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Top 5 Notre Dame Football Gameday Bars In South Bend

By Jack Leniart

SANTA ROSA, CA - FEBRUARY 07: A Russian River Brewing Company bartender pours a glass of the newly released Pliny the Younger triple IPA beer on February 7, 2014 in Santa Rosa, California. Hundreds of people lined up hours before the opening of Russian River Brewing Co. to taste the 10th annual release of the wildly popular Pliny the Younger triple IPA beer that will only be available on tap from February 7th through February 20th. Craft beer aficionados rank Pliny the Younger as one of the top beers in the world. The craft beer sector of the beverage industry has grown from being a niche market into a fast growing 12 billion dollar business, as global breweries continue to purchase smaller regional craft breweries such this week's purchase of New York's Blue Point Brewing by AB Inbev. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
SANTA ROSA, CA - FEBRUARY 07: A Russian River Brewing Company bartender pours a glass of the newly released Pliny the Younger triple IPA beer on February 7, 2014 in Santa Rosa, California. Hundreds of people lined up hours before the opening of Russian River Brewing Co. to taste the 10th annual release of the wildly popular Pliny the Younger triple IPA beer that will only be available on tap from February 7th through February 20th. Craft beer aficionados rank Pliny the Younger as one of the top beers in the world. The craft beer sector of the beverage industry has grown from being a niche market into a fast growing 12 billion dollar business, as global breweries continue to purchase smaller regional craft breweries such this week's purchase of New York's Blue Point Brewing by AB Inbev. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) /
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If you find yourself in South Bend during a Notre Dame football weekend, chances are you will want to experience the legendary nightlife. That is, if you are 21 or older.

Like any other college town, there are a plethora of bars near Notre Dame’s campus. Although they are all in the same general area, each bar is unique in its own way — especially when it comes to catching a Notre Dame football game inside of one.

Every Notre Dame alumni or Irish fan that frequents South Bend has a favorite bar there. That bar may be tied to great memories, it may play the best music or it may just offer insanely cheap drink deals. The latter no doubt appealing the most to a younger demographic.

For anyone that may be wandering around the Bend on a quest for cheap beer and good vibes, I offer you my humble  the totally-not-arbitrary rankings of the best bars near Notre Dame’s campus.

5. O’Rourke’s Public House

The establishment formerly known as Kildaire’s has prime real estate on Eddy Street just south of Notre Dame stadium. Although its super convenient location is the main reason it made the list, O’Rourke’s does offer more than just that.

They have all the food options you would want from a pub, including some delectable Irish Nachos. They also have cheap drinks on the menu and regularly run specials throughout the week.

4. The Linebacker Lounge (aka The Backer)

Those that love the Backer seriously love the Backer. To some of them, this is the only relevant bar near campus. Not to me, but I can still appreciate its greatness.

While it’s not as close to campus as the Eddy Street bars, the Backer is still very much within walking distance. It’s a great spot for both pre and post-game festivities.

Like a linebacker in a football game, patrons at this bar have to operate in tight quarters most of the time. But that’s commonplace at most bars in college towns.

3. Brother’s Bar and Grill

“The other Eddy Street bar” as some O’Rourke’s loyalists may refer to it is the newest bar on my list. And it’s all the way up at number three? Why is that? It’s a damn good bar, that’s why.

They have a wide selection of affordable food and drinks perfect for game day or any day. In addition to that, they have some pretty shocking specials to cater to the college crowd.

Unlike some other bars on this list, Brother’s is pretty spacious. As a result, you don’t have to worry about battling crowds. That said, it can be packed on game days, which creates a pretty electric atmosphere.

2. The Blarney Stone (aka Finnegan’s aka Finnie’s)

When you walk into Finnie’s for the first time, chances are you’ll want to turn around and walk right back out. If you are able to overcome this urge, you will have an amazing time at this bar.

Yes, the floor is sticky and place turns into a sauna when it gets crowded. All that means is you sweat out all the empty calories you consume when you are there. Science.

Like salmon swimming upstream to return to their place of birth, Notre Dame students flock to Finnie’s during football home game weekends.

1. Corby’s Irish Pub

This beautiful bar is rumored to be the inspiration of Belinda Carlisle’s hit song, Heaven Is A Place On Earth. It may look like a small dive bar from the outside, but it opens up as you wander inside it’s welcoming confines. When the weather’s nice, you can head out back to their spacious patio.

Cheap Beer, check. Good Music, check. Pizza, check. PIZZA?!

Yes, that’s right. There is a pizza kitchen smack dab in the middle of the bar. In an external blind taste test, this pizza might be described as “good.” When you eat it inside Corby’s, though, it instantly becomes the best pizza on the planet.

Next: Stadium Renovations Impacting Tradition?

Honorable Mention: CJ’s Pub, Madison Oyster Bar, and Legends.

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