1. Innisfree Irish Pub

1925 University Blvd Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

Innisfree has been in Tuscaloosa for only four years, but it has already cemented itself a staple on the bar scene. Innisfree is a great all-purpose bar. The food is good, it’s always full of people and the drink selection is better than most. The space is large and well-divided. There is ample outdoor seating, plenty of places to eat, dance and listen to live music, and there’s an additional bar and pool tables in the back. If you are wanting to make a night of it, head to Innisfree on a Wednesday, grab dinner, enjoy trivia at 9:30 (round winners get free drinks and pitchers) and stick around for $1, $2 and $3 drink specials. There may be better bars in town for specific things, but if you are looking for a good time at a great bar that offers a little bit of everything, check out Innisfree.

2. Alcove International Tavern

730 22nd Ave Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

(205) 469-9110

There isn’t a more appropriately named bar in town than the Alcove. It’s small, it’s hip and it’s unlike any other bar in Tuscaloosa. Draught beers are served out of mason jars, grad students abound and you’re more likely to hear Dizzy Gillespie in the background than Lil Wayne. The Alcove has arguably the best drink selection in town, boasting more than 100 different types of beers from around the world.  And if you get overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to ask one of their knowledgeable bartenders. The Alcove believes in serving quality drinks. With a well including Absolut, Jack Daniel’s and Jose Cuervo Gold, you are probably going to pay more for your drink, but it’s sure going to taste good. This is a bring-your-own-entertainment kind of place. Besides Tuesday Jazz Night, the only other thing to do is sit back with a drink, so bring people with decent conversational skills.

3. Wilhagan’s Sports Grille

2209 4th St.

Tuscaloosa, AL 35401

205-366-0913

Wilhagan’s is a restaurant, a sports bar and a great place for trivia. Sound great? It gets better. Wilhagan’s takes Bama Cash (for food AND drinks). The beer selection is extensive. They have a “Passport to Beer” punch card with 20 different types of beer on it and when you get all 20 punched, you get a T-shirt. And did I mention they take Bama Cash? Wilhagan’s is larger and less crowded than most other bars in town, but they fill their ample space with pool tables, flat screen TVs, dartboards and tables to dine in and play trivia. Trivia at Wilhagan’s is not for the faint of heart and feeble of mind. The questions are tough and the competition is fierce. But even if you do come in 34th place out of 40, you’ll have a good time listening to the team names. And if you’re interested in great live music, hop on over to Green Bar right next door owned by the same people that run Wilhagan’s. They bring in blues and jazz bands and offer a variety of beer in cans to go along with the eco-friendly theme.