockey game to watch and a whole bunch of parties and bars to go to.

Finn’s

When the party’s ended, Finn’s is the party-bus of drunk youth that show up ready to begin. This place has inexpensive drinks and beer, right down to three dollar Pabst Blue Ribbons and six-dollar well drinks. All well drinks. Let that soak in for a moment.

There are big T.V’s all around the bar, cheap food and delicious burgers. There is ample space to spread out either along the sidelines or at tables, which makes Finn’s an inviting environment. All-in-all a solid spot for some sports viewing and cheap drinking; a perfect spot for the after-game restless.

Smokehouse

Different bars have different atmospheres at what you intend to do after the game is a major deciding factor in choosing where to go. When students intend to dance to loud electronic dance music, this is where they go. The drinks that are affordable are the domestic beers, just like any other bar in the U.S. and their mixed drinks are more expensive and come in a plastic cup. And just like The Blue Shamrock the shots come in a tiny plastic cup that ketchup would normally come in when ordering Burger King. However, the atmosphere here makes sense. People come here to dance and to party and I typically run into a few UMass Lowell students on a Friday or Saturday night if I decide to go. Also this place is large with a large dance floor and every time I am at Smokehouse, which is usually late on a weekend, it is packed.

Beer Works

This bar/restaurant is the closest to Tsongas out of all the bars reviewed here. Although Beer Works brews their beer, I mainly would go here for the food. Anything can be ordered in terms of beer and food and it’s not disappointing. Don’t expect the inexpensive domestic beers here though. Everything they have for alcohol is their own craft beer and mixed drinks. Also this is a very large place meant to serve families, students, and people both young and old. I would recommend Beer Works for more of a dining experience before the hockey game. In fact, I would be happy just ordering food here.