New to town? Just turning 21? Bored and not sure what to do?aaaaaaaaaa

Never fear, some of Penn State's busy bar-goers will save the day with this "survival guide" to State College's crazy life after dark. In fact, it seems that knowing where to be and when is essential to making it in this jungle of gin and Jell-O shots. By mastering these techniques, one can be saved from a lifetime of sitting in the corner and be transformed into the life of the party — or at least be saved from everyone who is trying to become the life of the party.

Most of the "experts" said that Monday is a particularly slow night to go out — a recuperation day from the busy weekend. However, sports and/or nice weather can always change that. Mike Fedor (junior-communications) can be lured out on Mondays by a few friends, a couple bottles of Rolling Rock and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Fedor said he goes to The Sports Café & Grill, 224 W. College Ave., "when there are hockey games and also because of the atmosphere."

After a night of rest, many students are geared up and ready to go all out as soon as possible, which just happens to be Tuesday. Meghan Conaghan (junior-speech communications) turned 21 Tuesday and just had to go out and celebrate at the Shandygaff Saloon, rear 212 E. College Ave.

"I really like the new crowd scene," Conaghan said. It was a different set of people than I'm used to seeing when I would go out to frats and apartment parties. It was really fun but really tightly packed. The music was awesome — old school mixed with new stuff — not just all new stuff with the crappy old songs mixed in."

After dancing the night away, are Penn State students ready for another break Wednesday? The answer seems to be no, as many local bars are crammed from wall-to-wall. The most popular way to celebrate "over the hump day" is at Chili's, 137 S. Allen St., where Margarita Madness keeps the margaritas, salsa and chips, and customers coming all day. How can you beat margaritas for a dollar? Tricia Constable (junior-actuarial science) went to Chili's for her 21st birthday earlier this month. She said she'll definitely be coming back.

"It was a lot of fun there," Constable said. "The margaritas were really good and so was the price."

Other students flock to the Gingerbread Man, 130 Heister St., on Wednesday nights for its DJ, atmosphere and pitcher specials. Kate Wilson (junior-psychology) likes all of the above.

"The G-Man is very social," she said. "Everyone is chatting everywhere."

Thirsty Thursday is a great day to ring in the weekend for students who either don't have Friday classes, don't have Friday morning classes or just don't mind that alarm going off a few hours before they'd actually like to see their astronomy professor. Many students find themselves craving some Spam — some Green Eggs and Spam that is. Jessica Kolar (senior-accounting) is one of Spam's many female fans who gets to the Crowbar, 420 E. College Ave., early to stake out a spot up front.

Kolar has been a Spam groupie since she first saw them play two years ago. She enjoys the boys' covers of some of her favorite music.

"All four members of Spam are very talented in different ways," Kolar said. "Brian is the only grown man that I know who can sing higher than Michael Jackson did when he was a kid. Doug is a killer on the drums. Brad's dance moves are killer and Steve just makes everything so interesting."

But Kolar also loves the Crowbar for more than just Spam. She also loves its atmosphere and its 501 Blues — her favorite drink.

Many others, however, just can't find much of anything to love there. Jim Love (senior-kinesiology) can't stand the Crowbar's wall-to-wall traffic. "I try to avoid the Crowbar at all costs," Love said.

Fedor also keeps his distance. He offered his advice for those trying to avoid chaos. "Don't go to the Crowbar because it gets way too crowded," Fedor said. "Nothing against the place, but if you're looking for a good time, don't go there."

Love, instead, recommends the Shandygaff on a Thursday night because he said it's not insanely crowded and they have a good DJ. If that's not your thing, he suggests the Rathskeller All American, 108 S. Pugh St., which Love claims is good any night of the week because they offer $3 pitchers all day and there's usually no cover.

T.G.I.F. begins early. Students need to eat lunch and dinner somewhere, and it's got to be Café 210 West, 210 W. College Ave. Tables are few and far between for their outdoor patio as early as 11 a.m. Dominique Dalbo (senior-integrative arts) often finds herself fighting for an outside table.

"It's nice to sit outside and relax because its not as packed as in the bar itself," Dalbo said. "And you get table service that way, no waiting at the bar line."

Ryan Schwabenbauer (senior-finance) also loves warm nights at the Café.

"The Café is great on Fridays when it's nice out," he said. "You can always find an early crowd and an escape from the week."

The Café is popular for its Long Island Iced Teas, which, on special, go for about two bucks — yet another reason why Dalbo, and half of State College, loves the Café. "Their Long Islands are enough to kill someone," Dalbo claims.

After the Café, Dalbo and her boyfriend Love head off to the Darkhorse Tavern, 128 E. College Ave., to see their favorite band, Sona. Love thinks the Darkhorse offers one of the best deals in town.

It's easy to see why Saturday is one of the biggest nights of the week to go out — you got to sleep in all day and can still sleep in all day tomorrow. Robert Richardson's (senior-wildlife and forest services) choice of where to go on a Saturday night depends on many factors.

"First, it depends on if its cold or warm outside and what time it is," he explained. "If it's warm out, the Café would be my primary choice. I like sitting outside and they always have good bands and good specials."

Richardson follows his Café visit with a trip to the Sports Café or the Darkhorse. Richardson said he likes the Sports Café for the same reasons as the Café, "but I like the Darkhorse because you definitely get more liquor for your money."

Wilson likes to head out to the Saloon, 101 Heister St., on Saturday nights to see Velveeta when they're playing.

"I always look for where they are playing," she said. "It's that cheesy '80s music that gets me." While she was there, Wilson sampled the Saloon's specialty — the monkeyboy, a multi-flavored drink that packs a punch.

"We tried the bong water flavor," Wilson said. "I had one and that was more than enough for me."

The Saloon is also popular on Sunday nights where the band Sona often plays. Love has no trouble choosing his Sunday night entertainment.

"It's the Saloon, easy," he said. "Its monkeyboy night and, as we all know, Sona is great band to cut a rug to."

Dalbo also loves the Saloon, especially during its $4.50 a pitcher special on monkeyboys. She recommends the root beer flavor.

Soon enough, it's Monday again. Repeat cycle. However, Love advises that bar goers should switch it up every once in awhile.

"In my years here, I've gotten into a routine, but sometimes I like trying new things," Love said. "It's fun to just randomly show up at the (Sports Café) from time to time."