Peggy's is the word that evokes the most glorious memories from many a Drake alum. Open since 1930?, Peg's has a charm that keeps it packed nightly during the year, and overflowing into a parking lot tent during Homecoming and Relays. The Alumni Association even hosts "Peggy's Parties" for alumni in cities around the country.
What is it about this bar that gives it the charm? Could be the autographed dollar bills on the ceiling (Seniors sign them graduation weekend keeping with the legend that if your dollar is on the ceiling, there will always be a beer waiting for you at Peggy's) Could be the giant mural of a German beer hall on the wall from the 1950's. I feel that a bit of the charm was lost during remodeling 3 years ago. Everything was packed into one room, and the walls looked like no one had ever taken anything off of them, just put it on. It looks a little nicer now, but it isn't quite the same.
The charm is probably nostalgia though. Peggy's is everyone's first bar. Freshman test their fake IDs there when they first get them and make friends with the bartenders so they don't have to use them any more. And just in case the police raid the bar, the back door provides an easy escape.
If you go during the school year on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, get there by 9:30 to get a table. By 11:00 you can't move because of the crowd, and more people file in as the night rolls on. Don't worry about parking -- Most people walk.
Drink specials include Tuesday 2 for 1 and Wednesday $2 Guinness. Thursday night is Karaoke night, but everyone needs a few drinks before that gets rolling
West End was my favorite bar while I went to Drake. The Crowd at the other two was too Greek for me, but West End had a great mix of people. It took some doing to get my friends to go here most weekends, but they always had fun at this small, dark, smoky, dirty bar. West End is as close as any of the Drake bars come to being a club, and it is very far from what anyone else would call a club. They do play the best music here -- the bartenders play CDs from behind the bar, (the jukebox here lasted about 2 months), and they always take requests.
West End is home to the greatest tradition of Relays -- West End Breakfast. Buy your t-shirt before Relays weekend and show up at 7:00 AM Friday of relays for all the beer you can drink before 11:00 AM and your econ class. Most in the bar that morning haven't slept since last night's party. Some head out to class in their shirts after their liquid breakfast (I have done this) and return to replenish the buzz an hour later. Breakfast is my personal favorite when it comes to Relays traditions. For that reason, it has my loyalty.