For the student seeking a fun night out without breaking the bank on a cab ride or risking a long, cold wait for a bus downtown, there are plenty of options for entertainment in the University of Saskatchewan area.

Louis’ Pub is our standard local option for night-time activities and is a ton of fun, but for a change of scene, the Broadway district offers food, drinks, entertainment and sociability galore within walking distance.

First up is a friendly neighborhood pub, the Yard & Flagon. Expect a laid back, homey atmosphere, with scratched wooden floors and a mix of eclectic alcohol-related decor on the walls — check out their shelves of vintage whiskey bottle boxes. Plus, they have the area’s most recently renovated patio, which opened in summer 2015. It’s a gorgeous place to grab a bite, such as one of their critically acclaimed veggie burgers, on a clear prairie evening. The patio will remain open as long as the weather allows, so sneak in a visit before it closes for the season!

The highlight of the Yard & Flagon’s nightlife is their Roots Revue performance series, which runs once the patio closes. For a cover price of a few dollars to pay the performers, you can take a seat and enjoy diverse acts such as a Scottish highland band or an intimate acoustic guitar set.

A short walk from the Yard & Flagon sits the Hose & Hydrant Brew Pub. It is a renovated heritage fire hall, so the inside is spacious, has high ceilings and is multilevel. They have pool tables and large TVs, making this an ideal spot for a night out to take in a sports game, devour some of their almost 30 flavors of wings — half price on Thursdays — and show off your cue skills during commercial breaks.

The Hose & Hydrant also turns their top floor, complete with a second bar, into a dance floor each night. They often have live DJs, and their cheesy-in-a-good-way multicolored disco lights make for a night of unpretentious fun. So if you’re in the mood to move your feet but not to head all the way downtown, the Hose & Hydrant is your local option.

For a quieter night, the Broadway Theatre always has something going on. Foreign films, live music of all genres, stand-up comedy — you name it, it’s probably upcoming at the Broadway Theatre. Check out their “Throwback Thursdays” on the last Thursday of every month, when they show fun, beloved classics. This month’s offering is The Wedding Singer, and who doesn’t want to relive Adam Sandler’s hilarious love story?

The Broadway Theatre is licensed to serve alcohol for many events — for example, movies after 9:00 p.m. — but sometimes the rules differ depending on if an event is classified as family-friendly. So if you’re envisioning yourself enjoying a beer or classy glass of wine while taking in that cutting-edge documentary, check ahead of time so you aren’t disappointed.

They always have the standard concession wares of a theatre though, so you can indulge your popcorn craving and relax in a comfortable, laid-back atmosphere different from the corporate Cineplex downtown.

Finally, for music fans, turn to Amigos Cantina. They are constantly bringing in eclectic line-ups of off-beat, innovative bands to rock their open-space layout late into the night. They are also the proud home of the city’s best nachos, according to Planet S Magazine’s most recent popular vote. The nachos and the rest of their food are all reasonably priced and generously portioned.

Plan an evening at Amigos on a student budget by taking a friend to share the nachos as a late supper — maybe even two friends, the platters are massive — and stay until the bands play, enjoying the drink specials for the rest of the night.

All of these places are within walking distance or a quick, cheap cab ride of the U of S campus area. Explore the fun and culture available on our side of the bridge!