Fresno has a plethora of bars and grills that can be found at every corner of the city, so it can be hard for students to navigate and decide where to go. The bars selected are great because they’re close to campus, all within three miles of Fresno State. The atmosphere and food is also enjoyable. As always, drink responsibly.

Best Sports Bars

Dog House Grill: This bar and grill is a favorite among Fresno State students for its convenient distance. Located at 2789 E. Shaw Ave., it has a lively atmosphere, combined with 360-degree TV coverage that allows patrons to enjoy their amazing BBQ without missing out on any games.
Distance from campus: 10/10
Atmosphere: 9/10
Food: 10/10
Best Feature: Pig sandwich

PressBox Sports Grill (Fresno/Clovis): This sports bar is great for students to catch a game and enjoy some delicious food and drinks. PressBox, located at 1552 E. Champlain Drive, is known for its large selection of beer and variety of shooters, both custom and classic. It’s the second-best bar on this list to catch a game because of its wide array of TVs. The top item on the menu is poke nachos.
Distance from campus: 6/10
Atmosphere: 8/10
Food: 8/10
Best Feature: Gummy Bear Shooter

Best Brewing Houses

BarrelHouse Brewing Company: This brewery and taproom hosts live music and entertainment on weekends. Located at 145 E. Paseo Del Centro, BarrelHouse Brewing has a great atmosphere, but the downfall of this bar is that it doesn’t serve food. It welcomes customers to bring their own food.
Distance from campus: 10/10
Atmosphere: 10/10
Food: N/A
Best Feature: Sunny Daze – Citrus Blonde Ale

Crow and Wolf Brewing Company: This is a trendy bar located at 526 Spruce Ave. and offers a wide selection of craft beers and seltzers. It also hosts food trucks throughout the week and has a lot of tables that allow for large group gatherings. It is a little out of the way. However, it has a great atmosphere and weekend events that make up for the location.
Distance from campus: 3/10
Atmosphere: 9/10
Food: 7/10
Best Feature: Nova Blonde Ale with Vanilla

Best Bar Food

The Point Bar and Grill: This laid-back bar and grill at 2940 E. Nees Ave. is a popular location for outdoor patio get-togethers. The atmosphere is slightly more formal with an indoor and outdoor bar. Its main attractions are the large tables and patio seating that allow you to enjoy the outdoors with comfort.
Distance from campus: 9/10
Atmosphere: 9/10
Food: 9/10
Best Feature: BBQ wings

Wahoo’s Fish Taco: This is the second most conveniently located bar on this list, being located at 3053 Campus Drive. and has a respectable selection of beers and mixed drinks. This bar can get packed quickly on weekends but never disappoints with its tasty fish tacos and Mexican-inspired dishes.
Distance from campus: 10/10
Atmosphere: 7/10
Food: 7/10
Best Feature: Michelada

Liveliest bars

Old Town Saloon: This bar is the best on the list for a night out with some friends or a karaoke all-nighter. Its beers and shooters are $4, so breaking a budget isn’t a problem. The atmosphere is directed toward college students and young adults, along with great DJs on weekends. Get to 450 Clovis Ave. early because the line can stretch down the street if you arrive too late.
Distance from campus: 5/10
Atmosphere: 9/10
Food: No Food
Best Feature: Sour Shooter

Classic Billiards: As the name suggests, this bar is focused on billiards and other bar games. Located at 711 W. Shaw Ave, it’s perfect for a quick class break. It has a large number of pool tables, as well as dart boards and an abundance of TVs. It also serves an assortment of beers and offers pitchers for groups. The atmosphere is relaxed and fun, with a mix of serious pool players and casual drinkers. Its food score rates are lower than most others because of their limited menu and low quality of its dishes.
Distance from campus: 9/10
Atmosphere: 7/10
Food: 4/10
Best Feature: Beer pitchers

Best People Watching

The 5th: This hole in the wall bar is located in the heart of Old Town Clovis at 622 5th St. The 5th will not disappoint with interesting people to watch and engage with. The bar can be a mix of young adults and an older crowd, but is primarily filled with older Clovis residents. Live music and darts are constantly being played. The bar is lengthy and allows bartenders to get to orders faster than other bars. This is a great place to grab a drink with some buddies and have some stories to tell after.
Distance from campus: 5/10
Atmosphere: 8/10
Food: No Food
Best Feature: Live music

Jimbos: This country bar is a quick drive North on Highway168 located at 495 Herndon Ave. This bar is great due to its cheap drinks and college night on Wednesdays. This bar can get packed on both weekdays and weekends when it hits 9 p.m. because of its great music and drink specials. Jimbos has both a pool shooting area and a dance floor that is often filled by line dancers. Both indoor and outdoor lounging areas make it great for a summer night.
Distance from campus: 6/10
Atmosphere: 7/10
Food: 5/10
Best Feature: Line dancing