From Campus Hangouts to Community Hubs: A Look at Alumni Bar and Grill History
The history of alumni bars and grills is rich with tradition, community, and, of course, good times. These establishments often serve as more than just places to grab a drink or a bite to eat; they become integral parts of the college experience, fostering a sense of belonging and creating lasting memories. This article explores the history and significance of alumni bars and grills, drawing examples from various establishments, including the Alumni Bar and Grill in Albany, GA, and iconic campus hangouts near the University of Illinois.
The Essence of Alumni Bars and Grills
Alumni bars and grills are more than just commercial establishments; they are cultural touchstones. They represent a shared history and a common bond among those who have passed through the same halls of learning. These venues often host events, celebrate traditions, and provide a space for alumni to reconnect with their alma mater and each other.
In Albany, GA, the Alumni Bar and Grill exemplified this spirit by teaming up with the Albany High School Class of 1987 to host an event honoring black-owned businesses during Black History Month. Robbie Hall, a co-organizer of the event, emphasized the importance of serving the community and showing that they are not forsaken. This event, which fed local children and taught them about supporting black-owned businesses, highlights the role of alumni establishments in giving back and fostering community pride. Deborah Stewart, who attended the event, noted the importance of supporting black-owned businesses and teaching children to do the same.
Iconic Campus Hangouts: A Trip Down Memory Lane
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign boasts a rich history of campus bars and grills that have become legendary among alumni. These establishments have served as gathering places for students for generations, each with its unique atmosphere and traditions.
KAMS: The Everlasting "Home of the Drinking Illini"
KAMS, located at 608 E. Daniel St. and 618 E. Daniel St., is a quintessential example of a campus institution. A skeptical bouncer checking IDs at the "Home of the Drinking Illini" in 1990 is a scene familiar to many alumni. The new KAMS, larger and more modern than its predecessor, stands as a monument to Campustown history. Its decor highlights its legacy and includes branded spaces that celebrate Second Chance, a short-lived hotspot that burned down in 1977, and Stan Wallace’s Gridiron, which preceded KAMS at 618 E. Daniel St.
Read also: The Alumni Sports Bar Concept
Illini Inn: Mug Club Memories
The Illini Inn, located at 901 S. Fourth St., is another iconic spot. Today’s students might be surprised to learn that the brand-new version of the Illini Inn was once "the diviest of dives-dingy, a little disgusting, but an original." The Mug Club is a beloved tradition. To join, a bartender gives you a card with a number. You memorize it, chug a beer, drink another at a normal pace, and then recite the number. If you remember correctly, your name goes on the card, and you’re in the club. To date, over 100,000 people have joined the Mug Club, and many alumni cherish their Mug Club cards, keeping them in their wallets or purses.
Red Lion Inn: Rock 'n' Roll History
From 1966 to 1981, the Red Lion Inn, located at 211 E. Green St., was the place for students who loved loud, rockin’ music. Legends in the making, such as R.E.O. Speedwagon and Cheap Trick, graced its stage, making it a pivotal venue in the local music scene.
Treno's: A Place with Multiple Personalities
Treno’s, formerly located at 1117 W. Oregon St., Urbana, was a unique establishment known for its diverse atmosphere. John Matras, ’70 LAS, described it as "a place with multiple personalities," functioning as a restaurant, coffee house, community space, and jazz club. With its chill atmosphere, 20-foot ceilings, circular fans, hanging plants, and Spanish tile, Treno’s could have been mistaken for a restaurant in Barcelona. On Saturday nights, it transformed into a tavern-like bar, offering great pizza and juicy burgers on black bread. Willard Broom, ’72 MEDIA, EDM ’78, remembers it as a great place for jazz.
The Red Herring: Folk Music Haven
In the late ’60s and early ’70s, the Red Herring, located at 1209 W. Oregon St., was an integral part of the campus folk music scene. Housed in the former Unitarian Universalist Church, a Tudor Revival building resembling a storybook cottage, the Red Herring is fondly remembered by alumni like Lois Dal Santo Harring, ’73 LAS, as synonymous with the campus folk music scene.
Boni's: A French Café with a Twist
Boni’s, located at Lando Place, 707 S. Sixth St., was a self-proclaimed "French café" named after Napoleon Bonaparte. Kim Cox, ’76 LAS, fondly remembers the giant tree enclosed in glass behind the bar. Illini loved Boni’s because they didn't always card students who looked like students. Tom Callies, ’81 ACES, recalls a Halloween incident where a bouncer asked for the ID of someone wearing a pumpkin over their head, and the student presented an ID with a pumpkin pasted over the face. Boni’s closed after the state raised the legal drinking age from 19 to 21 in 1980.
Read also: Dining at Alumni Grill
Canopy Club: A Concert Venue with a Storied Past
The Canopy Club, located at 708 S. Goodwin Ave. in Urbana, has been an active concert venue since 1998. Alumni from the mid-’60s to the late ’90s remember it as the Thunderbird Theater, a popular movie house. Since becoming the Canopy Club, it has hosted thousands of established performers, from Wilco to Hum to Janelle Monáe, offering a diverse range of musical experiences.
White Horse Inn: Late-Night Cravings
The White Horse Inn, located at 112 E. Green St., was legendary for its "drunk food," including haystacks (hashbrowns, sausage, eggs, and cheese), tacos, cheap wings, and burgers. On Sunday mornings, it was a popular spot for brunch, offering biscuits and gravy, French toast, and Bloody Marys by the pitcher.
Espresso Royale: A Coffee Lover's Paradise
Espresso Royale, with various locations including 1117 W. Oregon St., Urbana, and 604 E. Daniel St., has been an Illinois institution since 1988. Started as a college-town chain in the 1980s, Espresso Royale has occupied numerous campus locations, from the Illini Union’s Courtyard Café to the Krannert Art Museum. Alexis Simmons, ’19 MEDIA, fondly remembers the Espresso on Daniel, where she "literally went there every day, spent hours and hours there, and left no seat un-sat in." The original Oregon Street location now stands in the space once occupied by Treno’s and Prehn’s, marking nearly a century of student life history.
Stan Wallace's Gridiron: A Local Institution
Stan Wallace’s Gridiron, located at 618 E. Daniel St., was named after its proprietor, a U of I football and Chicago Bears defensive back. It was a local institution in the 1960s and ’70s, remembered for its strong ties to the university's athletic legacy.
Mabel's: The Epicenter of Live Music
Mabel’s, located at 613 E. Green St., was the epicenter of the Champaign-Urbana music scene for over 20 years. Abhi Gami, ’90 BUS, recalls seeing They Might Be Giants, Jane’s Addiction, Smashing Pumpkins, and Adrian Belew there. Local acts like the Poster Children and Elvis Brothers cut their teeth on its stage, Nirvana played during their first national tour, and numerous music legends performed there. Craig Barner, ’87 LAS, laments the passing of Mabel’s, calling it one of his favorite places on campus.
Read also: Alumni Reunions
Papa Del's: A Pizza Debate Winner
Papa Del’s, located at 601 S. Wright St.; 206 E. Green St.; 1201 S. Neil St. Champaign, has been serving its delectable deep-dish slices since 1970 and is often cited by alumni as the thing they miss most about their time on campus.
Murphy's Pub: An Irish Tradition
Since 1969, the Irish pub Murphy’s, located at 604 E. Green St., has been a favorite among graduate students, English majors, Rugby Club members, and “theater kids,” according to Jarrett Dapier, ’01 LAS, MS ’15 IS. Dapier recalls the narrow, dark, cramped, one-room pub with tiny booths, wooden tables, and names of past barflies etched into the wood. In 2009, Murphy’s expanded into the former Bar Guiliani space, becoming much larger.
Chester Street Bar: A Safe Space for All
For decades, Chester Street Bar was a place that fostered a sense of belonging for the LGBTQIA+ community. Stephanie Pillar, ’86 LAS, remembers it as the best place to dance, a safe space where people of all sexual orientations and genders could relax, be themselves, make new friends, and watch a drag show.
O'Malley's: Beer and Promotions
O’Malley’s was a popular student hangout during the ’80s and ’90s, known for its "Beer an Inning Club" and "Drink the Wall" promotion.
The Alumni Club Tavern & Eatery: A Community Hub in Menomonee Falls
The Alumni Club Tavern & Eatery in Menomonee Falls, WI, embodies the spirit of community and tradition. After 2½ years of work, the restaurant, located at N88 W16718 Appleton Ave., opened its doors, aiming to be a community hub where people can enjoy drinks and good food. Owner Mike Teipner envisioned a tavern as a place where the community comes together. The building, dating back to the early 1900s, underwent extensive renovations. The inside decor highlights the community, celebrating the local area.
The Alumni Club offers a menu that includes appetizers, pizza, The Beastly Brisket Burger, and the B2 Bomber with grilled Italian sausage, Italian meat sauce, and mozzarella served on fresh bread from Nino’s Italian Bakery. Teipner believes their pizza is some of the best in Milwaukee, featuring a hybrid of flatbread pizza with an artisan crust. The restaurant has also been approved to add outdoor tables, enhancing its appeal during warmer weather.
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