Blacksburg Nightlife
By Shelby Ward
Walking down Main Street first time, visitors to Blacksburg, Va., may find themselves unexplainably attracted to the colors orange and maroon. Alumni may feel transported through time as they shop at longtime downtown stores or watch a movie at The Lyric. Whether you are a current student or not, downtown Blacksburg offers a nightlife that makes you part of a community.
Headlights help illuminate the intersection of North Main Street and College Avenue in the heart of downtown Blacksburg, Va.
Downtown Blacksburg offers a variety of restaurants and bars for nearly every personality and preference. Several accommodate vegetarians and the health- conscious. Going out to eat in Blacksburg doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice anything. Many restaurants also have local bands come in to play, and not just on weekends. Anyone with an appreciation for music will find this a relaxing way to spend an evening.
And it’s not just local bands that play at Virginia Tech. The small community with the big name gets some amazing musical acts every year. In the past, names such as John Mayer, the Dave Matthews Band, Wale, Maroon 5, Kirk Franklin, and B.B. King, have performed on Blacksburg stages.
The Dave Matthews Band performed at Virginia Tech in 2007.
Many restaurants and bars also have numerous televisions to watch almost any sport you want to see. If you are not a sports fan when you arrive at Virginia Tech, chances are you will be converted into one by the time you leave -- at least when it comes to Hokie sports.
Probably the best example of this is football season. You will never have to ask if the team won or lost. All you will have to do is step outside to know the outcome. Blacksburg is never quieter if the Hokies have lost, and a tangible sadness hangs in the air. But on nights of a win there is a frenzy in the air. This is Blacksburg at its best.
Some students are more comfortable having a relaxing evening with close friends. Ice cream at Deet’s Place in Dietrick Hall is one place to try. There, you will often find students lined up out the door, even in the chill of a Blacksburg winter.
University Unions & Student Activities also sponsors myriad activities and options for students and the community, including movies, dances, concerts, and plays. In Squires Student Center you’ll find the Break Zone which has billiards, bowling, table tennis, and more at great prices. An event sponsored by a student program, whether it is a multicultural fashion show or Latin dance lessons, also opens the chance to see the diversity and passionate culture at Virginia Tech.
Shopping, comedy shows, art, theater productions, music, or great food with close friends Blacksburg truly has something for everyone. The nightlife is just as diverse and fascinating as the community and student body that call it home.