Beermann's Guide to Barhopping in Downtown Lincoln

So yeah, a lot of my friends will be turning 21 this year, and many of those while I'm not in town. To save me making the same speech over and over again, I'm going to set down my basic tips for going to the bars. Most of them probably apply everywhere, but you never know. Here goes:

1. Get the special. You should always ask what the nightly special is, and you should usually get it. Unless you're a complete snob, it should be something pretty drinkable, and far cheaper than anything else you could possibly buy. After a while, you'll start to develop a mental map of which bars have which specials on which nights of the week. Use it.

2. Get the specialty. A lot of bars have a particular drink that they're known for, and they're known for it because it's really good. So if the place you're at has one, try it.

3. Beware covers. There are only three reasons a bar should ever have a cover charge: live music, dancing, or an utterly incredible special. If none of these appear to be going on, you're getting ripped off. Moreover, you should be going to the bar specifically to do whatever it is they're charging cover for; if you don't care where you go, keep walking. Most bars that are going to have a cover start charging at 9:00, so if you arrive just before that you get in free.

4. Beware lines. I can assure you that whenever there's a long line outside a particular bar, whatever it is they're all waiting for probably isn't worth it. So if you see more than a few people, keep walking. You came downtown to drink, not stand around outside for half an hour.

5. Keep going back. Many of the bars downtown have backyard patios, upstairs, downstairs, or areas that are not otherwise visible when you first enter. They also tend to be a lot less smoky and crowded than the main bar area. So it's usually a good idea to keep moving towards the back to check things out.

6. Chill out. It's no sin to stay at the same place all night, particularly if your goal for the evening was to sit and talk with your friends. So don't feel the need to move along until you're not having a good time anymore.