The Ultimate UF Nightlife Guide

Gainesville nightlife is built around the University of Florida. Most nights out happen within walking distance of campus, and the bars run on a weekly rhythm of theme nights. Once you know that rhythm, it's easy to pick a night. This guide explains how it works, where people go, and what to know before you leave.

Going out around UF this week

Live

• 🏈Rowdy NFL Sunday FundaySun 12:00 PM · Rowdy's
• 🏈Macs NFL MondaysMon 8:00 PM · Macdintons
• 🎤Rowdyoke MondayMon 9:00 PM · Rowdy's
• 🍻Salty Dog Tuesday SpecialsTue 7:00 PM · Salty Dog Saloon
• 🍹2 for TuesdaysTue 9:00 PM · The Grove
• 🍺$2 TuesdaysTue 10:00 PM · Rowdy's
• 🪩Wednesday bounce nightWed 8:00 PM · Rowdy's
• 🍺SOHO Pitcher Perfect WednesdaysWed 9:00 PM · Macdintons

Pulled from TONIGHT's UF wall, which is checked against each venue's or school's own listing. Times and covers can change, so check the event before you go.

See everything at UF →

The two areas: Midtown and downtown

Midtown

Midtown is the stretch of bars and late-night food along University Avenue, right across from campus. It's where most UF students mean when they say they're "going out". It's dense, walkable and busy most nights of the school week. Bars you'll see on TONIGHT's UF wall every week include:

• Macdintons: theme nights through the week, including NFL Monday watch parties and SoHo nights.
• The Grove: weekly themed nights like its Tuesday and Thursday parties.
• Fats: midweek nights and SoHo Thursdays.
• Rowdy's: karaoke ("Rowdyoke") on Mondays, NFL Sundays and late-night weekly parties.
• Salty Dog Saloon: a Midtown sports bar with weekly specials.

Downtown

Downtown Gainesville is a short drive or ride from campus and has more of a live-music and local scene. Bo Diddley Plaza hosts the city's Free Fridays concerts, and Heartwood Soundstage on South Main Street books shows plus weekly Free Porch Sessions. The Limelight downtown runs a free weekly improv night.

The weekly rhythm

UF nightlife isn't just Friday and Saturday. Midtown bars build their weeks around recurring nights. Exact names and times change, so check the current week on TONIGHT, but this is the usual pattern:

SoHo nights are a TONIGHT partner. You'll see them highlighted on the UF wall, along with which bar is hosting that night.

What to know before you go

Covers, lines and LineLeap

Many Midtown nights have a cover at the door, and some sell line-skip passes on LineLeap. When a venue posts a cover, TONIGHT shows it on the listing with a link to the source. Using LineLeap? TONIGHT's code MARCUS takes money off at checkout.

Age and ID

Some nights are 18+ to enter and 21+ to drink. Others are 21+ only. It changes by bar and by night. Bring a real ID and check the listing.

Live reports

On TONIGHT, people at a bar can post how busy it is, the line, the cover and the music. If someone's posted in the last few hours, you'll see it on the event before you leave.

Not a bar person? The other side of a UF night

Lots of people want a night out that isn't a crowded bar:

• Trivia and open mics at Swamp Head Brewery and Mother's Pub & Grill.
• Game nights at PunkOuter Games almost every evening.
• Concerts and shows from UF Performing Arts, often with student pricing (check the event page).
• Free outdoor events at Bo Diddley Plaza.

Things to Do in Gainesville Tonight covers these in more detail.

Getting there and getting home

• Walk in groups in Midtown, and agree on a meeting spot.
• Use the Ride button. Every event on TONIGHT has a 🚗 Ride button that opens Uber or Lyft with the venue filled in. Match the car, plate and driver before you get in, and share your trip with a friend.
• Know your limits. If something feels off, leave. Venues and rideshare apps can help you get out of a bad situation.

Plan it with your friends

The hardest part of a night out is getting everyone to agree. On TONIGHT, tap I'm going on a night, and friends who've added you see where you're headed (only if you choose to share it). Or start a What's the move? vote and drop the link in the group chat. See how TONIGHT works.