REVIEW: Whether you are new to Salisbury or just turned 21, here is your guide to the best bars in Salisbury based on happy hours, special events and weekly SU student traditions.
1. Brew River
Brew River, located at 502 W Main St., is the largest and most popular bar for SU students.
Brew has three bars total: the main sports bar, river bar and dock bar. The sports bar is the main bar, featuring multiple TVs, lights and a DJ booth in the corner. The river bar has an outside/inside feel to it and is where Brew hosts all of its concerts. But the dock bar is the main attraction for students, as it sits right on the Wicomico River.
Nigel Robinson, a senior at SU, says Brew is the best bar to go to at night if you want to dance, especially when the dock bar opens in mid-March.
“Dock bar is the best because everyone is out there and together. When dock bar is open, I can go sober and still get drinks easily. And someone is bound to jump in the water,” Robinson said.
Brew also has specials such as 2 for 1 on Tuesdays, where you can get two drinks for the price of one. But the most popular night for Brew is College Night on Thursdays, where cover is only $5. Brew also has happy hour Monday - Friday 4 - 7 p.m., Saturday 3 - 6 p.m. and football specials 12 - 8 p.m. If you are looking for loud music, a lot of dancing and relatively cheap drinks, then Brew is your place. Saferide also picks up from Brew and is an option at the end of the night.
2. The Warehouse
Warehouse is located across campus at 1147 Salisbury Blvd. and is the closest thing Salisbury has to a club atmosphere. It has two bars inside, but it is usually a long wait to get drinks if it’s a packed night. Cover is $10 for non-SU students, but if you bring your SU ID, it is only $5. The drinks at Warehouse can be on the pricey side, but the bar offers larger drinks called barrels in over 21 flavors at $14 a piece.
Wesley Myrer, a senior at SU, enjoys going to Warehouse on Saturday nights.
“Warehouse is the move on Saturdays,” Myrer said. “It’s the best place to dance, but it can get really crowded and sweaty fast and the service can take awhile.”
Although Warehouse is usually the place to go on Saturdays, it offers specials on Wednesdays and Fridays. Warehouse Wednesdays is no cover for college students with $5 frozen barrels and $8 normal barrels. Every Friday, it has happy hour deals from 4-9 p.m. with free pool and snacks.
3. Hoppers Tap House
Hoppers is located near campus at 1400 S. Salisbury Blvd. and offers a more relaxed bar to drink at with friends. Hoppers is your one-stop shop for food and drinks because it resides in a plaza with multiple restaurants including Wingin’ It, Smoking BBQ Grille, WayBack Burgers and Sushi Zay. It has a tropical atmosphere inside with palm trees, lights, large picnic tables and TVs for sporting events. Its specialty is craft beers, but it also has wine, cocktails nicknamed called “hop-tails” and the bar’s famous pickle shot.
Graduate student Alexandra Chinn enjoys going to Hoppers because of its close proximity to campus and the food options.
“Hoppers is definitely a more family-oriented bar and has a chiller vibe than Brew or some of the other bars in Salisbury,” Chinn said. “I like all the food places around it and I enjoy going on Wednesdays for Kick The Keg.”
Hoppers has Kick The Keg on Wednesdays from 7:33 - 10:33 p.m. with three different beers from three different breweries, all for $3. It also has happy hour every day of the week from 3 - 7 p.m. If you are looking for a chiller place to drink, hang out and get food, then Hoppers is for you.
4. Market Street Inn
Market is located at 130 W. Market St and has more of a pub vibe with great drinks and good food. Whether it’s grabbing a booth with friends and ordering food and drinks or enjoying the live music on the weekends, Market’s relaxed atmosphere is great for all. Many SU students also like to go to Market on Thursdays for 2 for 1 before going to Brew at night.
Kendall Smith, a junior at SU, enjoys going to Market for food and drinks on Thursdays and Fridays.
“They have great food and their drinks are reasonably priced for the most part,” Smith said. “It’s also smaller than Brew, so you’re able to have more intimate conversations, but it’s big enough where you can avoid someone if you want to.”
Market has 2 for 1 on Thursdays from 9 p.m. - close and live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays. Market has happy hour on Monday - Friday from 4 - 7 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m - 5 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Market is the place if you want to hang out and have a chill night with friends.
5. The Brick Room
The Brick Room is located at 116 North Division St. in Downtown Salisbury. Brick Room is more of a sophisticated bar with a great staff and a unique, classy atmosphere. The drinks are reasonably priced and a great place to go for a low-key happy hour. The crowd definitely caters to older people and Salisbury locals, but it is still a great place to go with friends. Graduate student Kirby Given and senior Sophie Clendenin recently went for happy hour.
“Brick Room has good prices, a cool alley and a very cozy atmosphere,” Given said. “Brick Room is hands-down the best bar in Salisbury,” Clendenin added.
Brick Room has happy hour Tuesday - Saturday 4 - 7 p.m. and closes at midnight on weekdays. It has live music every Friday and Saturday night starting at 9 p.m. and closes at 2 a.m. Brick room is also closed on Sundays. If you are looking for a cozy and classy bar for a date or with friends, then you should give Brick Room a chance.
6. The Irish Penny Pub and Grill
The Irish Penny is located at 1014 S. Salisbury Blvd. and within walking distance of campus. Irish Penny has a great pub atmosphere and is a place you can go with your family or friends. Christina Helowicz, a senior at SU, loves going to Irish Penny with her friends after class is done with.
“It’s right next to Fulton, which is super nice after a long day in the studio,” Helowicz said. “Their prices are good and it’s always a fun environment when I go there. It’s definitely the bar I go to the most often.”
The Irish Penny has something going on almost every night of the week. Its happy hour is Monday - Thursday 9 p.m - close, featuring $2.50 domestic beers, $3 rails, $3 wines and cheap food options. On Monday nights, it has half-priced burgers. Every Tuesday at 7 p.m., it has live local music with Mickey Justice. It has Whiskey Wednesdays, where all whiskey is 25% off from 4 p.m - close. And every first and third Wednesday, it has Hump Day Blues with an open jam blues night. One of the most popular nights for SU students is Thursday, where The Irish Penny hosts Trivia Night and you can win $100 in cash and gift cards. On Sundays, it has a BOGO dinner special where if you buy one dinner entrée, you get 50% off the second entree of equal or lesser value. Irish Penny is a great place to drink and have a great time with friends.
By SOFIA CARRASCO
Editorial editor
Contributed Images.