Blacksburg Nightlife
By Stephanie Haugen-Ray
By day, visitors who notice families dropping children off at school or Hokie fans packing the streets on game days usually describe Blacksburg as an enthusiastic college town.
Students and locals know, however, that at night Blacksburg comes alive as a completely different world. After the sun has set, the area is bursting with music and lights, beckoning everyone to take part in the numerous festivities the businesses, campus, and community all have to contribute.
Dining options range from a quick burger at local favorite Mike’s Grill, seafood at the funky Cabo Fish Taco, or an elegant evening of tapas dishes and dancing at The Nerv Restaurant and Lounge. Throughout the year, Virginia Tech’s Office of Student Programs even offers unique dining events with themes like southern hospitality, pirate adventure, and murder mystery.
Sport lovers can join in a game of dodge ball, basketball, water polo, or many other past-times on the long list of intramural sports Virginia Tech offers. Most leagues hold games and tournaments in the evening to better suit the schedules of students, staff, and faculty. To join other fans and catch the night’s big game on a large screen with plenty of food, head to Buffalo Wild Wings or Champs, two of the area’s popular sports bars.
Bars and clubs in Blacksburg’s downtown area offer the quintessential college scene, with drink specials, live music, and late-night menus catering to the desires of many. From the two bars and outdoor deck that are available at Sharkey’s to the large dance floor and latest musical hits at Oge-Chi’s, anyone can find the right place to suit their style.
Besides the requisite bar, deejay, and dance floor, many places also offer other sources of entertainment for those seeking some unique alternatives. Hokie House has a weekly comedy club featuring both local acts and national headliners. Also, many area restaurants often host live bands. Pool tables, arcades, and casino games can also be found sprinkled among many of the downtown establishments.
There are also other options for those looking to enjoy a quieter evening in Blacksburg. The Virginia Tech Union schedules movies and concerts of an array of genres in different buildings on campus. The Lyric Theater shows independent films in a classic building that was named to the National Register of Historic Places. “Break Zone” in Squires Student Center offers pool tables, bowling, and snacks.
The town of Blacksburg offers a broad range of nighttime activities, such as Scottish dancing classes, mountain square dances, art auctions, chorus concerts, and jazz festivals. At any time of the year there are dozens of things to do to get involved with the local community.
For either the weekend visitor or four-year student, the nightlife in Blacksburg has enough variety for everyone to enjoy. Once you’ve dipped past the football-crazed college town exterior you’ll discover a world filled with music, food, dancing, arts, and comedy that can suit your mood on any night of the week.
All About Blacksburg
- All About Blacksburg homepage
- 10 Interesting Facts about the New River Valley
- Blacksburg nightlife
- Blacksburg history
- The surrounding area
- Why Blacksburg?
Hear first-hand from students, faculty, and staff.
About the Author
Stephanie Haugen-Ray, a senior from Hampton, Va., is pursuing a bachelor's degree in public relations with a minor in sociology from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.