Most of the best colleges, at least socially speaking, seem to have areas just off campus where students can find tight clusters of bars, restaurants and other shops.LSU students are lucky enough to have two places that kind of fit this.One’s a pretty obvious college hotspot in name if nothing else — Tigerland.Some people aren’t so hot on the collection of bars on Bob Pettit Boulevard — JL’s, the recently closed Tiger Bar, the daquiri place formerly (and briefly) known as Heisman’s Pizza Pub, Fred’s and of course Reggie’s.You might as well just toss Rotolo’s into that mix too. It’s moved over the train tracks and across Nicholson Drive, but it’s still a nice place to grab a cold glass — or a giant glass tube — of beer.And critics can say what they will about Tigerland, but enough people enjoy it that all those bars fill up with 20-somethings like sardines in a crushed tin box.And why not? The drink specials — including free drinks on Fridays — are delicious.Speaking of specials, Fred’s Summer Invitational is tonight. Geaux get some, party people — but I digress.Getting back on track, a quick trip across campus to the North Gates provides its own enjoyment.Last week, I touched upon my love for The Chimes and Louie’s Cafe. The neighborhood also boasts restaurants and bars like The Varsity Theater, Serrano’s, Reginelli’s, Cane’s, Slinky’s and North Gate Tavern to name several.The North Gate area provides more food and shopping — Tiger District, Blockbuster, Chimes Textbook Exchange, etc. — than Tigerland, but it’s not slouch when it comes to night life.I became an instant fan of the $2 pitchers at Reginelli’s when it opened less than two years ago.Also, a few bars in the area even partook in a pub crawl this spring — a very exciting prospect for the future.As willing as I’ve been to go to pub crawls in downtown Baton Rouge the last couple years, the North Gate area provides an added convenience I just can’t resist.I hope to see them continue, but these places and the Tigerland bars can likely continue to consider me a frequent patron.What can I say? I’m a sucker for good food and cheap alcohol.
 
 
 
—–Contact Jerit Roser at [email protected]